Chapter 1: Need For Speed
The Hilltop View — Sometime in the Future
It was late in the afternoon, and the once asleep hill covered with lush green trees that occasionally sway side by side as it danced to the gust of the wind was gently awakened by the arrival of a fleet of cars.
The cars swirled up from the base towards the top of the hill in a formation as if it was a colony of ants climbing up the trunk of a towering tree on a muggy summer day.
The cars - one by one - came to a halt at the top of the hill and the people that it carried filed out on cue and was assaulted with fresh, breezy air.
"You have to take it easy on the gas, buddy. Mommy's not gonna like it if she finds out you drive like M. Schumacher possesses you," the guy in the passenger seat said as he bent and stretched his knees. He also wiggled both of his legs while a hand clamped over the shoulder of the driver - a clear sign of the long drive that they had to endure.
The driver - all in his youthful glory - in return, had given him a cheeky smile and covered his eyes as he looked up towards the clear blue afternoon sky.
"I think she's going to love it. The need for speed! Ahhh!" With his eyes closed, he felt a surge of adrenaline sip through his veins.
"Right, mom? Aw aw aw my ears!" The driver had no choice but to rub his now red ears after a pregnant lady pulled his ears with all her might that somewhat magically made her find her balance.
She was wearing a beautiful old rose chiffon maternity dress. The wind blowing her skirt made her look like a fairy that has graced Earth.
"No, darling. I'm sorry, but I have to agree with your dad this time... ONLY." She spoke in a soft-spoken manner, yet a hint of irritation could be detected.
She glanced towards the father's direction and squinted her eyes as she emphasized the word 'only', afraid that the old fool would think that she will agree with him again in the future.
"We lost you guys twice. Do you hear that? Twice, on the way." She held up two fingers in the air in a peace sign to prove her point. "How many times should I remind you that we are on a convoy?"
She shook her head to clear it from disappointment then walked in small and steady steps away from the duo while she rubbed her hands on her bulging stomach. "When you grow up, don't hang out with those two. They only know how to play and give everyone else a headache."
The father pushed his glasses up his nose bridge as he took in and breathed in the sight before him. He was a little hesitant on coming back to this very place but his son's nagging changed his mind.
This place held far too many memories for him and his little fairy wife.
The driver had caught up with the pregnant lady and extended his left hand as he genuflected, "Your majesty, please accept this humble servant."
A giddy smile shone across the pregnant lady's face while her almond-shaped eyes now looked like a crescent moon. "You stinky child!" He held her hand gently, afraid that the pull of gravity or a missed step might hurt the fragile lady in his hands and walked their way towards their destination.
Not far from where the cars were parked is a cabin - old and worn out - it gave you the feeling that it has been a while since life has stepped foot inside.
As soon as everyone in the group had a glimpse of the cabin, nostalgia filled the air, and the memories of their carefree adolescence rushed back in giant waves that swallowed their hearts with the feeling that those bits and fragments of innocence only happened yesterday.
The invisible hook that tugged their emotions did not even spare one soul in the group as everyone seemed to pool a mist that covered their eyes. Even the once chatty father and son duo stopped in their tracks, unable to move forward.
The person behind them cleared his throat. "Ehem ehem. Come on. Keep going. You're blocking the way." His commanding presence and monotonous voice had woken up the frozen duo from their stupor while he huffed and puffed as he carried a big rattan picnic basket. "...or better yet, bring in the cooler from the trunk. Thanks."
He moved forward calm and collected like he usually does, yet those who are dear and near him noticed a hint of poignancy in his eyes too.
The group started to tidy up the place and made sure it was spic and span in no time. Then, they set the table outside the garden that has a view of the bustling cityscape below the hill, a stark contrast from the serenity of the space in which they currently stood.
This very place was their home. Although some of them may not be related by blood, they were connected by memories that they all collected together - good or bad. This place was simply their melting pot.
Nobody can remember when was the last time they visited this place. Every once in a while, a friend or two will visit, but this is the first time in a long time that almost all of them are present.
It somehow gave them a sense of peace and tranquility to know that they are surrounded by the people who mattered the most: the people that stuck together through thick and thin.
"Babe, you do not have to tire yourself. Just sit and relax and we'll do the rest of the cleaning," a soft yet husky voice spoke behind the pregnant lady which startled her from her daze because of a memory that flashed before her when she saw the familiar carving on the table as she was wiping it down — initials RC enclosed in a heart.
He put the picnic basket that he was holding down, then placed a hand over her bulging stomach and rubbed it ever so gently.
'I hope it's a girl this time.'
He flashed a gummy smile when he felt a kick.
"Your girlfriend is at it again." She rolled her eyes when the spawn inside her decided for a somersault to impress the dad.
She added, "I'm only pregnant, not invalid. And it's not like this is my first pregnancy. Let me move around and consider this as an exercise, okay?" She then wiggled her eyebrows that magically sent glittery, tiny hearts towards his way to make sure he succumbed to her charms.
"You and your silly antics, you bewitching fairy. Tch!" No matter how much the man shook his head in annoyance, a gummy smile still escaped on his face. "Now, where should I put this?" He asked her after he picked up the picnic basket on the ground.
He quickly scanned the area in search of the best spot. "Oh, you can put those on the left end of the table, so it's easier to grab refreshments," the pregnant lady replied with her fingers pointed across the other end of the long picnic table.
"Can somebody spare me a second, please!" a high-pitched voice reverberated, which caught the crowd's attention. The young driver moved forward and offered his hand for help as he playfully said, "I can give you my eternity, Madam!"
The lady with a high-pitched voice squinted her left eye and held out her arms as she tried to frame the photo that she hung on the big oak tree. Without glancing his way, she said, "Stinky as always! How does it look? Is it crooked or what?"
The young driver wasn't able to give out his reply right away that made her instinctively turn so she could face him.
A face of longingness could be seen on his face, which made her throat dry and lumpy.
She tried her best to hold the tear that tried to escape all afternoon, but she failed miserably. Her only reprieve was to clear her throat and give the young driver a one-arm side hug by the shoulder, and she squeezed it as they both stared at the candid photo of the once young, wild, and carefree gang of high schoolers.
edited by Swaning
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