One Summer of Lost and Found

CHAPTER 10

We are currently painting for our art classes. Ngayon, pinagpipinta kami ng kung ano ang nararamdaman namin. Well, ngayon, naiirita ako. Masakit ang ulo ko paggising ko at mas sumakit ito dahil ang ingay ba naman ng kasama namin.

"Hindi kasi ganiyan maghalo ng kulay. Ganito," sabi ni Vin kay Crystal na tawa nang tawa ngayon. Okay, if I woke up in the right side of the bed, aasarin ko sila pero hindi, eh. Kanina pa sila tawa nang tawa habang sabay nag-papaint. By group 'to? By group? 

"Ah ganito ba?" sagot ni Crystal kay Vin sabay pahid ng acryllic paint na nasa kamay niya sa mukha ni Vin. "Halo ang sabi! Hindi pahid! Ang pangit ng ugali mo!" reklamo ni Vin pero siya rin naman ay nagsimulang pahiran si Crystal. 

"Hays, respeto naman sa walang kalandian!" exlaimed Theo. Napatigil naman ang dalawa sa pahiran nila. "Agree," pagsang-ayon ko kay Theo.

"Wala, wag ka. May kalandian ka rin," matampong sabi ni Theo.  "Wala, ah," I denied. 

Kyron then appeared sa tabi namin at dahil doon, napatigil kami sa pagpipinta. More like, napatigil ang dalawa sa paglandi. "Guys, pinagpaalam ko kayo."

"Is that about the island last week?" tanong ko. "Yup!" Ang mga kasama naman namin ay nalilito pa rin sa nangyayari. "Huh?! Anong last week? Kayo ha, nagsosolo."

"Pwede kayong mag-absent. Two days tayong gagala," Ky explained. "Kailan?" we all asked in unison. "Bukas."

"Agad?!" gulat nilang tanong na para bang hindi pa sila nasanay sa biglaang plano. "Oo, kaya after nito, mag-ayos na kayo ng gamit," nakangiting sabi ni Kyron.

"Para saan at saan pupunta?" tanong ni Theo na wala pa ring ma-gets sa nangyayari. "Alam niyo 'yung kabilang dulo ng isla? 'Yung dulo ng daan papuntang tree house?" pagpapaliwanag ni Ky. Pagkasabi noon ay parang lalong lumiwanag ang mga mukha ng kasama ko dahil lagi namin iyon nakikita. Gala lang naman ang ambag namin sa camp na 'to. "For real?!" 

"Yeah," he said in confidence. "Malakas ako kay Boss Jaime kaya ayan."

After magklase, we proceed to fix our little baggage. Kaunti lang naman ang dadalahin namin dahil hindi naman kami one week doon pupunta. Ever since that night, wala pa ring binabanggit si Crystal tungkol sa birthday niya. Pero kagabi, nang mahulog ang wallet niya sa daan, aksidente kong nakitang bukas ang birthday niya. 

Actually, pinag-usapan namin ni Ky ang tungkol sa surprise tuwing hindi ko kasama si Crystal. "Hey Suki girly, what should I bring? This or this?" tanong ni Crys habang ipinapakita ang dalawang cropped top na magkatulad naman. Magkaiba nga lang sa kulay.

"'Yung pink," I suggested. In which she answered, "No." I held my chest na parang nag-dadrama. "Pinapili pa ako?" 

"Magkita tayo doon sa tree house ng 5. Pinapunta ko si Crystal ng 6 kaya isang oras tayo mag-iisip para sa surprise." Naalala kong sabi ko kay Ky, Theo at Vin. 

"Kahit naman 5 mo 'yon papuntahin parehas lang ang resulta sa sobrang bagal noon," sagot ni Vin. "Could not agree more." 

Mula sa pag-alala noon, tumayo na ako dala dala ang bagahe ko. "Una na ako."

