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CHAPTER NINE

I am facing Mika right now ang dalawa niyang kasama ay umupo na rin sa mga vacant seats which is on beside of Cathy and Dale,

Sobrang awkward ng situation ngayon, I saw Cathy on my peripheral view na parang gusto ng matawa.

“Magtititigan na lang ba tayo dito?” Her, being bitchy binasag ang katahimikan na bumabalot kaya some of us giggle. Mika’s ear is nearly getting red maybe because of embarrassment.

“Ah yeah… They are Viel and Dawn nga pala Dan—”

Not letting him finish, Cathy cut him off “And you?” She is being aggressive over him kaya tinapik ko ang kamay niya to stop her, and she just rolled her eyes.

“Sorry,” the only word that Mika said was he look like a puppy na napagalitan sa amo niya I gave him a look to say that it’s okay.

“Cathy he’s Mika, Viel…” looking at the guy wearing specs with a soft look, he just nods at me to confirm that he was him “and Dawn” I shifted my sight on the side of Cathy wherein the man is being seated.

I am sensing Cathy’s boy version of her to him because of the way he smirks and his sharp features of him. “Hello ulit” the bubbly said.

 “Lastly, Cathy, Dale and me, Daniel” huling pakilala ko sa kanila, and I saw Dale just on the corner having his moment like he was watching a movie. Pareho lang silang tumango. The awkward introduction finally has ended.

Dale, Mika and Viel decided to order, and they said na their treat daw kaya hindi na kami umangal pa gusto ko na lang kumain.

“You’re also a Civil student, Dawn?”

Ayoko namang maging awkward kaming tatlo dito.

“Yup! you two are ECE right?” palit na tanong naman niya sa amin and I just give him a nod, itinigil naman ni Cathy ang pagamit ng phone niya to involve on our conversation.

“Anong meron pala at nag-aya yung kaibigan nyo?” I am also wondering why so sudden, or he just want to make up because of what he has done.

“Gusto daw niya mag-unwind,” hindi ‘ring makapaniwalang sagot niya sa amin “Na-stress ata sa Council and sa majors namin” Dawn has dimples, lumilitaw kapag nakangiti siya.

“Talaga lang ha?” sarcastic na sagot naman ni Cathy, the latter is smirking while he is looking at Cathy. Hmm… they look good together in fairness.

“How about the Concert?” pag-iiba ko ng topic, I’m scared that Cathy might said something na pwedeng maka-offend kay Mika, his friend is obviously here with us.

“Ah right, Mikaela said na kasama namin kayo.” So he’s still good for the ride.

“Yeah, rich kid kaibigan niyo sinagot na lahat” I jokely said.

“Sa totoo lang.” he laughed naman.

“Nahiya pa sa ticket ‘di pa binigay kay Dan” dagdag pa ni Cathy at nagtawanan na lang kaming tatlo. 

I look at the counter at saktong nakatingin sa amin si Mika that is why I give him a bright smile and a thumbs up, he also does. Ang gwapo niya nasabi ko na lang sa sarili ko.

We ate after that and the mood became light hindi na rin masyadong awkward because Cathy is already catching up from the humors of Dawn and Viel because they are both trolls, si Mika lang ata ang walang humor sa kanilang tatlo, just kidding. sobrang ingay ng table namin parang kanina lang takot sila magsalita.

 For almost 2 hours kami nag-stay doon because they have a lot to talk about nakwento na ata nila ang pangarap ng bawat isa. 

Kidding aside I’m so thankful na nagkasundo naman kaming lahat especially Cathy, I thought I’ll be having a hard time again persuading her.

We also changed our shirt ‘di naman pwede na pumunta kami ng naka-uniform, good thing that we bring extra. The boys also changed their jeans to shorts, hindi naman halatang ready sila for this trip.

I’ll ride on Mika’s car; Dawn brings his car also mga burgis pala itong mga kasama namin may sariling sasakyan. Cathy and Dale also Viel will be on Dawn’s car.

 Alam ko pinag-usapan nila ito. Nagdadahilan pa si Cathy na ayaw daw niya mag-third wheel kaya hindi niya ako sasamahan. 

Third wheel my ass we are not even a couple. Hindi na lang ako nagsalita baka mas lalo pa nila akong asarin. Ang sabihin niya nakahanap siya ng bagong crush which is Dawn.

