Unwritten (Summer Of Taking Chances Sequel)

Out of Town

9

DOMINIQUE

Maaga syang sinundo ni Pris kinabukasan. It was only 6AM and they were on their way somewhere. Dominique was about to eat breakfast when Pris arrived. She asked Ate Nieves, the family's long time helper, to pack some sandwiches and coffee for the road. She didn't forget to bring juice for Pris, who didn't like coffee.

"Here have some." Kinuha ni Dominique ang isang sandwich at inilapit ito kay Pris para subuan dahil nagd-drive ito.

"No, it's okay," Pris said a little startled and turned red. "I mean, I..."

"You're cute when you're shy," nangiting sabi ni Dominique. "Hindi kita titigilan, Pris, hanggat hindi ka kumakain." 

Wala nang nagawa si Pris kundi kumagat sa sandwich. Lalo pa itong namula nang punasan ni Dominique ng tissue ang gilid ng labi nito dahil may mayonnaise.

"T-thanks," Pris wouldn't look at her. "Kumain na ako ng konti bago umalis, so I'm okay. D-Don't distract me." Her eyes were fixed on the road not even giving Dominique a side glance.

Dominique was amused. Nagtataka sya rito kung bakit minsan awkward ito sa kanya. Kapag dumarating ito o kaya umaalis, hindi nito magawang bumeso sa kanya. Pris could easily do that with her mother and Devon, even with her father but not with her. They were best friends right? It's fine with Dominique but she was curious. Well, she was always curious with Pris. Sa lahat ng mga hindi nya maalala, pinaka-interesado sya sa dalaga. Although, everyone told her Pris was her bestfriend, there was something about her that Dominique couldn't wrap her fingers on.

Sa Pandin Lake sya nito dinala. Dahil dalawa lang sila, sinabay sila sa isang grupo ng college boys and girls na dumating din ng maaga like them. After paying, they boarded a large bamboo raft pulled by women wearing colorful pink shirts. Food was included. Hinila ang raft sa gitna ng lake sa lilim ng malaking balete tree. According to Pris, the lake was 80 feet deep. They ate first. Pris was so hungry and consumed her meal as quick as the wind.

"Serves you right for not eating my sandwich," nanunuksong sabi ni Dominique. Pris rolled her eyes and went on eating her third banana.

Everyone was staring at Dominique admiringly when she took off her shirt and showed her swim suit. She was about to remove her denim short when Pris stopped her. "W-What? Why?"

"I don't want them gawking at you," Pris whispered sternly.

"I don't care about them," she whispered back and noticed that the college boys were practically drooling over her.

"Well, I care about you. I don't want them fantasizing over you," Pris whispered again with her arms crossed. For some reason, Dominique was touched. When she was still with her ex- boyfriend, she didn't like him disapproving her clothes but with Pris, she found it endearing. "You're distracting me," she mumbled.

"Why would I be a distraction to you?"

"Because I have to watch over you. I can't have those perverts kidnap you or something," Pris said frowning over the college boys. "I don't like them having indecent thoughts."

Dominique observed that the boys were also eyeing Pris admiringly. Pris wasn't aware she's a distraction herself. She still managed to look sexy on her shorts and black long sleeved rash guard.

"Whatever," Dominique ignored Pris and took off her shorts anyway, fully revealing her black two piece bathing suit. Gusto nya kasi itong inisin. She heard one of the boys whistled in appreciation. Lalong sumimangot si Pris pero wala itong nagawa. Medyo grumpy ito nang tinulungan syang isuot ang life vest na dinala nito. Pris brought life vests for both of them kahit may pino-provide ang management ng Pandin Lake. She wanted to make sure they are safe.

Dominique almost shrieked when her body hit the water. Sabay silang tumalon ni Pris at napakalamig ng tubig.

"Serves you right," Pris teased laughing. Sinabuyan ito ni Dominique nang tubig. Gumanti din si Pris at lalo syang gininaw. They ended up laughing and splashing water at each other. Dominique was secretly thrilled when Pris pulled her away from one of the boys who tried to start a conversation with them. "Perv," Pris commented when the boy was out of ear shot.

