I pulled my wrist away. "Can you please stop doing that? Please stop touching me without permission."

He nodded, stepping away, looking apologetic. "Sorry."

I heaved a sigh, deflating, also feeling sorry for how curt I was being.

"What is it? What do you want to tell me?" I asked.

I schooled my expression even though numerous questions were already running through my head.

He wanted to talk?

About what, exactly?

About doon sa naging feud nila ni Kuya? Or hindi kaya dahil awkward ang atmosphere between us? Or just about the Youth Camp?

Huminga siya nang malalim at mukhang magsasalita na.

But then . . . damn.

Biglang may whistle na pumutol sa kanya. Napabaling ako do'n sa field. The students were already gathering with their teams.

I caught Angelo's eye and he made a gesture na parang tinatawag na kami.

Lumingon ako pabalik kay Racel. "Magsisimula na yung hunt."

He frowned. "Sunod na lang tayo."

"'Di pwede. Walang kasama si Angelo." I added hastily, "We can do this later. It can wait."

Mukha siyang reluctant at unwilling. But still, tumango siya at kasabay kong nagpunta sa field kung nasaan si Angelo. The staff were meeting pa sa harap, with Christelle and Melissa.

"Finally. I thought wala na kayong balak sumali," Angelo told us.

Walang sumagot sa 'min. Angelo just raised a curious brow. I told him to drop it with a shake of my head. Fortunately, he did.

Not long after, Christelle began to announce the mechanics of the treasure hunt.

There were different treasures scattered across the maze and we only need to find seven. Bale may color coding so kung anong kulay ang nabunot mo, yung items na ganung kulay lang din ang dapat na kunin mo. There were different routes, and syempre dahil maze nga, may dead ends. Ang thrill here was, what if nasa dead end routes pala yung treasure? Syempre, may time limit din 'to so pabilisan makalabas at yung last twenty teams na mahuhuli, may corresponding punishment. Yikes!

Exciting sana kaso yung dalawang kagrupo ko naman . . .

"You pick," Angelo said, nudging me, when Christelle went over to us, holding the box.

I did as told, and we ended up with the color red. Tas, may nakasulat na 'heart' do'n. My brows furrowed as I read it.

"What does this mean?" I asked Christelle.

"'Sorry, I don't know either. Hindi ako yung nag-isip ng game," sagot lang niya.

Inabutan kami ng tatlong flash light and in no time, we were set for the maze. Right before entering though, binigyan kami ng whistle just in case of an emergency. Madilim na rin kasi.

"This is really an odd team," Angelo commented pagkapasok namin sa maze. "When your brothers find out about this, they'll flip. And you, dude, will be dead," sabi niya.

"Dude, quit it," pagpigil ko habang pinasadahan lang siya ng bored na tingin ni Racel. As expected.

"But you gotta love coincidences. Makes everything fun."

One thing na maganda dito sa set up namin, nakakaaliw si Angelo. Hindi ako masyadong natatakot sa dilim. Good thing na rin na medyo kabisado na ni Racel yung maze kaya hindi na rin kami nangangapa. But the maze was still difficult and what if the treasures were hidden sa dead end routes?

We just turned to the left when Angelo did something weird.

"Jamieee V," he suddenly said in a creepy voice while directing the light toward his face. "Jamieee V."

Natawa ako sa kanya. "You look ridiculous."

"You're scared na 'no?"

"Why would I be scared?"

"Andrei told me you're a scaredy cat."

"Kahit hindi?"

"Really?" Angelo made that annoying sound again, pointing the light back to his face, "Jamieeeee V."

I lightly hit him in the arm. "You know, kesa kinukulit mo 'ko, why don't you just help us find the treasures kaya?"

"So takot." He snickered. "If you get scared, kapit ka lang sa 'kin." He flashed a wink.

"Do you always do this?" Racel interjected.

"Alin?" sabay namin sagot.

"This. Talk nonsense while doing an important activity," simple niyang sagot as if 'di niya kami ininsulto just now.

Did he just subtly call us idiots?

"We're in a game, dude. What do you expect?" Angelo answered coolly. "We can have fun. Not everyone has to be as uptight as you are."

"I have a different definition of fun," Racel told him in a bored tone, without looking at us.

"Oh? What kind of fun?" I heard a challenge somewhere in there.

This time, he looked at Angelo dryly. "Not like yours, certainly."

