"Here we are." I was distracted by the noise and shaking of Marz on my shoulder, then I quickly separated from Marc but I was surprised when I was no longer leaning on his chest because the person next to me was gone. Instead, I was already lying on the seat with a pillow on my head.
I looked around and Marz just smiled at me because he caught me looking for something. It's a good thing they were all asleep while we were talking because otherwise, I would have received a teasing session from them.
"He's at the back getting our things." Marz pointed out where Marc is who's helping the bodyguard in putting our bags down from the van. I immediately went down with the twins, then I also took down the other things because there were a lot of things for 3 days stay here in...
My mouth formed an o when my eyes first landed on this heavenly place. From afar are very tall pine trees, and wide hectares of fields below the mountain ranges that were covered by thick fog which made me wonder since it's still 2 pm in the afternoon, how come the fog is this thick?
Eventually, I found myself spinning around by everything my eyes witnessed. This place is marvelous, and it supplied my blood with energy to explore the hidden beauty of the place. The humid air embracing us, everything is what my heart desired to rest all its heartaches.
"Maayadha Pag-uma dinita Lirongan, Talakag, Bukidnon!" My eyes widened in astonishment when all the family members in the house who were wearing red and black cultural outfits with golden sequence symmetrically styled warmly welcomed us like holding a barrio fiesta because of the long table with native foods prepared outside their humble home similar to a budol fight. I did not understand the Lumad language but when I discern the liveliness in their eyes and smiles, I know that it means a warm welcome.
"Maayong Hapon Apo, Ina." Marc paid his respect to the elders of the family who was sitting at the main door of the house and now I understand the black cultural band on their heads that resemble their authority in the family, like the king and queen wearing their crowns as symbol of their power.
But what made me more surprised was their age. I thought they were still in their 60 but hey were 90 years old with a healthy brown complexion and pinkish tint on their cheeks despite the decreasing collagen due to age. We also paid our respect by what Filipino usually do and that is 'pagmamano'
Young ladies and gentlemen of the same age guided each of us into our rooms then after resting our bags inside, we directly went back outside for the welcome celebration. Marc was speaking the language of the Lumads fluently and at the same time, he is our translator.
We enjoyed the freshly-picked vegetables from their farm that they served us and we took pictures in the wide land that Marc's grandparents owned. Apparently, Marz continued her vlog now featuring our arrival in the place and let the Lumad children greet her subscribers using their native language.
Because we were tired from the land travel, we decided to rest after I showed up and shared a little bit of our experience in Marz's vlog. It was still 5 pm here but it looks like night already because of the thick fog covering the surroundings and at the same time, the constant temperature drop in the extremely cold area. The house is made of bamboo and strong wood, the style is plain, and above all, the cold wind is freezing tho we are already wrapped in a sweater and fur jackets.
I was leaning on the window while observing the quiet surroundings because it is not the same as the usual city where even at night there are still many young people going out. I hugged myself to increase the warmth of my body and I immediately covered my mouth when white smoke came out with every breath I took.
I rubbed my palm vigorously and breathe on it then warmed my cold cheeks up. I was holding the trackers in my hand thinking what am I supposed to do, should I throw them away or should I return them to...
"Doesn't your stomach hurt anymore?" I almost jumped out the window when someone spoke behind me. The surroundings are so quiet, Marz and the twins have already fallen asleep and the family we are staying with is also resting. Even though it's far from the city, there is electricity here, but only until 6 to 7 pm, almost all the people are asleep, which in fact I'm not used to, so I'm not sleepy yet, even though my friends are already snoring because of the cold weather.
"Not anymore. Thanks for earlier." I smiled a little then he sat next to me also leaning against the window.
"Do you like the place?" he asked while rubbing his hands to produce heat and then placing it on his cheeks.
"Definitely," I replied shortly, then caught myself staring at my hand holding the tracker.
"Why do you have that?" He frowned at me waiting for my answer.
"I already talked to Jacob and Ivy and... I discovered the truth." I smiled bitterly as I told him partially what happened. "Everything I need to know, everything that keeps me from moving on, and some were... unexpectedly unbearably painful than the day they cheated on me." Tears started to fall again so I immediately craned my neck up to escape his gaze.
I looked up when I felt the warmth of his hand holding mine. What does this mean? I blinked when I felt something strange in my muscles again even though I was very full. Am I having symptoms of oxytocin active secretion again?
"If you need me, I'm here. I'll help you as much as I can." He brushed my hair and let me lean on his chest carefully. I nodded while I was locked in his warm hug, a hug with a little sway as if we were dancing then curiosity started playing in my mind about a name of a woman that I overheard from Daddy. I let go of him hug and faced him in case he knew something and could help me figure out things.
"Marc, what did you and Daddy talk about when you went to his office? Did he mention anything to you about me? Did he mention a woman's name?" He frowned at my sudden questions, my eyes trying to convince him to answer me if there is any.
"Nothing. He just said hello to me and you." He hesitated to answer me which surprised me because he is not usually like that.
Why can't he look into my eyes?
Why do I feel something suspicious as if he won't open it to me even the superficial part?
"Are you sure?" I asked sadly hoping that he would say something but, I didn't get the answer I wanted to hear.