"Hindi ba't 6 pa?" asked Crystal. "Hm. Maglalandian ba kayo ni.." Before she even finished, I answered her, "No!" Binuksan ko ang pinto para lumabas. "Bye. Magkikita naman tayo doon. Big girl ka na, bye."

"Shut up!" sabi niya sa'kin upon considering her as a childlike person. "Landi well, I guess."

Nang makaabot ako sa treehouse, only approximately fifteen minutes have passed. I saw from the outside of the treehouse that Ky was the only one there. He was also holding a box in which I supposed where the cake is. It looks like a normal box na lalagyanan ng gamit kaya hindi halata na may laman itong pagkain. 

"Hi!" I waved at him at tsaka nagtungo sa kinaroroonan niya. Wala pa sina Vin at Theo kahit sabi ko sa kanila ay maagang pumunta. The sky is still dark, but with a few glints of light from the approaching sunrise. 

"Aga mo ah," I said to him.  "Excited, eh!" he said like a kid. "Hindi kasi kami masiyado nagala sa beach kaya ayon uhaw sa gala." That's unusual for him who has been working for a resort located in huge coast vicinity. 

"Oo nga pala. Bakit Kia?" I was meaning to ask him this. "Last week mo lang nabasa?!" 

"Medyo." I feel guilty. Malay ko ba! Hindi ko nga alam na may bulsa 'yung bigay niya. 

"Second name mo pati pangalan ng younger sis ko," he said innocently. "May kapatid ka?! Can I see her?" Now, that sounds wrong. 

"Ikaw ha, gusto mo ng meet the parents?" he teased. "No! What I mean is I want to see her at least in pictures. I have no siblings growing up. I really hate people, but she seems alright," I defensively said. 

"Ah," he plainly responded na para bang ayaw niya iyon pag-usapan. Our conversation halted nang dumating sina Vin at Theo. Sinabi namin ang mga dapat gawin sa surprise at ang itinerary bago pa makarating si Crystal. 

"Oh, ang early niyo!" sabi ni Crys na kararating pa lang. Buti naman ay natapos na kaming mag-usap. She's in her lemon yellow cropped top with asymmetrical hem partnered with faded blue jean shorts. She was always wearing bright colors in contrast to my current outfit na isang plain black tube at navy blue jean shorts. 

We were left with no choice but to walk pero ayos lang naman dahil hindi naman ganoon kahirap tahakin ang daan at hindi naman ito ganoon kalayo. Dala dala namin ang mga gamit. Dalawa lang naman ang tent na dala namin dahil hindi naman kami ganoon katagal doon. Nagdala rin kami ng mga surf board. 

"Anong malapit doon?! 30 minutes na tayong naglalakad?!" hingal na reklamo ni Crystal. 

"Exercise," sabi ko sa kaibigan ko, giving her a thumbs up and a sarcastic smile that annoyed her more. "Well, nandito na tayo," sabi naman ni Kyron. "Tawag nila rito La Monteverde Hidden Paradise," he said like a tour guide. 

Natigil naman sa pagrereklamo ang mga nasa gilid ko. Instead, they are now marveling at the breathtaking seashore. It was just like the main beach back in the resort, but there is something within this place that gives it a more reassuring vibe. The sands were fine and white na mas lumalambot sa bawat paghampas ng alon. Each wave exhibited the crystalline quality of the sea. It is as if we can see through its littoral corals - all diverse and multichromatic. 

Hindi lamang ang beach mismo nito ang nakamamangha. It's secluded within a forest. Kung gabi, magmumukha itong nakakatakot if it wasn't for the town lights that can be seen from the distance dahil hindi ito ganoon kalayo mula sa kabihasnan. At the near end of the shoreline, one can find a towering naturistic mountain-like structure kung saan maaaring mag-dive ang mga tao.  

