The Dreamers

XIII

It has been two weeks since San Vicente is on a stand still. 

After the imminent eruption of Pali and the earthquakes, nagkaroon naman ng sunog sa pinakamalaking palay farm sa SV. When it rains, it pours nga naman talaga.

Doble pagod na ang nararamdaman ng lahat. Lalo na si Javi. 

Ganoon pa din ang routine namin. When I bring him his daily comms report, he gets a 15-minute break. Hindi namin pinaguusapan yung report. Either we'd spend it talking while eating, or taking a nap and I'd stay with him. 

Hindi na niya uli binanggit ang confession niya, at siyempre hindi ko na din binring-up diba? Ano ko, hilo?

I was helping the team assemble the relief kits for dispatch sa Isidro.

"So, may nahuli akong dalawang sweet na chikading na dumapo sa sanga." Eds started.

Napatiigil ako. Two days ago, alam kong nakita ni Eds na hawak ni Javi ang kamay ko just as Javi opened the door to his office.

Aimee was smiling while si Pau, na mahilig sa chismis, ay excited na nagtanong kay Eds. "OMG, what's the tea?"

Eds looked at Pau, and then at me. Binagsak niya ang hawak na kit na inaassemble. 

"Hindi na ko magpapaliguy-ligoy pa. Valerie Anne, bakit kayo magkaholding hands ni Mayor Javi?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko, "Tumahimik ka nga diyan, Edison Bryan, napakaingay ng bunganga mo." Tumingin ako sa paligid. Mukha namang walang ibang nakarinig.

Pau and Aimee was laughing at the both of us. "Alam mo, Eds, for someone na chismosa, mabagal ka makapick-up ng signs." Pau said. I looked at her, surprised na parang hindi siya nagulat.

Pau smiled, "Come on. Kay Javi pa lang obvious na. He's always been extra sweet to her. Bringing her food? Checking in on her every morning and night? And lalo na kung paanong hinahanap ng mata niya tuwing malapit si Val. Ikaw na lang yata ang hindi nakakaalam."

Was it that obvious?

Eds fake-cried. "I hate you, Val!" Aimee laughed and pretended to console him. 

I looked at Pau and she smiled at me. "Kahit ikaw din ay obvious, eh." I blush. Was I? E kahit nga ako hindi pa sure sa kung ano ba ang nararamdaman ko.

I mean, I care for him. Obviously. I enjoy his company. But do I like him? What happens after? It's a mess. Hindi ko alam ano ang—

"Val?" Rom approached me, sporting a grim face. "Atty. Christian needs you."

>>>>>

"What do you mean by someone was shot?" I asked, unable to process everything they've said.

Apparently, Javi is caught in a violent protest by a group of farmers sa hacienda na nadamay sa sunog. 

Earlier today, pumunta siya to talk to them and to the owner to establish an agreement. Pero naging mainit ang mga pangyayari. Atty. Christian, Jess, and Rom's last message from Javi were a set of instructions which is what we're preparing now. They have not heard anything from him in the last three hours. He wasn't answering his phone, and neither did the few people he was with. 

The last update we received was that a riot ensued, and someone from the SVMO was shot. 

Which is why everyone is panicking. Kaunti lang ang nakakaalam, and I am involved because I worked on the previous case involving this hacienda together with Atty. Christian's team.

"The farmers are armed. Ano ba kasi ang naisip ni Javi and he didn't bring extra security with him?" Jess remarked seriously. Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig.

"Jess." Saway ni Rom while looking at me.

"Don't worry, Val. We're going there in a while so we need to get the—" Atty. Christian said but I cut him off.

"I want to join you." I say.

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that." Atty. Christian smiles sadly at me. "It's dangerous."

"What? Why? You need me there. You and I know that no one else better understands the history of that hacienda better than I do. I drafted their latest signed agreement based on their previous papers and their recent demands. It was the first project you gave me, and I did it well—too well, your words." I say strongly, trying to make my case.

Jess nods, "Let her join."

Rom shakes his head, "Javi will not like it."

I look at them, "I'll deal with that later. Let's go."

>>>>>>>

It took us 45 minutes to get to the hacienda. But it was the longest 45 minutes of my life. By the time na nahanap namin kung nasaan si Javi, halos mamamatay na yata ako sa pag-alala.

He was seated with the farmers under a makeshift tent. I notice his right arm has gauze wrapped around it. We were about 20 steps away from them when he turned to our direction. 

Our eyes met and his gaze instantly hardened. He stood up, spoke to the man he was talking to, then made his way to us. He met us halfway and before Jess can speak, he asked, "What is she doing here?" Anger flashing in his eyes.

"We needed her here, Javi." Atty. Christian spoke.

"No, you didn't." He looked at Attorney and Jess and then at me. "Go back to the car and wait."

All this time, I was only looking at him. Drinking him in. Happy that he wasn't seriously harmed. 

I release the breath I've been holding. Tumalikod ako para punasan ang luhang nagbabadyang tumulo, bago pa nila makita but it was too late. 

Javi saw it. He swore under his breath. "Give me 5 minutes." He grabbed my arm and dragged me back to the where the car is parked, away from other people.

Tumalikod ako uli sa kanya. Unable to stop the tears from falling.

"Look at me." Javi said.

"Sandali." Sagot ko. Nakatalikod pa din ako.

"Valerie, I only have 5 minutes to spare. Look at me—"

I spun so quick, "Eto na, tangina. Ano?" I say, tears still streaming down my face.

His eyes soften and he smiles. "Were you worried?" He wiped a tear away.

Sinuntok ko ang dibdib niya.

"Ouch! What was that for?" He asked, clutching his chest.

"Tanga ka ba? Malamang nag-alala ako. Paano kung... paano kung... ikaw yung nabaril." I say, still crying.

He seems amused. Gago, to ha. "I would love to comfort you longer but I only have 2 minutes left, so forgive me in advance for this."

I was wiping my eyes when he cupped my face and the next thing I know, his lips were touching mine. 

It was a quick kiss, but enough to stop me from crying. He smiled at me before letting my face go. "Wait for me, love." He ran back to where the tent was.

I'm doomed. I like Javier Genrio.

>>>>>

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