Change of Hearts

Chapter 12

Baguio, 8AM

"Hello everyone! Goodmorning!" bati sa kanila ng camp master. Isa-isa silang umupo sa damuhan katabi ang mga buddy nila.

"I know most of you are still exhausted with the past challenges, but isn't it the story of UAAP? Win or lose, you have to go on to the next game. I'm sure, even some of you are wounded and with bruises, you know how competition doesn't acknowledge those things. It's about finishing, winning, losing, and learning. It's a cycle." patuloy ni Karl. Tahimik lang sila habang nakikinig dito.

"Now, for today's challenge, pick a representative of your team." tumingin s'ya kay Alyssa. Nagsimula na ring mag-usap usap ang mga teams.

"Ako na lang?" tanong ni Ly sa kan'ya. Inanalyze n'ya ang p'wedeng mangyari, nagdadalawang isip s'ya kung iri-risk n'ya si Ly, lalo na't may mga sugat pa ito.

"Kiefer, ako na."

"Parang 'di ako sigurado, Ly.." sabi nya rito. Ngunit huli na dahil tumayo na ito at lumapit sa harap. Napabuntong hininga nalang s'ya, ang tigas talaga ng ulo nito.

"Okay, since nandito na lahat ng representatives, please sumakay kayo sa bus." patuloy ni Karl. "Wow, puro girls ha. Oh, boys, wag kayo masyado kabahan, hindi uuwi ang partners nyo." biro nito.

Pinanood nilang sumakay ang mga representatives, nakita pa n'yang lumingon sa kan'ya si Ly, confusion evident on her face. Tumango s'ya dito and he gave her a reassuring smile. Ngumiti nalang din ito at umakyat na sa bus. Maya-maya ay umalis na ang sasakyan. Karl spoke to them.

"Now boys, I don't know why ganito ang naging set-up but it's quite apt for this challenge. Because today, those na naiwan which is kayo, you have to find your partners. We are bringing them to a place here in Baguio, and you have to do a set of challenges to locate them." narinig n'ya ang bulong-bulungan ng mga kasama n'ya.

"Here's a twist, the last two persons na makakarating sa area, will face a punishment." patuloy ni Karl.

"What's the punishment?" di n'ya napigilang itanong dito.

"The last two pairs to find each other, will have to exchange partners for the rest of this camp."

———

Antonio's, 9PM

"Ma'am, Sir, I'm sorry. We have strict dress code inside the restaurant. Slippers are not allowed." pigil sa kanila ng guard habang papasok sila ng entrance. Bea glanced at Thirdy, seeing his happy face darkening every second.

"Oh, okay," sabi n'ya. "Wait, I'll just get my heels inside the car. Is it okay?" tanong n'ya. Tumango ang guard, but Thirdy stopped her. "No."

"Thirdy—

"No, you will not change your slippers and hurt yourself again with those heels." seryosong sabi nito. Humarap ito sa guard. "Please, just cancel my reservation."

"But Thirdy—

He faced her, and medyo nakalma s'ya nong makitang nag-soften ang mukha nito. "It's okay, Bea. You more than food." natawa s'ya dito ng bahagya. "Let's go?"

He took her hand and went outside the restaurant, with her fluffy, bunny slippers still on. Hindi na s'ya gaanong nagworry kasi magaan naman ang atmosphere sa loob ng kotse even after what happened. They are now cruising along Tagaytay-Sta. Rosa road, looking for a place to eat.

"I'm sorry about what happened earlier, Bea." sabi nito while driving.

"No, it's okay. Actually ako nga ang nahihiya, super hassle dahil lang sa heels na 'yon. Lesson learned the hard way." natatawa n'yang sabi.