Connected To You

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Margaux Lim's Point of View

After ten minutes of waiting in the ticket booth, we got our tickets and was told that we are up on the next round of the roller coaster. I don't have any fear of heights but I feel really nervous since I never tried this tide before.

"Are you okay, Margaux?" Ethan asked with worry written on his face.

"Uhh... yeah!" I answered feeling really nervous.

"Are you sure? You seem terrified."

"I'm perfectly fine."

I tried to smile to hide the nervousness I'm feeling. Ethan held my hand once again and smiled at me. What he did somehow made me calm.

"Okay, next!"

Muli akong kinabahan nang buksan ang entrance at papasukin kami sa loob. Hawak pa rin ni Ethan ang kamay ko. Gusto ko nang magbackout pero nakakahiya naman kay Ethan.

"Calm down, Margaux. I'm here, okay?"

Tumango na lang ako at hinigpitan ang hawak sa kamay ni Ethan. Nilingon niya naman ako at muling nginitian.

"Where do you want to sit?"

"Sa gitna na lang tayo."

Nauna siyang sumampa sa napili naming wagon at inalalayan naman ako paakyat. Pumwesto siya sa gilid, ako naman ay nasa gitna dahil may tao pa sa kabilang side. Humawak ako sa railings at bumitaw kay Ethan.

Roller coaster lang 'to. Kaya ko 'to.

Panandaliang nawala ang kaba ko at nakangiti pa ako habang pinagmamasdan ang loops ng roller coaster. This would be fun, I guess?

Muling bumalik ang kaba ko at napasandal sa upuan nang umandar ang roller coaster. Huminga ako nang malalim para pakalmahin ang sarili ko.

"Are you okay?" nakakunot noong tanong ni Ethan.

"Yeah."

Habang tumatagal ay bumibilis ang takbo ng roller coaster. Pinipigilan ko ang sarili kong sumigaw. Nang lalo itong bumilis, napakapit ako sa braso ni Ethan at itinago ang mukha ko roon.

"Ayoko na, Ethan!" nanginginig kong sabi. Pakiramdam ko umiikot ang paningin ko ay bumabaligtad ang sikmura ko.

"I'm here, Margaux. Calm yourself, I won't leave you."

Hindi na ako muling nagmulat pa ng mata at nanatiling nakakapit kay Ethan hanngang maubos ang oras namin. Nagmamadali akong bumaba nang huminto ang ride.

"Huwag mo na ulit akong pasasakayin dito. Baka sa susunod atakihin na ako sa puso."

Natawa naman si Ethan at ginulo ang buhok ko. Nakasimangot ko siyang tiningnan na lalo niya namang ikinatawa. May nakakatawa ba sa mukha ko?

"Anong susunod na itatry natin? Vikings or Frisbee?"

"Ayoko na, Ethan! The roller coaster is enough for today!" umiiling kong sagot.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

"So, let's eat, then?"

"I think that's a good idea!"

Nagpunta kami sa food court dahil pareho na kaming nagugutom. Naghanap muna kami ng mauupuan bago mag-isip ng kakainin.

"What do you want to eat?" tanong ni Ethan.

"I'm good with fries."

"Flavored fries?"

"Yes, Sour cream or Barbecue..."

"Is that all? How about drinks?"

"You decide."

"Alright!"

Nginitian niya muna ako bago nagtungo sa isang stall na nagtitinda ng fries. Marami-rami ang tao ngayon dito kaya mga limang minuto rin siyang pumila bago nakarating sa counter.

Nakangiti lang ako habang tinititigan siyang kausap ang cashier. First impression doesn't last. As weeks go by, lalo ko siyang nakilala at ibang-iba siya sa naisip kong ugali niya noong una ko siyang makilala. He's not that bad.

Tatlong minuto pa ang itinagal niya roon bago makuha ang order namin. He's smiling while he's carrying our food as he pave his way back on our table.

"Thank you, Ethan."

Umupo siya sa katapat kong bakanteng upuan pagkalapag niya ng tray sa lamesa. Inabot niya sa akin ang dalawang paper cup na may laman na Sour Cream flavored fries at barbecue flavoured fries. Napakunot naman ang noo ko dahil doon.

"Bakit ang dami?"

"I know you're stressed out because of your preparations for the upcoming event on your school so that's a treat. After every hard work, you deserve a reward. Always remember that. In this case, that's your reward from me."

"Thank you so much, Ethan."

I never experienced this before. Every time I'm doing something, I believe the ultimate reward is to receive material things. Yes, maybe the food I'm eating is considered as a material thing from Ethan but for me it's not the reward I received. Ethan is the reward I received for my hard work.