Chapter 01: Sabino Canyon
Natagpuan ko ang aking sarili sa paanan ng isang bundok.
This mountain is creeping me out dahil nababalutan ito ng makapal na hamog.
In a split of a second ay nagbago muli ang aking paligid.
I found myself again in the middle of a lush forest. Tall trees, cold climate and dim surroundings greeted me. Only one thing runs through my mind at these times. Astonishment. Wondering how I got to this place.
Natatapakan ng aking mga paa ang mga tuyong dahon at sanga na nagdudulot ng isang espesyal na ingay sa buong lugar. Gradually I began to feel horrible because of the strange silence all around.
Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang nararamdaman ko at ang aking mga paa ay kusang gumagalaw pasulong sa aking landas. For a moment a small ball of light caught my attention not far away. Until it got bigger and bigger and finally occupied me.
"Ruthenia! Wake up!" In no time I turned around and woke up dahil sa sigaw at malakas na pagtapik sa pisngi ko.
Damn! Hindi lang ito basta tapik dahil parang hinampas ng maso ang kaliwang pisngi ko sa biglaang sakit.
When I looked up, Andrea's calm and unpainted face opened up to me.
What a weird dream.
"Kunti na lang talaga magmamalat na ang leeg ko sayo!" it erupts and the face turns red with extreme annoyance.
I was momentarily stunned by the sudden change of circumstances though my body seems to be numb.
Although I just touched my cheek in the sore feeling.
"Did you just slap me?" halos wala sa sarili kong tanong. I couldn't help but raise my voice. Sobrang sakit!
Suddenly her eyebrows knitted. "Ha! Ano? Aangal ka pa, ghorl? Just thank me and I woke you up." sabay amba ng kamay niya ulit so I got up and adjusted myself.
"Wait a minute! My cheek hasn't recovered yet tapos uulit ka pa?!" I shouted angrily.
She just smirked. "Just thank me that I woke you up because Christmas might catch up with us here dahil sa katamaran mo."
I was stunned by what she said. "Oww! So, Thank you so much for the VIOLENT awakening of me." I answered angrily before I returned to my seat.
"Good."
"Tsk. Kaya pala parang may tunog ng lamok habang nakaidlip ako, boses mo pala 'yon?" I replied with mixed teasing.
Suddenly she frowned again at what I said. "Hindi! Boses ng kapitbahay. Did you dream? I smell something fishy." she said and can't stop laughing.
I kept staring at her and just shook because of what she said.
Kakaiba talaga utak ng isang 'to.
"Anyway, fix yourself Ruthenia. Marami ka pang dapat tapusin oh. Kung pwedeng ako na ang gagawa, kanina pa yan tapos." she scolded and once suddenly landed a pile of paper in front of me.
Ang dami!
"Nakakaantok naman talaga eh! I really want to go home and sleep." I grumbled once laying my head on the desk obviously lazy in what I was doing.
It's true! Nakakaantok talaga lalo na pag ballpen lang ang nasa kamay.
"Hoy bruha! Dapat mo nang sanayin ang sarili mo dahil ikaw ang susunod na tagapagmana ng Odyssey, ng hotel na 'to. Maybe you forgot? Tito Wilson just left some task for us because they have an important meeting in Batanes. They are coming tomorrow so you should finish this." sermon ulit niya. Sa anumang oras, si Andrea ay parang ng isang manok na putak ng putak.
I scratched my head. "Yes.. I'll finish it, so don't make any more noise." I answered with a frown before I started what I was doing again.
"Goodness Ruthenia! If you're sleepy, there are only coffee and other things in the other corner. Gusto mo bang gawaan pa kita? Okay, your at my service. It's just that you don't want to be sluggish." Nakakatawa talaga ang ugali minsan ng babaeng 'to.
I just shook my head. "No thanks. I'm fine dahil boses mo palang walang-wala nang batbat ang Espiritu ng Kaantokan."
She just blinked and sat in her former position before turning its attention to her cellphone. Napagod rin sa kakaputak si Basyang haha.
