Mistakes We Can't Laugh About (Loser #2)

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Matapos naming kumain ng tanghalian ay nagsimula na ang team building.

Each team had a facilitator who would show us where to go next. The first ones focused more on mental challenges like puzzles and problem solving than on actual physical activities.

Ang grupo namin ang unang nakatapos kaya kami ang naunang mag-proceed sa iba pang obstacles. We then passed a hurdle through sack racing, climbed a spider web made of rope, and went to a maze of bottles where we were asked to walk through it while wearing blindfolds.

Kalahati pa lang ng obstacles ang nalalagpasan namin ay nananakit na ang likod ko. That spider web was a daredevil! Masakit sa kamay ang lubid at hindi naman ako sobrang flexible para mabilis na makaakyat!

"Kaya pa?" tanong ni Paolo sa akin habang papunta kami sa susunod na obstacle.

I was out of breath, panting, and I could feel sweat dripping down my forehead. Itinali ko na nga ang buhok ko dahil dumidikit ito sa batok ko!

God, I should've gotten enough sleep if I knew this was going to be this tiring!

"Matagal pa 'to, 'no?" I asked, almost breathless.

He chuckled. "Oo. Mga tatlong obstacles pa tapos 'yong isang major game mamaya."

I wiped the sweat from my forehead and let out a long sigh. Kahit si Shaira na kanina pa daldal nang daldal ay nananahimik na. Mabuti nga at magaling ang mga kagrupo namin. We didn't have to do much over because we got through all the obstacles on the first try.

"We can take a break if you're tired," biglang sabi ni Leon.

He cast a swift glance in my direction as he ruffled his soft hair.

"We can't," Paolo replied. "Mauunahan tayong matapos ng ibang team."

The facilitator chuckled. "You're two obstacles ahead of the second one. Puwede namang mag-water break."

Leon looked at our teammates. "Guys?"

I was hoping they'd say yes because I really needed a break! Hindi ko lang masabi dahil mukhang ako lang naman ang may gusto no'n.

"Tapusin na muna natin para dire-diretso ang pahinga," sagot ng isang lalaking kagrupo namin.

"Oo nga. Mabilis naman na 'yan," sang-ayon pa ng isa.

The rest of our group agreed. Ako lang ang hindi nagsalita. Wala na rin naman akong laban. Majority wins.

"Mendoza?"

Napabaling ako kay Leon. "Hmm?"

"You want to rest?" kunot-noong tanong niya.

Dahan-dahan akong umiling. "Tama sila . . . tapusin na lang muna natin."

He tightened his jaw before he turned around and continued walking. Siya at ang facilitator ang nauunang maglakad pero ilang hakbang pa lang ang nagagawa namin ay tumigil siya sa gilid at pinauna ang mga kagrupo namin.

I was walking alongside Paolo and Shaira when he went behind us.

Naging conscious ako bigla sa paglalakad ko lalo at ramdam ko ang nanunusok niyang tingin sa likuran ko. If Shaira wasn't too tired, I'm sure she would tease me about it already. Good thing we reached the hurdle right away. Kung hindi ay baka nahimatay na ako sa pagkailang.

"Okay, the next obstacle is called the Human Knot," sabi ng facilitator. "We can actually do this anywhere, but you need a quiet place to get this done."

Totoong tahimik sa paligid dahil sa dulo ng campsite na kami dinala. Mayroong obstacle #5 na nakalagay sa malaking puno kaya alam kong dito talaga dadalhin ang lahat ng grupo.