​I feel like someone is tapping my shoulder, or is it just me?
I shrugged off the hand and returned to my slumber.
But then the hand keeps on tapping me.
"Mom, let me sleep some more, please," I beg, pushing away the hand once again.
"Hey Nina, it's me; wake up," I hear a male voice say.
It's also deep. I heard it somewhere before, but I can't tell exactly where.
"Hey, wake up," he says a little bit louder and clearer this time around.
That's when it dawned on me.
I am not home, and I am not in bed.
I quickly sat up, almost banging my head against the front seat.
There he was, Professor Abraham, staring at me.
He was looking at me like I was a funny little thing.
Wait a minute, did I drool while sleeping?
I quickly wiped my mouth, but there was no drool.
Then what is he laughing at?
I decided to look away from him and inspect my surroundings.
We are currently in a filling station, and it seems like there is a huge queue before us.
I guess it's going to take a while before we are on the road again.
I turned and caught him still staring.
What's his deal?
"Uhmm..."
"I need to go to the bathroom. I cut him off.
Seriously, I need to go to the bathroom.
All the liquid I had consumed on the plane has decided that it wants out all of a sudden, and I am really pressed.
I opened the car and hopped out, not even bothering to ask where the bathroom was.
Wait!" he calls out.
I had no other choice but to stop.
He opened the door, dropped one foot at a time, and took his time to leave the seat.
I swear to the Almighty, any minute longer, and I'll have to be changing my pants.
"Come on, I'll show you to the restroom," he says, leading the way.
Walking a little bit further, we stopped by some natives.
He spoke to them in a foreign language, and I saw them pointing somewhere and answering back in a foreign language as well.
Seriously, I should learn to speak this language, whatever it is called, or else I'll be a lost dog around here. But for now, I need a bathroom.
"This way," he says.
We followed the direction they just pointed, and soon enough, we were standing in front of the bathroom.
I quickly whisper a thank you, sir, to him and rush in.
Finally, my bladder is being relieved.
I took a deep breath and emptied myself.
I flushed the bathroom and walked out.
After rinsing my hand, I reach out to a tiny pocket in my trousers and pull out my MP3. Now I can finally listen to some music.
We were told that no electronics were allowed, but I just couldn't help it.
I switch on my favorite song, 'Hometown Smile by Nightcore.
The music starts coursing through my ears and into every fiber of my body.
I head out of the bathroom, ready to go back to the car.
And I'll do anything just to keep you by my side. I followed the chorus, almost dancing to the tune, but I hit something hard.
I moved back a little, and there he was, still standing.
I thought he had gone back to the car already.
"Hand it over now," he says.
I pout.
But, sir, it's just..."
"Just hand it over; those rules have been put in place for a reason, and you'll get to find out why soon, so..." he motions for me to place it in his palm.
With a heavy heart, I turn off the music halfway and hand it over to him. It feels like I am giving him the last piece of my life.
He puts it in his pocket and turns to leave.
I lifted my heavy leg, feeling like the gravity had somehow increased.
"Ah, right, before I forget," he stops.
I bumped into him once again, but he was quick to pull me by my arm, and I fell on his chest.
I just felt like bursting out into tears right now, but I told myself that I had to be strong.
He was the first to pull away.
He reached into his pocket and brought out a small box.
He opens the box and brings out a cute little ring.
He reaches out to my left hand, and then he slips the ring into my index finger.
"There, all set," he says.
I have tons of questions to ask him, but he just turns around and walks away.
I stood there, inspecting the ring.
It is silver in color, and it has some sparkling diamond-shaped stones. Too sparkly, I tell you.
"What are you waiting for? The car is filled up," he calls out.
And that ended my admiration session, as I had to rush over to catch up to him.
We boarded the car once again, and this time, we were headed straight to the jungle or park.
The two kept on talking in the foreign language while my mind kept drifting back and forth.
I'm kind of nervous about this field trip thing. I didn't even think I could make it.
But here I am, sitting in the back of a car that is leading us to the camp, accompanied by one of the best professors of conversation at my university. This looks more like a dream to me than a reality.
After about an hour and a half of driving in the middle of nowhere, we finally reached the camp.
Goodness me, I was starting to think of whining for them to take me back already.
We all boarded the car, and our luggage was also unloaded.
I walked over and stood beside my teacher.
He is the only person I am familiar with in this jungle.
From here until where your eyes can see, it's all trees and all natural. creepy-looking nature.
An old man walked over to us. He is white. Finally, I am seeing someone of our kind.
He waves at us—well, at my professor, actually.
"Hey man, I wasn't expecting you guys this early; it's great to have you here this year," he says, shaking his hands.
"And who is this beauty that you brought for us, such a jewel?" he asks.
I wanted to open my mouth and introduce myself and get the professional groove on when he pulled me by the arms—I mean, my professor, Professor Abraham.
"She is my wife."