Nights Like This

CHAPTER 19

I opened my eyes when I felt a two consecutive light buzz on my hand. It's Sir Vance's phone because of messages. Dahil sinabi nyang i- monitor ko raw ang mga texts nya, I opened his phone na wala namang password and saw two texts.

One is from the heads saying na we are only minutes away from the bus stop and the other one is from somebody in his contacts that is saved as Jaye.

Jaye:

Boss the supplier updated me. Makakapag deliver raw sila mamayang hapon. Confirm ko na ba?

I replied noted on the group message 'noted' but I don't know what I would reply to Jaye na nag text sa kanya. I suddenly remember Jaye of ZONE17 that has the same name as him. I feel like it's been so long when I last visited the bar and I mentally noted to visut when I get back for a glass of wine. Baka isipin ni Jaye na kaya hindi na ako bumabalik kasi ang saya saya na ng buhay ko and that I am forgetting that I'm kind of emotionally dumping on him tuwing may problema ako.

Inalog ko ang balikat ni Sir Vance who's peacefully sleeping beside me. Naka saklob na sa ulo nyaa yung hoodie nya pero naka cross ppa rin yung arms nya. Isa, dalawang alog hindi pa rin talaga sya nagmu- mulat ng mata. So, what I did is that I pinched his cheeks. Yes, I did. And it's effective because nag mulat na sya ng mata, finally.

Nag mulat sya ng isang mata but he still looks groggy from sleeping. Pagod siguro talaga sya because despite of the uncomfortableness because of the bumps, mukhang naging malalim talaga yung tulog nya.

"Sir, nag text si Jaye. Anong ire- reply ko?" sabi ko sa kanya. I showed him the text on his phone pero dahil sa silaw ay napa pikit rin sya. "Sir, may nag text."

Ihinilamos ni Sir Vance yung kamay nya sa mukha nya. "Who?"

"Si Jaye. He's aking kung iko- confirm na daw ba yung delivery ng supplier?" sabi ko sa kanya.

Napa balikwas si Sir Vance na para bang bumalik sa kanya yung diwa nya. Inilapit nya yung mukha nya sa phone nya at dahil hawak ko yung phone nya, he held my hand closer. He looks like he's shocked na may kasamang panic about something.

I gulped down the invisible lump on my throat habang pinabasa nya yung text sa akin and then he looked at me like he's observing my expression. I rasied my eyebrows at him. "Yung kamay ko, Sir."

Baka lang kasi nakakalimutan na nya na hawak nya ang kamay ko at gusto ko ng ibaba dahil nararamdaman ko na ang pangangawit at panlalamig ng kamay ko but his palm are as warm as gloves. It's kind of comforting.

Agad naman nyang binitawan when he realized kung ano yung ginagawa nya. "Sorry. Nagulat lang ako," aniya. when he let go of my arms, umayos ulit sya ng pagkaka upo. I am still handing him his phone pero hindi pa rin nya kinukuha.

"Just keep my phone to you. Baka kung saan saan ko lang mailagay at mawala ko pa. Reply to Jaye na okay," aniya.

I don't know what's the thing that the suppliers will be delivering. Wala akong naiintindihan sa context but I'll just do what I have to do because he asked me to.

I replied to Jaye na okay and then binaba ang phone nya. The're nothing interesting naman sa phone ni Sir Vance. Wala rin silang past conversation nung Jaye. I don't know if he's deleting messages o wala lang talaga silang conversations. Hindi ko na rin kinalikot yung phone nya because that would be disrespectful kahit nanaman na may consent nya.

"Are you really like this?" sabi ko. I just realuzed that I blurted that out when Sir Vance looked at me again.

That question us just supposed to be on my head only. He didn't say anything and he just stared at me that I feel like I don't have the option to drop the subject and ths only choice is ti elaborate.

"I mean, are you really just letting other people have your personal belongings?" tanong ko sa kanya.

Kumunot ang noo nya. "But you're not just any other people," aniya in a as-a-matter-of-fact tone.

