Chapter 34: Disoriented (2)
I never thought I could be this distracted when it comes to matters of the heart. I can lead any investigative work and come up with the most precise conclusion. I can find ways to uncover a deeply concealed truth, I can almost tell what other people are thinking, but this matter.....? I found myself disoriented and my mind muddled. Others would find me funny and ridiculous if they see me disoriented like this. But who would not, specially if he is kept in an uncertainty like this? I never felt so anxious as this before. The only tiny thread I'm holding on was the word of Mr. Law. Atleast he didn't appear to be uttering just empty words. He seemed to value his words as his integrity.
It was December 24th, Saturday and the planned camping came. Having finished the initial plan in the Northern Province, I had nowhere else to go. I packed my sleeping bag, three sets of clothes, some first aid medical needs, and my foldable tent I bid goodbye to my grandparents then headed out, dropping by a nearby supermarket to buy some instant food and spirits to keep warm through the cold nights. I then hailed a taxi to the headquarters. I was surprised that most of them brought someone with them, probably their girlfriends. The initial number that I was expecting to join was almost doubled! No wonder we needed to hire a bus. We were like a whole bunch of class going out for excursion. We were about 30 in all. Three of the staff ladies in the headquarters were however just by themselves. They looked like estranged kittens without someone protecting them. I smiled while they looked at me like I was an alien. I looked around to see if they have partners with them but didn't see any extra guys around.
Agnes, the information desk staff, Tracy the Clerk, and Brenda the nurse were always together during break time. They would go for lunch together, wait for each other when going home after work and sometimes arrive to work together. As to whether they have boyfriends, I didn't even bother to know.
"Are we all here?" I asked Agnes who has the list of names in her hand.
"Yup, you are just on time sir Mark! Gail has just gone to the toilet, lets get into the bus now!" she shouted as she waved her hand to everyone.
"Where's your partner by the way?" Agnes asked.
"Partner? Did I mention bringing a partner with me?" I squeezed my nose. Her perfume was too strong, I never liked strong scents.
"You asked before so I was thinking you'll bring her along. I have reserved two seats for you." She said.
"Oh? But I don't remember you confirming it after that." I said.
"Oh, sorry, never mind then....I mean, thats good!" She beamed an eager smile. Can I just be your partner then? I'll take the seat." She said like she was so delighted.
"Sure, sure, no problem. " I said without thinking much. Only after I realized I didn't like the strong smell did I want to take my words back. But I was afraid she might think I'm being rude.
The tour bus took us North but half way along the road going to my love's place, we deviated into a one way narrowbut smooth road. We arrived after two and a half hours. It was already half past four. We just had time to fix our tents, and settle our things, and make a common fire place.
The place was a beautiful meadow with tall and slender trees seemingly guarding the place from any intruders. Above the high and mighty waterfalls was the point intersection of the small rivers that come from the mountains . We were warned not to climb beyond the waterfalls as there was no guarantee that one can be rescued once the swirling water took us.
There were huge rocks along the stretching river beside the meadow. The steady sound of the falling waters which complimented with the soft rippling sound of the trees as the gentle breeze blew, makes one want to just lie down and be one with nature. The place was perfect for a gate away!
While doing the fire place, some of the men went to gather some firewood while the ladies took initiative to prepare for some food to cook. Later on, most of us jumped into the water before we took our dinner. I stayed near the fire place to keep watch the fire while the rest played games. After being exhausted, we all went to sleep.
Waking up the next day, I found no one was awake yet! It was already eight in the morning but the sun has yet to reach the meadow. I put my shoes on and did a round of inspection around the place before I proceeded to jug following the road. I took my binoculars and my camera. After about a 10 minute brisk walking along the road, I found a trail going up to a hill so I jugged my way up. I jugged all the way up for a good 20 minutes to find a beautiful hilltop where I viewed the panoramic hills and mountains. There were still fogs lying on them and the sun's rays were starting to melt those from far. I remembered the sketch of my love with her poem on it. I clearly remember the lines and I couldn't help but feel the longing of sharing this moment with her. I took a lot of shots of the scene with my camera then used my binoculars to see closer whatever I could discover from those mountains. Through the lenses, I could see small villages in between those hills. I could also see winding roads along the mountains. There were rice terraces that seemed thin lines climbing up the mountains. There was a huge cloud of smoke coming from one of the villages but only few roofs were visible.
I sat down on a rock which may or may not be intentionally erected for anyone to sit on. I enjoyed the view while wondering which village could my love be found. The more I thought of her living a hard life, the more I felt the urge to hasten my plan. I shouldn't let her suffer as though I didn't know anything. Hope she will remain strong until my plan materialized. I need to act as soon as I get back.
That day, we mainly enjoyed the river doing all the exibitions in swimming. Aside from preparing food and eating, we mainly enjoyed the water. The three ladies who have no partners always called my attention though. For some reason, I felt they were intentionally trying to catch my attention with their schemes though I didn't give much thought about it. In the afternoon after lunch, the three of them went ahead to swim. For some reason, they went to the deepest part of the water where the current was strongest. At first, I didn't mind their shouting as I was annoyed at their girly and flirty attitudes. I heard Tracey and Brenda scream for help. I was tanning myself on one of the rocks beside the river. Their scream for help came panicked and loud. I stood tall to check what was going on before jumping into the water to catch Agnes being swirled away by the strong current. I grabbed her by her arm and pulled her against me placing my arm under her armpits to lift her head up. I pulled her aside and carried her to the flat grass. She was unconscious and limp. I called out Tracey and Brenda to come and resuscitate her but they were just standing aside shocked and in horror. Agnes was already turning blue.
"Faster! Do you want her to see her die?" I roared at them. They were in total panic that they seem not to understand what I meant.
Seeing them doing nothing, I opened Agnes mouth to give her resuscitation. She remained unresponsive after several attempts, while Brenda who finally came to her senses tried to help by pressing Agnes' tummy. I tried my last three attemps before Agnes finally spewed out a lot of water through her nose and mouth. Her color returned from blue to cream brown.
I didn't think about it much but at night when we were warming up around the bonfire, they teased me having taken advantage of kissing Agnes . I just ignored them while drinking my beer in annoyance. Some of my colleagues brought several liquors that when the beer was finished, we ended up opening them. Some of the girls also joined in.
Perhaps, it was because I mixed drinking beer and liquor that I got easily drunk. I could remember they were teasing me for having kissed Agnes who pretended to drown. Then I remember playing along with their kissing challenge. Everyone kissed their partners while we squatted around the fire. The last thing I remember was kissing someone beside me out of fun and challenge and calling her Fem. They all laughed and taunted in unison "Fem or Agnes, Fem or Agnes!" I was in total daze.
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