Last Summer

09

CHAPTER NINE

The next day, we went to visit the famous chocolate hills. I wore a white laced bralette covered with a denim jacket, black shorts and white sneakers.

As for EJ, he wore a white plain shirt, gold chain necklace, black shorts and white sneakers. He looked so good.

I took my phone out to take a picture of the view but EJ suddenly grabbed my phone from my grip. He stretched his arms upwards and pulled me closer to him. We took a 'twofie' with the chocolate hills as our background. Ang ganda.

I closed my eyes, feeling the breath of fresh air. This is what I needed. I took a deep breath before opening my eyes. When I opened my eyes, I saw Elijah standing in front of me, smiling.

"Beautiful." Mahinang sabi niya at umalis sa harapan ko.

After visiting the Chocolate Hills, we went to the Bohol Habitat Conservation Conservatory. My heart was  beating so fast when Elijah held my hand casually as we walked around the conservatory. My attention was purely on my hand with his at hindi ko na naririnig kung ano ang sinasabi ng tour guide.

It was humid at nakalugay pa ang buhok ko kaya ang init. EJ probably noticed how uncomfortable I was because he let go of my hand and gesture me to turn my back against him. I stiffened a bit when he tied my hair in a ponytail. Nagdala ba siya ng pangtali ng buhok? Cute gesture.

"There." He said and held my hand again.

"Where did you learn to do this?" I asked, smiling.

He just winked at me and smiled.

Nandito kami ngayon sa lugar kung saan maraming butterflies, my favorite. A beautiful butterfly landed on my index finger so I took a picture with it. Elijah grabbed his camera and took videos and pictures.

"I wish I was a butterfly." I whispered underneath my breath.

"Why?" Elijah asked. He probably heard what I said.

"Because they're free." Ngumiti ako ng bahagya.

"Not all." He shrugged. "May ibang butterflies na kinukulong dahil sa maganda nilang kulay. Those butterflies that are not that attractive to a person's eyes are free." He added.

I understood what he meant.

"Gusto mo ng normal at tahimik na buhay samantalang may iba dyan na hinihiling ang buhay na meron ka. Be grateful for what you have." Muli siyang nagsalita. Hindi ako sumagot at yumuko nalang.

He's right. But, there's a part of me that wishes to be someone else. I'm tired of living other people's expectations. I just want to make my own life decisions. Kung magkakamali man ako, I'll learn from it. I'm tired of the pressure everyone's giving me.