Mount Sleeping Beauty (2)

"Fem, how could you not notice me? Although we are cousins, you should have known that we are already fourths." Stanley tugged my back pack as we were on the almost half way to the mountain top. He was behind me. The other four were a bit ahead. I was suspecting that they deliberately walked faster and left the two of us behind.

"What do you mean not noticing you? I already noticed you are the math genius of the whole N.P.U." I said pausing to take some deep breath.

"And you have the lowest EQ!" He said as he stepped beside me.

"Ouch! Why do you need to spell it? Your spelling is wrong. Wrong spelling wrong!" I replied.

When we reached a flattened rock used as a resting place by everyone, we sat down to rest a bit. Stanley wiped his brows with his towel then used it as a fan. The sun was already hot at nine o'clock in the morning.

"Fem, can I ask you some questions? Stanley sat down beside me as he drunk water from his water bottle.

"Sure, you are already asking one." I replied.

"Who is engineer Lester to you?" he asked.

"An ex-boyfriend. Why?" I answered.

"Sure?" He asked again.

"Ha! Stanley, why are you so annoying!" What will I get from lieing to you!" I snapped.

"Okay, how about the developers of Sleeping Beauty, do you know them?" He asked again.

"Nope, I was even surprised to see all these things taking place so fast." I answered.

He went quiet for some few minutes as if thinking deeply.

" Is something bothering you? Why are you suddenly like this Stan?" I looked at him. His gaze was focused looking up the mountain we were headed to.

"I just feel useless seeing this mountain go to strangers when I can actually save it with you." He said in a deep manly voice.

"Save it with me? Do I need to know something?" I pulled his arm so he could turn to look at me.

"Nothing, maybe I am over thinking." He smiled.

"I tried to ask papa about these developments, he just shrugged me off. He said only elders can understand it so I shut my mouth off." I told him.

"Uncle did not tell you who the developers are? Are you sure?" He asked again.

"Nope, you know my papa right?" I said.

"Off course, but not that much about his logic." He said.

"Let's get going then. Just relax. School days are over again!" I exclaimed as I carried my back pack.

We reached the peak at 9:30. We walked further apart from the view point as there were many construction materials blocking most of the area. We put down our bags, laid down our mats and then walked around to find some wild fruits. I felt so relieved from everything that was weighing me down. I could even shout out loud without being restrained.

During lunch time, we all ate to our hearts' content. The really planned to treat me. I was so touched. As Wilbert said, there were three huge pieces pancakes piled up together with a cute small candle at the center . In between the pancakes were strawberry jams and honey syrup which were already dripping. They sang a birthday song then we continued to feast like kids.

We lied down on the mat after eating. We didn't notice that we all fell asleep. When I got up, it was already three o'clock. Stanley was sitting next to my foot, Sarah and Tess were awake but were still lieing down.

"So what's the plan? Are you coming with me first or go back home from here.?" I asked them.

"I want to visit uncle first, do you want to come?" Stanley asked the other four.

They all agreed to come. When we arrived home, it was already five o'clock. Papa and Mama were still out in the fields. Only my siblings were around. All five of them sat down like obedient children as I went inside to put down my bag and check whatever was there to serve besides water. I only found freshly riped bananas.

Not long after, my parents arrived. Seeing them, all of my visitors stood up to acknowledge their presence.

"Hehe, you may sit down! They are not royalties" I told them.

"Papa, these are my classmates, they want to visit our humble home. This is my cousin Stanley if you have not seen him yet." I said.

"Hello Uncle. I'm Douglas' son. " Stanley greeted papa.

"How are you Stanley?Are you Douglas' third child?" Papa asked as he sat down infront of everyone. Stanley he replied with a nod and yes at the same time. Papa looked at him as if to say something but his words must have been stucked under his tongue. In the end, he just nodded and said, "It's good you can visit us here."

"Actually Uncle, Daddy reminded me to pay you a visit if I have time. I took the chance today because Fem said she's going home, so we came." Stanley said politely.

Papa's eyes got a bit wider as he heard Stanley's words.