"He likes you, not me," Dominique whispered.

"Well, he's not my type," inis nitong sabi.

"What is your type?" Dominique asked curiously but Pris ignored her. She wondered what Pris' boyfriend looked like. He must be handsome and interesting. "Is he really married?" She thought because Pris never confirmed.

Dominique was a little disappointed when it was time for them to go but got excited again when Pris took her to Twin Falls and both swam like there was no tomorrow. It was still early and it's a weekday so there's not much tourists around. They had late lunch at a cozy café overlooking Sampaloc Lake after that, and visited underground cemetery. Pris took Dominique to places she'd never been to and took a lot of pictures, capturing every moment with her. They went to Fantasy World, and climbed its tall tower and hanging bridge.

They both collapsed laughing on a bench beside the tall castle. Pareho na silang hinihingal kakalakad at kakatakbo sa castle ground. Walang sawa syang kinunan ng larawan ni Pris. Wala silang ginawa kundi tumawa at magbangayan na parang mga bata. Everything felt new to Dominique. She felt free.

"I'm so hungry and tired." Dominique felt the exhaustion after climbing down from the hanging bridge. "Saan tayo magdi-dinner?" Bumaling sya kay Pris, na noo'y biglang nanahimik at nakatingin lang sa malayo. Napakalungkot ng mukha nito. Naalala ni Dominique na sasabihin nito sa kanya ang totoo. The truth was, she was having so much fun with her and forgot about it. "Pris?"

"I know a good place in Tagaytay," maya-maya'y sagot nito pero nawalan na ito ng sigla.

"Kung anuman yang sasabihin mo sa akin, is it really terrible?"

Napatitig sa kanya si Pris. Pilit itong ngumiti. "No. It isn't. For me, it's actually amazing."

If it's really amazing, bakit hindi umaabot sa mga mata nito ang ngiti? Bakit may takot na nakaukit sa mukha nito?Iwinaksi na lang muna ito ni Dominique. "Let's go then. I'm sure gutom ka na."

Madilim na nang makarating sila sa Tagaytay. Hindi sila nito parehong nagsasalita. Tanging ang mahinang music na nagmumula sa car stereo ang namayani sa loob ng sasakyan. Alam nyang safe sya kay Pris ngunit hindi pa rin mapigilang kabahan ni Dominique nang nasa Tagaytay na sila. Dito sya naaksidente. It made her ponder again kung ano bang sinadya nya at nagpunta sya sa lugar na ito? Business meeting kaya? Walang makapagsabi kahit kapamilya nya.

"Do you know why I was in Tagaytay?" Binasag ni Dominique ang katahimikan.

"I really don't know, Dominique," Pris said quietly. "You didn't tell me. I was in Iceland that time. We talked before your...before it happened. You just told me you were on your way home. Akala ko galing ka sa opisina. You never mentioned why you were here."

Kumanan si Pris sa isang madilim na kalsada na ang headlight lang ang tanging tanglaw nila sa dinaraanan. Dominique couldn't see anything outside but darkness. She didn't feel afraid though. She must have trusted Pris that much. Pero saan ba sila nito pupunta?

Nasagot ang tanong nya nang huminto sila sa isang black iron gate. Binuksan ito ng guard and they entered a driveway lit with Japanese lantern on both side. Dominique was delighted when she saw the garden with different beautiful and colorful flowers. The car stopped in front of a two storey modern house made of glass and wood.

Something flashed on her mind. Suddently she was transported to a different place and time. She was inside a moving car. It was broad daylight. The sky was clear and the sun was shining brightly. When she looked outside the car window, she was in a private road lined with Italian cypress on both side. There was a fountain and a labyrinth garden. The car stopped. She saw a big modern house made of glass and wood. When she turned to the person beside her, she saw Pris, who was wearing a white denim jacket and looking nervous about something.