I COMMAND YOU

EIGHT

My legs are starting to tremble. Pocholo and I are squatting outside Commander Apollo's office. The two of us had the ultimate sermon from the Commander. I can't remember the rest because what he said was so long. Besides my headache, I'm also sleepy. I think we've been squatting here for almost three hours.

I looked at Pocholo. He squats well, as if he is not struggling or tired at all. He wears his poker face. I don't know what he thinks about our situation. He didn't really speak while scolding us. He accepts all of Commander Apollo's sermons. I don't know whether to pity him or admire him.

"What kind of look is that, Beau?" Pocholo asked. He wasn't looking at me. He just looked straight in front of him.

"You see me?" I asked curiously. How did he know I was looking at him? He did not turn in my direction.

"Is it obvious? I have eyes"

"Are you mad?"

"I'm not mad . It's my fault because I failed to warn you so you wouldn't drink alcohol too much. Between us, I know the rules here at the camp better than you" he said to me seriously.

I felt guilty. It's my fault. That's obvious. But I didn't correct what Pocholo said that he was to blame. My pride was too high to admit to him that I was really the one who made a mistake between us.

I haven't been here for a long time at the camp, but my mess to Commander Apollo is added each day. On second thought, that's a good way for him to get me out of here. Except for including Pocholo in my mess.

"Are you tired?" I asked after a few minutes. His squat still hasn't changed. Even a little bit of movement, I have never seen him do that. Does Pocholo have super powers? He doesn't seem to have any trouble squatting while I'm about to die right where I'm standing.

I yawned because of feeling sleepy. I couldn't cover my mouth because my arm was straight in front of me.

"I'm sleepy. How many more hours do we have here? The sun has shone on us here. My head hurts too", I complained.

That's when Pocholo looked at me. He was worried. I see in his eyes. He's not faking it.

"That's a hangover. I'm telling you, you're going to have a hangover. From the amount you drank. I feel like you're the only one who finished the bottle of alcohol last night."

I pout, I'm so embarrassed. I don't know if it's true that Pocholo said I was the one who consumed the alcohol. I didn't know I would like that stinky alcohol.

"When will this punishment end?"

"As long as Commander Apollo doesn't say anything, we can't stop squatting. If he sees us stop, we might experience the worst punishment from him. So be a little more patient, Beau. We can do it. But I hope you listen to me next time"

Pocholo and I fell silent when Commander Apollo came out of his office. I was filled with hope. Maybe he will stop us from squatting. Three hours have passed since we did this.

"Looks like you two can squat very well, Salvatore and Orenciana. You don't seem to have had any trouble" said Commander Apollo Madrid.

I secretly rolled my eyes because of what he said. Do we still look like we can? We almost died here in squatting. We are not robots to not feel tired. Apart from the time we spent squatting here, we were also sleepy. It is bad for the body to stay up late. Lack of sleep mostly results in the weakening of the body, resulting in illness.

So it's not good to stay up late.

"Can't we sleep yet? What time is it?" I immediately asked him. Does he have no consideration for trainees like us? Everyone is sleeping.

"Are you complaining, Orenciana?"

"No. But it seems that way."

"Sir, don't pay attention to what Beau is saying. She still has a hangover from last night" said Pocholo. Pocholo looked at me threateningly. It's like he's indicating that I shouldn't answer any more so that the Commander can let us rest.

What can I do? My mouth couldn't stop. I'm not used to having someone higher than me. I'm used to being the one who they always follow and my family has never punished me, even when I burned our maid's hair to get her to leave our house because I just didn't like the way she looked.

"Are you two tired?" Commander Apollo tested us. A few minutes passed. I was waiting for Pocholo to answer, so I did not answer the Commander's question. But he didn't even speak. Doesn't Pocholo get tired?

"Do you hear me? Are you two tired?!" The Commander shouted loudly at us.

"Sir, no! We can still do it. Even if we stay here for a week, it's okay!" I also answered loudly. Even if we live here, it's really okay. That's what I wanted to add, but I stopped myself, he might get even more annoyed with me.

"Is that so, Orenciana? If so. Stay here. Three hours more squatting"

"What, sir?"

"Do I need to repeat what I said?" He asked sarcastically.

"But-"

"Salvatore, your squatting is over. Take a rest now. Dismiss," said Commander Apollo. He turned his back on us and back inside his office.

"But sir! That's unfair!" I protested.

"One more hour for your complaint, Orenciana," Commander Apollo added. He slammed the door shut, causing me to close my eyes tightly.

"It's unfair, Pocholo! I'm tired!" I said, feeling disgusted.

Pocholo shook his head at me as if he was disappointed by what I said.

"Your answer is okay. Only the last one doesn't sound good. You sound sarcastic, Beau."

"I can't take it anymore! My knee is about to give up"

"There is nothing more I can do to help you, Beau. If I disobey the Commander, we might get worse."

"It's unfair! I don't like staying in camp! Why haven't they let me go yet?! Apollo's behavior is really bad!"

"Beau.." Pocholo warned me. I don't care anymore! I'm really disgusted by the unfair punishment the commander gave me.

"I'm telling the truth. It's so unfair of him to punish me!"

"I can hear you here, Orenciana! One more hour for you!" Commander Apollo shouted from inside his office.

I was so angry that I stomped my foot.

"It's annoying!"

"I see you! Are you going to squat again or should I add two more hours to your stay there?" He said inside.

"Squat now, Beau. So you can finish there and rest," said Pocholo.

Feeling defeated, I squatted again. Honestly, it's only a matter of time before my legs give up. I think they will take me to the emergency room later.

After Pocholo said goodbye to me, I just looked at him from afar. I'm jealous of him . He can rest now. It's like I'm going to go through another ordeal before I finish squatting.

Hayyy..I want to lie on the bed even though the foam is still too hard on my back!