By the way, I am Ruthenia, Ruthenia Ramirez and the woman in front of me now is Andrea. Her parents are the biggest investors in the hotel owned by my parents so it is also expected that we are the heirs of this hotel. I'm also very thankful to have her because she always reminds me of many things. Andrea and I often meet and I'm used to it. She's my childhood best friend and the word 'VERBAL ATTACK' is normal for the two of us because we often quarrel but it does not cause a fight between the two of us.
Kasalukuyang nasa summer break kami ngayon at magsisimula na sa susunod na mga buwan ang aming unang araw sa college at sobrang nakaka-excite na hindi na kami mga high school girls.
"Sa wakas natapos rin." I yawn promised and inevitably warmed up my two hands. "Andrea, call Manong June to pick us up."
"Daan muna tayo sa Cafe bago umuwi. I'm hungry." she complained while busy putting lipsticks on her face. Bakit ako? Hindi ba?
Inayos ko na ang ilang mga gamit bago ako tumayo. "Ok, so let's go? O baka gusto mo pang magtagal rito. It looks like you will take a long time to beautify."
Sandali siyang natigilan at umirap sa ere. "Ibang level ang katarayan huh. Parang 'di ka naman babae!" she shouted back and immediately stood up with her bag. I also followed her on the walk.
Lumabas na kami ni Andrea sa office. Tulad ng nakagawian, maraming mga workers ang gumagalang sa amin dahil anak kami ng may-ari ng hotel na ito. Ngunit hindi ko ginawang kalamangan na maging mayabang. I can say that we are capable of life but our parents raised us humble and not extravagant.
After a few minutes walk we also reached the Cafe. Walking distance lang rin naman ito dahil nasa loob ito mismo ng aming hotel. The waitress approached us and we immediately placed our orders.
"So, what's your plan this summer ?shall we go out of town or abroad?" she asked while sipping her drink.
It is part of Andrea and I's life style to visit and tour different places as long as we have the opportunity and we have free time. Our parents always allow us to tour maliban sa beach dahil ewan ko kung bakit hindi na kami pinahihintutulang makapunta sa dagat. Ang awkward lang.
"Wala pa naman akong plano sa ngayon. We can still talk about that next time. Just find a good place for us to visit." I answered and immediately spit on the ordered carbonara.
Pareho kaming chill chill ngayon dahil kaka-graduate lang namin ng high school at ilang buwan pa bago ang pasukan sa college school at Business Ad ang kinuha namin. Why Business Ad? Of course it was our parent's decision dahil ito ang magagamit namin sa pag-manage ng hotel in the near future.
I also did not attempt to take different career. Because handling our hotel is enough for me. Naisip ko rin sina Mom and Dad, because I also do not want to disobey them. Tsaka hindi naman habambuhay na sila ang mamamahala rito kaya ginusto ko na rin.
Besides, I will not worry when it comes to decision making because Andrea and the important people in my life are here who always accompany me in everything.
"By the way that pendant of yours really stunning. It looks like your necklace is very rare. Naiinggit tuloy ako ng bongga." biro niya.
I looked at it for a moment. The design of my necklace is undeniably beautiful and unique. Crescent moon is its shape and made of blue stone and I do not know what to call it, just a gem.
I smiled for a moment. "It was Mom's gift to me on my 12th birthday. Hindi niya naman nasabi sa akin kung saan niya ito nakuha or nabili." I answered.
Yes, she did not tell me dahil hindi naman ako nagtanong.
Bigla akong natigilan when blurry images of a woman and a child suddenly pop up to mind. Hindi ko mabatid ang pakiramdam dahil parang biglang kumirot sa kalooban ko.
"Bye andrea." I say goodbye sabay beso sa kanya.
"Bye and goodnight. Oh ayan bruha! Magpakabusog ka sa tulog 'cause Tito Wilson is already there tomorrow so your work is over for a while." she replied while trickling me.
"All right babush." I said goodbye and immediately walked into the house.
"Wait! May nakalimutan ka ata." pahabol na kaya lumingon ako sa kanya. She jusy smiling meaningfully.
