I was enjoying the “Session Road in Bloom” like I was walking not
in a crowded street but in a mountain range with the sun kissing my skin and
the cold breeze combing my hair as the silence of the forest consoled my soul and gave me
tranquility and peace. I can breathe the freshness of the wilderness, the scent
of a virgin forest teasing my nosetrils and once in a while the brush of the
cold leaves on my bare arms as I walk around with a light spirit and joyous
heart. My feet were treated to the unsullied dews of the grass and shrubs
getting my walking shoes wet but leaving me serene.
I was reminded of my lunch box days when I
used to go to the forest with friends just to enjoy the pristine scenery and
pick guava fruits for a jelly on weekends. I love to lie down under the shade
of a tree and read my Mills and Boon while savoring peace in the mountains. My friends would be eating guavas while I
immerse myself in my book. Their laughter and noise were the background of my
reading experiences in those days.
I was oblivious of the people
milling about and I must have portrayed a woman at the height of happiness and
contentment because suddenly, I came around, a gentleman was holding me in both
shoulders and was staring at me. I slapped him out of instinct. I was so
startled I was nearly knocked down.
“Madam, sorry but I was busy looking
about I didn’t see you” I was still
dazed from my day dreaming and only the pain on my shoulders where his hands
are and the impact of what just happened that brought me back to reality. I
looked up and was confronted by a youthful and charming gentleman. I surmise he
must be in his late 30’s. So as not to be obvious that I was also at fault (I
lied then for not acknowledging my participation in the incident), I told him
it’s alright and started to move on when he grabbed my hand and handed a book.
He said “please take it”. People started to gather around us out of curiosity.
I looked at him got the book and took off.
Are you curious about the book?
It’s “The Rainmaker” by John Grisham, a coincidence? Probably. I am a fan of
the author and have read most of his books except this one. I smiled to myself
coz out of nowhere I found the book and without shelling out a single cent too.
What a day to start a Saturday, it was one of the Saturdays I will not forget.
This was also the day I had to walk home coz there was no available
transportation but it was fun. I am even more inclined now to support the local
measure to make Baguio a City for people to enjoy walking by not allowing
vehicles in the central business district, my thoughts.
I continued to walk down Session
Road but instead of day dreaming, I went through all the shops to see what they
have. I sat in one of the food stalls
and ate hotdog, then move on to taste every food that I happen to see. It was a
fun day!
MY LESSON: slap him harder…
hehehe
LESSON: Do not day dream when you are walking in a crowded street.
