Hitchhiked

Chapter 2    Hitchhiked

Their first day came, and the three were still sleepy as they had breakfast. After that, their tour for the day started. With their travel guide to Laoag, they enjoyed every second of it. They visited so many beautiful destinations and places that are well known. Even Kim took a lot of pictures of all the places they went to.  

Just like their first night at the hotel, the three of them came back tired of all the activities they made for the day. The mere difference was that they could eat out before heading back to the hotel. The 2nd day came and their destination was Paoay. Just like yesterday, they visited the well-known spots and could still dine in the popular restaurant in the area.  

  

By the end of the day, the last place they visited was in the church of Paoay. When Irene’s friends chose to return back to the hotel, she told them to leave first. She wished to end the mass and head back later. Her friends hesitated at first because they did not want to leave her behind, but fortunately, she assured them that she will be fine. 

That’s Irene’s pure intention, which is for them to have their own quality time together. It was the only means she thought she would pay them back of how kind and considerate they were to her. And for the holidays, they arrange ahead and make an effort to prepare everything. Now, she wishes to pray and be grateful to God, how fortunate she is to have her two companions at the most improbable moments of her life.  

    

Apart from that, Irene also intends to have blessed the Saint. Benedict pendant she carries to the priest. She will give it as a gift for the upcoming birthday of his beloved grandfather and to his uncle. They were the only ones that raised her and supported her throughout her life. And in return, she wants to give them protection from the heavens against evil, and give them guidance and security.

When she had completed everything she needs to do, she went straight to the waiting booth. Pulled out the pamphlet the Tour Guide had given to her, from her six-pocket cargo pants. At the back of it, there are informative means regarding the route. It deals with each type of transport within each town and the destination that can be reached.  

    

Besides that, it has also been some given warnings on what to ride per station. Irene was confident that she could return safely, as she was only two rides back to the hotel. She also took her phone out from her small sling bag and checked the time. It was 4:58 in the afternoon and was now waiting for the bus to pass right next to the waiting booth. 

    

Irene also left a message to her two friends and told them that she was in a waiting booth, standing by for the bus back to town. To save her from getting bored, she pulled her earphones out of her cargo pants pocket and put on a playlist for her to be preoccupied.  

    

A few moments thereafter, a black car pulled up in front of the waiting booth where Irene was. A person emerged from the window in the driver’s seat and try to get Irene’s attention. But she couldn’t hear him because of the earphone that was plugged into her ears.  

    

“Miss!”  

    

He said, calling her out.  

    

When she glanced at the black car, she noticed someone from the car talking. She took off her right earphone and shifted her attention to what the fellow was speaking about.  

    

“I just want to ask if you know the way to the town?”  

    

Irene looked around to make sure if it was her that this guy was talking to. From what she could see, it was her and the beggar are the only persons in the waiting booth.  

    

“Yes, it’s you, Miss. Can you tell me where?”  

    

Irene wasn’t certain of what she could respond to him. She knows the way, but not exactly. Because she was just a tourist and she relied solely on the pamphlet with a map that was given to her. She examined the paper, identified all the turns and roads to take, and pointed it out to the man.  

    

“Um, when you head out from here, just go straight. When you see a two-way, turn right and next turn left. Then keep going until you reach the bridge. After you passed there, you will come across a market for souvenirs and you-.” 

    

Trying her best to explain what she understands from the map, but the fellow cut her off.  

    

“Miss... You’re also going to town, right? What if you just come with me so that I won’t get some trouble on the road and get lost on the way?”

Irene’s eyes narrowed, examining the man’s form. She noticed his long curly hair that was pitch black. He also wore a dark green sweater that further accentuated his skin’s white tone. The guy’s appearance and presence seemed acceptable in Irene’s eyes, so she eventually acknowledged his offer. Also, she can save a bus fare and she will have more than enough budget to purchase souvenirs. 

She just visited the church a while ago and she is complacent that those above will not abandon her. She thought maybe he was a tourist just like her and got lost on the way. Tried to eliminate any speculations that were popping into her mind. And try to convince herself that maybe watching too much action and horror movies are affecting her now.  

  

Irene would have opened the backseat door and would have sat there. But the person in the driver’s seat almost howled at her. 

“Not there, Miss. I’m not your driver. I think you should sit here in the front seat so that you can show me the way better.” 

Irene didn’t like the tone she heard from the guy, and she can’t help but raise her eyebrows while squinting her eyes in dismay. But if you come to think about it, he has a point, so she still follows what he instructed her to. 

As she walks to the other side of the car, she could feel his gaze following her. When she enters the car, the guy told her to fasten her seat belt, and just followed what he said again.  

“Your name, Miss?” 

He asked as he held out his hand.  

“Um, it’s Irene.”  

  

Her response as she reached his hand.  

“I’m Jaden, by the way.”  

  

He claimed and gave one shake and both let go.  

  

Now that she can see him up close, she can’t stop pouting. This person has a beautiful face and good body posture. Irene felt irritated and seemed to want to go back to church. And ask God about the promise to the world that everyone is equal.  

  

She’s not ugly herself, but the idea of knowing a man who is more beautiful than she is, really annoys her. She just sighed at her own thoughts because she can’t complain about that.  

“What if this person is dressed as a woman? What can I consider myself compared to him, just a human being?” 

  

She said, mumbling to herself.  

“You were saying?”  

He asked when he thought he heard her speaking.  

“Uh, no... Don’t mind me.”  

Smiling back at him, trying to be nice.  

That thought faded away when she noticed the interior of the car. The smell of cigarettes and sweat emanating inside, causing Irene to feel unedged. She adjusted her seat so that the seatbelt could fasten to its lock. She noticed near her armrest a scattered bud of cigarettes between her and Jaden without its bottom at all.