Four Letter Word

Chapter 35

“KATH… Bal, wake up.” Nagising ako sa mahinang pagtapik ni DJ sa pisngi ko.

“Hmmmn… what?” dahan-dahan kong idinilat ang mga mata ko the room was still dark and only lit by the bedside lamp.

“Come.” He offered his hand to me and pulls me up.

“Bakit ba?” kinusot ko ang mga mata sabay balot ko ng blanket sa katawan.

“We’re leaving.”

“Leaving? Where to?” napatingin ako sa labas ng bintana at madilim pa. “What time is it?”

“4:30am.”

“This early? Wala pa ngang araw.”

“Exactly kaya tayo aalis come on get ready.”

That’s when I noticed he’s already dressed up in sweater, denim pants and his black Dr. Martens boots.

I groaned, napilitan tuloy ako tumayo mula sa kama tsaka ako patamad na pumasok ng banyo.

“Be fast we’re leaving at 5.” I heard him from the closed door.

“Then leave the room I forgot to bring my clothes with me.” I said as I undress.

“Alright I’ll wait for you downstairs.” Then I heard a door closed.

I took a quick shower in this cold weather all thanks to the heater. Paglabas ko ng kwarto ay wala na nga si DJ kaya malaya akong nakakilos sa pagbibihis, I chose to wear an oversized white knitted sweater, black denim pants and my dr. martens boots as well. I dry my hair and put on a pink lipstick and didn’t bother to put on any, the cold weather gave a natural rosy cheek.

Pagbaba ko ay naabutan ko pa si Kuya Jo na nagkakape.

“Good morning Kuya Jo, si Daniel po?”

“Good morning din Kathryn. Nasa kusina si Daniel kumuha ng kape—oh ayan na pala.”

Napalingon ako mula sa pinto na nilabasan ni DJ. My jaw almost dropped at the sight of him, he’s now wearing a jacket over his sweater and his hair is now made up. How can he look different when I just saw him like a while ago?

“Good morning Bal, you look lovely as always.” He said to me as he took a sip on his coffee.

Lumapit ako at kinuha ang kape mula sa kanya and took a sip. “So when are we leaving?”

Napatingin siya sa suot na relo, “About right now? Let’s go.” Hinila na niya ako palabas and the cold wind hit us.

“Do I still need to ask you where we’re going or no because you won’t tell me anyway?” tanong ko ng nasa van na kami at nagda-drive si Kuya Jo.

He smirk at me, “You know the answer already.”

“Alam na alam ko na yan DJ.” Nailing na lang ako sa kanya.

Sandali lang naman kami nag-byahe wala pang 30 minutes. Bumaba na kami ng sasakyan, papaliwanag na at wala akong idea kung nasaan man kami all I know is nasa bundok kami dahil na rin sa mga malalaking puno na nakapaligid sa amin.

“So?” bumaling ako kay DJ.

“Aakyat tayo.”

“Walang katapusang pag-akyat.” I mutter to myself.

Magkahawak kamay kaming umakyat habang nakasunod kay Kuya Jo.

“We’re at Kiltepan Peak the highest point in Sagada.” Sabi ni DJ habang naglalakad kami at hinahawi niya ang mga sanga na nakaharang sa daan.