Nakarating kami sa lugar kung saan gaganapin ang fieldtrip namin. We are at the camping site. Papadilim na rin ng makarating kami.
"Each partners build their own tent. Hindi separate ang lalaki sa babae. But, we have a security here that monitoring every tent. Wag kayong gagawa ng kalokohan. Engineers, you are guys are 4th year a senior to be exact, respect your partners." Patrick announced.
"Come here, Ciara. This is a good place to do something." Joshua said. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. I helped him with our things.
Pumwesto kami sa medyo malayo. Peace.
He started to assemble our tent. Hindi ko ito tinulungan. Nilibot ko ang mata sa lugar.
The sunset are beautiful. Kulay kahel ang kalangitan. Other students were taking a photos.
Nabaling ang tingin ko sa dalawa. Uno fixing their tent while Lovely beside him, helping.
Kita ko ang pagbukas ng bibig nila. They are talking.
I wish I was her. Able to talk to him anytime.
Ganyan pala ang gusto niya sa babae. Mahinhin. Opposite of me.
"I need help with this, babe." Hindi ko pinansin si Joshua.
Tila napansin ni Lovely ang tingin ko. She looked at me and smiled. Napatingin na rin si Uno. Uno whispered something on her na ikinatingin ng babae sa kaniya.
I looked away. I prefer to look away to ease the pain.
"Ciara, samahan mo nga ako sa bus. I left something." lumapit sa akin si Annika.
Katabing tent lang pala namin sila.
Sinamahan ko siya.
"Ano bang naiwan mo?" I asked.
"My earphone. Patrick was so clumsy kaya nahulog kanina and he didn't even help me to find it here." inis na sabi nito habang naghahanap.
Tinulungan ko na rin itong maghanap. Wala namang tao dito at nasa labas lahat.
Napabaling ang mata ko sa upuan nila Uno kanina. At the bottom of their seat may nakita akong picture.
I went there and picked it.
A picture of them. Uno was seriously looking while Lovely is widely smiling. She's like teasing Uno.
"What's that?" Annika asked. Kinuha nito sa akin ang picture.
She wants to have peaceful college life but look at the picture. Kung saan saan napupunta.
I smirked. Maybe she can't have a peaceful life because I'm here to ruined it.
Hinablot ko kay Annika ang picture.
"Let's go. You find your earphone, right?"
She nodded.
I put the picture in my pocket.
Tinignan ko si Lovely. I will make you suffer.
"Saan ka ba pumunta? Kanina pa nag announce si Patrick na pumunta na sa mga area." wika ni Joshua. Lumapit ito sa akin at hinawakan ang bewang ko, iginaya ako sa dining area. We are at a forest but our University provided an area where we can eat, take a bath and so on. Parang pinadali nila ang lahat sa amin. All we do is to enjoy the field trip.
Tila naganahan ako sa gagawin kong plano kaya naman kahit naiinis ako kay Joshua ay hinayaan ko ang kamay nito sa bewang ko.
All of them are here. Nasa harap si Patrick. Beside him ay si Annika.
"Let's eat and take a rest." aniya. Hinila niya si Annika sa gilid, umangal pa ang kaibigan ko pero wala siyang nagawa.
"What do you want?" Joshua asked while looking at the dishes.
"I can do it by myself." I said.
"Edi ikaw na." he mockingly said.
Kumuha ako ng pagkain at nagpunta sa isang upuan at naupo. Two tables ang nandito, mahahaba. May mga upuan din.
4th year engineering student ang mga kasama namin. They're just fifteen students. Hindi sumali ang iba dahil they cannot afford the fees.
Naupo sa tabi ko si Joshua. Kaharap namin sila Keanna. She was smirking at me. Beside her was Sean.
"Aww. Look at them, they look so sweet." Keanna said. Looking at the two person that sat on our left side.
Ngumiti sa akin si Lovely. She sat beside me.
I rolled my eyes. I don't like her smile.
"Here." rinig kong sabi ni Uno. Binigay nito ang water bottle na hawak niya kay Lovely.
"Thank you." mahinhing sagot nito.
Umusod ako ng upuan palapit kay Joshua. Tila nagulat si Joshua sa bigla kong pag usod dahil natigil ito sa pag kain. He look my side and me.
Hindi ito nag salita at hinayaan lang ako. He continue eating.
"Lovely, what's the feeling of having Uno beside you?" Keanna asked.
Kumain ako. Waiting for her answer.
"Wala naman." nahihiyang wika nito.
Natawa si Keanna at Sean.
"Hey, he's Uno. Kinababaliwan ng marami. Right, Ciara?"
