Cari Ramirez

Saturday.

Finally.

Kahapon pa nakahanda ang mga gamit ko. I brought all my essentials but I made sure to pack light. Hindi ko kasi hilig ang magbitbit ng gamit lalo na at may halong trekking. If I could travel with just myself alone, I would. Kaso hindi naman pwede.

For today's trip, I would only bring one bag pack. Nandoon na ang lahat. Casual outfits, cap, shades, toiletries and my gadgets. 'Yon lang. Pero magdadala na rin ako ng paperbag para sa snacks. Knowing Geon, hindi 'yon kakain ng breakfast. And the guy has a huge appetite. Sigurado akong gugutumin 'yon bago pa kami makaabot sa first stop.

Speaking of him, I wondered if he's awake already?

A glance at the clock told me it's 3:35 in the morning. Geon told me he'd pick me up at four. Ilang minuto na lang. Though, I figured there's a high possibility na hindi pa 'yon gising. Knowing his attitude pa naman?

That boy was always fashionably late. I was afraid that this day wasn't an exception.

Para hindi ako mainip, gumawa na lang muna ako ng baon para sa roadtrip mamaya. Nutella sandwiches, para mabilisan lang. I plugged my earphones on and played my Maroon 5 playlist.

I hummed while working, nodding my head to the beat of Goodnight, goodnight. Naalala ko yung days prior today. I stayed in touch with Jill's clique and promised to hang out with them again. Hopefully, soon.

Minutes passed by like that. Mabilis lang ang oras at 'di ko napansin na nag alas-kwatro na pala. I ended up making plenty of sandwiches tuloy.

I heard the doorbell ring.

My smile widened in excitement. He's here!

I checked the clock again. Exactly 4:05.

Himala. He's almost on time.

In a heartbeat, I was outside with my bag, opening the gates. Ready na 'ko. Aalis na lang talaga. At nakapagpaalam na rin ako kagabi kaya 'di ko na kailangang gisingin sina Mommy at Daddy.

Also, I made sure to dress simple today. Just an apricot sleeveless top and white cut-off shorts. Matched with white sandals and black cap. I didn't go for the girly look ngayon since puro lalaki naman ang kasama mamaya. At mababasa lang din naman, so no need. Pwede na 'to. Babawi na lang ako bukas pauwi.

With bubbling excitement, I opened the gate . . .  and my mouth hung open at who I saw.

Napakunot ang noo ko sa kung sino ang nag-aabang sa labas.

What was he doing here?

"Si Geon?" ang una kong tanong, looking around just to be sure.

"Kakagising lang," Andrei De Villa replied simply, shrugging. He was wearing an easy, polite smile on his face as if him being outside our gate was a normal thing.

Geon just woke up? Why was I not surprised?

"So he sent you here instead?" I asked after a second, incredulous.

That meant I was going to ride with him throughout the whole trip. Oh, hell. Okay lang naman sa 'kin na kasabay ko si Andrei. No big deal naman doon pero isang beses pa lang kami nagkakausap, and that wasn't even for an hour. Mahaba ang ride from Quezon City to Laguna at sa takbo pa naman ng isang 'to, he's the type to stay quiet the entire ride. Wala naman problema doon, but I wanted to start this day with fun.

And I imagined that with me having the time of my life in Geon's wheels in one of the best Saturdays ever.

I sighed inwardly and tried to see the good side of this.

Siguro okay na rin yung ganito para mamaya, yung iba na lang ang kikilalanin ko. Less awkward na rin in a way.

"No," Andrei told me. "I volunteered."

I stared at him in surprise. Napatingin na rin ako sa suot niya ngayon. Just a plain navy blue notch-neck long sleeves, a bit pulled around the elbows, with matching silver chain necklace. Bagay sa kanya. It complemented his pale skin.

"Mahuhuli lang kayo kung siya pa susundo sa 'yo," he explained smoothly, "So I volunteered. Magkikita na lang tayo sa Edsa, along with the others."

Ah. He had a point.

"Are you ready? Where are your bags?"

"Ito na," I said, gesturing to my brown back pack. "All set."

"'Yan lang?" he asked, a ghost of a smile playing on his face.

"Yes, is something wrong with that?" I raised a brow.

He just shook his head, still smiling. "Wala naman. You just reminded me of someone," he said as we went to his car.

He opened up the door for me, so I replied to his previous statement. "Who, girl friend mo?" I joked as I climbed into the passenger's seat.

He shook his head, amused, and got in too. "My sister. You remind me of her." He revved the engine and pulled out.

