Timid Heart (Eligible Heiress #3)

Episode 5

I let everyone know about the team building and asked Christine to post all details about it. It's all set at sarili nalang nila at mga personal na gamit ang kailangan nilang dalhin. I know that I need to invest in this kind of activity as it will benefit my company.

It's two-hour travel to Batangas at kahit gusto kong dalhin ang aking Audi ay kailangan kong makisama sa aking mga empleyado sa bus to show cooperation. Para saan pa ang team building kung mismong ang boss ay hindi marunong makihalu-bilo.

"Ma'am, dito!"

"Tabi tayo, Ma'am Ace."

"Kami muna ni Ma'am!"

Sabay-sabay na sigawan ng lahat pagsakay ko ng bus. Natawa nalang ako dahil parang palengke sa loob sa sobrang ingay dahil sabay-sabay na nagsasalita ang lahat at kung anu-anong pagkain ang nakikita kong pinagpapasa-pasahan nila mula harapan hanggang sa dulo.

Tinuro ko ang aking kaibigan nang makita ko siya sa harapan. "Kawawa, loner. Tabihan ko muna." Ngiti ko at kantyaw naman nilang lahat.

"Afternoon." Bati ko pero hindi niya ako sinagot kaya I nudged his shoulder lightly to get his attention.

"Afternoon." Tipid niyang bati saka na tumingin sa may bintana sa gilid niya.

Hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin siya maka-get over sa nangyaring meeting kay Mr. Saavedra. Wala na man ng dapat pang ika-badtrip doon dahil tapos na iyon. Lalo na at hindi naman siya kasama sa event na ito.

"Okay, tatabi nalang ako sa iba kung ayaw mo akong katabi." Sabi ko sabay tayo pero bigla rin niya akong hinila paupo.

"Sorry."

Umiling ako sa kanya. "Forget about what happened in that meeting and fix yourself. Kausapin mo ko kapag tapos ka na magmukmok." Sabi ko sabay tayo.

Lumipat nalang ako sa ibang upuan sa likuran at hinayaan siyang mag-isa sa harapan. Ayokong mahawa sa bad mood niya. Ayoko masira pati ang araw ko sa wala namang katuturan na bagay kaya makikipag-usap nalang ako sa iba kong employees.

Simula ng umalis ang aming bus hanggang sa makarating sa resort ay hindi bumaba ang energy ng aking mga empleyado. Mas lalo pang nadagdagan at nagging hyper nang makababa kami sa bus.

Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by the friendly staffs and assisted us at the lobby. Since I already have a reservation, care of Mr. Saavedra himself, checking in was a breeze.

We were given five private villas to stay in and I gathered everyone before going in our own villas.

"Okay, everyone. To spice things up-"

"Ma'am!!!" Sigaw nilang lahat na ikinatawa ko at siya namang ngiti ni Lloyd.

We have planned all the activities beforehand and we will surely see to it that everyone will be getting to know each other beyond just personal pleasantries.

"Leave your bags but bring the important ones like your phones and wallets. Because.... Lloyd." Ngiti ko.

He clasped his hands together and smiled. "There are five different flag colors scattered around the resort, but don't wander too far. Remember guys, this resort is 8-hectares. May mga staff naman na tutulong sa inyo if ever you get lost. No cheating and no switching of flag, there are cameras everywhere at ang mahuli, may sanction."

"The bus is ready to take you back in Manila, cheaters." I smiled. "Don't worry, kasama kami ni Lloyd sa lahat ng games so all is fair and square." Dagdag ko.

"1.... 2...." Lloyd started counting.

Nag-ayos na lahat at kita ko na ang kanilang game face kaya I secured my body bag and readied myself to run outside.

"3, go!" Sigaw ko at mabilis na tumakbo palabas.

Inunahan ko silang lahat palabas at nakakita agad ako ng blue flat pag liko ko mula sa entrance pero hindi ko iyon kinuha at itinuro ko pa iyon sa isang employee na nasa aking likuran. I'm looking for a certain flag color kaya umikot pa uli ako para mahanap iyon.

