Camp Sunset (Frankiana)

Chapter 24 - Welcome to the Camp, Frances

"Ikaw?!" Diana's eyes grew wide upon seeing Franki for the first time in years.

Her eyes were fixed on Franki's face while her heart and mind were instantly filled with so many different emotions and thoughts. She felt that familiar sensation at the pit of her stomach and it felt like her heart was about to jump out of her chest.

Franki looked back at her with a shocked expression on her face.

Time stood still as they both looked at each other.

"Ahh, Ms. D," Bojo finally broke the silence and took out a piece of paper, "Siya na nga pala yung huling guest natin, si ma'am (She's our last guest, ma'am)—" he paused while looking for the name on the list.

"Frances," Franki answered with a blank expression on her face.

"Ayun, Ma'am Frances Margaret Russell," Bojo turned his head to smile at Franki, "But ma'am, do you have ano, a nickname?"

"I do," Franki replied while still looking at Diana. "But I prefer to be called Frances."

Diana bowed her head down for a moment before returning her gaze back at Franki.

"Of course," she let out a forced smile. "Welcome to the camp, Ms. Frances."

"Uhm—" Franki was about to say something but Diana immediately cut her off.

"Bojo, please take our guest to her cottage," Diana sternly said while looking at Bojo. "Make sure she gets informed of the things she should know about the camp."

"Po? Pero Ms. D, akala ko kayo ang gagawa nun? (But Ms. D, I thought you'll be the one to do that?)" Bojo scratched the back of his head.

"Hindi na. Kaya mo na yan. (Not anymore. You can do it.)" Diana then turned her back on them and walked away without even looking back at Franki.

Bojo shot Franki an embarrassed look as they both watch Diana disappear from their sight.

***

Franki's POV

"You know Ma'am Frances, Ms. D is usually not like that. Like ano, masungit." Bojo let out a soft laugh as we walked towards my cottage. "She's always smiling. You know, full of energy when welcoming guests."

"I see," I forced a smile and nodded my head.

"Hindi ko nga alam bakit ganun yun kanina. (I don't know why she acted that way earlier.)" he glanced at me. "Pero bakit ma'am you look ano," he scratched the back of his head again as he struggled to get the words out of his mouth.

"It's okay, Bojo," I smiled, "You can speak in Tagalog, I don't mind."

"Ah ayun. Sorry ma'am, sometimes, my English still loading," he chuckled. "Ang sabi ko po, bakit parang ikaw din nagulat nung nakita mo si Ms. D kanina? Magkakilala ba kayo? (I said, why were you shocked to see Ms. D a while ago? Do you know each other?)"

"Oh no," I shook my head. "I don't know her."

I mean, I have no idea if I do; but I guess not because if she knew me, she would've said something earlier but she didn't.

"Ahh, akala ko magkakilala kayo. Para kasing nagulat po kayo kanina. (I thought you knew each other. You seemed surprised earlier.)"