Hiking in Mt. Makiling

After Anton died, Rick was hit the hardest at the loss of his father and possible loss of his youngest sister. Carlos and Jimmy dealt with their grief in their own ways. Matt had simply counselled him to take his time.

When school was let out for the summer, Rick decided to get a new hobby. He was intrigued by the idea of hiking up mountains and seeing the beauty of nature regularly. Some of his students had asked him to come along on their planned hike in Mt. Makiling in Laguna.

On the day of the hike, Rick was prepared and ready for the three hour climb up the mountain.

It reminded him of happy summer days with his father and brothers when they would pay a visit to the lady of the mountain. Maybe going up to the summit and enjoying the hike would take his mind off his grief.

The morning went by quickly. He had fun with his group of students composed of three boys and two girls who attended some of his classes. They teased him for being physically fit and nimble on his feet.

He smiled good-naturedly at these kids and thought about how he ran around UP Sunken Garden everyday before going to bed at night.

They reached the summit by lunchtime. The kids set up the camp and told him that they'll take care of lunch. Rick wandered off through the trees without anything better to do.

He hadn't reached three feet yet when he heard a soft voice calling his name. The professor stopped in his tracks, alert and ready. The hairs on the back of his neck were standing up and that usually meant that he was in the presence of an unusually strong engkanto...

Or Engkantada.

He let out a small gasp when a familiar figure materialized in front of him. He'd know the petite, tanned and pretty woman in a white dress anywhere. Her smile blinded him.

Then he realized that he was on the ground because she'd jumped at him to give him a bear hug. The scent of sweet sampaguitas, ylang-ylang and fresh earth after the rain enveloped him. He felt tears welling up in his eyes as he stared up at the blue sky.

She sat up, blushing wildly. "Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry, Rick! Are you okay?"

"I'm okay." Rick got up and extended a hand to her. "It's been a while, Maria."

Maria Makiling, lady of the mountains and guardian of Laguna de Bay, smiled shyly at him. Then she took his hand and allowed him to help her back to her feet.

"I'm sorry about Anton," she said quietly. "He was my good friend."

"Thank you," he replied. He couldn't stop staring at her. She often chose to appear to them as a fit, athletic girl in her early twenties. But it was her smile that always got him.

"I thought you'd never visit me again," Maria pouted. "Sinukuan always says that Jimmy visits her when he's in Pampanga. I thought you of all people would not forget about me!"

"How can I ever forget about you?"

She blushed under his intense gaze like a beautiful rose. They exchanged shy smiles for a minute before they heard his students calling for him.

"Will you come back and visit again next time?" Maria asked quietly, looking hopeful and sad.

Rick gave her a sweet smile and reached forward to squeeze her hand. "Yes, of course. How does next Saturday sound? Maybe I can even set up camp."

When she grinned up at him, he swore that he would brave rain, wind and limatic just to be with her again.