Nang makakita ako ng pink ay agad na kuminang ang aking mga mata saka nagmadali na dumiretso roon para kuhanin ang flag. Muntik pa akong maagawan pero mabilis ko iyong nahablot kaysa sa kanya.

"Sorry, finders keepers." I smiled and walked back to the lobby happily holding a pink flag on my right hand.

Madami-dami na ang tao sa lobby at kaunting employees nalang ang hinihintay na makabalik para masimulan na ang susunod na tagubilin.

I stuck my tongue out at Lloyd when I saw him walking into the lobby holding a yellow flag.

"Bias." Sabi niya sa akin nang makalapit siya at nangiti lang ako sabay halik sa aking pink flag na hawak.

Maya-maya pa ay nagsidatingan na ang lahat na may hawak na kanya-kanyang flag kaya nagsimula na uli magbigay ng instructions si Lloyd.

"Say hello to your teammates." Natatawang sabi niya sabay wagayway ng kanyang hawak na flag at turo sa isang employee na may hawak rin na yellow flag. "We have five villas, and each villa has a big flag outside. If you have blue flag, then go into the villa that has a blue flag outside. Acquaint yourself with your teammates and we'll start the activity tomorrow morning. Good luck, everyone and enjoy the rest of the day!"

Everyone started to get their own bags and Lloyd helped me with my black luggage that has a pink tag on it.

"Oh, before we forget." I shouted to get everyone's attention. "If you see L on your flag, then you are the group leader." I smiled.

I heard someone grunted that made me laugh. Buti nalang ay hindi ako leader, I really want to be a follower this time. Gusto ko rin na makita paano makisama at gumalaw ang lahat ng aking employees. This will test their leadership skills and many more.

Inihatid ako ni Lloyd hanggang sa pink villa at pagkarating ay agad siyang biniro ng aking mga kasama. Tinaboy pa siya at hindi pinapasok sa loob.

"Kalaban!"

Natatawa akong pumasok sa loob at kinawayan nalang ang kaibigan paalis. We have the rest of this evening to ourselves because tomorrow, we'll start the rest of the program that Lloyd and I prepared for the team building activity.

Nagbihis lang ang iba at agad na nagyaya na lumabas para lumibot sa napakalaking resort. They have a wide array of activities offered such as archery range, zip line rides, mini cars, segway, court, and many more na sinubukan na ng iba kong kasama.

The pool is inviting but the sea is much more captivating. It's relaxing to hear the calm waves rolling in under the night sky. Kahit lakaran ko ang magkabilang dulo ng dalampasigan ay hindi ko na mamamalayan ang pagod dahil sa magandang pakiramdam na hatid nito sa akin.

Hindi na rin kami nagpagabi sa labas dahil maaga pa ang simula ng aming activities kinabukasan. We need energy to perform and think kaya kailangan ng maayos at sapat na pahinga.

Nauna akong magising sa lahat para magpunta sa gym. Noong nakausap ko si Warayne, nabanggit niya ang gym na ito kaya nakapag-empake ako ng aking gym clothes.

Almost two hours nang matapos ako sa aking exercise. If I would take longer like I'm used to ay baka ma-late pa ako sa aming activity. Ayoko rin na sobrang magpapagod dahil baka wala na akong magawa mamaya.

Pagbalik ko sa aming villa ay nakita ko na halos ang lahat ng aking teammates na nakabihis na habang nag-aalmusal.

"Good morning." Bati ko na nakangiti.

Nagulat pa sila ng makita ako na papasok at tinuro pa ni Joshua ang itaas.

"Ma'am, kala namin natutulog ka pa. Nagtuturuan pa kami kung sino ang gigising sa inyo." Sabi niya sabay kamot ng ulo.

I smiled. "I always wake up early."

Mabilis akong naligo at nagbihis. Since we are going to do some activities, I just wore a black leggings, plain black shirt, and pink sneakers.

