A Summer to Forever

24

"Sus, parang umaakyat lang naman pala sa hagdanan, eh," Maine was boasting off her braveness as they start their trek at The Reserve.

"Ang tapang, ha!" RJ was teasing her, knowing that she doesn't know what else The Reserve has to offer.

"Oo naman! Sisiw 'to!"

"Ang tapang naman ni ma'am!" Their tour guide, Kuya Rommel, although feels out of place at times because of the two, joined in the teasing.

"Grabe ha, Kuya Rommel!" Maine protested jokingly.

The two met their first obstacle course after a few treks. In order for them to pass through, they would climb up a ladder-like rope going up to the rocky formation.

"Kaya?" RJ asked.

"Naman."

Kuya Rommel went up first to assist the two of them when it was their turn to climb.

"Basta ma'am, unahin mong itapak ang kanang paa mo tapos kamay mo bago mo isunod ang kaliwa. Mas madali 'yun."

Maine followed his instructions and had an almost smooth climb to the top. RJ went in last, as to ensure that she would be safe if something happens.

"Kaya pa po?"

"Yes, kuya!" RJ answered enthusiastically.

"Simula po dito, medyo magiging mas mahirap na 'yung trek natin. Ingat lang po tayo kasi may ibang rocks po dito na medyo matulis," Kuya Rommel warned.

Indeed, their trek became more difficult than what they had passed through upon entering. They were stepping and holding onto rocks. They are on the way to the first attraction, which Kuya Rommel called the Sapot, also known as spider's web in English.

"Bakit sapot ang tawag, kuya?" RJ asked.

"Kasi mukhang sapot 'yung aapakan mo kung titignan mo galing sa itaas."

"Eh 'di butas butas 'yung aapakan?"

"Oo."

"Hala, safe ba 'yan?" Maine asked frighteningly.

"Syempre naman, ma'am. Safe pareho ang mga tao at 'yung rock formations. At ginawa ring sapot 'yun kasi parang balanced 'yung pagkaka-install sa aapakan natin." He continued explaining. "Maganda po doon, makikita niyo ng buong-buo ang ganda ng kalikasan. Kita doon ang Sierra Madre."

The small group went on with their hike until they've reached the suspended man-made bridge going to Sapot.

"Hala," Maine muttered softly.

"Don't worry, andito lang ako sa tabi mo, Maine," RJ assured and grabbed her hand.

Kuya Rommel went ahead and walked to the suspended bridge all the way to Sapot.

"Sir, hintayin ko nalang po kayo doon sa kabilang dulo, Sapot na po 'yun," he shouted and raised his brows at RJ. He raised his brows back at him and brought his attention back to Maine.

"Ano, ready ka na ba?"

She only answered with a nod on her head.

"One step at a time lang, then hawak ka lang sa'kin. Don't worry, I won't let go of you."

Those last words left a mark on her head that it seemed it meant something else. Something deeper.

"Okay, tara."

She started to walk to the suspended bridge with RJ on her side. The first few walks were fine, as the bridge wasn't still that shaky. But as they were approaching the middle part of the bridge, she started to get scared again.