Chapter 28: 28


    Memories came crashing as we approached the ind. My heart beats wildly and my breathing


    bes hard; the breeze was cold but I was sweating.


    I closed my eyes harshly and tried hard to even my breathing.


    Breathe, Jia. Breathe. I mentally told myself.


    I know I can do this; I have to do this. I won’t let an old wound scare me forever, I must ovee this


    fear.


    "You can say here for the meantime. You can go swimming first or whatever you want while we are


    preparing for the lunch. Just please be safe and if ever something happens, call us immediately." Kuya


    Roy briefed us when reached the shore of the camp site.


    We just listened more to their orientation and when they gave us the go signal, everyone cheered on


    excitement.


    "Give me your hand, Ma''am." Kuya Ben asked. It was waiting for me at the outside the boat, supporting


    everyone that going down the boat.


    I reached out my hand and nodded. He smiled at me.


    "Are you sure you''re okay, Ma''am?" He asked. "Your hands are cold."


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "I’m fine, Kuya. It’s just the breeze and I touched the water earlier." I reasoned.


    He just nodded and didn''tment.


    "You can leave your belongings in the mess hall while we fix the tents." Kuya Roy.


    "We''ll just call you when it''s done and the food is ready." He added.


    Everyone followed. Some rested at the hall while others went to the beach after settling their things.


    I stayed at the hall to take care of our belongings. I took out my phone. There is no signal all over the


    ind so it is useless now, we can only use it for pictures, videos and music.


    I snapped a picture of the beach. The line of coconut trees and clean sand are beautiful to look at. The


    sparkling sea water is enticing to wade through. But to think that I would go down there sent chill on my


    spine.


    My knees tremble at the thought.


    The food was served after fifteen minutes. It''s a buffet of sea foods, meat and vegetables. Shrimps,


    crabs, fishes, seashells, chicken adobo, steamed eggnts, okra and sweet potato leaf were


    seductively served in front of us.


    "God, I’m so hungry." Paul said.


    We dined in together. There were five rows of long tables throughout the hall that we all upied.


    "Gosh. These are all delicious!" Camillemented. It eats taste all the food served one after another.


    "Have some adobo. It’s the best!" Ruth said as well.


    They still had a lot ofments about the food before finishing. It took us an hour to finish. They are


    very happy with the food served to us.


    "Not every day, we are given a chance to eat as much as these. So just eat!" Nico''s words.


    We were all full to the brim. I kept falling asleep. I approached the hammock andy down. Rxing


    myself.


    You can do it, Jia. You are brave. I told myself, smiling.