Cherry-picked Pitfall

Chapter XI

THE MURMUR of spring was evident even if you were still meters away from the water. Its sound was thrilling enough for someone to look forward to where those burbles and ripples were coming from.

And when you finally laid your eyes on that particular spot of the forest, you will see how it exceeded the beauty that you had foreseen. Ineffable. Sublime. Heavenly.

Primavera Milagrosa was surrounded by three cascades. Mataas din 'to, and if it will be estimated—probably we were more than 12 ft. above the shallow pool where the water plunged and splashed. Mas mataas lang nang kaunti ang tuktok na pinanggagalingan ng tubig mula sa kung nasaan kami, ang dulong parte ng Llanura.

The falls were exactly facing the east direction so the sun ray blasted as it reflected on the current of water even if it's already passed three in the afternoon. Sobrang linaw kaya kitang kita mo na mababaw lang ang babagsakan ng tubig, bato-bato at may mga namuhay na ring halaman sa pinaka-gilid nito.

"This looks superficial," I reacted as I wandered the Primavera Milagrosa, thinking I was just dreaming in paradise.

I heard Damon's reaction as he blew an air through his nose. "Akala mo wala ka sa Pilipinas, ano? Para ka ngang nasa ibang mundo, iyon ang tingin ko noong una rin akong pumunta rito." He walked forward which made me panicked.

"Uy, baka mahulog ka!" I even pulled his shirt when he was about to climb down.

Napatigil si Damon. He blinked twice before his lips curved to form a smirk, then he shook his head. Hindi ko alam ang ibig sabihin noon pero nang tapikin niya ang kamay ko, doon ko lang napansin na nakahawak pa rin ako sa kanya.

Kaya naman bumitaw na rin ako.

"Inayos na ang daan pababa kaya wala nang kahit sino na madudulas ulit dito," paliwanag niya.

My forehead creased. "Marami nang nadulas dito, 'no?"

Imbis na magsalita ay nilingon niya ako saka tumango. He suddenly offered his hand.

"Bababa tayo?"

"Ayaw mo ba? Hindi tayo sa pinakababa. May ipapakita lang ako sa 'yo," sagot niya. He even gave me an comfort smile so I could trust him.

I heaved a sigh. Wala naman na akong nagawa pa. I held his hand after I bobbed my head as I decided to follow him.

Sinusundan ko ang tinatapakan niya habang hawak ang isang kamay niya. Mayâ-mayâ ay tumigil siya kaya napaangat ang tingin ko sa kanya. Pero hindi niya ako nilingon kaya sinundan ko na lang ng tingin kung saan siya nakapaling.

My jaws dropped upon realizing what Primavera Milagrosa really was. It looked better in this angle. And as I let my eyes wandered all over the enchanting falls, I fell in love even more. "Ano 'yon? Kweba?" I pointed the dark abyss at the back of the falling water.

"Iyan ang dahilan kung bakit Primavera Milagrosa ang pangalan ng talon. It was translated from "miraculous spring." Not everyone from these islands are actually Catholics. Some of them are still Buddhist and Pagans like their ancient relatives so they pray or meditate here before sunrise. Pero nirerespeto pa rin naman namin ang paniniwala nila at maski yung iba, humihiling din dito kapag gusto ng himala at may malaking pangangailangan. Sabi kasi nagpapakita raw si Mama Mary dyan." He pointed the cave we were looking at.

"Ibig sabihin kapag humiling ka rito pwedeng matupad ang hihilingin mo?" I asked for assurance.

Damon slowly blinked and pouted as he thought of it. After a minute, he nodded though he looked unsure.

I sneered. "Based on your story, I guess you're a Catholic... but you believe in the miracle of this waterfall?"

Damon held his chin while crossing his arms. "Sa totoo lang," he paused as he looked at me. "Wala namang imposible hangga't pinaniniwalaan mo ang isang bagay pero kung ako lang ang tatanungin... hindi." Then he smiled.