Drastic Waves in Bondi

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

I tried to act normal when we got back to the training. Iisipi ko na lang na walang nangyari nitong weekend at magfo-focus na lamang ako sa training namin. We only have two weeks left and after that, we'll be able to know kung makapapasa ba kami na maging isang ganap na Bondi lifeguard.

Though what I had in mind, matanggap man o hindi, I'll be going back to college. Iyong punto ng pag-interview ko kay Valerio, na-set aside na since I respect his private life and I wish to do that for him.

Hindi naman ako tinigilan ni Kuya Emmett at may sinabi pa itong aasarin niya ako all day which when we get on the beach, I started avoiding him. Ayoko namang ipaalam sa ibang trainees kung anong nangyari kast weekend. I'll keep it a secret as much as I can.

I'm sure some of them would assume that I am making my way up to the top so I can get Valerio's approval. I'm one step ahead of them and before they could even think of that, they would shut the assumptions down.

And as far as I notice, hindi naman niya pinapasok ang personal stuff niya during his shift and take everything all in professional level so I don't think something like that would happen.

As I report into the tower, Valerio was there. Nagkatinginan pa kaming dalawa sa mata at naghihintay kung sino ang unang magsasalita.

But I know I had to break the silence. "Good morning, sir."

Nginisihin naman niya ako. "Sir? When did I tell you to call me sir?"

Napakibit balikat ako sa tanong niya. "Uhm... nothing."

"Here's your task today." May inabot siya sa aking folders. "Please do sort all that out and when you finished, tell me so we can proceed to your physical training."

"Am I doing some desk jobs again?"

Bahagyang tumaas ang kilay niya. "Are you questioning my order, Carseldine?"

I immediately shook my head. "Oh, no... my bad."

"Good. And Brendan told me something you will be joining the others for the final assessment."

"Oh... okay... that would be fine."

"No, it's not. It isn't training, it would determine your fate to your training. If you didn't pass the final assessment, you have a high chance of failing. So, we'll catch up and I hope you'll bear with me for this week, but I'll be tough on you."

Napalunok na lamang ako ng laway ng sabihin niya 'yon. Tumango na lamang ako bilang pagsang-ayon sa kanya. Wala rin naman akong choice kung hindi ang sumunod sa kanya.

Naghanap naman ako ng pwesto saka ko sinimulan ang unang ipinapagawa niya sa akin. Habang sinusubukan ko namang mag-focus sa pagso-sort ko ng papers, nag nanakaw naman ako ng tingin kay Valerio na busy sa pakikipag-usap sa radyo.

Hindi kasi ako nakadalaw ng beach nitong weekend pero ang rinig-rinig ko ay jampacked daw ito. Halos nagsisikan sa ilang area at sa puntong iyon, hindi rin naiwasan ang iba't ibang klase ng insidente at aksidente. Sa dami rin ng turista ngayon sa Sydney, hindi na nakapaninibago iyon.

Mabilis ko namang natapos ang una kong gawain. Wala si Valerio sa loob ng tower kaya lumaba ako para hanapin siya. Napansin ko rin naman na wala rin ang ibang trainees sa paligid so finding that out, malaki ang chance na iba-iba ang ginagawa ng bawat isa.

And here I am... figuring out what to do next.

May sarili na akong radyo, though connected lamang ito kay Valerio. I have to report things directly to him kaya siya ang unang makakaalam. Sinubukan ko rin siyang i-radyo ngunit hindi niya iyon sinasagot.