One Summer of Lost and Found

CHAPTER 13

Nang maiahon namin si Theo mula sa pagkahulog. Bumalik na kami sa tent upang ayusin ang mga gamit dahil babalik na nga kami. From the looks of the sky, it was around one in the morning. Natulog na muna kami ngunit nanatili akong nakatingin sa kawalan at nag-iisip kung ano ang dapat kong sagutin. 

Kinabukasan, hikab ako nang hikab ngayong naglalakad kami pauwi dahil hindi ako nakatulog nang maayos. I was walking sloppy due to my state and the bag I am carrying full of used clothes na mas bumigat dahil basa ang mga ito. 

"Seryoso?! Paano ka nahulog?!" natatawang asar ni Vin kay Theo. "Oo nga! May harang 'yon, 'di ba?" natatawa ring sabi ni Crystal. "Likot niya matulog, eh. Nakahiga tapos maya maya nakaupo edi ayon," narrated Kyron. Lalo pa nilang pinagtawanan ang aming kaibigan.

"Bullies. Si Suki na lang kakampi ko," sabi niya sabay tabi sa'kin. "Gising ako kahapon," bulong niya. "Oh really, then you're even dumb. Nahulog ka nang gising," sabi ko. "Sama ng ugali niyo!" Napatawa na lang ako sa reaksiyon niyang parang inaapi. 

"Pero ayon nga, anong sagot mo?" bulong niya sa akin muli. "Ewan ko sa'yo, chismoso."

"Ano nga? Sabihin mo sa'kin, ha. Gusto mo tulungan kita," dugtong pa niya. Inirapan ko na lang siya. Napansin ko ngang lumapit sa akin ang lalaking iniiwasan ko pa kahapon. 

"Hey," he called me in a soft voice which made my heart jump a bit. Napansin niya kayang kanina ko pa siya iniiwasan? Suki, ang b*bo mo, eh! Halata lahat ng galaw mo! "Why?" I tried replying as chill as possible. 

"T-the one I asked earlier, wag mo na lang pansinin. Don't sweat. Spur of the moment lang talaga 'yung tanong. Sorry i-if nag-overthink ka dahil doon! Wala 'yon!" he defended. "Huh? Hindi naman ako nag-overthink. Gets ko naman. Lutang na rin naman ako no'n. Pagod lang talaga ako." Wow, what a liar!

"So we're all good?" confirmed him. I smiled. "Yup."

"Oh my, ang daming tao!" turo ni Crystal nang matanaw ang main beach ng camp namin. "Oo nga, bakit?" asked Vin. Napatingin kami sa direksyong pupuntahan namin at nakitang maraming tao rito. It was populated just like during the Sports Fest before, but this time, it was more filled. 

Hindi lamang iyon ang kapansin pansing pagbabago mula nang umalis kami dahil ngayon ay may mga nakasabit na banderitas sa mga poste ng camp. There are noticeable colorful banners attached to the chain of stores lining the beachfront. From my experiences, masasabi kong may nagaganap na fiesta.

"Fiesta?" I asked. "Oo, kada ganitong buwan, may festival dahil founding daw ng lugar na 'to," Kyron said in which we all replied with an amazed gesture, "Oh!"

"At nagbubukas lahat ng establishment kasama na rito ang camp." We rushed to the swarm of people, leading us to the main lobby of the camp. "Lagi dito ginaganap ang opening ng fiesta which is ngayon," sabi sa'min ni Ky habang sinisilip namin ang kung anong pinagkakaguluhan sa may entrance. 

When we got a clear view, we saw a parade-like lineup of cars kung saan isa-isang lumalabas ang laman nito. Unang lumabas ang isang lalaking nakasuot ng pormal na damit. If I can recall, the aged guy was someone we saw before during the Sports Fest. It was the vice-governor, if I am not mistaken. Elegante siyang bumaba. His presence was different. It carries a heavy sense of authority and power, just like usual politicians. Ngumiti siya sa mga bumati sa kaniya at kumaway pa.

