"Mom, what is this?"

Wicker grab the box and looked at his mother with a smile on her face.

"A gift for you. It's kinda late, but still have one for you. Go ahead, open it."

Malapad ang ngiti ni Wicker habang binubuksan ang regalong ito.

"An aviator hat?" hindi makapaniwalang untag niya, "Ang ganda," dagdag niya habang tinititigan ito.

"Remember when your dad brought you here in Fawnbrook? Noong nagpunta kayo sa perya tapos nawala ka. You said you left your aviator hat somewhere. Masyado ka kasing natakot noong mga oras na 'yon that's why you won't remember some part of it . . ."

Wicker's brows furrowed. He couldn't remember where exactly he put his aviator hat. Nawala niya ba ito? Nalaglag kung saan man?

There's an immediate ding popped in his head. "I think I lent it to someone . . ."

Nagtungo ang mom niya sa kalapit na couch at umupo. "Someone? Is it about the girl in her school uniform? Naalala kong ikinuwento mo iyong batang babae noong gabing nawala ka at sinasabi mong siya ang tumulong sa 'yo, hindi ba?"

Wicker looked at his mom resting her back on the fluffy couch.

"I lent her my aviator hat. Kasi namumula na iyong mga tainga niya dahil sa sobrang lamig."

"You were a good boy. She'd helped you and you're giving back the favor. That's a nice thing to do, Wicker."

Sinukat na ni Wicker ang aviator hat na iyon na kasyang-kasya naman sa kanya. He looked so handsome wearing it. Hindi man ito katulad ng aviator hat na naipahiram niya noon but still, somehow, it gave him the nostalgia of that very moment.

"You looked good. Might as well wear that if you're going out. Makatutulong 'yan sa lamig ng panahon sa labas."

"I will, mom. Thank you!" He walked to her and gave a light hug.

Maagang umalis si Wicker mane-maneho ang kanyang kotse. Saturday mornings make him feel with so much joy. Lalo na sa liwanag na nanggagaling sa kalangitan at ang lamig ng umagang iyon. He better go somewhere for this kind of mixed weather.

He drove moderately while vibing to the sound of music his car's radio playing. A jazz music with purely instrumental only that gave him the sensation he needed to add up the morning.

He's on the way to the land where his dad thinking about buying it. Maganda raw ang lupaing iyon lalo na ang mga puno at mga anyong tubig na naliligiran at sakop nito. The land is good for restoration activities and cultivation.

He stepped on the break when the bus stops in front of him to catch passengers. Napansin niya ang ilang pasaherong naghihintay sa bus stop.

"Annara?" he muttered.

Binalikan pa niya ito ng tingin at kinumpirma kung si Annara ba ang isa sa mga babaeng naghihintay roon.

He pulled up his car. He slides the window down and had a glimpse of her from his seat.

"Annara!" he called her. "Saan ka papunta?"

Tumayo ito at lumapit sa kanya. "Pauwi na ako."

"Pauwi na? Wala ka bang duty ngayon sa library?"

Umiling siya. "Miss Georgette called me. May renovation daw na ginagawa sa library ngayon kaya inabisuhan na niya ako para hindi na tuluyang magpunta pa ng school."

"Ah, gano'n ba? Gusto mo bang ihatid na kita?"

Annara lifted her lips. "I'm okay. Baka may pupuntahan ka pa."

"I knew it! Alam kong tatanggihan mo na naman ako. But one last offer, do you want me to drive you home, please?"

Hindi alam ni Annara kung maiinis o matatawa siya sa lalaking ito. Panay ang mga patutsada para lang mapapayag siya.

"Fine," she said. "Siguraduhin mo lang na hindi ako nakakaabala sa 'yo." Saka siya sumakay ng kotse nito.

Tahimik lang silang dalawa sa loob ng kotse habang pinakikinggan ang jazz music na patuloy na tumutugtog mula sa radyo.

What a peaceful sound to listen to. So relaxing and calming.

