As Thunderbolt Strikes the Forest (Solis Occasum Series 2)

Kabanata 25

Kabanata 25

With me

All I wanted to do at this point was spend all of my money on these souvenirs for my friends. I literally brought a plane ticket days before the flight, pumasok ng school dahil sa quiz, tapos ay lumayas na tila walang pl-in-ano.

I purchased a camera after spotting some at a booth. I chose the black with pastel purple color patches. This is the first item I have ever bought from a country...

I took some photos when the guy from the stall taught me. I thanked him and even captured the very first picture with his wife...

"Are you there, Wendy? You alright?" Umamo ang tinig ni Jarvis sa 'kin matapos na sawayin ang maingay kong classmates.

"Yup!" I turned my gaze somewhere near. "I'm here na sa Taipei. Thank you for asking..."

Imbes na tugon ng mga kaibigan ko ang unang marinig, ang malulutong pa na mura ng mga kaklase ko ang sumunod d'un. I licked my lips in disbelief.

Are they mad at me? Why are they... cursing?

"Tangina niyo!" Pigil na sigaw ni Jarvis pabalik kaya tumigil kaagad sila. "Huwag niyo namang ipahalata na mga hampas-lupa tayo."

"Nasa Taiwan talaga si Wendy?"

"'Di ba nag-cutting 'yan kanina? Nagulat nga kami n'ung nag-walk-out e!"

"Ang bilis niyang makarating. Ba't hindi niya tayo isinama?"

Now, my lips formed an unknown shape because of disappointment.

Bakit ko sila yayayain at isasama? Hindi naman sila kasama sa budget ko. 200 thousand is enough for me! Sobra-sobra pa nga sa DIY itinerary na ginawa ko. I don't want them to go with me, tho.

Muling bumulong ang kaibigan kong lalaki sa telepono. Sinisegundahan 'yon ni Suzanne. Sa sobrang gaan ng sinasabi nila ay hindi ko magawang makinig. Parang lumulutang ang katawan ko sa hangin.

"Just be careful there, okay?" Si Jarvis. "We're not there. Huwag mo nang isipin iyong daldalhin mo dito. Umuwi ka lang nang ligtas--"

"Sabi niya uuwian niya ako ng buns at mochi," singit ni Suzy.

"Yes! Yes!" Sagot ko sa kanila parehas. "I can take care of myself here. And of course, my pasalubong, hindi ko makalilimutan 'yon."

"Hm. Then, fine." He sighs. "Ibababa ko na ba?"

"May class ba kayo?"

"Nasa meeting iyong magkasunod na teacher."

"Ah..." I breathed heavily. "Then, pwedeng huwag mo munang ibaba?"

Matagal bago sumagot ang nasa linya. Ang tipid na himno ng boses niya ang nagsilbing tugon sa 'kin.

"I'm here at Taipei. Hindi ko naman kilala 'yung place, but I don't care." Kwento ko sa kanila habang naglalakad. "Maganda, fresh 'yung air, amoy Taiwanese." And laughed. "Maraming foods and stalls na narito. Dapat pala ay nag-plan ako para kasama kayo."

"It's okay. Hindi ko rin dala ang passport ko kung sakaling biglaan, iiwan niyo na naman ako." Jarvis chuckled sarcastically.

"Bring you passport soon." I pouted. "Kahit na sa school? It's okay. At least, we're all ready."

"'Yung mochi ko..." Paulit-ulit na bulong ni Suzanne.

"I already bought one, earlier." I looked at the box.

"Why is it only one?"

"It's only a box with dozens of mochi inside, silly."

"Ohh? Okay then! Mag-aaral na 'ko," she shouted happily.