It Started in the Library (Completed and Editing)

Chapter 22: Secrets in the Mist

Chapter 22: Secrets in the Mist

Nagising akong wala si Prince sa tabi ko. Dito kami natulog sa likod ng pick-up at ginamit namin yung mga comforter na baon namin saka yung sleeping bag ni Kuya Alfred para di manigas sa lamig. Pero malamig pa rin! I burrowed myself against my Kuya Alfred's warm back kasi hindi ko na maramdaman yung dulo ng ilong ko. My breath formed puffs of smoke against the mist of the early morning air. Si Sab at Kiko ay nasa kabilang pick-up kasama si Kuya Aidan habang si Kuya Adam naman ay nagkabit ng hammock na baon niya dun sa puno ng pine tree.

Naramdaman ko ang marahang pagsampa ng tao sa truck bed at iniangat ko yung ulo ko.

"Sorry, nagising ba kita?" Bulong ni Prince at tumango ako.

"Ang lamig kasi. S'an ka nagpunta?"

"Halika, may ipapakita ako sa'yo," he held out his hand to me at inabot ko iyon para tumayo. Inalalayan niya ako sa pagbaba sa pick-up at tinulungan akong isuot yung rubber shoes ko.

He held my hand in his as we walked, "Prince, saan tayo pupunta?"

"Basta, trust me." Misteryoso niyang sagot. Makapal ang fog sa paligid at kapwa umuusok ang aming hininga.

"Upo ka dito baby," he guided me to sit on a large rock. "O, para hindi ka lamigin." He handed a thermos to me and I took a sip.

" Mmm... nagdala ka pala nito," I kissed his cheek. Ang sarap talaga ng hot chocolate ni Prince. "Kaya ka ba maaga nagising?"

"Naisip ko lang gawan ka kaninang umaga, ang lamig kasi. Alam ko namang lamigin ka eh."

"Mas sweet ka pa dito sa hot choco mo," I wrapped my arms around his middle, "kiss nga ako sa prinsipe..." I tilted my face up and he willingly obliged. He tasted of warm chocolate and cinnamon, sweet vanilla and milk. The kiss was more than that though... more than just a bit of sweetness but of promises of more... promises of forever.

"Anong meron dito?" I asked him once we were sitting together on the rock.

"Basta nakita ko kanina nung nanguha ako ng kahoy. Intayin mo lang," he smiled at me. The whole area was covered in thick fog, but a cold wind seemed to tease and caress every now and then.

"Goddess wag kang kukurap," he warned me just as the wind seemed to dissipate all at once and I saw that we were situated on the edge of an enormous cliff and far below lay the magnificent ancient staircase of the Banawe Rice Terraces.

 "Wow," I couldn't hide the awe in my voice. "Ang ganda."

Totoo. Parang isang panaginip ang hagdan-hagdang palayan na siyang nakaukit sa bundok. Dahan-dahang napapalis ang mga ulap at sumisilip sa kalayuan ang iba pang nag-gagandahang luntiang dalisdis. Ang mga sinag ni haring araw ay siyang nagsisimulang pumukaw sa pagitan ng mga ulap na siyang nagpapabilis sa paggalaw ng makapal na usok na bumabalot sa lupa.

It stretched as far as the eye can see.

"Actually, muntik na akong mahulog kanina pero nagkataong nawala yung fog at aksidente kong nakita yan," Prince confessed sheepishly. Napatingin ako sa kanya.

"Okay ka lang?" I stroked his cheek and he leaned into my hand, "hindi ka ba nasaktan?" He gently shook his head.

"Hindi naman. Nawala yung fog bago ako makahakbang dun sa bangin."

"Wag ka ngang kung saan-saan pumupunta! Paano kung nahulog ka?" I frowned at him.

"Walang mangyayaring masama sa'kin," he smiled as he kissed my nose, "I have a Goddess to protect me."

Kinurot ko siya sa tagiliran, "Hay naku Prince, puro ka kalokohan!" His smile widened and he enveloped me in a hug.

"Picture tayo Goddess," he brought out his phone and we smiled at the camera with the awesome backdrop behind us.