Nights Like This

CHAPTER 28

I was so sleepy that I even napped at Vance's car nang isabay nya ako pauwi but as soon as I get back home, si Coco super hyper and wanted to play with me. Talagang kinakalabit nya ako and she likes na makipag habulan kaya we ran all over the sala. Because of that, nawala tuloy yung antok ko. Para na ulit akong bagong gising but my energy's really dropping low.

I took a hot shower just for my muscles to relax. I need to go and have a massage pag may time ako. I feel like I need that especially now na ramdam na ramdam ko yung pagod ko. After wearing my robe and I just got out from the steamy shower, saka ko lang ginalaw yung food na tinake- out ni Vance para sa akin. Dinampot ko yung phone ko and sent him a text.

Camila Serrano:

I'm eating the food you bought me. Seriously? Pang one person lang 'to? Anyway, thank you. Good Night!

Hindi ko lang kasi napansin kanina dahil madilim but he also ordered a lot of things. May burgers and spaghettis pa na mukhang aabot pa hanggang bukas kasi hindi ko rin naman mauubos.

Wala pang ilang minuto nang mag reply si Vance.

Vance Robles:

You're welcome, Cami. Eat well and good night din.

I rolled my eyes saka ibinaba ang phone ko sa tabi ng food ko. As usual, ang dry na naman ng reply nya. If I don't know him and I didn't know na that's just how he is, I would probably think that he's mad at me or something.

That's just how Vance is. Medyo boring sya for some people but once na nakilala mo, he's kind of fun because he's very alaskador and he's annoying sa pang a- asar nya. Yung annoying lang na cute. The likes na hindi ko pagtataniman ng sama ng loob.

Naka open ang TV on my living room ang it's on the news nang mag flash ang news about my Dad. According to the news, he was present at the groundbreaking of the public school's new building and Mom beside him, donated school supplies for the children.

I just continued to watch while finishing my food. Sa news na naman ako naka kuh ng balita about my family.

These days kasi, I'm not really in touch with my family especially when the thing at the restaurant happened. Hindi na rin ako masyadong nakukulit ni Mommy because apparently, she's busy. Yung tatlo namang boys, they don't really care about me on a daily basis and it's better for it to stay that way.

"Coco sleep na tayo?" sabi ko kay Coco na naka higa na sa floor,looking at me while I pour myself a glass of wine para lang mabalik yung antok ko at maka tulog ako.

Pagod na yung katawan ko pero hindi pa rin talaga bumabalik yung antok sa akin.

Wine is very effective for me na pangpa- tulog than taking pills because I don't want to be dependent on pills din naman. Ayaw ko lang na pag inumpisahan ko, makasanayan ko. With alcohol kasi, I am already used to it.

Saktong pag takip ko ng wine ay tumunog ang phone ko because of a call. Kinuha ko iyon at sinagot without looking who called me.

"Hello?" sagot ko.

I slowly swirled the glass of my wine on my hand while I enter my room para sana makarating ako sa balcony because that spot is my most favorite spot in my condo lalo na pag gabi because it's so refreshing doon tumambay because it's so mahangin.

Tatambay ako roon, hoping that the cold breeze of air and the wine will make me drowsy.

"Hindi ka na nag reply." I heard Vance on the other line so nilayo ko yung phone to my ears and tiningnan yung caller just to make sure na my ears are not tricking me at tama ang narinig ko.

One look at the phone and I confirmed that it's him. It's Vance.

"Hello?" nagtatakang tawag ko sa kanya. "Why did you call?" tanong ko.

"Hindi ka na kasi nag reply. I waited for your reply," aniya.

Instead of the antok that I've been wanting to come to me, lalo yata akong nagising sa sinabi nya.

Namilog ang mata ko.

"How am I going to reply to your text of it looks like pang end na ng conversation yung reply mo?" sagot ko sa kanya.

Hindi naman ako aware na naghihintay pa pala sya ng reply and it's been what? Over thirty minutes since I texted him.

Vance chuckled at the other line. "Oh. Okay. My bad," aniya.

"Are you at your house or at your office sa bar?" I asked him para naman ma- salba yung conversation namin na tumawag lang sya dahil hindi ako nag reply.

"I'm still here at the office but uuwi rin ako mamaya when I'm done here."

That explains why I can hear a tiny bit of music on the background. May record player kasi si Vance sa office nya and he likes to play jazz and according to him, it's to set the mood and pangpa- gana sa work.

"How about you? What are you doing?" tanong nya sa akin.

"I am here at the balcony while I enjoy a glass of wine," sagot ko sa kanya.

I heard a dead silence for a few seconds on his end na sinundan ng isang mabigat na pag hinga.

"Alcohol again, Camila?" aniya. His tone is like reprimanding. Parang pinagagalitan na ako kaagad.

But I don't feel guilty because I menatally promised myself na I won't add more.

"It's just one glass, Vance. I am not trying to get drunk here. I just want na antukin," depensa ko.

Hindi ko rin alam why I am defending myself to him. Sya rin naman kasi. He's making me feel na it's such a sin for me to drink alcohol.

"Are you sure about that?" he said in a not-so-sure kind of voice.

Pumikit ako at sinalubong ng hinga yung hangin na dumaan sa akin. It feels so nice to be here at night. Malaking bonus pa na I could see all the building lights and cars up here.

"Of course. I have to get up early bukss because of ny car and I have to take Coco to the vet kasi I have made appointments for her vaccines. After that, I will take her to the park and just play with her."

It's such a nice time to play outside with Coco bukas because it looks like my baby misses playing with me so I am taking her out tomorrow bago pa ako malunod sa trabaho, at least I got to spend time with her. It's mommy and baby Coco's date tomorrow.

"Really? I am also planning on taking Whiskey to the vet tomorrow for her check up," sabi ni Vance and it's cute because he sounds so excited. "What if let's go together?"

"Huh? Are you sure? It's fine with me naman if it's okay with you," sabi ko. "I've also been wanting to meet Whiskey."

Oo nga pala. Hindi lang ako ang furr parent. Sya rin. He's such a fool for Whiskey as I am to Coco.

"It's okay, Cami. Let's make the kids play with each other after," aniya.

"Sure. It's fine with me pero... Wala ka bang work tomorrow?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"The cat always comes first Cami," seryoso nyang sabi.

I laughed at Vance. He's such a cat butler! He knows his priority huh.

"Okay! I'm in!" I said in a very energetic tone.

"Great! Whiskey and I will fetch you bukas," aniya. At kahit hindi ko sya nakikita I can see him in my mind smiling and very excited.

I'm also excited for tomorrow.