Of Love, Signs and Logic (Completed)

14 - Truce

(A/N: Sadya pong mabagal ang pacing lalo na sa first two days of the trek to the Mangyan village. Dahil siguradong hindi na 'to mauulit, I want us to savor the moments as the tension, magic and attraction slowly build up between two strangers thrown into a situation they can't both get out of.

After all, in life, you don't just value the journey, you treasure the moments.

Plus, this story will at least have 50 parts so enjoy the ride. Now back to regular programming)

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'Ano ba yan? Wala pa ba sila? Nananadya na yata eh' RJ looked at his watch for the nth time, then unconsciously touched his ear again.

Of course, kuya Jose noticed his restlessness. "Hoy RJ, kung ayaw mong balikan natin sila, umupo ka! Magkakahukay na yang nilalakaran mo. Para kang nasa labas ng operating room na manganganak ang asawa!"

"Tama si Jose, RJ. Makakasunod din yung mga yon, nakaka-isang oras pa lang naman tayo ng lakad."

"Ha bakit po? Okay lang naman ako, iniisip ko lang na late na naman tayo ng 30 minutes sa tagpuan. Maiinip ang kausap natin."

"Tisoy, wag kami! Kilala ka namin! Kanina ka pa hawak nang hawak sa tenga mo, ibig sabihin kinakabahan ka! Hindi naman aalis yung mga Mangyan, anong sinasabi mong maiinip sila? Ito naman kasing si Wally eh, mahusay pagbilinan. Naturingan kang tail, nauna ka pa!"

"Pasensiya na RJ ha, pero di ko talaga namalayan na wala na sila sa likod ko eh. Balikan ko na lang sila." An apologetic kuya Wally offered when he heard somethingand made a signal for them to be quiet. "Sssshhh, teka may naririnig na 'kong mga boses, baka sila na yan."

Tama si Kuya Wally, sila na nga ang dumating. RJ's cursory glance noted that the cap and shades are back pero yung panyong nakatali sa binti ang unang tumawag ng pansin niya.... that and  the slight limp

She was the first to speak this time, visibly tired. "Pasensya na po, nalibang lang kasi kami sa nakikita namin sa daan kaya di namin namalayan na malayo na pala kayo."

Paolo had to speak up. "Anong nalibang? Sorry po, first time kasi naming mag-hike sa bundok, at hindi sanay 'tong kasama ko, kaya puro pahinga."

RJ's attention keep going back to what seem like a wound on her leg. 'Let it go RJ, wag mo nang pansinin, wala lang siguro yon. You're becoming obvious.'

"Okay let's go people!" and proceeded to walk before he does something and embarrass himself.

He stopped on his tracks when she spoke again, "Teka po! Aahm, may makukuhanan po ba ng tubig dito?"

It was Wally who answered her. "Naku iha, walang tindahan dito."

Before he can stop himself, RJ got his water container from the side of his backpack and handed it to her, without directlylooking at her.

"Here you go, you can take my spare water. Wala pang bawas yan. Give me your water bottle. Kuya Jose, pakuha naman ng tubig doon sa bukal. Mauuna na ko, sabay-sabay na lang kayo."

This did not escape the notice of Kuya Jose. who had another idea in mind. "Hindi, ganito na lang Tisoy. Ikaw kumuha ng tubig mo, kami na lang ni Wally ang mauuna. Malilimutin kasi itong si Wally, nalilimutan niyang siya dapat ang tail at dapat nasa likod siya. Diba, Wally?"

Mukhang nakuha ni Wally ang ibig sabihin ng pangdidilat ng mata ni Jose. "Oo nga maiiwan ko lang ulit sila."

Okay, what is happening?  Meng thought. Her cousin also stood up to join the two. "I'll go with you guys! Mabilis ako maglakad. Saka may mga itatanong ako sa inyo. Meng, sabay ka na lang kay sir RJ." he was quick to avoid Meng's glaring stare.