"Akala ko ba wala kang iba pang pupuntahan? Bakit may marka itong navigation ng kotse mo? I think you're going somewhere. Naaabala lang kita," Annara said while clarifying what she's seeing on the navigation screen.

Totoo ngang may iba pa itong pupuntahan bukod sa paghatid sa kanya pauwi.

"Ihahatid na muna kita bago ko puntahan 'yan," aniya.

"Malapit ka na sa pupuntahan mo. Ilang bus stop pa ang dadaanan mo bago makarating sa amin. You better go there first."

Wicker's keeping his eyes on the road. "I don't wanna just drop you off . . . So, are you going with me?"

"Kung hindi naman kita maaabala, I am okay going with you. Isa pa, gusto ko ring libutin ang mga lugar na hindi ko pa napupuntahan dito sa Fawnbrook."

"Saglit lang naman ako roon. Just gonna check the place and the whole land if it is a perfect patch. Right after, iuuwi na agad kita."

"Marami pang lupain dito sa Fawnbrook ang nananatiling ipinagbibili, because the price is set too high . . . but it's really worth buying. Matataba ang mga lupa, good for restorations and perfect fit for building rest houses."

Ilang sandali lang ay ipinarada na ni Wicker ang kotse niya sa loob ng nasabing lupain. Mayroong maliit na parking space sa bukana ng buong lugar.

Annara tightened her coat and knotted the scarf in her neck. Masyadong malamig noong lumabas sila ng kotse.

Sumulyap siya kay Wicker at nagbalik ng tingin nang makita niya itong nakatayo sa kabilang pinto ng kotse habang suot-suot ang warm aviator hat nito. He's resting his hands in his pockets.

"Dito ang daan," anito, saka naglakad.

Sinundan niya ito habang dala-dala ang malabong alaala sa aviator hat na suot-suot nito. Wicker looks good, especially with his flushed cheeks due to the cold weather.

Patung-patong ang suot nitong mga damit at makapal na coat panlaban sa lamig. Nakasunod lang siya sa mga yapak nito. Some memories from her past quietly dangling in her head. Have they met before? That aviator hat is the only thing that triggers her from thinking about it.

Nang makarating sila sa masukal na kakahuyan ay mababanaag nila ang ganda ng lugar.

The trees were tall with gnarled roots deep into–almost towering them blanketed by the sunlight from its canopy, the plants and bushes were so green nourished by the soggy ground. Maririnig din doon ang huni ng mga ibon at ilang insekto. The smell is quite familiar, like smell of the after rain and distinct aroma of fetid earth.

"This place is so beautiful, isn't it?" Wicker asked her wandering around.

"It really does," Annara muttered, mesmerized by the atmosphere and place she was standing in.

They walk further.

"How do you know that this land is for sale?" Annara asked him. Magkasabay silang naglalakad doon.

"My dad found an independent land owner. He consulted a real estate agent to get more knowledge about the land and for property investments purposes. My dad really loves this kind of place and environment to live in. Iyong tipong payapa lang at malayo sa mapolusyon at maingay na lugar," paliwanag niya.

Iba ang ngiti ni Annara habang pinagmamasdan ang buong lugar. She never had the chance to smile this ever again. Iyong tipong ngiting konektado ang saya hanggang sa kanyang puso. Kapag ganitong mga lugar ang nakikita niya, hindi niya maiwasang hindi maging masaya, si Adrian agad ang pumapasok sa isipan niya.

Adrian used to bring her in a place where she never thought she would be stepping in. And sometimes, Adrian's bad ideas can make great memories.

"I assure myself that this place is worth buying," ani Wicker na napatingin kay Annara. "It was so evident in your smile. Sa mga ngiti mo pa lang, pasadong-pasado na siguro ang lugar na ito."

Nagtikom ng bibig si Annara at inalis ang malapad na ngiting kanina pa nakaukit sa kanyang mga labi.

