CREAM OF THE CROP

Chapter 29

It was five in the afternoon when the visitation hours ended. It felt like the time was shorter than it had for the previous days in the camp. It maybe because the free day's atmosphere was calm and the fact that he's here with me have changed the momentum of time. And the seemingly unfortunate events that took place within the bus company has made fortunate events within our favor.

I think my idea of a camp has been altered in just a short span of time. Before, camp has always meant adventures and tiresome day. But today, I got to experience a different meaning of camp. I like the latter better.

We're walking them to the waiting area where they have to logoff.

I'm carrying Sav and I'm slowly becoming conscious how heavy he is. Gising na siya, kanina pa.

At kanina pa sinusubukan ni Corbyn na kunin sakin si Sav. But this stubborn creature is testing our patience. Kanina, ayaw niyang magpabuhat sa akin. Pero ngayon ako naman ang ginawa niyang puno dahil para talaga siyang tarsier na nakakapit sa akin.

"Toffer," tawag ko, humihingi ng tulong. Lumingon siya sa akin pero pinagtaasan niya lang ako ng kilay tsaka ibinalik ang tingin kay Hovi. Bastos. Si Hovi naman hinahampas siya sa braso tapos sinesenyas na pansinin ako pero yung magaling kong pinsan, ewan ko ansarap itakwil.

Tsaka niya lang ako pinansin noong hindi na siya pinapansin ni Hovi. "Mas gusto niyang si Sav si Corbyn kesa sakin. Sometimes I even wonder who's the real brother between the two of us."

I heard Corbyn clear his throat. Ako naman, hindi ko alam kung ano ang ire-react.

"You jealous, bro?" Corbyn asked, there's a hint of mischief in his voice.

"Super."

Corbyn's mouth turned upward but it didn't last for long.

Sinubukan ni Toffer na kunin si Sav mula sa akin pero ayaw niya talagang magpabuhat sa iba.

Hanggang makarating kami sa gate ay hindi parin bumibitiw si Sav. "Uy," kalabit ko sa kanya. "Aalis na kayo, oh. Punta ka na kay kuya, dali." Mas linambingan ko yung boses ko para mas may effect.

"Come on now, little man," tawag ni Corbyn pero tinignan niya lamang siya at hinigpitan pa ang yakap sa akin. "Stubborn little creature."

"Mauna na muna kayong mag log off," sabi ko kay Corbyn. He gave me an are-you-sure look. I nodded. Baka sakaling pag natapos na sila ay magbago ang isip ni Sav.

But I was wrong. He really is stubborn. Hindi naman puwede na magpaiwan siya. Kung bakit pa kasi sinama nila tong kutong lupa na to e.

"Baby, you need to go with Kuya Corbyn already," subok ko ulit. Umiling lang siya. Gosh, it's getting late.

"Sav, come on," sabi ni Corbyn at biglang kinuha siya sa akin.

Nagsimula na siyang umiyak. And we don't know what to do. Even Toffer can't tame him.

"Toffer, what's wrong with your brother?" tanong ko. I really don't know what to do.

"Ewan ko rin. Bahala na kayong dalawa diyan." Ano ba naman to, walang pakinabang.

I tried to remember kung paano siya pinapatahan ni Tita Evelyn. Pat on the head, caress the face, and do something about the hair. And so I did, while Corbyn is holding him.

Hinaplos ko yung buhok niya at ginawa ang mga paraang naaalala ko hanggang makatulog siya.

When he went asleep, nakahinga na rin kami ng maluwag sa wakas.

"You can go now," tumingin ako sa kanya habang hinahaplos parin ang buhok ni Sav.

"I know where to go when he starts being a pain in the ass," he said.

I almost smiled. "Right, you can just come to me," then I looked him in the eye. He stared back.

"Tama na yang titigan. Iuwi mo muna yang anak niyo, Corbyn," sabi ni Verca.

Hindi ako namumula. Hindi talaga. Para mawala yung hiya ko, I elbowed him gently. "Uwi na kayo bago pa magising yan."

"Ar'yt," he agreed. "Toffer, let's go."

He looked like he wanted to be left here. "Five minutes, bro. Give me five minutes."

Kinurot siya ni Hovi sa tagiliran. "Five minutes mukha mo. Alis na kayo. Anong akala niyo rito, 24/7?" sermon niya at pinanlakihan ng mata ang pinsan ko.

The others seem to enjoy the scene. "How about one minute? Please, baby?" Toffer bargained. Gosh he's so cheezy.

"Madilim na po kaya. Tsaka delikado sa daan kapag gabi na," pangungumbinsi ni Hovi.

"She's right, Toffer. Go na," sabi ko.

Sa wakas, sumuko na siya. "Okay, okay. My God, women," sabi niya sabay taas ang dalawang kamay.

Using his free hand, he moved my face so our gazes met. "I'll see you tomorrow," he said then caressed my cheek, just above the cheekbone.

"Ingat sa daan," paalala ko.

We watched as they walked toward the car. Before he opened the door, he looked back. He slightly bent his head side wards as though it was his way of saying goodbye.

***

This night's campfire requires us to be in our dress. Kaninang nag-igib kami ng tubig sa headquarters, I noticed that there are containers of cocktail drinks at the terrace. Baka party-themed ang campfire namin ngayon. Eto pa yung malupit, noong first night, sa may slope kami nag-campfire, noong second, sa dalampasigan kami at per patrol ang type ng campfire. Pero ngayon, sa highest point kami ng grounds, kung saan nangyayari ang flag raising at retreat.

It's cold and dark. Yun lamang liwanag na nanggagaling sa bonfire ang nakikita. Even its heat can't satisfy our needs. Sa sobrang dami namin, at kailangang iisang layer ang circle, masyadong malayo ang kinaroroonan namin sa apoy.

I want to sleep but I surely can't miss this activity. Kaya inayos ko ang blazer at buti na lang nagdala ako. Kung hindi ay nanigas na ako ngayon. Habang si Mads, nagdala ng kumot at nilagay sa ibabaw ng pinagsama-sama naming sako para upuan. Yung iba naman, nagdala ng jacket.

"Gosh, what's taking them so long?" nabuburyong sabi ni Des. Andami pa kasing message at kung ano-ano pa sa program.

"Inaantok na ako," sabi ni Sharisse.

"Kita ba tayo dito? Tara, higa tayo. Tutal may kumot naman si Mads," suhestiyon ni Verca.

Noong una ay natatakot pa kaming mahiga kasi baka nakikita pala kami diba? Pero madilim rin naman dito sa kinaroroonan namin kaya okay naman na siguro.

Noong unang gabi, ang sakit sa likod kapag nahiga ako. Pero ngayon, parang ang satisfying nung feeling na mahiga sa may batuhan. And the view on top is wonderful. Sobrang dilim ng paligid kaya kitang kita ang mga bituin sa langit.

I thought of him and ask myself, is he looking at them too? Kasi kung nakatingin ako sa mga bituin at pati rin siya, ibig sabihin, nakakakita kaming pareho. Joke, Chill.

Bago pa ako lamunin ng antok, buti nalang at nagpatugtog na sila ng pang-party na kanta kaya nagising ng kaunti ang katawang lupa ko.

Noong una, kakaunti palang ang pumagitna at nagsayaw pero dahil na rin siguro sa alam namin na wala namang nakakakilala sa amin dito at once in a lifetime lamang etong experience na to, napasayaw rin kami.

It felt nice, being shameless even just for a night.