I was a college student in Butuan City . Philippines. Cris was a worker in a pier. I boarded a boat bound for Camiguin, a small island in northern Mindanao, Philippines. I was on a summer vacation, a privilege I enjoyed because our parents wanted us to take a respite after studying for a year. It is a study first, vacation later privilege set up by our parents. Finishing college was a priority for me.

           High school life was never boring for me. It was a goal-oriented dream for me. I experienced having someone whom I like very much that I often passed by his house and my heart would pump a beat once I saw him sitting on the porch.       

           Our houses were parts of company houses whose owners are workers of a logging company. Once a worker retires or is terminated, the house must be vacated within two months so that others in the waiting list can avail of the house. The houses are made of lumber and the roofs are made of veneer . Houses have only one design. The house has a porch, single bedroom, dining room, kitchen, a patio going to the restroom.

            The guy never knew that I had a crush on him. It was enough that I admired him. He was handsome, tall and dressed smartly. He was my ideal guy but I couldn’t dare approach him and say “ You're my crush.” I did not go to his house although it was only four houses away from my house.

            Then my family transferred to a much bigger house near the main road. It has two bedrooms. The house was still owned by the same company. I no longer went to the former house and I did not know what happened to my crush, if he was still there or not. I devoted my time to my studies. There was no single day where I skipped visiting the school library. The place was my haven. The first book that I opened and read was the Encyclopedia- the American Encyclopedia and Encyclopedia Britannica. Taking one volume at a time, I opened a page for member nations of United Nations. I read it thoroughly and wrote down the country, its capital, flag symbols, population, its tourist spots. the national flower, After doing it, I then opened up my assignment notebook and worked on it. And when I still had time, I opened up the big dictionary of the library and searched for words under adjectives, adverbs, nouns, verbs. I wrote their meanings in my other big notebook. That was how I was obsessed with my collection of those terms.

               I didn’t go out with friends or classmates. I was alone most of the time. During recess time or vacant time, I chatted with them for a little while then made excuses to go to the library.

              My parents are supportive of our studies. They wanted us to finish our studies, take a degree in college and find a job after graduation. My mind centered on what they told us. “ Yes, I have to earn a college degree because my parent will not stay young until I grow old. I can’t be like my elder sister and an older brother who married early. ” They were only high school graduates.

              My thoughts were interrupted when another boat passenger excused herself to be able to go to the restroom. She smiled at me and I smiled back. Looking back to the blue ocean. I saw sea water making a ripple around it, so beautiful .; its funnel-like formation of the sea was turned into a flat surface.

              I saw passengers in reclined positions, sleeping or merely closing their eyes. Perhaps, their constant traveling by boat is no longer that exciting, unlike myself who just traveled twice to the island. I found it very exciting traveling by bus and stopped by the pier then board a board which was the only means of transportation. Cargoes or vehicles are transported by a barge.

              Soon, the boat was maneuvering towards the port. The island was a sight to behold. I can see the coastal road which extend from end to end of the island . The houses lined up near the port. People gathered on the port. Ports were anxiously waiting for the boat to finally anchorthrown. Big ropes were thrown towards them and caught by men who fastened them securely to a bollard. Some porters jumped was to the boat and walked fast the passenger to look for passenger with many cargoes. It was the daily job. These porters are commissioned by passengers to carry their cargoes on the agreed amount. Cris was one of them.

                My cousin and I went to a pond which was 100 meters away. Most people went to the pond to wash clothes and take a bath. The water is clear and invigorating. invigorating and clear. The pond‘s water is always clear. It exited towards the sea which crossed under the culvert. The road above is a primary road from the pier to any part of the island. Big trees served as a canopy for the pond. Chirping birds hopping from one branch to another branch made some bathers watch them.

              “ How about coming to the pier after dinner? It will be a moonlight night and many residents will be at the pier to enjoy the night’s activities. Some men will go fishing, “ my cousin told me. 

              After dinner, we asked permission from my uncle and aunt to go to the pier. “ Don’t’ stay there late. I will just leave the door to unlock,” my aunt said approvingly.

              Changing into a blouse and skirt, I put on little make-up and lightly color my lips with red lipstick. I squeezed my favorite perfume and did the same to my cousin.

              The pier was busy. Some passengers stayed inside their vehicle waiting for their early morning trip to another port.    

              My cousin, who saw Cris in a huddle with some of his friends, held my hand and came near Cris. I was introduced to them. Cris greeted me first and I greeted him back with a smile. 

             A night after, Cris came with his friend and serenaded. My cousin opened the window and saw him. She wanted me to get up from bed but I just told her that I will just listen while in bed.

