Sunsets and August

14

"Duwa po manong nga special. Thank you." 

"Do you always order Abra miki after a jog?"

I placed our order as me and Caleb sat down at Celnitz Pancitan in Bangued. The smell of freshly cooked Abra miki filled the air, and I smiled, feeling a rare sense of calm after that chaotic reunion. 

Akala ko kung nananakawan na kami kaninang 5 am dahil narinig ko ang pinto ng hotel room na bumukas. Bumalik lang pala si Caleb kase nakalimutan niya yung Airpods niya. Nagulat rin siya nung nasa pinto ako at may hawak na cooking pan. 

Part pala ng routine niya araw-araw ang mag-jogging tuwing 5 am hanggang 6 am. Kahit hindi ako morning person ay sumama pa rin ako sa kanya. Hindi niya kabisado dito sa Abra at kailangan na nasa tabi niya ako lagi kasi delikado ang ganoong oras dito sa probinsya namin. 

Kaya naman nung natapos na kami mag-jogging ay inaya ko siya kumain dito sa paborito namin kainan ng pancit miki. May mga pinupuntahan pa kami katulad ng MK4 pero sarado pa siya kaya dito na lang kami.

Caleb sat across from me, his eyes full of warmth, watching me as if I were the most fascinating person in the room. Nagpapaturo nga siya magsalita ng Ilokano kasi na-amaze daw siya sa accent ko habang nagsasalita. 

"Not always. But after last night, we deserve something special." My smile faded slightly as the memories of the reunion returned. "Everything was a mess. I still can't believe how things turned out."

"Hey, don't think about that now. We're here, and today's going to be different. Let's just enjoy the day. Okay?"

"Hmm, okay... I'm glad we have to just... breathe today." Our food arrived, steaming bowls of miki, topped with crispy garlic and chicharon and then we dug in. The thick noodles and savory broth were comforting. 

Na-miss ko tuloy kumain ng ganito. Kapag kasama ko mga kaibigan ko at nagkatugma-tugma ang mga schedule namin ay umuuwi kami dito para lang makakain ng pancit miki. 

"Why haven't you brought me here sooner?" Caleb said between bites, "I've never tasted anything like this. It's simple, but it's amazing. I think I could eat this every day."

"We just met a few months ago!" I said, laughing. Nakita ko kase na malapit na niya maubos yung miki. "Maybe I'll learn how to make it for you one day."

His eyes sparkled. "I'd like that."

After finishing our meal, me and Caleb met up with Kuya Kenshin and Ate Kaye. The plan was to visit some of Abra's famous spots, starting with the Apao Rolling Hills. The four of us packed into Kuya Kenshin's car, chatting about everything except the reunion.

"The view from the hills is stunning—you'll love it. Kaparkan Falls too, but it's better during the rainy season. Even so, it's still worth the visit." sabi ko kila Caleb at Ate Kaye nung nagtatanong sila tungkol sa pupuntahan namin. 

May kalayuan ito sa Bangued at umabot kami ng isang oras bago kami makarating doon. When we arrived at Apao Rolling Hills, the view took my breath away.  Ang ganda talaga dito. Kung may paborito man akong puntahan dito sa probinsiya namin ay ito ang ipapakita ko.

"Wow," Caleb said, stepping out of the car. "This place is incredible."

I smiled as I watched him take in the beauty of the rolling hills stretching as far as the eye could see. "I told you that you'll love it!" I said, leaning against the car. 

"Yeah," Caleb nodded, walking over to stand beside me. "This is the kind of place where you feel like the world isn't so complicated." 

 "It's funny, I always thought of Abra as a place to escape to from the city. But now that we're here together, it feels more like a place I can share. I never thought I'd want to bring someone into this part of my life."