Reach [Complete]

[11]

"Oh well, ako lang naman 'to." I rolled my eyes at him and flipped my hair on his face. Nakain niya tuloy ang ilang hiba ng buhok ko.

"Grabe! Sa sobra'ng ganda mo pati buhok mo masarap!" He sarcastically said. I laughed at his disgusted face.

Maya-maya ay tumigil ang sasakyan sa harap ng isang dalawang palapag na bahay. Inimbitahan pala kami'ng kumain sa bahay ng isa sa mga kaibigan nina Tita Sara. Dati daw chef sa isang barko ang kaibigan nila Tita at ngayon lang nakauwi.

Tita's friends greeted us on the doorway. Nagkaroon ng madami'ng batian at pakilanlanan bago kami pinapasok sa bahay nila.

When we went inside, I was in awe of the house design. Hindi sila kasing gara gaya ng kina Caleb pero malapit na. Magaganda ang mga muwebles na ginamit. Halata'ng may kamahalan rin ang mga gamit sa bahay nila. 

Maybe I should try getting a job on a boat, too? Charot!

There were a few people invited aside from us. Nagkaroon pa ng maraming usapan bago inihanda ang mga pagkain. The feast was mouth watering and appealing to the eyes. It was like a fiesta held in this house.

After eating, I got bored because I know no one around except for Caleb and his family pero lahat sila ay may kausap na kakilala. Caleb was talking to a girl and they were laughing while chatting. The girl was obviously hitting on him by the looks of his hand caressing his arms. I looked away, not wanting to see him hitting the girl back. Eww.

Naka upo lang ako sa isang banda ng bahay at pinagmamasdan ang lahat ng naroon. I feel so out of place. Napa tingin ako sa cellphone ko ng bigla 'yong tumunog.

Caleb the cutieee: Let's ditch

Don't ask about his contact name, he changed it. He used to play on my phone and probably messed up with my contacts list. Pakialamero.

Napatingin ako sa kung nasaan siya at nakita ang pagtaas baba ng kilay niya. I rolled my eyes at him before typing my reply.

Me: Yes please... Get me outta here!

Lumapit siya sa akin atsaka bumulong sa tenga ko.

"Act like your head hurts," bahagya siyang dumistansya sa akin.

Lumapit ako kay Tita Sara at bahagya'ng dumikit sa kanya upang magkarinigan kami. I tried my very best to act like my head hurts so bad. I should really try auditioning on talent shows.

"Tita, pwede po ba ako'ng magpasama at magpa hatid kay Caleb pauwi? Masakit po kasi ang ulo ko," I whimpered. She gave me a worried look and tapped my head softly.

"Oh sige. Magluto nalang kayo ng tanghalian sa bahay kung sakali. Baka dito na din kasi kami kakain ng tanghalian. Dalhin niyo nalang ang sasakyan dahil magta-tricycle nalang kami mamaya. Uminom ka ng gamot ha."

I thanked Tita Sara before dragging Caleb outside. We were both laughing while riding the pick up. Napansin ko na hindi namin tinatahak ang daan pabalik sa bahay kung hindi sa kabila'ng daan. 

I tried asking Caleb where we were headed to but he just shrugged. The road started to get bumpy so he told me to buckle my seatbelt tight. Maya-maya ay tumigil siya sa harap ng isang field na may nakalagay na sign na 'No trespassing. Private property.'

Lumingon ako sa kanya at pinanlakihan siya ng mata. "Are we going to trespass? Are you kidnapping me?! This is not part of the plan, Caleb!" I shouted at him.

"No, silly. This is our property. But yes, I am kidnapping you," he laughed at my expression. 

May isang parte sa field kung saan kami dumaan. I was so glad I wore rubber shoes because the place was muddy but a little sad because my shoes were white.

Patuloy kami sa paglalakad papasok hanggang sa may marinig akong lagaslas ng tubig. I gave Caleb an accusing look. Nang maabot namin ang bungad at nakita kung ano ang gusto niya'ng ipakita ay napanganga nalang ako sa paghanga.

Ang lagaslas ng tubig ay nagmula sa pagbagsak ng waterfalls! What the heck?! The place looks so majestic. Iginala ko ang paningin at may nakita'ng stairs na pababa sa isang maliit na bahay kubo. I hurried downstairs but still careful not to slip.

"Calm down, Aria! You'll get there!" Caleb shouted and I heard his footsteps catching up with me.

Nang makababa ako ay napa-nganga nalang ako dahil mas maganda pala ang falls sa malapitan. I was just staring at the place in awe. This is paradise!

Naramdaman ko ang pagtabi ni Caleb sa akin. I felt his gaze on me. I was staring at the place while he was staring at me.

"You one lucky rich bastard," umiling-iling pa ako at napatawa naman siya sa naging reaksyon ko.

I didn't know what's gotten in me but I just found myself stripping my shirt. I was left with my bra on top and my shorts. Caleb was taken aback so he took a step backward. Kaagad akong lumusong at inilubog ang sarili sa malamig na tubig. 

I was totally enjoying myself and the calmness of the place. Napansin kong nakatingin lang sa akin si Caleb habang nakangiti. I smiled mischievously when an idea crossed my mind.

Lumapit ako sa kung nasaan siya. He raised a brow at me. I winked at him before splashing him with water. Napaawang ang bibig niya sa gulat ngunit kaagad ding nakabawi.

"That's how you wanna play it huh?"

He started stripping his clothes and my eyes widened in surprise. He was left with nothing but his boxer shorts. Wala siyang shirt! 

At may abs siya! Geez!

I panicked when he dived in the water and swam towards me. Naghabulan kami sa tubig. Muntik na niya akong mahabol pero bigla ko siyang pinigalan bago pa siya makalapit. I don't want him near me!

"Fine! You win!" I shouted at him. The waterfalls were too loud since we were near the plunge pool.

"You owe me lunch and dinner!" He shouted back. I just gave him a nod.

Tumango-tango ako at nginitian siya. I looked at the place one more time. Maybe agreeing to Miss Kathy's offer to be the school ambassador wasn't so bad after all. Sure, it was stressful. I went through being a bored school assisstant to an event organizer. But hey, at least I enjoyed every bit of it.

Hindi ko man natakasan si Caleb but at least things didn't go so bad. I looked at Caleb who was merrily floating on the clear waters. Tumatama ang sinag ng araw sa mukha niya kaya naman nakapikit ang mga mata niya. 

I smiled.

I've got no regrets.

* * *

:))