"Bag. "

"Check."

"Food."

"Check."

"Clothes."

"Check."

"Money."

"Check."

"Gas."

"Check"

"I think I'm ready to go."

My journey will start now. I started the engine and drove my car. I am heading to a resort in Batangas to unwind. I really need a vacation right now.

When I reached the tollway, I decided to listen to music. I turned the car stereo on and a familiar music played.

Playing

♪A thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton♪

Making my way downtown

Walking fast, faces pass and I'm homebound

Staring blankly ahead

Just making my way

Making a way through the crowd

I sang along the verses. Every time I listen to this song, something hurts inside me. I really don't know what comes to me every single time. Vivid memories seem to cross my mind but I can't remember anything. I just shrugged it off and continued driving.

I already reached the end of the tollway.

"Looks like I drove for so long already."

I am too excited that I didn't realize time passing by. I passed by the payment booth and exited the tollway.

"At last, I'm out of the bustling city."

I looked around while driving and felt like I am already in the province. The trees, the homes, and the bystanders in the streets, the province vibe is really here.

"The street foods look delicious." I mumbled as I saw people eating fish balls.

*Beep Beep*

My phone buzzed. Someone texted me. I took a peek and saw that mom texted me. Just checking where I am right now. I'll text her back later when I've reached my destination. I think I'm already nearby.

Wait.

"What resort am I going?"

What place is it located? I am not familiar with this place.

"Oh no! Why haven't I thought of this?"

Of all places, why did I choose to be here?

Thank God I saw a man standing along the street. I stopped the car and rolled the window down to ask him the directions.

"Sir, Good Afternoon! Do you know where the Forest Haven Resort is? I don't know if I'm following the right directions from the GPS."

"Oh, the Forest Haven Resort? You're following the right direction. You'll just have to turn right in the next station. You will see signages that indicate you are already near."

"Really? Thank you so much." Relief came over me knowing that I am already near the resort. I already need to rest.

I drove the car to the direction he told me. But it looks like I am in an endless loop.

"Maybe it is still far."

I kept driving and driving. I haven't even seen the sign that the man talked about a while ago.

I'm doomed. I stopped the car and rested my head on the steering wheel to think of a plan.

"Think. Think."

Should I go back?

I drummed my fingers on the lower part of the wheel.

"I've finally made up my mind. I'm going back."

My mind stopped thinking when I heard a knock on my window. My worry was diverted to nervousness.

Someone's knocking on my window. What should I do?

I pretended that I didn't hear the knock. But the person knocking was persistent. He continued what he was doing.

I stayed like that for a while. Luckily, the knocking stopped. But I didn't lift my head away the wheel. Is this my time to die? Lord, please help me.

"Miss, are you alright there?" I heard a man said. Oh, maybe he was the one knocking. Should I roll my window down? Or drive away?

Drive or Open the Window?

If I drive, I don't know where I will be going.

If I open the window, I can ask the man. But what if that man is a serial killer or a bad man?

Inhale…

Exhale…

You can do this, Glai!

One... Two... Threeeeee...

I raised my head and drove the car as fast as I can to wherever place I can reach. I think my decision's right. I heaved a sigh.

"It was the right decision, right?" I smiled with that thought.

Minutes later, I started regretting my choice. My car stopped in the middle of nowhere. The trees look creepy in this place. I checked my car and it looks like that engine overheated.

"What should I do?"

"I looked at my wrist watch and realized that it was already nearing sunset. Another thing to be worried of. Darkness starts to cover the place.

"What will happen to me here?"

A thought popped out of my head.

"Why haven't I realized that I can use my phone to ask for help?"

I rummaged through my things to get my phone. I checked the signal but I realized that I am really doomed. There is no signal.

I got of the car to look for signal. I made sure that I locked the doors before I leave.

"Where should I go so my phone can have signal?" I walked for a while.

"There is no signal reception here."

"What?"

"There is no signal reception here."

"Oh no! Why? How can I reach the resort?"

Wait...

Is it just me or someone is really answering my questions?

"WAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH."

I ran as hard as I can but I stumbled through a branch and tripped over.

"Just how unlucky can I get today?"

I looked at my knee and saw that it is bleeding. Just a small cut. There's nothing to fear. I saw way far worst in the emergency room.

"Miss are you alright? Why did you run away?"

It's still the man who answered my question. He followed me until here. I raised my head to look at him. I scanned his face and in fairness, he looks dashing. There are beads of sweat on his face but it made him look fresh out of workout.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"No worries." I said as I look away from his face.

"I just want to check if you are alright. You look lost."

I nodded my head in agreement.

"By the way, where are you heading?"

"Forest Haven Resort. I'm planning to have a vacation in this resort. I've asked around for directions and I followed what they said. But I haven't reached my destination. To add to that, my car overheated. I think I should go back to Manila."

I creased my eyebrow when I heard a hearty laughter.

"HAHAHAHAHA."

"Why are you laughing?" I shouldn't feel offended but the way this man laugh makes me feel upset.

He mumbled something in between his laughter but I can't understand him.

"WHAT IS IT? ARE YOU MESSING WITH ME?" I angrily asked him. It seems like he can't hear the anger in my voice. He continued laughing until his eyes started tearing up. He held my shoulders and turned me around.

I felt relief when I saw the signage. At last, I've found the resort.

"Welcome to Forest Haven Resort where Serenity brings back good old times."

Good Old Times?

"Hey, thank you-----." The man vanished quickly. Never mind him. After a lot of misfortune, I already reached my destination.

I decided to head back to my car to get my things. I checked if the car's engine is already working and luckily, it was already in good condition.

I passed by the signage again and a memory flashed backed in my head.

"Welcome to Forest Haven Resort where Serenity Brings Back Good Old Times." a man said.

"Good Old Times? Who made this tagline? It's witty." the girl replied with a small laughter.

"Maybe this is what I've been looking for"

I honked in front of the gate and it opened.

"Good afternoon, ma'am! May I know if you have any reservations?" the security asked.

"Yeah, Under Glaiza Angelique Santos."

"Okay ma'am. I'll just check it."

While waiting, I can't help but to look around. The environment is so serene. The ambiance of the place is peaceful. I haven't seen the whole resort but I feel like I want to spend a lot of time here. My daydreaming was cut when the guard arrived.

"Ma'am your reservation is confirmed. Follow this boy and he will lead you to the reception area."

"Alright. Thanks."

After a day full of mischief, all I need is long sleep in a comfortable bed.