"No doubt about that." Angelo said, as if implying something, and let out a smug grin.

Obviously, the conversation was going wayward. Angelo was trying to rile him up while Racel naman, again obviously, was starting to get annoyed. 'Di ko na sila pinansin.

Biglang huminto si Racel. I looked at where he was looking and saw that the path forked into three different directions.

"Where tayo?" I asked.

"Left."

"Right."

"Okay, center it is," I declared.

'Di ko na sila hinintay. Dumiretso na ako papuntang gitna. So no choice sila para sumunod kaysa magreklamo.

Angelo looked uncertain. "Sure ka ba dito?"

"Gut feeling."

He smiled. "Okay, you're the boss."

But not really. Sa red na papel kasi kanina, may nakalagay na heart. I just assumed na it was a clue.

Hindi pa man kami nakakalayo, bigla naman akong napatid sa tali. Kung 'di pa ako nasalo ni Racel, malamang nasubsob na ako. What the fuck? A trap? Here? There's a trap in the maze?

"Easy," Racel whispered into my ear.

Nagtindigan ang mga balahibo ko.

I looked up to him as he balanced me back to my feet. Hindi ko siya masyadong maaninag kasi madilim but damn, if his fair complexion wasn't so beautiful in the dark. Good genes.

Just behind us, narinig kong sumipol si Angelo at nagsabing nahanap niya na yung first treasure. I quickly distanced myself from Racel and went there to look.

What I saw left me speechless. What on earth?

"This game is weird as fuck," komento ni Angelo habang pinagmamasdan yung item.

I started laughing when he picked up the sanitary pad from the box.

"Who thought of this game? They even painted it red," kunot-noo niyang sabi, sabay pasa sa 'kin ng item.

Tumatawa pa rin ako nang nilagay ko 'yon sa tote bag na pinadala rin sa 'min kanina.

"Let's go," sabi lang ni Racel, and we set off again.

"Nice. Your intuition is strong, a?" praised Angelo.

Racel glanced at me. "How did you know where to go?"

"Yung clue kanina, heart 'di ba?" I explained briefly, "Core, meaning center."

Angelo's mouth turned into an 'o'. Racel nodded, looking impressed.

Ilang segundo lang, we hit dead end kaya bumalik pa kami. Sinubukan namin yung left route pero dead end din kaya nagmadali na kami papunta do'n sa kanan. Nasa may bungad lang yung second item kaso may nagbabantay. In a way, parang obstacle race na rin pala ito. Wow, Melissa really thought this game through. Amazing!

Merong makeshift basketball hoop na nakadikit sa may pader. As explained, kailangan namin maka-shoot ng fifteen points bago namin makuha yung second item, which was, by the way, a red jersey.

Pinagmasdan ko yung set up no'ng hoop. One wrong move at pwedeng sa pader tumama yung bola. Medyo masikip dito kaya mahirap umiwas kung sakaling mag-bounce back. But I wasn't that worried. Tinuruan ako maglaro ni Kuya Jacob.

"I'll go first," Angelo volunteered.

"Kaya mo ba?" pang-aasar ko.

"'Ye of little faith," he replied, laughing, and took the ball from the facilitator.

Bago mag-shoot si Angelo, hinatak ako ni Racel papunta sa likod niya, confusing me.

Ngumisi si Angelo sa ginawa niya. "No need to do that, bro. 'Di lang ikaw ang three-pointer dito."

Turned out, 'di pala nagyayabang lang yung kumag. He did shoot the five points perfectly well.

I was amazed. Swimmer and a basketball player? Not bad, a.

"Marunong ka palang mag-basketball?" tanong ko sa kanya when he was done.

"Why, turn on ba?"

Yeah. I totally saw that coming.

"Pervert."

Tumawa lang ulit siya.

Racel was next. As expected, he shot five consecutive points without flair. Centaur King indeed.

When it was my turn, sabay silang tumitig sa 'kin as if they were dubious.

"Marunong ka ba?" tanong ni Racel.

Angelo didn't say anything but he was grinning at me.

"Ang yabang n'yo naman. 'Di man ako kasing galing n'yo pero I can at least shoot," defense ko.

"Sige nga. Sample nga," Angelo challenged.

Hinawi ko siya at kinuha yung bola. I focused and shot. Umikot muna 'yon sa hoop . . . and then . . .

Shit.

Missed.

Tumawa si Angelo. "That's okay, Jamie V. You can try again."