“I’ll Bluetooth my phone here ha” paalam kong sabi sa kanya habang kinakalikot ko itong radio ng sasakyan niya. “Yeah, sure” and him being busy on the road still drinking the coke float that we bought kanina sa Jollibee. 

He’s offering me actually but I refuse ayoko maumay sa byahe. I rather drink water.

Most likely it takes half or an hour lang ang byahe papunta Monasterio, depende sa traffic. But what I am most excited about is yung view mamaya kapag malapit na kami. 

We’re literally on an instant roadtrip ngayon. I don’t know what’s going on sa kabilang car. Hula ko they are talking about us, pinagkakaisahan nanaman kami. Nawiwili na sila sa kakaasar sa amin. akala ba nila tama iyon?

Nagawi naman ang tingin ko sa katabi ko and he is just jamming on the music, Nawala ang mukhang stress niya kanina habang kumakain kami. He’s face became light. Pogi.

“Does staring at someone is your hobby?” I came back to reality when I heard him talk. I giggled at him and didn't deny it though na nakatitig ako sa kanya. 

I can actually stare at his angelic face kung gugustuhin niya. ang fresh ng mukha niya, unlike me na oily it’s just so unfair. I’ll ask him later kung ano ang skincare routine niya.

“Nah, mas gwapo ka ngayon” nakatitig pa rin sa kanya “mas light ang mood ng face mo eh.” Saka ako umiwas at umayos ng upo, nakakahiya bat ko ba sinabi ‘yon after getting on my senses realizing what I’ve said about him.

I heard him chuckle as a response kaya I think my cheeks are blushing.

Sobrang ganda ng view on our way, of course paakyat ng bundok ang destination namin kaya ang daan namin ay paahon at pababa. Mas maganda ang view mamayang kauwi namin kung hindi kami gagabihin. I’m waiting for the sunset.

Nasa likuran naman sila Cathy. We stop over to buy some fruits, there are actually many vendors as you go on your way to Monasterio they are selling fruits, o di naman kaya madami ka ‘ring makikitang mga lugawan, mamihan na pwedeng kainan or mga different stores if ever na gutumin ka sa byahe.

“What do you want,” Mika asked me, while the others are busy buying drinks and fruits.

“Guys, ano daw gusto nyo libre na ni Miks” bigla naman napalingon si Mika na nasa gilid nito kay Viel to give him a glare. These guys

“Yaman talaga,” Dale teasing him more “eto na lang sakin, pasalubong ko kay Mama” habang hawak ang Pandan.

Wala na nagawa si Mika at siya na ang gumastos sa apat. Sa huli ako ang walang nabili.

We continue our way and ilang minutes lang nasa entrance na kami, there is an entrance fee only fifty pesos. Naglibot kami and take some pictures, sobrang ganda ng view at nakisama pa ang langit hindi ganoon kainit the clouds are so perfect for the view, you can see the mountain ranges. 

Dahil we’re literally on the peak. The view is really breathtaking and it is so peaceful. Sobrang presko sa pakiramdam.

“Ohh love birds’ kayo naman.” Pang-aasar nanaman sa amin ni Cathy. “The hell Cathy, imbento ka” hinila naman ni Mika ang kamay para magpose, kaya hindi na ako makaangal.

Ngising aso naman ang mga kabigan ni Mika, and they also take pictures of us on the colossal statue of the Risen Christ, which is the popular at siyang pinupuntahan dito sa Monasterio. Alam ko gagamitin nilang pang-asar ang mga pictures.

We take a look at the wishing well that is located nearly sa entrance, and of course, knowing these people they will also wish for something.

“Anong winish mo pre?” rinig ‘kong tanong ni Dawn kay Viel.

“Na sana makapasa sa Calculus” sagot naman nito saka itinapon sa tubig ang limang piso.

Ganoon din naman ang ginawa nila Cathy “Nako pre, kahit isang libo pa ihulog mo diyan wala di magkakatotoo ‘yan” birong pagkakasabi naman ni Viel kaya pati kami at ibang taong kasama namin ay natawa.

“Napakagago mo” They are teasing each other nanaman.

“Ako Cathy alam ko wish mo.” Pag-uumpisa ko naman na asar sa kanya.

