After the farewell messages and the outgoing President's final reminders, what came next? Of course—drinking. Conversations and laughter filled the air, though most of us had already grown tired of playing truth or dare. We played that game almost every time we went on a climb, using it to pass the time after dinner while sitting by our tents atop the mountains.
Everyone was having a great time, and I felt like the awkwardness I had earlier completely faded thanks to how they included me in everything.
"Let's buy something to snack on, Nika," Yara suggested. She seemed bored since, unlike us, she didn't drink. She and Nika were just chatting and drinking soft drinks.
"I don't know where it is, though. Lui, do you know? I've never been to that area before," Nika asked, nudging me.
"Yeah, I know where it is," I replied.
"Oh, is that so? Then come with us," Yara invited.
"Sure. Let's go?" I answered right away.
"Hey! Where are you three going? Just leaving us like that?" VM complained when she saw us standing up.
"Well, you're busy with Papa David, so we didn't bother inviting you. But if you want to come, go ahead! We're just buying something from the convenience store. We'll be back soon," Yara explained.
"Of course, I'm coming!" VM quickly stood up and grabbed my arm.
"Tell your brother first, or he might look for you," I said.
"No need! David will take care of it," she replied nonchalantly.
"David, if AC asks about VM, just tell him she came with us to buy something. We'll be back soon. Also, I'm leaving my bag with you," I said, dropping my backpack beside him without even waiting for his response. Yara and Nika did the same, placing their bags next to mine.
David didn't get a chance to say anything before we turned and walked away. It didn't seem like anyone noticed us leaving since everyone was too busy chatting, laughing, and teasing each other. VM was still holding onto my arm as we walked, while Yara and Nika walked behind us.
"Niks, are you coming with VM before heading home?" I asked, remembering our plan to stay at VM's place for a day or two. It was just for fun—we figured we wouldn't be seeing each other as often anymore since we were all getting busier. Especially now that the four of us were incoming fourth years.
"Yeah. After going to Yara's, we're heading straight to VM's, right, VM?" Nika asked.
"That's the plan! I know it'll be a while before we can have another bonding session like this since we'll all be doing our internships next semester," VM replied before turning to Yara. "By the way, what's the final plan?"
"It's settled. The day after graduation, we'll hang out at my place. But I won't be able to attend AC's party since I have to go with my mom to help with preparations," Yara explained.
"Well then, looks like we're going to be busy hopping from one party to another. How about our own graduation party?" VM asked, already looking stressed at the thought of planning it.
"Oh, VM! Stop thinking about that now. That's still far off—we still have two semesters to go, plus summer classes!" Nika scolded her.
"I'm just imagining it because it's exciting that we're finally nearing the finish line. It means we'll be facing a whole new level in our lives, right?" VM said cheerfully.
"That's fine. When that day comes, we'll all be busy with different things. We'll see each other less often, but that's just how life is—there are always changes," I chimed in.
"Wow, Lui! That was deep. I never expected to hear those words from someone like you," VM teased.
"Shut up! It's not like we've never had serious conversations before," I complained.
"I'm just joking! Relax," she said playfully.
"This is where we need to cross. The convenience stores the boys always go to when we're here should be over there," I changed the subject.
Before long, we reached the convenience store, which turned out to be just a short walk from where we got off earlier. We each picked out the junk food we wanted.
"VM! Can you grab me some mixed nuts? You're closer to the display," I called out when I spotted her near the nuts section. I planned to bring it back for the group to snack on while I held onto my favorite chips.
We kept chatting about random things as we lined up to pay. There were three people ahead of us when the store door opened, and familiar faces walked in.
"Why are you taking so long to come back?" David immediately asked VM as he walked up to her. I rolled my eyes when I heard him—I knew we hadn't been gone that long.
"What do you mean 'so long'? You're exaggerating! We weren't gone that long," VM pouted at him.
"Oh wow, David couldn't wait and actually followed us here just to see VM. That's so dramatic," Nika complained.
"No, we needed to buy something too," he said, looking around as if searching for someone.
"Yeah, right. Like we're supposed to believe that? You just couldn't stand not seeing VM!" I added.
"I'm serious! Hold on, let me find James so you'll believe that we were actually sent on an errand," he defended himself before walking off to find his friend.
"Oh, oh..." VM giggled while looking at me, and I widened my eyes at her in warning.
"Relax, Lui," she whispered, knowing full well that I hated being teased—especially after everything that had happened.
"Shut up if you don't want me to smack you," I threatened.
"Whoa! You're violent now?" she said, pouting.
"Yes, to anyone. Seriously, have some mercy. You all know what happened, yet you still tease me. That's just cruel," I said.
