Last Summer's Catastrophe

Chapter 7

"Are you sure na malinis 'yan?" duro ko sa ilog.

He forced me to walk down here so we could clean ourselves. Alangan nga namang umuwi kaming putikan! The mud was all over our body and clothes. I can't explain how sticky it is for me. Basta super kadiri!

I really can't understand myself why did I laugh with him awhile ago instead of crying out of frustration. I mean, dirt is my greatest weakness. Noon ay halos himatayin ako sa sama ng loob tuwing madadampian kahit kaunting putik.

"Oo nga! Fresh from sagilala falls 'to," he then pointed his forefinger somewhere. I rolled my eyes at him.

I don't know if I should laugh or be disgusted with his dirty face. There were two mud lines in both of his cheeks. Siya mismo ang naglagay no'n! Singing, "batang may laban" and he even place his hands on his waist while standing almighty. I still don't get it, maybe it was an inside joke for mga taga-bukid.

Nang mapansing wala akong balak na lumusong ay nauna siyang lumusong doon. Wala ng suot na sapatos. The running water was just below his knee. He scooped the water and slam it on his face.

As he starts washing himself, I just watch him intently. Nang mag-angat siya ng tingin sa'kin ay tinaasan niya ako ng isang kilay. I did the same to him. My eyes widened when he suddenly scoop a handful of water and splash it to me.

"What the hell?!" I whined. Gulat ko pang tiningnan ang nabasang maduming damit.

He chuckled. "Maglinis ka na, ang dumi mo kaya. O baka gusto mong ako pa ang maglinis sayo."

"How dare you?! This is all your fault!" nanggagalaiting sigaw ko bago tanggalin ang maputik na jacket ko. I put it in the corner together with my dirty shoes.

Gosh, it's all dirty!

Kahit napipilitan ay bumaba pa rin ako. I washed myself as fast as I could. Habang ginagawa ko 'yon ay natanaw ko siyang kinukusot ang jacket ko sa tubig.

"That's limited edition! Ugh!"

He looked at me innocently as he squeezed my jacket. "Sus. Damit pa rin naman."

"You don't get it because you're cheap," I insulted.

His mouth gaped with my remark and eyes darkened. It took him awhile before he recovered from it. He clenched his jaw before he shake off my wet jacket in front of me. Bits of water splash in my face. I glared at him.

"Ayaw mo naman palang madumihan 'to, bakit mo pa ginamit? Ang sabihin mo masyado ka lang talagang maarte," my brows knitted at him. I could feel my face reddening in so much anger. "Halika, may ipapakita ako sayo."

"Do you think I'll come with you?!"

"Oo. Kapag ikaw naahas diyan, sige ka," pananakot niya.

I look around and saw how scary the surrounding is. It was full of large trees and bamboos, making it look like more secluded. I could imagine snakes coming out from the large roots of the tree.

Kaya wala akong ibang nagawa kundi sumunod sa kanya. He offered his hand to help me but I just slap it. Nakakainis siya. We wore our soaked shoes since sabi niya ay mabato raw, baka masugatan kami. Huh, talaga.

Mula doon sa puwesto namin ay naglakad kami ng kaunti pa, palayo sa tabi ng kalsada. We walked on the cemented edge of the running water until we reached it's end, it was a cul-de-sacs. So kinailangan naming lumusong muli sa mababawa na tubig. My feet and shoes was soaking.

"My God. Where are you taking me ba? Make sure that it's something worth it to see!" angal ko habang ang pinagmamasdan ang lubog sa tubig kong paa. I can't help but feel irritated.