Chapter 65 Out of Impulse

KIA

The rest of the afternoon was spent taking in Burnham Park's breathtaking scenery. The different flowers that have been placed around the park's walks have a distinct fragrance that you may detect. People are busy snapping pictures of this beautiful park while the leaves are green, the sky is blue, and the scene. People's happiness is obvious. While walking alongside these two men, I truly felt the warmth and calm that this city park offers.

If you don't try boating in their artificial lagoon, what good is it to visit this park? Naturally, we jumped in and began pedaling right away.

Fun was had up until we got off our boats. As soon as I stood up on my feet, it appeared as though I could not feel my calves. I think I was too enthused about the whole cycling thing. However, it was a worthwhile and enjoyable trip overall.

Afterward, we made the decision to go to Kennon Road. We took advantage of the chance and chose to stop by some well-known locations along the road because we could only occasionally go to or from Baguio via Kennon Road in a private vehicle. The Lion's Head is one of these attractions that are close to the highway.

At Camp 6, there is a well-known landmark called The Lion's Head, which is 40 feet tall. The structure was conceptualized by the Baguio City Lions Club. The skull was carved out of a limestone boulder by a Cordillera artist.

Along with the well-known building, there are a few tiny shops selling sculptures and other regional goods. Visitors who take the time to stop and relax are also sold drinks and little food.

We chose to go to the Bridal Veil Falls after snapping photos of the Lion's Head. It could be a natural attraction and is located at Camp 4. The fall was given its name because, when seen from the road, it resembled a "bridal veil."

“Ladies first!” Nate said.

To access the waterfalls from the roadway, cross a rusted metal suspension walking bridge. Despite the bridge's small size, some of the metal seems to be unsafe.

“Uhm—”

“I’ll walk first. Follow me, hon—” Ares interjected, but he wasn’t able to finish his words when I suddenly started talking.

“No! I can do this!” I said and started walking. I just looked straight ahead and didn't even plan to look down because it was too high and the bottom of the bridge was a wide river.

When I got to the middle, my fear disappeared because I was close to the other side of the bridge. But suddenly, the bridge moved. It was as if someone was moving it. I looked back and I saw Nathan jumping on the other side.

“What the f*ck is wrong with you?! Do you want to die, ha?!”

Instead of responding, he continued to bounce and tease me. As if I were frozen, I was unable to move from where I was. As a result of my fear, I closed my eyes, and the next thing I knew, Ares was standing by my side. Thank God, he saved my life as he assisted me in crossing the rusted bridge.

The falls are fairly impressive. The plunge pool is quite big. One can actually swim if he or she wishes to. We would have liked to take a dip, but we couldn’t since we didn’t have any spare clothes with us.

Sigh! Well, maybe next time.

After the stressful day in that place, we go back to the park. For a while, we abruptly left the park to eat dinner. Pizza Volante on Session Road served us dinner. Nate said this cake was the restaurant's signature dessert, so we also ordered pizza, pasta, a fish menu, and this cake. After returning, we stayed in the park until dusk. Being in Baguio City during the change from day to night is enjoyable.

Even after seven or eight in the evening, the afternoon's chilly temperature continues to drop. People are dressed in their heavy jackets. The lovely scent of the blossoms started to travel. The winds seem to be blowing a light breeze into the park, yet the pine trees appear to be swinging in opposition to it. Around the lagoon are these trees, which have crimson blossoms with hairy tips. The park is perfectly decorated with roses, dahlias, sunflowers, stargazers, and many other varieties of flowers.

Around nine o'clock, we started the trek back to the parking lot. It feels fantastic outside even if it's chilly and dark. Even though I now have a heavy sweater on, the cooler weather is causing my body to shake and my teeth to chatter as a result of the wind's contact with my skin. The wind is whipping through the trees, creaking and groaning like an old rocking chair.

“Are you okay, Kianna?" Nate asked as he approached me while we were walking.

I caught Ares giving me a worried look. I nodded in response to him and just kept on moving. My husband seemed like he didn’t mind the situation and walked beside me. I suddenly stopped when someone suddenly held my hand. When I turned to see who it was, it was Nathan.

“Why are you freezing like an ice cube straight from the demonic fridge?" Nate asked.

The next thing I knew, both of them were touching my hands, checking if I was really cold.

“Hon, are you okay?” Ares asked, worriedly.

I smiled, a fake one. “Y-yeah, it is just getting a little bit colder than earlier, but I am okay—”

“I will get the car. Ramirez, can you keep an eye on her while I am going to get the car? It won’t take long.”

“Sure,” Nate answered.

Ares immediately rushed toward the parking lot, leaving with Nate. I didn’t know what to do, so I continued walking slowly.

“Where are you going?”

I stopped and looked back at him. “To the parking lot. Do you expect me to wait here with you?” I said, rolling my eyes.

“Why not? I’m not a bad guy after all. Besides, your husband asks me to keep an eye on you—”

“In your face! I know you were planning something. That is why you keep on pestering our day. You know what?! I feel like you planned everything. I feel like you were playing your stupid games again. I am warning you, Nathan Zac Ramirez, don’t even think about doing idiotic things because I am done with all of your bullshits.”

I can’t control my anger. I just feel like he is one of the reasons Ares and I fought that day. Nathan didn’t do anything well. I am always doomed whenever he is around.

“What do you mean?”

“Stop acting like a fool. I know you know what I mean.”

He burst out laughing. Letting out a sardonic laugh. “You are full of yourself, Kianna. There is no truth to any of your guesses. You misunderstood everything. I didn’t plan for this to happen. It is really a coincidence that I bumped into you at the Diplomatic hotel. I was actually running from my assistant. They wanted me to meet someone today, a blind date to be precise — that is why I ran and went somewhere with a lot of people. The tour guide thought I was one of their guests, so they let me on the trip. The first thing that came to my mind was to escape that blind date. That is why I asked you guys if I can join the two of you and gladly your husband agreed.”

I started scratching the back of my head. I shifted my gaze in the other direction, just to avoid eye contact with him. “He is here,” I said, pointing in the direction of Ares.

“Yeah. I gotta go. Thank you for today. I really enjoyed having fun with you guys, but it seems like you didn’t enjoy having me around. I am really sorry for disturbing your vacation. Please send your dream place to my assistant. I will buy a ticket for you two. It is fine if it is in another country or here in the Philippines. I just want to repay the special day that I destroyed. I’m sorry. Tell your husband that I am very thankful for his kindness and for letting me hang around with you guys," he said before walking in a different direction.

I was unable to speak. Shame overcame me because of what I had said. As much as I want to apologize to him for what I said, I am unsure of how to begin and if I should even go after him. What I did was stand here, watching him walk away from me. I was suddenly startled when Ares honked at me out of nowhere.

“Let’s go,” he said. Upon entering the car, he immediately asked about Nathan. “Where is he?”

“Oh, he is going back to his hotel. By the way, he said thank you.” I answered.

I have no intention of telling Ares about what transpired or what I just said to Nathan. I'm aware that it hurts him, and I was horribly ashamed of everything that impulsively came out of my mouth. But I don’t want to make things longer.