Running After The Wind(Manila Encounter Series 1)

36

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"Pres, ano first game natin?"

Mas excited pa kami ng buong officers kaysa sa mga bata. We're jumping and hugging each other after finished the mass. Nagmisa si Father Randy kanina sa mismong chapel ng orphanage.

"I don't know? Ano ba gusto ni'yo? Sa Station muna?" tanong ko pabalik kay Arzi, while arranging the bamboo sticks.

Binaon ko ang dalawa sa lupa with a distance in between, where the sack racers will take their turns later. Siniksikan ko ng lupa ang ilalim para hindi iyon matumba.

"Megan! Anong uunahin natin?" she asked for more opinions.

I let them decide there. While I went back to help sister Riza and Cara preparing the foods on a long table. Patuloy din sa paghahakot ng mga pagkain ang custodian, si Mang Arturo, since wala pa naman siyang lilinisin.

"Nasaan na ang mga dahon ng saging?" Cara was looking for the two.

"Nandito na!" Jaxon was smiling and headed to us half run.

Hindi tumagal ang tingin ko sa kaniya kundi sa lalaki sa kaniyang likuran. Nakasampay sa hubad niyang likod ang mga dahon na gagamitin namin. I quickly tore off my eyes away when he's already in front of me.

"Sakto na ba 'to?" tanong niya.

Nilapag nila ni Jaxon lahat sa lamesa. Huminto ako sa paghahalo ng palamig. I lifted my head to check if I'm the one he's asking to. And I confirmed it cuz his eyes were all on me.

I nodded. "Tama na 'yan. Lalagyan din naman natin ng foil sa ilalim ng dahon,"

He rubbed his hands at the lower back level of his pants. He got his blue handkerchief from the pocket and damped on his whole face. Basang-basa siya ng pawis!

I got one plastic cup and filled it with the palamig I made.

"Inom ka muna," I handed him the drink.

He looked at it and then to me before he accept. "Salamat," inubos niya 'yon kaagad sa isang tungga.

"Gusto mo pa?"

Umiling siya. "Doon muna 'ko, mag-iihaw lang," he pointed father Noel panning the bar, grilling fishes and meats.

I gave him a nod and I continued fixing things to be placed on the table. Isa-isa ring nilabas ng mga house workers ang mga baby ng CSC na nakasakay sa strollers nila. Nagpicture taking na rin kami habang malilinis pa.

This anniversary celebration is kind of informal party, wherein everyone were not asked to wear such gowns or any other formal clothes.

Naka-blue tank top nga lang ako at white draped skirt. Suot ko kanina ang white converse shoes pero pinalitan ko rin agad ng tsinelas matapos ang misa. After the foods seemed all set, we gathered at one place to announce everything about the games.

Nagmajority pick kami kung alin ang uunahin at maraming naexcite sa Station. So be it! May dalawang team, ofcourse, boys versus girls. Sumali kami ng buong club, ang mga naiwan sa panonood ay chinicheer kami.

First station, the Maria-Went-To-Town.

"Put- Oh my god!" I prevented myself from cursing kahit sobrang natetense na 'ko.

The paper plates at the sides of my neck just won't stop from falling. Nakailang balik na 'ko! My team's cheer for me was getting louder for every fails I commit. Inayos ko na lang ulit ang sipit sa leeg.