Last Summer's Catastrophe

Chapter 15

Falls

Jhaylo tried to lift up the mood by telling some jokes but the frown in my face won't fade.

Irita na talaga ako sa Genesis na 'to! He's smiling everytime he talked with his squad pero sa'kin biglang umaasim ang mukha! He's even rolling his eyes at me! It's not that I want him smile at me pero can't he just show a blank expression instead of scowling?! Nakakairita, eh!

We've been to Am-aw falls awhile ago, nadaanan namin siya. We didn't stay long since sabi ni Genesis ay baka magambala namin ang creature na sinasabi niya doon. Which is a piece of nonsense.

I was close to giving up in this excursion because we've been walking for too long! Not until I heard the gushing of water from high above. It was like a collision of water to water.
Q

I can't help but smile. It excites me.

"Malapit na talaga tayo!" Jhaylo cheered and fastened her pace.

We stepped on a large rock before getting into a new land pathway. I was awestruck when bunga twin falls finally came to my view.

The large portion of water was gushing over the rocks. It was parted by a large rock in their between, causing them to flow in opposite direction. The twin falls were thundering down into the basin, forming white foams as it collide on its surface. Its water displayed the interflowing light shades of green.

We continued walking until we reached the row of nipa cottages. Madami na ang occupied na cottage since madaming tao ngayon. Naglibot pa kami hanggang sa makapunta na sa kabilang side ng falls through a bamboo bridge. And finally we found an unoccupied cottage. It was just the same with the others, an open hut with a large bamboo table and two bamboo bench attached on the ground inside.

"Swimming na tayo! Binanas ako paglalakad," aya ni Reinier.

"Ayaw niyo munang kumain?"

"Mimiya na Genesis! Magpagutom na muna tayo!" then Jhaylo turned to me. "Swimming na tayo?"

Napalingon ako sa tubig ng marinig ang pagtalon doon ni Reinier na nasundan ni Cora. She didn't even took off her shirt.

"Yeah, sure," I answered and was planning to took off my shirt when Jhaylo stopped me. I raise a brow on her. "Why?"

She lean on me and whispered, "madaming nakatingin."

Mas tumaas ang kilay ko at iginala ang tingin. There were boys looking at me, as if waiting for me to took off my shirt. Nang makita akong nakatingin ay biglang umiwas ng titig at nagkamot ng batok.

Ang mga manyakis na 'to!

But then, I remember that anyone would really anticipate for a body like this.

I smirked.

"That isn't really a big deal. I'm used to it."

"Ha? Sure ka? Baka kasi mamaya pag-trip-an ka ng mga 'yan. Alam mo na picture-an ganon," it was Jhaylo.

"No, it's fine." I answeres as I pull off my shirt. Her eyes widened, I just shrugged at her.

"Gusto mo talagang nababastos ka e 'no?" Genesis asked impudently.

Natigil tuloy ako sa paghubo ng short ko para harapin siya. Tension between us slowly rising.

"Ikaw, papansin na pakialamero pa. Can you just mind your own business?"

His jaw clenched and eyes darkened. Aaminin ko, I was a bit intimidated. He looked scary.

"You are my business, Lalie. Ipinagkatiwala ka sa'kin ni Ate Ada. Ngayon, kung ayaw mong sumunod edi umuwi na tayo! Ang tigas ng ulo mo."