RIVALRY [ heesun ]

thirty five.

"Everyone, gather around the bonfire as the activities will start soon!"

Simone and I stopped playing uno when we heard Aracosa outside. Matapos naming ma-build ang tents kanina, we were told to stay inside our tents for awhile dahil mag se-set sila ng bonfire sa labas. Those who wanted to help lang ang naiwan sa labas. Don't attack us, kami rin naman ay gustong makahelp sa kanila, but lima na kasi sila ro'n so masyado nang marami.

Besides, when I was about to help, pinapasok ulit ako ni Aracosa, saying kaya na nila 'yon.

Is he lowkey saying na mas kaya niya ang pag set ng bonfire at pag decorate kaysa sa akin?

I dismissed my thought because Simone asked me to play uno with him. And yes, kaming dalawa lang. So the game is intense.

Dalawang card na lang ang hawak ni Simone noong tawagin kami sa labas kaya naman impit siyang napasigaw, "I was so close to winning!"

"Guess it's a fair game!" I said at binaba ang pitong cards ko, happy that Simone still didn't beat me.

Lumabas na kami after that. We immediately saw the huge flames coming out from the piled woods. Umiinit na rin ang surroundings dahil sa lakas ng apoy. Nagsimula nang umupo ang iba sa maliliit na kahoy na pumapalibot sa bonfire. Sakto lang ito para maging upuan. I sat beside Chloe who is holding up her hands near the fire.

"Don't go near na, baka mapaso ka." I said with concern. She just smiled and nodded.

Kalaunan ay tumabi rin si Simone sa amin. Naalala ko bigla si Wayne so I told both Simone and Chloe to come closer para makapag take ng photo at mai-send ito kay Wayne.

"One, two, three.." I counted. Nakailang pose din kami. Buti ay may kokonting signal na nakukuha ang phone ko kaya nai-send ko kay Wayne successfully. Sadly, hindi siya online at the moment so I didn't receive a reply from him.

"This moment will be hundred times better if Wayne is also here.." Napalakas yata ang pagkasabi ko nito dahil nag react ang iba naming kasama.

"Uy si Aryse may na mi-miss!"

"Yieee!"

Those are just some of their statements. Tinatawa ko na lang ito because I find it silly. Of course, it is normal to miss your friend. Nakakatawa lang na sa sobrang close namin ni Wayne ay naiisip nilang there's something going on between the two of us. Pero hey, we're really good friends.

"Wayne is a really good friend, guys." I dismissed their thoughts. Gayunpaman, hindi pa rin sila tumigil sa pang aasar.

"Nako po." I heard Simone say something as he also slapped his forehead using his palm. I asked what is it and he just shrugged.

On the other hand, I took a glance of Aracosa and I saw him.. smiling? Mukhang inaasar pa siya ni Joaquin na katabi niya lang din.

Wow, ang saya ata niya?

"Lumalalim na ang gabi, guys. Baka pwede na nating umpisahan ang mga activities?" Earl started the conversation.

Everyone cheered as Chloe and Tricia distributed the marshmallow sticks para maitutok na ito sa bonfire. While everyone's busy doing that, Olivier went to their tent to get something. Pagbalik nito ay may hawak na siyang isang metal box. He sat beside Earl and the latter gave him a pat on his head, which earn teasing looks from others and bashing from Joaquin.

"Required talaga 'yon?" Joaquin asked with a disgusting look. Earl answered him by nodding na may malaking ngiti sa labi.

I can't help but laugh because Simone's also making vomiting sounds. Mga OA at bitter.