15 SURVIVAL

The night is peaceful, the sound of crickets in alternate chorus. The flicker of the campfire, Jacky is singing with a guitar her favorite song learned from our JS Prom which was themed 1960's.

" Fly Me to the moon

Let me play among the stars

Let me see what spring is like

On a Jupiter and Mars

In other words, hold my hand

In other words, baby, kiss me..."

The moon is crescent this time... Why the song touches me... It makes me miss you already Jacky... I know after this school year, you will be back to Japan, you look so beautiful tonight, Jacky... Juan's words in his mind. Looking at Jacky.

"Fill my heart with song

And let me sing forevermore

You are all I long for

All I worship and adore

In other words, please be true

In other words, I love you"

"Jacky looking at Juan's eyes while singing...

" I will never forget this night and this song Jacky", Juan said in his mind... This will always remind me of you, my dreams, and our future...

After the song, all of them clap as they sit around the fire near the pond.

Ely and Tony continue their conversation in the Sala with business proposals and the feasibility of bank loans to capitalize on their plans which can be overheard.

Jacky and Ruthie went to Ruthie's room. Ruthie told her of stories about her Mom Martha, The painting contests of Paulo, her classmate's lives, and about Juan which she is so interested in. They slept together.

Paulo and Juan in their room, Paulo show his latest drawings and paintings. Juan found some drawings of them near the pond this afternoon, with Ely and Jacky, also a drawing of Jacky singing in the campfire... Juan asked Paulo if he can have the last drawing about Jacky singing.

" I have not yet finished it, yes, tomorrow," Paulo said smiling.

Ely insisted to sleep in the tent he set up in the roof of his car. He misses sleeping in a tent. He wished if only Luz is here, she would surely love it which they both enjoy before.

Tony sleeps in his room. This time, he did not cry at least about Martha. Maybe comforted by this new friendship...

Early, they wake up eaten their breakfast, Tony prepared. Ruthie and Jacky went to the river to take a bath. A beautiful freshwater river, it's her first time to swim in its freshness.

Juan cut some firewood, help Tony in feeding the chickens and ducks, then went to the river with Paulo they run and Juan stop to find some beautiful flowers and get some and run with Paulo... they look where Ruthie and Jacky was.

Ely takes a bath in the bathroom, Tony send his Carabao to be shaded under the tree with some grass he cut for his food.

The river is so cool, Juan and Paulo swim then they overheard the laughter of Jacky and Ruthie...

Juan went in that direction and saw Jacky playing splashing water with each other, in a short time they became close as if they are blood sisters.

Juan just sits in stone to watch them. Jacky sees him and went to his direction. Juan stands and walks to meet her and show her the flowers from his back.

Jacky smiled and thanked, "Wow! Thanks... she smelled it, she gets one and put behind her ears, and get another and put in Ruthie's ears and they had a selfie on her phone with the flowers. She called Juan and Paulo to have a selfie also. She keeps the rest of the flowers in her pocket to be kept as a remembrance. She plans to put it in her book to preserve it dried.

They hurried home, prepared to go to the chapel.

The service was refreshing, the Pastor talked to Ely after the service, they prayed after. Jacky had new friends with some young people, they sang outside the church with the guitar. They introduce and give a copy of the song titled "Grace-Laura story", Jacky loved the song, keep a copy of the lyrics with chords.

Tony talked to some men then went to Ely with Pastor, "He is now a brother, Tony" Pastor said. "Thanks, Tony for bringing me here, I never realized that there is a vacuum in my life that only your Jesus can fill". Tony smiled, embraced him, and said "Welcome to God's family" Brother.

Ely, now realize why Jacky is calling Juan as "Brother", this could be it...

Ely thanked the Pastor, "I'll be back with my wife as soon as possible. I want her to experience what I had today." Pastor, please give me your cell number and address of the church here. "This is my calling card. " Sure", Pastor replied.

They went home happy, Ely wants to have a hiking experience, and Tony suggested to go to Kalaja Karst and cave, The cave has a pool inside that is about three meters deep and 22 meters wide. The area is surrounded by limestone's cliffs. Then, we will sleep tonight at Sanchez peak, overlooking General Santos City at night. It is a one hour hike to Kalaja and another one hour to Sanchez peak after we take a bath in the falls there.

They prepared their backpacks, and Ely gave them each the multitools, jackets, tents, and shoes for the adventure. Juan was surprised how prepared Ely is, he is truly an experienced adventurer and survivalist.

Ely gave the rest of the new equipment and tools to Tony. "We will be back with my wife here as the Lord wills", He told Tony.

They walk, enjoying the mountain view, the cool breeze, they passed some rivers, actually, one river passed many times as they hike. Tony and Ely lead the hike, followed by Ruthie and Jacky, then by Paulo looking for views to draw as he goes. Juan is covering the rear as they hike. But as they are enjoying the walk, Jacky is slacking behind until she was at pace with Juan. They walk together, then she holds Juan in the arm...

"Are you tired already?" Juan asked.

Jacky nodded...

Be sure you will not collapse here, Juan said joking... Jacky detached her hand from his arm.

" I will be angry at you of reminding me of that embarrassing experience."

Both of them laughed. "You even said I'm weak..." Jacky said.

"OK, let's forget that, hahaha sorry," Juan said.

They reached the Kalaja cave, they take a bath, swim, and enjoyed it so much with selfies and group pictures.

They cooked some ramen with the small portable stove and camping cooking utensils and had some coffee to balance the cold from the river.

The good memories are building up...

Suddenly, Ely shouted while swimming, "I'm having leg cramps!" Juan jump and dived to the water, tried to rescue him from drowning in the rapids. Tony gets his rope from the backpack outside the cave and throws it to Juan who is also fighting the current. Jacky gets his backpack and gets her inflatable pillow which is waterproof and can serve as a floater and throw it also to Juan. After some struggling and swimming, they are safe at last.

