That Time In July

Chapter 17

Kabanata 17

Nakauwi kami ni Gray sa bahay ng hindi pa lumulubog ang araw. I fell exhausted. Hindi ko naramdaman ang pagod kanina nung kasama pa sila. But the moment I enterd the house, all I could think of is the soft and bouncy bed I have upstairs. Dumeretso ako sa aking kwarto at nagpahinga. Gabi na ng magising ako. I took a quick shower bago bumaba para sa hapunan. Nasa hapag na silang lahat at kami na lang ata ni Gray ang wala pa.

"How was the camping hija? Did you enjoy it?" Lolo asked.

"It was fun lolo." I smiled. "I've never tried camping before, now I know its fun."

"You should try different activities then. Enjoy while you can, dito mo nalang bawiin yung mga panahong nakakulong ka sa bahay mo." He said.

"I was planning on doing that po." Hindi pa man nasasabi ni lolo yun, nasa plano ko na talagang sumubok ng iba pang activities.

"Then I bet it's the same squad you'll be with trying different adventures?" Mom asked.

"I was planning po."

Nakakakalahati na ako sa pagkain ng wala pa rin si Gray.

"Uh, si Gray po?"

"Pumuntang Campo Gwen, ngayon ata yung balik nila." Tito Arman said.

Tumango lang ako saglit at nagpatuloy na sa pagkain. We spend the rest of the dinner talking about the things we've done during the camping and the future plans we've made so far. After the dinner, I went straight to my room. Kaylangan na rin kasing bumalik sa trabaho bukas kaya kaylangang magpahinga ng maaga. I was scrolling on my phone when it was interrupted by a call. I swipe my phone to answer.

"Yes?"

Nakarinig ako ng kaloskos sa kabilang linya bago ang nakakatindig balahibong tili ni George.

"Girl! Sinagot mo na talaga! Salamat sa Diyos naman Alexandria!" - George.

"I miss you too George." Natatawa kong sabi sa kanya. "Where is Claire?

"I'm here sweety! Kamusta jan?" - Claire

"Hey, can we do face time?" - George

We switch to face time. That night, we spent our time catching up with each other. I talked about what I've done so far here at San Pedro and they've talked about the things that happened at San Isidro. Hindi rin naman nagtagal ang tawagan at kamustahan dahil pareho naman kaming tatlong may trabaho kinabukasan.

I spent the whole week working at the ECL. Umuuwi naman si Gray kapag may oras siya pero lagi ring bumabalik agad sa Campo. Tumutulong rin ako sa Resto ng ECL kapag maraming bisita at kaylangang mag overtime nila Mommy at Tito Arman. Dumadalaw rin si Lolo Carl sa ECL kapag na boboryo na siya.

Mag iisang buwan na ng nagpunta ako rito, at isa sa mga hindi ko pa nasubukan ay ang maligo sa dagat. Honesty, I'm not a fan of salt water. I admire the beach, but I'm not a fan of its water. Kahit na ganoon, gusto ko paring subukan, maybe kapag may kasama na ako.

Friday night when the squad decided to eat at ECL. I was still working when Dorothy called to inform me of the dinner at the Resto. Siguro paguusapan na rin ang gagawin bukas. Dumaan muna ako sa opisina ni Mommy para magpaalam. It's still a bit early and the dinner is by 7 kaya tumambay muna ako sa counter para tulungan si Nathalie. Hindi pa naman marami ang kumakain kaya hindi pa masyadong busy.

Naunang dumating si Doroty kasunod si Samantha. Habang sabay sabay namang dumating ang mga lalaki.

"OT sina Jessica at Quinn, pauwi pa lang raw si Audrey so we'll fill them in with the info." Sabi ni Samantha ng makaupo na ang lahat.

Nasa tapat ko sila habang katabi ko si Gray. James is busy ordering food, siya ata magbabayad.

"Chad isn't here, saan yun?" Samantha asked.

"So is Felix." Dagdag ni Dorothy.

"Nasa Campo pa si Felix, susunod na lang daw siya. May pinuntahan naman si Chad sa kabilang probinsya, hindi rin namin alam kung makakauwi yun bukas." - Gray.

We plan about what to do tomorrow while waiting for the food. Ngayon ko lang rin nalaman na anak pala siya ng Gobernador dito sa probinsya.

