Night and Day

9 - Doctor, Dancer, Diviner

The relief of finally seeing the toll gate to Bontoc Highway after being stuck in the city center for almost two hours from Baguio to La Trinidad made Robbie wipe his cold sweat in celebration. If they are lucky, they will make it out through the winding Atok steeps in three to four hours, then traverse most of the rough roads to Bakun before sunset. He wishes under his breath that the secondhand 2007 Ford Everest would be able to take the challenge by then.

The three of them left the city particularly late that day as he had to take his parents early in the morning to the center. He reached San Vicente just as the tourists start to flock the different parts of the city for the weekend, as most people spend a few days leading up to the final parade come Sunday.

His companions sit at the back. Jan, who was exceptionally ecstatic kept him awake through the traffic and the early morning through his many stories growing up and his unexpected encounters with Tom. Beside Jan, the best friend has been asleep ever since they boarded. Rough night, he thought.

He makes his way at the back of a truck lining up to the booth. He motions for Jan to continue with his story earlier.

"Ano palang sabi ni Tom nung nahulugan ka niya ng canvas sa ulo?" teased Robbie.

He looks at Jan in the mirror as the boy observes the line of cars outside and then smiled at probably an approaching memory.

"Nag-sorry yata, hindi ko naman narinig Kuya. Kung hindi s'ya tulog n'un, tulala naman."

Jan recounts how he first met Tom at the bus.

"'Di pa pala n'ya alam yun, Kuya. Hindi ko sinasabi," he adds while laughing at the deed.

He remembers why Tom was on that bus in the first place though it might not be good for the story to come from him. He wonders if fate must have always been with Tom since he left Manila that night, as it gave him something new to look forward to. He shrugs off the thought as they continue to follow the highway for the rest of the day.

Robbie watches the landscape change as they reached a higher altitude. There were less houses on the roadside, and the mountain range can now be seen clearly from the windows.

A strong breeze enters the car. Jan takes his jacket off and wraps it to Tom who was awakened by the wind, looking disturbed. He strokes his head as the other returns to sleep. Robbie looks at them curiously from the rear-view mirror.

"'Tol, baba muna tayo sa may Highest Point para makita mo din."

"Second highest," refutes Tom.

"Gising na pala si Sleeping Beauty," the other men shared a laugh and Tom just brushed them off with loud yawn.

"Ba't nasa Atok pala tayo? Sarado ba sa Kibungan?" asks Tom.

"Ngayon lang 'to makikita ni Jan kaya dito na ko dumaan. Baka sumuka ka pa 'pag niliko ko ng Tublay," teased Robbie.

"Sabi nino?" glares Tom.

They got off by the viewing deck as Robbie parks the car on the provided space. They took their time to stretch and looked at the expanse of mountains and skies in front of them.

"'Tol, kung aakyat ka'ng Sagada, dito din ang daan natin," Robbie explains to Jan.

"Sinong sisigaw sa Kiltepan?" Tom asks playfully.

"Hindi ako," he answers.

Tom went silent and fears he might have turned a switch. He flings his arms into the best friend.