Maliwanag na ang kalangitan dahil nakaangat na ang araw. Ang mga sinag nito ay hindi iyong tipong nananakit sa init. It has a homely feeling with every caress of the morning rays. The flow of the wind was just like that of the beach, but it was much soothing and pure. Walang nakatayong kubo o kahit ano man sa mga buhanginan nito. It was purely a fresh breathe of the coastline. 

Pagkarating na pagkarating, nag-setup kaagad kami ng mga tent. Inilagay namin ang mga gamit sa loob nito at tsaka inayos ang mga gamit sa labas. The guys fixed a table where we put the few foods we have brought. Magkasama ang tatlong lalaki sa iisang tent habang kami naman ni Crystal ay nasa kabilang tent. 

And in an event-driven by our own excitement, we found ourselves in our swimming attires. Naka-beach short sina Theo, Vin at Kyron, flexing their well-structured upper half. Crystal, on the other hand, was wearing her befitting two-piece swimsuit in a fading shade of pastel yellow. I wore one-piece swimwear in a pastel blue color, matching the pounding and sparkling waves.  I let loose my hair and let it dance with the breeze.

"Ang ganda ng waves! Ang lalaki!" Crys said in excitement habang hawak hawak ang surf board. The first thing we planned was to surf. They had some basic knowledge on how to do so, whereas I don't dahil ayaw ko dati. I guess there's no harm in trying something new.

"Tara habang malalakas pa ang alon!" sabi ni Ky. Hinila naman ako ni Crys upang bilisan ko ang paglalakad.

"Hi guys, welcome to my tutorial," panimula ni Kyron. "Okay, ang corny," bawi niya naman. "Gaya ng turo ko dumapa kayo sa surf board," he instructed. Nandito kami sa bahagi ng dagat na ang tubig ay nasa bandang baywang ko. 

We followed his early instructions at dumapa sa surfboard na inilatag namin sa katubigan.  "Hindi ako magaling magturo, eh. Sundin niyo na lang ginagawa ko," sabi ni Kyron sabay hawak sa batok niya na para bang nahihiya. 

As we began to follow his words, he was giving us gradual instructions. "Throw your chest more, then paddle into the waves."

"Ah! Oh my gosh!" screeched Crystal. "Ayan! Lumalapit na! Time it!" I was not speaking that much, but watching their moves intently because that is how I learn. Sinubukan kong gayahin kung paano nila ginawa ang mga bagay. 

"Tandaan niyo 'to. Mahal ko kayo kahit sa susunod kong habang buhay," pagdadrama ni Theo kahit last time naman ay magaling siya. Pa-humble raw muna ganoon. 

"Boo," sagot ni Vin sa kaniya. "Time the wave, stand up and ride the wave," payo pa ni Kyron. 

As soon as the wave approached us, sinubukan naming tumayo pero nahulog kaming lahat maliban kay Kyron. Malayo layo na siya nang nakita niyang nahulog kami at dahil lumingon siya sa amin, nahulog na rin siya. 

Ngayong lahat kami ay nahulog, wala kaming nagawa kundi ang tumawa. 

Nagpunta muli kami sa pampang after our failed attempt. "Ang alat!" reklamo ni Vin.

"Magtaka ka kung mapait," pamimilosopo ni Kyron. "Isa pa!" Crystal was surprisingly enthusiastic without her usual KJ and maarte vibes. Ganiyan ba pag-birthday girl?

Speaking of her birthday, I hope everything will turn out fine.  

Matapos magpahinga, sumubok kami nang sumubok. "This is annoying," reklamo ko. Why am I not natural with things?

Tatambay na lang sana ako sa buhanginan pero hinila pa nila ako para sumubok ulit dahil huwag daw akong KJ. Wala naman akong nagawa kaya sumunod na lang ako. Sumubok ulit kami at nahulog muli sa pampitong subok maliban kay Vin.

"GG, noobs," he jokingly said as he let his body and board ride the crashing waves. "Wow, mahulog ka sana," sabi ko. Maya maya naman ay nahulog na nga siya dahil hindi niya pa ito ganoon kagamay. 

