I Would Hate To Be You

Chapter 17 [quirk]

Chapter 17

Dalawang linggo na ang nakakalipas mula ng official na natapos ang sem for this school year. Nakapagpasa na kami lahat ng requirements at naghihintay na lang ng grades.

Normally, kapag ganitong panahon, nagpe-prepare na ako ng summer body ko. However, this time, it's different. Because instead of preparing for our next beach getaway, I'm actually preparing for the immersion. 

What kind of preparation? Well . . . I signed up for a mountain-climbing experience somewhere in Bataan. I thought this could prepare me with the immersion kasi mountainous 'yung lugar na pupuntahan namin. Kaibigan ni Elysse ang isa sa mga organizers. That's why she said I can sign up if I want. Pwede pa raw humabol. At first, hesitant pa ako. Mountains are not my thing. I'm a beach kind of girl. Pero clickbait nung sinabi niya na it's for a cause. 

So, here I am, searching for must-haves and things to prepare for mountain climbing. And I totally have no clue.

Nung shinare ko kay Kuya Boaz ang plano ko, halos hindi siya makapaniwala. All he said was, "Good luck." And it's not even the encouraging one. It sounded like he's dissing me for this.

"Excuse me, Kuya. For your information, I was born ready for this. Nagagawa ko nga mag dance practice ng buong araw. Being tired doesn't belong in my dictionary," mayabang na sagot ko after niya ako lecture-an kung paanong nakakapagod mag mountain-climbing. At first, tinanong niya kasi ako kung ano ang hiking trail difficulty ng Tarak. Hindi ako nakasagot. I don't even know what that means. But I was confident when I said I'd do it anyway. 

"Kailangan mong mag jogging at malakad nang matagal. Try mong hindi mag-Grab ng isang linggo. Makakatipid na ako, makakatulong pa sa'yo."

"Wow. Akala mo talaga concern siya sa'kin. Sabihin mo lang, Kuya, kung pagod ka ng bayaran ang transportation bills ko. Unlink ko na credit card mo sa Grab ko," nagtatampo—kunwaring sagot ko.

"Hindi bagay sa'yo maging sulky, Atom. Tumigil ka." Umiling siya. "Mag-research ka nang maigi kung ano ang mga kailangan mo. Sabihan mo ako kung may dapat kang bilhin."

"Bakit bibilhin mo for me?" Kumindat-kindat ako sa harap niya. I can always lure him. 

"Hindi." Tumawa siya.

We both know he doesn't mean it. And we both know he's still gonna buy it for me, by hook or by crook.

Umalis siya at hinayaan na akong mag-focus sa pagreresearch ko. So, these are what I've found so far: backpack, tent, change of clothes, hiking shoes, hat/cap, jacket/windbreaker, light blanket, mess kit, trail food, personal medicine, plastic bags, toiletries, lightweight hammock (optional), dri-fit shirts, leggings/jogging pants/compression pants, swimwear, socks, and trekking shoes or sandals.

Do I seriously have to prepare this much? Paano na ang travel light peg ko sa life? Do I even have to bring a bag pack?

Pumunta ako sa kwarto ni Kuya para ipakita sa kaniya lahat ng na-research ko. I asked him kung ano ang mayroon na siya na pwede kong mahiram. Thankfully, halos lahat naman ng essentials ay mayroon na siya like bag pack, tent, windbreaker, etc.

"May time ka pa para mag back out," panunuya ni Kuya sa'kin.

"Too late chocolate." Umiling ako habang pinapasok sa hiking bagpack ni Kuya ang mga gamit niya na hihiramin ko. "Ready na nga ako pumunta ng Decathlon para bumili ng dri-fit shirt atsaka ng hiking shoes, eh," mayabang na sagot ko.

"May pera ka yata?"

"Nakapagbayad na ako ng registration fee, tapos may sobra pa naman ako sa savings ko."

Ngumisi si Kuya. "Sa wakas, natututo na yata ang kapatid kong magtipid!"

"Wala ka kasing bilib sa'kin, Kuya. Kaunting tiwala." Lumapit ako sa kaniya at nagpa-cute. Halos masuka siya. "Bigyan mo pa rin ako allowance, ha."