"For real?" That was all I could say ng mabanggit yun.

"You did not know?" - Samantha.

"I forgot to tell her." - Gray.

"O my gosh." Napatakip ako sa aking bibig at tiningnan ulit si James.

Natawa naman siya sa reaksiyon ko. I did not expect that. Ang simply niyang tao, hindi mo nga mararamdaman sa kanyang mas mataas siya sayo. I mean, yes hindi naman siya yung nasa posisyon kundi ang tatay niya, but some person would take advantage of thhe privilege for being the son of the governor.

I was still in shock ng may umupo sa tabi ko. Sa banda ko na lang kasi ang may bakanteng upuan. Napalingon ako habang nasa kamay pa rin ang bibig.

"What?" - Felix asked when he saw my reaction.

"Nagulat sa totong pagkatao ni James." Dorothy said when I couldn't say a word.

"I mean, how come no one told me about it?" Napatingin ako kay Gray sa tabi ko. "Paano mo nakalimutang sabihin sakin?"

"Ayaw niya riya ng special treatment kasi. Tsaka matagal na namin siyang nakasama, nung hindi pa nanalo si Tito David. Majirap ring mag adjust kung nasanay ka na sa ugali niyan." Natatawang sabi no Blaze na katabi ni Gray sa kabila.

"Hindi na rin namin ramdam na gobernador ang tatay niyan, nakasanayan na talaga kaya nakalimutan ko ring sabihin sayo." Gray said.

"Unbelievable."

Hindi ko alam kung saan sila natatawa. Ang naiisip ko lang ay may bigatin pala dito sa grupong to. Dumating ang pagkain at nagsimula na kaming maghapunan. Mahigit dalawang oras na ang lumipas at wala pa silang balak umuwi dahil sa nagkatuwaan pa sa loob.

Sumandal ako sa upuan nang nagpalit ng panibagong kanta ang banda sa loob. May braso akong naramdaman ng lumapat ang aking likod sa backrest ng upuan. I looked at Felix. He was looking at me, like he is waiting for me to look at him.

"How's your week?" He asked.

"Fine. Hindi masyadong tambak sa trabaho." I replied.

Tumango siya. "You won't asked about mine?"

Tumaas ang kaliwang kilay ko. He looked at it. I wasn't sure whether to asked him or not because the last time I remember, we weren't that close.

"How's yours?" I asked in the end.

"Same as yours, fine." He said amusingly.

Tumango ako at ibinalik na ang atensiyon sa nagsasalita. I caught Dorothy looking at me before smiling.

"I'll go home first." Doroty said.

Hindi naman siya pinigilan ng grupo ng sabihin niya ito at tumayo na. Tumayo rin ako.

"Your going home?" Felix asked. Nasa backrest parin ang braso at nakatingala para magtanong sa akin.

"Gusto mo nang umuwi?" Gray asked.

"Ihahatid ko lang si Dorothy sa labas."

"Just tell me kung uuwi na tayo." - Gray.

Tumango ako.

"What's that earlier?" She asked ng makalabas na kami.

"Alin?"

Humarap siya sa akin. "He's like claiming his territory. Napansin ko lang, he is kinda into you."

"Who?" Maang maangan kong tanong.

Natatawa niya akong tiningnan. "I didn't know you're like that Gwen."

Natawa na rin ako. "I don't know. Try asking him."

"You try asking him." She laughed. "Mauna na ako. Mukhang may kakausap pa sayo. See you tomorrow."

"I'll see you tomorrow." I waved her goodbye.

Naghintay ako saglit bago ko naramdamang may tumabi sa akin. I looked at him. He is wearing a white tee paired with black pants and white sandals. He kinda looked mysterious with the night covering his face.

"Gusto mong maglakad-lakad muna?" He asked.

I looked at him, trying to figure out what he is thinking. Kahit hindi ko nakikita, at hindi ko alam kung anong nasa isip niya, sumagot parin ako.

"Yeah."

This is a chance to finally name what I am feeling for him. Although I already have an idea about what it is, but it's like a confirmation, I hope. Baka kasi nararamdaman ko lang kapag may mga kasama kami at hindi kapag kaming dalawa lang. Though I have to admit, I like what I am feeling.

(Cruel Summer - Taylor Swift)