The Savanna Theory of Happiness

Chapter 11

The next day went by like a blur yet I'm pretty sure I won't forget them anytime soon.

Sumakay kami sa Little Train at nakita ang Maria No te Hau church, Tahua Autonomy gardens, ang Chinese temple ng Kanti, at iba pa. We also got to see Papeete's Municipal Market with its colorful display of fruit, fish and handicrafts; the Notre Dame Cathedral; Black Pearl Museum; and we got to take in the magnificent French colonial architecture of Papeete City Hall.

But the best part was probably exploring the inner parts of Papeete. Most notably, the Arahoho Blowhole... I feel so in sync with nature. I'm seeing the world in a whole new perspective.

Nai-inspire akong magtapos ng pag-aaral, magtrabaho at maging mayaman, at gawin kung ano lang ang trip ko. Maybe even buy my own island!

We're back at the motel. Dapat pagod na ako sa maghapon naming paglilibot. Somehow, the ecstasy from our adventure is keeping me awake.

May balcony sa second floor ng motel. Buti na lang at may ramp kaya kahit wala si Lukas, nakapunta ako mag-isa.

Although hindi ko man nasasabi pa kay Lukas, nararamdaman ko nang muli ang mga binti ko. It was a wake up call.

The night sky reminds me of that evening in the hospital when he asked me to go with him.

Do I regret my decision? No.

If I could go back in time, will I still say yes? No.

I badly miss home. At kahit gaano man ka-asshole ang tatay ko, I'm worried sick about him.

Hindi man lang ako nakapagpaalam.

I don't know how Lukas managed to prepare my papers, especially without a parental consent. Perks of being a rich, privileged jerk.

"Nandito ka pala." His voice cut through the cold air.

I didn't bother turning. Mahirap din naman. I'm bound to a wheelchair.

"Where else would I be?"

We've been together for three days now. Have we grown closer? Nope.

As cold as it sounds, that's reality. Spending time with people does not mean they're your friends. Kahit gaano mo man katagal nakasama ang isang tao, hindi ibig sabihin ay alam na nila ang mga demonyong nagtatago sa loob mo.

Kagaya na lang ng sa akin.

He leaned his back against the handrail, his eyes piercing through me.

"When will this trip be over?"

"Hindi ko alam na bipolar ka pala."

"Naalala ko lang na fantasy lang pala 'to. Sooner or later, there's a reality we have to return to."

"That doesn't have to be now."

See? Walang nagbago. We still bicker like siblings.

Humalukipkip siya. Lumalaylay ang sleeves ng damit niya. Ang payat kasi.

"What do you want from me, Lukas?"

He didn't answer.

"No one in their right minds would just invite a girl they just met in a vacation getaway."

He shrugged. "Malay mo crush kita."

I groaned from frustration. "Ano pa bang inaasahan ko sa 'yo?"

Ngumisi siya. Tapos bigla na lang siyang yumuko at pinitik ang noo ko.

"Aray!"

"'Wag aasa ha? Baka masaktan ka lang."

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pumasok sa isip ko. Siguro gusto ko lang siyang gantihan sa mga pang-aasar niya sa akin.

Hinila ko ang pulsuhan niya, dahilan para mamudmod siya sa 'kin.

Magkalapit ang mga mukha namin. Hindi ko maramdaman na humihinga pa siya sa gulat. Nanlalaki ang mga mata niya.

"Kung magkakagusto man ako sa 'yo," bulong ko. Mas lalo ko pang nilapit ang mukha ko sa kaniya. I could almost feel the warmth he emits amidst this cold night. "Baka patay na 'ko no'n."

Nginitian ko siya. Iyon siguro ang nag-trigger sa kaniya para magising at muling tumayo. Inagaw niya ang braso sa akin, then he cleared his throat.

"M-malamig na. Pasok na tayo sa loob," aniya.

Sa wakas, nakabawi rin ako kay Lukas Fuentes.