Chapter 4

Before we move on to our next destination, I've thought of looking for some clothing shop near the area so we can just change and so we can continue our trip in the temple since we're already here, we just have to find some stuff to patch the problem and viola, it would be resolved. Pero sana gano'n nga lang kadali ang lahat.

Si Heikenz ang naghahanap sa amin ng shop since he knows the place better than us. But as we keep looking for some shops, mas napalalayo kami sa lugar na ipinunta namin kaya in the end ay sinabihan na lang namin si Heikenz na tumuloy na lang do'n sa next destination namin since we can still go back here some other day.

"First day na first day, a?" iritadong usal ni Caro. Nakuha pa nitong humalukipkip.

Matapos niyang ipa-rebond ang kanyang afro-hair, she becomes meaner than ever. Kulang na lang lalaitin niya buong pagkatao ko—para bang hinuhubaran niya ako sa mga hurtful words niya, but I know she has no interest in seeing my dick. Hindi ko rin naman bet 'yong kanya.

"Hayaan mo na, pagbigyan na natin. May fault din naman kasi tayo."

"If he just told us earlier, 'di ba?" matabang nitong sagot sa akin.

I couldn't argue more with her since it would just blow up into something I don't have time to deal with.

Nang nilingon ko si Heikenz ay may kausap muli ito sa kanyang phone though I can see in his face na nahihiya on how things went. I left Caro for a moment saka ko nilapitan si Heikenz. I waited for him to finish his call then he puts his attention on me.

"That was my friend," he said, a little bit of hope was present in his tone. "We're good to go. Are you ready?" Tumango naman ako sa kanya. "What about your friend?"

"Oh, she's ready."

"I see..." He slowly nodded his head. "I'm really sorry that this happened. I should've known better."

I reached his shoulder and caressed it softly. "No, Heikenz. You don't have to apologize for that. We should've known better as well. Culture and stuff are what we studied back then and now we're just being ignorant so... it's not your fault. It's us so don't blame yourself."

"Okay... maybe you can just cut your payment to me like half. That's fine with me. That's for the inconvenience I made."

He pressed his lips together forming a little smile that I know he still felt some regrets.

"Caro! Halika nga!" pagtawag ko rito.

Tinaasan pa ako ng kilay nito bago siya tuluyang lumapit sa akin.

"Yes?" tanong nito.

"Heikenz said we'll be going to our next destination na. May angal ka ba?"

Nanliit ang mata ni Caro. "Do you want me to say it pa ba?"

"It's okay, ma'am," ani Heikenz. "I know I made a mistake... don't worry, I'll bring you to someplace you'll enjoy more."

I felt so bad hearing Heikenz, but on the other hand, it's still his job to inform us on what to do and what's not. Pero tao lang naman siya at nagkakamali. Masyado lang judger itong si Mareng Caro.

In the end, we just took a cab and headed to our next destination. Mahaba-haba pa naman ang araw at marami pang pwedeng gawin. I believe a week is enough to enjoy the city and we need a whole year to enjoy the country, but we're just here for a quick vacation at pagbalik namin ay balik kayod sa trabaho.

Caro types something on her phone and then she showed me what's on the screen.

I'll give this boy a chance and if it still doesn't go well, 'wag na tayong tumuloy with him tomorrow, alright?

Tumango na lang ako sa request niya. But I believe he won't fail us this time. Mahaba-haba pa naman ang araw and we've got still time to do a lot of things. At sa tingin ko, hindi naman gano'n kabilis ang one week so we'll be able to enjoy it while it lasts.

It only took us fifteen minutes when we finally reached the place he's talking about.

"We're here," he announced. I was about to pay for the cab when Heikenz insists to pay for it since he causes trouble with this. Hindi na ako umangal dahil lumabas na rin siya ng sasakyan at saka namin siya sinundan. "We should wait a minute. My friend will be joining us here today."

"Okay, that's fine, Ketch—I mean, Heikenz."

He giggled, nodding his head.

A moment later, may isa namang lalaki ang tumatakbo papunta sa direksyon namin. Nag-apir ang dalawa nang magkalapit silang dalawa. Nagkatitinginan lang kami ni Caro. Hindi ko alam kung anongg tumatakbo sa isipan ng babaitang ito ngayong araw, boylet lang gamot diyan, good mood na agad 'yan.

