Chapter 70
Sun-kissed skin. Burns all over my back. Pretty, messed up henna remnants. There are undeniable evidences all over my body to prove that I have really enjoyed my summer. El Nido, Palawan was a bomb. It was beyond awesome. Everything about it was picturesque. Sayang nga lamang at saglit lang kami doon. Hindi tuloy natuloy ang video shoot na dapat ay gagawin namin ng mga officemates ko. Nagkayayaan na mag-underwater shot pero nauwi lang lahat sa snorkelling. The cameras were set aside and we had an intimate time with the ocean.
When we got back, I had to face tons of pending works yet to be finished. And I'd admit it, my colleagues seemed a whole lot funnier than they used to. I've realized how much of a cynical kid I've been before. I didn't expect that they're fun to hang out with. I feel bad for being such a judgmental hypocrite and promise not to become like that starting that day.
After our Palawan trip, we decided to conquer the North as well. We took Baler as our destination to celebrate Guian's birthday. He said he wants to surf because he needs to bring back the reputation he lost in Siargao.
Nakarating kami sa Sabang ng alas-onse ng umaga kaya nag-early lunch muna kaming lahat bago magpunta sa aming tutuluyan. Dala namin ang sasakyan ni G at siya ang nag-drive. Dito kasi sa Suklayin pinanganak ang daddy niya at pa-minsan minsan ay nagpupunta sila dito kaya kabisado na niya ang daan. Although, wala na silang bahay dahil tuluyan na silang lumipat sa Metro Manila.
"Inaantok na ako. Malayo pa ba dito 'yung Inn?" Mitch asked, yawning. Nasa gitna kami nina James, Mitch at Guian. Nasa pinakalikod sina Renz, Keith at Aicelle. Sinama namin sila dahil gusto naming magkaroon ng bakasyon si Keith. Mula ng mamatay ang daddy niya, sinubsob na niya ang kaniyang sarili sa trabaho. Kaya gusto namin siyang makahinga mula sa lahat ng stress sa buhay niya. At bukod doon, para rin may mga official photographers kami. Dual purpose.
"Kalma lang, Mitch. Five minutes na lang mula dito," Guian answered. Kanina pa siya nabibingi sa lahat ng reklamo ni Mitch. Mabuti na lamang at nasa passenger's seat siya. Japh personally chose him to be seated there because he said he needs a talker to keep him alive the whole ride. Which really happened. Guian never runs out of energy, seriously.
It was one in the afternoon when we got to Bay's Inn.
There are two reserved rooms for the boys and one for us, girls. After checking-in, we decided to take a nap before soaking ourselves in the beach.
Nagising ako ng alas kwatro. Nang gisingin ko si Mitch, sinipa niya ako paalis ng kama niya. Kaya si Aicelle na lang ang ginising ko. Nagpunta kami sa kwarto ng mga boys para i-check kung gising na sila. Pinagbuksan kami ni Nick ng pintuan, at bumungad sa amin ang todo-bigay sa charades na si Guian.
"Mukha kang hito na nakukuryente," komento ko.
"Insecure 'to," mapait na sambit niya at tumigil siya sa pag-arte. "Tama na nga. Nasaan si Mitch?"
"Natutulog pa. Sinipa niya ako kanina. Napikon ako." I grimaced.
Pinagmasdan ko ang reaksyon sa mukha ni James. Tila ba nag-iingat siya sa kaniyang mararamdaman. I'm just kidding, anyway.
"Gisingin mo na 'yun. Madilim na nga ang balat ni James, baka mas magdilim pa ang paningin niya sa'yo," Guian jested. Muntik na siyang mahagip ng kamao ni James, mabuti na lamang at nakailag siya.
"Hintayin na lang namin kayo sa may tapat ng Hungry Surfer," I told them. They nodded, then, we went out. After that, we went back to our room and found Mitch all set with her surfing attire.
"Wow!" I gasped. "Arte lang 'yun?" My mouth gaped.
"Hindi naman. Takot lang akong maiwan. Ligong-ligo na ako, eh," she defended.
