Flames and Vengeance (South Series # 1) COMPLETED- To be published

Chapter 38

Just like what happened last year, we can't go to our supposed vacation again, he was so busy, and I'm not that insensitive to not notice his weary eyes or his lethargic body. Ako na nagsabing 'wag kaming tumuloy.

For the first week of vacation, I just focused myself with checking the businesses, it was going smoothly. May araw na pupuntahan ko siya sa office niya, pero nahihiya akong parang ako pa ang abala sa trabaho niya.

"Cali, pupunta pala kaming Siargao ng block," bungad ko sa tawag niya. Tahimik lang siya sa kabilang linya, bawat buntong hininga niya parang pati ako napapagod.

"Okay," he replied lowly. "Lahat kayo?"

"Probably," I murmured. "Kumain ka na?"

"Hindi pa, ikaw?"

"Kanina pa. Anong oras na bakit hindi ka pa kumakain? Nasa office ka pa?"

"We're busy, I'll eat later. Nandito pa kami sa office, I'm with Miggy and Pat."

I heaved a sigh. "Okay. Baba ko na? Sige na, just text me when you're home."

"I'm sorry, baby. Bawi ako after nitong case. Please be patient, okay? I'm really sorry."

"It's fine. Sige na, ingat ka. I love you."

"I love you, too," Calix replied. "Ingat ka. Please always have Riley around you, okay? Text me the details of your flight. Enjoy your vacation, you deserve it, baby."

I really had fun in Siargao, honestly I think less of him. Namamanhid na rin akong hindi kami nagkikita, or nag-uusap. The supposed stay in that province extended up to our third week of vacation.

Sa unang linggo ng bakasyon ko ay nag-uusap pa kami, pero noong sumunod na linggo halos straight to voicemail na, napagod na lang akong tawagan siya, he called me once, pero sa inis ko binabaan ko siya.

"Hindi naman siguro tayo isang buwan dito, ano?" Si Riley.

"What's wrong?" Si Kylie. She was being hugged by Xandro. "Okay nga dito, ang peaceful."

"Yeah, I like it here." Audrey added. "Ikaw, Trina?"

"I love it here," I said, honestly. The busy streets of the Metro are so toxic, the noise feels like chaos. I like the calm and solemnity of this place.

I enjoyed surfing, and diving. The social media detox helped me mentally. I could live here longer than I planned to.

"Okay ka lang ba?" Si Riley.

We shared a room, kami lang walang partner sa gala, 'yong block kasi one week lang nag-stay kaya't pinasunod namin si Xandro, Gian at si Georgina. Si Cliff naunang bumalik ng Manila kasi may gala daw sila ng mga pinsan niya.

"Yeah," I uttered. His brow furrowed. "What do you mean ba?"

Sumandal siya sa headboard ng kama niya. "Tumatawag daw si Kuya Calix kay Xandro. Nakapatay daw phone mo."

"Nakapatay naman talaga," sabat ko. "I need a detox."

"Huh? Kasama messaging app? Tawagan mo na, baka nag-aalala na sa 'yo 'yon."

I rolled my eyes. "For sure nasabi ni Xandro na buhay pa ako."

"Trinabella! Dali na, bored ka ba? At naghahanap ka ng away?"

Binato ko siya ng unan. "Gago! Ilang beses ko na siyang tinawagan. Lagi namang busy."

"Then, try again."