I jist rolled my eyes. "In every you do--" I said, laughing.
"Believe in a little bit of Magic!" Andrea shouted at the same time.
Obviously maybe? Because Andrea and I both really love Fantasy, fiction stories and some animes. And ended up making a friendship motto.
"Bye, Ruthenia!" she waved before opening their gate.
Pagpasok ko sa bahay ay agad na sumalubong sa akin ang nakangiting mukha ni Manang Yoli. Syempre hindi ko makakalimutan ang paggalang kaya nagmano ako sa kanya.
"Nandito ka na pala, Iha. Kumain ka muna." she said while drinking a coffee.
Si Manang Yoli ay naglilingkod sa amin pagdating sa mga gawaing bahay simula pa noong bata ako. I treated her like a real grandmother dahil wala talaga akong nakilala ni isa na relatives nila Mom at Dad. Our driver Manong June is his brother who also takes care of our garden.
"Ayos lang ako Manang, katatapos lang namin kumain ni Andrea sa labas. Salamat po sa pag-aalala." she only answered with a nod.
When I entered my room, I sat for a while before thinking of cleaning my body. So that I can start to rest as well.
This day was indeed tiring.
Habang nakahiga ako ay biglang pumasok sa isip ko ang aking panaginip kanina. Ang bawat detalye ng pangyayari sa aking panaginip ay tila totoo. Madalas akong bisitahin ng mga kakaibang panaginip at nakikita ang bundok na iyon. It scares me so much actually pero kakaiba na talaga ang pakiramdam ko dahil parang naitaatak na ang itsura ng bundok sa akin
I can say that my dream was really strange compared before. In addition to the clear details of the events I also felt I was right there in that forest. Anyway, that was just a dream, may I not be disturbed again by very weird dreams tonight.
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I woke in the morning with a good vibe because I was not bothered by strange dreams again. Nagmadali akong maligo knowing na nandito na sila Mom at Dad galing Batanes. The both of them are always busy at maagang umaalis paountang hotel lalo na si Dad dahil sobrang workaholic niya
I immediately went downstairs to have breakfast. I smiled when I saw the both them already in the dining room, eating. Hindi ko na nagawang maghintay sa kanila kagabi sa pagdating nila dahil nilamon na ako ng kaantukan.
"Good Morning Mom Dad." I once kissed both of them.
"Good Morning Manang Yoli." she smiled at me once and offering mr food. I immediately sat down at the table at nagsimulang magsandok.
"Mukhang maganda ang gising ng aming prinsesa." Dad said with mised teasing. Ngumuso na lamang ako bago sumubo ng bacon. "Mukhang tumataba ka na."
"Dad naman eh!" Nagsisimula na naman siyang mang-asar alam ko namang hindi ako timataba eh. It's also funny how we joke sometimes.
"Natutuwa lamang kami na ang laki laki muna, Ruthenia." Mom said giving me a cheerful smile. Napangiti ako sa sinabi ni Mom though may pagtataka sa aking kalooban. Yeah, ang laki laki ko na pero wala man lang akong childhood memories mula 8 years old pababa ako. It was like there was a gap inside me.
"Parang kelan lang nang matagpuan ka namin sa--" Mom stop for a while at pati ako rin. Ano daw? I turned my gaze to Daddy at halata ang concern sa mga mata niya habang nakatingin kay Mom. "Ow! I mean--Parang kelan lang noong naglalaro ka pa sa park." Napatango na lamang ako bago nagpatulpy s apaglain.
"Anyway, thanks for taking care of the hotel yesterday, Ruthenia." I raised dahil sa sinabi ni Dad pilut akong napangiti. Kung alam lang niyang tinamad akp ng sobra kahapon. Aish. "Right now, I want you to relax yourself for a vacation because you just graduated recently. You can also tour overseas with Andrea if you want. Kami na munang bahala ng Mom mo sa pag-handle ng hotel." Dad said seriously.
