Ciara's POV
Today is the first day of our vacation! Today is October 29th, and my grandmother's birthday is the next day. We're now bringing two cars, one for our family and the other for Uncle Derek's.
We intended to seal ourselves in our van while Shan's parents, Jane, and Uncle Derek's family stayed in the other van. I'm confident that Lola's 66th birthday celebration will be a big success.

Surigao is something I miss as well. I was born in Surigao City and moved to Butuan City when I was four or five years old. My father's birthplace is Butuan, but she met Mom and also Dad's work before he was deployed to Surigao.
"Are your things okay there?" dad prompted my friends, as we double-checked our belongings in case someone had forgotten something.
The drive from Butuan to Surigao is not long. It takes around an hour and a half. This is also the first time I've traveled with my parents! Because I used to only come to Surigao with Uncle Derek if they ever went there. Of course, my parents were still working and were rarely present.
When everything is in hand, the twins, Faith, Julie, Shan, me, and, of course, my parents, board the van. My father will be driving, and he is an excellent driver because of his previous work trips with my mother.
We won't miss the chatter, laughter, and fun on the vacation, especially when I'm with the complete group. Dad packed his portable DVD player, and thankfully, there are plenty of movies to choose from, so we won't be bored for the next hour and a half.
When I peeked out the window, I saw that we had arrived in Surigao City. When the others awoke, they saw that he had also arrived. Dad arrived at our Beach Resort, which is located along Mabua Pebble Beach.

"Are we there?" Patrick said from the backseat, where he was eating chips with his twin sister and Faith.
"Yes, we're getting there," Dad said, "and our beach resort is located at the very end."
We were at our destination in no time. It is the beach resort of our family. My grandparents came out and hugged us as soon as we got down, saying, "Oh, my granddaughter! I miss you!"
"Grandma, I miss you too! Happy birthday!" I hugged her passionately.

