The Dreamers

XXII

"Ma'am Val? Nandito na po tayo."

Our driver, Kuya Pio, said when we reached San Lucas. The team and I drove here as part of the pre-activities for the Kalayaan Fair. Piyesta ng San Lucas kaya madaming tao at maingay ang paligid. 

Hindi na nga dapat ako sasama, because I know Javi would be here, pero wala akong choice. KBC insisted we joined. Kaya kahit na gusto ko siya iwasan after nung mangyari sa exhibit, wala akong magawa. Hindi ko kakampi si universe ngayon.

After being briefed by the San Lucas team, we stood outside the municipal office for the official opening nung maramdaman kong may tumabi sa akin.

"Nice to see you again, Val."

I turned to my right and see Atty. Christian. He looked at me and smiled.

>>>>>

"It's been, what, five years?" Attorney asked after we got settled in a nearby resto. He asked to meet me for lunch.

I nod and gave a little smile. "Yes, Attorney. Kamusta ka?"

"I'm good." He answered. "I heard from Jess that you're back. And you're working with Javi. I should be the one asking you kung kumusta ka." He chuckled.

I sighed. "I know you and Jess are mad at me and I'm—"

Attorney shook his head. "Oh, I'm not mad at you. I know your reasons."

"Po?" I ask, confused.

Natigilan siya at tumawa nang bahagya. "I mean, I know you have your reasons. I'm not mad. And I don't think Rom and Jess are mad, too. Maybe they're just a bit...disappointed."

I nod. "I wish I was able to say goodbye."

Attorney smiled. "I do, too. But your I'm glad you left me a letter, Val."

Before I left, I wrote Jess and Rom, and Atty. Christian separate letters. I bid them goodbye, and asked them to not give up on Javi, even when I'm in no position to do that anymore. I can see that they didn't. They continued to support him all throughout.

"Javi was in a tough spot when you left." Panimula niya. "Did you know he almost didn't push through with the running for office?"

I looked at him surprised. I didn't know that.

"He almost didn't file for candidacy. But something brought him back, so at the last minute, he did. And he won." Attorney explained while eating.

"Things would have been different in Laraya had he not been elected. It took a lot of work and a whole lot of courage to set things straight in the region, you know. Wasn't easy rounding up all the corrupt officials and the illegal business behind it, but Javi got it all together." Paliwanag pa ni Attorney.

"Even if it cost him everything." He knowingly smiled at me.

>>>>>

By the time Atty. Christian and I got back to San Lucas MO, Javi and his team is already there.

I only saw him once, in the lobby, pagbalik namin ni Attorney from lunch. 

He locked eyes with me for a second and then turned to look at Christian. He nodded at him and then went back to talking to the members of the San Lucas MO.

We had several meetings, together with KBC and San Lucas, on some of the events and activities. We also did a quick tour of the town proper.

I sent my team home first because they needed to prepare for another activity happening early tomorrow, while I had to stay behind for another meeting with KBC. I took the opportunity to finalize the details of the formal launch of Dream-I Asia.