Pumunta siya sa direksyon namin. "Ako naman magtuturo sa inyo."

Ilang oras na rin ang lumipas mula nang makarating kami dito, and we were still trying to ride the wave. It was difficult for me, but I guess they are stubborn enough to try more dahil sayang naman. "Maintain your balance and act as if the wave is your setting ground," pagtuturo sa'min ni Ky. 

Naghanda kami sa paparating na alon and we didn't notice that we are finally joining the waves! I did not know how to maintain it. In the end, I spread my arms, embracing every droplet of water carried by the strong wind.  

"Oh my gosh! I did it!" Crystal shrieked. Muntik na siyang matumba pero naagapan 'to ni Vin at sumakay sa board niya. 

"Yie!" pang-aasar namin. "Napakalandi!" Inismidan lang kami nila. 

I immediately sense a change in how the waves are coming. Palaki ito nang palaki. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. I nearly fell nang maramdaman kong may umangkas sa surfboard ko. At hinawakan ang mga kamay ko mula sa likod.

"Kalma lang," Kyron said to my ears. "A-alright." How can I calm down?! 

"Maglandian pa kayo sa harap ko. Sige," singit ni Theo. Lumingon kami ng kasama ko sa board kay Theo, causing us to lose balance, causing us to fall into the water.

Nagtinginan na lang kami at natawa mula sa kashungahan namin. Nagpunta na lang kami sa pampang para makapagpahinga.

"Nakakapagod!" We rested for a while and ate the food we brought. Ngayon ay nakahiga na lang kami sa buhanginan at nagkwekwentuhan ng kung ano ano. Napansin naming wala pang alas dos nang matapos kami. It seems like time really is slow when you are enjoying it. Theo stood up from sitting. 

"Doon tayo!" He pointed to the mountain-like structure from the distance. Ito ang bundok na siyang tanaw mula sa resort. It was tall enough to be seen, but it has a reasonable height for it to be a diving area. "Tara. Game kayo?"

"Game!" We did not even hesitate except for Crystal. "Isn't that dangerous? Parang it's too high. I mean...." I grabbed her hand this time para makabawi sa panghihila niya mula sa akin. "Sabayan kita," I said with the wink.

"Don't be kind to me. Hindi ako sanay!" I laughed at her response.  "Saan dadaan?" tanong naman ni Vin. "Dito. Sundan niyo ako," sagot ni Kyron at nagsimulang maglakad tungo sa masukal na daan. Naglakad siya na para bang kabisado niya ang mga daanan. 

"Parang kabisadong kabisado mo ang lugar na 'to. Lagi ka ba narito?" I asked. "Hindi naman. Pag bored lang pero wala rin naman ako kasama."

"First time tayo. I feel so honored," sambit ni Theo.

Tinahak namin ang nasabi kong masukal na daan. It was full of bushes like a normal forest, but fewer compared to actual forests even though I haven't really been to one. Hindi ito gaano nakakatakot dahil tanghaling tapat pa lang naman. After a while, we have reached a rocky path which we were supposed to traverse to go up. 

"Dahan dahan. Mabato, ha," sabi sa'min ni Kyron as he was looking at our direction. I saw him look at me, causing me to stumble slightly, but he held my hand. "T-thanks. I can handle."

"Ako rin papi, pahawak ng kamay," singit ni Theo. I just ignored him. Maya maya ay hindi namin napansing nakarating na kami sa tuktok. Kaagad silang sumilip sa baba. "Ang taas pala, gagi," reklamo ni Theo pero bigla naman siyang umatras at tumalon. 

We lined up against the ends of the cliff habang tinatanaw ang kaibigan naming nag-dive. Bigla naman siya umahon at kumaway pa sa amin. May sinisigaw pa siyang hindi namin masiyadong maintindihan. It was somewhere along the lines of "Sumunod kayo."