Lumapit siya kay Mr. Gomez na siyang may-ari ng camp. Nagkamayan ang dalawa. "Salamat sa pagpunta at pagpili ng lugar na 'to muli." Nginitian ito ng vice-governor. Mula sa mga bulungan, wala raw ang governor dahil ito ay may international business meeting. 

Sumunod naman sa kaniya ang isang babae. She was also wearing formal velvet corporate attire with an all-black outfit underneath. Wearing her hair up in a bun, she has a silver watch in her left hand. "Oh my gosh! It's a Rolex Explorer II!" shrieked the elite Crystal who recognizes logos at the back of her head.  

"Ang ganda talaga ng principal ng high school na 'yon! Parang hindi natanda! Cuarenta na siya sa ganiyang lagay?" rinig kong sabi ng isa sa mga matanda na malapit sa puwesto namin. Oh, she's the principal of the high school.

May isa pang malaking van na may tatak na logo sa harap. The logo reads "La Monteverde National High School". Around fifteen teachers stepped down the van. 

"Doon ba sa National High School ka nag-aral, Kyron?" asked Theo. "Oo, iisa lang school dito. Actually, dito, halos iisa lang ang lahat. Maliit lang kasi." The former nodded. 

"Sir Henry, good morning!" bati ni Mr. Jaime Gomez sa isang guro na sinabi nilang head daw. 

Matapos ng pagsalubong na 'yon ay in-announce na magkakaroon ng grand opening ng booths mamaya. Dahil dito, bumalik kami sa mga kwarto kung saan namimili kami ngayon ni Crystal ng susuotin. 

"So ano nangyari sa pag-uusap niyo? Share naman," tanong ko habang naghahalungkat ng gamit ang kasama ko. Dahil sa pagtatanong ko, mabilis siyang nagpunta sa harap ko ngayong nakaupo ako sa kama. She was suddenly filled with excitement. It seems like something good happened to her. 

"It went well!" masaya niyang sabi. "Ang sabi ko hindi pa ako handa tapos ang sabi niya he's going to court me and I said lowkey lang dapat!" sabi ni Crystal. Napangiti naman ako nang malaki. "Landi! Sana all!" sabi ko sabay palo sa kaniya. "I promised him na sa end ng camp na 'to, ready na ako!" she said. "So mag-date kayo mamaya?" I asked in which she shrugged into. "Maybe."

"Sige, pili mo rin ako ng damit. Refill lang ako," paalam ko. "Okay!" 

I went outside our room to find many people swarming near our camp. From afar, I recognized one of them and it was Kyron. Tatawagin ko sana siya ngunit nakita kong may kinuha siya sa bulsa niya. It was a box of something. 

He was acting weird since we returned to the camp. Is it because of something I said? Or something else? Sa halip na punuin ang tubigan ko ay sinundan ko siya. He was not himself. He was rather quiet at hindi nanggugulo! Sinundan ko siya hanggang napadpad siya sa isang mala-bundok na istraktura malapit sa camp. He lit up a cigarette and stared at the sky. 

The more that he says, the less I know...

If there's something na alam ko sa kaniya ay ito ang ginagawa niya lang 'yon kapag may problema siya.

I want to approach him, but my feet led me back to our room matapos ko punuin ang tubigan ko. Nang makabalik ako, I was the one interrogated. "Oo nga pala, sa'yo naman, ano ang nangyari?" Crystal asked.

"Well, he asked me what I feel.." I shyly said with the events of earlier still on my mind. "Pero binawi niya ito kaagad."

"You're both so weak! Kung weak pa rin siya, ikaw na ang gumalaw, girl!" sabi sa'kin ni Crystal. "Or maybe, I'll beautify you na wala na siyang choice kundi gumalaw. Bet? Bet," sambit niya na para bang may pinaplanong kung ano. "Fine."

"Try this!" said Crystal, handing me a black turtleneck sleeveless maxi dress. "Malamig mamaya!" reklamo ko. "Edi mag-cardigan!"

After a while, the sky that envelops the camp turned into profound darkness. Crystal and I went out of our room with our outfits. With her model-like behavior, she carried the yellow tube and Squarepants well. Habang ako ay suot naman ang maxi dress na kaniyang ni-recommend. Nakasuot kami ng magkaparehong disenyo ng cardigan para raw matchy. "Hello, guys!" salubong sa'min ng mga kaibigan namin in their sweaters. 