Tumigil ako sa pag kain at tinignan si Keanna.
I smirked. This bitch wants to play.
"Yes, that's right. Be so grateful that you have him in your side, Lovely. Keanna is a bitch, she will do everything to ruined you." I sarcastically said. Keanna lokking at me, sharply.
Tinignan ako ni Lovely. She was about to say something but Uno interrupt.
"Eat up. The food might be cold." he coldly said. Tumango naman si Lovely.
Naunang natapos sila Uno. Keanna and Sean also finished eating their food. Pati na rin ang iba sa tables.
Ako na lang ang hindi pa. I'm just staring at my food.
"Do you have plans to eat that or you just staring at it the whole time?" Joshua said. Nandito pa pala ang isang ito.
Nakasandal ito sa upuan. His hands are crossed on his chest while staring at me.
Compared to Uno, Joshua likes black tee. Hindi ko pa yata siya nakitang magsuot ng ibang kulay.
"Mind your own business." I said at tumayo.
"I am minding my business now." sagot niya at sumunod sa akin. He was holding my waist again.
"Why are you holding me? Don't touch me." Binilisan kong maglakad.
"Bagay ang kamay ko sa bewang mo." he playfully said. Inalis ko ang kamay nito na nakahawak sa bewang ko pero ibinabalik pa rin niya. Hinayaan ko na lang. I'm tired to deal with him.
I went to the washroom area and taking a bath. May mga nakasabayan din ako, even Annika.
May mga cubicle and stuff na rin.
I got finished. I am doing my skincare nang lumabas si Lovely sa isang cubicle.
Pumunta rin siya sa harap ng salamin.
I sighed. I continue what I am doing.
"You like him?" she asked. Nangunot anhg noo ko. I looked the reflection on the mirror.
She was looking at me.
"Yes. I like him." I said.
Tumango siya.
"Why are you asking?"
"I'm just curious."
"Stay away from him. He's mine."
Curious my ass. Inirapan ko ito at umalis.
"Lowkey bitch." inis na singhal ko.
Natawa ako sa sarili ko. I said to her that she should stay away but the ting is she is the girlfriend.
Naabutan ko sa labas ng tent si Joshua and Patrick. Joshua looking at me pero nailipat din kay Patrick ang tingin.
Nakita kong lumabas sa tent nila si Uno.
I walked towards him.
"Wanna join star gazing with me?" I asked.
Natigilan ito.
"Stop bothering me." aniya.
"Just this time, please?" I hold his hand. Hinawi niya ito. He looked at me coldly.
"Don't touch me. Get off." naglakad ito paalis.
Why can't he like me?! Why can't he see me as a woman that have a feeling for him?
Life is unfair!
Bumalik ako sa tent. Pumasok ako at inayos ang higaan ko.
"Rejected, huh." bungad ni Joshua.
Galit ko siyang tinignan.
"Hey, that's mine." alma ko nang kunin nito ang unan ko.
"Wala akong dalang unan. Share tayo." Nilagay nito sa gitna ang unan. Kasya kaming dalawa sa tent.
I sighed. Good to know that I bring two pillow.
"Ayaw mo?" tanong nito.
"Ayoko." kinuha ko ang isang unan at inayos ito.
"Mag star gazing tayo." nakahiga ito at nakalagay ang kamay sa ulunan. He is staring at me.
"I don't like to be with you."
Nilabas ko ang phone ko. I texted Annika to be with me. Alam kong hanggang ngayon kasi ay hindi pa siya tapos maligo.
Umarteng nasasaktan ito. Bigla itong naupo kaya umusod ako palayo.
"You hurting my feelings." madrama nitong sabi.
"You are overacting. Get change, before you sleep." I looked down to his shirt.
"Kahit hindi ako maligo ng isang linggo mabango pa rin ako." mayabang na sabi nito bago lumabas ng tent.
Napairap na lang ako.
Nagpunta kami ni Annika sa medyo kalayuan. We search for a place that is perfect for star gazing.
"She asked you?" gulat na tanong nito. Naupo kami. Naglatag kami ng tela. We even bring some snacks. Ang sabi sa ay ngayon daw lalabas ang napakaraming bituin.
Tumingin ako sa langit. Napakaraming bituin. I like this kind of view.
"Yes. Why would she asked me. She knows that he is into her." I said without looking away.
"Maybe threatened?" humalakhak ito dahil sa naisip. Umiling ako.
"I don't think so."
Annika's phone ringed.
"Gonna answer this." aniya saka tumayo at naglakad paalis.
Huminga ako ng malalim.
