Chapter 19: Do Not Go Gentle Unto That Good Night

"Kiko kausapin mo naman ako," Hindi ako sanay na hindi ako kinakausap ni Kiko. Buong umaga hinihintay ko na lumapit siya sa'kin pero nagkulong lang siya dito sa kwarto nila. Ang labo naman kasi ng tao na 'to.

"Mamaya na Sab, parang binibiyak pa yung ulo ko," he groaned from beneath his comforter. Nilapitan ko nga at hinila yung nakatakip sa kanya.

"Sino ba kasi nagsabi sa'yo na uminom ka?" I chided him as I placed a steaming cup of coffee beside the bed, "Inom ka muna kape para mawala yan."

"Damn it woman, hindi ka ba nakakaintindi? Wag mo muna akong kausapin. Hindi ako okay. HINDI TAYO OKAY!" He sat up so suddenly from the bed and I was taken aback. Muntik na akong mahulog sa kama sa sobrang gulat. Teka muna, sinisigawan niya ako? Concerned lang naman ako sa kanya eh. Bwisit na Kiko 'to!

"Nakakainis ka, ang labo mo!" Singhal ko sa kanya. Tumayo siya sa kama at nagtuloy sa banyo.

"Ikaw ang malabo, hindi ka makaintindi!" he hollered back at naasar ako kaya sinundan ko nga. Buti at bukas naman yung pinto at nakita kong naghihilamos siya ng malamig na tubig.

"Kiko Villanueva bwisit ka, wag mo kong tinatalikuran!" Nanggagalaiti na ako sa galit. First time na tinaasan ako ng boses ng kumag na ito!

"Sabrina Althea Arroyo manhid ka!" Tinitigan niya yung reflection ko sa salamin ng sink. Oh, shit...

May kumatok sa pinto,"S-Sasama ba kayo sa spelunking?" tanong ni Kuya Adam at sabay kaming sumagot na dalawa.

"HINDE!"

"Okay, nagtatanong lang naman eh. Grabe ang init ng ulo niyo," nakangisi ito, "Ayusin niyo na kasi yang LQ niyo."

"LQ? Nababaliw na 'ata 'tong si Kuya," I murmured. "Panong magkaka-LQ eh hindi naman kami."

Lumabas na si Kiko sa banyo at naupo sa kama,"Sab pwede ba, umalis ka muna dito sa kwarto? Pabayaan mo munang magluksa ako." He picked up the cup of coffee that I prepared and took a sip.

Nilapitan ko siya at naupo sa lapag paharap sa kanya, "Kiko, ano bang problema mo? Bigla na lang kung ano-anong sinasabi mo?" I paused, "Umamin ka nga, nag-we-weed ka ba?"

"What the hell?" Nagsalubong ang kilay niya.

"Uso yun dito sa Sagada di ba? Ano, yung totoo lang?" I tried to smile at him kasi naman nitong mga nakaraang araw parang sobrang tensyonado na kami.

"Sab, mukha ba akong adik sa'yo? Yung totoo?" His eyes were closed and he was pinching the bridge of his nose. Uh-oh, mag-be-beast-mode na si Kiko. Ganito siya pag nagagalit.

"Eh hindi ko na kasi ma-explain yung mga sinasabi mo." I pouted, "Uy, Kiko..." Hindi ako sanay na ganito siya kaseryoso.

"What's there to explain Sab? Gets ko naman eh," he groaned, "Hindi ako ang type mo. Now will you please get out of this room?"

Tumayo na ako sa lapag,"Ano 'to Kiko? Nagising ka na lang na may feelings ka pala sa'kin? Ang sakit mo naman sa bangs eh," Naihilamos ko sa mukha ko ang aking mga kamay.

"Matagal na kitang gusto, since elem pa tayo. Ikaw lang naman ang laging may umaaligid na iba." He said in a broken voice, "Ano naman ang panama ko sa mga bino-boyfriend mo? Puro varsity, campus heartthrobs... 'Tangina, Sab." Tumulo yung luha niya at pakiramdam ko nadudurog din ang puso ko. Inabot ko yung kape sa kanya at inilapag ito muli sa side table.