"Guys, this is Boon-Mee," Heikenz introduced his friend whom Caro seemingly finds funny because of his bowl haircut. "And they are Andrew and Caro... my lovely companion all the way from the Philippines."

"Sawatdee-krap," anito saka nilapat ang palad at yumuko sa amin bilang pagbati niya. "Yin Dee Ti Dai Roo Jaak Koon." (Nice to meet you!)

Nag-usap naman ang dalawa. As much as I've watched tons of Thai series, I still couldn't understand what they were talking about. They have such a unique, cute, and interesting accent which distinctly gave it away to know where they are from.

Muli naman kaming hinarap ni Heikenz na puno ng ngiti ang labi. "You might not know where we are, but we're here at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre!" he announced. "I guess this is a good start for you guys to get to know the country more by experiencing one of the best places to go here in Bangkok."

"Cool! Can we go in na?" Caro asked.

"Of course, let's follow Boon-Mee."

Just like what Heikenz sinundan namin si Boon-Mee which he assisted us on what to do. Naging kampante naman si Caro. Boon-Mee only knows a few English words kaya si Heikenz ang taga-translate nito. Ang namumuo lang sa isipan ko ay bakit nag-call a friend pa si Heikenz when he's a tourist guide and should know everything—O.A. sa everything pero understood naman 'yon, siguro na-pressure lang sa katarayan ni Caro.

We paid for the admission fee just about two thousand five hundred pesos each. No problem naman kami sa gagastusin namin when we all care about enjoying our vacation. Madali lang namin mabalik ang perang ginastos namin, but the experience and the fun won't happen for the second time around—maybe it can happen again pero hindi na katulad ngayon.

There's always a difference between the first and second time—the experience differs but could give somehow the same emotion and that's what matters.

I thought we would pay for Heikenz and Boon-Mee's admission as well, but they told us that we shouldn't worry about it. They just showed their IDs and we entered the premises without a problem.

My mouth was left hanging open when we saw what's inside this place. It looks like a modern mall.

"Puta, bes. 'Di ko in-expect 'to, a!" ani Caro. Kinapitan pa ako nito sa braso ko habang umiikot ang tingin namin sa buong paligid.

"Are you guys ready to see the place around?" Heikenz asked.

We couldn't wait any longer as we started roaming the place. There are four floors inside the museum and there are different sections where we can find something incredible, unique, and new to our eyes.

Heikenz and Boon-Mee joined together discussing to us what we could see and enjoy about this place. I listen to them more intently as I enjoyed all the learnings they're meaning to tell to us. Si Caro naman ay pa-simpleng kumukuha ng pictures even though some areas prohibit taking pictures. Makulit talaga 'tong babaitang 'to. Pasaway.

"This is so pretty, bakla!" Panunulak pa sa akin ni Caro. Muntik pa akong mawalan ng balanse kung wala lang pader sa tabi ko. Pero kung kay Heikenz naman ako babagsak, I would definitely do it all over again. Paulit-ulit hangga't sa ma-fall na rin siya sa akin. Or if that even's a thing.

Feeling ko straight itong si Heikenz and I wouldn't even get a chance on him. Bakit ang asado ko masyado sa kanya? We just met a few hours ago and I'm here... already thinking about our future na may wedding scene na agad na namumuo sa utak ko. That's just abrupt... and kind of assuming of me.

As we're passing hallways with hung paintings and rooms filled with so much culture in them, I think what happened for us earlier is something we never asked for because we're enjoying this museum. We thought this would be boring and bland. Na pulos tingin-tingin lang kami sa paligid, but I'm actually enjoying it that I never thought I would.

"Iniinggit ko si Mareng Cely," ani Caro saka pinaulanan ng pictures ito sa message.

"Grabe ka, girl! Mamaya pumunta 'yon nang biglaan dito, e."

"Asa! 'Yon pa ba? Her hands are full—I mean full-full. Baby is life so she has to take care of it. Teka, nasaan ba ang C.R. dito? Wiwing-wiwi na ako."

"Heikenz," tawag ko sa kanya. "Nalilibugan na raw si Caro."

Agad naman akong sinampal ni Caro sa pisngi. Medyo malakas iyon kaya napatingin ang dalawang magkaibigan sa amin. Literal na nag-echo pa ang pagkasasampal niya sa akin kaya gulat na gulat sila. Though it's normal for both of us, iyon nga lang... nasa harap kami ng mga boylets na 'to.

