SUNDAY MORNING IN SAGADA

Chapter 2: Sagada's Embrace

Thick and heavy, like a blanket had been draped over the mountains, the mist hung low over the pine trees of Sagada. Silent, save for the chirping of birds in the distance and the rustling of leaves, as if nature was molding the entire place, he sat.

The small wooden cottage Arvie had rented seemed to melt into the surroundings; its rustic charm did little to comfort him. For others, this kind of environment might be heaven-but for Arvie, it had become prison.

The mist over the pine trees of Sagada hung low-hanging, like a blanket covering mountain ranges. Outside, it was silent save for the residual chirping of birds and the soft rustling of leaves; it seemed that Mother Nature was cradling the whole place. Arvie sat alone, the crisp mountain air clinging onto his skin but not offering any solace. The small wooden cottage he had rented blended innocently into the surroundings, and its rustic charm was lost on him. For most, it was paradise-a tranquil retreat-but to Arvie, it had become a prison.

Arvie Monteragual was a showstopper-smelling of raw masculinity, which made women swoon at but a glance. His tall, lean, muscular build seemed chiseled to perfection with broad shoulders that fleshed into a lean, defined waist. With his chiseled jaw and high cheekbones, he looked awesomely handsome while his dark, piercing eyes had a depth which summoned people to him. Ang balat niya, na may halik ng araw, nagbigay-diin sa mga ugat na tumatakbo sa kanyang toned na braso- naglalabas ng parehong lakas at sensuality. Ang kanyang magulo, medyo wavy hair ay nagdagdag sa kanyang sex appeal, na nagbibigay sa kanya ng isang easygoing pero irresistible charm.

Hindi lang ang kanyang pisikal na anyo ang dahilan kung bakit siya kaakit-akit sa mga babaeng naghahanap panandaliang dilig-ang personality niya rin ang humahatak sa mga ito. Confident ngunit hindi mayabang, misteryoso ngunit magnetic. Hindi lang sa physical appearance siya pinagpala-masasabing halos mayroon na sa kanya lahat.

Marami ang nahihikayat nag-aalok sa kanya ng kanilang sarili na parang buffet sa panandaliang ligaya. Masyado siyang nakatuon sa pag-aaral dahil iyon ang ikinasasaya ng kanyang mga magulang kaya walang nakabihag sa kanyang puso. Isa sa mga babaeng iyon si Xanthea, masasabi niyang friend with extra benefits in scented lubricant.

Nasa tabi siya ng bintana, nakatingin sa hamog na parang tuluyang nagtatago ng mga bundok sa likod nito. Ang gulo ng isip niya, tulad ng ulap sa labas-hindi mapakali, hindi matahimik. The storm that brewed inside him was far from the stillness of the mountains. Pumikit siya sandali, hoping the cool mountain air would somehow cleanse him of the memories he was running from. But the past clung to him like the fog.

"Isa kang kahihiyan, Arvie!" His father's voice rang loud in his mind, unforgiving and harsh.
"Lahat ng pinaghirapan namin para sa'yo, ganito lang ang ibabalik mo?"

He remembered the anger in the eyes of his father-the hatred for every word. As if his whole life, all effort, meant nothing because of one failure.

"Wala kang silbi! Kung hindi mo kayang pumasa sa bar, para saan ka pa?!" The words of Arthur Monteragual still stabbed through his chest, the wounds not even attempting to heal. Of all the things his father had said, this was the most hurtful. It was not only a matter of failure; it seemed to him that he had been divested of his manhood.

Nagpipigil ng luha si Arvie, but the memories kept coming. Video call nga sila nagkausap pero sobrang sakit, daig pa niya ang sinuntok sa mukha. There was his mother, Sylvia, standing, arms crossed, her expression cold, detached, as though she couldn't be bothered to show warmth. Ni hindi man lang inawat ni Sylvia si Arthur sa pagsasalita upang kumalma. Wala, ni isang salita. Nakakasakal ang katahimikan na iyon kay Arvie.

"Kung hindi ko kaya ibigay ang gusto nila, ano na ako?" Arvie whispered, his voice barely audible.

He felt all that he was working for, all that he was, was defined by just one exam, one failure. By nawala na ang lahat dahil sa pagkakamali niyon.