           As the days passed, Cris courted me but I did not answer him because I want to finish my studies. I encouraged him to go back to school, enroll in college.

          “ I want you to go back to school, Cris. Please enroll in college. Your work as a porter is hard work. You perspire easily and having a profession will change your vision dramatically. It is not at all time that you are physically strong when you grow old. The cargoes are heavy. It will take a toll on your health later. Sleep early. Take a good rest and eat properly and on time. I will soon graduate from college. I am already A third-year college. And hopefully, I will become a teacher,” I said looking at Cris who just remained quiet.

          I boarded a boat and to my surprise, Cris came to sit beside me. I asked, “ Are you going somewhere?” He answered. “ I am here to accompany you to the other port. I want to see you board a bus. I already miss you, Connie. How I wish that you are here to stay by my side. I will wait for you. I know you will return because you were born here,” Cris said.

           I could not say a word. Cris looked at me with loving eyes. Tears fell from my eyes and he handed me his handkerchief. “ I am sorry, Cris .” I can’t reciprocate your feeling for me. My studies are my priorities. I have a different opinion of success. No matter what you say, still I can’t submit myself to falling in love with you because I want to be a professional. I want to make my parents happy and see me wearing graduation attire. My brother and sister failed their expectations and I won’t fail my parents. Thank you for loving me but still, I won’t give you what you wished and hoped for. We differ in the meaning of success .”I told him without looking at him.

            I returned to the city and continued my studies. I did not entertain suitors.

And concentrated on my studies.

           I was already in my last year of college and before the start of my class, my parents asked me where to spent my vacation and I told them that I would prefer to have my vacation in Camiguin. I was given a traveling allowance and pocket money that would last for a two-week vacation.

          I stayed in the same house as my aunt. They welcomed me back. My cousin asked me if Cris and I saw each other at the port. I said, “ No. I don’t know if he saw me there. “

         That night, as I prepared to go to sleep, I heard voices down below. My cousin, Norma opened the window and saw Cris. I just listened to them and did not stand because I was too tired from the trip.

         My cousin and I went beachcombing for edible sea creatures. We were able to gather seashells, periwinkles, clams, and sea urchins. There were many people on the beach. A few of them went farther to gather bigger catch of sea creatures. It will be cooked by them with spices, either boil them or cook as they wish.

         The evening was still coming in early. The port can be seen at a distance. Electric ports shared their power to make the port busy with people going back and forth the street.

When they were about to find a place to sit, I saw Dane and his friend coming. “Nerie, why are they here? Did you tell them about our coming here?” Celine asked her cousin. 

“Of course not,” Nerie answered.

“Hi.” Cris greeted us . Relly also greeted us, too. “How did you know we’re here,” Nerie asked. 

“I went to your house and your mother answered that you’re both here. So, we came here.” Relly said.

“How are you, Connie?” Cris asked.

“I’m good. How about you? “I answered and asked.

I’m good, too, and thanks. “Cris answered.

“Relly, let’s go buy some food, “Nerie said. Cris gave them money which they accepted.

“I saw you at the boat but you seemed to hide behind some people. However, I am very glad that you’re here. So I was right when I said that you’ll come back,” Cris said, looking at me . “How I missed you, Connie . I never courted a woman ever since you left last year. I just waited for you. Months seemed years. But I’m so happy now”, Dane said.

He looked at my eyes. I just looked down on my feet. I didn’t look at Cris.

“Did you sleep well last night?” Cris asked.

“Yes. Your songs were so nice to hear. It lulled me to sleep. Perhaps I was too tired. But I enjoyed listening to the songs,” I answered.

“I missed you, Connie... I hope you did not forget me while you were there. Did your boyfriend come back?” Cris asked.

“No. As what I have said, my concentration was on my studies. I heard that he had another woman. I was not hurt though. I must live on practicality.” I said.

“All is well. It was good that we ended that way. It’s fine that way. “I added.

“I did not forget you, Connie. I stand by what I said that I will wait for you. I really missed you. And I hope that this time, I will be blessed to be accepted by you. I do love you.” Cris said. “You’re always on my mind. I am a one-woman man. I know who I want to choose. I was not tempted to look for another woman. I was waiting for you. Now that you’re here, I hope I won’t fail this time. I hope that you will say yes to me. That you can now love me without hesitation.” Cris said, eyes on me 

“Cris, it’s still too early for that, I have just arrived,”I said

ButCris interrupted me. “Love knows no time and you can also love me, you can say it without focusing on time. Let me hear you say it.” Cris waited, looking at me.

“Yes.’’ I answered. I finally let go of my feelings for him. I fall for him. Cris’s point of view about love made me think of his sincerity and the person who conceded to his point of view about love was me.