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SOMETIMES, when we are happy—it feels like fleeting.
"Isasauli na natin 'to," Gael spoke referring to our rented bicycles. I couldn't help but think of how much amount he paid for these. Renting two big bicycles for a day wasn't that cheap.
"Uh, salamat," hindi ko maiwasang sabihin.
"Para sa'n?" Curiosity covered his face.
"Sa... uh... pagbabayad ng dapat ay sa akin."
But that was not only the point I wanted to say. There was more that I only thought but never said.
"Thank you ka nang thank you ah."
I must. Gusto ko sanang isagot pero hindi ko nagawang magsalita.
"Ako lang 'to," confident niyang sabi.
"Ang lamig," sarkastik kong tugon. "Mahangin masyado."
"Wala kang sense of humor." He stated it again.
"Wala ka namang ka humor-humor sa katawan eh."
"'Paka maldita mo," diretsong sabi niya nang walang pag-aalinlangan.
With that, I couldn't hold my laugh any longer. He immediately pointed it out so I stopped and started to run my bicycle ahead of him.
"I don't want to end this day yet," Gael muttered when he came beside me. Mahina lang 'yung pagpapatakbo ko kaya naabutan ako ni Gael.
"Stroll muna tayo?" I nodded in agreement. That was why he moved ahead my may so he could take the lead to where we will be going. Hindi ko maiwasang punain ang pagiging adventurous niyang tao.
Based from what I have seen and observed in most people, the ones who love adventures—like going to different places—are great escapists. Gusto nilang tumakas sa magulong mundo o makalimot man lang kahit sandali. Maybe, to get rid of school in general or toxic work environment, to create a productive freetime, mag-soul searching, mend ones soul, o kung anu-ano pa.
I wondered—ano ang kay Gael.
Meanwhile, I was just following him and the ride was smooth. He stopped at the bridge and so I did. He remained on his bicycle and looked below. I intently laid my eyes on him. At, may napansin ako.
"Okay ka lang?" He was a bit weary, catching his breath.
Agad kong inalis ang backpack na dala at kinuha ang tumbler ko sa loob. I immediately handed him my water. Naubos niya ang laman bago ibinalik sa 'kin. He looked like he was about to apologize but I cut him before he could even say sorry.
"Ayos lang."
Tumingin siya sa baba—sa ilalim ng tulay. Sandali ko siyang tiningnan bago yumuko. Rumaragasang ilog ang makikita sa ibaba. Malakas ang agos nito na para bang may baha.
"Kapag ba tatalon ako rito, pipigilan mo 'ko?" His question seemed weird to me.
However I replied to him what my mind told me so. "Yes."
"Bakit?"
"Why are you asking?" I asked him back.
He shrugged his shoulders off. "Wala lang, gusto ko lang malaman."
"Because you saved me." His bare lips rose into a small yet genuine smile.
"It wasn't me who saved you." Napakunot ako ng noo. Just when he continued his words, I was left a bit amused.
YOU ARE READING
Before I Die
Teen FictionInside the city of Bougenville, a hopeless Givien met the ever-photogenic boy named Grant Emmanuel. Much to her surprise, a day in her homeland with him as theirselves being complete opposites could make things so crazy, so stupid but quite fun. It...
