Baler | 𝘓𝘶𝘸𝘰𝘰 (VVS #1)

39 - Vision

Pagdating namin doon ay may event sa beach side. Tanaw ko iyon noong naglibot kami. The Hotel resort has the best facilities. Enough to satisfy me. It is expectedly amazing. The mountain view, the white sand, and the shoreline are really astonishing.

"Oo. Hindi masama. Ayaw mo no'n, mas maeexpose ka sa ekonomiya?" Tumawa si Kun.

Nginiwian ko siya. Pinag-uusapan namin ang trabaho. He's suggesting something and that's what he's been dealing for the past months. At bukod doon sa sinasabi niya, gusto niya ako ipakilala ngayon sa isa pang choice para daw makapag decide ako ng maayos.

Umiling ako. "Manila Base tapos mostly, with politicians 'yun for sure. Pass. Dito muna, any company muna dito for experience." Sabi ko.

I also spent the year reading books, aside from part-time jobs. And I still have an interest in the economy. Throughout my stay in The Straddie, my mind has had enough space to continue self-studying. I can say that I have a huge interest in being an actuary and personal finance advisor. By the time I'm ready to go out, maybe I will apply to a large company.

Kun is pretty smart too. He works on the other side. I always argue with him about a lot of things. Before, he wants to be a petroleum engineer. And as a future economist, I took my time to debate with him. It had a good result though. He's working in Aero. He had it planned before. Me being a stockbroker and him as an Aeronautical engineer.

Ngumisi ako.

Kun sees the vision. But that's not the case for me.

Akala ko nga magiging Piloto siya. Ako, walang plano sa buhay pero matalino daw sa analitika. Kaya iyon na lang ang sinunod ko.

"Mr. Quijano?"

A tall woman is walking straight to our table. Her long, brown, and wavy hair is dancing and it doesn't seem like she's twice older than our age.

Tumayo si Kun at ngumiti.

"Miss Diana..." Sinalubong niya iyon ng yakap at nagngitian sila.

"What a pleasant day! I see that you have a company?" She chuckled.

Ngumiti ako at nakatayo na rin sa tabi ni Kun. Naka puting jumpsuit ang babae na halos kasing tangkad ko.

My friend chuckled. "Yeah. He's the one I've been telling you about. Celestino, Miss."

She smiled and politely gave me a welcome hug.

"Nice to meet you. You look really smart, Celestino!"

Tumawa ako at sinuklian ang yakap niya.

"Thanks, Madam. Please call me Les. Your hair looks as pretty as you..." I greeted her.

Humagikgik ang babae.

We're here in the dining near the pool area. People were eating too but it was pleasing as it is quiet in the whole lodge. And the surrounding natural view is calming.

She offered us free drinks while they started talking. I listened to them while I'm enjoying my food.

So the business is Kun's going to help in exporting helicopters for the resort. Si Miss Diana pala ang may ari. At hindi lang pala ito ang owned business nila kaya halos nasa limang helicopter ang kailangan. It's really a big deal. Parang siya nga ang naging broker sa aming dalawa. I'm quite impressed.

And of course, napunta na sa akin ang topic kalaunan. The other business that I'm talking about is this.

"You can pass your resume right away! Our office is just here in the Hotel, Les. The finance department accepts fresh graduates. And kung ako ang tatanungin, I prefer young people. They know the trend better. Need some change for the economy, right?" She giggled.

Ibinigay niya ang business card at tumagal ng halos tatlong oras ang pag-uusap na iyon.

Four in the afternoon when we finished talking and the sun is already setting. I can see it here. The whole place looks golden. I find it peaceful.

Kun was in the room as he needs to give some paper to the owner. So here I am planning to walk near the shore. I can see the mountain here in the pool area and the crashing waves are like music. Wala nang bakas ng event doon at payapa na.

But every time I think about peace, there will always be a reason for it to be dramatic.

The reflection of the sun makes the sea shines. The wind clearly befriended the waves. I chuckled because this is exactly what I always think. I call it "Baler's side effects". After my one month in there, I just started to love natural things. It got deeper after a couple of years.

I sensed a couple of eyes staring at me from afar. A man in white is leaning on the barricades. He's a bit far but the figure is well-sculpted. I knew who it was from the back of my mind but It was way too impossible that I shrug it off.

Nilingon ko ang pinanggalingan ko. Nasa tabing dagat ako at nakapaa lang. I was wearing my white shorts and button down polo. Itinaas ko ang kamay ko para takpan ang araw at para makitang mabuti ang lalaki. Pero wala na siya doon.

Ngumuso ako at umiling.

"Delusional," I said as I laughed at my own stupidity.

Naglaro ako sa tubig at parang naenganyo na lumangoy.

"Why the hell are you laughing?" Kun was confused when he reached the shore.

He's wearing the same white polo. Maybe I am too paranoid. He looked really confused because I am laughing alone here.

"Wala." Binasa ko siya ng tubig.

He curses at me.

"Alis na tayo?" Aniya bigla.

Ako naman ngayon ang huminto sa pagtawa. Pero hindi pa rin nawawala ang ngiti sa labi.

"Huh? Bakit?"

Ngumisi siya at umiwas ng tingin. Medyo kinabahan tuloy ako.

"Baka lang mas gusto mo sa tahimik? Daming magandang beach resort dito."

Ngumuso ako. "Parang nakita ko si ano..."

Tumawa pa ako. Pero pinanuod ko ang ekspresyon niya. He did not even bother to look at me. He just laughed and continued to walk. Tinimbang ko ang kilos niya at nahiwagaan. Tahimik dito kaya mali siya sa palusot na iyon.

Huminto ako dahil hindi siya nagsalita.

"Tangina." Mura ko.

May malamig na hangin na umakyat sa batok ko at halos manlamig agad ako dahil sa seryosong tingin ni Kun. Tumaas ang kilay niya.

Did he see him too?

"Who?"

"Don't make me say his name."

Kinakabahan na ako nang biglang nagbago ang ekspresyon niya. Tumawa siya at umiling-iling.

"It's Stan. Let me know if you want to leave the Hotel."

Huminga ako ng malalim bago nagsalita. I can't believed how much my heart is racing right now. What the hell is Stan doing here? Talagang sa pagpunta ko pa talaga dito? Alam ba niyang nandito si Stan o nagkataon lang?