In no time, we were on the road. Sa Edsa kami magkikita kita, near teleperformance. Hindi ko alam kung bakit doon. Nearest place siguro sa lahat. At our pace, we could be there in twenty. No, baka ten lang. Walang traffic, madaling araw pa kasi.

We were quiet, listening to the song. I gotta hand it to him. Maganda ang song choices nya. Slow rock. Perfect for a joy ride. Kung kanina, napangiwi ako at the thought na magdamag akong tahimik lang. Ngayon, okay na 'ko. Para ngang ayoko nang bumaba anytime soon.

I just wanted to enjoy the music. Surprisingly, I liked the silence too. It was comfortable. I guess it was part of his charm, easy silence.

I noticed that he was smiling as well. His fingers were drumming against the steering wheel, to the beat of the music.

While humming the same tune along, I looked outside. The horizon was still dark but was now clearing up because of the dusk. Just imagining the slow brightening of the horizon made me smile in appreciation. It was a picturesque view.

"Paano ka nahilig sa water sport?" Nagulat ako nang magsalita ang kasama ko. Oh. I thought he was gonna be quiet the entire time.

"Hmm, can't say. I just love adventure lang talaga," I replied. "Pero siguro dahil na rin sa parents ko. We celebrate birthdays in the beach 'pag 'di sila busy, a family tradition, if you will.

He looked thoughtful.

"Same. My fam's a sucker for water sports, too."

"Lima kayo, di ba?"

"Yeah."

"Lahat kayo swimmer?"

"No, just me," tipid niyang sagot.

"Oh."

He added, "My youngest brother, Jacob. He's into basketball. Gano'n din yung dalawang nauna sa 'kin. But Kuya Travis is into racing more than anything else."

"So middle child ka pala. Does that suck?" I commented bago ko pa na-register ang sinabi ko.

Tumingin siya sa 'kin briefly, parang natatawa, "Bakit naman?"

"You know what they say about middle children. Is it true?" I asked casually.

He chuckled. "Not with us. My folks aren't always around, but they always make up for the lost time."

"Yeah, same. Gano'n na yata talaga kapag may business."

Ngumiti lang siya. Matapos ang ilang minuto, nakarating na kami sa meeting place. I spotted four guys sa tapat ng mercury drugstore. Bumaba si Andrei, and I followed suit.

"Malapit na si Geon," bungad nung isa. The guy with the mohawk. Katabi niya yung lalaking may bad boy look. "Papunta na rin si France."

"Kung 'di ko pa tinawagan, 'di pa magigising si gago, e," nakangising dagdag naman nung isa.

"What do you expect? He won't be Geon if he's on time," sagot pa nung isa na nakapamulsa lang na nakasandal sa kotse niya.

Tumawa lang si Andrei at sabay-sabay silang tumingin sa 'kin. Sa malapitan, mas napansin ko ang tangkad niya. I reached just until his shoulder.

"These are our friends. Mga nakalaban namin sa competition last year," he began. "This is Jin," Andrei introduced the guy with the mohawk, "Leon," the other guy na nagsalita kanina, "Kal-el," the guy na nakasandal sa kotse niya, "and Steel," the guy with the bad boy look.

"Hi," bati ni Leon. "Leon."

"Finally, a face for the name. I heard a lot about you," sabi ni Steel habang nakangiti.

"Nice to finally meet you," dagdag n'ong Jin.

Tumango lang sa 'kin si Kal-el as if he was saying 'hey.'

"Cari," I said, nodding at the four of them.

"Mga ungas 'tong mga 'to, pero wag kang mahihiya sa 'min," Jin told me.

Ngumiti ako. They looked pleasant, maliban na lang do'n kay Jin na mukhang bolero. But all good. He still looked decent and nice.

We chatted for a while, getting comfortable with each other, until a car parked on the curb, followed by another. Nakilala ko agad 'yung Murcielago ni Geon.

"Finally. You're way too late," Kal-el remarked when Geon and France made their way to us.

"Gago," sagot ni Geon, all smiles. He was wearing a simple striped shirt, shorts, and sneakers. Nakasuot din siya ng snapback. He too looked nice. Too bad he's such a kid sometimes.

"You forgot about me," I pointed out to him.

He raised his hands, looking like a kid caught redhanded. "Sorry na, bes."

"Couz," bati ni France, kissing my cheek. "Okay ka lang?"

"Oo naman."

Ngumisi si Geon. "Ows?" he teased, waggling his brows at me then suddenly turning to Andrei as if he was sending an inside joke.

I just rolled my eyes at him. He really was still a kid.

"Pano, tara. Gusto kong makarating nang maaga do'n," deklara ni Steel.

"Oo nga. Baka maabutan tayo ng traffic dito. Teka, traffic pa nga ba dito?" inosenteng tanong sa 'min ni France.

