AFTER lunchtime, they immediately traveled to Bokod, where they had to register at the Department of Natural Resources. They didn't find any hassle since Rudy was an expert driver. They asked him to wait for them there since the van might find it hard to go through the uphill route going to Camp One.

They attended a seminar since it was mandatory before the climb. After that, they handed them the medical certificates and other requirements stating they were fit to climb. Several trails were going to the summit of Mount Pulag, but Vale chose the easiest.

"We'll trek to the Ambangeg trail. Since all these trails will only lead to one summit." Vale said, explaining the pros and cons.

"I want the challenging route. Let's try the Akiki trail." Einille said. The trail she mentioned would take three days to reach the summit. That was her original plan only if they didn't drop by to the park earlier.

"I'd like that, too. But I'm concerned about you, don't forget that you have to go back home. Your time couldn't make it. If you still push through it, probably you'll face an administrative case."

"Yeah, I know." Einille sighed. Vale was right. Her tight schedule would not suffice.

"Come on, let's go. The jeep is waiting."

Vale and Einille decided to try the local jeep and be seated on a top-load to experience the thrill of adventure.

They put their hiking bags inside the jeep, and they climbed to the top. There were a group of teenagers having fun up there. Vale helped Einille to climbed up, and they were seated to the front edge.

During the ride, Einille was apprehensive about their safety. But Vale comforted her to enjoy the ride. She distracted herself by taking videos using her cellphone to document the scenic route.

She wore gloves to warm herself. She was not used to a cold climate since she grew up in the province where it was normally warm, even in the wet season.

Einille witnessed the crevices beside the road and only one false move from the driver. They would fall off and die.

It took more than an hour before they reached Camp One. Einille once again mesmerized by the spellbinding view around her. There were vegetables plantation and flower farms.

Near them was a line of fresh broccoli ready to be harvested.

"Let's set up our tent. Our jump-off would be earlier than dawn so that we could catch the sunrise." Vale said when they were down the ground.

Einille agreed. They chose their camping area, surrounded by the red dahlias in full bloom. They quietly set up their tents and rested for a while.

They ate their dinner together. Einille was surprised by the unique variety of rice served to them. It was violet-brown, bigger grains than usual. But it tasted soft and delicious.

"We should be awake later, like past eleven," Einille said after finishing her meal.

Vale's forehead crumpled, "Why so early? They said the jump-off has to be one in the morning. Don't be too excited," he teased.

"You have seen the influx of hikers now, right? Too many! We have to be early to catch the sea of clouds and the sunrise." Einille drank a glass of water and went on, "All right, let's settle on past twelve."

"Anytime you want. Just woke me up by then."

"Okay, I will."

They went inside their respective tent and rested their body. They only had more or less five hours to be ready.

VALE couldn't help but smile when he heard Einille's voice from her tent. It was almost midnight. He only slept for over an hour because of the cold. He also thought if Einille was comfortable in this kind of weather.

"Valentino! Are you awake?" Einille shouted.

"Yes, Sweetheart." He smiled from ear to ear.

"Get ready. I'll take a shower!" Einille said, not minding the endearment he just used.

"Yeah, after you. I'll just prepare my bag."

Vale immediately got out of his sleeping bag and grabbed the clothes near him. He found Einille in line to the comfort room.

There were only two available comfort rooms close to them-for males and females. The comfort room was very basic. There was only a large pail and plastic dipper.

"You're so early." Vale looked at her sleepy face.

Einille, still blinking her tired eyes and yawned. And among the hikers there, only a few of them were preparing.

"It's better to be early than late. Let's have an early breakfast after shower."

"Sure, no problem."

Both of them got inside their respective shower room. Vale quietly cussed when he tested the water temperature. It was freezing! It was like having cracked ice resting at the bottom.

Although he was used to cold weather because he spent vacations in the winter season in Canada with his family, at least hot water was available. But here, it was a part of their adventure to survive the frosty shower.

"Oh, fuck the cold!" Einille shrieked from the other side. She would scream after every splash of water.

Vale laughed, listening to her swear words while bathing in the chilly water.

They finished the shower a few minutes apart. And now they both wore winter clothing. They smiled at each other because of their layered thermal jackets.

They ate an early breakfast while waiting for their tour guide. Mark, their organizer, settled it. They couldn't go without their trail guide.

EINILLE stared at her wristwatch many times. An hour already past and their guide was nowhere in sight. Her patience was running low, especially that a lot of hikers already started the trek.

"Ein, relax. It's still early," Vale tried to calm her. He led her to sit on a concrete bench while waiting.

Meanwhile, Mark was there and couldn't look straight at Einille.

"My apologies, Ma'am. The guide said he's on the way." Mike sounded guilty. He apologized over and over, and Einille would breathe out not to lose her composure.

Vale was just distracting her from telling stories about the local foods, but she was not interested. Her eyes were on the group of hikers leaving.

Einille could hold on anymore, "Where's the guide? Had I known that this is going to be like this, I wouldn't choose you. I'll change to another organizer." She raised her voice because it had been another hour of waiting.

Vale only shook his head. While Mark rattled and talked to one man. He pleaded that they would let them join their team. Fortunately, the guy agreed.

"Damn! We might not see the sea of clouds." Einille gritted her teeth. They finally started the trek, joining the other group.

"Calm down! Trust me. We'll witness it. We just need to fasten our pace." Vale tapped her shoulder.

Einille prayed that they would get the chance to witness the infamous sea of clouds of Mount Pulag. She was still cursing their tour guide, who didn't arrive. They were two hours late from the original time of jump-off. It was her dream to see the heavenly view.

"Valentino, listen. I know you're physically fit. Now, we'll not rest. We'll move forward until we reached the summit." Einille was determined.

Vale smiled, "You're the boss. I'm just behind you."

They hasten their paces. The cold wind seemed to infiltrate her layered clothing. The icy gush of wind that touched her face made her spine quiver in the cold.

But when she finally got used to it, the chill was gone. She comfortably walked with her flashlight in hand.

"Let's walked past them," Einille said. The hikers along the trail were on a single file. The path was dark and narrow, and everyone must exercise caution.

"Let's do it," Vale said on her rear, catching to her speed.

They trek fast on a broader surface, but they went slow if there was a steep ascent.