"Why can't you love me? Can't you reciprocate my feelings?" bulong ko sa hangin.
"Ang sakit." I sobbed.
Many thoughts came up. I will ruined her!
Kinuha ko sa bulsa ko ang picture na nakita ko. Using my dummy account I send the picture to Daisy Chua.
I smirked. I know this bitch. I am not directly ruining Lovely's life kundi ibang tao ang gagamitin ko.
"Where did you get this?" Daisy replied. Hindi ko na ito pinansin. I blocked her and delete my account. I know that she already save it.
"Creepy. Why are you smiling." dumating si Annika.
Inayos ko ang sarili ko. "Nothing."
"Ano nga? May ginawa ka ba?"
"Wala. Stop asking."
We stared the night sky.
Hours had passed.
"Let's go. Maaga pa ang activity bukas." aniya.
"What kind of activity?"
"Duh, aakyat tayo sa bundok. While we are hiking we are looking for the flags na nakatago. Patrick told me." kibit balikat niyang sabi.
We decided to go back. Naabutan ko sa tent si Joshua.
Nakahiga ito habang ang isang kamay ay naka takip sa mukha niya. Is he sleeping?
Dahan dahan akong pumunta sa higaan ko. I make sure that we have space in the middle.
"Where did you go?" nagulat ako ng magsalita ito.
"You don't care."
Nahiga na rin ako. Ayoko mang katabi ang isang ito ay wala naman akong magagawa.
"Don't do something. I will sue you." banta ko rito.
Binaba niya ang kamay at tinignan ako.
"Even though you will like it?"
Hindi ko agad na gets ang sinabi nito kaya natawa siya.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko.
"Omg! Pervert!" binalot ko ang sarili sa kumot.
Napailing ito.
"Kidding. Matulog ka na." Umayos ito ng higa.
Tinalikuran ko siya. I faced the other side.
MAAGA akong nagising. I heard voices outside. I look at my phone. It's four in the morning.
Kumunot ang noo ko ng maramdamang may mabigat na nakadagan sa tiyan ko.
Kita ko ang kamay ni Joshua na nakadagan. Omg! Why is he close to me?!
Napabalikwas ako ng bangon pero hindi pa rin ito nagising.
I look at him. He looks cold. Kalahati ng kumot ko ay nasa kaniya.
Malalim ang paghinga nito. He slightly move pero hindi naman nagising.
He is handsome. Having those thick brows. Matangos na ilong at natural lips of him.
He smoke but his lips looks good.
Why I can't have a feelings for this guy? He is totally perfect but I still choose Uno.
Nag ayos ako. I also take a bath. Wala pa namang gaanong gising.
I went to the dining. Other look at me and greet me 'good morning' I didn't greet them back.
I am sipping of my coffee. Rinig na rinig ang huni ng mga ibon.
Napatingin ako sa babaeng umupo sa harap ko.
"Good morning." Lovely greeted.
Hindi ako nag salita. She is having her coffee also.
"Did I told you to occupy that seat?" I asked.
Tila naguluhan ito.
"No, I just want to--" hindi ko na siya pinatapos. Tumayo na ako at umalis doon.
Umagang-umaga ay sira na agad ang araw ko.
Nakasalubong ko si Uno. Kakagising lang nito at tila may hinahanap. Damn. Ang gwapo niya kahit kakagising.
"Good morning." I greeted. Hindi niya ako tinapunan ng tingin. Napunta ang tingin nito sa babaeng nasa mesa.
Sinundan ko siya ng tingin habang papalapit dito.
"Good morning. Why don't you wake me up?" rinig kong tanong nito.
Lovely is about to answer his question pero hindi niya tinuloy. She look at me and back to Uno. Parang pinaparating nito na she should not respond.
Umiwas ako ng tingin at naglakad na. Nag punta na lang ako sa pwesto kung saan kami ni Annika kagabi.
Naramdaman kong nag vibrate ang phone ko. I openned it. Kita ko ang pag pop ng social media ko.
Daisy posted.
I smirked. Binasa ko ang post nito.
"She's an angel but devil inside. She has the guts to transferred, for what, to flirt with Uno. Such a bitch." it was the caption habang nakapost naman ang mukha ni Lovely.
Dahil kilala si Daisy her post become the topic. Maraming nag comment. Saying that Lovely is an innocent yet greedy.
I felt alive. Bumalik ako sa camping site. Nakita ko si Annika. She rushed towards me.
"You saw the post?" tanong niya.
I smirked. "Yes. Daisy is unbelievable." kunwari kong sabi.