"Bwisit ka Kiko," I whispered as I gathered him in my arms and let him soak my shirt with his tears. His familiar arms came around me and I wondered: Should I give him a chance?

--------------------------

Maria Lee, I am yours for the day

His words wound round and round my head. Hindi ko maintindihan kung anong meron dito sa lalaking 'to at niyakag niya ako dito sa pathway papuntang Sumaguing Caves. Hindi na siya nagsalita pa pagkatapos niyang bitawan yung statement niya at parang naghihintay sa kung anong sasabihin ko. Nagtitigan lang kami sa gitna ng daan pero parang tinamad siya kaagad maghintay at hinila na lang ang kamay ko para patuloy na maglakad.

I am yours for the day.

Ano yun, parang master and slave? Naramdaman kong namula ang pisngi ko. Ang gwapo namang alipin nito. Ang ganda ko naman kung siya ang alipin ko.

Nakarating kami sa tindahan kung saan nagmamarka ng opening ng caves. May ilang mga foreigners na naghihintay doon kasama ng mga guide nila.

"May guide na ba kayo?" tanong nung manong at sumagot siya.

"Nauna lang kami sandali. Hinihintay pa namin yung mga kasama namin."

I sat down on one of the benches. Bigla kong naalala na kailangan ko pa nga palang mag-isip ng paraan kung paano i-e-explain kay Ama yung nakita niya kanina. Bigla akong namula ng naalala ko ulit yung nangyari.

Hala, sayang yung first kiss ko! Pero sabi niya first kiss niya rin yun so parang hindi rin naman ako lugi.

Anong hindi ka lugi Ria? Dapat sa Prince Charming mo yung first kiss mo! Hindi dito... dito sa unggoy na 'to!

I stole a glance at him. Gwapo. Matangos ang ilong, itiman ang mata, makapal yung kilay, tanned, medyo mestiso at matangkad. Medyo mahaba yung buhok niya na nakatali sa likod pero nakalaylay yung bangs sa magkabilang gilid ng mukha. O sige, aaminin ko na nga, mukha siyang pang-Koreanovela. Pero hindi ko masyadong ma-appreciate kanina dahil na-bad-trip ako sa ginawa niya.

"Here," hindi ko na napansin na nakatayo na siya sa harap ko. I snatched my book out of his hands. Ngumiti siya at nag-crouch sa harap ko,

*"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height,"

Oh shit. He's reciting the opening lines of my favourite poem.

"My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace."

Whattheheck! Nakakatindig balahibo yung boses niya!

"I love thee to the level of everyday's

Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight."

He's smiling slightly at me. I realized na nakanganga ako sa kanya and I immediately closed my mouth.

"I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith."

Holy crap! Lalaki ba talaga siya? Bakit kabisado niya yung mga ganitong poems? Shocks...nakaka...nakaka-in-love?

"I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints-I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life!-and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death."

He finished and I couldn't help but feel like the rug has been yanked from beneath me.

"Favorite poem mo?" he smirked at me. I felt myself nod. "Foolish romanticism..."

Ano daw? Wait, nilait ba niya yung favourite poem ko?

"Excuse me, if that is foolish romanticism eh bakit kabisado mo? Were you spying on me?" I narrowed my eyes at him. He grinned at me. Nakakaloko yung mukha niya.

"Naka-dog-ear yung page, so obviously it meant something to you and let's face it, yun lang naman ang notable sa lahat ng work ni Ms. Browning"

"How dare you?!" Hinampas ko siya nung libro. Nakakaasar eh! He dodged and laughed at me. I stood up and ran after him. Ang bilis niya pero I had a vague feeling na pinaglalaruan niya talaga ako. I thought I'd be able to catch him pero tumawa lang siya at umakyat dun sa pine tree.

"Isa kang unggoy!" I hollered up at him.

"Ang gwapo ko namang unggoy," he retorted back.