Sabay-sabay kami na nagpunta sa isang private hall pagkatapos mag-almusal at kaagad kong sinamahan si Lloyd sa harapan para maumpisahan na ang activities. Madami kaming hinanda at kailangan namin ang isang buong araw ngayon pati na rin bukas. We need to maximize our time dahil ilang araw lang ang napareserve ko.

"Who needs a warm up?" Lloyd asked.

Halos lahat ay nagtaas ng kanilang kamay at ang iba ay mukhang antok pa lalo na at kakakain lang kani-kanina.

"Okay.... Since you all look so ecstatic." Natatawang sabi ni Lloyd. "We'll start a game now. Me and our boss will sit this one out to laugh at all of you."

They all lined up according to their colors and Lloyd started to explain the rules of the game. It's very simple at parang larong bata lang where they will sort themselves out according to what we will say para magising ang kanilang diwa at gumana na ang kanilang utak.

In the end, green team won the game as they are the fastest. They have a balance team as the number of men and women in their team is equal.

"Sir Lloyd, ano prize namin?"

Tumawa lang si Lloyd sa kanila. "Wala since that is just a warm up. But I'll assure you that you will all love the prizes that our boss prepared." He said and smiled at me.

I have gift cards, boxes of chocolates, cold cash, products from Flâner, and a two-day all access at this resort. I'm sure everyone would want to win.

We had series of games at alternate kami na nagpaparticipate ni Lloyd in every game. Halos blue team ang nananalo at ni isa ay wala pang nakuha ang aking team.

"Kaya 'yan guys, bawi tayo sa ibang games."

Rinig kong sabi ng aming leader ng daanan ko ang kanilang grupo.

Team building activities bring everyone together and can make even the most solitary employee feel like part of a team. It helps them to learn how to work together and create a harmonious relationship inside and outside of work. In my publishing, I need cooperation and teamwork.

Someone suggested a scavenger hunt when we announced this team building before, so we arrange that game before the dinner. Certain employees are tasked to facilitate the game kaya nakasali kami ni Lloyd sa laro.

We were given a few keys each team while someone in front is explaining the game to us.

"The mission? To showcase everyone's hidden talents and excellent critical thinking. Sounds simple enough, right?" JP smiled. "Use the keys we have given you for startup and the rest is up to you. There is a challenge for every treasure boxes and at the end of the hunt is the final challenge which you will know once you reach the final destination. First group to finish....."

"Wins!!!" Everyone shouted.

We huddled before the game starts and strategized. I smiled as they formulate their own plans. Pagkatapos ay lahat sila napatingin sa akin habang inaayos ko ang pagkakatali ng pink na bandana sa aking palapulsuhan.

"Let's execute our plan and win this hunt." I smiled widely at them.

Kahit sa akin galling ang prizes, iba pa rin na mapanalunan ko iyon. It means that hard work pays off. And those prizes are motivation for everyone to win.

The games we had in every stage was fun until we reached the end of the destination where in a huge puzzle awaits us. Lloyd's team and red team is already working on their puzzle kaya nagmadali kaming tumakbo papunta sa aming lugar and started arranging the puzzle pieces.

Una palang na-recognize ko na agad ang puzzle, it's the cover of our first lifestyle magazine.

Pinangunahan ko ang pagbubuo niyon hanggang sa may biglang sumigaw at naghabulan sa field. Kinuha ng isang miyembro nila Lloyd ang isang piece ng aming puzzle.

"Cheater!!" Sigaw ng iba.

Kumpleto na ang mga teams sa pagbubuo ng puzzle after a few minutes at ibinalik lang ang aming puzzle piece nang matapos na sila Lloyd na buuin ang kanila and they moved on to the last single golden treasure chest and started conversing.

Nagfocus nalang ako sa aming puzzle at saktong patakbo kami papunta sa treasure chest ay may biglang sumigaw ng 'Teamwork' sa grupo nila Lloyd sa harapan.

Napatingin si Lloyd sa amin at bigla na silang nagpanic. Jessica handed me a piece of paper with a riddle on it and I read it aloud.

"You're all looking for me,

It's funny that way,

You think it's impossible to have me,

But I'm here every day.

Try as you might, all you do is stress,

You'll never get me that way,

Just be content with less.