"Kelan ba hindi traffic sa Edsa, bro?" sagot sa kanya ni Kal-el.

Nagtawanan kami.

Tumingin sa 'kin si France. "Sabay ka na sa 'kin?"

I wanted to. Pero nakakahiya naman kay Andrei kung bigla akong lilipat.

"I'm okay," ang sagot ko na lang.

He understood my answer right away.

"Oh, kita-kita na lang tayo sa express way ha," paalala ni Jin, tapos kanya-kanyang balik na kami sa mga sasakyan.

"I forgot to ask," Andrei started when we're back on the road. "Nagbreakfast ka na ba?"

"Yes, nung naghihintay ako. Ikaw?"

"Not yet," he said simply.

"The ride is going to be long. Bakit 'di ka kumain?"

"I forgot, I guess." He shrugged nonchalantly.

Huh? Who forgets that kind of thing? Nilingon ko yung paperbag na dala ko kung san nakatago yung mga sandwiches na para kay Geon. I grabbed one and offered it to him. Mahilig kaya siya sa chocolates? Nutella pa naman 'to.

"Here."

Tinignan niya 'yon nang mabuti, sabay tingin sa 'kin. Tinaas niya ang isa niyang kilay. "What's that?"

"Nutella sandwich," sagot ko. "Take it. Marami naman akong ginawa. Do you eat chocolates?"

He stared at it for a full second before a small smile graced his lips. Lumabas na naman yung napakalalim niyang dimples. Iba 'yon sa usual na ngiti na nakikita ko sa kanya. It's much more real, more striking. I averted my eyes to stop myself from staring.

"Yeah, thank you," he said. "Did you make this? I gotta be honest. I didn't peg you as the thoughtful type."

"Mm? Then ano pala ang first impression mo sa 'kin?"

"Free-spirited," he muttered with a shrug. "I guess it just hasn't occurred to me yet."

"One thing na natutunan ko sa mom ko, adventure requires careful planning."

Tinitigan niya ko. "True."

Tumahimik saglit habang kumakain siya. Hinayaan ko na lang siyang magdrive. I flicked my gaze outside and watched the houses and establishments we were passing by. Mabilis talaga ang byahe. The horizon was had also completely brightened up.

This was what I liked about roadtrip. The sunrise. The early morning. It always looked so divine and real. I was too entranced at the sight nang bigla siyang magsalita ulit.

"You wanna stop muna?

I blinked at him. "Why?"

"To take a pic?" paglilinaw niya.

I had to smile at that. Napansin niya pala.

"It's fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

Hindi siya sumagot at nagpatuloy lang sa pagmamaneho. Babalik na sana ako sa pakikinig ng music nang maalala kong may itatanong pala ako sa kanya.

"Bakit pala ikaw ang sumundo sa 'kin?"

Tumingin siya saglit sa 'kin, sabay balik ng tingin sa harap.

"Mas malapit ako than Geon."

"Saan ba kayo nakatira?"

"Las Piñas."

I got confused. "Akala ko ba malapit?"

He flashed me a quick smile. "I was staying in my condo."

Ah.

"So mas malapit 'yon?"

"Yeah, Quezon city lang din."

Kaya pala. May condo din siya. Si Geon kasi, sa Forbes Park pa mangagaling.

"Did you know," I blurted out suddenly, "'there are two ways we can access the falls?"

"Yeah," sagot niya, smiling as if he was impressed na alam ko 'yon.

"So what route are we taking?"

"Cavinti."

My eyes widened. "Cavinti? For real?"

Lumawak lalo ngiti niya. Napansin ko na naman tuloy ang dimples niya. "I'm guessing you wanted that route?"

I nodded enthusiastically. Mas adventurous kasi ang Cavinti route. Sa Pagsanjan kasi, boat ride lang. In Cavinti? That meant we'd be trekking a bit!

He chuckled. "The others wanted the easier route. Geon voted for Cavinti."

Tumaas ang kilay ko. "And he won?" Weird.

Hindi pa muna siya sumagot. Tahimik kong hinintay yung sagot niya while he was busy swerving the car. Sa skill niya sa pagmamaneho, hindi mo maiisip na freshman lang din siya tulad ko. Halatang maaga siyang natuto.

"He used you as his trump card," Andrei told me after a while.

"Me?" nalilito kong tanong.

"Yeah, something about his temperamental best friend who loves adventure."

Wow! That traitor. Ano pang sinasabi niya tungkol sa 'kin na hindi ko alam?

"Baka naman ikaw 'yon," biro ko.

"I'm not temperamental," amused niyang sagot.

"I'm not either. Am I?"

"Are you?" He held my gaze long.

