EXT. BEACH FRONT - AFTERNOON

1:36 p.m.

Kachi
Ang init.

Direk Cal
Take 5 muna tayo.

Kachi
Finally!

Direk Cal
Are you okay?
Ang pula-pula mo.

Kachi
Yes, Direk. I'm fine.
Dahil lang talaga sa init.

Direk Cal
You sure?

Kachi
Sure na sure.

Direk Cal
You can rest in your tent if you'd like.

Kachi
No na.
Five minutes lang, e.

Direk Cal
Actually, we can extend to fifteen.
Kianna's also a bit weak to the sun.

Kachi blinked.

Kachi
Kianna?

Direk Cal
Yes.
It's scorching.
Look at her.

Kachi
No need, Direk.
Punta na ako sa tent.

Direk Cal
Okay.
Don't forget to use an umbrella.

Kachi
Ah, 'di na.
It's okay.

Direk Cal
I have one here.
Pinahiram ako ni Oliver kanina.
You can use it.

Kachi
No need, Direk.
Thank you.

Kachi was fanning herself on the way to the tent when an arm encircled around her.

Kianna
Hi!
Are you going back sa tent?

Kachi
Yes.

Kianna
Oki.
I'll walk with you.

Kachi
Pabalik ka rin ba?

Kianna
Yup! I need aircon.
I can't handle the heat na. It's scalding.

Kachi
Oh . . .

Kianna
I really don't like this weather. I mean, I like that it's sunny. Pero it's also humid and I hate getting sticky and sometimes ang hapdi talaga sa skin, I just hope my sunblock is doing the job.

Kachi
Yeah. Same.

Kianna
Also, does it make you palpitate sometimes?

Kachi
Hmm?

Kianna
Sa init? Or maybe hindi naman 'yon palpitations? Sometimes kasi I can feel my heartbeat especially when it's hot. It's bit faster lang than usual. Maybe normal naman?

Kachi
Ah.

Kianna
Does our heart beat faster when it's too hot?

Kachi
I'm not sure.
Pero nabanggit nga ni Direk.
Mahina ka raw sa init.

Kianna
Ah . . .

Kachi noticed the somber smile on Kianna's lips.

Kianna
He remembers pala.

Kachi
Remembers?
Ang alin?

Kianna
When I was in grade 8 kasi, I fainted during a mass.

Kachi
Ha? Bakit?

Kianna
Because it was too hot that day and then super lamig naman sa classroom. But I was actually feeling under the weather before that kaya I wasn't able to eat breakfast and lunch. I had no appetite. I think water and konting kagat lang sa sandwich nagawa ko. It's not just the heat. But yeah, I fainted during communion.

I was just lucky kasi katabi ng line namin 'yong line ng section nila Kuya Cal—I mean Direk, so he assisted me to the clinic.

Kachi
Oh . . .

Kianna
I almost blacked out that day.
Turns out I was dehydrated.

Kachi
Then you should drink more water.

Kianna
I know. But I hate it.

Kachi
Ha?

Kianna
It feels heavy sa stomach.
I don't like it.

Kachi
I see.

Kianna
Then Kuya King suggested I eat watermelons. Because it helps with hydration daw and I like the taste!

Kachi
Kaya ba favorite mo watermelon?

Kianna
Yup! Although ang daming seeds minsan, but it's fine! I can de-seed naman. No biggie.

Kachi nodded.

Kianna
Are you okay?

Kachi
Ah, oo.

Kianna
Ayaw mo rin ba sa heat?

Kachi
Who likes it?

Kianna
Astrid.

Kachi
Astrid?

Kianna
Yup. She's my brother's girlfriend as I mentioned before, and best friend! Apparently, it helps with her workout daw. She said it makes her sweat easier.

Kachi
Ah, okay.
Figures.

Kianna
She actually likes the sauna.

Kachi
And you?

Kianna
I don't! I feel like melting.
Para akong ice cream do'n!

Kachi chuckled.

Kianna
Hey, don't laugh.

Kachi
I can imagine.
You're a strawberry ice cream tapos . . . what cone would you have?

Kianna
Cone?

Kachi
Ah! Sugar cone!
I can imagine you being a strawberry ice cream sa sugar cone then may ribbon pa sa cone mo and you're left inside a sauna tapos nagme-melt ka do'n.

Kianna
Hey!

Kachi laughed.

Kachi
Cute.

Kianna
It's not.

Kachi
Are you close pala?
Sa brother mo?

Kianna
Yup! Super.
I'm very much maka-Kuya like Mom would always say.

Kachi
And then sa brother din ni Direk?

Kianna
That's my nemesis.

Kachi
Nemesis?

Kianna
Yup. I think he's put on earth to make me suffer.

Kachi
And kay Direk?

Kianna
Si Direk?

Kachi
Yes . . . si Direk.

Kianna
. . .

Kachi
. . .

Kianna
We used to?
I don't know.