"Basta, unggoy ka, unless gusto mo maging protozoa," I stomped my foot on the forest floor, "Bwisit, bumaba ka dito!"

"And you just had to demote me further down the evolutionary ladder." He started to climb down and I slapped him hard on the head with my book when he reached the ground .

"Ouch! Sabi ko I'm yours for the day pero di naman kasama dun ang abuse." He scratched his head and gave me a sheepish smile. "Nakakatawa kasi yung mata mo kanina. Parang nag-korteng heart. Na-iin-love ka na ba sa akin?"

"Ang kapal mo!" lalo ko siyang hinampas at tatawa-tawang hinuli niya yung mga kamay ko.

"Epic." I realized how close our faces are at binawi ko ang aking tingin.

"Let me go," I murmured softly and he did.

"Maria, you're a hopeless romantic so why are you going to marry someone you don't love?" Ha? Nagulat ako sa tanong niya.

"Teka muna, bakit mo ko tinatanong ng ganyan? Close ba tayo?" Ang weird niya talaga.

"Kung mahal mo siya, dapat sinampal mo ako kanina. Hindi ka sasama sa akin at hindi ka rin makikipagkulitan ng ganito." Wait did he just ignore my question? 'Langhiya, ang hirap sabayan ng utak nito.

"Well, hindi ako ang magde-decide. Matagal nang may usapan ang families namin and my sister has already run-off with her boyfriend kaya ako na lang ang chance nila mommy and daddy to forge a business alliance."

"Pa'no pag biglang na-in-love ka?" I couldn't speak. Na-blanko ang utak ko sa tanong na yon.

"Pa'no pag may dumating sa buhay mo that would sweep you off your feet?" he was smiling that mischievous smile of his.

"Ayokong isipin yan. Besides, I have one month before ako magpasakal," I murmured ironically.

"Talagang 'sakal' ang term ha," he laughed and I tried to suppress a smile. He began to recite again and I listened,

**"Come live with me and be my Love,

And we will all the pleasures prove

That hills and valleys, dales and fields,

Or woods or sleepy mountain yields."

"Marlowe," I remembered wistfully from my English-American Lit. I couldn't stop a smile from escaping this time. I answered him,

***"If all the world and love were young,

And truth in ev'ry shepherd's tongue,

These pretty pleasures might me move

To live with thee and be thy Love."

"Raleigh." He laughed. His eyes danced in merriment and I couldn't shrug off the idea that he is vastly enjoying himself with our banter.

"Literature Major ka rin ba?" I asked him and he shook his head.

"Hell no, I'd rather kill myself than be subjected to such sap," he scoffed. Kinurot ko nga.

"Nakakarami ka na ha!" pinalis niya yung kamay ko, "IT ang tinapos ko."

"IT? Eh bakit puro poetry yung lumalabas sa bunganga mo?" I frowned at him.

"Can't help it. Photographic memory." He cocked his head to the side. "Crap, andito na sila..." he murmured and caught my hand and led me back dun sa store.

"Kuya Ali sorry!" I saw a pretty girl na naka-piggyback-ride sa isang lalaki. Dali-dali naman siyang lumapit at tinulungan itong bumaba.

"Diosa baby, bakit ang tagal niyo?" She threw her arms around him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Kasi may hang-over pa sila Kuya Aidan. Ayun ang tagal tuloy nila bago nabuhay," humagikhik siya and I saw the resemblance between the two of them. The same playful smile lurking at the corner of their mouths pero mukhang mas genuine yung humor sa mukha nung girl.

"Holy crap Kuya Ali, two in a row?" Isang chinitong lalaki ang umakbay sa kanya.

"Shut up. Konti ka na lang talaga sa'kin. Baka gusto mong maglakad papuntang Banawe bukas." He hit the other guy's head.

"Kuya Aidan, walang kadala-dala," another guy murmured. He turned to me and introduced himself. "Hi, I'm Adam." I took his hand and shook it.

"Ria."

"Aidan," si makulit na chinito guy.

