The Prince And His Pauper

Chapter 10: Through the Barricades

Disclaimer:
This is purely a work of fiction. The names of persons, places, and organizations used in this chapter are for creative purposes only and in no way reflect real-life interactions and connections. All names used in this chapter are fictional and any similarities to any person living or otherwise are purely coincidental. Everything written in this chapter is just a product of the author's penchant for the dramatic and the creative.

"Are you sure about this, Bryce?" Rod, the jeep terminal's resident barker asked uneasily when Bryce handed him the key to his Jeep after asking to speak to him in private.

"You ask as if this is a death sentence, Manong Rod," Bryce chuckled in amusement as Rod looked at the key as if it is something that could suddenly disappear from his sight. They are at an inconspicuous corner of the terminal at the moment

"I mean this is a big thing for me, Bryce. You know how hard life is ever since my previous operator sold all their properties to migrate abroad," Rod reminisced tearfully. He used to be a jeep driver too but because he has no unit of his own, he was relegated to being a barker for years. Sometimes, he substitutes for drivers who couldn't personally drive their units for some reason or another but those opportunities are scarce.

"I know that. That is why I chose you, I know you would take care of Tatay's jeep as well as I did," Bryce said wistfully, remembering that his father and Rod used to be good buddies when his old man was still alive.

"Are you leaving? Why are you entrusting the jeep to me?" Rod asked before clasping his hands tightly around the key as if it is a bird that would fly away any moment.

"I have decided to focus on myself and our budding business. Since our eatery is doing well, it could pay most of the bills now," Bryce shrugged as if what he said is the most usual thing in the world.

"I would also give you part of my day's earnings as my operator," Rod said grimly even as he fastened the key to the key chain containing his house keys fastened on the belt loop of his pants.

"That would be awkward," Bryce furrowed his brows in discomfort but Rod was quick to hold the younger man's shoulders tightly.

"No, please! I want to give something back because this is a huge help for me and my family," Rod intimated in a broken voice as he tried to rein in his emotions.

"Alright, would ten percent of your day's earnings be good enough?" Bryce asked hesitantly. He knew that the other man would never agree to give nothing in return for the huge favor he just received.

"That's too small! Will you be okay with that?" Rod protested in an unsure tone. His previous operator has a fixed amount that he needs to pay at the end of the day regardless of how much he made that day and he is used to that system.

"Of course! As long as I get free rides whenever I need to go to university," Bryce smiled cheekily.

"You're going back to school?" Rod asked incredulously and the younger man just sighed in response.

"Yep, I think it's about time I focus on my future. Do you think it's too late?" Bryce crossed his arms over his chest nervously as he shifted his weight on his other foot.

"Of course not! I am happy for you, really. If I had sufficient resources, I would like to finish my studies too, even if only through the ALS," Rod admitted sheepishly as he shuffled his foot against the terminal's dirt floor.

"Yeah, once you get your schedule going, then you could inquire at the barangay, I believe that their ALS program is still active," Bryce said encouragingly.

"I'm shy. I'm too old to be taking the same lessons as my primary school kids. They might feel ashamed of their father," Rod bowed his head ruefully while shaking his head.