Genius in Distress

Chapter XIX: Antics

Aia glanced at her bedside clock. It was already three in the morning but she couldn’t sleep. She decided to get up and do something. This scenario always happened to her. Sometimes she woke up early because of nightmare, sometimes she just couldn’t sleep at all.

Aia went out of her room and walked toward the cafeteria. She was planning to make her ‘baon’ for later.

She used the backdoor to get directly inside the kitchen. She didn’t want to be watched by a battalion of troops inside. It had been a week since she went to the camp but she hadn’t got close to anyone of them just like in school. Well except with Lt. Castellejos and sometimes manong Arnulfo, the camp cook.

Mang Arnulfo was not even surprised when he saw her inside the kitchen in early morn. He was used to her presence during that time of day. She would always pop up from nowhere.

He nodded at her. She bowed at him in return. Mang Arnulfo was used by her antics.

“Gusto mo ipagtimpla kita ng gatas?”

“Yes, please.” The camp cook was strict, according to him; he was the kitchen commander so he had his ground rules laid inside. But when it comes to her, there were no rules existed. He let her do her things in the kitchen. Sometimes, he’d offer his assistance. Just like now, he was kind enough to make her her milk.

“Here’s your milk and breakfast too.” He placed a tray of meals in the table at corner. He made her pancakes, eggs and bacon. It was her favourite breakfast meal.

Aia looked at Mang Arnulfo and said her thank you.

“Maupo kana.” Ipinaghila pa siya nito ng upuan. “After this, do you have something to do?”

She nodded.

“Well, I’m done with my work, I could help you. Ano ba ang lulutuin mo?”

“Just lunch and Snacks for later. We’ll go clean the coastline.” Aia yawned after finishing her breakfast. “Ooooops!”

“You didn’t get enough shut eye?”

She shook her head.

“That’s bad. Go, take some sleep. Ako na ang bahala dito.”

“Talaga po?” Natuwa siya. “You’re such an angel po! Sige ho, thank you po ulit,” she said and went out the kitchen. Nang palabas na siya ay namataan niya ang vegetable garden sa likod ng kitchen. Parang napabayaan na ito. You’ll be my next project. Maghintay lang kayo.

Aia was walking toward their barracks but decided against it when she spotted the hammock. She placed herself there, enjoying the morning dew and feeling the soft grass on her feet.

Just a while later she dozed off.

Naalimpungatan si Aia sa mahimbing na pagkakatulog ng may tumapik sa pisngi niya. She’d bet her life, it was Lt. Castellejos.

“Hmmm...” she was sleepy still.

“Miss Trinidad!”

“Why?” she asked not opening her eyes.

“I thought you have an activity this morning? Why are you still sleeping? And for God’ sake, why here, look at yourself, you’re still in your pyjamas.”

She jolted up. Muntik na siyang mahulog. Saan na naman ba siya nakatulog? She opened her eyes and saw Lt. Castellejos hovering over her.

“Get up! It’s ten minutes past seven. If you’re not going to move, you’ll be late.