"This is my sister, Diosa and her boyfriend Prince," Alistair introduce the girl and the guy. Grabe ang tatangkad nung mga lalake. Pinakamaliit si Adam na mukhang 5'10 lang.

"I'm Alfredo," wow, clean-version ni Alistair.

"Alphonse, and this is my wife Lena." Mukhang siya yung pinakamatanda sa kanila.

"Asan si Sab at Kiko?" Alistair asked.

"Hindi daw sasama. May LQ pa sila kaya iniwan ko na muna si Aaron at Allison sa kanila," sabi ni Lena.

"Nice to meet you Ria. San kayo nagkakilala ni Ali?" tanong ni Alphonse.

"Diyan lang sa cafe," siya yung sumagot, "we have an agreement, right darling?" he looked meaningfully at me. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Baliw!"

"Darling?!" Aidan made gagging sounds and Alistair thrust his leg out and effectively tripped him.

"Gago." He murmured darkly.

"Sir, Ma'am pwede na po tayong bumaba," sabi nung isang native guide na kasama nila. Dalawa yung guide, si Kuya Gary at Kuya Lino.

"Let's go my lady," I arched an eyebrow at him. Hindi ko nga pinansin at nagtuloy ako pababa dun sa hagdanang bato. May pa-darling-darling ka pang nalalaman diyan, mukha mo!

Dahil sa wala naman kasi talaga akong balak na mag-spelunking ay hindi tamang footwear ang naisuot ko. Naka-flat-shoes ako at sobrang malumot yung steps kaya ang siste, nadulas ang lola niyo.

"Sabi ko na kasi eh," he caught me easily by the waist and helped me stand. Nauna siya ng isang baitang pababa at di binitiwan ang aking kamay. Wow, gentleman si Kuya.

"Mag-ingat ka, kasi baka may free show mamaya sa mga paakyat dito sa steps pag nahulog ka ulit." He gave me a sidelong glance, "unless gusto mo lang talaga magpa-save sa 'kin," Leche! Binabawi ko na, HINDI SIYA GENTLEMAN!

"Kapal mo. Kaskas na natin dito sa bato para mabawasan yung lumot," binatukan ko nga. Tumawa siya ng malakas.

"Sapul!" Tumawa si Aidan, "I love your lines Ria!"

"Thank you," I smiled sweetly at him.

"Aidan gusto mo ba ma-try yung sky burial?" he grinned at his brother.

"Kuya hindi naman ako native Igorot chief." He raised his hands up in mock-surrender.

"Half-Chinese ka di ba? Pwede na rin yun," he pointed at the far-off cliff walls, "madami pang space diyan. Pumili ka na ng pine tree mo at makapagsimula ka nang mag-carve."

"Ang morbid mo," I murmured to him. Parang kinilabutan tuloy ako bigla. Napatingin tuloy ako sa paligid at nagsimulang mag-imagine ng kung ano-ano. Gahd, sabi na bawasan ang kakanood ng horror!

"Not really. Death is as natural as life," he squeezed my hand, "we are all destined to die."

"Why the fascination with death?"

"Belle macabre," he gave me a wistful smile, "there's a certain beauty in death."

"I'd rather celebrate life." I countered.

"I figured you for that."

We reached the mouth of the cave and the smell of bat poop assailed our nostrils.

"Fresh poop..." Adam grinned as he lifted his slimy slippers. "Hubad na ng tsinelas from here on."

"Prince andaming bats," Diosa pointed at the ceiling, "cute kaya sila?"

"Gusto mo ikuha kita?" Alistair offered.

"Kuya wag na, di mo naman kailangan mag-ala Spiderman," Diosa beamed at him, "pero thanks for the thought."

"Baby, bakit gusto mo ng bat?" Tanong ni Prince habang inaalalayan si Diosa sa pagtanggal ng sandals.

"Si Diosa, nahawa na kay Ali yan. May virus kasi ng ka-weirduhan yang si Kuya." Aidan remarked.

"Hindi naman, curious lang" she put her feet down and shivered, "Nyay ang lamig!"

