A/N: This is probably the longest chapter for Reach.
Enjoy:))
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"You know what? You need to take a break. Let's loosen up!"
I covered myself with the blanket when Caleb barged in my room. I forgot to lock the room last night. I was too sleepy to do anything and just plopped myself on the bed and fell asleep. Buti nalang ay maayos ang damit na suot ko. Geez.
Anxiety has been creeping inside every time we bring the topic up about the whole fair. The municipality of Manay is big so there was a great number of people to deal with.
Ilang gabi na din akong puyat dahil sa kaka asikaso ng mga activities para sa event. I wake up sometimes, in the middle of my sleep, just because of weird dreams like a big monster ruining the fair or people hating the activities we offer.
The school admin have been so ecstatic about the event because they have never had something this big for the school aside from their annual fiesta which happens every October.
The event will be held in the municipality gym. Nakapag paalam na kami sa mayor at pinayagan naman kaming gamitin 'yon ng libre para sa dalawa'ng araw na fair. Siguraduhin lang daw namin na maiiwang malinis at maayos ang lugar pagkatapos.
It was really a huge area where hundreds of people can come together. Sabi ni Caleb ay minsan na daw idinaos ang Binibining Pilipinas sa gym na 'yon. I tried to picture the citizens of Manay in that gym, everyone having fun around the booths and games.
There were several booths that each teacher will handle. May mga palaro para sa lahat ng gusto'ng sumali. We also hired a band for two days which was a popular group here named "The Bandidos". They were also friends with Caleb so it was easy to convince them on performing for the event.
When I asked why that was their band's name, sabi nila ay nagnanakaw daw sila ng mga puso sa tuwing nagpe-perform. Corny but I can't argue. They really play well.
"Aria Astrielle! Wake up!" Caleb shouted on my ear. I groaned and cursed him but he just laughed it off. What a dumbass!
Naiinis akong bumangon at sinamaan siya ng tingin. He held his hands up as if surrendering before patting my head.
"Tita invited us over breakfast somewhere. Get dressed, Aria."
He left the room after saying that. Caleb is a jerk sometimes but he's the only friend I have in here. It was actually weird because I rarely talk to Danae and Nhor because talking to Caleb was already enough. I gotta admit, he often talks some sense in me.
Ayaw ko sanang sumama sa kanila pero nakakahiya naman kina Tita. Tinatamad akong pumasok sa banyo at nag ayos ng sarili.
I chose to wear a white floral off-shoulder top and a pair of maong shorts. I wore my white rubber shoes and put on some lip tint. Ipinusod ko lang ang buhok atsaka bumaba sa living room. Naabutan ko silang nag-aantay except for Caleb. Baka nag-aayos pa.
Caleb's auntie, Tita Sara, smiled and complimented my outfit before inviting me to get in their pick up. Ilang sandali kaming nag-antay kay Caleb bago siya dumating. Nang buksan niya ang pinto ay sa akin tumama ang paningin niya. Ilang saglit siyang natigilan at napa titig sa akin. Kung hindi lang siya tinapik ni Tito Charles sa balikat ay hindi siya titigil sa pagtitig sa akin.
Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay nang maupo siya sa tabi ko.
"Anong problema mo?"
"Wala naman. Na realize ko lang, maganda ka pala."
"Oh well, ako lang naman 'to." I rolled my eyes at him and flipped my hair on his face. Nakain niya tuloy ang ilang hiba ng buhok ko.
"Grabe! Sa sobra'ng ganda mo pati buhok mo masarap!" He sarcastically said. I laughed at his disgusted face.
Maya-maya ay tumigil ang sasakyan sa harap ng isang dalawang palapag na bahay. Inimbitahan pala kami'ng kumain sa bahay ng isa sa mga kaibigan nina Tita Sara. Dati daw chef sa isang barko ang kaibigan nila Tita at ngayon lang nakauwi.
Tita's friends greeted us on the doorway. Nagkaroon ng madami'ng batian at pakilanlanan bago kami pinapasok sa bahay nila.
When we went inside, I was in awe of the house design. Hindi sila kasing gara gaya ng kina Caleb pero malapit na. Magaganda ang mga muwebles na ginamit. Halata'ng may kamahalan rin ang mga gamit sa bahay nila.
Maybe I should try getting a job on a boat, too? Charot!
There were a few people invited aside from us. Nagkaroon pa ng maraming usapan bago inihanda ang mga pagkain. The feast was mouth watering and appealing to the eyes. It was like a fiesta held in this house.
After eating, I got bored because I know no one around except for Caleb and his family pero lahat sila ay may kausap na kakilala. Caleb was talking to a girl and they were laughing while chatting. The girl was obviously hitting on him by the looks of his hand caressing his arms. I looked away, not wanting to see him hitting the girl back. Eww.