Napailing si Annika. "I knew it. You has something to do with this." bulong niya.
"That bitch deserve not to have a peace." Iniwan ko siya roon at nag ready na para sa gaganaping activity.
Hindi pa gaanong napapagusapan ang tungkol sa post. Or, maybe they just don't want to involve because Uno was the topic.
"Everyone, we have an activity. While we are having our hiking along our path we are able to find a flags. May mga flags na nakatago at hahanapin natin 'yon. Kung sinong team ang makakahanap ng maraming flag ay may prize." Patrick said.
"What kind of prize?" Sean asked.
"Malalaman na lang after we back to the University."
Umangal ang iba. They want to know what's the prize is. Council lang naman ang nakakaalam kung ano ang prize.
"In addition, ang walang makuhang flag o kaunti ang nakuha ay may punishment. The punishment will be..."
Patrick smirked at Annika.
"They can't have a dinner tonight. Meron naman actually but they need to get food around the forest. Marami namang pagkain dyan. Baboy ramo." he laughed. Other laughed too.
Tinignan ko si Joshua sa tabi ko.
"Hindi ko sasabihin kung anong premyo." sagot niya. Looks like he read my mind.
The activity start. Kumuha ako ng water bottle. I need water. Nakita kong walang dala si Joshua.
"Hey. You should bring one. Ayokong makihati ka sa tubigan ko."
"Damot naman." aniya.
I followed the others. Sumunod narin si Joshua sakin.
"I am your senior, dapat hindi ako ang sumusunod sayo." he complained.
"Shut up."
"Shut up." he mimic.
Nasa unahan sila Annika at Patrick.
Hinanap ko si Uno. Nasa pinakahuli sila.
"Dapat manalo tayo. Exciting pa naman ng premyo." Joshua said.
Hinila ako nito at napahiwalay kami sa iba. Nagsimula na rin ang ibang mag hanap.
Nakikita ko pa rin si Uno. He is gentle with her. They got one flag.
Lumipas ang mga oras ay wala pa rin kaming nahahanap.
Halos lahat sila ay may hawak na. Gosh, I don't want to eat baboy ramo.
"Shit. Wala talaga." Joshua said while wiping his sweat.
"Tayo lang ang wala. This is your fault!" iniwan ko siya roon. Umiling ito at nagpatuloy sa paghahanap.
Hapon na rin and I'm hungry. Nakarating kami sa taas ng bundok. We have our late lunch there.
"Oo, pre. Pahingi nga ng isang flag niyo." I heard Joshua's voice.
Kausap nito si Patrick.
"Wag ka sakin humingi, si Annika nakahanap e." sagot ni Patrick.
Napailing naman si Joshua.
"Ang under mo naman." aniya.
Tinignan ko si Annika. She was talking to others.
Kami lang talaga ni Joshua ang hindi nakakuha maski isa.
"Want some flag?" Keanna asked. She was smirking. May lima itong hawak.
"No. I don't need the help of a loser like you." tinalikuran ko ito.
Pumunta ako kay Annika. The girls that she was talking looked at me. May pag mamayabang ang kita ko sa mga mata nila.
"Sige, dyan na muna kayo." Annika said to them. Umalis naman ang mga ito.
"Wala maski isa?" Annika asked. Umiling naman ako.
"You want one?" alok niya. Umiling naman ako.
"No, it's okay. Marami naman ang kinain ko kanina." natawa siya sa sagot ko.
"Woah! They have a lot." rinig kong sabi ng iba kaya naman napatingin ako sa tinutukoy nila.
Lovely holding a flags. Marami nga.
Kinausap siya ni Uno bago ito naglakad papunta kila Patrick. Pinalibutan naman ng iba si Lovely.
"She's getting into my nerves." galit kong wika.
Nagpahinga kami saglit bago bumalik sa camp site.
Nagkasabay kami ng lakad ni Lovely.
"Here." inabot niya sa akin ang limang flag. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at hinawi ang kamay nito. Nahulog naman ang mga ito.
"I don't need your help." wika ko. Habang pinupulot nito ang mga nahulog na flag ay hinablot ko ang ibang hawak niya.
Walang ibang nandito. We are at the spot where Annika and I went last night. Hindi ko alam na nandito din siya.
"These are mine now. Know your place." I said.
Tumayo naman siya.
"Give me those." aniya.
Ngumisi ako. "Why would I? You know what, I don't like you here. I don't like how Uno stared at you. How he hold you. I want to slap you hard." galit kong saad.
She looks shocked. Napaatras ito.
"You have a relationship with him, right. How long your relationship, two years? Count on me, girl. I will make him mine."