Chapter 2 : The Mountain Trip
838 Words
I woke up at 10 a.m. The day. The first thing I did was open that app. Check if Alex had sent me a message. There was nothing from Alex. No notification. No reply from Alex.
So I decided to message Alex
Me: morning.
I stared at the screen waiting for Alex to respond.. Alex was still offline.
Since there was nothing to do I went to take a bath. While I was in the bathroom I started hearing notification sounds again from the living room where I left my phone. I didn’t lock it so Messenger was open.
My sister, Sheena noticed the phone lighting up.
Sheena: Why is this phone making many sounds?
She picked it up and saw the messages from Dina.
Sheena: Dina? Sweet messages? Since when did you and Dina become so close?
She kept reading, surprised at how close Dina. I sounded in our messages.
I didn’t know any of this was happening because I was still in the bathroom.
When I came out Sheena was already in her room. I checked my phone. Opened Messenger. I smiled without noticing.
Sheena suddenly spoke from behind me.
Sheena: Why are you smiling?
Me: Nothing. Random chats from our group chat.
Sheena: Hmm… okay.
I knew she didn’t believe me.
After replying to Dina I went to the kitchen to cook lunch. I kept checking my phone waiting for messages from Dina. Sometimes I secretly opened the app to see if Alex had replied. Still nothing from Alex.
While I was cooking my brother-in-law Jordan’s friend arrived with Dante.
Friend: Jordan let’s go to the mountain. We’ll check the vegetable farm.
Jordan: Sure.. Let’s eat first.
We all ate together. I kept stealing glances at Dante. I felt comfortable around Dante. I liked talking to Dante.
When we were almost done eating Jordan spoke.
Jordan: Hey do you want to come with us to the mountain? So you won’t stay at home all the time.
Me: Yes kuya. I’ll come after I wash the dishes.
I was excited because Dante would be there too.
While I was washing dishes Dante came beside me.
Me: It’s okay. I can do it.
Dante: I want to help.
He insisted, so I let Dante help me. I washed Dante rinsed.
Suddenly I dropped a fork.
When I bent down to pick it up our hands touched at the time.
We both froze.
I looked at Dante. Dante looked at me.
It felt like time slowed down.
Suddenly—
Sheena: They’re waiting for you outside!
The moment broke. I quickly. Acted normal.
On the way to the mountain Dante and I talked while Jordan and his friend walked ahead.
Dante: How are you and Dina?
Me: We’re okay. Just casual with Dina.
I wanted to say that I was confused… that maybe Dante was the one I really liked.. I couldn’t say it to Dante.
While walking I stepped on a part and almost fell. Dante quickly caught me.
Our faces were close.
Dante: Be careful. Watch where you step.
Me:
Dante: I’ll take care of you. I’ll catch you long as I’m here with you.
My heart started beating
Dante: Is this your time going to the mountain?
Me: Yes. I’m really clumsy here. I didn’t grow up in places like this.
Dante: Don’t worry. I’m here with you.
I walked ahead of Dante after that secretly happy that Dante was behind me in case I slipped again.
When we reached their hut it was 1 p.m. I was tired. I sat down. Dante gave me water from the well.
Me: Is this safe to drink?
Dante: Don’t worry. It’s safe. Trust me.
I. Drank it.
We started cleaning around the hut laughing at random things. I didn’t feel tired anymore.
Jordan and his friend went to check the crops leaving us there with Dante.
While I was sweeping suddenly a black wild pig ran toward me.
Me: Ahhh!
I ran to Dante. Almost fell again into Dantes arms. Dante saw how scared I was.
Dante: Sit down first. Relax.
He went inside the hut. Grabbed a spear then ran after the pig.
After a minutes he came back dragging something black.
Dante: Help me carry this!
It was the wild pig.
Dante: Thank you! Because of you I caught it. We have food now.
We carried it near the river. Dante prepared it there. Dante looked so happy.
After that Dante said—
Dante: Let’s take a bath in the river.
Me: I don’t have clothes.
Dante: I’ll go then.
He removed his shirt. I stared without realizing it. Dantes arms were big. Water was running down Dantes body.
It felt like everything was in motion.
Then Dante spoke again.
Dante: Are you just going to watch?
Dante: Come on. Join me.
I didn’t know why. My body moved on its own. I went closer, to Dante.
We went into the water together.
Suddenly—
Me: Wait… it’s deep!
I almost slipped again…
To be continued....
- Writer
