𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐔𝐩𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐭 (Gemstones Series #1) | ✔

09: Negotiation

I took pictures of Ravi with the summit sign, documentation daw para maipakita sa instructor nila. Kung akala ko tapos na ang paghihirap namin, mas malala pa pala ang pagbaba sa bundok. Pakiramdam ko nagamit lahat ng lakas ko sa pag-akyat, at wala nang natira para sa pagbaba namin.

Dapat naglalagay sila ng slide pababa o kahit zipline man lang. Pero kahit na may ganoon, baka hindi ko rin susubukan. I may look fierce, but deep inside marami akong kinakatakutan. Takot akong hindi mangyari ang mga plano na nakalista sa aking orange na notebook. Takot ako sa posibilidad na kapag hindi ko nakuha ang medical certificate, hindi na ako makapag-internship, and worst, mas takot akong hindi ma ka-graduate. I don't know what to do if that happens.

Ravi, who was ready to go down the mountain, noticed my struggle. He flashed a sympathetic smile, "Mahirap talaga sa umpisa, pero 'wag kang mag-alala, normal lang 'yan. Part ng experience."

I managed to give him a weak smile in return, kahit na sa loob-loob ko ay gustong-gusto ko nang sumabog sa sakit. The thought of descending the mountain with my aching body made me question if I'd survive the journey back. 

This is what I'm talking about. I don't like this feeling. Iyong ramdam na ramdam mo ang pagod sa buong katawan mo, to the point na gusto mo nalang maging butterfly. 

As we started going down, I felt like a robot, each step programmed to endure the pain. Nakatingin ako sa malayo, hoping that the campsite would magically appear sooner. Ravi walked beside me, offering words of encouragement and support. Wala rin naman akong pinakinggan, minura ko lang siya sa aking isipan for making me do this activity.

As we finally reached the campsite, I wanted to collapse on the ground and just lay there. Hindi ko kailan man gagawin ulit ito. This would be my first- and last-time hiking Mt. Pulag. But part of me felt the achievement of doing something out of my comfort zone. It was a climb towards self-discovery and a realization that sometimes, the most beautiful views come after the toughest climbs. I just don't feel like doing this often. Once every 10 years, pwede pa siguro.

Habang pabalik kami sa Maynila, hindi ko kinausap si Ravi. Kahit magreklamo sa napakabilis niyang pagmaneho sa motor niya ay hindi ko nagawa. I was just so exhausted. I've never been so tired all my life.

Pagkahatid niya sa akin sa dorm namin ni Sapph, dumeretso na ako sa aking kwarto. Wala na akong ibang inisip kun'di paano ako makakabawi sa aking katawan. Panigurado matatagalan ako bago maka-recover. 

Without minding anything else, I stripped off my sweaty clothes and took a long, hot shower. The warm water cascading down my body felt like a soothing balm, washing away the fatigue and soreness from my muscles. 

Wrapped in a cozy towel, I collapsed onto my bed and stared at the ceiling. The images of the breathtaking sunrise from the summit of Mt. Pulag flashed through my mind. The sea of clouds, the vibrant colors painting the sky – it was a sight worth the struggle. A small smile crept onto my face as I realized that despite the physical exhaustion, I had accomplished something new. Something remarkable.

Just as I started to drift into a well-deserved nap, a knock on my door interrupted my thoughts. Sapph entered, carrying a steaming bowl of arroz caldo.