'Okay, okay. I promise I won't do it again!" she said, grinning while raising her hands like she was taking an oath.
After we paid at the counter, we had no choice but to wait for the two boys, who were now in line to pay for their drinks and snacks.
Once we stepped out of the convenience store, Nika and Yara suddenly suggested stopping for 'balut' (Named after the Tagalog phrase balut sa puti, meaning "wrapped in white," balut's name pays homage to its appearance. At its core, balut is a fertilized duck egg that has been incubated for roughly 18 days.)
"This is why you're taking so long—you keep making random stops," David commented while draping an arm over VM. James, on the other hand, just quietly followed behind us.
"Oh, come on! Why don't you guys just go ahead then? We didn't even come here together, anyway. And FYI, we came straight here after leaving you there. The only reason we're stopping now is because of these two," I said, pointing at Nika and Yara, who had walked slightly ahead of us.
"Yeah, and eating 'balut' won't even take long. You're so dramatic," VM complained to her boyfriend.
One by one, the two who got there first picked up 'balut' from the stall while we were still walking over. As soon as I got there, I grabbed one too and offered one to James. I figured it was fine since he had been treating me normally earlier.
"James, do you want one?" I asked, holding out the 'balut'. I knew he ate 'balut' since we had eaten it together before.
"Hey! Thanks!" he said with a smile.
"What do you mean 'thanks? You should be treating us—you're about to graduate!" Nika teased him.
"No way! This one's on me. My treat," I cut in quickly, giving Nika a pointed look.
"Really? You're treating?" James asked, pretending not to notice my glare.
"Yeah! Are you deaf? But only for James—he's the only one I invited! You two started eating before I even asked him, so technically, you should be the ones treating us," I said, laughing.
"Alright then, eat up! Lui's treating!" Nika declared to the others, as if she hadn't heard me say I was only paying for James.
"Hey! I can only afford two each! This is all the cash I have on me—I didn't bring my wallet," I informed them, knowing I had no way to win this.
"That's fine! Two is enough for me. I'm not even really hungry; 'balut' is just too good to pass up," Nika said, content.
We ate quickly and then headed back to the group.
"Thanks, Lui," James said as he walked beside me.
"Oh, come on! It's nothing. You even paid for my jeepney fare earlier! You should've just tapped me—I wasn't actually asleep, I just closed my eyes because my head was hurting again," I explained.
"It's fine. We're even now—you treated me to 'balut'," he replied with a smile.
"Oh, right! Lui, don't forget—you have to come to my graduation," he reminded me. Good thing he did, or I might have forgotten that he invited me.
"Of course, I'll be there," I assured him. "But what about AC's party? It's happening at our apartment. VM and the others said their parents will be there too. Are you going?" I asked. I was feeling more at ease now—James was treating me normally, and he wasn't acting in a way that would make me uncomfortable.
"Yeah, of course. AC and I planned a joint celebration, so I'll be giving him some money for the party, and they'll take care of the rest. He even talked to his mom about it already, so it's all set," he explained.
"Oh, so what about your family?" I asked again.
"Oh, the next day, so my grandparents can join us," he said.
"That's great! You'll get to celebrate with them," I replied cheerfully. I knew how much he missed his grandparents—he often spent his vacations with them since they were really close.
We continued our casual conversation as we walked back to our group after finishing the 'balut' that I had paid for.
"Oh, by the way, here—add this to your snacks or 'pulutan'," I said, handing him two packs of mixed nuts.
"Thanks! I'll just drop them off really quick," he said before walking over to our friends to place the snacks in the middle of the group.
I wasn't expecting him to come back and sit beside me as soon as he returned.
"Mind if I sit here, Lui?" he asked with a smile.
I just nodded, knowing I couldn't do anything about it since he was already sitting. Besides, there was nothing wrong with it. I offered him some of my chips.
"No thanks, I already have some. I took some of the mixed nuts you gave me—here," he said, showing them to me. I just smiled at him. Thankfully, even though some people were looking at us, no one started teasing.
"Thanks," I said as David handed me a bottle of beer.
"You? Want one?" I offered James.
"Nah, you can have it. I already have mine. But don't drink too much—you guys still have to go home," he advised.
"I won't. Just enough for what I can handle. Aren't you guys heading home too?" I asked.
"I am, but I don't know about the others," he said, glancing at the rest of our group.
"It depends, I guess. Everyone's clearly having a good time. Besides, who knows when we'll get to do this again?" I replied.
"Yeah, even if we do, it won't be complete anymore. A lot of people here are going to get busy," he said, still watching our friends.
"Exactly! Especially you guys, since you're graduating soon," I added.
"Maybe. We'll see," he shrugged before taking a sip of his beer.
