mananagaytay, pt. I

The credits of a gruesome movie about mutant cannibals hunting down reality show contestants were already rolling on the television screen when I called the attention of the bus conductor. He walked over and I asked, "Kuya, malapit na po ba tayo sa Olivarez".

"Di pa ho. Malayo pa," he politely answered before starting to walk back towards his post.

"Pakibaba po kami dun ha," I said hoping it was still within his earshot.

I wanted to have a feel of how far we have to go before we reach our destination so I'd know when to take off my earphones and let my mind come back from the drifting it usually does when I'm listening to music. I looked outside the window and projected six to seven songs before Tagaytay. I checked on my companion, the Sunbaked King, who was still fast asleep as I gently pressed the play button on Archie.

Tagaytay was his idea. He wanted to study somewhere far. He thought of this place.

For the longest time, I wanted to get away from all the hurly-burlies of the metro. Preferably, some place far; and Tagaytay is considerably far. Hence, I tagged along without falter.

The plan was finalized Thursday night; and by 5 AM the following day, I called the King to wake him up. We met at the street junction a little after six, rode a cab to the wrong terminal, took another cab to the right one and made it to the first bus heading to Tagaytay with a few minutes to spare. Thirty past seven, we were a tandem of anxious, giddy travelers, officially southbound.

Among other things, I know this trip can break the vicious monotony that is my life, and provide a relief from the melancholia that he's in. I am pretty sure that the highlands would do well on both counts.

Archie was on his fifth song when I unconsciously turned my gaze towards the window. I saw a complex that makes for a rustic mall, and a signage which has Olivarez written on it. By some weird coincidence, the King woke up as I was about to nudge him. The bus conductor signaled that it was our stop. The King stood up and headed to the door. I took off my earphones, put on my sun glasses and followed him out.

As I planted my feet on the sidewalk, I noticed that the sky was clear, the sun was high, and the breeze carried a gentle chill. We were in Tagaytay; and the day never seemed so promising.

TO BE CONTINUED.