"Hindi kayo lalamigin diyan?!" asked Vin. "Yes, talent namin 'yong mga babae."

"Hi," I said to Kyron in his simple high-waist pants and a plain branded hoodie. Binati ko 'yon dahil napansin kong wala siya gaano sa mundo. 

He snapped out of his trance and looked at me. "Hello," greeted him with a smile. His expression changed immediately after that, causing mine to lighten. We were looking at each other with our biggest smile when we did not notice na kanina pa kami nakatayo rito at nagtitinginan. 

"Awat na. Tara, gala!" said Vin in a teasing tone. 

As we walk nearer and nearer to the beachfront area where most booths are located, we became more exposed to the charm of the festival. The booths were like little shops in different designs befitting the theme of the booth. Christmas lights were also wrapped on its top na siyang nagbibigay liwanag sa gabi. 

Crystal was leading the way like a child. Sumusunod naman kami sa kaniya. 

Lumingon ako sa katabi ko. "Okay ka lang ba?" I swallowed my shyness and pride for that. 

"Huh? Bakit?" he asked in a confused look. 

"Wala." I shook my head. He seems way better than before. Bakit? Is it because he wants to mask in front of us? Or something else? 

Habang naglalakad kami sa gitna ay nakasalubong kami ng maraming tao. They were also in their casual wear at batid lahat ang kapanabikan sa kanilang mga mukha. On the background, I can hear mixed chattering that overall made a harmonious impression to me like a peaceful marketplace. 

"Tara, guys. Laro," aya ni Theo sa amin nang matagpuan nila ang parang booth para sa basketball. 

"Baka umiyak ka pag natalo, ha," sabi ni Vin. "Weh, back to you," bawi ni Theo. 

Unang mag-shooshoot si Vin at tumingin pa siya kay Crystal. Kinindatan niya si Crystal na para bang sinasabing "Para sa'yo 'to" or something like that. We teased him, "Yie!"

Pero nang ibinato niya ito ay sumala ito kaya nagtawanan kami. "Ano 'yon?!" asar ni Kyron. "Okay ka lang ba, Crys?" natatawa kong tanong sa babaeng katabi ko na natatawa rin.

"At least cute ka. Okay na 'yan!" she said making the guy blush. "Wow, when kaya," pang-eepal ni Theo. 

Sunod naman naming pinuntahan ang isang booth na may mga naka-stack na lata at may bibilhing bola para tamaan ito. At kung napatumba ang lahat, may premyo. 

"Sali!" 

Bumili kami ng bola at sumubok. Nakailang subok kami at hindi namin natutumba lahat! Parang may tape! Ano 'to? Boo. 

"What the heck?!" reklamo ko. "Ano 'to?!" ranted Vin as well dahil wala rin siyang matamaan. "Boo! Ano 'to?!" sabi ni Crystal. 

"Okay lang, 'yan. Kasalanan ng bola," sabi sa'kin ni Kyron sabay akbay sa akin. "Oo. Umiiwas sa lata," I said. 

"Sa iba na lang!" sabi ni Theo. 

We have been into different booths for the past hour at napagod kami. Buti na lang ay may naamoy kaming kung anong mabango. 

"Kain tayo," aya ko nang makita ang isang stall na nagbebenta ng corndog. Sumunod naman sila at bumili na rin.

"Masarap ba 'yan?"

"Okay, masarap nga."

As we were panting and eating, nakarinig kami ng announcement. "The rave will start in ten minutes on the beachfront stage. Thank you."

"Punta tayo doon, ha?" persuaded Theo, the party lover. "Yes!" I agreed back dahil kung may bagay na pagkakasunduan kami nito ay ito ang pag-party.

Matapos kaming kumain ay hinila ko ang palapulsuan nila hanggang makarating kami sa main beach kung saan may nakatayong entablado kung saan may DJ. The beachfront was designed as if it's a rave party! There are even neon lights traveling the area strong enough to make someone squint. This is the life of a party! 

