Tulips

34. Fun.

Becky.

This is fun. I've been through this kind of terrain before so I'm already used to it.

I was worried at first for Freen but seeing her standing there and smile like that. I joined her in standing there, we're both facing the front.

Then my heart felt like it's floating as Freen held my hand while smiling widely. Damn...

We continued on til we arrived at the peak of the hill which as per the guide that's where the station was. I was expecting that we'll hike but when we walked nearer we saw 4 ATVs on the side.

"What the... Freen! This is so cool!" Heng said excitedly.

We laugh at him and at Nam who was scared. Nam ends up riding with Heng.

"Don't you dare go fast or you'll end up sleeping at the couch tonight." Nam said pointing a finger at Heng.

"I got it. I'll be slow." Heng said and when he turned he looked at me and Freen and winked.

He's asking for his early death. He may not know yet how Nam is when she's mad. He'll witness how a kitten could turn into a tiger in seconds.

They instructed us to leave our bags on the station but put our valuables on a water proof bag that they gave us. They let us pick which ATV we want then gave us instructions. We followed the guide as we started our ATV adventure. Heng and Nam was first then Freen while I was behind her.

Me and Freen laughed as Heng started fast that got Nam startled. She began hitting Heng on his arm causing him to slow down. He's complaining that she hit like Freen. From then on he rode in a decent speed matching the speed of our guide.

We started following the path on top of the hill. In a few minutes later it began to rain. That was unexpected but it didn't bother us until we drove through mud.

Freen was looking back at me probably checking if I was still following her. Then she stopped and went over to me and gave me her jacket that was tied on her waist.

"Wear this." She said before going back to her ATV.

She looked at me and urge me to wear it. I looked at my shirt and realized why she gave me her jacket. I could see my bra through my wet shirt. I immediately wore it.

The ride became more bumpy with mud splashing on us yet we were all smiling. Out of Heng's luck, his ATV got stuck on a deep puddle. He, Nam and the guide were trying to push it. Me and Freen went over to help. Freen suggested to put some rocks beside the wheel forming a ramp then we push it. I was about to help to push when Freen suggested to have me sit on the ATV.

We all looked at her. Heng's face was priceless, as if Freen said something disgusting.

"What?! Besides the fact that she's the lightest out of us, we need someone to manouver it forward while we're pushing."

"How did you know she's the lightest?" Heng asked teasing her.

"From her small body frame you idiot."

We all laughed at her response. I then climbed on the ATV and drove it forward while they're pushing. In a few minutes we were able to get it out of the deep puddle.

We reached the forest that was uphill that turned into a clearing when we're almost at the top. We were in awe as we saw the view. We could see almost the whole island. We unmounted our ATVs once we're at the top. We spent a few minutes there in silence just staring at the view.

The guide ask if we want to take have him take our picture. We all said yes and gave him our phones. When the guide started counting, I took Freen's hand and intertwine my fingers on hers. I can see in the corner of my eye that she's smiling. It made me feel good so I smiled as well.

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Freen.

We were done in taking tons of pictures. The trip back would be more challenging because It'll be through river rafting. I can't wait to see their reactions.

We were all laughing as we saw each other's look. They were about to go back to the ATV but the guide stopped them.

"There's another way down. Follow me." The guide said.

"Woah. What is it Freen?" The ever excited Heng asked.

We hiked for 10 minutes til we reached the river.

"No way. We're going down in that?" Nam said.

"Oh shit." I heard Becky said.

"Wohoo!" Heng excitedly said. "Come on you two. It'll be fun."

I laughed by Nam and Becky's shocked expression as we saw the raft by the side of the river. I was nervous myself. I've never tried river rafting before but it'll be a great experience to try it even for once.

They gave us instructions while sitting on the raft that's on the ground. After that they had us sit on the raft beside the river. They handed us our paddle and gave last minute reminders.

They told me it'll be a bit rougher than usual since it just rained. I told them we'll get through with it.

We were 7 in the raft. 2 staffs were on the front and our guide was at the back. We took a picture first before we started paddling. The scenery was beautiful as we flowed through the river. Then after a few minutes the rough parts slowly emerged. We all braced ourselves.

It was so thrilling. As if we'll get thrown out of the raft anytime. We could feel every bump on the raft and got wet everytime. The other two girls squealed most of the time while Heng cheered. Eventually we followed him, cheering after every rough part that we went through.

It then started to get rougher that I thought the raft will be overturned. Luckily, with the guide of the staffs, we were able to pass all the rough parts.

We reached the dock. We were all smiling, proud that we got to pass the rough river safely. We took pictures first before we stepped out of the raft. We drenched ourselves in the river for there's still some mud left on our clothes.

The jeep was already there waiting for us. They handed us towels and also our lunch. It was prepared by the hotel as part of the tour. We ate while sitting at the back of the jeep.

When we went back to the hotel, we were guided by the staff towards the side of the hotel. 

"Maybe because they don't want us to drench their carpets." Nam said.

Little did they know there's a reason for it.

"We're headed to our next activity." I said.

"Wow Freen. I didn't expect this from you. But I'm glad your having fun." Heng said as he walked beside me.

"Yeah. I am having fun." I said smiling.

Heng put an arm on my shoulder and said: "I missed that smile. Wear it more."

What happened next was unexpected. Becky suddenly went in between me and Heng. She took my hand and hold it while we're walking.

"He's right. Smile more. You're more prettier showing that gummy smile of yours." She said smiling before looking ahead.

I was speechless so I just smiled. I just hoped she didn't notice my heart was beating fast which I'm not sure if caused by her calling me pretty or by her holding my hand.