Trials End

Chapter 26

BRICE'S POV

The moment we arrived, I went straight to the souvenir shop. I bought clothes and towels for them 'cause I know that their sightseeing will become like swimming. While roaming around the shop, I messaged my mom.

ME: Mom, I'll be home tomorrow morning. I'm with my classmates. Are you home?

MAMA: I'm home Brice. Miss Corpuz already told me about your outing. Ikaw ha pabeach beach ka na lang.

ME: Si Mirss Corpuz mom?

MAMA: Yes. Have a safe trip Brice. My trainees are here, I need to go.

I read the message and turned off my phone. I'm picking the shirts while thinking how the hell Miss Corpuz knew we're on a beach.

Is it our parents?

I continued what I was doing, I asked the staff to bring me more stocks. I bought slippers, shirts and towels.

I let my eyes wander around and it landed on Keith. I saw him asking for a plastic bag to put a light blue hoodie inside.

He looked up and caught me staring at him. "Brice, I want to tell you about the hotel." Oh right.

"What is it?" I asked him

He looked once again to the plastic he's holding. "Heaven... Heaven's feel. It's name is Heaven's Feel."

I nodded. "And?"

"I want my theme to be white, gold and with a mix of black. The workers will work on the themes tomorrow. "

It's a good mixture of color. I just hope it is designed according to its theme. It's also nice to hear that his hotel will finish soon.

Graig gave them the things I bought. Worry clouded my mind when I saw Twilla shivering at the back. I decided to get a shirt for her. She's smilling when she received it. I looked at her feet, I turned my back on her to get her a pair of slippers.

Aldo is the one who's driving now and like Ivo, he's also annoyed right now. Now he's more pissed 'cause of the shouts from the back.

"HOY ALDO NALILIGAW BA TAYO?"

"ALDO TRY MO NGA KUMANAN BAKA SAKALING TUMAMA?"

"SERIOUSLY? KANAN? GUSTO MO MAHULOG SA BANGIN?

"AMP HINDI SA BANGIN SA LILIKUAN KASI BOBO"

They're shouting and irritation is already visible in Aldo's face. We kept going around in circles.

After how many minutes, they're still shouting for a different reason. They're shouting because of the music game.

Ella stood up and went to us. "Hey gamitin niyo na lang muna yung map ng TP app. Wag niyo ng sundin yung voice over."

Aldo let Ella tell him what way to go. Aldo followed every word Ella said without questioning her. Looking in front of us, I saw an open space. A wide space perfect for camping or stargazing.

We told them that we arrived at our destination. They excitedly exit the bus with their phones and speaker. I let Graig and Deborah handle the comforters. We brought 5 comforters for us.

After settling down, we all looked up. I felt disappointed. I saw nothing but a starless night sky.

It's weird because they're feeling the moment and some are even closing their eyes. I stopped what I was doing and closed my eyes and enjoyed the evening breeze.

"Brice bakit mo pala ako inaya mag road trip." Claud asked me.

I opened my eyes and looked at them. "We're using your family's app while traveling. Any comments?" I asked them. Their eyes are sticking on me like glue.

"Naiinis ako kasi may kalsada tayong nadaanan na may nag banggaan, may sarado at may ginagawa. Hindi man lang tayo updated." I looked to Ivo, the first one to say his comment.

"Pinapahaba pa yung byahe. May mga unnecessary routes." Aldo also said his comment.

Ella sighed. "It's boring."

Ivo looked at her and shouted. "OO NGA! KANINA NAG DRIDRIVE AKO GRABE WALA! BUSINA LANG NG KOTSE NARIRINIG KO!"

"Kanina rin nung nag hahanap tayo ng drive thru, hindi natin alam saan pupunta. Umikot ikot pa tayo para maghanap ng mabibilhan." Asra joined our conversation.

We bought dinner while we're on the way but it took a lot of time to find a restaurant. They only offer dine in.

Claud looked at me. "Uhmm Brice bakit mo sila tinatanong?" He asked.

"Listen to me, especially you Claud. First, just as you said, it is lacking updates. It is better for the users if they know the situation of the streets they'll pass through."

"Second, there's always unnecessary routes. Tell your family to give the users a shortcut, accurate to it's predicted time. I think the software is not well maintained. "

"Third, collaborate with a company that will entertain the users while driving. What do you want to hear while driving? Music right? Then collaborate with a music app that will activate while the users are driving...."

"Lastly, They can show recommendations like hotels and restaurants. It's also better if you can show tourist spots along the way."

I concluded my thoughts. I saw that their mouths were open. Claud is just staring at me with his shocked face.

"Oo nga noh? Naka focus kasi pamilya ko ayusin ang app review namin at feedbacks para sa users". Claud stood up and took my hands.

"Grabe bro! Kausapin ko lang sila dad ha. " Claud didn't wait for my answer and just dashed away.

Bumalik ang tingin ko sa mga kaklase na titig na titig pa rin sakin. Nagulat ako ng dahan dahan silang lahat ngumiti. Tumayo si Aiby at lumapit sakin.

I watched Claud's disappear in my sight. I looked back to my classmates and felt conscious of their gazes.

Aiby stood up and walked towards me. She looked straight into my eyes and patted my shoulder. "Thank you. I know you'll do something about it."

I usually don't mind others' business but if it's for Echo, I'll try...

I nodded and I saw a genuine smile appear from her lips. She turned her back to return to Keith's side.

My eyes landed on a familiar light blue hoodie. Aiby's wearing it.

It's for Aiby?

Then why did Keith put it in the souvenir shop's plastic?