"Do you know Sabrina Fogarty?" He looked at me nervously as if I uttered something that blocked his throat.
"You know what Jess, you need to rest and don't think too much. We're here to mend our pains, we're here to forget and enjoy. Araso? Good night." He was about to turn his back when I pulled the hood of his jacket which made him stagger backward and face me.
"Before you go, I want to return this to you." I opened his palm and placed the 2 trackers on it then I looked deeply into his eyes, still hoping that he will give me an answer but I was hurt when he chose to keep it from me.
"Thank you for helping me and this time, I want to return the favor." I heaved a deep sigh before continuing, "I don't want to wait until I graduate Marc, please tell me the exchange of the deal."
We exchanged a long stare before I decided to step closer to him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheeks. I don't want to pressure him so if he doesn't have an answer yet then it's much better to call this a night.
"Good night," I whispered before walking passed by him. Slowly, I stepped forward and the moment I bat my lashes, he caught my wrist and enveloped me in his arms from the back.
"Can you give me your heart?" Is this the exchange of the deal that he can't disclose to me not until I graduate? I froze when his hug became tighter and my heart doubled in beat, I can feel my blood rushing to my cheeks, I can hear his heart beating then I looked sideways to meet his eyes.
I don't know what to answer, I feel like my tongue is tangled in knots so I let him hug me tighter, listening to every beat of our hearts, feeling each other until he loosens the hug and faced me. His eyes were talking to me, reading what was inside but... I couldn't give him an answer until he turned his back on me and stepped away.
***
"Best! You are zoning out again, maybe you're tired. Let's rest first, guys," Marz called me panting as he was sitting on a rock, turning the face towel he was holding into a fan.
"Seriously? We're not even halfway through the climb." Hazel rolled her eyes and continued climbing the foot of the mountain. As for today's goal, we are going to reach the peak of Mount Kitanglad, isn't it exciting? Jia clung her arms around my shoulder catching her breath then sat on the rock nearby and drank water in her tumbler followed by Hazel who was already panting right now when we were still not yet halfway.
Joyce and Jaypee, the youngest lady and lad in the family spoke with Marc in their native language perhaps asking why my friends stopped. Marc nodded and explained everything to them while the other native young lads who were with us continued climbing effortlessly like it's already their routine walk.
Our driver and bodyguard joined us and they were carrying thick blankets, sleeping mats, and another bag full of food because we were going to spend the night at the peak and come down the next morning.
Marc approached me offering me a bottle of water but I refused because I wasn't thirsty yet so I continued walking. After a while, Hazel followed me holding Jia's hand while Marz chased after me and managed to retouch before continuing his vlog. I almost tripped because I stepped on small stones, but Marc was behind me and was ready to catch me. I didn't want such scenes so I kept my balance and continued walking.
Each of us was wearing a backpack with water and clothes, carrying the tent in one hand and our companions were carrying a piece of banana and wood. All the way, Marz is the loudest among us because of his vlog that explains that he gets short of breath easily because he was laughing so hard that he almost fell down and I pulled him, but it was really good and I was able to hold the wood easily and he was pushed by Marc.
"You know what Marz, just go with Marc. Because if you pull me down, we'll both be in trouble." He blinked at what I said then quickly looked away from Marc and I started walking with the twins.
"Okay best! Are you sure you won't be jealous?!" I waved my hand not looking back and he jumped in excitement boosting his happy hormones to keep going.
We had several stops before stepping to the heart of Mount Kitanglad, and this time, I'm running out of breath yet we were still halfway. I can't imagine that we can be this slow or our destination is just too far and high. Nevertheless, after resting, wiping our sweat, eating snacks, and drinking water, we pushed ourselves to stand and continue the journey.
"Marz! Come on!" Hazel pulled Marz to stand while Jia clutched the monopad from Marz's hand and took over the vlog focusing on the tired Marz.
"Guys, let's continue later, I'm tired." I rushed to Marz when he looked like he's going to faint and so we waited for him until he's okay.
While Marz was gathering energy, I decided to capture the panorama at the heart of Mount Kitanglad. I collected a bunch of pictures already since we started early in the morning despite the very cold weather, and we want to promote this paradise when we got back to the city and have a signal. Obviously, the signal here is really poor so posting it on social media in real-time will be difficult, but you can still send messages and make a call. Although we're still halfway, I can clearly see the wide fields below, the farmers who were cultivating their land while others were getting food for their home consumption.
"Isn't it refreshing to see a broader perspective from up here?" I agreed with Marc's remarks preventing our gazes to cross because I can already feel his secret stares at me that I'm trying to put under control. Not until I'm ready.
"Is there a problem?" I felt him approach me cautiously but I distanced myself from him which stunned him. I can't quite figure out what his reason is for hiding something from me.
Early this morning before everyone woke up, I went to his room to talk to him. Hopefully, he will change his mind. I haven't slept properly last night because I'm dying to know about that woman's name I heard from Daddy and there are a lot of things that keep on bothering me, especially the exchange of our deal. Sadly, he persisted in denying the fact that he knows who I'm pertaining to and that made me... upset and countlessly devastated.
Now, all I want to do is keep a distance from him not until he will confess to me everything he knows. If he's stubborn and so am I.
"NOTHING."