MAROONED

3

"So, you like pickup trucks?"

Rebecca asked Kai to break their silence. They've been driving for 5 minutes now and no one tried to speak so she initiated it instead. She's really not much of a talker but somehow, she wanted to start a conversation with the girl.

She's been wanting to ask Kai that question since the girl pulled up in front of her while driving a black Ford Ranger earlier. She was the very first girl that Rebecca saw driving that kind of car and she admits that Kai looks so cool. It suits her.

Mabilis na sumulyap sa kanya si Kai at ngumiti bago nito ibinalik ang atensyon sa kalsada.

"I do. We live in a farm in the province so this type of car is very needed"

"So you drive big cars?"

Kai did not look at her and just nodded as an answer to her question. Rebecca doesn't know why she's so curious with the girl. Ang pagiging misteryoso ni Kai ang tumutulak sa kanya para magtanong nang magtanong dito.

"How is it? Living in a farm?"

Yes, she knows she sound so stupid right now but she really wants to know. She was born in the city and grew up surrounded by busy streets and skyscrapers so she doesn't have any idea what it's like living in the province.

Mahinang tumawa si Kai dahil sa tanong ng babaeng katabi niya. She really finds her so amusing and cute. Something she haven't seen from the girl before. Kapag nasa harapan kasi ito ng maraming tao ay napakatigas nito. Hindi mo aakalaing may kakulitan din pala.

Sinulyapan niya ito para makita ang inosenteng mukha ng babae, halatang wala nga talaga itong alam sa kung ano ang buhay na meron sa probinsya.

"It's beautiful. Magigising ka at maririnig ang huni ng mga ibon sa paligid. Maglalakad ka sa gitna ng damuhan at mga punong sumasayaw sa ihip ng hangin. Lahat ng mga taong madadaanan mo ay babatiin ka kahit gaano pa sila ka-abala sa mga ginagawa nila. May maghahatid sa'yo ng meryenda, ulam at mga sariwang prutas o gulay na galing sa mga taniman nila. Life in the province is simple, yet it's something that I will never trade over the life here in the city"

Nakangiti lang si Kai habang kinukwento kay Rebecca ang buhay na meron siya sa probinsya. It makes her remember beautiful memories during her childhood. Namiss niya tuloy ang Iloilo.

"So why did you choose to study here in Manila?"

"Because ate Ali is here. Matagal ko na siyang hindi nakakasama dahil dito siya nag-aral simula pre-law niya"

Tumango si Rebecca. Right, her cousin and Kai's older sister has been blockmates since their pre-law days which is accountancy. Sabay din silang nagtake ng board exam at nag-enroll ng Law.

"Are you guys really close?"

Sumulyap sa kanya si Kai at ngumiti. Naramdaman ni Rebecca na naging mabagal ang pagtakbo ng sasakyan kaya tumingin siya sa harapan at nakitang papasok sila sa drive thru ng isang coffee shop.

"I'll answer your questions later. For now let's have coffee"

"I'm not a fan of coffee"

"Oh"

Hindi alam ni Kai na hindi pala ito umiinom ng kape. Well, she is a coffeeholic. She cannot start her day without caffeine in her system. Nauubos agad ang energy niya kung hindi siya nagkakape.

"Sorry I didn't k---"

"It's fine. I'll have tea instead"

Hininto ni Kai ang sasakyan para sabihin ang order nila. Binati siya ng barista nang ibaba niya ang bintana ng sasakyan. Kai smiled and greeted the girl back.