LEVEL 6

LEVEL 6

Days had passed and finally it was Saturday. It had been 3 days since that epic failed quest happened. Migo could still remember the adventures they did that day and their first time dying inside a virtual world. It was an awesome yet terrifying experience. If ever someone shot him in the head with a gun, there would be no way he could respawn here in the real world. They failed to get the treasure but Astrid said that they might do the quest again. Sana. Gusto n’ya 'rin kasi makita ang nakatagong treasure.

They continued doing several quests in the game. They unlocked different maps, defeated different monsters, acquired special items, upgraded ourselves and more. Habang tumatagal ay mas lalo s’yang nahuhumaling sa laro.

But since the first half of 1st semester was about to end, he became busier—having not much time to play the virtual game. He had to submit his undone school tasks and review for the upcoming quarterly exams. Tingin ko, gano'n rin si Astrid. Actually, they agreed on the plan that they would only play every weekend. Pero not this weekend, may gagawin kasi ako.

Migo also asked for any of her social media accounts so that they could still catch up outside the game. Kaso nahihiya raw s'ya.

Back in reality. He found himself staring at the white ceiling when his parents called. Migo immediately grabbed his phone to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Felix." It was his dad.

"Oh, Dad! Napatawag kayo? Wait, where's mom?"

"She's in the comfort room, right now."

"I see. Nasa work kayo?"

"Nope, we're on a date."

"Oh really? Well, ayos na rin yan at least nagkakabonding kayo ni Mama."

He stood up and sat on the couch near his room's window. "Yeah, masyadong nakaka-stress din dito dahil maraming dapat asikasuhin. Eh, ikaw anak?"

"Me? I'm fine. Getting busy and stressed for the upcoming exams."

"Nalilinis mo ba ang bahay?"

"Of course, I do! You know me, I hate messy houses." He laughed. Migo hated messy houses yet his room seemed like a dumpsite. I will clean this place later.

He was talking with his father when his best friend interrupted their call. Bakit na naman ito tumatawag?

"Dad, I'll call you later. Haruto is calling."

"Okay. Let's talk later."

After that, he answered his friend’s call. Kukutusan ko 'to kapag hindi importante ang sasabihin n'ya.

"Hello. Mamaya ka na tumawag, busy ako—”

"Ulol!" Sigaw nito sa kabilang linya. He almost lost his sense of hearing by his loud voice! "Lumabas ka na sa bahay mo bago ko pa 'to sunugin kasama ka!" Migo heard a loud car horn outside. Nasa labas ba s'ya?

"Bakit mo ba ako ginugulo?!"

From the other line, he could hear Sabrina's voice. Kasama pa n'ya 'yong pinsan n'ya sa kabuangan n'ya.

Suddenly, he remembered that today he agreed to roam Sabrina around the city.

"Ito na, magbibihis na," tamad n’yang sagot saka binaba ang tawag. He went to his closet and grabbed a mint tea polo shirt and denim jeans. He just brushed his messy hair and he was good to go.

🎮

Ginamit nila ang sasakyan ni Haruto para malibot nila ang Riverdale City. His car was a Honda Civic—his father's old car.

Migo could say that the city of Riverdale was a nice place to live. It was not highly civilized unlike its neighboring cities. He could describe the city's vibe as to '90s or '80s. Wala pa masyadong commercial buildings, wala masyadong mga sasakyan sa kalsada. It was also surrounded by green trees, kahit saan ay may makikita kang tanim na puno. The city was also clean—mas marami kasing populasyon ng matatanda rito at lahat sila metikuloso sa kalinisan. Which was good. Maaliwalas tignan ang kapaligiran.

Their first destination was Riverdale City's park. It was filled with green trees. Doon madalas sumisilong ang mga bisita upang magpahinga o kumain. May ferris wheel din dito at merry-go-round na sikat sa mga bata. At the side of the park, makikita ang sobrang linaw na Riverdale River—which was where the city name came from.

"Ang daming matatanda rito, 'no?" Sabrina said when they saw a couple of older women jogging. Migo gave him a nod then smiled. "Friendly 'din sila," wika n’ya. They were sitting at the side of the river. Nakakakalmang panoorin ang malinaw na tubig na nilalanguyan ng mga isdang koi.

Nilingon n’ya si Sabrina. Her smile was shining as she was looking at her new surroundings. Looking at her made him smile too. The golden ray of sun was reflecting on her pair of obsidian orbs, her black hair flew every time the wind blew.

