Nights Like This

CHAPTER 18

We're all at the lobby while waiting for the service bus to come. We're bound to Batangas to have our annual KSW Camp that is sponsored by the company to promote the unity and bond between employees. Not just the employees but also with the higher ups. To create harmony between daw. I don't think so. Lalo na kung si Zara at si Gabriel? Nah. That's far more impossible for me.

Bilang isa ako sa head ng department, wala akong lusot para hindi um- attend because I have to assist Sir Vance on leading the team on the camp. Besides, kahit nasa camp na kami and all the expenses are paid by the company, our days are paid like normal working hours. Who wouldn't want that right? Yun nga lang, may mga hindi pa rin nag sign up for the camp because they said they'd rather spend their time with their family. Kaya tuloy halos karamihan ng mga kasama ay yung mga singles at walang pamilya.

I am just sitting at the sofa at the lobby while waiting for the other three na kulang sa team ko. Sina Janine, Roi at Kuya Lloyd. Currently, ako ang may awak ng master list because wala pa si Sir Vance at ngayon pa lang, umay na ako because we will be shaaring a bus with the finance department. There's a huge possibility that Zara will be there and I'm sure that she'll annoy the hell out of me. I am just hoping that she'll use her own car pa punta because I think I can't tolerate her for four hours.

"Maam andito na si Janine saka si Roi, si Kuya Lloyd na lang po yung wala. Yung bus po nakarating na saka naka parada na sa labas," Toby informed me while handing me the attendance paper.

"Wala pa rin ba si Sir Vance? Hindi nyo pa rin nakita?" tanong ko sa kanya. I roamed my yes on the area pero wala pa rin talag si Sir. Hindi ko pa rin talaga makita. I checked my phone para maka pag basa sa group chat kung may chat ba si Sir Vance kung nasaan na sya pero wala rin. Ang mga chat ay kanina pa from the employees na on the way na daw sila. Pati pag seen ay hindi rin nya ginagawa.

"Hindi pa Maam, wala pa rin yung kotse nya sa usual parking spot nya," ani Toby.

"Okay, Tob. Thank you. I update mo ako kung nakarating na si Kuya Lloyd para maka- akyat na tayo sa bus." I gave him a small pat on his shoulder. Hawak ang phone ko, I got away from the crowd and then dialled Sir Vance's number.

After few rings, sinagot din nya naman kaagad. I could say na nasa kotse sya because I could hear other vehicles and the bumps.

"Sir! Where are you? Nandito na yung mga bus and we're almost complete. May assembly pa yata kayong mga head bago umalis," sabi ko sa kanya. "Malapit ka na ba? I can attend the short assembly naman if hindi ka aabot. Just give me a heads up."

"Sorry Camila, I kinda overslept," sabi nya and then he cleared his throat.

"It's fine, Sir. Technically, hindi ka pa naman late so it's okay. I just called to check on you because I was thinking na baka nakalimutan mo na may camp tayo ngayon."

I heard his chuckle on the other line. "I'll never forget that, Cami. I just overslept because I had to do other things last night. Anyway, you don't have to attend the meeting. I'm already at the parking.

"Oh. Okay, sir. I'll see you here," sabi ko sa kanya. I glanced at the exit towards the parking lot, baka lumabas sya from there pero wala pa rin.

"Okay Camila. I'll see you," aniya.

I ended the call and then I walked towards the people in our department. Nasa akin na agad ang atensyon nila like they know that I am gonna bear a news for them.

"Nandito na si Sir Vance. Si Kuya Lloyd?" Iginala ko ang mataa ko sa mga taong nasa harap ko and I saw Kuya Lloyd na nagtaas ng kamay sa tabi ni Tobi. I nodded at him and ipinasa ko yung attendance paper for him to sign. "Ganito, I want you guys to pair and then stick with each other throug hout the camp para hindi kayo isa isang nawawala. This is, of course, for you because hindi naman namin kayo lahat matututukan ni Sir Vance isa isa so it's better na may buddy kayo na kasama nyo lagi."