"The whole place reminds me of an old memory," she said, avoiding his eyes. "Madali kasi akong maka-appreciate ng mga bagay. Nagiging masaya agad ako kapag nakakakita ng mga tulad nito. Masyado bang mababaw ang kaligayan ko?" Ngumisi ito.

Wicker paused with knotted brows and faced her.

"Happiness is a complex emotion and a choice. Kung mas pinipili mong maging masaya mula sa maliliit na bagay, hindi kababawan ang tawag doon. Kailanman hindi naging kababawan ang pagiging masaya."

They're meeting each other's eyes. Ipinaaalala lang ni Wicker sa kanya na hindi kababawan ang maging masaya mula sa maliliit na bagay. She shouldn't belittle the things that can grant her happiness. As long as it made a smile in the face, it could be all worth it.

"Kumusta na kayo ni Catherine? Galit pa rin ba siya sa 'yo?" Annara continued the conversation when a moment none of them speak for another topic to converse with.

Humarap si Wicker sa kanya. "I guess so. Pero gano'n lang talaga si Catherine, mabilis magalit at magtampo pero magiging okay rin kami agad." There's a positivity in his voice.

"Is she your first love?"

Wicker can't believe Annara asking him these kinds of questions. It made his cheeks warm.

Hindi alam ni Wicker kung paano niya ito sasagutin.

"She's my second girlfriend," he answered firmly. "Misha was the first girlfriend I had when I was in middle grade. But she's not my first love . . ."

Annara looked at him as they walk.

"I know this sounds funny, but I felt this first love before in a girl I've met once. I think, I was around ten or something. She's just, carefree and beautiful. Had a little moments with her and she's too voluntary to help me without having any doubts." Wicker wandering his eyes around as he talks and imagining this little girl he'd met before. "Kung makikita ko lang siguro siya ulit, magpapasalamat talaga ako sa kanya . . .  And this time, I will give my name to her."

Nang marating nila ang dulo ng kakahuyan ay tumambad sa kanila ang liwanag ng kalangitan. It was an open space.

Natanaw nila ang batis mula roon. Maririnig ang lagaslas ng umaagos na tubig na gumagapang sa mga bato.

Kaya sagana ang mga halamang nabubuhay sa lupain iyon dahil likas ito sa yamang tubig na sumusuporta rito.

Nagmadaling nagpunta si Annara para lapitan ang ga-sakong na taas ng tubig sa batis na iyon.

She rashly hop on the stepping stones way to the land of reeds.

"Annara, careful!" Wicker shouted.

Sinundan niya agad ito at inilusong ang mga sapatos sa tubig para alalayan ang mga kamay nito.

Annara held his hand tight. Hindi niya inaasahan na gagawing lumusong ni Wicker para lang alalayan siya. Kung hindi siguro ginawa ni Wicker ang bagay na iyon, malamang ay nawala na siya sa balanse sa pagmamadali.

If it is not for Wicker, she's soaked in wet now and trembling in the cold water.

Hinatid niya si Annara mula sa kabila habang basang-basa na ang mga sapatos na suot niya. But it doesn't matter.

"You don't have to do that. Nabasa tuloy 'yang sapatos mo," Annara said, worrying about Wicker.

"It's fine, it's just a shoes. Bakit ka ba kasi bigla-bigla na lang tumakbo?" nag-aalalang tanong nito.

Napatigil si Annara. Ganito talaga siya lalo na kapag masyado siyang natutuwa. Adrian always telling her to control her excitement sometimes. Palagi siyang nao-overwhelm agad sa mga bagay-bagay.

Like Wicker, Adrian never leaves her. Kahit pa minsan ay sakit ito ng ulo. He just cared about her more than what he gives to himself. Kaya ganoon na lang siya ka-importante kay Adrian. Annara is odd sometimes, but it isn't hard to fall for her. Dahil masaya at magaan sa pakiramdam ang presensiya nito.