"Gusto mo karga?" Prince offered. Ha? Ano kakargahin niya all the way? Ikaw na ang devoted boyfie!

Diosa shook her head and leaned closer to him to whisper at his ear. He nodded and kissed her nose. "Hug na lang kita baby." He rubbed his hands up and down her arms. Syete kinikilig ako sa kanila!

"Kunwari si Gollum ako," Diosa disentangled from Prince's arms and crouched on the coarse, stone floor, "My precioussss..."

"Ang ganda mo namang Gollum," Alphonse remarked, "Diosa, ikaw na nanakawin ng Orc, hindi yung One Ring." Nagkatawanan silang lahat. O.M.G. Samahan ng LOTR fans pala ang mga 'to!

"Hala, subukan nila at lalabas si Anduril," Prince helped her up. "Bawal dikitan ang Goddess ko."

"Possesive-much!" Siniko siya ni Adam. Grabe, ang close nilang magkakapatid. Di kagaya sa amin na de-numero ang bawat galaw.

I caught Alistair staring at me with those knowing eyes of his.

"What?" I asked him but he just shrugged.

"Are you ready for adventure?"

----------------------

We started our descent inside the cave. Malamig ang tubig na dumadaloy sa mga bato at yung mga pool naman ay napakalinaw. I wordlessly caught her around the waist nang mapansin ko malapit na siyang dumausdos sa gilid ng bato. The drop down is around eight feet and hindi man siya mabagok, malamang mapilayan at masugatan siya. She was biting her lower lip and shivering.The lone kerosene lamp guiding our way made strange shadows as it hit her face.

Aww, shit nakokonsensya naman ako kasi niyaya ko siyang mag-spelunking pero mukhang hindi siya prepared. "Kapit ka sa'kin," I whispered softly to her and she nodded.

One look and I knew she was troubled. Hindi siya makapag-desisyon and it bothered me for some reason. Hindi ko ugaling makialam sa ibang tao. I am anti-social for crying-out loud pero si Maria - at that moment when she pulled my hand and asked me to stay, she looked like she needed saving.

She looked like she wanted to believe in something.

C'mon Ali, since when did you become a wellspring of hope?

I couldn't help it though. There is a small fire flickering in her eyes everytime I rile her and it just wanted to see it in full flame. I want to shatter her walls and let that heat escape.

"Dito po tayo bababa, aapak kayo sa balikat ko tapos sa hita," sabi ni Kuya Gary na guide. I let go of her momentarily and she shivered and tried to hug herself. The loss of her warmth felt like some sort of physical pain. I walked off the edge and swung down gracefully to await them.

"Wait! Alistair!" she scrambled to the edge with frightened eyes. Natakot ko yata.

"He's fine. Spiderman yang si Kuya Ali," Adam patted her back before he sidestepped and descended next, using the rough stone to gingerly step down.

"Yung susunod po medyo masikip kaya one at a time lang tayo. Kailangan niyong gumapang saka may parteng kailangan kumapit sa tali," Paliwanag nung guide nang makababa na kaming lahat.

"Kuya di ba ito yung 'Porn Cave' na tinatawag nila?" nakatawang tanong ni Aidan habang binabagtas namin ang kadiliman.

"Gago!" Binatukan siya ni Kuya Alfredo.

"Aray naman! Totoo naman sinasabi ko," nakangusong reklamo ni Aidan habang hinihimas ang kanyang ulo, "Di ba nga dun sa postcard may 'King', 'Queen', 'Prince' at 'Princess'?"

"Dito nga yun ser," nakangiting sagot ni Kuya Gary, "Ayun ho yung si 'King', sa kabila naman si 'Prince'."

"Pota Prince, ganyan pala kalaki yung sa'yo!" Umiwas si Aidan kasi akmang babatukan siya ulit ni Alfredo pero mas mabilis ako at nakotongan ko agad.

" 'Lul. Prince takpan mo mga tenga ni Diosa at baka ma-corrupt yan," Sabi ni Alfredo.

"Weeeh, baka naman nakita na ni Diosa yan, kayo talaga..." Nanlaki yung mata ni Aya at pati si Prince ay namula.