Agad silang nag tinginan and then hinayaan silang ipag pair ang mga sarili nila on their own because they'd probably be with someone that they're comfortable with so it's better. Saka hindi naman na sila bata para mag assign ako kung sinong buddy nila.

"Good morning team," bati ng nasa likod ko na malalim ang boses. Dahil naka lingon na sila at naka ngiti na, I looked at my back to see Sir Vance wearing a casual maong pants and hoodie with his thin framed eyeglasses while he's dragging his luggage.

Today, he looks far from being our boss who always looks dashing on his suit but instead, he looks like he's in college na mag a- attend ng camp because of his casual attire. Either way, he still looks good.

Kanya kanya namang bati ang mga kasama ko sa kanya. Sir Vance found my eyes pero agad ko ring hinugot yun and looked in front of me. Naramdaman ko na lang ang mahinang pag bangga ng braso nya sa balikat ko nang tumabi sya sa akin. I took super tiny steps to the left so that we could have a space between us.

"What were you discussing, Camila?" tanong nya. Inangat ko ang tingin ko sa kanya at sakto namang naka baba ang tingin nya sa akin.

"I was aking them to pair up para may ka buddy sila through out the camp sir. They will be with their partners para hindi sila nagkaka walaan," sagot ko sa kanya.

Tumango si Sir Vance. "That's a nice strategy, Camila. Thank you. but how about me? Sinong ka- buddy ko?" tanong nya.

"Me?" hindi ko sigurado if that is an answer or a question. Hindi ko naman sure kung kailang pa ba namin ng buddy. Kumpleto na sila. Ten persons, five pairs.

"We'll be partners? You'll be with me hanggang sa matapos yung camp?" aniya tunog na naninuguarado.

My forehead crumpled upon his question. "Yes sir. I mean, that's how it's supposed to be kasi I have to assist you while you lead the team," paliwanag ko sa kanya.

Vance raised his brows and then his mouth are partly opened now. "Of course. Stay with me because will win this," he said determinedly.

"The grand prize, sir?" alanganin kong tanong. After all the activities kasi, may grand prize para sa department na may pinaka maraming wins and of course, we want that.

"Yes. The grand prize. I heard that this is tenfold bigger than what they prepared last year. What was the prize last year?" he curiously asked.

Oo nga pala. He wansn't employed here until five months ago so he wouldn't know.

"Last year sir, marketing won the prize and they were granted a three day round trip to Hong Kong. All expenses paid by the company," sagot ko.

"That's already huge. I wonder what is it this time? Diba? We could only imagine for now, so let's do our best and get the prize," aniya.

Napuno nanan ng cheer and encouragement ang circle namin dahil sa sinabi ni Sir Vance.

I didn't know that he's also competitive about things like this. Mukha kasi sya yung tipo na he wouldn't care if he gets the prize or not and wouldn't even care to participate on the activities but it turns out that it's the opposite.

I am looking forward on seeing the competitive side of him. Ako kasi if we win, kahit nga isang linggong vacation leave lang ayos na sa akin.

"Yes. Yes, we'll get the grand prize. For now, excuse me because I will be attending the short asembly." I slightly arched my back nang naramdaman ko ang pag lapat ng palad doon. It's not about the kiliti, it's about the electricity that I am feeling. "Camila, ikaw muna ang bahala," aniya saka tuluyan nang iniwan kami.

I watched his back while I am still left in shock with what he did. He really held my back in front of these people. He did.

"Camila?" tawag sa akin ng isang boses kaya na naman ako natauhan. Pag lingon ko, si Ceddie pala. Sya yung taga HR na isa sa punong abala ng camp na ito.

I fixed my posture and then shifted my direction to her. "Yes, Ced?"

"Ready na yung bus nyo. Akyat na kayo. We'll go after the short assembly ng mga boss. Kasama nyo yung finance team," inform nya sa akin like she's giving me the confirmation because she knows the beef between me and Zara.

I smiled at her and gave her a small nod. "Alright, Ced. Thank you."