Tony massaged Ely's legs and made the cramps relax.

While Jacky is drying Juan with a towel. "You saved my Dad, Juan, thank you," Jacky said.

After they rested, Ely said, I can walk, thanks for saving me guys, let's go to the next destination, Sanchez peak.

They started to move out, cleaning the surrounding with no garbage to left behind. "It's good that no one was here today except us," Paulo said.

Juan checks his time at 3:05 PM.

The hike seems to go longer than expected, they enjoyed the scenery that they don't know their direction is out of the usual trek. Ruthie is starting to complain of her painful legs, Paulo carried her in his back.

Ely checked his GPS if he can locate the peak and get some direction. "Good! we just diverted just a little and we can correct our direction. It is already near 5:00 PM we need to be there before it will get dark."

Juan had some blisters in his feet because of his shoes. He stopped and walk on barefoot.

Jacky turned and did not see Juan behind alerted them. They stopped and they see Juan walking barefoot. "I have slippers here, take it." Jacky gets it in his backpack and gave it.

Juan looked funny with the fancy pink slippers, Jacky laughed and all of them joined laughing. Juan teasing them walk like a girl, they laughed more. "Don't do that Juan it will kill me." Jacky smiling.

They are now walking under trees and the path is muddy.

"Ouch..." Jacky's feet slide and she felt pain in her ankle...

They stop walking...

"Can you still walk, Jacky?" Ely worried.

" I don't know, it hurts, I think it was strained, by resting for a while, I think I will be fine." Jacky sits down in the road.

Juan offered his hand to let Jacky stand, but Jacky felt she can't stand. So he gets melted ice from the small beverage bag with ice and put in her ankle.

Ely decided to let Tony, Paulo, and Ruthie go ahead. "We will follow for a while" The peak is already near. Paulo started walking carrying Ruthie in his back. "OK, we will prepare the food and tents ready when you arrive." Tony agreed.

Juan said, "Is it OK if I will carry you?"

I'm heavy and you have blisters in your feet. Is it possible for you?" Jacky said.

" I can," Juan said, hold her hand and when she stood she carried her in his back. Ely gets the backpack from Jacky and walked with them.

Ely seems happy to see his girl safe with Juan, "Do they have a Relationship already?" Asking in his mind...

"Sorry Juan, I don't mean to be a burden for you," Jacky whispered to his ears...

" I love this kind of burden. I now realize that the hard life we had before had prepared us physically and mentally to times like this. I now appreciate God's wisdom to life's hardships. I can't carry you now and to embrace you like this if I don't have the capability made by our hard past." Juan whispered back.

"But you are walking with a burden in a lady's slippers," Jacky said.

HAHAHA both of them laughed loudly and Juan's body is vibrating with the laughter...

They arrived.

They stand amazed by the beautiful sight... It's getting to be dark soon, the moon is now getting its full round form.

All the tiredness, pain, and the life and death experiences fade with the coolness of the breeze, the fogs passing and the city lights emerging below as the sky is starting to be covered by darkness.

Jacky sat beside Juan gazing at the sky, looking at the moon...

"Somebody I will fly you to the moon, that's a promise," Juan said.

"Promise? No, don't promise, do it!" Jacky said.

"The future uncertainties are in God's control... Let's live what daily present he gives..." Jacky said.

"True... Is this only a dream? I don't want to wake up." I love the pain, the joy, the challenges with it because you are there Jacky. What's wealth, fame, and everything if the person you love is not there. Juan said.

"Are you talking about me?" Jacky interrupted.

" No, I talk about God. He is the one who let us met... I know he has something planned... and I love it. My dream is forming slowly as He gives the details, that out of tragedies are diamonds being seen." Juan said.

Ruthie and Paulo joined them looking down at the lights of the city and above where the moon is.

Jacky embraced Ruthie...

Paulo so fast to made many sketches of the hike, the cave, the peak, the tents, and our sitting looking at the view.

"The table is ready", Tony called, they all went to the table near the tents, the waiter served the native chicken adobo and native chicken tinola. Then some fruits. Ruthie was requested to pray: " Father, thank you for the food, and that we survived coming here. In Jesus' name Amen.

Everybody dig in and they ate in silence savoring the native chicken food which they all loved.

" I never thought we are allowed to eat native chicken because we fatten them for the rich, now I'm eating it, God is good. Ruthie said.

"Amen," Jacky replied.

Tomorrow we will go early as 5:00 A.M. so we will not walk under the hot sun. Tony said. Ely agreed.

They rested, then they sit in the benches for sightseeing...

Paulo continues with his sketches. Ruthie sits beside Paulo looking at what he is drawing. Ely and Tony are watching Juan and Jacky talking.

Tony asked Ely, "Are our children in a relationship?"

Ely turned to Jacky, " Hey, you two, we want to know if you are in a relationship?

"What do you mean Dad?" Jacky quickly replied.

Tony asked Juan: "Are you both, in a girlfriend-boyfriend relationship?

"No! we are just..." both Juan and Jacky answered in duet.

"Brothers!" Jacky completes the sentence.

"Sure?" Ely said winking to Jacky.

"Juan will not have a girlfriend if he doesn't finish college, that's what he said. Jacky explaining Juan's side.

"I'm still courting her sir! But she has not said yes yet! Juan said.

"You are not just yet so persistent, to have my yes," Jacky said in her mind as if whispering.

"What did you said, Jacky? Ely asked.

"None Dad," Jacky replied.

"Well, that's good that you have plans to finish college that's great before having a serious relationship.

Huh! We survived! Jacky whispered to Juan.

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