STATUS

CHAPTER 27

Rafael

"Seniors at the back. Please line up properly" Sabi ng guide ma agad naming sinunod. 30 minutes nanaman kasi ang lalakarin namin para marating ang lugar na gaganapan ng mga activities.

Everyone has their own camping gear. "Have you heard about the story?" Napatingin ako kay Angie. "What story?"

"The girls were talking about this last night. There was an old tale lurking around the heart of the mountain" Napakunot ang noo ko. "Seryoso? Naniniwala kayo dun?"

She shrugged "Nope, not really. If I experience it, maybe I'll believe"

"What is the tale about?"

"About a haunted tree. They say whoever finds that tree will be brought into a new world. They also said that it can be found in the center of the mountain or the heart of the mountain near a little pond. The pond has only one rare flower that is rumored to be cursed" Napairap nalang ako.

"I don't believe in those" Tatango-tango pa sya. "Okay, just don't get lost in the mountains. You might encounter the unexpected" Napa tulala ako.

I always get lost in the mountains.

"Don't listen to her" Trouble appeared out of nowhere after Angie left. "Thank god you're here, don't leave me and stay close to me at all times"

Sabi ko sakanya at yumakap sa braso nya "Fine. I'll be here" He smiled and I felt safe. "At wag kanang matakot"

"Sinong nagsabi sayong natatakot ako?" Inis na sabi ko ngunit hindi ko sya binitawan, mahirap na.

"Tss" He seems unconvinced "For your info, totoo lahat ng sinabi ko. Hindi ako takot!"

"Oo na. Hindi kana takot" Napairap nalang ako. Nagpatuloy ang pag saka namin sa matarik na bundok kasama ang mga monghe. Nahihirapan kaming mga istudyante habang ang mga monghe na doble pa ang tanda kesa samin ay hindi manlang napagod.

"Okay guys, find a partner. They will join you for our first activity" Sabi ng guide kaya agad kong hinablot si Trouble at pumunta sa isang tabi.

Baka may maka agaw pa. "Uy bitaw" I gave him a puppy eye. "Ok fine" Napangiti ako. Everyone gathered for the mechanics.

"For our first activity, get a specific thing that has a sentimental meaning for you. And each one of you will explain why" The guide explained while the other monks are just sitting and looking at us.

"After our first activity, we shall have a 1 hour meditation and we will proceed to the afternoon activities such as camping and night hunt. Any questions?"

"No sir" We all answered in chorus.

After a while the quest started. Trouble already has a one thing that he really values. It's a some sort of photograph.

Did he took stolen photos of me?

Assuming, a side of me said.

"Should I take you instead? Too bad the guide said a thing and not a person" Tinaas-baba ko ang kilay ko na parang nanunukso pero umirap lang sya.

He's so cold.

I pouted again.

"Tsk. Seryoso ako. Ikaw i p-present ko mamaya" Sabi ko at akmang yayakap sakanya pero pinigilan nya ako.

"Umayos ka nga Attkinson"

"Hmmp"

...

"Next to present is Trouble Dalton!" The guide said. Tapos na ako kanina pa. It's just a simple cap from my parents.

"What do you have right there?"

"An old photograph. I got this like two years ago" Sandali akong napaisip. Two years ago?

Maybe it's a photograph of him and his parents "It has a sentimental value for me. The most important person from my past is here. Since then, I always carry this photograph around. It reminds me of that person."

I can say that everyone is curious. Sino ba namang hindi. Even me. "Where is that person now"

"In heaven" Trouble said and put the picture in his pocket. The class went silent but Trouble was still expressionless.

"Okay then, you can sit now" Kaagad na bumalik sa pwesto namin si Trouble. Agad ko syang tinignan. Nakaka-intriga naman kasi "Who's the person in the photo?"

Ngumiti lang sya at ginulo ang buhok ko. Ngunit hindi rin sya nag salita kaya hindi nalang din ako nag tanong.

Natapos ang activity namin for the morning.  We were given three hours to find an object and we spent two hours presenting and it's already one in the afternoon.

Nag si kain narin kami ng lunch at nag meditate. After that, we went to the forest to get some firewoods.

"Let's go there" Aya ko kay Trouble ngunit naunahan ako ni Keisler "Tara pre! May pagkain dun sa kabila" Hihilahin ko na sana pabalik si Trouble pero agad silang naglakad palayo.

He didn't even looked back.

I felt a stingy feeling in my heart. He became cold this past few days. Sometimes, I feel like he's ignoring me.

What did I do?

Maybe he doesn't love me anymore?

"Shit" Mahinang mura ko at pumunta sa gawi kung saan may maraming kahoy. Pilit kong wina-wala sa isip ko ang bagay nayun. Of course, Trouble loves me.

I-  know that.

...

The forest became darker and darker. It's only four in the afternoon. Why does it feel like it's six?

I looked at the surroundings. Shit! When did I got in this part of the forest?

It's cold and dark!

I let the firewood go and sat on a huge tree. I felt so tired. Ilang oras ba akong naglakad?

May napansin akong nakadikit na bubble gum sa sapatos ko.

Tsk! Kadiri! Kanino ba to? Nung binaliktad ko ang sapatos ay nakita ko ang lumang larawan ni Trouble kasama ang isang lalaki.

I felt a nostalgic feeling.

Did Trouble drop this? What a coincidence at sa sapatos ko pa talaga dumikit. Kinuha ko ang photo at tinignan ko iyon.

Saan ko ba nakita ang lalaking to.

I suddenly remembered a scenario when I picked up Trouble when he was drunk. This was the photograph I saw in the car.

If this is really it, it should have writings-

Nabato ako sa kina-uupuan ko.

"This picture, is him and his ex"