Our conversation continued, jumping from one random topic to another. Sometimes, Nika, Yara, VM, David, and the others would join in.
We completely lost track of time, probably because we were enjoying the conversation so much. That's one thing I really liked about James—he never held grudges, and he was a great conversationalist. You'd never get bored when you were with him because he always had something interesting to talk about. And he was easy to talk to. At first glance, if you didn't know him, you might think he was the quiet type. But once he got comfortable, he had a lot to say and knew how to keep a conversation going.
James wasn't the type to turn heads. He dressed simply—just a t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, like me. His face had a half-Chinese look, with dimples that made him look even kinder. He was fair-skinned, not too tall, lean but toned from regular exercise, and very health-conscious. He was an animal and nature lover, affectionate but not clingy—unlike David. He was respectful, and overall, his kindness was his trademark. Everyone in our group would describe him the same way.
That's why I couldn't help but keep asking myself why I couldn't like James the same way he liked me. Even I had asked myself multiple times—why?
"Lui, you might get drunk. That's enough," he said, stopping me.
"We're thinking the same thing. This is my last one too. I'm already feeling it a bit," I replied with a smile.
"You're really flushed. Are you sure you can still go home?" he asked worriedly.
"Of course! No problem. I have company. Besides, Yara and Nika didn't drink at all. We'll just take a cab home. What about you? Can you still get home?" I asked back.
"Of course, do you even have to ask? Besides, I stopped drinking a while ago. Didn't you notice?" he said.
"Oh, you're right! I guess I'm the only one left. I must've really enjoyed our conversation. And we finished all the chips too. Hehehe…" I chuckled.
"Come on, let's go find some coffee. It's getting a bit chilly. Do you want some?" he invited, dusting himself off as he stood up and offering me his hand to help me up.
"Wait, let's ask them too," I pointed at Yara and Nika. But the two immediately declined when we invited them. The same went for VM and David—they said they were still enjoying their drinks. So, in the end, it was just the two of us who left to look for coffee.
This was one of the things James and I always agreed on—we were both coffee addicts.
"What are your plans this coming summer? Will you be joining the farewell climb?" he asked before blowing on his freshly served hot coffee.
We found a 24/7 kiosk that sold delectable donuts and also served both iced and hot coffee, but it was quite far from where we came from.
"I'll be taking summer classes, and on top of that, I have summer training for filming in preparation for our Ed Tour in January next year. And I won't be able to join the farewell climb because of that. It's a shame, but I can't do anything about it—it's a major subject. The training is a prerequisite for us to join the Ed Tour and graduate," I explained.
"That's a shame. But you really need that training, so it's okay," he said sadly.
I recalled that he had asked me to go on the farewell climb with him as his graduation gift.
"Sorry, I can't give you the graduation gift you wanted. But don't worry, I'll think of something else so I can still give you one," I said, hoping to lighten his mood.
"No, it's really okay, Lui. I understand, so don't feel guilty. There you go again! It's really fine. We just have to accept that some things are out of our control," he said, ever the wise one.
"There you go, lecturing again. Hehehe…" I teased.
"Idiot!" he said, laughing at my joke.
It felt nice to talk to someone with such a light and warm aura. His gentle face suited him so well, and those dimples on both of his cheeks? They made him even cuter.
"Oh, by the way. We're going to Yara's place. Do you want to come? From what I know, David and AC will be joining too—maybe you'd like to tag along? We're only staying for two nights," I said, changing the topic.
"Ah, I'll try, but I might go with my grandparents when they return to the province," he answered.
"Too bad. Yara's place is beautiful—we'll be swimming in the falls," I said, trying to entice him.
"Yes, I know that place. I've been there before with AC back in our second year. Someone from our org is from that area, so that's how we got to visit," he said.
"Come on, let's head back. We might get left behind, and my bag is still there," I told him after we finished our donuts and coffee.
"Are you feeling better now?" he asked as we walked out.
"Yeah, I'm okay now. Not completely, but good enough. Thanks for inviting me for coffee," I replied.
"Hold on, I'll just buy a bottled water," he said, stopping by the convenience store at the gas station next to the kiosk we came from.
I didn't go in since I knew he'd be quick. Instead, I stood outside, watching the few cars passing by.
"Here you go," he said, handing me a bottle of water he had bought.
"I'll just pay you back later—my wallet is in my bag. You know I don't like carrying my wallet if I'm not bringing a bag," I said.
"No need! Come on, it's just bottled water," he said with a smile as we walked back to our friends.
Just in time—when we arrived, they were all waiting for us so we could head home together since it was already early morning. Some of our org mates had already left, and only a few of us remained, so we all went home together.