"Hindi pa po! Ang pervert mo Kuya!"

"Kayo talaga, hindi na bata yang si Aya, may boyfriend na nga eh," ate Lena scolded them.

"Wag masyadong maingay at nasa loob tayo ng kweba," I remarked and they all shut up.

I noticed Maria watching us with a kind of longing look, "Okay ka lang?" I asked her and she blinked owlishly at me before she scowled.

"I'm cold, wet and miserable. Are you happy now?" she jabbed a finger on my chest, "Sabi mo adventure pero I'm scared to death."

"It's part of the adventure, not knowing what will happen next," I tried to smile at her but she pushed past me. "Hey, wag ka magpauna baka..."

Hindi ko pa natatapos yung sasabihin ko when she slipped on the rock and plummeted straight down to the icy pool. I immediately jumped after her. Baliw na babae!

"Naku ma'am!" sigaw nung mga guide at tumalon kasunod ko.

She thrashed around the water before I caught her around her middle and brought her to the shallow end. She clung to me like a little girl.

"Okay ka na... andito na tayo sa mababaw..." there were tears on her lashes and there was a reddish mark on her cheekbone, no doubt from her fall. I stroked her back and arms, "Maria it's okay."

"Ali, I-I w-want to go back..." her teeth were chattering. "My f-foot h-hurts." I pulled her to my lap and inspected her foot. Nothing broken but it looks like she twisted it a little bit and might swell.

"Sige, balik na tayo. I'll carry you," she shook her head and tried to get off my lap, "wag na makulit, kaya ka napapahamak eh," I admonished her. She stuck her tongue out at me. Loko ka, kagatin ko yan!

"Kuya, balik na po kami, hindi makakalusot sa cavern 'tong kasama ko," Tumango si Kuya at sinenyasan yung kasama niya.

"Kayo na muna tumuloy at ibabalik ko lang sila sa bukana. Sunod ako."

I guided her to stand then presented my back, "Sakay." She reluctantly climbed on my back.

"Bye Ria, sayang naman di mo matatapos yung cave connection," Adam patted her shoulder when we passed.

"Kuya Ali alagaan mo yan ha, wag mo iakyat dun sa cliff wall," Nakangisi si Aidan.

"Peste ka, baka ikaw isabit ko sa tuktok," I murmured darkly at him, "pasalamat ka may dala ako. Humanda ka mamaya sa hotel."

The journey back to the light was uneventful. Hindi kami pareho nagsasalita. I could feel her soft breaths against my shoulder.

"Ser, balik na ho ako dun sa kanila," paalam sa akin ni Kuya guide at umakyat na kami sa hagdanang bato.

"Maria," I called her name. Baka tinulugan na ako nitong babaeng 'to.

"Hmmm..." came her soft reply.

"May iba ka bang gagawin ngayong araw?"

"Wala naman, aside from harapin si Ama. Hindi rin naman ako makakalakad ng malayo kasi masakit yung paa ko," she answered and I felt guilty.

"I apologize." I said quietly. Hindi ko ugaling mag-sorry.

"Adventure, huh?" she was quiet for awhile before she spoke again, "I realized I've never really been in an adventure. Yung tipong frightened to death, pero exciting like how you described it."

"Gusto mo ng adventure?" I asked her, "Pwede pa naman. Hindi pa tapos yung twenty four hours mo." I looked at my watch, "In fact, we've only used three hours, forty-five minutes and twenty seven seconds." She laughed. Ngayon ko lang narinig yung tawa niya. Yung ibang babae nakakaasar tumawa, parang lalabas ngala-ngala, yung iba naman pa-demure pero halatang nagpapansin. Si Maria tipid yung tawa niya, parang nahihiyang lumabas.

"Pa'no eh hindi nga ako makalakad ng diretso?" she asked, "Saka feeling ko sisipunin ako."

"San ka ba naka-billet? Intayin kita then let's go to Echo Valley."

"Sa St. Joseph" she answered.

"Good, malapit na yun sa Echo Valley."