Nilingon ko ang katabi kong nanginginig. "Tara sabay?" I asked her, smiling. "Dapat lang! You promised me." Sumingit naman sa'min si Vin, grabbing Crystal's hand. I saw Crys trying to hide a smile, causing me to smile at the gesture as well. "Ako rin, sama!" singit ni Ky sa amin.

"On the count of three. One, two--" Nakita kong humigpit ang hawak nila sa kamay ng isa't isa. Hay, ang landi! Umiling ako habang nakangiti. "Wait!" singit ni Crystal. "Medyo kinakabahan pa ako. Time first!" Inalo naman siya ng katabi niya. He can handle her.

"Inggit ka?" Kyron said out of nowhere dahil napansin niyang nakatingin ako sa naglalandian sa tabi namin. "No. Hindi naman ako natatakot," sabi ko, poking my tongue at him. Pagkatapos noon, tumalon na kami sabay sabay. "Game na, ulit?"

"Three. Two. One. Talon!"

It was as if a strong force was pulling my bottom towards the water. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang paghulog namin. I feel more alive than ever. By that moment, I have nothing in my mind but the act of falling and the thrill of doing so. Mabilis kaming bumagsak at nagresulta ito ng malakas na pagtalsik ng tubig. 

As I tried to reach the top upon falling, I noticed how crystalline the water is! It was clear that you can clearly see what's in it. The bottom containing corals and rocks is even seen. 

Pagkaahon namin ay lumagoy kami patungo sa isa't isa. "That was so--" I screamed "So intense!" Ang tagal ko nang hindi nararamdaman ang ganitong kapanabikan. Since camp, I haven't experienced that much risk, excluding escaping of course. However, this one was different from before because for once it a risk that makes me win both bets. I was happy, eitherways. 

"Hoy, sino 'tong nanghihila?!" sigaw ni Vin. "G*go ka, Theo!" Tumawa kami mula roon. Nagbasaan kami at lumangoy nang lumangoy na para bang hindi kami panandaliang naninirahan malapit sa dagat. 

"Are you having fun?" the annoying guy once again asked, appearing from my side. "You don't have to check on me. Nasa labas tayo. I am not your responsibility outside the camp." Nagkibit balikat lamang siya. "What? You care or something?" I said as a joke. He did not answer me though and just splashed me with water. Bumawi naman ako. 

Nagtungo kami sa may mababaw na lugar at naglaro ng chicken fight. It was boys against girls. And we won! Mine and Crystal's teamwork is the best even though we argue a lot. 

The whole afternoon was like that. Lumangoy at lumangoy kami. We played the water as if the whole beach was ours. It was an endless exchange of water and laughter, both rippling together with the enticing sea waves. We were too invested with the thought of the island that we did not even notice the sky turning in a deeper shade of purple, hinting at a transition to a night sky.

Nagpunta kami sa mga tent namin. Nag-setup kami ng lutuan ng barbeque pati na rin ang mag uupuan namin. Nang magsimulang maluto ang inilagay namin, naglabas ng gitara si Kyron na dala niya.

"Wait lang may kunin ako. Pahawak muna," sabi niya. "Pa-try," I said, shyly. I saw amusement in his eyes habang ipinapasa sa akin ang gitara. I am not professional, but I had slight experience. "Wow. Guitarist?" they teased. "Hindi. Mema lang," I said with subtle truth. It was ages since I last tried! Ginamay gamay ko pa ito at nag-strum pa. Para namang shunga ang mga kasama kong sigaw nang sigaw kada strum ko! Bumalik naman si Kyron matapos niyang ayusin ang nagulo sa tent dahil sa hangin at nakisali pa siya sa pang-aasar.

"Any request?" sumakay ako sa biro nila. "Kahit ano! Summer vibes sana," request ni Crystal.

Kinuha ko ang capo na nakasipit sa headstock ng gitara at inilagay iyon sa pangalawang fret. I tried my best to recall the songs I have studied before. 