Kung malikot lang talaga yung imagination ko, I might think otherwise but after months of being close to him, I could say na I know him at ganyan lang talaga sya. Very straight forward. I know naman what he means by that. Sinasabi nyang hindi naman ako basta basta na kung sino because we know each other enough for him to trust me his phone.

"And what if it's me? Do you think ba na hindi ko kayang buksan yung messages mo and read them all? Or have a peek on your accounts and invade your privacy? Masyado kang kampante sa akin ha," hamon ko sa kanya. I know naman that he knows na hindi ko gagawin yun. Wala naman akong karapatan para gawin 'yun sa totoo lang.

He looked at me and nods. "You can. I don't care if you read my messages or use my account. I really don't mind. Wala naman akong tinatago. I wouldn't trust you my phone kung may tinatago ako dyan," aniya.

I am amused.

I am amused because he doesn't sound like he's trying so hard to look okay with it because he looks like he's really fine with it. Halata sa mukha nya at sa kilos nya na hindi naman talaga sya bothered.

Hindi na ako natulog after nun dahil may message na naman from the group na nakarating na sa stop over and they want us to let them know kung naroon na rin kami. I asked the driver kung malayo pa ba and he said na malapit na 2km na lang so I got up and then announced it to everybody. Pati ang mga taga finance ay kasama na rin on that announcement because their Leader's not doing anything. Alam ko naman na nababasa nya yung mga messages sa kanila because she's on her phone magmula ng umalis kami but she's choosing to ignore and do nothing. I pity their department for the lack of cooperation of their leader.

She could've refused to go and just appointed somebody else to lead them kung mag ga- ganyan sya. Instead of leading them, she's just letting them on their own. It makes me wonder kung ngayon lang talaga sya ganyan o ganyan na talaga sya.

"Are you going to eat breakfast? Let's go out para maka langhap naman tayo ng hangin," pag yaya ni Sir Vance. Nauna na syng tumayo while I am still sitting.

"Dito na lang ako. I have to look out inside the bus. Iniwan pa naman nila yung mga gamit nila dito," sabi ko sa kanya.

"Oh, you're going out too? Tara Vance, let's go out. Mukhang ayaw naman ni Camila kaaya hayaan mo sya. I'm here naman," biglang singit ni Zara sa amin ni Sir Vance in her sweet voice. She made it sound like she just acciddentaly heard us when in fact she answered right off the bat.

Wow ang bilis. I hope she's like that when it comes to assisting her team ano? I hope she's that attentive. I am nearly convinced that the reason why she's here is only to display herself.

Nanlalaki ang mata kong pinanood kung paanong umupo agad si Sir Vance sa tabi ko. "Sorry, Ms. Zara. I have to be with Cami at all times. We're partners. I won't leave her," aniya habang naka ngiting tumingin sa akin and mouthed,

'Labas tayo'

I think I kinda get it kung ano yung gusto nyang ipahiwatig.

"I kinda wanna grab some coffee. Do you want to want to come along with me?" tanong ko kay Sir Vance and then looked at the other girl. "Gusto mo bang sumama?"

She rolled her eyes at me. "No. Why would I want to be with you? Why can't you just stay here and kami na lang ni Vance ang lalabas?" she said, obviously irritated.

Dahil kaming tatlo na lang naman ang nasa loob, I fired at her. "Why would I adjust for you?"

I saw how Sir Vance was taken aback with my answer. I don't have to pretend like I am so nice here while she's out here aiming at me again. Sooner or later, malalaman nya rin naman. Or baka nga alam na nya na that Zara and I have a bad blood dahil sa mgaa parinig ng babaeng 'to sa akin.

"That's how you speak to somebody who's way higher than you? Porque anak ka ng senador?" she furiously said. Daig pa sa taas ng kilay nya yung Mt. Everest.

I feel the rage flowing through out my body. Now why is my father being dragged here?

"I am just returning the favor to you, Zara. Respect me and I'll do the same for you. Say nothing about me and I'll say nothing to fire at you. I am making you taste your own medicine. Why? Do I bother you so much that you hate me this much? Hmm?" sabi ko sa kanya. I still kept my composure.