Natanaw kong napangiti rin si Racel sa nangyari.

Frowning, I ignored them. And tried another shot. Sa sobrang frustration ko sa pagtawa nila, I threw it without much focus and the traitor ball immediately hit the wall and bounced back.

Racel stepped in and caught it bago pa tumama sa 'kin.

"Fix your form," bulong niya.

Namula ako sa kahihiyan. Ngumuso ako at 'di siya pinansin. I glared at the hoop, focusing, and did another shot. This time, fate didn't betray me. Pumasok 'yon. And so did the fourth and fifth.

"'Nice! Two na lang! Almost there, babe."

"Keep it up."

"Stop jinxing me kasi!"

Sixth and seventh, pasok din. Agad inabot sa 'min ng nagbabantay yung second item.

Angelo clapped. "Ayos 'yon, a. Warm up lang pala yung una? How do you know how to play?"

"My brothers played with me din naman noon from time to time."

"Weh?" he said, tilting his head. "A girl like you? Playing hoops? With your brothers?"

"Anything wrong with that? Saka naglalaro din kami madalas ni Lhyle sa malls 'pag free cut."

Pag bored kami, madalas kaming tumatambay sa Quantum para maglaro. Kadalasan naman, on point ako. Nakakainis lang talaga 'tong mga kasama ko. Mga malas.

"Lhyle?" sabat ni Racel. "Lhyle Fuentez?"

Oh. Oo nga pala. Magkakilala nga pala sila.

"Yeah."

"You're friends with him?"

"Bestfriends, actually."

He made a thoughtful face before nodding. Then we set off again.

"Bestfriend or boyfriend?" bulong sa 'kin ni Angelo after he caught up beside me.

Naramdaman ko ang tingin ni Racel, parang hinihintay din ang sagot ko.

"Boyfriend."

Napahinto si Angelo at kumunot ang noo. "'Di nga?"

Napansin kong huminto rin si Racel, nakaangat ang mga kilay.

I couldn't help it. Napatawa ako sa reaksyon nila.

"Joke lang. As if naman."

"Yeah, as if. I was gonna ask why Jacob let that, when he's so overprotective of you pa naman?" Angelo was saying.

I laughed at his remark. "Kaya nga wala. Coz walang makalusot. He's scaring everyone off."

Napailing lang siya. "Damn De Villa standards."

We continued the hunt. I tried to be very vigilant lalo na at baka may ma-miss kami. Mahirap na. We checked every nook and cranny, not leaving out a single place. Kakagano'n namin, ilang beses kami napunta sa dead end. It stalled us, pero ayos na rin. Nakahanap kami ng three items, thanks to Racel's keen eyes.

Now, we're off for the sixth item.

"How's Andrei and Paul doing lately?" I heard Angelo ask, bago ko naramdaman ang pag-akbay niya sa 'kin.

"What do you mean?" I looked at him curiously.

"Last I heard, Paul is going nuts for this girl."

"Wait. They told you about it?"

"About Denise?" sabi niya. "Yeah. I was there when they first met."

Napatingin ako sa kanya. By the minute, my curiosity over their friendship was increasing. How come I never heard of this guy kung sobrang close pala sila?

"What?" he said, broadening his smile. Naglabasan na naman ang mga dimples niya. "I told you I'm tight with them. If you want, pwede rin naman with you."

I playfully pushed him away with my knuckles. "Pass. I don't charmers like you."

"You think I'm charming?"

"Can't we stay focused for a while?" pagputol ni Racel sa amin. Paglingon ko sa kanya, napansin ko ang talim ng tingin niya. "You two are too loud."

I knew for a fact that we weren't loud but he did have a point. We're distracted. Ang laking distraction kasi ni Angelo.

"Sorry," I muttered.

Angelo just chuckled and shrugged.

Bumalik ako sa paghahanap ng item when I felt a tap on my back. I raised a brow at Racel.

"Not there."

May tinuro siya.

True enough, nandoon na si Angelo, trying to grab the dangling red christmas ball from a makeshift pine tree.

"Hey, wait!" sigaw ko bago niya hablutin 'yon. "Baka may trap."

"Imposible."

He suddenly pulled at it.

Then-biglang nag-squirt na tubig mula sa puno papunta sa mukha niya.

"The fuck!" sigaw niya, sabay punas sa mukha.

I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing. "'Yan kasi."

