Milena (COMPLETE)

CHAPTER XIX: Friendship Mountain

August 2016.

We have a team building today at 2 PM. Our company sponsored all our expenses. We’re going to Cuenca, Batangas! My office mates wanted to try the trail of the famous Rockies. It’s one of the three destinations of Mount Maculot. Today’s a perfect day to hike!

My boss said we could invite other friends. So, I sent a group message to my friends who loves mountaineering. Some of them who instantly confirmed, were my high school friends. I invited the couple Jen and Jhay; the twins RR and JJ; also, Jojo who will ask his new girlfriend to join us. The twins and Jojo are mutual friends of me and Zec. I don’t know if Zec can join us. She did not respond to my invite.

All the things I needed were prepared two nights ago. I will not bring my car because I wanted to sleep before we start climbing. Jojo’s our designated driver. All of us will meet at the bus station near Jojo’s office.

As I arrived at our meeting place, they were all gathered there. I’m the only one they’re waiting. I was surprised when Jojo went out from his car with his new girlfriend and along with them is Zec. I miss my best friend. It’s been a long time since we met.

Jojo saw me and he fist bumped and hugged me. He introduced me to Belle, his new girlfriend. Belle and I shook hands. Jojo is a ladies’ man. He changed his girlfriend almost every week! For that reason, his parents introduced him to their family friend, the parents of Belle. And I think they were already set up for an arranged marriage.

I turned my gaze to Zec, she’s already staring at me.

“Hey Zec! It’s been a long time!”

We hugged a bit, she shyly smiled at me and said, “Hi, Milena. I’m sorry if they invited me. They forced me out of my house to join you.”

“What are you sorry for? You’re part of the gang! We’ll never be happy if we’re not complete!”

Before we started to climb the mountain, I introduced my friends to my work mates. They said we should climb up by pairs. They are all couples so what did I expect? The only ones who has no girlfriend or boyfriend were me, Zec, RR, JJ and my two girl work mates. The twins partnered up with the girls, that left me and Zec no choice but to be partners. Awkward! There’s an uncomfortable silence between us. We didn’t know how to start our conversation. When was the last time we talked? I think it’s when she confessed her feelings to me. I wanted to bring my best friend back.

This is Zec’s first time to climb. I took her heavy backpack, so she could move easily. I gave her the sling bag that contained our bottled waters and snacks. Our first destination was the Rockies. The trail’s dusty, and some part was slippery. I assisted Zec on hiking up the steep mountain slope. On our ascend, there are numerous stopovers. Zec needed to sit and catch up her breath. I silently laughed. She’s still the same person I knew that hates cardio exercises. At the second stopover, there’s a local who sells snacks, coconut water and the popular Filipino cold dessert, Haluhalo. We bought some cold drinks and desserts to relieve our thirst. We sat on a fallen trunk of a tree when Zec held my arm for support.

“Mi, I think I am having leg cramps.”

I knelt in front of her, “Here, give me your foot.”

I stretched and massaged her cramped muscle. I gently massaged it to help her relax.

“Do you still feel the cramps?”

“No. It’s gone. Thank you.”

I sat back beside her and look at the majestic view in front of us.

You can see the impressive view of Taal Lake. I sighed deeply and closed my eyes. It’s so relaxing when you are surrounded by the beauty of nature! I heard camera clicking sounds. I opened my eyes and saw Zec’s capturing photos of me.

“Hey Zec! You know I looked ugly when the shot is stolen! I looked haggard and not prepared, gosh!”

“Nope. You are the beautiful partnered with nature. Beautiful nature.”

I laughed at her silliness, “Give me that phone, bestie! and we’ll take good pictures together.”

I switched it to front cam and we took selfies. Zec sat between my legs and wrapped my arms on her waist. I rested my chin on her shoulder. Her long arm served as our selfie stick.

“One…Two…Hey Mi, look at the camera…Three! SMILE!”

“Alright! One more! Wacky pose!”

I gave her a weird looking smile and crossed my eyeballs.

“One more! Let’s switched position, Mi!”

She gave me her phone and I bended my knees, so I can sit between her legs.

“Ready, Zec? One. Two. Three!”

