Our Journey Together (Philippines - Banaue 01)

After spending few days in Baguio City, they went up to Banaue. It's another 10 hrs van ride from Baguio City.

Shin and Jungye were both exhausted from travel but they enjoyed the scenic view of the countryside. They left Baguio City early in the morning and arrived late afternoon in Banaue. They checked in at their hostel and took shower quickly.

They wandered around the town to have dinner.

After having dinner, they decided to go back to their hostel and to sleep early and rest.

.....

While at the hostel room, Jungye was thinking something and wanted to ask Shin about herself. They are already in a relationship together and it's normal for him to know more about his girlfriend.

Jungye: "Shin, if you don't mind me asking, can you tell me something about yourself, I mean, your family. I'm just curious."

Shin suddenly looked into the man lying down beside her. She just looked at him intently thinking about whether to tell him about her family background or not. For her, it's an issue that she doesn't want to talk about because even if it's been years, she still feel the pain of losing her dad and facing the responsibilities of taking care of their family at a young age.

"Are you sure you want to know? It's full of drama like, a telenovela stories you usually watch on tv"

Jungye: "I don't mind...I just want to know you, the other side of you that is not about being a backpacker"

The room went silent for few minutes, then Shin decided to tell everything to Jungye. She was teary eyed while telling him what she experienced and the struggles she's been through.

Shin: " I cried a lot alone because I can't let anyone know that I am crumbling inside. I have to be strong because our family relied on me. I have to help my mom to make sure that we have something to cook and eat for the day and also to send my siblings to school. It was so hard because I am not used to it...our life was easy when papa was alive...then suddenly....just like that....he's dead."

Her face was red from crying. Jungye can't help but held her in his arms, thinking that it will somehow make her feel better.

Jungye: " It's been so long, you managed to get through and survived that situation. I love you more than ever knowing I have a strong woman beside me....you're my girlfriend. I feel so lucky to have you and I am really proud of you!" He kissed her and making her feel better.

Shin:" I am ok now...everything is ok now...I just feel sad whenever I think about my past. I hoped my father is still alive today so he can see where I am now, what I accomplished, for him to be proud of me as his daughter...for me to say that 'hey papa, you raised me well' I wanted to say that to him"

He embraced Shin in his arms and let her rest on his chest. That's the night they first both cried.

Jungye uttered a small prayer thanking that she was strong enough to survived all those problems and struggled her way out of those depressing situation. If she wasn't strong enough, he will never had a chance to meet and be with an amazing woman like her.

...

They slept that night hugging each other tight. Jungye had a realization that he is crazy head over heels with the woman sleeping beside him.