Miara's Mistakes

(148) August 2, 2020

Kiss

The following day, Miara got up early. It's not her first time to go hiking but her first after a few years.

She chose a pair of flare leggings and a tank top with a sports bra underneath. She braided the front part of her hair since it's too short for ponytail.

Saktong pagkatapos niyang mag-ayos ay ang pagdating nina Primo at Ciara. Primo is in his usual not-smiling self but he did smile when he saw Miara. Si Ciara naman, sobrang sigla.

Nang makalabas ng gate si Miara, mabilis na inangkla ni Ciara ang braso nito kay Miara.

"Ahia said you're a Wattpader too? Sinong bias mo? Kasali ka ba sa mga official pages?"

Sinagot ni Miara ang mga tanong nito habang naglalakad sila papunta sa bahay nina Primo. Nasa likuran nilang dalawa si Primo kaya paminsan-minsan ay sumusulyap si Miara sa kaniya ngunit palagi siyang hinihila ni Ciara, ayaw na may kaagaw sa atensyon niya.

Si Primo naman, nakabusangot nang makarating sa labas ng hacienda nila. Hindi na sila pumasok dahil naghihintay na roon ang iba pa nilang mga pinsan.

Fico, Atien, Mav, Tommy, Jaz, Rafa, and another guy unknown to Miara were all waiting for them. Nakaraya ang mga ito at may kaniya-kaniyang mga backpack. Napuna rin ni Miara na naka North Face silang lahat mula sa bucket hat hanggang sa sapatos.

Nakahalukipkip si Atien, mukhang inaantok pa. Si Fico naman ay kinukuhanan ng litrato ang mga pinsan. Sa tabi nito ay sina Mav at Tommy na kumakain ng protein bar. Si Rafa naman ay nagwa-warm up exercise. Si Jaz naman at ang isa pang lalaki ay mukhang hindi interesado.

"That's another cousin," ani Ciara habang tinuturo ang lalaki sa tabi ni Jaz na ngayon ay may headphones na. "Querino, halika!"

Querino looks as young as Jaz and Tommy. But unlike Tommy who's tanned and fit like an athlete, Querino's lanky and fair. He shook hands with Miara and on his other hand was his phone. Kita ni Miara na nagpapatugtog ito ng Tchaikovsky. Iyon ang pinapatugtog niya noon noong binabangungot siya at hindi makatulog.

"Hi, Ate Miara," bati nito sabay kaway. "I heard a lot about you. How's your bukol?" Anito sabay turo sa kaniyang noo.

He looks genuinely concerned but before Miara could even answer, Ciara cut him off. "That's enough small talks because we're still talking. She's a Wattpader too!"

Halatang-halata sa boses ni Ciara na natutuwa ito na pareho sila ng hilig ni Miara. Si Querino naman, napatango-tango na lang bago tumalikod. He walked back to his place beside Jaz while his fingers were making tapping motions at his side.

Hindi nagtagal, may van na dumating. It was a black Mercedes Benz and it was Miara's first time to ride in one. Katulad iyon ng mga nakikita niya na ginagamit ng mga artista.

"That's the only van we have here, don't judge," ani Ciara nang mapansin ang pagtitig ni Miara sa sasakyan.

Miara laughed inwardly. Hindi niya tuluyang naintindihan ang sinasabi ni Ciara. Hindi siya sigurado kung iniisip ba ni Ciara na ayaw niya sa sasakyan kaya sinabi nito na huwag manghusga.

Napailing-iling na lang siya at sumakay na sa van. Primo waved at her and gestured to the empty seat beside him but Ciara was already pushing Miara to settle down. Sa unang row siya pumuwesto dahil inukupa na ng magpipinsan ang mga upuan sa likuran.

Mabilis lang ang biyahe at kahit inaantok ay hindi siya nakatulog dahil patuloy ang pag-uusap nila ni Ciara. When they were ascending the mountain, the view was starting to get covered by fog.

"Welcome to Guintubdan!" Ciara said enthusiastically as if she's a tour guide.

They all then took their empty water bottles and filled it with the running water from a hose. The water is fresh from the mountains and is safe to drink. Sobrang lamig niyon at napaka-refreshing sa lalamunan.