Nights Like This

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Airport

"Damn, you take good photos," I said as I browsed the ones Rex Niccolo took. I told him what angle I want, did my poses, and he totally delivered. Maganda ang naging kinalabasan dahil kita sa background ang Taal lake at ang ngayo'y asul nang langit. The sun finally rose.

"You're welcome," he said with a proud look on his face.

Patuloy ako sa pagtingin at namimili na kung alin ba ang ipo-post ko. Nang makapagdesisyon ay sunud-sunod kong p-in-ost sa Stories ang mga kuha. The video of the rising sun, the coffee and chocolate drink, and my picture sitting on the concrete railing.

"Maganda rin 'to. I think I should post this, too," sabi ko at pinakita ang silhouette photo na kuha niya kanina nang nasa cargo pa kami nakaupo. Saktong nakuhanan ang pagsabay ng buhok ko sa ihip ng hangin. It added extra detail to the photo.

He just nodded at what I said.

"Ikaw naman. I'll try my best to take good ones."

"No, thanks."

"Why not?" I'll be more than glad to return the favor. 'Tsaka confident naman ako na hindi pangit ang mga magiging kuha ko.

"I'd rather enjoy the view," sagot niya sabay abot sa akin ng jacket ko na hawak niya pa pala. I took it off for picture taking. "Suotin mo ulit. Malamig pa."

"Okay. But seriously, no pic?" I asked.

Umiling siya pero mabilis kong tinapat ang cellphone sa kanya. I was able to click once before he looked away.

"Stop that," saway niya.

Tiningnan ko ang kuha at namangha dahil kahit biglaan ay maganda naman ang kinalabasan.

"Look! Not much effort and it turned out good," I said, trying to show off my skill. "You look so serious but it's fine." I zoomed in on his face and he really is serious. This is his default expression. Parang galit at sobrang intimidating. I think it has something to do with his hooded eyes. May kakaiba sa paraan ng pagtitig niya. Iyong tipong hindi ka makakatagal kapag nakipagtitigan ka sa kanya.

Hindi niya pinansin ang sinabi ko at inulit lang ang utos na isuot ko na ang jacket. Sinunod ko iyon at ginaya na siya sa pagtingin sa tanawin. We both enjoyed the view in silence. Napatingin lang siya sa akin nang humikab ako.

"You want to go now?"

"Ten more minutes," I replied and he nodded. Ayoko pang umalis. It feels nice to be here. "Anong oras ang flight mo mamaya?"

"8 PM."

"Natulog ka ba kagabi? You were up early."

"Natulog. But I woke up and wasn't able to go back to sleep."

"Crazy. I had the same case."

Parang matching yata kami ngayong araw, ah? Aside from the clothes we're wearing, we also both woke up in the middle of the night.

"Wala ka talagang trabaho? Mamaya pa pala ang alis mo." Usually if Papa has to go overseas and his flight's at night, he still spends half day at work.

"I have no meetings so I can just work through my laptop. Kaunti lang din iyon."

"Because a lot of work will be waiting for you in Hong Kong?"

"Uh-huh. It will be a busy three days ahead."

"You work so hard," I said.

If Papa indeed forces me to work at the firm, I'm pretty sure I have to work like Rex Niccolo. Hindi pwede maging tamad. The work environment at our firm is fast-paced. I know because even if I don't go there often, I can feel it. Hindi pa nga ako natatapos sa pag-aaral, kinakabahan na ako kung sakaling mangyari nga iyon at sa firm ako papapasukin ni Papa.