in time

18th chapter

"We all gathered here because...I want all of you to prepare all important things you can bring on a hiking...it is still part of the game and probably the last because I know...we all need to get back on our work...on behalf of our board of directors, I would like to say good luck,  stay safe and special announcement....dahil nag tie ang men's team and women's team...magkakaroon tayo ng konting pagbabago. I'd listed here the name of this pretty ladies around here, since konti lang sila compared to the guys..guys you'll pick the name  from here, in this box and whoever the name that you'll get will be your partner for the hiking....was that clear gentleman?", as te speaker said.

Everyone just thumbs up....

Everyone picked, and when there's nothing more left, those who don't have partners will be paired with other guys.

"Marco, sino nakuha mo?", pasimpleng tanong ni Edward kay Marco.

"Bakit?", nagtatakang tanong nito.

"If it's May, can we exchange partners", sabi ni Edward.

"Ok I get it...yeah I pick her name. And who do you pick? ", tanong ni Marco.

"Leila', sagot ni Edward.

"Ok I know who is she...Sabi ni Marco. 
"Here", pasimpleng abot niya ng paper roll kay Edward, kung saan pangalan ni May ang naka sulat.

"Thanks bro, I owe you this one", Edward sincerely said.

"It's ok...just take care of her, if she  get hurt or anything...I'm sorry bro. Baka Kung anong magawa ko sayo", May pagbabanta sa mga salita ni Marco pero alam ni Edward na he only say that because he wanted to protect his friend.

"I understand", I shortly replied.
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"Ok...gentleman, please go to your chosen partner so both of you can prepared and talk about things", speak said.

Edward's POV

Lumapit ako kay May, busy ito sa phone niya kaya hindi niya nakita ang paglapit ko.

"Hey", nakangiting tawag ko.

Pero tinaasan niya ako ng kilay.

"Ano ba naman yan", kunwaring reklamo ko. "ang ganda ng bati ko tapos ganyan sagot mo", ewan ko kasi natutuwa ako pag inaasar ko siya.

"Oh eh bakit ka nandito?, problema mo?", kunot noong tanong nito.

"Well, how unfortunate, kasi ikaw ang partner ko", sabi ko pero hindi ko inaalis ang mga ngiti sa labi ko.

"Mas malas pala ako kasi ikaw ang nakabunot sa akin...ano? kailangan kitang pagtiyagaan", nang iinis na sagot nito.

"Let's just say...malas tayong pareho pero we don't have a choice, tayo ang partner eh...the least thing that we can do is meet half way...you know", I suggest.

"One thing Edward...We're partners but stay away from my life. Is that clear? ", she said, raising me an eyebrow.

"Your the boss, though I am", because she's under me, I'm her boss.

"Blah blah blah", pang iinis nito.

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5 am 

Lahat ay nagtipon tipon ng umagang iyon sa lounge area ng beach kung saan sila nag conference. Kanya kanyang bitbit ng mga importanteng gamit na kakailanganin nila sa hiking.

"So everyone listen up dahil after this, aalis na tayo. May bus na nag aantay sa labas, doon tayo sasakay.  Medyo malayo ang byahe, tatagal ng mga 2 hours to be exact. Here with me is a map, lahat kayong pairs ay bibigyan ko, ng map, makikita niyo ang blue mark, means yon ang susundin niyo, please guys walang maliligaw ha, may compass kayo and radio, in case na kailanganin  niyo. Your all grown up para isa isa ko pang ipaliwanag. If you can see the yellow mark, meaning yon na ang final destination. Nandoon ang white flag,  whoever gets that white flag will be the winner and the prize is....listen everyone...a trip for 4 person to Hong Kong, free allowance, food and lodging , the winner will stay there for about a week. So I guess, worth naman ang prize di ba guys", paliwanag ng speaker.

"We are going to win", sigaw ng nakasuot na white shirt, pair sila actually. They suggest na kung meron kaming same color ng shirt, yun ang isuot namin para recognize kung sino sino ang pair.  Edward and I wearing blue shirt.

"We will beat you", sagot naman orange pair.

"Siguro...may the best pair win. So Goodluck guys, see you", nag paalam na din ito dahil doon siya pupunta sa lugar na may yellow mark kung saan nakatayo ang white flag.

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Pair by pair ang pagsakay sa bus para daw hindi magulo. So obviously tabi sa seat sina Edward at May.

Dahil malayo ang byahe at maaga sila nagsi gising, halos lahat ay antok pa. Kabilang ang antukin na si May.  Halos kalahating oras palang na nakakalayo ang bus ay inantok na ito. Pinipigilan niya ang makatulog dahil si Edward ang katabi niya.

Edward's POV

I was watching her on my peripheral view, she tried not to sleep. Pero nakatulog din ito, fifty times din yata siyang naghikab bago tuluyang nakatulog.

I was sleepy too but I didn't sleep. I need to take care of her as I promise to Marco, and a promise to myself. I let her head rest on my shoulder. It feels good somehow, that we meet again. There are things I need to tell her...things she needs to know, feelings she needs to understand.

A/N : there are things remain untold...

Till next chapter. ...keep reading