Light Up The Sky

Chapter 14

A castle sitting on top of a hill welcomes us as we went to a place that is like a photograph straight from a fairytale.

"I can't bring you to Disneyland yet so I thought of bringing you here, the Disneyland of the Philippines, the Fantasy World."

Napalingon ako sa likod ko, kay Liam na buhat si Pascal. He's smiling while staring at me. He hung the camera's strap from his neck, ready to capture our little adventure.

Kumalabog ang puso ko. Masaya ako dahil super nagagandahan ako sa lugar. Ngunit mas masaya ako na inisip niyang dalhin ako rito. Even if it's not exactly the place in my bucket list, the thought of making me happy is more than enough.

Mas masaya akong hindi nasusunod ang nakasulat sa bucket list ko dahil mas lalong nagiging masaya ang mga iyon dahil sa ideya ni Liam.

"Thank you," I whispered.

He nodded. "Always."

I giggled and held his arm, pulling him as I ran. I heard him chuckle as Pascal barks but I only laugh and roam my eyes around.

The castle's colorful walls bestow an unanticipated pop of color to the surrounding greenery. The main fortress stands lavishly over the verdant rolling hills like it's stuck in its own fairytale cliffhanger.

But as we come closer and look at it, I could see how the bright exterior slowly fades. Paint peels from the walls. The rides lay dormant, never able to grumble to life beneath the throng of thrilled children.

Ang sabi ni Liam, this Fantasy World is already abandoned a long ago. Nawalan daw kasi ng budget ang may-ari kaya hindi itinuloy ang construction. And then the news that the owner was ill came out, making it really impossible to continue the operations.

When I heard that, I feel sad. Sana gumaling na 'yung may-ari. Kawawa naman siya.

Still, I find this Fantasy World beautiful. Na kahit pa sabihin "abandunado" na, makikita mo pa rin ang kagandahan nitong taglay. What more kapag talagang natapos na ito?

At saka, may mga ganoon naman talagang bagay sa mundo. Dadaan sa hindi magandang nakaraan bago makita ang magandang kinabukasan.

Just like this spectacular place. It was abandoned but still adored by many. Marami pa ring bumibisita, marami pa rin kaming kasama rito.

However, I thought of another reason why I should push myself to become an Architect someday. Dahil nasasayangan ako sa proyektong katulad nito.

"If I will become an architect someday, I would lend a hand to continue this. Super laki ng potential ng lugar na ito na makilala ng maraming tao. I want them to visit this place and feel the same glee I'm feeling right now by merely looking at the fortress."

Liam smiled. "You will be an Architect someday."

"Do you think I can?"

"Of course, you can, Vivienne." Ngumiti siya at nagpatuloy, "You've got a dream? Protect it at all cost."

Napanguso ako upang pigilan ang pagngiti ngunit hindi ako nagtagumpay. Natawa si Liam sa reaksyon ko at itinapat niya ang camera sa akin upang kuhanan ako ng litrato. After he clicked the camera's shutter, Pascal barked while looking at the captured photograph.

Liam chuckled. "Ang ganda mo raw, Vivienne."

Agad na nag-init ang dalawang pisngi ko. Bukod sa papuri iyon, sobrang hinaplos ang puso ko dahil sa Tagalog niya iyon sinabi. It really hits different when Liam speaks in Tagalog.