Winter Heat

Chapter 21 - Moons and Stars

Chapter 21 - Moon and Stars

"Winter! Winter!"

Flame's voice woke me up one day, a week after that canteen incident. When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was her angelic face, smiling at me. Hindi ko na talaga alam sa kaniya. Aminado naman akong hindi ako mabait. Alam ko namang mapanghusga talaga akong tao. Pero kasi, mula nang umamin siya sa 'kin at 'yong nangyari sa canteen... parang naiintindihan ko na si Sabrina.

"Good morning!" she greeted me as the good-natured Flame Andres that everybody knows. "May naghahanap sa 'yo na staff."

I just nodded before getting up. Instead of seeing who it was or asking what they want, I went straight to the bathroom first. Whoever that is, they should wait.

It took me about 20 minutes before I finally went out our door, and faced one of the female staff of Camp Mitesco who seemed younger than me.

"Ms. Elison?" she said and I just nodded. Tumango lang naman ako pero parang natakot siya? "Sorry po, Ms. Elison, pero si Mr. Mantello po kasi..."

"Late na nga akong natulog kagabi dahil may isinugod sa ospital dahil kay Frost, 'yan pa rin ang gigising sa 'kin ngayon?!" Nagkaroon ng dahilan ang takot sa mukha n'ong staff nang mauwi sa sigaw ang tanong ko. May rason din naman ang inis ko. Bakit ba kasi palaging ako ang binubulabog nila? Mukha ba akong nanay ni Frost?!

"P-Pero ikaw po kasi ang bud—"

"Palitan n'yo na buddy ko," I cut her off. "O tanggalan n'yo na lang ako ng buddy, I don't really care. Sanay akong mag-isa."

"Ms. Elison..." She looked like she was about to cry but she didn't walk away. It seemed to me that she was told to do everything to get me, so I sighed.

"Ano bang ginawa ng gagong 'yon nang ganito kaaga?"

"A-Actually, sangkot lang po siya ngayon. Nakisali lang po siya sa away."

My forehead creased. "Away nino?"

"Kilala n'yo po sina Mr. Martinez at Mr. Ong?"

"What the fuck?!" was the only thing I could say. Of course, I know those people—they're Billy and Chan! Putangina?! I would get it if it's just Billy, but Chan?! The Chan I know would just pray to all the deities not to get dengue because he would never kill mosquitoes. Tapos nakipag-away sila?!

The staff unconsciously stepped back but didn't comment on my curse. "H-Hindi po nila sinasabi kung anong naging simula ng away pero, nakikipagsuntukan daw po silang dalawa sa ibang campers tapos... tinulungan daw po sila ni Mr. Mantello?" Even she was confused about what she said.

I mean, I get her, all staff know Frost Mantello as trouble. Siya ang nag-iisang sakit nila sa ulo tapos mababalitaan nilang tumulong? Kahit pa sa gulo rin 'yon nangyari, parang hindi tamang pinagsasama sa iisang sentence ang Frost Mantello at pagtulong.

I had no choice but to come with her to the Grand Cabin. We just reached the lobby when we saw the door of the management office open. Frost casually walked out of there, followed by Billy and Chan who were both covered in wounds and bruises. Chan was even limping!

"Mukhang tapos na po pala silang kausapin," sabi sa 'kin ng staff na tinanguan ko lang ulit. Dumiretso siya sa loob ng management office habang sinalubong ko naman 'yong tatlo.

"What the hell?" was how I greeted them.

Chan and Billy quickly looked away while Frost just raised an eyebrow.