You've caught glimpses before,

But it's never enough,

For without me, life's pretty tough.

I'm here and waiting for all who are wise,

But you need to find yourself first,

Before you can win any prize.

Who am I?"

Someone bumped me on the back but I didn't mind it as I am thinking of the answer to this riddle. Somehow, I think I know the right answer.

"Peace?" I whispered in question.

"Peace! The answer is Peace!!!"

Sigaw ni Lloyd na nasa aking likuran habang nakataas ang kanyang kamay na nakatingin sa harapan.

"Correct! Team Yellow wins!!"

A horn is blown right after they announced the winner and yellow team celebrated like they won a lottery worth millions.

"Thanks, bee." Kindat ni Lloyd sa akin and I pushed him away from my team.

"That is my answer! You cheater." Sabi ko pa pagtalikod niya pero tinawanan niya lang ako.

The game ended leaving us pink team with no wins at all. Pero hindi naman halata na talo kami kung titignan ang mga ngiti sa aming labi. We enjoyed the game and it was fun kahit may madaya.

Salu-salong nagdinner ang lahat sa may beach side restaurant after the game at may kumakanta pa ng mga acoustic songs sa harapan making it more relaxing.

Tinabihan ako ni Lloyd sa aming lamesa at agad na nang-asar.

"You guys almost won that hunt." Ngisi niya.

"Technically, we won. The answer is Happiness or Peace. Alam mo ba iyon?" Sagot ko naman.

"Nandaya kayo Sir Lloyd." Singit ni Joshua.

Isa-isa niya kaming tinignan hanggang sa mapako sa akin ang kanyang titig. "That is called strategy and teamwork."

"Naki teamwork ka sa amin hindi sa grupo mo. That is called betrayal, you are not loyal." I retort.

"Burn!!" Kantyaw ng isa na ikinatawa ng lahat na nasa aming lamesa.

"Why do you have to be so smart?" Bulong ni Lloyd sa akin.

Nagdila lang ako sa kanya at nagpatuloy na sa aking pagkain. Kahit tapos na ang lahat na kumain ay nanatili pa rin kami sa aming mga upuan para makinig sa kumakanta.

It's gonna be our last whole day tomorrow and we have arranged a beach side party after our few more activities in the morning to celebrate this successful team building.

Umaga pa lang pagkalabas ng aking kuwarto pagkatapos maligo at mag-ayos ay umaapaw na agad ang energy ng aking buong team. We are all required to wear all black dahil sa activity maya-maya.

"Good morning, Ma'am. Any words of wisdom today para manalo na tayo?" Joy, our leader asked.

"Oh, teamwork and....." Lahat sila ay napatingin sa akin and I felt like I'm being too serious and boring kaya ngumiti ako. "..let's just enjoy." I said enthusiastically.

We went to an open space after having breakfast where all our co-workers are waiting. The next game is introduced and we were all given a basket filled with paint which color we represent.

This game will definitely get crazy with our numbers. I don't know how will I hide or protect myself from being thrown with a balloon but I have to survive or any of my teammates should survive with clean clothes in order for us to win.

Each team will be given 5 minutes to hunt people down and throw balloons, and whoever is hit with a paint is out. After 5 minutes, next team will start until a last man standing.

"Last?!"

"Can we survive in 20 minutes? Baka pag turn na natin out na tayong lahat." Malungkot na sabi ng isa sa aking grupo.

We are at a total disadvantage for picking out the last number, but we got to play hard at least and try to survive until our turn.

"Have a little faith." I said and we encourage one another to play their best.

I tied my hair and wore a black baseball cap before the game start. My hair is too obvious and it might stick out everywhere that will cause my defeat so I need to hide it.

When we heard the whistle, isa-isa na kaming naghiwa-hiwalay para magtago sa kung saan-saan. No one ia allowed inside dahil baka magulo at madumihan ang facilities nila. We were given a space for this game kung saan ginagawa ang paintball and it's large enough to accommodate us all.