"Excited?" asked Kyron with half a smile. 

"You don't understand. I escape our house during 2 am for things like this. Ang tagal ko nang hindi nagagawa kaya atat!" I said honestly.

"Wow, bad girl."

"Heh."

Dumami na rin ang tao rito, hinting the start of the event. "Camp Blue Coral, are you ready to party?!" screamed someone in the microphone, who I assume was the DJ. The moment his voice dominated the grounds, deafening music played and everyone started to jump up and down.

Today is a winding road that's taking me to places that I didn't want to go

Whoa (whoa, whoa, whoa)

Today in the blink of an eye I'm holding on to something and I do not know why

I tried

Ang mga kasama ko ay nagsimulang tumalon. Tiningnan ko naman ang lalaking natutulala paminsan minsan. He was trying his best to not get lost with his thought. Hinawakan ko ang dalawa niyang kamay sunod, causing him to look at my direction. "Hey! Sing with us! You, dummy!" I screamed kahit alam kong hindi ako ganoon karinig. 

I tried to read between the lines

I tried to look in your eyes

I want a simple explanation

For what I'm feeling inside

I gotta find a way out

Maybe there's a way out

Mas nilakasan ko ang boses ko dahil malapit na ang chorus. Tiningnan ko naman ang hawak ko kanina at nakitang nakatingin siya sa akin. Inirapan ko siya at tinulak ang mukha niya. Natawa naman siya sa ginawa ko. Lumingon siya sa entablado at nagsimulang maki-vibe. That's right!

Your voice was the soundtrack of my summer

Do you know you're unlike any other?

You'll always be my thunder, and I said

Your eyes are the brightest of all the colors

I don't wanna ever love another

You'll always be my thunder

So bring on the rain

And bring on the thunder

It seems like everyone was familiar with the song. Who wouldn't, though? We were all screaming the lyrics at the top of our lungs. 

And under the neon lights of the summer rave, I stared at the guy who asked me what I felt about him...

Hindi pa tapos ang rave ay pumunta kami sa gilid sa pagod. "Guys, doon tayo sa arts booth na malapit. May aircon doon," aya ni Vin in which we all agreed to.

Nagpunta kami roon and saw familiar faces. "Aye!" 

"Hello, mga ate and kuya!" sinalubong kami ni Aye with her biggest smile habang nakaupo sila nina Travis at Gray doon. "Anong ginagawa niyo?" asked Crystal. 

"Ah, ate, nag-papaint kami," Aye said cheerfully. "Actually, tatambay lang talaga kami pero sige na nga try na lang namin.."

In this booth, nakakapasok sa loob at may aircon dito. When one go inside the booth, makikita ang mga upuan na nakaikot sa isang bilog na upuan kung saan nakalagay ang mga art materials. Umupo kami rito upang makapagpahinga, but before I knew it, they returned.

"Mag-drawing kayo?"

"Test!"

"Eto, pencil case, catch!"

"Beh, sorry to burst your bubble, but your art sucks." Narinig ko ang alingawngaw ng sarili kong boses. 

"Oo nga, try-hard." It was my ex-friends'. 

"Akin na 'yan!" It was hers.

"No, I don't think so." I can vividly recall how we passed her art materials until one pencil pierced the skin of her neck. 

And there was blood.

But still, we did not stop.

"Shut up!" I screamed to the voices I felt inside me, holding both my ears. I held my head as hard as I can, hoping the voices to subdue. But no matter how hard I grasp, they won't stop!

"Suki!" 

"Anong nangyayari, girl?!"

"Hey!"

I do not deserve their concern. 

I do not... 

I do not deserve anything...

With that memory in my mind, I can't think of anything at dahil doon ay tumakbo na lang ako palabas. 

I ran as fast as my tears could...

And I also did not notice how two hands held both of mine the moment I ran. And of course, it was Kyron just like that night.

His face and intentions were as clear as the endless pattern of blinking stars. His stare, overflowing with concern, was piercing into mine. With that, a reassuring smile gently formed into the curves of his lips. 

"I'll bring you somewhere."