18 A Dangerous Field Trip (1/2)
It was another chaotic morning for Subangdaku. The mediamen came back, along with their tents and gears. Locales were ambushed on the streets for interviews. While most preferred to stay at home and watched news, others cautiously went out and shopped in panic, before supplies got fewer and prices went up.
Jamie was restless upon waking up and the endless news about the event bothered him more. After eating a hefty breakfast, he immediately went out to his friends.
”Mother, I'm going to my friends!” he called out upon leaving.
”Be careful, honey,” his mother answered back. ”It's not yet really safe out there.”
”Yes, Mom.”
He fetched Tonton first against the will of his mother. Mrs. Tagalogon was not too happy of his son being out of the house.
”Mom, please,” Tonton pleaded. ”We will just hang out at Kiko's or Bogart's. It's not dangerous in their place.”
”Ok, but go home right away just in case another bad event happens,” she warned. ”I'll die worrying about you.”
Jamie smiled. Unlike his mother, Mrs. Tagalogon was a total worrier. If not for Tonton, they would have been always out for adventures at night.
”I'll take care of Tonton, Mrs. Tagalogon,” he teased and pinched his friend on the ear.
They all laughed and the atmosphere got lighter. They immediately took their bikes and headed to Kiko who was all smiles upon seeing them.
”Glad to see you, guys,” he beamed. ”It's very boring to just stay home and wait for news updates.”
”Come on,” Jamie said. ”We can play some games at Bogart's house.”
Bogart had plenty of toys in his room. There are board games, action figures, and tons of Lego blocks. If they want to go outdoor, their yard was spacious enough to chase around, shoot some rings, and bat a ball.
”Let's hurry,” Tonton said. ”I can't stay out until evening.”
Kiko asked permission from his parents and quickly left with his friends. Mrs. Pescador was ecstatic to see them. She was pleased to have them as her son's friends. They were good company and influence to him. That was why she always pampered them when they were around.
”I'm so glad to see you, though I was not expecting you could visit today.”
She called her child and Bogart went out bouncing of his room. After some chitchat, they went back to Bogart's room and played Tetris and other computer games. For lunch, Mrs. Pescador treat them to some roasted chicken, vegetables stew, and overflowing orange juice.
They got bored with their games after a while and so they started talking about the meteor landing.
”I really thought we would all die last night,” Kiko opened up. ”That was a strong earthquake after the impact.”
”At least the meteor did not explode upon impact,” Jamie said hopefully.
”Was it really a big meteor?” Tonton asked. ”The news were not clear as to what really hit us last night.”
”The Mayor said that scientists were coming,” Jamie answered. ”But I did not hear any news update from them.”
”I saw them last night!” Bogart said excitedly. ”I'm not really 100% sure it was them but I think it's them. There were three big white trucks coming here, but instead of entering our village, they suddenly turned around and went to the direction of the grassland.”
”The grassland?” Kiko was skeptical. ”Why the grassland?”
”That's where the meteor might have fallen,” answered Bogart matter-of-factly.