Richard's Standard

Chapter 6 - Visiting Perfect Spots

Dona was shouting my name at the top of her lungs. I had texted her that we were going to visit some beautiful spots and she'd be my guide. She seemed to love the idea, and now she was running toward me in pure excitement.

I was waiting outside the school gate, and it was perfect timing since my instructor in Major 13 was not around. Many eyes glanced at us when Dona reached me.

She gasped for air and smiled at me.

"Alam mo, noong i-text mo 'ko kagabi na mamamasyal tayo, talagang 'di na 'ko nakatulog dahil sa excitement. Matagal na rin kasi akong hindi nakapunta sa Mabua. Diba, gusto mo iyong puntahan?" Grabeng excitement talaga ang nararamdaman niya.

I started my motorcycle's engine and looked at her. "Sakay na. Last na nating pupuntahan ang Mabua. Mauna na muna tayo sa Robinsons Place Surigao para manood ng sine."

She was very happy as she climbed onto my motorcycle. I didn't mind what other people might think about us. I just wanted to get some fresh air and learn Bisaya words.

We headed toward Robinsons Surigao with Dona acting as my guide. Wala siyang mintis sa pagtawa o pagngiti. Totoo nga yatang kapos siya sa masasayang alaala na dapat baunin o maranasan. I've never experienced a boring life, and I was lucky that I've been to many places like China, Hongkong, Italy, Iceland, South Korea, Thailand, Canada, and Japan. It's now my time to visit the hidden beauty of my own country, particularly here in Surigao City.

We were now roaming inside Robinsons Place Surigao, a 6-level shopping complex that offered all kinds of services. Before heading to Robinsons Movieworld, I remembered I needed to buy clothes for Dona. Nahihiya pa talaga siya, but I forced her to pick any dress she wanted, just like I promised since she's my tutor. She should be neat and good-looking in my presence. Dahil kunti lang ang pinili niya, I decided to choose for her. Pinili ko iyong mga damit na sa tingin ko ay bagay sa kanyang kulay at katawan. 

Ganito pala ang feeling na may pinaglalaanan ka ng iyong grasya. Dati kasi, wala akong ginawa kundi tumanggap lang ng pera. Well, it's right naman na gastusin ko for myself, pero wala naman palang masama if you can afford to share your blessings with someone else. I even told her to pick makeup kits, pero pinilit niyang hindi na dahil hindi raw siya bagay mag-makeup. Only powder and lipstick lang daw ang ina-apply niya sa mukha. Okay, I didn't force her on that, since she had a point. May mga babae kasing maganda na kahit walang makeup.

After buying those things, we put everything at the baggage counter since we were still going to watch a movie. Today was the release of my favorite movie na matagal ko nang hinihintay, ang Avengers meets X-Men. I bet it would be the highest-grossing movie of all time worldwide this year, 2040.

After the movie, I only recalled some of the most fascinating scenes, like Thor and Storm falling in love with each other, Captain Marvel getting defeated by Dark Phoenix, and Hulk becoming friends with Magneto. Actually, marami pang eksena pero ayaw kong i-spoil ang iba baka pagalitan ako ng mga fans nila.

Our next stop was the breathtaking view of Surigao's Battle of Surigao Strait Memorial. Sobrang ganda at mahangin sa paligid. Kaharap mo pa ang malawak at asul na karagatang napag-alaman kong bahagi ng Philippine Sea sa pagitan ng Bohol sea at Leyte gulf. Ang lugar ay napapaligiran din ng mga puno ng niyog. There were also beautiful landscapes of various flowers lining the side of the road. The area was wide, so you could take lots of selfies. Of course, its history was carved on a stone at the far end, stating that the battle took place here on October 25, 1944. According to some people, this place may have rich historical significance to its name. I should just ask Dona about it.

But I saw her taking pictures using her phone, and for sure, blurred na ang kuha niyon. I tried to let her borrow my phone, but she declined. Okay na raw siya sa cellphone niya.