"Thanks dad, so far I have no plans for where we will spend our vacation. Pag-uusapan pa po namin ni Andrea ang gagawin namin ngayong summer." I answered with a smile ngunit halos tumalon ako sa saya sa loob loob ko. Only now did Daddy loosen me up like this.
Naaalala ko pa hanggang ngayon ang mga parusang dinanas ko sa kamay ni Dad dati like capturing the phone and the minimal allowance that I had a hard time with because I had a hard time adjusting.
Pagkatapos naming kumain ay nagpaalam na sina Dad at Mom na umalis patungo sa hotel.
I was about to go up to the room when I was stunned. Because of the loud shout of a familiar voice coming from outside. I immediately turned around and saw Andrea walking towards me.
"Oh? Ba't napaaga ka ng dalaw? What's up?" I asked while looking at her from head to toe. No bath yet eww.
"Is that your right greeting? Wala man lang Good Morning?" she said artfully while rolling her eyes. "Anyway, I found something good for us to visit!" she shouted excitedly, almost jumping for joy.
Mukhang excited nga.
"Huh? Saaan namang banda 'yan?" I immediately asked again.
"Just in the other town, on Mt. Sabino Canyon. Based on the article I saw last night, the scenery at the top of that mountain is beautiful. Syempre kapag naroon na tayo, I will publish a new content on my vlog about that mountain hehe." its happy promise.
"Okay go ahead, so ano pa bang pwede nating gawin doon?" I asked again.
"Apart from the beautiful scenery, there is also legend that says the mountain is mysterious and something different. Dahil ito daw ang dating lugar kung saan nagtatagpo ang dalawang diyos na nag-iibigan." its seductive answer.
"Really?" I answered with a meaningful smile.
"Aaaaayyy!!" We shouted happily, at the same time.
Basta mga bagay na may kinalaman sa misteryo, pumunta kami ni Andrea doon.
"Anong na? Magbihis ka na at pupunta na tayo sa mall to buy the necessities, I will also say goodbye to Daddy." I said here and it immediately ran out like a child.
I also couldn't help but jump in excitement.
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"Canned foods, flashlight, battery, bottled wa ---" she stopped speaking when I blocked her.
"Tama na nga! Kailangan mo pa bang basahin kung nakalista na nga? Gosh!"
Andrea never failed to annoy me.
"Okie dukie! Sayo na yang list as long as you don't forget the banana chips." nakanguso na sagot nito na parang isang batang inaapi.
"Stop that! Para kang pato."
She just rolled her eyes.
After we went to the grocery we also went to the Department Store to buy clothes to wear. Sa bundok lang naman ang punta namin tapos kelangan pa ng new clothes? Bakit ba
At noon we finished shopping for our necessities and kumain na rin kami pagkatapos mamili.
When we got home, we immediately piled everything we had in my room because we were about to pack it. Syempre hindi ko na iisa-isahin, including flashlights, water, chalk pens on the trees para hindi kami maligaw and much more.
Dito na rin matutulog si Andrea at home because tomorrow morning we will be going to Mt. Sabino Canyon to explore.
Of course, even if our house is next to each other, it would be better kung dito na siya matutulog sa kwarto ko. Dahil tulog mantika ng bongga si Basyang we might catch us at noon when we go.
"I was able to tell Daddy at nasabihan ko na rin si Manong na ihatid tayo ng 5 am." I said as I put some essentials in the bag.
"Okay." she just nodded in reponse.
"Simulan mo na kayang maglagay ng mga ilang gamit sa back pack mo. Instead of being busy focusing on your phone." Pagsita ko.
"Wait lang namang bruha ka. Im just checking my subscribers' comments." nakangiti niyang sabi.
Hindi na lamang ako sumagot.
After packing I stretched my body on the bed while using my cellphone. Maliban sa pagkahilig ko sa mga books, I also love musical instruments like violin, piano and flute. I have a separate music room here at home. Im a great fan of Taylor Davis in playing violin. Even though I am a bit proficient and good at playing, I still love to watch violin related contents on social media, especially YouTube.
Sa tagal kong ginugol ang aking oras sa cellphone, hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog na pala ako. I just woke up on purpose and still saw Andrea. I even looked at my phone, it was 4 pm.