Killing me slow, out the window

I'm always waiting for you to be waiting below

Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes

What doesn't kill me makes me want you more

"Wow! Taylor?!" Crystal said like a fangirl. Nagulat naman akong sumabay sa pagkanta ko ang mga kasama ko at alam nila ang kanta. 

And it's new, the shape of your body

It's blue, the feeling I've got

And it's ooh, whoa, oh

It's a cruel summer

It's cool, that's what I tell 'em

No rules unbreakable heaven

But ooh, whoa oh

It's a cruel summer

With you

"Guys, may kunin lang ako," paalam ni Ky. Kumindat siya sa akin. Ibig sabihin noon ay kukunin niya ang cake.

"Anong mayroon sa inyo?" Theo asked out of nowhere towards Crystal. 

"Huh?! Ano 'yan, Theo? Hot seat?" she asked defensively. 

"Oo nga, ano mayroon?" dagdag ko sa tensyon, placing the guitar beside me. Naghalumbaba pa nga ako para complete chismosa vibes. 

"MU," Vin said, finally. 

"Anong label 'yan?" I laughed. 

"Psh. We like each other, but we don't want to take it to the other level," nahihiyang sabi ni Crystal. "No pressure."

"Okay." At least, may progress. 

"Eh kayo?" dagdag na tanong ni Theo. The audacity?

I am a straightforward person. Alam ko kung kailan magsasabi ng hindi pero ngayon alam kong hindi iyon ganoon kasimple. "I-I don't know."

"May feelings ka ba?"

"I-I don't know as well." Maybe, I never really thought of that! 

I guess there's something holding me back. 

I broke out of my trance nang mapansin kong mag-uumaga na. "All nighter. Let's go!" we cheered. Bigla namang lumitaw na si Kyron na ang tagal inayos ang cake. 

Everyone looked at his direction. Dahil doon, nagsimula akong kumanta, "Happy Birthday to you!"

"Happy Birthday to you!" sumabay naman ang mga kasama namin na kasama rin sa surprise. 

We, then, looked at our birthday girl. She was shocked, but it was not the surprised look we wanted to see. It was different.  Her eyes were suddenly empty. "What is this?"

"Sinabi mo noong lasing ka na birthday mo, so--" I tried replying, but she immediately cut it. 

"I-I--" She was trembling. "I'm sorry." Nabigla kami nang tumakbo na lang siya.

"Crystal!"

She ran swiftly towards the forest. Mabilis siya at madilim na rin kaya hindi namin masiyadong nasundan kung saan siya nagtungo. 

I want to blame myself for meddling again, but regrets at that time were off the table. Dahil ngayon, ang mahalaga na lang ay mahanap siya. 

"Guys. Sa tingin ko, dapat at least may magkakasama sa atin baka lalong may mawala--" Kyron was explaining something, but I immediately went to a direction. Hindi ko na siya napakinggan, I should be logical right now, but I am head empty, solely wanting to find my.. friend. Tinahak namin ang kagubatan. I opened the flashlight na hawak hawak ko ngayon.

"Crystal!" Our voices dominated the night. It was echoing with concern. "Crystal!"

This is my fault for meddling with her business! I am really really sorry. I just wanted to help her, but it turned out bad. 

"Crystal!" I shouted. 

Napatigil naman ako nang may narinig akong iyak. It was familiar. Of course, I know how her cries sound like. She's my roommate! She has been with me the longest.

And there she was, sulking. She was on the corner of a huge tree, hugging her knees. Hindi ko ganoon siya maaninag pero ramdam kong umiiyak siya.

I tried to talk to her, but she was muttering the same words again and again. "They betrayed me! They betrayed me!" 

"Who?" I asked. 

"My closest friends! They betrayed me on the day of my birthday. I hate this."

My arms acted on their own. I wrapped them around her, giving her the warmness she needed in the cold night of her birthday. 

"Calm down," I whispered.

"We won't betray you."