I saw Racel smirking at him.

I went closer to Angelo and handed my handkerchief. He took it and wiped his face.

"What the fuck is this? Apple juice?" iritado niyang sabi.

"Ang kulit mo kasi."

He scowled at me. But then, his expression suddenly brightened up. "Ang bango ng panyo mo, Jamie V."

Before I could react, Racel cut us off, "Tara na."

I counted our items. Isa na lang ang kulang namin. So far we got a red jersey, apple, red christmas ball, napkin, red ballpen, and a red book.

We were only missing one item now. Lumayo ako sa dalawa para mas malawak ang coverage namin at mas mapabilis kami.

"We're near the exit," Racel told us when we made another turn.

"Already?" said Angelo. "We're missing an item. You don't think we missed a route here?"

"I don't think so."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "How are you so sure?"

He pointed his gaze to the right. And there it was, a heart sticker with a halo and wings. Paglapit namin, nabasa ko ang nakasulat na 'home' sa taas ng picture.

"I don't get it. This is the last item?" Angelo said, looking confused.

"No. It must be a clue," Racel responded.

Wait. Halo and wings? Angel? Home? What did it mean . . . ?

Angelo shrugged. "Then what is that supposed to be, heaven?"

Napatingin kami sa kanya.

"Paano mo nasabi?"

"Wild guess."

I thought about it. Possible nga. Baka nga. But then, so what? Now what?

Racel suddenly glanced up, to the heavens, and then . . . Hoshet! I saw the final item! It was there, atop the maze wall.

"Ang taas. Kaya n'yo bang abutin?" I asked kahit na alam ko na ang sagot. It was too high. Kahit silang mga titans, hindi abot 'yon.

Right then, yumuko si Racel at tumango sa 'kin as if silently telling me to step on his back. Seryoso ba siya?

Tinapik ako ni Angelo sa likod. "Dali na. We're running out of time."

Point there. I removed my shoes and carefully stepped on him. Angelo was balancing me with his hands as I tried to reach for the item.

The last treasure was none other than a red puzzle. Inalalayan ako pababa ni Angelo at mabilis na namin na-solve yung puzzle.

"Tapos na! Let's go!"

Kumaripas na kami palabas. Sinalubong kami ng palakpak na nagmula sa mga staff at mga nauna ng estudyante. We came out in seventh place.

Lumapit si Christelle para picturan kami.

"Pang-ilan kayo?" tanong ko.

"Second," sabi niya. "Smile."

It was quick kaya 'di na ako nakaangal pa. Sana lang 'di awkward ang mga hitsura namin. We returned the items afterward. I felt someone staring at me while I was depositing the treasures. Alam kong si Racel 'yon. Now that the game was over, he was going to talk.

But no such luck. Tinawag na ako ni Ahron. Angelo excused himself na rin dahil tinawag na rin siya ng mga kabarkada niya Tapos na rin sina Shane sa game.

"Kamusta?" bungad agad ni Ahron sa 'kin nang umupo ako sa tabi niya. She was referring to Racel and me.

"Exhausting."

Natawa siya. "For sure."

My eyes wandered back to where Racel was. Kausap niya si Christelle, doon pa rin sa bandang exit ng maze. Maybe he forgot about the talk after all?

Well, better. Mas mainam na rin 'yon.

We idled habang hinihintay na matapos ang iba. Matagal-tagal din kaming naghintay. Nang napupuno na kami sa field, lumipat na kami ni Ahron kung saan wala masyadong tao.

James was roaming around, taking a video of the people and the field. I forgot to mention. Vlogger nga pala ang isang 'to.

Nag-hi kami sa kanya nang dumaan siya sa 'min. Huminto siya sa grupo nina Gwen na nakatayo not too far from us.

Maya-maya pa, lumapit na sa 'min sina Joseph at Camille. Joseph was spouting curses dahil mukhang nabuhusan siya ng violet paint sa damit. Tawa lang nang tawa si Cam.

At around nine, the end of the game was officially over. And then, we were free to do na as we pleased before lights off. Nagkayayaan na kami bumalik sa cabins.

"Wait."

We stopped and turned around. Kinabahan ako nang makitang si Racel 'yon. Mukhang seryoso talaga siya.

"Hey," he told me. "I told you we need to talk." He swept his gaze over my friends. "Alone," dagdag niya.

I saw the surprised looks on my friends' faces. Si Joseph naman, nakatingin lang sa 'kin in surprise and disbelief.

