Maybe, A Trip

Chapter Ten

"Hoy, hindi ko pa nata-try 'to dati! First time lang! Kuya hindi ba ako mamamatay sa ilalim?" Tanong ni Xia sa kasama naming team for scuba diving.

Magkakasama kaming tatlo together with Tyler. Nabanggit ko kasi sakanila na mags-scuba kami and then they asked if they can join. Syempre naman.

We're all wearing a wetsuit kasi cold daw ang water ngayon. Drysuit kapag warm ang tubig. We are also wearing a gloves-- a scuba gloves that can help to keep our hands warm underwater.

Nakaready na ang scuba tanks and regulator as our diving gears. 'Yon yung pinakaimportante dahil doon kami pwede huminga. Meron pang keme na computer para malaman daw kung gaano katagal kami sa ilalim. 'Yon yung magta-track kung ilang oras na lang kami sa ilalim. We rented it dahil wala naman kaming ganon. Costly pero worth it naman 'to pagkatapos.

We are also wearing fins and belt.

As a beginners, the team taught us first what to do underwater, how to dive clearly and those basic hand signals that we need to learn as intructions.

Yung simpleng hand signals if something is wrong, for us to stop, okay signal, and if we're out of air.

Dahil nga hindi pa kami naka experience mag scuba diving, and also hindi kami nag diving lessons, may mga pinanood kaming mga videos and demonstration before we deal in the water.

"Kuya kasama ba kayo?" Tanong na naman ni Xia sa isang random guy doon. Tumango si Kuya. "Opo ma'am. Meron pong sasama sainyo from our team.

Nakahinga ng maluwag si Xia sa sinabi ni kuya. Tbh, kinakabahan din ako. This will be my first time to dive underwater at nakakatakot ng kaunti. Although, marunong naman ako lumangoy, nakakapressure pa rin.

May kasama naman kaming instructors and I hope its safe.

"Are you nervous?" Napatingin ako kay Tyler na biglang nagsalita sa gilid ko. Nakatigil na ang bangka at nagre-ready na rin kami.

"Medyo." He chuckled and siya na ang nagkabit ng diving mask and snorkel ko. Sina Xia ay nakasuot na din at ready na.

"Me too." Napatawa ako sa sinabi niya. Kinakabahan din naman pala siya kaya siya tahimik.

May dala siyang camera ulit na waterproof. Nakasabit 'yon sa leeg niya dahil baka mabitawan niya.

After niyang ikabit 'yung sa'kin ay inayos naman niya yung sakanya. Nagkindat pa siya sa'kin after gawin 'yon at tinaas ang camera niya.

"Smile!" I smiled.

When snorkeling, hindi as in kitang-kita lahat kasi hindi naman nag-dive sa tubig. Pero maganda din naman 'yung snorkeling experience.

We have our back-up. Tig-iisang instructor nila ang nakaalalay sa lahat ng divers. Wow, divers tho. Syempre for the safety of everyone.

As we dived through the water, Tyler held my hands. Napatingin ako sakanya but he's busy looking at the beautiful sorroundings.

I'd never done this before pero bawat segundo na lumilipas ay nae-enjoy ko. It's really amazing. I could breath nicely because of the apparatus and its really good.

I saw a lot of sea creatures. There are also large sea turtles! The colorful corals and the sea plants. Its so beautiful!

There are small fish, big fish, octopus and many more!

Underwater, there was a satisfying peace that I should never forget. Silence, that's what I got.

Tyler never let go of my hand. Hawak niya ang kamay ko sa isang kamay at sa isa ay ang camera niya. He's documenting the memorable moment. I wish Bon was here too.