Salt & Pepper [A JaDine FanFic]

Chapter Thirteen: Libre

Saturday, 7AM, Somewhere inside the village

So I decided to take a leisurely walk with Inca bright and early this morning. Since I wanted to prove that I was already okay from the hit I got yesterday, I summoned up my body to follow my six o'clock alarm and forget about the snooze. An hour of walking will do wonders to your body, I tell you!

"I used to jog as early as five o'clock last year!" I told Inca who was walking beside me.

"I remember! For ROTC yan diba?"

"Nakakabaliw talaga yun!" I replied. "At least I can go back to this routine during weekends."

"As in early morning walks?"

"For now, late night walks ang nangyayari sa amin ni Lala now that rehearsals are coming." I said.

"Well, at least you love what you do." Inca stated. "I mean, you and Lala found your love for theater just as I found my love for sports."

"That's true."

"Are you sure okay ka talaga? Walang masakit sa katawan mo?"

I stopped walking and started stretching my legs and arms. "Inca, I'm fine. People are overreacting."

"Well, people usually don't run into doors and get unconscious you know." She shook her head. "Kakaiba lang talaga yun eh!"

"Parang nangyayari lang sa cartoons?" 

"TAHOOOOOOOOOOO! TAHO KAYO DIYAAAAAAN"

Inca widened her eyes. "OMG, Nadz do you hear that? Tahoooooo!" She looked back and saw the taho vendor walking towards us. "Kuya!" She ran to the taho vendor and checked on the taho he was selling.

"Mainit init pa ba?" She asked. "Wow! Kuya, favorite ko ito!"

I walked to where Inca was standing. "Kuya, magkano po ang taho niyo?"

"Kinse po ang small. Bente po yung large."

"Sige, dalawang bente po." Inca replied excitedly. "Damihan niyo po ang arnibal ah!"

Saturday, 7AM, James' House

Text Message from Marco:

"Bro, are you up? What time are we going to the housewarming? I can pick you up at 1."

Text Message to Marco:

"Why are you texting this early? Still half asleep. OK at 1."

Text Message from Marco:

"It's because I love you man. Be ready by 12."

Text Message to Marco:

"Not 1?"

Text Message from Marco:

"Good! Your brain is working at this time. Will pass by for you at 1."

Text Message to Marco:

"Leave me alone. See ya later."

Saturday, 715AM, Somewhere inside the village

Inca and I walked back to our gated compound and found an empty bench under a tree. We sat down and started enjoying our early morning taho.

"I love this! It's best eaten this warm."

"Me too." I said. "Taho brings back childhood memories."

"I know. Sobrang nakakasenti. Feel good talaga!"