Touch of Time

Chapter 3: The Outside World

The roosters are crowing.  Morning is approaching and the sun starts to lit the room.  The birds chirp are very audible.  It's really soothing to listen to farm animals compared to the city's honking of vehicles.  As I look around, Marsha and Jane are still in deep sleep and snoring.  Yesterday's land trip was too much for us so we spent the entire day indoors.  But today, we'll surely start our planned adventure. The mere imagination of it causes my ears to tickle from excitement.  Marsha says there's a small waterfall nearby and only few villagers go there because of the unpaved narrow path.

In a few minutes, the aroma of a boiled tablea seeps in to the room.  The smell of it made my stomach growl for breakfast so I decided to rise up, fix my bed and open one of the windows.  The view of the farm is very calming and it made me reflect why can't people just live simply and in a slow pace.  

Then, a woman's voice call my name downstairs, "Ersha, is that you? " As I look down, Marsha's grandma waved at me and gestured to come down so I can have a drink of the hot cocoa.  I nod at her in response and go downstairs immediately.

"You're a grown up lady now Ersha."said grandma.

"Yes and you also, it seems you haven't change much physically."

"Oh thanks for that compliment."

"Living in the countryside is really healthy compared to the city"

"Yeah, that's the reason why I prefered to stay here."

"Ersha, why so early?" shouted from above.  Marsha and Jane have awaken already and they were looking over the window that she had opened earlier. 

"Ladies, come and join us." called grandma and I also waved at them and said, "Good morning girls."

The breakfast was quite heavy but it's fine us for all that calories that we've eaten will be used up on hiking.  Marsha's grandma packed a great meal for us for she knew that we'll be going to a nearby waterfall.  It's a 20 minute walk from the farm and everyone is so excited.    When everything was completed, we bid grandma goodbye and start our walk.  The loads we're carrying were quite heavy but as we move on farther, it became negligible for we were enjoying the view of nature.

"How lovely is this place to live." I said while looking around.

"Nahh Ersha, you're romantic side is on again" Jane commented with a laugh.

"Don't worry Ersha, let's make this vacation a memorable one.  Surely when you go back home you'll forget that idiot ex of yours. " told Marsha with great conviction.

"Alright girls, this vacation is for the three of us.  So, let's make it a hundred percent remarkable" I said heartily while putting my palms on air like a teamwork hand sign and they followed.

"Today is liberty from everything" we shouted simultaneously.

The waterfalls is getting nearer for the sound of water splashing starts to be heard already.  In a few minutes, it became visible and we look for a spot to safely place our things.  While unpacking, the scenery would make you pause for a while for it is very enchanting. The place may not be developed but the placement of the big rocks, flowering plants and trees seems like it's planned and positioned beautifully. The waters cascading from an 8 feet boulder sparkle as the rays of the sun hit on them, and then calmly flow through a wide basin were all gets collected like a swimming pool.  Truly, there's no mark of pollution on the water for the rocks below are very clear from above.  

It took us almost 15 minutes enjoying the view with great awe and wonder before we decided to have a swim.  As we dip into the water, we swim around the basin, explore every angle of it and take some selfies.  After all our energy drained from swimming, posing and playing on the water, we felt hungry and felt the need to have our lunch.

"Let's pray first before we eat" told Jane and then led the prayer immediately.

"Wow! A native chicken soup. This is delicious." I said while opening the lid of the Tupperware.

"We have also here adobo, broiled fish and lots of other delicacies." shared Marsha.

We ate our lunch like we haven't eaten for days.  We consumed the main dishes and ate more on the desserts.  After a while, I felt urinating so I excused myself for a pee on the nearby bushes.

"I'm going to urinate" walking a bit faster while looking for a right place.

"Just urinate on that big rock nearby." Jane instructed. 

"I  found a nice place to pee a little bit farther from that rock" I pointed. 'I'll be right back.'

A small cave looking spot caught my eyes so I immediately went there to check it.  As I get nearer, the slippery soil caught me off guard and suddenly everything turned dark.