She kissed my right cheek. I was surprised. The camera captured it.

“Bestie! Why! Look at this! I am so ugly here! My eyes are wide and my mouth agape! Delete that picture!”

“No! I will not delete any pictures! You are so cute here! Your cheeks and ears are both red! Sorry if I can’t help myself to kiss your cheeks!”

We took more pictures before we continued our trail. At 5 PM, we reached the campsite, which is the last stop over where hikers can pitch their tents. We are ten minutes away from the Rockies. We planned on having an overnight trip. The guys started to set up the tents. We have 5 big tents, 8 persons each. The girls helped on setting the table for dinner. After pitching our tents, we started getting to know each other. They all started telling each of their own climbing adventures. Zec sat beside me. She was shivering a little, so I grabbed a blanket and shared it with the two of us. I gave her five sticks of hotdogs with white marshmallows. She smiled like a little kid and ate two sticks at the same time! This is one of her favorites! I laughed at her cuteness.

The drinking session began. I am already tipsy when my boss requested a performance from us that will showcase our hidden talents. Some knew how to dance, others knew card tricks, and the twins made a skit show. I asked Zec to team up with me. She sang while I played the guitar. She preferred to stand while I sit on an empty tin can. I started to strum the guitar. We sang a duet of the song Terrified by Katharine McPhee.

At the first verse, Zec was using a baby voice to make them laugh. But her face turned serious when she looked at me and started singing the line, “And I'm in love. And I'm terrified. For the first time. In the last time. In my only life.” I avoided her stare and I started singing the next verse. When the line for our duet came, she held my face up, so we can see eye to eye. She fixed my eyeglasses that slid down my nose. I was entranced by her stare as we both sang, “I only said it 'cause I mean it. I only mean 'cause it's true. So, don't you doubt what I've been dreaming.” She knelt in front of me. Our faces were so close together. I can’t move. I could feel the sincerity of her voice. The day she confessed her feelings flashed back on my mind. I don’t know what to do. Does Zec still in love with me? I do not want to hurt her again by saying that I don’t like her the way she wanted me to. Her eyes is so expressive. It showed her loving gaze at me. If I could only teach myself to love her. What am I saying? I am too drunk to think straight! Oh, wait! I am not straight!

I was brought back to reality when flashes of light blinded me. Our friends started to capture photos, then whistled and shouted. They were saying, “Get a room!”, “You are so cute together!”, “I am right! You two are a couple!”, “You’re so hot together!”, “Compatible! Chemistry is real!” I shook my head. Zec and I immediately moved away from each other. I don’t know where Zec went. I told the twins to look out for her. It’s already dark and it’s not safe to wander alone.

I gave the guitar to the next performer. I said goodbye to them and said that I’m drunk already. I went inside our tent. They arranged our sleeping beds by pairs again! These idiots. Looks like they really pairing me up with Zec. I picked the farthest sleeping bag and cover myself with a blanket. I woke up with someone’s hugging me. I turned around to see Zec soundly asleep. I gently removed her arm, but it woke her up.

“Mi?”

“Sorry, Zec. I’m not used to someone’s hugging me when I’m sleeping.”

“But I always hug you.”

“The last time we slept together is when we are fourteen years old! That’s a long time ago!”

“When did you became a loner? Don’t worry you’ll get used to my hugs again. Oh wait! You needed to drink water!”

She stood up and grabbed a bottle of water and gave it to me.

“You forgot to drink water before you sleep. Alcohol dehydrates the body. Don’t forget it next time.”

“Are you a nurse too?”

“What? No, I’m not. I am a web designer, not a nurse!”

She’s not a nurse? But why did she sound like one?

I drank the water, “Thank you, bestie.”

She pouted and make puppy eyes. It reminded me of someone. I miss Azil. It’s been two months since I last saw her. She hugged me again as I was about to sleep.

“Zec, I can’t sleep with your arm hugging me!”

“Don’t you miss my hugs?”

“Oh! Never mind! I am sleepy! I will remove your arm later if I can’t sleep.”

She happily hugged and squeezed me a little before we drifted off back to sleep. The truth is, I missed Zec’s warm hugs. It helps me sleep like a baby.