“What?” she bravely asked.

“Na sana pansinin ka na ni Jae” saka ako nag-bleh. But to disappoint me she didn't even flinch nor annoyed from my tease.

“Tama, kaya tigilan mo na siya,” she shifted her eyes on Mika “dahil meron ka nang Mika.” Wow, how she managed to turn the table on me. I am now the one who are they teasing, and Mika is there standing, smirking like a devil.

“Kilig ‘yang si Daniel oh” dagdag pa ni Dale. I think they are forgetting something.

Parang hindi ako sinermonan noong nakaraang linggo dahil kay Mika ngayon ibinubugaw na nila ako? So much hate.

Busog na busog ang mata ko sobrang daming gandang view. Ibang-iba na ang lugar, to think na ang lapit lang namin pero last punta ko pa dito sa Monasterio I’m still a senior high pa ata noon. 

We decided to take a break sa paglilibot at saka naghanap ng place para magpahinga at kumain na rin.

Nang makahanap na kami inilatag nila ang blanket na dala, hindi man talaga nila pinaghandaan itong trip na ito, note that me being sarcastic. 

Before we go kasi here nag drive thru kami kanina sa Jollibee, dahil halos kami ay tamad magluto at biglaan lang for us sa amin nila Cathy but I don’t know kila Mika.

I really want to ask them about the girl who called them ‘Trinits’ noong nasa EB because I assume na siya ‘rin yung accountancy student na pinupuntahan niya. But I don’t want to ruin the mood.

“So, all of us here may quiz kaninang morning?” Dale asked. We just nodded to agree with him. Kaya pala lahat may ganang sumama ngayon sa trip to unwind.

We were talking about academic of course, and for the upcoming event ng university. Kinukulit din nila si Mika about the leak information kung ano ang ganap sa CET but the latter didn’t faze about them di nila napagsalita ito.

He is really hard to please huh?

Cathy is also teasing him, kaninang umaga lang sobrang bangis kay Mika ngayon parang matagal na niyang kaibigan.

“May kasama pa dapat na isa ngayon,” Dawn caught my attention because of what he has said “yung pinsan ni Viel, but sadly she has an afternoon class accountancy student kasi.” She, nagtinginan silang tatlo noong mabanggit iyon ni Dawn and I saw how he ended his sentence into an awkard smile.

Imagine what will happen if ever na pati mga CBA students half day din, then kasama ‘rin namin siya ngayon, baka bigla akong umayaw at umuwi na lang, thinking the thought how awkward we are. No thanks. 

The atmosphere became awkward after he mentioned her. So, there is really something is going on. Pati si Mika natahimik din. Me being silent as usual hoping that they did not notice how my aura change. Because I know Dale and Cathy notice it.

“Ahh… Dan pasama ako san CR I want to wash my face.” Buti na lang Cathy being Cathy already knows what she will do, to save us from this awkwardness.

“Yeah sure, I also want din.” Tumayo ako sa pagkakaupo. I know all their eyes are on me, itinaas ko ang tingin ko sakanila and I gave them a smile, para ipaalam na walang epekto iyon sa akin.

“Excuse us.” Paalam ko sa kanila, and Mika gave me a warm smile.

We’re walking now looking for the Comfort room, mukhang malilibot namin ang buong place bago mahanap ang CR.

“Hey, are you okay?” worried is what is written on Cathy’s face.

Ngumiti muna ako sa kanya “Of course” sabay na sagot ko saka pumikit at dinamdam ang hangin. Sobrang ganda ng lugar na hindi ko kaya mawala sa mood.

“You sure?” She thought I’m the same person last week?

“Oo naman, I don’t care what their relationship anymore” nakakapagod din pala maglakad dahil paakyat itong lugar buti na lang mahangin “kayo lang ‘tong kanina pa nang-aasar sa amin” saka ako tumingin sa kanya, and she just sighed naman.

“I’m sorry.”

“Luh! Cathy, parang tanga” I hold her hands to assure her. “ayos lang, medyo nahihiya lang talaga ako sa kanya that’s why it looks like I’m blushing everytime you guys tease us.” Pagpapaliwanag ko pa sa kanya. Ayaw ko lang talaga yung awkward moments, knowing me doesn’t have any humor.