"Here are your snacks!" Haruto finally appeared with a white plastic on his hand, it was full of snacks to eat.

They ate their snacks under the tree beside the clear river. Habang kumakain ay kinukwentuhan nila si Sabrina tungkol sa mga dapat n'yang malaman sa Riverdale. Like, it was one of the oldest cities in the country, that's why there were lots of elders and the city seemed to love vintage.

🎮

"Ang ganda pala talaga rito sa Riverdale!" ani ni Sabrina. Hindi maalis ang ngiti sa labi n'ya, and it kept on shining as their car passed beautiful landscapes. Maybe because the vintage look of this city made her remember their province.

Buong maghapon ay nilibot nila ni Haruto ang pinsan n'ya sa maaring puntahan sa loob ng siyudad.

Maganda 'rin pala ang sumama sa kanila ay dahil nakakalibot ako.

Simula kasi nang umalis ang mga magulang n’ya hindi na ito lumalabas ng bahay—maliban sa eskwela. Bahay at school lang ako.

In the afternoon, we helped Sabrina to buy her things for her apartment. They even brought her to the famous thrift store in the area. Magaganda ang mga tinda roon... at mura pa! Most of Migo’s displays in their living area and in his room were bought in that store.

She bought some decorations and other things that she might use in her home. Pabalik na sila sa sasakyan nang makakita sila ng claw machine. Ang premyo ay anime character plushies! They were the characters from the anime, Sword Art Online.

"Laro tayo no'n!" Aya ng binata at pumunta sila sa roon sa claw machine. The plushies are like screaming at me to bring them home! Pangdagdag 'rin sila sa display n’ya sa kwarto. He took a penny from his pocket and started maneuvering the machine.

The claw caught Asuna's small plushies. His hands stilled as it slowly took the prize unto the hole and...

I got it!

Hindi maalis ang ngiti sa labi ni Migo habang pinagmamasdan ang nakuha n’ya sa claw machine.

"Dagdag na naman sa kalat n'ya sa kwarto," He heard his bestfriend whispered.

"Inggit ka lang," The latter retorded. Hindi lang kasi s'ya masuwerte sa paglaro ng claw machine.

Then his gaze went to Sabrina. Her eyes were glittering while looking at the plushy he got. Tinignan n’ya 'rin ang hawak n’yang plushy.

"G-Gusto mo, iyo na lang?" Nahihiya nitong tanong. Mukha kasing gusto n'ya. Ayos lang naman sa akin.

"Ha? Hindi, pinaghirapan mo 'yan, e!" sagot n'ya. But her eyes were saying the opposite thing. He flashed a smile then put the plushy he got to her hand.

"Sure ka?" Nahihiya n'yang sabi. Tumango ang binata. "I have more coins para kumuha."

"Paano ako? Gusto ko 'rin ng plushy,"his bastard best friend said, pointing his lips. Para nga itong tanga na pinagdidikit ang kanyang hintuturo. Migo’s face grimaced then smacked his nape.

"Aray! Gusto ko plushy, hindi kaltok!"

He playfully rolled his eyes on him. Kumuha na lang ito ng panibagong barya para sumubok na kumuha ulit ng plushy. He was so lucky because he caught another plushy! A cute Leafa's plushy.

🎮

We had so much fun today. They did so many things. Kumain sila sa mga vintage resto na malapit sa kanila. After that, they watched a movie at the old movie house in the city.

Maswerte kami dahil sabado ngayon. Every Saturday, libre ang panonood ng mga makalumang pelikula.

And when the sun was about to bid its farewell, they had a nice road trip on the wide road. They played their favorite songs and sang as they put their heads outside the car's window, embracing the cold wind.

The night came and Migo could see how Sabrina enjoyed everything they had done throughout the whole day. Hinatid naman nila ito sa kanyang apartment pagkatapos.

"Thank you ulit sa paglibot sa akin sa Riverdale! I really do appreciate the aesthetic vintage vibe this city gives!" a smiling Sabrina smiled. Then her eyes laid on the latter. Her lips curved more, revealing the small dimple on her cheek.

"Thank you sa pagsama, Migo Felix," she slightly bowed her head.

Migo couldn't stop himself from smiling. She was way too kind.

"You're welcome. Call me just Migo or Felix since we're friends."

"Okay, Felix." She laughed. "Migo na kasi tawag sa 'yo ni Haru pati ng mga classmates natin."

Ngumiti na lang ito sa kanya at sa huli ay nagpaalam na para umuwi.

It's been a tiring day.

To be continued.