Wala naman akong magagawa. Goodbye to a peace

Nang maka alis na si Ceddie piang buddy buddy ko na sila and then I led the way pa puntang parking kung saan naka parada yung hilera ng mga bus. This is just like a mini bus and not really the huge bus that's on the highways.

Pag akyat namin, naka kita na ako ng mga familiar na mukha from the finance department. I raised my guard up and then scanned for that particular face of a person and the reason why I am raising my guard up but she's not yet here.

Umupo ako sa pinaka unahan para mas madali kong makikita sila pag nasa unahan ako and it's a two seater naman kaya malawak. Hinayaan ko sila kung saan sila naka upo but I also noted kung saan at kung sino ang katabi nila.

Bumaba ako muna ng bus to check kung wala ng naiwang luggages at na sakay na ang lahat. I also went to the cafeteria para kunin yung packed na sandwich that they prepared for the emplyoees. Isinabay ko na din ang sa finance dept dahil wala pa yung director nila. So far, wala namang problema and okay naman kaya I just stayed at my seat.

"Oh gosh! Why is this so high!" naiinis na tili ni Zara habang papaakyat sya sa bus. I looked at her and I am dumbfounded with what she looks.

She's already wearing a tube top with maxi dress and five inched heels. I mean? Hindi kaya kabagan naman sya sa suot nya? And who wears heels at the beach? And a huge beach hat and a sun glasses at five in the morning and the sun's not even up yet?

I sighed. Well, hindi ko naman na dapat intindihin 'yun. She's free to wear whatever that pleases her.

"What? You're here?" aniya agad. Disgust and annoyed is evident on her face. She stopped sa unahan mismo sa may daanan.

"Yes, maam. Magkasama ang department natin dito sa bus. Weren't you informed?" tanong ko sa kanya.

The air's getting heavy again on the inside of the bus. I don't know who planned this whole arrangement but I wanna ask them what is their intention for putting me and Zara in one bus. The whole company knows that we're not exactly fond of each other so why would they?

This will just put the employees on the awkward situation if ever na bwisitin nya ako at hindi ako makapag timpi sa kanya like the last time.

"Do you think papayag ako kung alam ko?" maldita nyang sagot.

Huminga ako ng malalim para mahugot ko yung natitirang pasensya na meron ako rito kay Zara. Umagang umaga but she's already aiming at me.

"I'll talk to the management. I don't want to be in the same space with you!" aniya and she's already gigil while dialling whoever she's calling.

Please do so, Zara. I also don't want to be in the same space with you.

I didn't stop her because why woud I? That's favorable to me because if she's not in here, I'll have my peace of mind back.

"Excuse me." Napa lingon ako sa likod ni Zara and it's Sir Vance na pa akyat pa lang kaso hindi maka daan dahil naka harang si Zara sa mismong daanan.

Inis na tumingin si Zara sa likod nya but she gasped nang makita kung sino yun.

"Good morning Ms. Zara. Please excuse me. You're blocking the way," walang ka abog abog na sabi ni Sir Vance.

Oh, right. I am not the only person na mawawalan ng peace of mind if Zara will stay here. Si Sir Vance din. She's his new apple of the eye of her.

"Vance! You're gonna be in this bus also?" namamanghang tanong ni Zara kay Sir Vance.

"Yes, Maam. My team's here so I will be here," he said.

Hindi na ako nagulat nang ibaba ni Zara ang tawag na kanina'y nagmamadali nyang ginawa because she said she doesn't want to be in the same place as me. What happened to that kaya?

Zara hurriedly sat at the adjacent seat and I mentally scoffed. "I'll stay here," matamis na sabi nya but Vance is not giving her any attention because he turned he stood sa gilid ng upuan ko.

"Can I sit beside you?" tanong nya sa akin. Tumingala ako sa kanya.

"Vance, here oh. Malaki pa yung space sa tabi ko," singit ni Zara who I think heard what Vance said kahit na pabulong lang iyon.

Umusog ako sa dulo, katabi ng bintana to give him space for him to sit and he flashed me a smile.