I looked at Andrea as she spoke and showed me something on.
"Ruthenia, look at this picture. Natatandaan mo pa ba ito?" she asked cheerfully while showing the picture on her cellphone.
"Of course, it's in Siargao, isn't it? Nasa 12 years old palang tayo diyan." I answered while pointing to the picture.
The picture is of Andrea and I in Siargao Beach.
Bigla na lamang nag-flash sa sistema ko ang kaganapang iyon na nangyari sa aming dalawa ni Andrea.
I shake my head at iwinaglit ang lahat ng ito.
We are hugging each other at ang ngiti sa bawat isa ay napakaganda sa larawan.
Ginugol namin ang aming oras sa pakikipag-usap at balik-tanaw sa mga nakakatawang karanasan na mayroon kami noong bata pa kami.
To our great joy in story telling we did not realize the rapid running of time.
Eventually there was a knock on the door that the two of us stopped. I immediately opened it and Manang Yoli came out.
"Ruthenia, Iha. Nasa hapag na ang nanay at tatay mo. Kayo na lamang ang inaantay."
Niyaya ko na si Andrea na kumain ng hapunan at sinundan din namin si Manang. Mom and Dad are already in the dining area as Manang Yoli said.
"Hi Mom, Dad." I greeted bago kami umupo.
"Good evening po Tita Bella and Uncle Wilson." Andrea also greeted and immediately sat down.
"Good evening too." smiling Dad's greeting. Before refocusing attention on food.
"Kamusta naman po ang Hotel natin?" I asked cheerfully.
"Everything is fine now and thanks to Albert-" sabay tingin kay Andrea.
Tito Albert is Andrea's Dad. "--because our sales have increased due to the check-ins by government officials at our hotel. So Oddysey's market sales are in stable condition."
Nagkatinginan kami ni Andrea and we clapped our hands in extreme joy.
"By the way Ruthenia, are you leaving tomorrow? I thought you haven't decided yet." sandali kaming napatigil sa tanong ni Dad.
"Yes Dad---"
I was suddenly stopped when I heard a voice. It whispers to my particle and makes my hair stand on end.
Bigla akong napatakip sa aking tenga dahil mas lumakas ang boses nito. Hindi ko maintindihan ang kanyang sinasabi.
"Hon!"
"Ruthenia!"
"What's happening?!"
Mabilis ring nawala ang boses sa aking tenga. I opened my eyes and was greeted by the worried faces of them all.
"R-ruthenia? Is there something wrong? Are you not feeling well?" Mom asked worriedly at nasa tabi ko na siya ngayon.
Umiling na lamang ako bagama't ramdam ko parin ang mabilis na pagkabog ng aking dibdib.
"No mom. I'm just a little bit dizzy. But I'm ok--"
"Don't go tomorrow." seryosong sabi ni Dad.
I gasped in shock. "But Dad! Andrea and I are actually ready. As you can see I'm really in good shape." I said habang pabalik-balik ang tingin sa kanila ni Mom.
Umiling lamang si Dad. "No, Ruthenia. Not that mountain." bigla akong natigilan at tumingin kay Mom. She just gave me a doubtful look.
"Dad naman eh!" hindi ko maiwasang ma-dismaya nakaready na kami't lahat lahat.
"Listen to your father, Ruthenia. That mountain is dangerous it is not a place you need to explore for the both of you." saad ni Mom na nagpatigil sa amin ni Andrea.
"--babalik naman po kami agad ni Andrea pagkatapos niyang maka-published ng content sa vlog niya about the mountain, di'ba Andrea?" I replied with a faint smile.
Napatingin ako kay Andrea and I was suddenly stunned ng makitang nakayuko ito at parang kinakabahan.
Siniko ko pa siya ng mahina kaya iniayos niya ang pagkakaupo."Y-yes po tito. Babalik rin po kami agad ni Ruthenia. K-kaya sana po pumayag kayo." she's stuttering for no reason.
