"You're really persistent, aren't you?" I remarked as we walked out of the mansion, making sure to take the back exit to avoid detection.
"Come on, you didn't put up much of a fight," he teased.
"Obviously, what else could I have done when you carried me?" I retorted in annoyance.
He chuckled softly, "Better than being locked up in that room, right?"
"Whatever."
As we strolled along the path, the tension seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of adventure and uncertainty. The cool breeze brushed against our faces, carrying with it a hint of freedom that felt both exhilarating and unnerving. The weight of expectations and responsibilities momentarily lifted, leaving us to navigate the unknown together.
"Do you still remember when we used to go hiking back in high school, all the way through senior year?" he suddenly reminisced as we approached a modest mountain.
"Why bring up past events, Wayne? It's unnecessary," I added, my tone bitter, not wanting to dwell on memories from the past.
"You even agreed to date me when we reached the top," he persisted, seemingly unaffected by my reluctance to revisit these moments.
"I told you to stop bringing it up. Why can't you understand?!" I erupted, frustration evident in my voice as it seemed he was disregarding my feelings.
"I'm sorry," he apologized gently, meeting my gaze with sincerity.
"Gosh," I hissed, pulling my wrist away as I turned to walk off, but he caught me, his touch a plea for understanding.
"Please, don't be angry with me," he implored, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency.
"Why does it even matter to you if I'm mad at you or not?! You know what? Being with you is definitely not a good idea. Please, just keep your distance from me," I asserted, the weight of unresolved emotions hanging heavy in the air between us.
~~~~
Today was just another normal high school day. I had just gotten back from school with a perfect score on our quizzes, and my 'Mamang' was pleased when she checked my results.
"Good," she told me firmly, a small smile playing on her lips. "Continue making such good results. You're free to do whatever you want for tomorrow as a reward," she added, and it made me feel a warm sense of pride and happiness, though I maintained my outward composure, not wanting her to see how overjoyed it made me.
"Thank you, Mamang," I replied simply, leaning in to place a gentle kiss on her weathered cheek before heading to my room and quietly closing the door behind me. As soon as I was alone, I couldn't help but let out a gleeful little jump, my heart swelling with excitement. Tomorrow was Saturday, and I had already made plans with my neighbor, Wayne, to go explore the nearby mountain. It wasn't a dangerous hike, as there would be many other hikers on the trail, and it was only a 30-minute taxi ride from our house.
I immediately pulled out my phone and texted Wayne to confirm our plans, and he replied with a simple ('Okay, good.') A content sigh escaped my lips as I flopped back onto my bed, feeling truly elated. I thought I could probably sleep soundly tonight, my mind already racing with anticipation for our adventure tomorrow.
Eager to get a good night's rest, I grabbed my towel and headed to the bathroom for a quick half-bath. As I walked back to my room, clad only in my towel, I quickly changed into my softest, most comfortable sleepwear, eager to settle in for the night.
Just as I was about to climb into bed, my phone began to ring, and I noticed I had missed several calls, the most recent one coming from Wayne. I pressed redial and brought the phone to my ear.
"Yes, Wayne? Why did you call?" I asked, trying to keep my voice level, though a small smile tugged at the corners of my lips.
"Nothing, I... I just wanted to hear your voice," he replied, his voice soft and almost shy-sounding, like a young teenager's.
I cleared my throat before responding, "What? Anyway, the plan is still on. We can meet at the mountain tomorrow. Maybe it's best if I just meet you at the foot of the mountain, though? I don't want Mamang to know I'm going out with a guy."
"No problem. I'll wait for you at the foot of the mountain tomorrow," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"We'll see about that. Maybe it'll be me who has to wait for you," I teased, feeling a playful spark ignite within me.
"Nah, it's definitely me," he replied, a hint of playfulness in his own tone.
"We'll have to see about that," I said, a light chuckle escaping my lips.
We continued talking for hours, and it felt so good to have a friend like Wayne. He always knew just how to lift my mood when I was feeling down, never failing to make me happy. The easy camaraderie we shared filled me with a warm, comforting feeling, and I couldn't wait to spend the day exploring the mountain with him tomorrow.
The morning dawned bright and clear, and I found myself waking up much earlier than usual, a sense of eager anticipation bubbling within me. I quickly got out of bed, my readied backpack in hand, and made my way through my morning routine with a renewed energy.
"Mamang, I'm heading out," I called out, poking my head into the dining area where she sat, her gaze fixed on her phone.
"To where?" she asked, briefly glancing up at me before returning her attention to the small screen.
"Just to the nearest mountain, Mamang," I replied calmly. "I'm going to do some hiking and exercise."
"Okay, take care," she said, her voice firm. "Make sure to get back home before dark, alright?"
