Masyadong matarik ang hagdan sa labas ng bahay. The house was built on a hill, much like most of the houses in Baguio. Many of which have steep steps. May labinlimang baitang ang hagdanan ng bahay nina Ken. May railings at hagdan-hagdang taniman sa tigkabila noon.
Ken told her that a neighbor takes care of the plants all year long. May gulayan din sa likod-bahay. Nililinis din daw ang buong bahay at least twice a month.
"Walang bayad?" tanong niya sa asawa.
Ken shrugged. "Money doesn't really matter to them. Pero sila yung umaani ng mga gulay namin. Saka naibebenta rin nila yung mga bulaklak. Sa kanila ang kita."
She sighed. "Parang ang sarap tumira rito, 'no?"
"Lamigin ka kaya," he pointed out.
"Alam ko. Gusto ko namang palaging balot na balot kaya okay lang."
"As long as you'll wear less clothes at night, it's fine by me."
Pinandilatan niya ito. He's been hinting since yesterday, but getting no action, since hanggang gabi silang gumala. Pag-uwi nila ng bahay, nakatulog agad siya dahil sa sobrang pagod.
Ngayon ay plano nilang pumunta sa Camp John Hay pagkatapos ay gagala sila sa Session Road. She didn't really know kung anu-anong lugar ang magkakatabi. But Ken's not complaining. Kahit kahapon ay dulo-dulo ng Baguio ang pinuntahan nila.
"Come on, Ahn, it's not that high."
Inilahad ni Ken ang kamay nito sa kanya. He's a few steps below her. Inabot niya ang kamay nito at saka siya dahan-dahang bumaba ng hagdan. Hindi naman siya takot sa matataas na lugar pero iba ang pakiramdam niya sa matatarik na hagdan. It's the reason why she prefers to watch concerts in Araneta than in MOA. Nalulula siya.
"Ikaw kaya ang unang bumaba, aalalayan kita."
Tumango siya at bumaba ng ilang baitang. She felt his hands on her shoulders.
"Baka naman itulak mo 'ko ha."
He chuckled. "Bakit naman kita itutulak?"
"Malay ko ba kung may galit ka pa sa 'kin."
Lumipat si Ken sa unahan niya. They're already halfway the stairs.
"Do you feel better na ako ang nasa unahan? You can push me anytime," nakangiti nitong sabi.
She smiled and tousled his hair. Saka siya kumapit sa balikat nito at sumunod sa pagbaba ng hagdan. They took a taxi to the camp. It is a popular destination, kaya hindi kataka-takang maraming sa camp nang dumating sila. May mga tent na naka set up sa parang. May mga naglalaro ng Frisbee at may nagpi-picnic.
Ken took out a blanket from his bag and laid it on the grass. Naupo sila doon. She leaned on Ken.
"Dumayo lang ba tayo ng upo rito?" tanong nito sa kanya.
"Hindi." She wrapped her arms around him. "I just want to be with you like this."
"Like what?"
"Like this. Outside. Surrounded by people. PDA."
Tumawa si Ken. "PDA?"
"Yeah. Kasi dati, kapag ganito tayo, ibig sabihin nagpi-pretend lang tayo."
"I wasn't pretending back then, just when we're alone. I was pretending that I don't love you," he said. He kissed the top of her head.
"I was doing the same thing. I guess we're both stupid, huh?"
Kinuha nito ang kamay niya. "Let's take a walk."