Naka upo lang ako sa isang banda ng bahay at pinagmamasdan ang lahat ng naroon. I feel so out of place. Napa tingin ako sa cellphone ko ng bigla 'yong tumunog.
Caleb the cutieee: Let's ditch
Don't ask about his contact name, he changed it. He used to play on my phone and probably messed up with my contacts list. Pakialamero.
Napatingin ako sa kung nasaan siya at nakita ang pagtaas baba ng kilay niya. I rolled my eyes at him before typing my reply.
Me: Yes please... Get me outta here!
Lumapit siya sa akin atsaka bumulong sa tenga ko.
"Act like your head hurts," bahagya siyang dumistansya sa akin.
Lumapit ako kay Tita Sara at bahagya'ng dumikit sa kanya upang magkarinigan kami. I tried my very best to act like my head hurts so bad. I should really try auditioning on talent shows.
"Tita, pwede po ba ako'ng magpasama at magpa hatid kay Caleb pauwi? Masakit po kasi ang ulo ko," I whimpered. She gave me a worried look and tapped my head softly.
"Oh sige. Magluto nalang kayo ng tanghalian sa bahay kung sakali. Baka dito na din kasi kami kakain ng tanghalian. Dalhin niyo nalang ang sasakyan dahil magta-tricycle nalang kami mamaya. Uminom ka ng gamot ha."
I thanked Tita Sara before dragging Caleb outside. We were both laughing while riding the pick up. Napansin ko na hindi namin tinatahak ang daan pabalik sa bahay kung hindi sa kabila'ng daan.
I tried asking Caleb where we were headed to but he just shrugged. The road started to get bumpy so he told me to buckle my seatbelt tight. Maya-maya ay tumigil siya sa harap ng isang field na may nakalagay na sign na 'No trespassing. Private property.'
Lumingon ako sa kanya at pinanlakihan siya ng mata. "Are we going to trespass? Are you kidnapping me?! This is not part of the plan, Caleb!" I shouted at him.
"No, silly. This is our property. But yes, I am kidnapping you," he laughed at my expression.
May isang parte sa field kung saan kami dumaan. I was so glad I wore rubber shoes because the place was muddy but a little sad because my shoes were white.
Patuloy kami sa paglalakad papasok hanggang sa may marinig akong lagaslas ng tubig. I gave Caleb an accusing look. Nang maabot namin ang bungad at nakita kung ano ang gusto niya'ng ipakita ay napanganga nalang ako sa paghanga.
Ang lagaslas ng tubig ay nagmula sa pagbagsak ng waterfalls! What the heck?! The place looks so majestic. Iginala ko ang paningin at may nakita'ng stairs na pababa sa isang maliit na bahay kubo. I hurried downstairs but still careful not to slip.
"Calm down, Aria! You'll get there!" Caleb shouted and I heard his footsteps catching up with me.
Nang makababa ako ay napa-nganga nalang ako dahil mas maganda pala ang falls sa malapitan. I was just staring at the place in awe. This is paradise!
Naramdaman ko ang pagtabi ni Caleb sa akin. I felt his gaze on me. I was staring at the place while he was staring at me.
"You one lucky rich bastard," umiling-iling pa ako at napatawa naman siya sa naging reaksyon ko.
I didn't know what's gotten in me but I just found myself stripping my shirt. I was left with my bra on top and my shorts. Caleb was taken aback so he took a step backward. Kaagad akong lumusong at inilubog ang sarili sa malamig na tubig.
I was totally enjoying myself and the calmness of the place. Napansin kong nakatingin lang sa akin si Caleb habang nakangiti. I smiled mischievously when an idea crossed my mind.
Lumapit ako sa kung nasaan siya. He raised a brow at me. I winked at him before splashing him with water. Napaawang ang bibig niya sa gulat ngunit kaagad ding nakabawi.
"That's how you wanna play it huh?"
He started stripping his clothes and my eyes widened in surprise. He was left with nothing but his boxer shorts. Wala siyang shirt!
At may abs siya! Geez!
I panicked when he dived in the water and swam towards me. Naghabulan kami sa tubig. Muntik na niya akong mahabol pero bigla ko siyang pinigalan bago pa siya makalapit. I don't want him near me!
"Fine! You win!" I shouted at him. The waterfalls were too loud since we were near the plunge pool.
"You owe me lunch and dinner!" He shouted back. I just gave him a nod.
Tumango-tango ako at nginitian siya. I looked at the place one more time. Maybe agreeing to Miss Kathy's offer to be the school ambassador wasn't so bad after all. Sure, it was stressful. I went through being a bored school assisstant to an event organizer. But hey, at least I enjoyed every bit of it.
Hindi ko man natakasan si Caleb but at least things didn't go so bad. I looked at Caleb who was merrily floating on the clear waters. Tumatama ang sinag ng araw sa mukha niya kaya naman nakapikit ang mga mata niya.
I smiled.
I've got no regrets.
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:))