"Oh, my birthday is still tomorrow," Lola, who was overjoyed to see us, said.
"So, Grandma, advance happy birthday! Hey, Grandpa! I miss you so much!" I said as I embraced and hugged my Grandfather.
My friends exited the vehicle and greeted Grandpa and Grandma. "Oh, where's your brother?" Grandpa asked Dad.
"He's on his way, dad," dad said, "and we're a little ahead of them because Ciara brought her friends with her."
"Ah, of course. This is Patricia and Patrick — well, they're twins," I explained, introducing the twins as the only ones my grandparents hadn't met, "Of course you've already met Faith and Shan."
"Of course! After all, John is my idol!" exclaimed my grandmother, and we all chuckled.
"This is Julie, Shan's sister, and Shan is now my boyfriend."
Grandma gave them all a warm smile. "It's nice to see everyone, and I'm glad you've all arrived; come on, let's head inside."
Here at our resort, we carried our belongings inside the house. Surigao's house, or beach house, is also rather large. Uncle Derek's van arrived shortly after that.
They were greeted by Grandpa and Grandma. Uncle Derek is accompanied by his family, Shan's family, and even Uncle Quinn, Aunt Giselle's twin brother.
"It's excellent that you got along with them, Quinn," Grandma commented as we helped them load their belongings into the car, "When are you planning to get married?"
We all laughed because no one had ever made the mistake of admiring Uncle Quinn before. That's why King, one of their best friends, and Uncle Derek taunt him all the time.
Uncle Quinn is handsome, but he is misunderstood as gay because he moves in a modest way.
He simply replied, "When I see the right woman for me," and we really laughed.
We started room hunting once we unpacked our items. We were all under the impression that the cells are in the same room.
The beds are likewise very large and there are two of them. It was also ideal for us females to sleep separately from the boys, though I was used to sleeping with Shan even so.
"Your house here is so wonderful, Ciara," Julie said as she walked over to the window to see the stunning sea view.
"Hey, let's go outside," I said to Shan, who was just staring at me with a smile on his face.
He turned around and took my hands in his. "Shan, Shar, where are you two going?" Aunt Giselle said as we were about to depart.
"Just outside, right at the cottage," I said as I turned to face her.
"OK, but we'll eat lunch shortly," she said, nodding. "Be back, okay?"
"All right, aunt! We won't be long," I said as I walked away. Shan and I immediately proceeded to my grandfather's cottage.
I could feel the cool breeze as we sat down, even though it was twelve o'clock in the afternoon and the air was still extremely fresh. Because of the pebbles on the beach, it's still extremely lovely here, and the water in the sea is super-duper crystal clean.
"At long last, I'm stress-free!" I said as I clung to my boyfriend's arm. I can't believe I'll be able to spend so much time with my loved ones this time.
Right now, I'm traveling with my folks, which is unusual in comparison to then. Aside from that, there's Shan, my best friend and someone I secretly adored. But now it's my boyfriend's turn. Not simply my boyfriend, but also my life partner. He will undoubtedly be my soon-to-be husband, with whom I will spend the rest of my life.
"Wow, I recall you telling me back then that you'll never be stressed," Shan said, laughing heartily.
It's true what he said! When we were still in Senior High, I was quite relaxed since I believed that my classmates had too many over-reacting reactions as a result of mental breakdowns, melancholy, and anxiety issues caused by their schoolwork.
Turns out, studying is a lot of work, and I've been feeling like I'm starting college this year. On exam day, I cried for the first time in my life! As in, I'm embarrassed, and Shan keeps mocking me about it.
"Well, I'm taking back what I'm saying. It's extremely stressful Dang!!" I laughed as I glanced at him.
"It's too much pressure," he remarked, putting his arms around my shoulders. "I already felt that pressure in Senior High."
"But," I added, looking into his eyes, "I'm happy now because I'm with you."
As he lifted my chin, I felt the butterflies in my tummy return. As he moves closer to me, his killer smile and gorgeous eyes made my heart melt.
"Hey, we're going to eat!" said someone on our side just as I was about to close my eyes.
"You scared me, Patrick! Thanks for the great timing!" I exclaimed, clutching my chest.
"I'm sorry, but we're going to eat," he remarked, a cheeky smirk on his face. He had every intention of scaring the living daylights out of us here.
"Let's continue later," I said as I shook my head and motioned Shan to stand up.
x x x x 
Our stay has been wonderful, and we've all been able to unwind. We created a variety of events, games, and other things to help us bond with one another. It's a lot of fun, and I'm simply glad I'm spending time with my family.
Lola's birthday is today, and there will be a party! We just arrived yesterday, and now our cousins from Surigao City have joined us.
Other visitors and friends are also welcome. It was clear that they were highly enthusiastic about the activities. We were just conversing, and Julie was joining us but also holding her phone, most likely talking to Dwight.
"What's this for? Do you want me to sing?" I said as Grandpa grabbed my father's guitar from the house and handed it to me.
"Of course, my grandchild," he responded, "for your grandma, who was overjoyed when she saw your performance, and for your father, who sent the clip on to us," that's then grandpa let me towards the middle of the cottage.
“Oh! Let's hear it out, and my daughter will begin to sing," my dad exclaimed, and I wasn't sure whether to be pleased or uncomfortable. He's already drunk, so he's been a little tipsy.
On the sidelines, I saw smiles and positive vibes from my friends. I was inspired to write a song that I will dedicate to my grandmother. It is, of course, her birthday, but it is also the birthday of others important to me.
If this is the final song to be performed,
I'd like you to know that you're a significant part of my life.
And if there's anything more I'd like to say, it's this:
I'd want to claim that you've added color to the world.
My parents provided me with a lot of color in the world. I can't recall the last time I felt completely content. Yes, I am content in my life since I have friends, but I am not totally content because I recognize that something is missing, namely, my parental love and self-confidence.
I wept with you.
I have hope because of you.
This song is dedicated to you.
And if your voice is worn out, don't be sorry.
Because you heard what I said.
Thank you for your kind words.
This song is dedicated to you.
And if your voice is worn out, don't be sorry.
Because you heard what I said.
Thank you very much.
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa yes, yes, yes.
I completed my song and dashed over to Grandma's, "I love you very much, Grandma," I hugged her firmly, "and happy birthday!"
She hugged me back and kissed me on the cheek, saying, "Sweet! I love you so much. Always remember that, Ciara."
"Awww! Your voice is really truly great!" Patricia exclaimed as I returned to my seat with my friends.
"I didn't realize you were a tremendous player," Julie admitted.
"Because I inherited musical instruments from my father and then my voice from my mother," I explained as I went to have another bite to eat and a drink.
Shan called out, "Hey, hey, hey, hey!" and pointed at my hand, "What's that? Are you going to drink? Since when did you learn how to drink?"
"Calm down, it's just a light drink. It's not intoxicating, and I drink from time to time," I said, startled by what he said.
"Why don't I know that?" he asked, looking at me.
"Eh? You don't know?" I asked, laughing. "Did you forget about when we were in grade 11? I was even with Patricia at the time."
"Oh certainly," he reasoned, "but even so, you can't drink."
"Babe, it's just light, it's not intoxicating," I murmured as I drew him closer to where we were seated.
"What the hell, bro, relax, it's not intoxicating," Patrick said.
"Yes, let's go, and we'll still have a good time!"