Decay In Her Bones

CHAPTER 20

As they stepped out of the bus, the realization that the ambiance was colder outside than inside hit them. Literally speaking, the Caleruega Retreat House sat atop a hill, which was even located on top of the mountainous landscape of Batulao, Nasugbu Batangas. It made the atmosphere a little thinner than that of the low lands. The air was thick with condensation as if the heavens had come down to earth. The cathedral of trees that fell in line almost everywhere reflected the packets of moisture spangled on the surface of each leave. The wind did not blow with force, instead, the icy coldness settled in with a pace incomprehensible to the naked eye. Technically speaking, the group of students happened to be in one of the coldest parts of the country during one of the coldest times of the year. One by one, the students brought out their jackets and sweaters out of their bags.

The constant ups and downs on their way there turned Bobby's stomach up-side-down, but the humid environment that the place offered instantly evened his need to throw up. Looking around, the newly arrived students witnessed an alien grandeur in which a full view of the surrounding showcased a beauty the place boasted in all aspect. The area where the blue bus had parked was a circular one encased in a green wall of tall trees swaying slowly along the breeze as if radiantly welcoming its visitors. The spacious lot covered with brown-red tiles wound its way around a fountain at the center whose water flowed eternally with a trickling noise. This alluring spherical piece appeared classy due to its black paint, which was adorned by eight lofty black-and-white rays protruding from its base. At the western edge of the circular parking lot, a wide staircase with tiles of the same color grew from the ground with a dozen steps leading to an elegant castle-like building: the Admin Building.

Caleruega's Admin Building was a narrow infrastructure with a flat facade, featuring the same color as the steps that flowed from under it. A roomy entrance punched an opening through its front walls, which appeared like the mouth of a giant brown monster; an expansive arch loomed above its invisible hinges. On either sides of the entrance were statues of two religious relics which Bobby did not recognize. Angels, probably, he thought, not knowing that they were St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Catherine of Siena. At the center of the building's face, however, was the unmistakable glass mosaic image of God; hands outstretched from a white flowing garment, appearing glorious against the play of colors in its background. A few feet above it, another hole made its way through the gothic wall, opening to the skies behind it and enclosing a medium-scale bell in it.

"Okay, listen up, guys," Ms. Tamayo said delicately, giving a pair of widened eyes to the students who gradually formed a circle around her with their respective heavy bags. "We will convene at the Veritas Hall... I will lead the way. But please be reminded that we have to go through the Admin building and pass along the Adoration chapel. So please, be as quiet as possible. Refrain from talking until we get there, do you understand?"

"Yes, ma'am," the students chorused.

"Very well, then," replied Ms. Tamayo, fastening her bag over her shoulder. "Follow me."

Ms. Tamayo led the crowd of sixty students directly toward the entrance of the Admin Building. Just as half of the group was entering the doorway, the other bus had arrived with its students displaying their faces of awe through the vehicle's windows. Shortly before the bus' twin doors slid open, the whole of Bobby's group had entered the lobby to the building.

"I want to live here," Daniel commented in an undertone.

"I don't," said Franz.

"Haha," Lance laughed, "Why?"

"It looks like a convent."

"Yeah right."

Indeed, the interior of the building looked like a house of the faithfuls. The lobby tried hard to appear like a reception hall but failed due to its Catholic aesthetics. Directly greeting them was a pair of staircases splitting in two from the middle in the shape of a fallopian tube. It wound up to the second floor, leaving a vast fish pond at its foot. Mylene visualized that they were transported to Spain, for the expanse appeared like a classical Spanish church except for the modern picture frames hanging on the wall, displaying photos of the Retreat house as viewed from the outside.