"No." Dad said plainly dahilan para bumigat ang pakiramdam ko.
Tumayo na agad ako sa hapag at agad na umalalay si Mom. "..Ruthenia..." naglakbay ang kamay niya sa aking buhok samantalang hindi ko mapigilang maluha. "Natatakot lamang kami na baka mapahamak ka." Lagi nalang ganyan ang rason na sinasabi nila sa akin mula dati.
Umiling ako ng tuloy tuloy at bumitaw kay Mom. "You just said recently that you allowed us this summer break to explore. Lagi nalang may bawal." May hinanakit kong sambit and immediately run upstairs at pumasok sa aking kwarto.
I burst this intense feeling ramdam ko mga luha na lumalandas aking magkabilang mata. Lagi nalang. They always refuse when I ask permission mula noon so I ended up to go to many places secretly. I can tell that they just want to isolate mo like a damn baby or what.
I heard the door 'krrrickk' kasabay ng mga magagaang yapak palapit sa akin.
"Get out, Mom. Please." I said sabay higpit sa yakap kung unan. Nakatalikod ako ngayon at nakatingin sa glass door ng aking balcony kung saan natatanaw ang mga bituin.
"It's me." Biglang gumaan ang pakiramdam ko at pinahid ang mga luha sa aking mata. "Bakit 'di ka pa umuuwi."
I heard her sigh. "Sa tingin mo iiwanan kita sa ganyang lagay, Bruha." Kahit nakatalikod ako sa kanya ay nakikita kong napairap siya habang nagsasalita. Minsan napaka-weird ng pagiging maingay miya to the point na ataw ko na siyang kasama pero alam niya rin kung kailan dapat tumigil.
"Sobrang higpit ng parents natin for some reason na hindi natin alam. Alam kong ayaw lang nila tayong mapahamak but something tells me that there's a hidden agenda kaya sila ganyan." she said pero bakas ang inis sa kanyang boses. Hindi lang ako nag-iisa sa ganitong lagay dahil pati rin ang parents ni Andrea ay mahigpit sa kanya.
I turned around at nakita siyang naka-crossed arms sa aking tapat. "I also heard it earlier." she said bago tumabi sa akin.
Nangunot ang noo ko at kinilatis ang seryoso niyang mukha na nakatingin sa akin. Bahagya akong napalayo sa gulat. "Seryoso ka?" may halong kilabot na sabi ko. Ang boses na 'yon kanina. Parang dadalihin ka sa kamatayan.
She nodded. "It was a voice of an old man and I can't recognize what he's saying." Mas lalong nanlaki ang mata ko. Hindi ako nag-iisa.
"It is so complicated to the point na sasakit ang ulo ko kakaisip at hindi pa payag sila Daddy sa Mt. Sabino." nakanguso kong sabi. Gumaan narin ang pakiramdam ko kahit papaano.
"Nagtataka talaga ako sa inasta nila kanina. Parang sinabi na nila na walang taong maaring umapak sa bundok." napapaisip niyang saad.
"I was able to open an information recently and I found out that Mt. Sabino Canyon is an adverse possession. Even the government did not owned it kaya napapaisip talaga ako. The mountain can be a great tourist spot here in Greenwoods." sabi ko habang malalim ang iniisip.
Bigla namang sumilay ang ngiti sa labi niya na ikinatigil ko. "Don't give me that animalistic grin. Nakakatakot." I blurted sabay hipo sa sa braso ko.
"Naiisip mo ba ang naiisip ko?" tanong niya sabay tabi at kiliti sa akin.
"Aba malay ko sa'yo! Iisa lang ba utak natin? Patawa ka." sabi ko at hindi maiwasang irapan.
"We can explore that mountain secretly! Ano payag ka?" Nanghahamong sabi niya.
Sandali akong napaisip. Ni minsan hindi ko tinangkang suwayin ang utos nila Daddy maliban na lamang sa pagsama ko kay Andrea dati sa concert ng BTS. Talagang malakas ang impluwensiya ni Andrea sa akin.
I sighed and gave her a meaningful smile. "I'm in."
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