"Okay, Mamang," I acknowledged, then turned and headed out the door. I quickly flagged down a passing taxi and gave the driver the destination, eager to be on my way.
The drive was mercifully short, and as I stepped out of the taxi, I caught sight of Wayne emerging from another cab. Our eyes met, and we both broke into laughter, the sheer joy of our shared adventure palpable in the air. Wayne hurried over to me, reaching out to take my bag as I retrieved my change from the driver.
"No need, I can carry that myself," I told him, but he refused to listen, insisting on taking my bag and adding it to his own.
"It's okay, we've got a two-hour hike ahead of us, and I don't want you to get tired," he said, the corners of his lips turning up in a warm smile. "I'm strong, Shane, it's no big deal."
He flexed his tiny bicep, and I couldn't help but chuckle at the gesture. Though slender in build, I could see the determination in his eyes, and I knew better than to argue. With a gentle tug on my arm, he led me towards the hiking trail, and I felt a surge of excitement course through me. This was going to be an adventure to remember.
We began our ascent up the mountain, with Wayne by my side the entire way. He kept a watchful eye on me, offering water and guidance whenever the terrain grew challenging. Every step felt a little heavier, but his presence provided a sense of warmth and security that made the journey bearable.
"We're almost at the top," Wayne said, pausing to catch his breath. I could feel the chill of the mountain air as we neared the summit.
"The air here feels a little different than below," I replied, feeling the cold breeze.
After a brief respite, we pressed on, and as we reached the peak, we were captivated by the breathtaking view. It was a sight that left us both in awe.
Wayne turned to me, his eyes brimming with sincerity. "Shane Amarra's Gordeza," he began, kneeling down and holding a small sapling in his hands. "Can I court you?"
I was taken aback, unable to comprehend the gravity of his words. "Court me? Me?" I asked, pointing to myself in disbelief.
"Yes, you," Wayne replied, his smile soft and genuine. "Can I try to win your heart?"
"But why me?" I questioned, still struggling to grasp the reality of the situation.
"Why not?" he responded, as if the answer were self-evident.
"Are you serious, Wayne?" I asked, my voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Do I look like I'm joking?" he said, his expression shifting to a gentle frown.
I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "I, uh, I don't know. Maybe?" I said, trying to deflect the topic. "What's with the plant, though?"
"I'll plant it here on top of the mountain," Wayne explained, "as a symbol of our time together." He paused, his gaze unwavering. "So, what do you say?"
I took a deep breath, my heart racing. "Okay," I answered, my voice barely above a whisper.
Wayne's face lit up with joy. "Okay?" he repeated, setting down the sapling and rising to his feet. "You mean I can court you?"
"Yes, you can," I replied, offering him a tentative smile. "But let's see if you can win me over."
"I'll certainly try," Wayne said, pulling me into a warm embrace.
As we stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, I couldn't help but wonder what had prompted Wayne's sudden declaration. "But why do you want to be my boyfriend?" I asked, looking up at him.
Wayne smiled, his hands gently cupping my face. "You're a wonderful person, Shane. You have a kind heart, and being with you makes me truly happy. Why wouldn't I want to be with you?"
I felt a blush creep across my cheeks, and a newfound sense of hope blossomed within me. This was the start of a journey I was willing to embark on, with Wayne by my side.
///////
As I made my way back to the mansion, I found myself whispering, "Well, that was all in the past. I just need to forget about it."
Suddenly, I heard Wayne's voice calling out from a distance, "Hey, wait!"
I didn't bother to look back, but he caught up to me, grasping my arm.
"Please wait," He was gasping for air when I turned to face him.
"Why is my soon-to-be wife, together with her ex?" a voice cut in. We both turned to see Lennox, who was smiling at the scene unfolding before him.
"But it's okay, though," Lennox continued, "You can have your time. I know about the past you two have. I can be an understanding husband if you guys wanted that," he added, winking at me as if the entire situation was a mere joke to him.
I felt a sense of unease wash over me as Lennox's words echoed in the air. The casual way he acknowledged the history between Wayne and me, and his offer to be an 'understanding husband,' left me feeling unsettled.
Glancing at Wayne, I could see the conflicted emotions written on his face. The tension in the air was palpable, and I knew I needed to defuse the situation.
"Lennox, I appreciate your understanding, but there's nothing between Wayne and me anymore," I said, trying to maintain a calm and level-headed tone. "I have no intention of going back to the past."
I turned to Wayne, offering him an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Wayne, but I've moved on. I hope you can understand and find happiness elsewhere."
Lennox wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. "See, Wayne? There's no need for any misunderstandings. Amarra is my wife now, and that's all that matters."
The weight of Lennox's possessive gesture and his words made me feel slightly uncomfortable, but I knew I had to stand my ground. This was the path I had chosen, and I couldn't afford to dwell on the past.