Chapter VII: Bucket List

I asked Chris a hundred times kung saan nga ba kami pupunta but all he said is, "don't complain. I am not abducting you. You'll love it there."

Isn't this a kind of abducting me?

Chris opened the window, I busied myself staring at the beautiful scenery. It's peaceful and perfect. The moon is showing its crescent shape. I heard him call someone on the phone, asking for a reservation.

"Saan nga tayo pupunta?" We're going on a higher altitude, ramdam ko ang lalong pag-lamig ng hangin dahil nga sa bukas na bintana. We're going through a zig zag road.

Because of the sign that we've passed through, I found out that we're at Chip. 

"Did you know that Disney Republic — our beloved country, has eight wonders?" He said, as soon as we parked at the garage. I raised a brow, "eh?" 

Eight wonders?

I think I've read something like that in a travel blog.

"What about it—?" I asked. I'm a little bit curious about these wonders that he is telling, but I am in awe because of the building we are facing right now. It's really towering! Probably around fifty floors, but what's amazing is that it is built on top of the highest peak of the Chip Mountain range. How did I know that it is the highest peak? It's carved in a huge stone block in front of the building!

"What about it?" He mocked me and gave me his hands. "Shall we?" 

We're already here, why should I back out?

The guard welcomed us and opened the door. I was blinded by the bright light. 

Outside the building is a modern, plain looking building. Just like what a usual modern building looks like. But inside! It looked so different, it felt like a new world welcomed you. The interior is Victorian style in white, black, and gold. 

So this is a hotel?

"What are we going to do at this hotel?!" I shouted at him, a few people even glanced at us suspiciously. He just led me to a grand stair and a man in a suit met us. Chris and the man nodded to each other. 

"This way madame, señor."

Bawat taong makasalubong namin ay magarbo ang suot. While us? Chris is wearing a v-neck, plain navy blue shirt, grey trousers, and white vans shoes. Well, he kind of, belongs to the place. But me? Ha! I am wearing a plain maroon blouse, jeans, and a black flats.

 I look like his effin' yaya!

Heck! My outfit is not appropriate for this grandeur.  "You know what? You should have told me about these, sana nakapag-ayos ako." He smirked and teased me that I still look great right now. 

We got into an elevator, and the man with us pressed the last button. Fiftieth floor. 

I am tapping my feet, watching the numbers go up, enduring this jerk beside me. 

After a few minutes we finally got off the elevator and walked a bit. We're at the rooftop of the hotel! 

"Here is your table for two sir, the food you've ordered will be served in a few minutes. Enjoy!"

Being a gentleman, he pulled off the chair for me. And to piss him, I did not sit down at the chair he pulled. He smiled in amusement.  

"Bakit mo ko dinala dito?" Looking back, we had a lot of encounters. Encounters which I hate and appreciate the most at the same time.

"I told you about the eight wonders. This is the first." 

It's a beautiful night. The moon is present, as the trillion stars above. Our table is at the left side corner so we could overlook the lights created by the houses and establishments of the towns and cities below. 

I looked at him, he's appreciating the view as well. Hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang munting ngiti na kumawala sa kanyang labi. I busied myself with my phone to search for this place and the remaining seven wonders that he is saying.

Our food is already served, I am not familiar with everything that is on our table. I don't know the name of the dishes, all I could say is that they all taste elite and wonderful! 

I found out that it is hard to make a reservation for this hotel, especially for the night dinner here at the rooftop. The money you need to spend is not even a joke! And the food! Everything in here is screaming money.

Muntik pa akong mabilaukan dahil sa nalaman ko. Chris told me that he has a friend here who has a high position so it is easier for him to make a reservation. He even told me that money is not a problem for him, and he should really take responsibility because he dragged me here suddenly. 

Dapat lang!

We had a white wine. 

People around us are having fun and enjoying the serene night. 

"Do you want to travel to the eight wonders?" I asked him. He immediately nodded. "You want to come and join me?"

I laughed. It would be nice. But no. I am not going to have a fun trip with him. 

No.

Never!

"What? Don't you wanna have fun first before killing yourself?" 

Ha!

Have fun my ass. I am not in this world to have fun. In fact, I should have died a year ago!

"Don't you have a bucket list? Or just a to-do list in life?" I snorted. I don't really have a plan to make the most out of my life because I want to die.

"Wala. If you want to travel, go and travel alone. Or you can ask another person to join you." I rolled my eyes.

He put his hands on the table and looked at me, "let's set a bucket list of yours."

"Bucket list of mine?" For what?

I gave Chris a confusing look. He told me that we should make a bucket list for me, "don't you wanna experience the things this world has to offer?" He kept encouraging me. Told me a lot of words and made cute faces, which I laughed at. 

"Okay." I finally gave up. I guess there is nothing wrong in setting a bucket list, why not? Right?

On top of the list is his suggestion, the eight wonders of Disney Republic. I agreed since he's so annoying.

"Think of something you wanna do before you die." 

Nilabas niya ang phone niya at nagsimulang mag-type. I told him that I wanna get drunk and experience bar hopping for the last time. I missed the feeling of getting drunk at bars and going home sober. Learn how to cook at least one dish. As in those chef-like dishes, probably an exquisite dish that I won’t get tired of eating. Get a tattoo, which is my dream even before all the shits in my life. Dye my hair into different colors. Vandalizing a building would be great to let off my feelings. And learn how to swim. Christ laughed at the last, “you don’t know how to swim?” I rolled my eyes, “yes. Bakit ba? I am not the only person in the world who doesn’t know how to.”

He typed everything on his phone. "Iyon lang?" He asked.

I shrugged, "pwede naman natin dagdagan kapag may naisip na ulit ako."

We stayed for another hour and talked about random stuff about the place. After that, we decided to finally go back to the inn. It feels so nice to talk to someone. It is refreshing. And it's amusing that we do not run off things to say. And now, even when we become silent for a minute, it's not a dead silence. It is more of a calming silence between us.

"I'm sorry for suddenly bringing you here without your consent." He stopped the car, I did not notice that we were already at Lolo's place. "Nangyari na eh, ano pang magagawa ko." 

He is tapping his fingers at the steering wheel, like holding back the words he is going to say. "About the bucket list, do you really agree to do it with me?" 

I turned my gaze away from him. Now I want to punch myself for agreeing to make that bucket list. Just thinking of it excites and saddens me at the same time. Those things are stuff I really want to experience. 

"I'm not really sure." I stopped for a second, "it's really late already Chris. We should get inside and get some rest. Besides, I need to look for a job tomorrow." He nodded and got out of the car, he even opened the door for me. I mouthed "thanks" and was about to leave him. He looks so down, he is probably thinking that I just go with the flow about doing the bucket list with him.

I sighed.

And so my tongue did something stupid again, "if you found out what is my real name, we'll do the bucket list." I said and bid him goodbye and good night.