Chapter 46

Carla just continued following Joshua to where he's thinking of going. She didn't realize they are already headed to the zip line. 'Let's try this one," Joshua said as he pointed to the entrance of the zip line. Carla did not answer. She just looked at the entrance where the signage containing the name of the zip line is posted. 'Welcome Sir, Ma'am, to Crash Landing Zip Line," said the male staff of the park at the entrance of the zip line. 'The name kind of sounds dangerous," Joshua commented. 'Crash Landing." 'That's right!" The two men looked surprised as they looked at Carla. It's because she sounded kind of anxious when she said those words. 'That looks dangerous." She looked at Joshua. 'Let's just skip that." 'It's very safe, Ma'am," said the staff. 'It's just named as such because it was inspired by the Kdrama Crash Landing On You." 'So, it's really safe?" Joshua asked. 'Super safe, Sir," answered the staff. 'The equipment used are all state of the art. A medic team is also on standby, just in case. So you don't need to worry." 'There!" Joshua looked at Carla. Carla really wants to declilne. She is racking her brain for possible excuses so that they won't do the zip line. Well, she could just say no, but Joshua will surely ask why. She could tell him the real reason, though. But she won't ever let him know about it. She feels too embarrassed to do that. Joshua assumed that Carla's silence means yes. He confirmed to the staff that they will try the zip line. 'What do you prefer, Sir? You could do it by pair, or you can go solo," said the staff. 'We'll do it by pair!" The two men looked at Carla again. 'We'll… do it together," Carla added. And so, they were zipped together side by side. That's when Joshua noticed Carla's reaction. She is obviously nervous, and it's not just the ordinary nervousness. She seems too agitated. 'Are you okay?" Joshua asked. Carla looked at him. 'Yeah! Of course! Why won't I be okay?" She faked a laugh. It was a nervous laugh. Joshua confirmed that Carla is really scared about what they are about to do. 'You know, we can still back out," said Joshua. Carla looked at him, seemingly contemplating what he just said. Joshua decided to tell the staff that they won't do it, but Carla refused on backing out. 'I'm okay," Carla said. 'Promise. I'll be fine." Joshua totally felt guilty, especially when he saw Carla close her eyes as they were released on the starting point of the zip line. On impulse, he took her hand and held it. He felt her grab his hand tightly. And so, they continued going down the course of the zip line. The slope is not that scary, with the beautiful view they pass through while going down. Joshua heard Carla's whimper. To cheer her up a little, he shouted with thrill and excitement. Carla's whimpers became louder, and eventually she started shouting as well. But unlike Joshua's, her screams are full of fear and anxiety. When they were done, Joshua hurried to get out of the harness. He even helped the park staff to remove it from his body. And when he's free, he immediately went to Carla. Her harness had already been removed as well. Carla is crying and shaking with fear. The staff on the zip line course tried to console her, but Joshua pushed them away. He held her by the shoulder. 'Carla… it's okay. It's done. It's okay." He embraced her. Carla kept crying as Joshua hugged her. 'I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" Joshua said, trying to console her. He feels so guilty that he allowed them to continue going through the zip line. He could have made up a reason himself for them to back out of the course. When Carla finished crying, she turned her back on him, obviously embarrassed. Joshua felt more guilty with what she did. He tried to think of a way to somehow make her forgive him. 'You know, I'm afraid of zombies," he started. 'That's why I tried so hard to convince you earlier to not go on with the horror train. I'm just too embarrassed to admit it." Joshua feels so humiliated right now, but when he saw Carla stopped crying, he continued explaining. 'The first ever horror movie that I've watched, it's about zombies. That night, I had a nightmare about those creepy crawlers. I guess that's how my fear started." Carla's crying slowly stopped. Joshua felt relieved. 'You're not afraid of heights." Carla looked at Joshua. 'I mean, we talked one time at the rooftop. In TGH, remember?" Joshua explained. 'Yeah, I'm not," Carla said. 'But that feeling of falling, that's what I don't like." Joshua frowned. This is the first time he had heard about that type of fear. 'I guess it started when I fell down from the guava tree when I was young. After that, I noticed I can't even ride the Ferris Wheel. I've never tried riding a roller coaster because I was too young back then, and when I am of age, I already have that fear." 'I can't even ride the elevator at the mall," Carla continued. 'The glass walls make me see that I'm going down. But those elevators that are closed like the one in TGH and other hospitals, and those in hotels, I'm okay with those. It doesn't quite give me the feeling that I am falling." 'But that's the only ‘falling' that you're afraid off, right?" Joshua asked. Carla looked at him. 'I mean, you're not afraid of falling in love." Carla gaped at him, her forehead slowly frowning. Joshua realized how absurd his statement was. 'It was a joke. You know… I mean, I just wanted to make you feel better." Slowly, Carla's lips formed a smile. Until she finally laughed not because of Joshua's joke, but because of how embarrassed he looked. 'Can we just go and check the other places here?" Joshua just asked. He didn't wait for Carla's answer and just walked out, still embarrassed by his failed joke. Carla started feeling better again. She followed Joshua to their next destination at the Daebak Amusement Park.