Painting the Stains of Our Endless Journey

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Butterfly Meadows.

It was written on the arch upon entering the premises. Manghang-mangha naman agad ako dahil hindi ko inaasahan itong pupuntahan naming lugar. I've only had in mind na baka normal na food place or kaya naman park ang pupuntahan namin. This place was far from what I've imagined.

"What is this place?" I uttered.

"A magical place," sagot ni Sy sa akin. "It has been a dream of mine na pumunta at makita ng personal ang lugar na 'to. I'm here now. I'm a few feet away to witness the beauty of this place."

Napakunot ang noo. "Wala pa ba tayo sa lugar na tinutukoy mo?"

"We're here, but there's more that you have to see," anito. "Let's just go inside. I can't wait to see it."

Sinundan ko siya papasok sa loob kung saan ay may nag-aabang na staff na siyang idinerekta kami sa front desk. Before we could go to the viewing area, we have to pay for an environmental fee which helps preserving the natural state of the place. 

They wrapped neon paper bracelets on our wrists to validate our entrance. Pansin ko naman ang pananabik sa mukha ni Sy. Sa aming dalawa ay siya lang ang may idea kung anong makikita namin sa lugar na 'to. 

"How are you feeling, Sy?" I asked.

She took a deep breath and let it go slowly. The smile was plastered on her face and I don't think it will go away. "I'm so excited, Cho. This is my dream. This is what I've been looking forward to happening. I'm only a few feet away from seeing it. Ikaw ba? Anong nararamdaman mo?"

"I'm feeling good," simple kong sagot sa kanya. "I'm more invested in seeing your reaction though."

Natawa naman ito nang bahagya. "Loko ka talaga. Let's find our way na to the viewing area. I bet you will also fall in love in this place at masasabi mo na lang na super worth it ang ibinyahe natin."

"Okay, let's see. . ."

We took the pathway heading to the viewing area. We're passing by some tall bushes and lines of different flowers on the side. Hindi na rin napigilan ni Synestine ang sarili niya at bawat nadaraanan namin ay kinukuhaan niya ng picture. She said it was for the memories. She even told me to get pictures of her. Nag-suggest pa siya na kuhaan niya rin ako ng picture. I declined it at first, but she kept on pushing me so I had no choice, but to pose with some of the flowers.

"See? Ang gwapo mo kaya. I wonder why you don't have a girlfriend? E, mukha kang model," pambobola pa ni Synestine.

I shook my head, letting out little laughs. "You're kidding me, Sy. Alam mo naman na napakalayo no'n sa katotohanan, e."

"You're the only one who's thinking about that. Gwapo ka nga! Ibo-boyfriend kita riyan, e."

Napangisi ako. "Stop it, Sy. Baka may masabi pa ang iba, e."

"Na ano naman?" she questioned, raising her brow. "Wala naman siguro silang pakialam kung maging mag-boyfriend and girlfriend tayong dalawa. You're single and so am I. Kung gagawin nilang big deal 'yon, sila na 'yong may problem. Not me. Not you. Not us."

"Okay, sabi mo, e," tipid na sagot ko na lamang. Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko. I was taken aback kung anong salita ang lalabas sa bibig ko at baka magkamali ako.

"Come on! Kailangan natin maabutan ang sunset!" Kinuha nito ang kanan kong kamay at saka niya ako hinigit papunta sa area kung saan na pwede naming makita ang paligid.

Every path we passed ay nagugulat na lang din ako kapag may butterfly na lilipad papunta sa amin o kaya makakasalubong. It does make sense dahil hindi tatawaging butterfly meadows ang lugar na 'to kung walang butterfly mismo.