I shrugged flippantly. "Maybe."

The conversation ended there. At some point sa byahe, nakaidlip ako kasi nang magising ako, nasa pit stop na kami.

"C'mon," aya ni Andrei.

Bumaba siya. Sumunod ako. The others were already waiting in front of Starbucks.

"Breakfast muna tayo," Geon told us.

"Jollibee or Pancake house?" tanong naman Jin.

"Pancake house na lang, tol," sagot naman ni Steel. "Sawa na 'ko sa Jollibee."

So we ended up having heavy breakfast sa Pancake house. Very quick lang dahil 'di lang pala ako ang excited mag-trekking.

Sa maikling kwentuhan namin, nalaman kong youtuber pala si Steel at siya ang nagyaya talaga sa Pagsanjan falls. Monthly pala niyang ginagawa 'yan kasama si Kal-el na mahilig din mag-travel. Kung saan sasn sila nakakarating at kung ano-ano na rin ang mga nagawa at nasubukan nila. I was both awestruck and envious. How cool. Tapos nasasabay nila 'yon sa school affairs and swimming practices nila. Imagine.

Sina Leon at Jin naman, mahilig lang talagang gumimik. Nakakatuwa yung samahan nila. 'Di mo aakalain na magkakalaban sa competition yan a few months ago. At yung pakikitungo pa nila kay France, kala mo hindi balikbayan si pinsan.

Buti na lang at maraming akong alam na lugar. Hindi ako na-op.

Habang kumakain pa yung iba, sumaglit ako sa cafe para bumili ng coffee. Nakasanayan na. Di na yata makukumpleto ang mga gala ko ng walang coffee.

Paglabas ko, napansin kong papasok ng fastfood si Geon kaya hinabol ko siya.

"Sama," sabi ko.

"Wow, takaw, a," asar niya.

"Says the guy who's out to order another batch of food."

"At least I didn't buy coffee and pastries."

"Shove it. Baka nakakalimutan mong may kasalanan ka pa sa 'kin."

"Hey, I was going to pick you up. They insisted." He raised his hands, that infamous mischievous smile still in place. "Sorry na. I'll treat you burger and fries. Truce?"

That stopped me. This boy really knew me well.

Seeing my reaction, he laughed out loud at pumila na. Wala masyadong tao, halos alas sais pa lang naman kasi.

"'Yun lang sa 'yo?" tanong niya nang siya na ang next sa cashier.

"Yeah."

Habang hinihintay namin yung order, I pulled out my phone and turned on my data. I immediately tapped my Twitter and updated my status.

@CariRamirez: Pagsanjan falls in a few.

I checked my mentions. Flooded. Agad kong tiningnan kung bakit at ayun naman pala. Nag-status pala 'tong si Geon at naka-tag pa ako.

@NglCstll: Going on a trip with my baby. @CariRamirez

If I didn't know any better, yung kotse niya ang tinutukoy niya dito. Tinag lang ako n'yan kasi kasama ako. Kung may Twitter lang si France, malamang kasama din 'yon. He meant nothing by this but this was exactly why people thought we were dating. 

"So, what's up? Kamusta ang ride n'yo?" Geon asked.

"Ayos lang," maikli kong sagot. "Why? Are you setting us up?"

He chuckled in his baritone. "Hindi, a? Did it feel that way?"

"You better make sure, Geon."

"Hindi nga." Lalo siyang tumawa, sabay akbay. "I just like this. My best friend getting chummy with my other best friend. Pero don't get too close, a. Baka before I know it, third wheel na pala ako."

"Imposible."

"Oh yeah? Am I supposed to believe na hindi mo siya type?"

Napahinto ako.

Of course Andrei was my type. It was undeniable that he's smart, fun, and attractive. But that was it. Nothing more. Naiintriga lang ako sa kanya. I had full pride of my self-control so I wasn't that worried.

But I couldn't tell him any of these. 'Di ako titigilan nito.

"I barely know the guy."

"You'll know him soon enough," laban niya.

"I thought you weren't setting me up?" I retorted, raising a brow.

He only chuckled. "Just thought it would be interesting since I know he's your type."

I rolled my eyes at him. Kailan pa naging magaling bumasa ng tao 'tong batang 'to? That's me. Not him. 

Finally, dumating na yung orders namin. Lumabas na kami ni Geon. Hinihintay na kami nung iba sa tapat ng cafe.

"But he's a great friend, bes, I promise. Magkakasundo kayo," bulong sa 'kin ni Geon.

Napatingin ako kay Andrei na tahimik akong hinihintay sa tapat ng kotse niya. Napangiti na rin ako.

Mm. For once, I agree with him.