Lost in Paradise (Morayta Series 1)

Kabanata 12

"Wow!" I said in awe as I looked at the view from where I am standing.

"You like it?" tanong ni Jayce pagkababa ng sasakyan.

"Yes!" para akong bata na natutuwa sa nakita.

Hinayaan niya lang ako na pagmasdaan ang buong siyudad habang abala siya sa pag-aayos ng mga gamit. Inayos na niya ang comforter at dalawang unan doon sa likod ng sasakyan niya at pagkatapos ay inilabas na ang mga pagkain at inumin na binili namin kanina sa malapit na hypermarket doon sa condo.

I can hear how the leaves fall from the ground and it suddenly seems like I can hear the wind chill. I can feel the cold breeze that touches my skin, but I shrugged it off because I can't contain my happiness, seeing one of the best views I've ever seen in my life. It seems like glitters are scattered everywhere. It shines so bright like how the stars give light in every darkness. I let my hand move freely as if I can get those tiny little sparks I see from afar with my fingers.

"Come," inalok niya ang kamay niya at inalalayan akong makaupo doon sa cargo bed ng sasakyan niya.

Kahit naka-jacket ako ay ramdam pa rin ang lamig. Mali yatang nag-shorts ako! Hindi naman kasi sinabi ni Jayce kung saan kami pupunta kaya hindi na ako nag-abalang mag-pants pa. Buti nalang at may comforter doon.

"So, this is the reason why you suddenly bought a comforter and pillows," biro ko sa kanya but he just smiled. "Mukha tayong mags-sleep over dito!" natatawa kong sabi.

"We can if you want to," sabi niya habang binubuksan ang kakainin namin.

"Really?!" gulat kong tanong sa kanya and he nodded.

"I'm happy that you're happy with what you're seeing right now," nakatitig niyang sabi sa akin dahil namamangha ko pa rin na tinatanaw ang citylights mula sa kinauupuan.

I smiled genuinely. "How did you know this place? This is the first time I went here in Antipolo."

"I often go to quiet places whenever I want to breathe," nakangiting sabi niya.

I appreciate how respectful he is. He wasn't asking anything about what happened earlier but it seems like he knew what I needed right now, a breather.

Kukuhanin ko na sana ang isa sa mga beer na binili namin kanina pero agad niya akong pinigilan. Sinimangutan ko tuloy siya.

"You can't drink with an empty stomach," agad kong naisip ang ibig niyang sabihin at hindi na ako nagpumilit pa. "Let's eat."

Nagsimula kaming kumain ng binili namin kanina sa foodcourt ng hypermarket. It was just a grilled chicken but the taste isn't that bad. Kinain ko na rin ang binili niyang cake slice kanina sa isang convenient store.

Siya na mismo nag-abot ng beer pagkatapos naming kumain.