Tumayo si Zara sa kinauupuan nya at lumakas ang t***k ng puso ko when she extended her hands at me and aimed at me but Sir Vance blocked his body between us kaya hindi na umabot ang pag hablot nya sa akin.

"Miss Zara," aniya and it came like a warning.

Seryoso na ang mukha nya at ang boses nya. It's almost as if I am seeing again the time when a reporter bothered us with the camera's flash. Pati nga si Zara ay natigilan sa ginawa ni Sir Vance.

"Vance I-" she sounds like magpapaliwanag pa sya sa but the man cut her off immediately.

"You shouldn't treat people like this, Miss Zara. She may be lower in office heirarchy but she's also a human so treat her with some respect. As someone in higher position, isn't that the basiscs? Treating employees with basic decency because she's not working to be disrespected and to be called names?" matigas at madiing sabi ni Vance but there's still a strong feeling of holding back there that I am getting.

"Vance I am sorry," paawa ni Zara sa kanya. Mapungay na yung mga mata nya and her lips are portuding. I am still pissed at her but I wanna cringe so bad. Akala nya ba madadaan nya sa pagpapa cute yung pagiging toxic nya?

"Why are you sorry to me and not to her na pinag salitaan mo ng masasaama, Miss?" he said.

She didn't say anything. Kahit in- sincere na sorry man lang. It's fine with me though. I'd rather have her not say anything than utter nonsense na para bang utang na loob ko pa sa kanya na nag so- sorry sya. I get that she doesn't want to say sorry because of her pride. Of course she doesn't want to lose to me and be the pathetic one.

But she just made herself as one.

"Nevermind," he whispered angrily.

Vance sighed and grabbed my hands and hinila nya ako palabas ng bus. Finally. A fresh air and no Zara.

Medyo malayo yung pinag parking- an ng bus namin sa mga stores so we had to walk there. Tahimik lang si Sir Vance sa tabi ko but he's looking at me.

"Thank you for saving me back there, sir." I just wish that he knocked some sense out for her kahit paano.

"Why is she mad at you?" tanong nya.

"Gabriel," sagot ko.

Tumango sya sa akin like he understands what I am saying kahit hindi ako magpaliwanag.

And that is the major reason why it is a bad idea para pagsamahin kami ni Zara sa iisang lugar.

***

Nakarating na kami sa camp namin for three days and two nights and it's deep in the forest, taliwas sa in- expect ng lahat na sa beach ulit because that has been the location for the past years. Kaya pala they encouraged us to bring summer clothes. Hindi kasi sinabi ng organizers na sa forest pala so lahat kami ay napa nganga nang puro puno nag makita namin at wala man lang sight ng dagat.

Pag baba namin ng bus they all welcomed us with purple orchid leis and a glass of buko juice.

Camp Willow. That is the name of this camp site.

I didn't know that there is such a huge camp like this in the forest. I feel like wala talaga kami sa kabihasnan dahil when I retuned Sir Vance's phone to him, napansin ko na walang signal kahit isang bar man lang. Another thing is that everything is made out of bamboo and materials that they only use at provinces.

It's my first time to be in such a place like this at na realize ko na tama pala ang ginawa ko sa team namin to have a buddy because they oriented us na walang harang ang camp so if someone dares to walk in the woods, maliligaw talaga but they said na hindi naman nila hahayaang mangyari 'yun because there are staffs na naka bantay sa buong vacinity.

After the short orientation, they proceeded to show us the dorms. Magkahiwalay ang dorm ng boys and girls. Sa dorm ng girls, magkakasama pa rin ang girls of operations and finance. And boys sa kabila, likod lang ng sa amin.

I really thought na malalayo na ako kay Zara, I thought wrong pala.

"I'll help you carry your luggage," sabi ni Sir Vance habang hawak nya rin sa isang kamay nya ang luggage nya.

Kaya ko naman but the ground is too tough dahil puro bato bato at putik dahil medyo mabasa yung sahig so I am carrying my luggage para hindi madumihan naman.

