Stuck in Love

Chapter 18

Time check: 11:08 AM

 

Date: February 13, Saturday

Destination: Tagaytay

“You sure about this?” I asked my driver, Sandro.

 

“Just take this as a form of gratitude for saving me from the bar last Tuesday.”

Or could I take it as a Valentine date instead? I smiled in flattery. It would be quite a long trip from Quezon City. And I love long rides…especially with the person who means a lot to me.

 

“So who’s in your house?” I asked.

 

“My grandma and some relatives. That’s actually their house. We just lived there for a while. You can try to sleep while we’re on our way.”

“It’s okay. I love long rides. And I don’t want to sleep. Why don’t we play some good music instead?” I got my phone and plugged it on his speakers. “I think I would love to hear some boy band.”

“No, not the boy band. You know what, just plug in my iPod.”

“Oh come on! We need some feel good music and the music of the 90’s is just the best. It’s just me. No one will call you jologs. Don’t be absurd. You loved those songs back in elementary,” I laughed as I searched for my boy bands playlist.

“Kulit!” he remarked.

“I know you’re dying to hear this.”

I played our first road trip song—Quit Playin’ Games by Backstreet Boys, beybeh!

 

“Don’t control yourself. Sing with it!” I urged.

“Quit playing games with my heart, with my heart…” he sang as he joined my jam at the chorus part.

It was so much fun. We jammed with more Backstreet Boys, Westlife, N’Sync, 98 Degrees and A1 songs on our way to Tagaytay. We were laughing and singing all throughout. It was so carefree and everything seemed great, even the traffic. I even took a video of us singing “As Long As You Love Me.” I knew it! He loves boy band music.

 

“Hey! Let’s do a music video of this in Tagaytay!” I suggested.

 

“Whatever.”

It was an hour and a half trip but hell I enjoyed it. Told yah! I love long rides. *wink*

 

Our first stop was Bulalo Belt along Mahogany Avenue. Bulalo—perfect for a chilly afternoon. Shit! This is what I’m talking about not being prepared—no sweaters! We had our lunch first with the best bone marrow soup I ever tasted.

 

Next stop: the popular Tagaytay Picnic Grove along Aguinaldo Highway. We had a horseback riding experience. The last time I was able to ride a horse was in Baguio City, when I was 12, the summer before high school. And I remember being scared because it felt like I would fall off the horse’s back anytime. But you know, things changed. It’s not falling off the horse’s back I’m scared at now…it’s falling without being caught. Lalim ng hugot!

 

We also tried the 250-meter long and 300-foot high zip line for adrenaline and adventure junkies like me! We rode together in a thrilling 60 kilometer per hour speed and it was totally breathtaking. But experiencing the cool air right on my skin and having fun with Sandro like that, it’s what left me breathless.

 

“That was ultimately fun!” Sandro said after our ride. “You know we also have zip lines and cable cars in Australia but of course iba pa rin dito. It’s more fun in the Philippines!”

 

Iba talaga ‘pag ikaw ang kasama. It’s more fun! Yieeee! My inner thoughts.

“Look, we have pictures!”

I bought the pictures and their digital soft copy for my keep sake.

We continued strolling around the park and filmed our music video for “As Long As You Love Me.” Haha it was funny to stomach ache.

 

We left the park before 5 to go to Sky Ranch. And oh no…Am I seeing rush hour MRT lines? People flocked at the Sky Eye, the 63-meter tall ferris wheel, which is the main attraction of the amusement park. Well, it’s just the tallest ferris wheel in the Philippines so we could not leave Tagaytay without riding on one of its 32 air-conditioned gondolas. Malamig na nga, air-conditioned pa? Redundant.

 

I was seeing couples everywhere, spending their pre-Valentine date with a romantic view of Tagaytay at the top of the Sky Eye. I just wanted to sing Beyonce’s Single Ladies at that time just to know who would put their hands up with me. Oh yeah, single yet secretly in love.

 

As we got off the car, I wrapped my hands around my arms.

 

“Are you okay?” Sandro asked in concern. At last, I could sense some concern on his tone.

 

“It feels colder.”

Sandro took off his long-sleeved polo and gave it to me.

“Wear this.”

“But you’ll feel cold.”

“I’m okay. Australia’s temperature during winter is a lot colder.”

He spread the sleeves of the polo so I could insert my arms.

“Thank you.”

We waited for 40 minutes just to take a ride on the ferris wheel. It was expensive considering 150-pesos per head for a 10-minute ride. That was corruption! But really, it was all worth it, especially on top seeing the sun as it slowly set. The view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano from atop was so serene and majestic and magical at the same time. The beauty of Tagaytay was exquisite…why didn’t I see that before? That was a perfect romantic date. I really do hope this is considered as a date…or is this another friendly hangout?

There was deafening silence between us for almost the whole ride until Sandro spoke up.

 

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

I was caught in awe. “Wow…you’re asking what’s on my mind? Facebook question. That’s very----inquisitive. Kinda invasive, huh.”

“Do you mind?”

“Not really but---of course, you don’t wanna know.”

“I do. That’s why I asked…pero kung ayaw mo sabihin, e di ‘wag.”

“I’m not thinking about work. I’m just---I’m just so relaxed right now. This trip really unwinds me.”

“Glad to hear that.”

“And it’s because of you…” WTF! Did my tongue just slipped that instant? Sandro looked at me directly so I knew, I needed to get my words back. “I mean, if not for you, I would not have this adventure so…thank you.”

“Utang na loob mo ‘yan sa’kin, ha.”

***