THE CADET

CHAPTER III

TERMINATION

* the day the cadets report back to PMA

I was still sleeping when TJ called.

"Hallooh!"

"Wake up sleepyhead." That voice! The voice I hear every night. The voice who makes me giggle everytime he says sleepyhead.

"What do you want? Its too early in the morning. " I complained

"Its7:30 come on wake up. We're in Baguio now," he said.

"Where in Baguio?"

"At our foster parents' house. Gary went to Mara's house and I'm left here all alone with the maids. "

"So, go to sleep." I said groggily.

"Wanna go out? Let's have lunch outside. "

"Hmmmm i'll think about it. " I teased.

"Common let's go out."

"Ok. But let's bring Faith."

"I saw her with NC at the bus station this morning. She mght not wanna come. "

"I dunno, i'm not sure." I said

I did not want to go out alone with TJ for I did not want my parents to know I am being friendly with him or with any guy for that matter.

You see they told me that I am not allowed to have a boyfriend.

"Ma'am? You have a visitor," said Manang Joanna the maid.

"Who?"

"Ma'am Faith, ma'am" she said.

I went down to the living room where Faith is waiting. After the usual hugging that we usually do when we see each other,

"Come with me for lunch?"

"I have to ask Mom and Dad" I said.

"I asked them before they left for wherever they are going," she philosiphically said.

"They said ok?" I said "they are going to La Union to visit my grandma."

"Yup! They said ok. " she said between bites of the banana she was eating.

To cut the very long story short, I went with her. I was complaining why we were so early. It was only 9 am. She said we have to meet with NC and his mistah *classmate first. I was thinking, I hope TJ won't see us.

We rode the taxi and went to NC's foster parent's house. Then I saw him. What is he doing here?

"Hi TJ" he said. I was shocked to see him. I was speechless. Did he gain weight? Does he look more handsome now? Was that smile there the last time I saw hm? Is he really here? Oh gosh TJ, you are being obvious, SPEAK!!!

"Uhm, why are you here?" I asked.

TJ in return smiled and said, " I asked them to help me," pointing at NC and Faith.

"Uhm, ehem! So its still early for lunch, what will we do?" I stattered.

"Ah, well, i thought you would wanna go to John Hay "

"John Hay?" I asked smiling. "What is so secial with John Hay?"

"Hmmmm, oh well I don't know any place here in Baguio except PMA, John Hay, Mines' View Park and of course Burnham Park. Ha! Ha! Ha"

"Oh! Okay. How about Mines' View? I have not been there for a long time already. I guess the last time was when 10 years old. " I said.

"Mines' View then." He said smiling.

NC and Faith did not come with us. They said they will wait for us at John Hay for lunch. I wanted to protest but they no longer wanted to argue with us. So TJ and I went to Mines' View with hesitation. Actually, I was glad they did not come with us.

It was cold that time and drizzling. I was glad I brought with me my umbrella. Despite the not so good weather, we had fun. We had our picture taken with the St Bernard dog, we dressed ourselves with the Igorot costume and had pictures taken too. And we get to ride the tiny horses too. It was fun. We were wet and sweating but having fun.

As we were going down to the taxi stand, my foot slipped. He was fast enough to hold my hand before I drop to the wet red muddy concrete stairway.

"Thank you," I mumbled. I did not know if the reason for shaking is the slip or his hand in my hand.

"Be careful." He said

He did not let go of my hand. Instead he just held it even when we were in the cab already. No one was talking. We were afraid that if we talk the magic will disappear.

"John Hay sir," the cab driver said.

We both let go of each other's hand it was like we were caught doing something wrong. As we got out of the taxi, he hold my hand again. At first I was shocked, i tried to pull away. But he held it tight. I relaxed and hold his hand too. He looked at me and smiled.

NC and Faith were looking at our hands. NC was smiling and Faith raised an eyebrow.

TJ ignored them both. And i blushed.