"No, Sir. Okay lang. Kaya ko 'to," sabi ko habang ginagawa pa rin yung best ko na buhatin but the thing is, I might be doing my best pero hindi talaga nakikisama yung lupa at luggage ko because I keep on dropping it.

It's so shameful of me to say na kaya ko eh maya't maya ko namang nabibitawan. Yung ibang girls na naka carrier pinabuhat na nila sa guys.

Forcefully, Sir Vance grabbed my luggade at sya na ang nag buhat. "I can carry this for you. It's no big deal," aniya.

Dahil dalawa na ang bitbit nya, para tuloy syang may hawak na dumbell and I could see the arm muscles that's peeking on his white tees. Hinubas na nya kasi yung hoodie nya dahil mainit na.

Hindi lang ako ang panay ang sulyap kay Sir Vance. Pati na rin ang mga girls na naka paligid sa amin. Some of them covered their mouth at the sight while oogling at his muscles.

What a sight.

"Thank you," I told him nang ibaba nya sa lapag ang carrier ko nang nasa tapat na kami ng dorm ng girls.

He just nods at me saka lumakad na rin sya papunta sa likod kung saan yung dorm nilang mga boys.

Binigyan kami ng tatlong oras ni Kuya Esteban na syang camp master at ang punong facilitator ng mga activities namin during our stay here to rest and do whatever that we like. Mag unpack o mag libot.

I chose to roam around. Kailangan kong kabisaduhin yung lugar pa lang to our advantage sa mga activities because the more that we know the place, the better.

I really thought that I am being over competitive already but I forgot that there's one person that's highly competitive than me. Si Sir Vance. Nauna lang sya sa akin ng ilang dipa.

He must've really want to get the prize.

"Sir," tawag ko sa kanya. I jogged towards him nang tumigil sya sa paglalakad. Inikot nya yung katawan nya paharap sa direction ko.

"Careful, Camila. You might trip," paalala nya.

I stopped jogging at lumakad na lang nang maka lapit na ako sa kanya.

"Are you going to roam around?" tanong ko sa kanya.

We follwed the trail na hindi namin alam kung saan papunta. I don't think it's dangerous because may mga camp staff naman na nasa paligid and they didn't stop us so we just continued to walk side by side.

"Yes. I want to check and familiarize myself to the place. Maybe we could take it as an advantage during the activities," he said and that made let out a short laugh.

"We're just the same. I also came out because of that," sabi ko sa kanya. "Is this how much you want to win, Sir?"

"I don't want to win for myself. I want us to win so we could get the prize because I believe that you guys deserve that. Whatever it is," paliwanag nya.

I smiled at him, feeling touched at what he said. I didn't know that he's thinking of it that way. Ako kasi, I just want to win because I am just plainly being competitive.

"That's so cool of you, Sir." Cool is actually an understatement of how I see him now. It's more like he's so admiring for being a true leader to us.

Malayo layo na rin ang nalakad namin but we can't see the end yet. It's seems like it's near yet it's far. Hindi rin namin alam kung anong makikita namin sa dulo but we still enjoy the journey.

"Sir? Why are you calling me sir nung mga nakaraan pa?" tanong nya sa akin bigla.

I was taken aback with his question because I didn't expect that he'll notice because I am thinking that it's probably not really a big deal to him. Saka, I said that he's cool but the thing that he noticed is how I adressed him.

Hay.

"Because you're my boss and we're always in the office," sagot ko sa kanya.

"But we're not in the office right now," aniya. I don't know if it's just me o tunog nagtatampo sya. "I told you, you can just me by my name when it's just the two of us. It's really fine."

Is he whining that I'm not calling him by his name? Am I interpreting this right?

"Come on," he said, encouraging me. "You can be yourself when you're with me, Camila."

I breathed deeply. Bahala na.

"Okay, Vance. Whatever you say," I said in an annoyed voice ng pabiro.

I don't know if this is right that I am breaking my walls to him again pero bahala na.