Smashed

Chapter 14

Chapter 14 #smashedsrs

"Akala ko talaga joyride lang tayo, hoy, Uno!"

Uno chuckled boyishly as the engine of the Civic died. "Surprise?" aniya, tinaasan ako ng isang kilay.

Mahina kong hinampas ang braso niya mula sa passenger's seat. "'Kainis ka, ah!" himutok ko na nauwi sa pagnguso.

Nakangiti pa rin siya nang napatingin sa nguso ko. My lips were protruded not in any negative interpretation, but out of unadulterated bliss. My heart was warm, contradicting the temperature in this mesmerizing place.

"I just feel like you belong here and that this would comfort you..."

He looked at the scenery in front of us, quickly spreading out his hands as if presenting the view before he gripped on the steering wheel again.

Sinundan ko ang tinanaw niya at halos maluha-luha. I've been here of course. Being here didn't make me almost teary-eyed. It was... Uno's initiative that moved me to the core.

La Trinidad, Benguet. Strawberry Farm, to be specific.

Noong nasa siyudad pa kami, inakala ko talaga na joyride lang ito. Pero nang tungong Baguio na, nakatunog na ako. But I was just able to react when we were already in front of the farm because it just sunk in.

Napakamot siya bigla sa sentido habang nakatanaw sa labas. "Hey, I'm actually not sure about the schedule here. I guess we have to hurry?"

I checked the time through his watch. "Afternoon na. 'Di naman sa yearly ako rito kaya nalimutan ko na. Pero tara, let's see!"

"I drove really fast," he said then he sighed. "Hope it did help."

"Teka, you know the way here?" napatanong ako.

Inginuso niya ang cellphone kung saan nakabukas ang Maps. "Mommy doesn't let me drive alone especially if it's far like this. Kaya ito na siguro pinakamalayong drive ko. First time."

Napasinghap ako. "Baka mapagalitan ka... Hala, Uno, 'di mo naman kailangang—"

"Nagpaalam naman ako," he interrupted me. "I told her I'm with you. Pumayag naman." He shrugged and from the view in front, he casted a glance at me. "Gusto ka nila."

I puckered up. Sa tingin ko, ako kasi ang unang ipinakilala raw ni Uno kaya siguro ganoon. Maybe they're just curious... or I'm just likable. Huh, flatter yourself, Rivi.

Pagkakaalam ko, harvest season ngayon ng strawberries kaya mas nasabik akong lumabas ng sasakyan. Uno immediately hopped off after me who was almost leaving him behind. Unfortunately, I wasn't sure about the schedule for strawberry picking. Dahil malakas ang kutob ko, hinila ko na agad si Uno nang bakas ang excitement sa pagmamadali ko.

"Alright, alright!" si Uno na natatawa habang kinakaladkad ko.

The side vendors instantly attracted me and my sense of taste but I headed straight to the farm first. Iyon at matatapos na pala ang oras ng pamimitas. Buti at nakaabot kami kahit papaano. Many are selling strawberries within the area but it's the experience I was after.

I was excited for Uno to try it because judging based on my instincts, he hasn't tried. O baka nasubukan niya na, kaso hindi niya lang na-appreciate. I want him to truly enjoy the activity with me for this once.

Nakapaghanda na kami at pasulong na sana ako sa field nang may tumaklob na bagay sa may ulo ko. I recognized it as a ball cap. Nasundan ng tumaklob na varsity jacket sa may likuran ko na nagmistulang kapa ko.

I looked at Uno in complete awe.

Nabigla naman ako na may suot din siyang sariling cap at pullover long sleeves. Sobrang excited ko ba na hindi ko napansing nakapagbitbit siya ng mga ganito? And he didn't plan this get away ahead of time to be this prepared, right?