"Are you okay?" he wondered, creasing his forehead.

Tumango-tango ako. "Yes, don't worry. This is normal between us." Saka ko hinila ang buhok ni Caro at wala siyang nagawa kung hindi ang tanggapin iyon. "Anyway, where's the comfort room? Gusto na raw niya magsarili, e."

"Andrew?!" bulyaw nito sa akin.

"Uy, girl! Mamaya i-kick out tayo rito. Ang lakas ng boses mo," paninita ko pa.

"C̄hạn ca phā khuṇ pị dū h̄̂xng khxmfxr̒th mā kạb c̄hạn," ani Boon-Mee. (I'll show you the comfort room. Come with me.)

"Ano raw?" takang tanong ni Caro.

"Oh! He's showing you the way to the comfort room. Just follow him."

"I see..." Caro said, nodding her head.

"Go, girl! I'm fine here. Ihing-ihi ka na, 'di ba?"

Inirapan niya ako saka siya sumama kay Boon-Mee para pumunta sa comfort room. She just walked beside him. I know he's not her type of guy pero pwede nang mapaamo niyan si Caro for a few hours—days or even a week.

Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Heikenz and we have to wait for them for a few minutes. We stood behind the railings on the third floor of this museum.

"So, how do you find this trip so far?" he asked, a smile forming on his lips seems so attractive—well for me!

"I think this is great," sagot ko. "You've been giving us so much to know about and I must say, I'm learning a lot of things from you. How do you know all the history? Of course, you live here and this is your job, but it seems like you've been living a century already to discuss this to us like a casual conversation, you know what I mean?"

He chuckled, nodding his head. "I actually have a degree in History so basically I've learned it all from school." He scratched the side of his brow at may pasimpleng ngiti pa ito sa akin.

"That's actually good to hear! I didn't know you're a History major... maybe you could surprise me more..." Hagikgik ko pa.

Napakalandi! Minsan hindi ko na lang talaga ma-contain ang feels.

He squinted his eyes, chuckling. "What do you mean?"

I shook my head. "Wala, basta!" Natawa na lang din naman ako dahil hindi ko alam kung paano ko ilulusot ang kaharutan ko.

Pero ayoko ring ma-hurt at the end of the day so I guess this little flirty moments with him is enough for me to take in. Pero ready pa rin naman ako mawarak. Open ako twenty-four-seven... just bring a condom.

"But I hope you're enjoying this and I'm really sorry that we started on a bad note."

Inilingan ko ang sinabi niya. Inabot ko ang balikat niya at pinasadahan ko ng haplos. "Ano ka ba! Don't apologize over and over again. Caro and I are enjoying this tour so you're doing a great job. Don't blame yourself, we know we have a mistake rin so pa-kiss na lang para all in fair na tayong lahat."

"Do you want a kiss?" he wondered.

Nanlaki naman ang mata ko sa tanong niya. At hindi ko rin na-realize na kusang lumabas iyon sa bibig ko and now that I'm covered with so much embarrassment, napaiwas na lang din ako ng tingin mula sa kanya.

Pinalo ko siya sa balikat ng bahagya. "Joke lang! Ano ka ba!" Tawa ko pa pero punong-puno ng kaba ang dibdib ko—at hindi ko alam kung bakit!

Good thing, Caro and Boon-Mee came back on a perfect timing so I hurriedly come at her trying to evade my feelings for this boy. Sa ngitian ko pa lang ay alam na agad ni Caro kung anong pinapahiwatig no'n at kaiibang ngiti rin ang namutawi sa kanya.

"If you want it..." Mas inilapit pa ni Caro sa akin ang labi niya. "Bumukaka ka na..."

"Gaga," bulong ko ring sagot sa kanya. "Hindi pa natin sure... but let's see?"

We both laughed and I think Caro's in a good mood now, but I feel so dumb in front of Heikenz earlier, but I think that kind of interaction broke the ice between us. I can be comfortable around him and I hope hindi na ako madudulas next time baka sa iba na ako dumulas nang tuluyan.

"Let's go, guys? We've still got a lot of stuff to show to you," Heikenz announced and we followed him.

I feel like Heikenz is my own museum, I can watch him all day!

***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Let me know your thoughts! I would appreciate it so much!

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