Nakakita ako ng isang parang maliit na cave sa ilalim ng mataas na wall sa pinakadulo ng lugar and I positioned myself sa loob ng cave para hindi ako makita ng kahit na sino. It is the safest place to stay but I will be in danger if someone found me in here.

Narinig ko ang horn senyales na magpapalit na in 10 seconds ang team. Tumagal ako sa cave ng walang nakakapansin sa akin na kahit na sino at nang sa kalagitnaan na ng pangatlong team ay hindi ko na kinaya ang init at wala na rin pakiramdam ang aking mga paa sa sobrang manhid.

I wobbled when I stood up at kinagat ko nalang ang aking labi para hindi mag-ingay nang maramdaman ko ang kuryente sa aking paa. Wala na talaga silang pakiramdam at para akong sinaksakan ng anesthesia.

A yellow paint splashed on the wall at my side kaya napalingon ako agad sa pinanggalingan niyon.

Lloyd is smiling evilly at me while holding a balloon on his right hand.

"Wait, wait." I raised both my hands to him.

"Why should I spare you, bee?"

"Because, I can't move. Wala akong laban." Sagot ko na lalo lang niyang ikinangiti. "Beacause...." Tinignan ko ang paligid and started thinking of a way out.

Another blue paint is thrown near me making me look back at him.

"Okay, why don't you just throw it straight at me?" I mocked.

"Now, where is the fun in that?" Malapad niyang ngiti sabay peke ng paghagis niya ng lobo sa akin.

Kahit namamanhid pa ang mga paa ko ay mabilis akong tumakbo paalis sa aking lugar at nagtago sa likod ng isang malaking drum.

I wiggled my foot saka ako sumilip sa llikuran para tignan kung nasaan na si Lloyd. He is going straight at me with another balloon on his hand.

Naghanap ako ng matataguan ko pero dalawang may dilaw na bandana sa ulo lang din ang nakita ko sa kabilang gilid. I'm surrounded by yellow team at mukhang wala na akong kawala sa kanila. Pumikit ako sabay na narinig ko ang tunog ng horn.

Narinig ko si Lloyd na tinawag ang aking pangalan kaya tumakbo ako sa kung saan. I might save myself from running, bahala na.

Someone tackled me down at napasigaw ako ng may marinig na sumabog.

"Doon, doon!!" Sigaw ng kung sino.

"Come on, blue team is up." Si Lloyd habang tinatayo ako.

Sinundan ko lang siya sa pagtakbo hanggang sa tumigil siya sa at sumandal sa mataas na wooden fence.

"I think we are safe here." Hingal niyang sabi.

"Thanks for saving me." Sabi ko naman.

It's our turn now in a few minutes and I need to return where we put our balloons. Sana may mga kasama pa akong natira para naman makalaban kami kahit paano.

I smiled at Lloyd when I heard the sound of the horn.

"Oh-oh. Bye, bee!" Mabilis niyang takbo paalayo sa akin.

Nagpunta ako sa pinaka malapit na lugar kung saan may lobo kami and I brought the basket with me. Hindi naman iyon malaki at hindi rin naman mabigat. Kailangan ko muna maghanap ng target then I will attack crazily to eliminate all of them.

While walking briskly, sakto na may nakita akong naghahanap ng kanyang matataguan. I threw a balloon at her back making her scream in shock.

"You're out " I smiled and continued walking.

Bigla akong napahinto nang makasalubong ko uli si Lloyd. Parang napako siya sa kanyang kinatatayuan at napatitig nalang sa akin habang malapad na nakangiti sa kanya.

"Nowhere to run." Sabi ko sabay bato sa may paanan niya ng lobo, splattering pink paint on the ground.

"I saved you."

"But I won't spare you." I smiled throwing a balloon right at the middle of his chest. "Bullseye." I said, blowing away the imaginary smoke on my hand. "That is how you play this game, bug." Dagdag ko.

I never expected to win the game, but we did anyway. We were underdogs at pinatumba namin ang lahat ng team. Sabi nga nila, 'Teamwork makes the dream work'. And that is perhaps the most inspiration evoking team building quote ever.