"Ali, are you sure? Baka mapahamak tayo." Her voice was apprehensive.

"Wala ka bang tiwala sa akin?" I asked her.

"Ngayon mo pa ko tatanungin eh sumama nga ako sa'yo sa loob ng cave at kanina pa ako nakabakay sa likod mo?"

"Just checking." I couldn't help but smile.

----------------------------

Exactly thirty minutes after he deposited me sa lobby ng St. Joseph, I found Alistair sitting on the stone bench outside my room. Pinagkaguluhan nga ako ng mga pinsan kong sila Cassy at Andy (Cassiopoeia and Andromeda, respectively. Wala may topak ang parents namin na pinangalan kami after heavenly bodies) pagdating ko at ang dami nilang tanong like: Sino yung guy? Magaling bang humalik? San kami pumunta at saan kami pupunta? Grabe, mas excited pa sila kesa sa akin. I just really feel sore and cold. I took a long shower at masarap yung mainit na tubig to soothe my body, especially yung paa ko at yung shoulder ko na tumama rin sa bato. Mabuti na lang at lumabas daw sila Ama at namili ng pasalubong kaya hindi kami nagpang-abot.

"Pakilala mo kami!" Cassy grinned at me, "yung mga kapatid niya gwapo rin ba?"

"Oo, magkakamukha sila," I answered. Syete, did I just admit na nagwagwapuhan nga ako sa kanya?

"Wow naman, ang swerte mo. Paupo-upo lang tapos may gwapong guy na agad. Grabe!" Andy kicked her feet up from the bed.

"Sige na, pupunta pa kaming Echo Valley," paalam ko at lumabas sa kwarto.

"Hi," he grinned at me. Nakapagpalit na siya ng damit at mukhang bagong ligo dahil basa pa yung buhok niya. He's just wearing a plain, black shirt at cargo pants.

"Hindi ka ba nilalamig?" I frowned at him. Heto ako, naka-sweater na, naka-jacket pa pero siya parang wala lang yung lamig. He just shook his head.

"Sagabal lang yun. Tara?" I nodded at him. He crouched on the floor and I climbed onto his back.

"Para tayong nasa Koreanovela," I remarked as we walked down the flower-strewn pathway.

"Na-i-inlove ka na yata talaga sa akin eh," he gave me a sideways glance, "don't fall for me Maria. I'm too complicated."

"Feeling kamo," I slapped his arm. "Wag ka masyado mahangin Mr. Zabala. I'm not gonna fall for you. Hindi ako pwedeng ma-in-love, remember?" Hindi ko sinasadya pero the last part came out bitterly.

"Gusto mo munang kumain?" he asked. Tanghalian na nga naman.

"Sige. Manlilibre ka?" I asked playfully.

"Uh-huh," he nodded and we turned down the road to head for one of the restaurants. Ewan ko kung dahil sa sinabi kong Koreanovela pero dun kami sa Korean place kumain ni Ali. We shared Jjampong at sobrang anghang napaso ako pero siya parang wala lang.

He didn't seem the type to strike up a conversation pero napapansing kong sinusubukan niya talaga akong kausapin. Hala, may gusto ba 'to sa'kin? Erase! Erase! Wag ka mag-feeling dahil kakasabi lang niyang complicated siya. Di ba nga may girl pa siya kanina na kasama?

"Sa cemetery tayo dadaan," his voice broke through my thoughts.

"Ha?" Nanlaki yung mata ko, "bakit dun?"

"Well yun ang daan papuntang Echo Valley," he pointed to the path just as we passed the church. I noticed the gravestones. Nyaah! Sementeryo nga.

"Takot ka?" I shook my head.

"Hindi no." I lied.

"Hn. Hindi daw," he chided me, "kaya pala ang higpit ng kapit mo sa leeg ko."

"Ang kapal mo talaga, super." I reluctantly let go of my tight hold.

"Sus," he pulled my hands back, "I didn't say you can't."

The path was strewn with pine needles. Ang ganda ng cliffwalls and he deposited me by the edge.

