Twin Hearts

Chapter 18

KATH'S POV:

"FOR this amazing race activity, we divided you into four groups. Sa buong camp nakakalat ang mga clues and tasks na dapat nyong gawin. Don't worry, safe ang buong lugar at may coordinators hanggang sa loob ng forest. In case of emergency, may medic din tayo na naka stand-by."

The head organizer continued giving instructions, pero pasulyap-sulyap ako kay Quen. He was just sitting on the bermuda grass with the rest of the volunteers na hindi nakasali dahil sa health reasons. Sya naman, mas pinili na wag na lang sumali dahil hindi pa fully recovered ang injured foot nya. I think he was also listening and observing the groups who will participate, pero mas malamang na nasa iPhone yung mata nya.

"Groupmates kayo ni Kath!" i heard Achi spoke.

"Huh?" i absent-mindedly asked.

She chuckled. "Grabe ha, wala pang ilang minutes kayo magkahiwalay ni Quen, parang nami-miss mo na sya."

"H-hindi ah. Nanghihinayang lang ako, hindi sya makasali."

"That's better, kesa naman lumala yung injury nya. Makakasama mo naman sya sa volunteer activities bukas, don't worry." It was Enrique.

"Oo nga." I forced a smile. Then i noticed him holding out a yellow piece of paper. Napatingin din ako sa hawak ko.

"Groupmate," he smiled at me.

I dismissed my wary thoughts and turned to my sister. "Anong group mo?"

"Green ako eh," she reached out to hug Enrique briefly before leaving us. "Bye! Punta na ko sa group ko."

"Ingat, ma'am," habilin pa nya kay Achi. "Stay safe."

"Yes, boss!"

Nung naiwan na kami ni Enrique, back was the awkward feeling - na ako lang naman talaga ang nakakaramdam. Hindi ko na nilingon si Quen... i don't want to see anger in his eyes again. I don't want to feel guilty. I don't want to feel that i'm hurting him.

"Okay ka lang ba talaga?" he asked.

I forced a smile again. "Kanina mo pa ko tinatanong nyan."

"Kasi kanina ko pa napapansin na hindi."

I just sighed. Kahit iang beses kong sabihin na okay ako at okay kami ni Quen, i cannot convince other people kung iba ang nakikita nila.

"Hindi naman sa nakikielam ako, Kath. I just don't want to see that this trip which i dragged you both into will cause any problem."

"Walang problema dito. Actually, i wanted us to enjoy. Siguro.. siguro may misunderstanding lang din talaga kami ni Quen bago pa tayo pumunta dito."

Hindi sya nakasagot agad. It took him some seconds to reply. "Sorry to hear that, and labas na din ako don. Pero sana, makatulong yung mga gagawin natin dito sa camp for you to sort things out."

"Thank you. Sana nga."

We proceed with the activity and got the first directions para sa amazing race. Umpisa pa lang, gama na game na lahat ng groups. Takbuhan at hanapan ng mga nakatagong items. In a few minutes, nakalimutan ko sandali na malungkot ako. I thought, i had to clear my mind first. Mamayang gabi kapag free na kami ni Quen, we can probably talk again. Aayusin namin 'to, because we cannot go on like this. Madami-dami na din kaming pinagdaanan para itapon lang dahil sa misunderstandings.