Ahron raised a brow and crossed her arms. "We're not going anywhere, Gutierez."

Racel ignored what she said and fixed his hooded eyes on me. "I'm not going anywhere either."

I heaved a deep breath. This guy didn't know when to give up.

Okay, fine. Sige na. Pagbibigyan ko na 'to kaysa paulit-ulit kaming ganito. Mas malaki ang chance na may makakita sa 'min at mag-isip ng kung ano-ano kung patatagalin ko pa.

I looked at Ahron and the others. "Five minutes."

They just nodded and then they walked back to the direction of the cabins. Racel brought me to a corner in the field where we wouldn't be seen. Natatakpan kami ng mga hedges. I had this theory that he did it more for me than for him.

"Five minutes."

"I want to explain," he said in a deep voice, his eyes set on mine, reading me.

"Explain what?" I pressed just to be sure.

"You know what I'm talking about."

So I was right. He was referring to his fight with my brother.

"You don't have to explain anything to me though."

"But I want to," sincere niyang sagot. "I know it's been bothering you. You're pissed at me. I can tell."

"Of course," mabilis ko ring sagot. "You hit my brother."

He sighed. "I'm sorry. I know you heard about what I did. But I had to do it."

I paused at his apology. Did he really just say sorry to me? But then he followed up with 'I had to do it'?

I raised a brow, crossing my arms. "Why are you saying sorry to me if you don't see anything wrong with what you did naman pala?"

He sighed. "Because I am," malumanay niyang sinabi.

"Okay, sige. Let's say that you are. But then, what are you sorry for?"

"I . . . " He paused, contemplating for a few seconds. Nakita ko ang gulo ng isip niya sa mga mata niya. Huminga ulit siya nang malalim. "Hindi ko alam. I just . . . I just am."

That unnerved me far more than it should have.

"You're sorry but you don't know why and what for?" I said in disbelief.

He's playing with me. Damn it.

Damn you, Racel Gutierez. Damn you and your contradictions. Damn you and that fight with my brother. Damn you for being nice and annoying.

Damn it all.

"No," I finally said. Nagsisimula na akong makaramdam ng migraine dahil sa nangyayari. "You're not sorry at all. You know why? Because if you are, 'di mo gagawin 'yon in the first place or at least, si Kuya ang kakausapin mo. I know I'm out of this. Alam ko rin na hindi ko alam ang nangyari at nangyayari sa pagitan ng mga grupo n'yo, but whatever it is, kahit na 'di ako kasali, I'm still their family. You understand what I'm saying, right? You don't need to apologize to me too. You don't owe me anything."

Tahimik lang siya. His eyes were gentle but filled with emotions I couldn't read.

Hindi siya sumagot sa sinabi ko, and I realized we were going nowhere with this conversation. At ano ba kasing in-expect ko? Did I expect na mangangako siyang ititigil na niya kung ano man ang mayroon sa kanila ng mga kuya ko?

I was confused.

I was confused and affected. And it should stop.

I shouldn't be this bothered and I seriously shouldn't lose my cool over this-him.

I sighed in frustration, massaging my aching head. "Let's just stay away from each other," I declared.

Malinaw na nagulat siya sa sinabi ko. Was that really unexpected? What did he want from me anyway?

"It's really awkward on my part kasi, e," tuloy ko. "Anyway, after nito we don't need to talk anymore. Staying away shouldn't be so hard to do."

"We can try and work this out," he said calmly, but I could see he was already frustrated.

"And then what? Be friends? Is that what you really want?"

I shouldn't have but my voice raised a notch.

"Please, let's drop the act na. Stop acting so ambiguous with me when you have an ongoing feud with my brother. I'm sorry. Alam kong 'di ako kasali and I acknowledge that my brother has his own share of flaws too but I can't just pretend it's not happening. I know I'm not Kuya but I just can't put your feud aside. It doesn't work that way, e. So me too. I'm sorry, too, but I don't think we can be friends."

I understood now why I was so bothered all this time. I felt betrayed. But what was I thinking? Na porket nagkasama kami sa pag-aayos nitong Youth Camp, hihinto na lang suddenly yung dispute nila ni Kuya? Sino ba 'ko? Ano ba kami? We were barely friends.

I left him there.

I knew that was the right thing to do. The right thing to say.

But damn. Why was I feeling so damn guilty now?