Lumingon sya kay Zara and said, "Thank you for the offer, Maam. I'll be sitting here with Camila."

Sir Vance sit beside me. I handed him the sandwich that I saved for him kanina.

I glaced at Zara and she's already throwing me unpleasant stares. Hindi ko na lang sya pinansin and I resumed to check kung okay na ang lahat.

"We'll go in a bit. Please make sure po, team leaders, na kumpleto na kayo. Kung may probem or if anything happens, contact me or anyone on charge," paalala ni Ceddie na umakyat ng bus namin to do her announcement.

I noticed na nagpapalit palit ang tingin nya sa akin at kay Zara. She's probably wondering kung bakit nananahimik lang ang bruha sa tabi. I just shrugged at her. Wala ngang sinasabi si Zara but I could still feel her rage hanggang dito.

After a short while, sumarado na yung pinto ng bus, hudyat na paalis na because I could see, umaandar na yung bus na nasa unahan namin.

They all screamed and cheered to show how excited they are for the trip.

"Camila?" mahinang tawag ni Sir Vance sa akin.

"Sir?" I answered and looked at him.

Ngayon ko lang na realize na nag lapit na naman pala namin sa isa't isa.

"Do you want to sleep?" tanong nya sa akin. "You can sleep more. The ride's long enough for you to get a good sleep."

"It's okay, Sir. Hindi naman talaga ako inaantok," sabi ko sa kanya. "I'm just getting bored."

Sitting here for hours doing absolutely nothing but to sit and just look at the window and see how the tall buildings are going to be replaced with trees later is not a fun thing to do. Also, hindi ko maiwasan na hindi sulyapan si Zara who's obviouly getting ready to get the man's attention pero hindi nya alam kung paano mag u-umpisa because he's looking at me.

"Do you want to listen to music?" he asked me and offered me one of his earphones.

I kind of hesitated but kinuha ko rin because I don't have any better thing to do. I just wana relax and condition my self for the camp because I know that we're going to be very busy mad everything will be hectic as heck.

"Thanks," I said habang nilalagay ko sa tenga ko yung isang earphone nya sa kanang tenga ko.

"Here, you can play whatever you like. I don't mind," aniya saka inabot nya sa akin yung phone nya.

"It's fine. You can leave it just like that," sabi ko. Hindi naman ako maarte pagdating sa mga kant. I listen to everything.

Sir Vance got my hand and talagang isiniksik nya sa kamay ko yung phone nya. Wala na akong nagawa kasi he already crossed his hands at pumikit.

"If you're not going to sleep, please do me a favor and monitor the texts from the heads for me. I'll sleep. Inaantok pa talaga ako," aniya.

Hindi ko naiatago ang panlalaki ng mata at bibig ko.

"You're asking me to scroll through youd phone? Sir? Are you serious?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko sa kanya.

I hope he opens his eyes so he could see the expression on my face.

"Yes, I am. Please, Cami. Inaantok talaga ako," halos nagmamakawaa nyang sabi sa akin.

"Okay. Okay. Sure," ani ko.

Again, hinayaan ko sya. I opened his phone and dumiretso sa music and shuffled it.

I was kinda hesitant to tell you

Should I let you know?

I was never really like this before

Need I say more

Or maybe I'm confused when you are near me

I don't know what to do or I should be

There's only one thing in my mind

That's you and me

I'm a little bit of crazy

I'm a little bit of a fool

I'm a little bit of lonely

I'm a little bit of all, oh

I need a cure

Just a little bit of you

And I will fall

I'm always on a run to see you

Would you allow me to?

It wasn't my intention to hurt you

This feeling is true

Or maybe I'm confused when you are near me

I don't know what to do or I should be

There's only one thing in my mind

That's you and me

I'm a little bit of crazy

I'm a little bit of a fool

I'm a little bit of lonely

I'm a little bit of all, oh

I need a cure

Just a little bit of you

And I will fall

Ipinikit ko rin ang mata ko at sinandal ang likod at ulo ko.