By 3:00 p.m. the heat became unbearable to all of us. We used up all of our bottled water and felt absolutely exhausted.
Michelle had already recorded 10 minutes' worth of footage for our video project. Meanwhile, I took 20 photographs, some of which featured endemic species of animals in the area.
"I think that's enough for the day," Michelle commented on our progress. "We can resume tomorrow."
So the whole group headed back to the parking lot and carefully packed up our belongings. After promptly changing to some fresh clothes, we steered our way out of Mount Makiling to search for an adjacent convenience store.
Luckily there was a 7-Eleven at a gas station near the highway. While Michelle and Taylor refueled their cars with gas, the rest of us went inside 7-Eleven to buy some snacks and refreshments.
Upon returning, both of our cars were filled up and ready to go. Except that we made a last-minute change of plan.
"Guys, who here lives near the south?" Michelle uttered a question.
"Michelle, Taylor and I live in Alabang," Erin answered upon raising her hand. "We can accompany you to my home for the night."
"Great," Michelle reacted positively. "We can reduce time by sleeping over at your place."
After finishing all of the drinks and snacks, it was time for us to head up Erin's house. However, another mechanical problem immediately ensued.
Taylor's car failed to ignite properly. He tried to start the car again a few more times to no avail.
"We need to push this vehicle no matter what," Jamie advised us. "There is no other option at this point."
We tried helping Taylor out by pushing his car, but the battery and ignition failed to cooperate. In the end, we were forced to replace a new battery.
While mechanics helped Taylor out, the rest of us took some much-needed shade outside the convenience store. At this point, however, we were sweating buckets and out of breath.
"Gosh, I never realized how tough this day would become," I reflected bitterly on the first leg.
"We tried to have some fun with the project," Michelle said. "But we encountered some bad luck along the way. Notwithstanding these issues, it was overwhelming to work with you guys."
With a freshly ordered battery in place Taylor tried starting his car again. This time it succeeded much to our relief.
But the sun was about to set. We were exasperated and in need of a breather; our eyes reddened with sweat, and our faces felt sticky.
With Taylor's car leading the way, we departed the gas station and set a course towards Erin's home. As we reached Alabang, however, a familiar face walking by the street caught my attention.
It was Rachelle, the very woman who rescued me a few months ago.
"Michelle, can you stop the car for a moment?" I humbly requested.
As Michelle stopped driving, I gently opened the window to greet Rachelle. Not far ahead, Taylor saw Michelle pause and willingly put on the brakes himself.
"Rachelle," I shouted fiercely. "Come in here."
"Christine," Rachelle joyfully yelled. "Welcome back. I dearly missed you."
Rachelle eagerly joined us inside Michelle's car for a ride. While on our way to Erin's home I promptly introduced her to my friends.
"It was a pleasure to meet you Rachelle," Michelle cordially greeted her along with Ella and Jamie. "Well, would you join us for dinner? We were on our way to one of my classmate's house."
"I would love to but I'm unsure if my parents would allow me to," Rachelle thought twice of Michelle's offer. "Let me call them if that's okay with you."
Just as Rachelle called her parents, we finally reached Erin's house. But as the group disembarked from our respective vehicles, Rachelle made a startling revelation.
"We live right here," Rachelle said admiringly as she pointed her finger towards her humble home.
"You and Erin are neighbors?" I humbly asked Rachelle.
"Who's Erin?" Rachelle clarified.
Just then, both Taylor and Erin got out of their car.
"Allow me to politely introduce Erin," I directed Rachelle towards her.
Rachelle walked hesitantly towards Erin's home and the two of them stared blankly. But after a few moments of profound silence, I convinced her to meet both of them, assuring her that everything would be fine.
"Are you Erin?" Rachelle politely asked her.
"Yes I am," Erin responded heartily. "And what's your name?"
"My name is Rachelle," she answered affirmatively, her body feeling a little tense. "So how are you related to Christine?"
"We're classmates in college," Erin assuredly replied. "We are classmates in two different classes this term."
Erin slowly walked towards her home but Rachelle called her anew.
"Wait a minute Erin. Is this your house?" Rachelle pointed out.
"Yes," Erin acknowledged.
"Oh my gosh, we're neighbors," Rachelle joyfully reacted. "I live next door."
"Well what a coincidence," Erin shook hands and embraced Rachelle. " Our houses are beside each other. Well, it was great meeting you. Hope we can talk to each other again someday."
"I'm actually joining you for dinner tonight with Christine's other friends," Rachelle said.
"Well it's a good thing for you to join," Erin nodded in approval. "You can stay at my house anytime, as long as I'm nearby."
"Thank you so much Erin," Rachelle satisfyingly remarked. "Let's go eat dinner. I'm certain your beloved friends are a little hungry."
All of us, including Rachelle, made our way inside Erin's house for dinner. Unfortunately, the house maids were unprepared.
While Erin helped out the maids in preparing for dinner, we sat with Rachelle on the sofa for a little talk. She explained how we became acquainted to each other during a rainy morning in Alabang.
"Michelle, Christine was all alone and nowhere else to go," Rachelle said. "I saw her slumped on the parking lot after a rainy day and took her home. That's where we got acquainted with each other. But then Christine revealed that she had ran away from her mother after a serious argument."
"I know what happened between Charissa and Christine," Michelle reacted with assurance. "And she felt sorry for that. But at least they have rekindled their relationship."
"That's great to hear," Rachelle nodded. "Christine and her mother are in good terms again which is an encouraging sign."
Moments later, Erin invited us for dinner. Our stomachs were grumbling so much that we immediately rushed in to sample her meals.
After a hearty dinner it was off to bed for all of us, but not before we bade Rachelle farewell.
"Hope you can return here soon," Erin said as she waved goodbye to Rachelle.
"Don't worry, I'll be back," Rachelle smilingly assured. "See you soon Erin. It was pleasant meeting you."
There is still plenty of work to do the following day. Hope we can receive a good night's sleep.