The Bank Client

Chapter 7 - Islands

Water is splashing on Ana's feet. She's on board a motorboat heading to the island off the coast of Culasi, Antique. The Malalison Island. Culasi is 95km away from Iloilo, her hometown, about 5 hours drive. She was dangling her feet out on one side of the boat.

"How long has it been, Ana?" Bambie sat beside her holding a can of fruit juice.

"One year, four months and counting..." she replied nonchalantly.

"And he hasn't contacted you?"

"No. He said I won't be seeing him as long as I don't want to." She slouched on the side of the banca. "He said he's never letting me go. How do I know he hasn't let go of me yet? So does that mean if ever I'm ready to have him back, I'll be the one to make the first move?"

"I think so." Bambie finished up her juice.

"No way!

"Ana, the question is, are you ready to have him back?" Bambie turned and faced her.

"I don't know, Bam. I love him but I'm not ready for the publicity, the ridicules, the social functions, the body guards..." she wearily bowed down her head and watched the water. "And I'll be having my officership training in three months. I'll be very busy then. And I don't want any distractions."

"Ana, if you love him, you have to fight for him no matter what he has around him.  Besides, whether you are together or not, the body guards remains."

"What?!" Ana's eyes bulge. "What do you mean the body guards remains?"

"Oh my God, look at the clouds!" Bambie pointed at the dark clouds forming above the mountains of Antique. "Manong, is there a storm coming up?" She hurriedly stood up and went to ask one of the crew. They hired this boat for just the two of them.

"I'm not sure Ma'am. We haven't received any advisory yet. It's just normal Ma'am, since it's rainy season already." The crew said while maneuvering the boat. "We're about to dock. Have you booked for a homestay or at a resort, Ma'am?"

"At a resort." Bambie retorted. "Ana, get your bags, we're about to dock." She called at Ana who is still looking confused.

"What is the name of that resort? Come on, Ana, let's ask at the guest information there." Bambie acted preoccupied when they landed, hoping her friend would let go of what she said.

"Bam, tell me..."

"Shhhh! Wait, I'll check the weather update..." she was scrolling on her phone. "Oh darn! The internet's so sluggish! Ana, please check with the guest information where we could find our resort." She blabbered away from Ana.

Of course she knows where the resort is. She made the booking herself because she planned this weekend vacation for her bestfriend who just came back from Taiwan. Bambie's been working there for two years already and she's having her two-week break here in the Philippines. And Ana took this Friday leave from work.

Bambie was talking on her phone when Ana gestured that she's heading somewhere and that she should follow, which Bambie did at a distance.

Ana approached the receptionist of the resort. "Hi, I'm Ana Ocampo. I've made a reservation for three days, two nights."

"Hi, Miss Ana, I'm Trixie. Good morning! Ma'am, I'm sorry, we have to cut your vacation short into one night only."

"Why?" Ana's forehead creased as she asked.

"We have just been informed that there's a storm in Tagbilaran now. And with it's speed and direction, it's expected to landfall in Iloilo tomorrow afternoon," Trixie explained. Bambie's listening beside her now. "We don't want to risk the safety of our guests because this is just a small island. We will be transporting you back to the mainland at noon tomorrow, and you can spend the night at our main resort there as you wait for the storm to pass. Then you can head back to Iloilo on Sunday."