"I'm sorry. Got too excited." She grinned.

Mula sa bahaging iyon–nang lampasan nila ang batis, mapagmamasdan naman ang riverbank. Isang uri ng anyong tubig na naliligiran ng lupa na maihahalintulad sa isang lawa.

Luminga-linga sila sa paligid. May iilang riverside trees ang naroroon habang matatanaw rin ang repleksiyon nito sa halos hindi gumagalaw na tubig.

The riverbank's water is still. An early morning mist hanging above the water. The golden hue sun rays peeking from the spaces of the trees covering the form of clear sunlit water.

They swayed the knee high reeds with their shoes–brushing in their pants as they walk towards the riverbank for them to see how good it looks up close.

"I'd rather witness this beauful scenery in my own very eyes instead of getting satisfied in pictures. Kaya mas maganda talagang i-check muna bago mo tuluyang bilhin," paninigurado ni Wicker.

Kap'wa nila pinagmamasdan ang tanawing iyon. Hindi mawala ang ngiting nakaukit sa kanilang mga labi.

They gathered pebbles and flat stones from where they're standing.

Wicker throw it in the middle. The water moves, vanishing the stillness of it.

They are keeping the distance between them. Yakap-yakap lang ni Annara ang mga braso niya habang nakatanaw sa mga puno sa dulo.

"Have you ever tried stone skipping?" asked Wicker looking at Annara.

Inalala niya kung nagawa na ba nila ni Adrian ang bagay na ito.

"Haven't tried. Paano ba ang gagawin? Basta na lang maghahagis ng bato sa tubig?"

Umiling si Wicker saka ipinaliwanag, "Me and my dad used to play stone skipping when I was a kid. You have to throw the stone like this . . ." he acted throwing sidearm for Annara to see how it works.

Ginaya naman ni Annara si Wicker mula sa posisyong patagilid ang pagbato.

"Next thing is you throw the stone and count how many skips it does before it sinks. If you did three skips, you are better for a beginner. But if your stone skips more than five, you're just too good!"

They tried throwing stones on the water. They both fail and laugh. Annara threw stones with only just two skips while Wicker can't pass four skips. It's way too hard. It is about the timing and throwing force.

"This is too hard," reklamo ni Annara. "Three skips is hard and it is impossible to have more than five skips in one throw."

"Just add some force when you throw it. Makaka-tsamba ka rin," sambit ni Wicker na panay ang hagis sa tubig.

They try so many attempts, but it just sinks too quickly.

Hanggang sa naka-tsamba si Annara ng tatlo saka sila sabay na naghiyawan matapos magtala nito ng tatlong skips.

"You're getting better!" Wicker praised her.

Mas lalo namang na-engganyo si Annara na tumbasan pa ang new record na nagawa niya.

They just don't care about anything. Ang mahalaga sa kanila ngayon ay masaya silang naglalaro ng stone skipping. Maliit na bagay lang ang ginagawa nila pero iba ang saya na naidudulot ng larong ito sa kanila.

"Annara, look at this!" Kinuha ni Wicker ang atensiyon niya saka bumwelo sa pagbato.

They both jump and cheered a shout when Wicker did six skips. He's too good.

"I can't beat that," Annara said throwing another random stone and she didn't expect it skips four times.

She jumped while screaming and got a little too excited.

She hugged Wicker tightly, because she did it. An overwhelming feeling finally resides in her. She beats her own record, up by one.

Tinanggal niya ang pagkakayakap kay Wicker nang mapagtantong hindi niya dapat ginawa ang bagay na iyon. Masyado lang siyang na-excite kaya niya iyon nagawa. Masaya lang siya, iyon lang 'yon.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, avoiding his gaze.

Nawala tuloy ang gana nilang maglaro doon. The mood gets a little awkward. Sino ba naman kasing mag-aakalang bigla-bigla na lang niyang yakapin si Wicker nang ganoon?

Even Wicker himself didn't expect that coming.