Beneath the Two | Academy Series #1

Chapter 40

Kahit pala gaano ako kamaldita, kasama at kamakasarili noon, heaven still gave my heart's desire. And I won't waste this chance again. I won't let them go.

I am an essentialist, my worldview claims that there is an essence to my being. I have a predefined purpose. And no matter how I live my life, what decisions I made or how hard I try to grow, there's only one end. . . to die.

Kaya nga ni hindi ko pinapahalagahan ang mga desisyon kong ginagawa noon. Kaya hindi ko pinoproblema ang mga bagay-bagay. Dahil mali man ang piliin kong desisyon, dadalhin pa rin ako ng buhay kung saan ako nararapat.

That's also the reason why I never dreamt to be kind, why I never tried to be a better person. Because no matter how good I am, it won't change my essence. Kahit maging mabuting tao ako, hindi noon mababago ang katotohanang isa lang ang kahihinatnan ko.

I also considered fate to be truthful. Destiny is real. We're all destined for something. I think this is my destiny.

More than existing just to die, I also exist to be with them while I'm still alive. To be happy while I'm still here.

"Is it cooked? I'm hungry."

My chin is resting in between my knees as I watch Zach cook the meat on the campfire. I'm sitting on a log, and beside me is Yelah, while Idris is beside Zach in front of us.

"If you can't wait, you can have me as the appetizer," he teased.

"Should I?" I fed the tease.

Idris and Yelah made a disgusted look. "Doc, nagbago ka na. Hindi ka naman ganiyan dati."

"Kasal muna bago kainan. Simbahan muna bago kuwarto, mga bata talaga ngayon," si Yelah.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Zach. It's obvious that he's trying to stop a smile too. I bit my lips and faked a cough to clear the lump in my throat. Too late of Yelah to say that, we already did the deed.

We decided to celebrate Christmas together after celebrating with our families. That's why we're here, camping at the park. It was a sudden idea of Yelah. Nagkayayaan lang kanina, ngayon ay nandito na kami sa North Camp Park.

This place is dearly for people who want to camp out but afraid to go to mountains. Aside from snakes and hungry predators, it's kinda dangerous to camp on mountains. One more thing, I can't climb, so this is the best option.

This park has the same ambiance as the wild. Tall trees, fresh air, but no animals. This is being monitored and taken care of for the past years to keep it safe for the people.

"Doc, mamamatay isda ka na nga, manununog isda ka pa. Malapit nang matusta 'yang niluluto mo."

"Ang tingin kasi sa isda, hindi sa tigress. Ang lalandi niyo," ani Yelah.

I rolled my eyes and beamed. Ramdam ko ang titig ni Zach sa akin kanina pa kaya nga muntik nang masunog ang isda niya.

"Right, Zach. Am I that pretty that you can't take your eyes away from me?" tanong ko.

"Sobra," he exaggerated. "Hindi na ako makapaghintay na pakasalan ka."

"Yelah tumayo ka na, umuwi na lang tayo. Mamatay ako sa inggit dahil sa dalawang 'to," biro ni Idris.

"Ako, Idris? Maganda ba ako?" Yelah tried to ask him.

"Sobra." Sakay ng isa sa trip ng babae. "Hindi na ako makapaghintay na sakalin ka."

Sumama ang mukha ni Yelah. "Gusto mo bang ikaw ang ihawin ko? Tutal mukha ka namang galunggong?"

Yelah threw him a marshmallow. Nakailag ang isa dahilan para bumagsak ang mallow sa baba. Idris still took and eat it.