"Ang sabi, kailangan isigaw mo yung pangalan mo para wag sumama yung mga spirits sa'yo pag-alis mo sa Sagada." He smiled down and took a deep breath.

"ALISTAIR DAMIEN ZABALA!" his voice reverberated along the clearing like a gong. The sound echoed back and forth for a few seconds.

"Your turn," he turned to me and I nervously peered at the cliff. Nyay, baka mahulog ako. "Dali na."

"Marialuna Vega Lee!" I shouted at the nearby cliffs.

"Sigaw na ba yun?" he nudged me on my injured shoulder.

"Aray, may pasa nga ako diyan," I scowled at him, "yun na yun." His hands came up and pulled my collar away to reveal my shoulder. "Uy, ano ka ba?" I tried to pry his hand away but his touch was like an electric current that made my mouth go dry.

"Shit," he whispered "sorry." I swear he's blushing at di ko mapigil mapangiti. Ang sungit nitong taong 'to pero marunong din palang mag-sorry.

"Dapat lang, kasalanan mo yan," I huffed. Nagulat na lang ako ng ilapit niya yung mukha niya sa balikat ko at hinalikan yung pasa. Ohmygash he didn't just kiss my shoulder! Nyaaah!

"A-anong ginagawa mo?" he shook his head, pulled my shirt closed and held me tightly by the waist, "Ali?"

"Sumigaw ka ha," was my only warning before he pushed the both of us off the edge of the cliff.

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"I HATE YOU!" Hinampas ko siya sa dibdib at tawa siya nang tawa habang binabalanse kaming dalawa sa ibabaw ng pine tree. Bwisit na lalaki to, nakakaasar bigla na lang tumalon sa bangin na kasama ako tapos nag-swing midway papunta sa sanga ng puno. Parang nalaglag tuloy ang bituka ko at pakiramdam ko ma-me-meet ko na si Lord.

"BWISIT KA! PAANO PAG DI MO NAABOT YUNG SANGA?!" Alam kong nag-hy-hysterical ako at lalo siyang natatawa.

"Darling, wag kang magulo kasi baka ma-off-balance tayo," he hugged me closer to his chest, "So, adventure enough?"

"Ugh, bakit ba ako sumama sa'yo? Puro kamalasan nangyari sa akin buong araw! I hate you Ali! Bakit ba ikaw ang first kiss ko!" I tried pushing away from him but he held me tighter.

"What, di ka nag-enjoy?" he peered at me, "Ako nga enjoy na enjoy eh."

"Ugh, first kiss na nga lang palpak pa! Palagay mo nag-enjoy ako? Hindi! Nakakaasar ka!" I shrieked at him and he caught both of my hands in his and I shivered at the look in his eyes.

"Palpak?" his voice was deadly quiet at parang naumid ang dila ko bigla, "Alistair Zabala never does 'palpak'."

He captured my mouth with his own. Sa sobrang gulat, hindi na ako nakapalag. His lips moved tentatively over mine, coaxing my own lips to part and let him in.

Ria anong ginagawa mo? Why are you letting him kiss you? Again?

But it seemed like my body was not my own. I started to kiss him back and soon the two of us were too lost to understand the strange heat that flared between us.

****"Do not go gentle unto that good night,

Old age shall burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

He whispered softly to my ear when we parted.

"Buhay ka pa Ria. Live and struggle. Rage against the dying of the light."

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A/N:

Pasensya sa lahat ng na-nosebleed sa chapter na 'to. Trinatrangkaso kasi ako nung sinulat ko kaya ayan. Let's just say its a product of my fever-induced dreams. Sweetness babalik next chapter!

*Sonnet 43 - From Sonnets from the Portuguese, Elizabeth Barrett-Browning "How Do I Love Thee?"

**The Passionate Shepherd to His Love - Christopher Marlowe

***The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd - Sir Walter Raleigh

****Do Not Go Gentle Unto that Goodnight - Dylan Thomas

Gollum, Anduril, The One Ring - Lord of the Rings Trilogy, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien