Pagkakataon (Kanaway Book 5)

VIII

NOONG unang beses na sumakay siya ng bangka at pumunta sa Subterrean ay nagandahan na siya sa lugar. His experience was good. But now that he's with Angie, it felt way too awesome. It felt wonderfully spectacular.

He's not watching the place anymore. He know how breathtakingly beautiful the rock formations in the underground navigable rivers are. What took his breath away more than the awesomeness was the beautiful enchantress beside him.

He got the chance to hold her hand for the second time nang alalayan niya itong pasakay ng bangka. And from then on, they were holding each other's hands. He didn't know how it happened. All he knew is he couldn't just let go of her hand. And she didn't seem to mind it at all while his mind was so full of it. Their hands fit perfectly.

Para bang hindi niya magugustuhan ang mararamdaman kung maghihiwalay ang kanilang mga kamay. Hindi niya alam kung anong nangyayari sa kanyang damdamin. Kung ano man ito, this is something he doesn't want to pass by.

After the navigation on the underground river, tumungo naman sila sa monkey trail na siyang suhestiyon ni Angie. Sa puntong iyon ay labis siyang natuwa. Wala siyang taong natatanaw na naglalakad sa tulay. Hindi nakapagtataka iyon dahil hindi naman peak season ngayon. So they're practically alone. And knowing that Angie was aware about it–obviously–brings an incredible feeling inside of him.

"I suppose hindi ka narito to mend a broken heart?" he tried his best not to sound fishing for her status. Ngunit kahit bago pa niya itanong iyon ay tila alam na niya ang sagot. She doesn't seem like a brokenhearted lady. Gusto lamang niyang makatiyak sa isang bagay.

"No."

He was relieved. Gusto niyang dugtungan pa ang tanong upang makasigurado siyang single nga ito. But surely, commited girls won't let other guys hold their hands. And he could honestly say that she seems not the type to go casual flirting.

"Why are you asking? Perhaps you're the one who's trying to mend a broken heart?" tanong naman ni Angie.

Hinarap niya ito. "No, definitely not. Nagbabakasyon lang talaga ako rito. I just... I actually love to travel, go places," pakibit balikat na dagdag pa niya.

Tumango-tango si Angie. "I see. Maybe because you're a photographer? Or a painter?"

"No, I'm not really artistic," namulsa si Yanno. "I mean... I'm an architect."

"Oh," her face lit up. "Not artisctic, huh? Well, this is the first time I've met an architect. You seem young to be an architect."

He shrugged. "I'm already twenty-five, I just look really young." Ngumisi siya ng paikutin ni Angie ang mga mata. "So how about you? Aside from being beautiful..." he cut his words as he looked at her beautiful face. Mas lalo pang tumirik ang mga mata nito na ikinatawa na niya ng tuluyan. "Alright, alright. Let me guess."

Umangat ang kilay nito. "Okay... so?"

Pumwesto siya sa harap nito ng nakapamulsa. Patuloy sila sa paglakad, si Yanno ay paatras dahil nasa harap siya ni Angie. Hinagod niya ng mabilisang tingin ang kabuuan ng dalaga.

There. I'm really acting like a teeny-weenie teenager right now.

And he can't help it. He actually doesn't want to help it. He's enjoying every moment with her being easy and playful.

"You must be an environmentalist," paghula ni Yanno dahil sa obvious na paghihintay ni Angie sa kanyang hula.

Napatakip si Angie sa bibig upang pigilin ang pagtawa. "Bakit mo naman nasabi 'yan?"

"Because of the way you appreciate the nature... the rain––everything around us right now."

Tuluyan na itong tumawa. Para iyong musika sa pandinig ni Yanno.