23 Summer Back Home

"Nina, we're home." Justine woke me up gently.

It was late at night when we arrived at the farm. The traffic in the expressway was horrendous. Relief and military vehicles crowded the road with private vehicles. There were thousands of vehicles getting out of the city but there were also thousands coming in. Army and police personnel were directing the traffic but the volume of vehicles must have exceeded the expressway's limit so traffic was terrible. Mostly we slept through the journey. We didn't know how exhausted we were until we were on board the vehicles. Fatigue had overtaken us so we surrendered to blissful shut-eye.

I stumbled out of the Land Cruiser in Justine's arms still groggy with sleep. We went to the kitchen to eat a late supper. Auntie Anita was still up waiting for us. Marion and Via were also there. We hugged one another with unspoken words of relief. We were truly home.

"Grandpa, may I ask if you have news about my father?" I asked while waiting for the kitchen staff to serve us dinner.

"Ah, yes, sorry Nina. He and his team are okay. They've reached their assigned evacuation site to help." Grandpa said.

"What exactly are they going to do there?" I inquired.

"They'll set-up a functional community kitchen and manage it. They will set up toilets and shower rooms too. And waste management facility. Do you see how efficiently we manage our farm cafeteria? We will replicate that there. Also we'll make sure of the sanitation of the area." Grandpa proudly explained.

The food was served. Auntie Anita made sure that dinner was our favorite food. My appetite was aroused. I ate hungrily. Justine and Alexis ate with gusto too. The two other girls were munching cookies and drinking milk.

"How many days will that take them Grandpa?"

"It will be set up in no time. Your father made sure that he has all the building materials and the personnel he needed. The operation will depend on the assessment of the in-charged agency and how soon the evacuees can go back to their old or new homes." Grandpa answered.

My heart sank. I miss my father. I suddenly lost my appetite. Justine tried to comfort me by patting my shoulder. The girls also looked at me as if cheering me on. Grandpa sensed my sadness.

"Don't worry, he will set it up in no time. We have competent personnel to run it. He will be back soon." Grandpa assured me.

"Can I go help, Grandpa?" Justine out of the blue said.

"Do you want to? You'll be inconvenienced." Grandpa said.

I kicked Justine's foot under the table. He entwined his fingers with mine to calm me.

"I want to Grandpa. I want to observe how our company does this. And I also really want to help."

"You don't have to do that, baby. The farm already sent its best people." I selfishly said.

"Hey, how can I assist you someday when I don't even know anything about how the company is run?" Justine said.

"Assist me?" I asked, confused.

"You'll own the farm someday, remember? Grandpa just said he's giving you the farm." Justine teased. Grandpa chuckled quietly.

"Stop, messing with me Justine. I am not amused." I said sharply. Justine tried to pacify me. I know it was selfish of me to think this way but I couldn't help it. I stared at my plate.

"Nina, you know you and the girls here are my sweethearts and there's nothing I wouldn't give you, even Justine, if you want him. But I'm afraid I will have to agree with Justine this time. He needs to experience this." Grandpa jokingly said. But I knew that tone. There's no arguing around him.

"Why can't Alexis go instead?" I appealed.

"Hu-what??? Why me? I'm not even volunteering. You can both have the farm, thank you very much. I'm gonna have my own chain of car and motorcycle shops. I'm gonna have a foundation that responds to calamities like this." Alexis flexed his plans and declined my suggestion. "Besides, that maybe the only time that I can have you all by myself, my princess." Alexis teased.

"Haha, you wish!" Justine said, irritation could be detected on his voice.

"Don't even start, boys. It's a long day." Grandpa warned. "Alex, let's talk about that plan of yours some other time. Show me a PPT presentation. Justine, you leave at 7 a.m. tomorrow. So you have to be ready by then. You can't be late, my people are on time. Pack clothes for 2-3 days. Of course Danny is coming with you."

"I understand Grandpa." Justine agreed. This meant he knew he had to have a bodyguard.

"Can I go with Justine then, Grandpa?" I said. I know it was a long shot but I wanted to appeal.

"Nina... I know you'll be a great help but we can't build a separate barracks for girls. I'm sure your father wouldn't want you to be housed in the same barracks as the men. The answer is no." Grandpa declared with finality.

Justine shook his head and looked at me. I knew that look. It was his I-cant-believe-you look. I made face at him.

"Okay!!! Let's call it a day then, kids?" Grandpa stood up. His grandchildren went to him to kiss him good night. His sweethearts, meaning us 3 girls bid him goodnight too. Grandpa hugged us all. "I'm really grateful that you are all safe." He said teary-eyed. He exchanged a meaningful look with Auntie Anita.

"Go and wash up, kids. I know you will still regroup in your headquarters but please don't stay up late. Rest. Justine, you need to get up early." Auntie Anita nagged us. We slightly protested with her nagging but tonight it felt sweet and reassuring. We were truly home sweet home.

----------------------------------

I was toweling off, when my cell phone beeped. Before I even checked it, I heard Alexis screaming and jumping in the hallway that the network signal was back. I heard footsteps rushing towards our hide-out.

Fresh from the shower, wearing denim shorts and white tank top (my other uniform), I walked excitedly to Karlo's Coven. I passed by Justine's room. The door was slightly ajar. I knocked lightly and called Justine. There was no response. I went inside to check.

"Arghhhhhhh!!!!" Justine screamed.

"OMG!" I screamed simultaneously while I closed my eyes tightly.

Justine walked out of the bathroom naked. He grabbed the blanket on his bed and covered himself with it.

"The hell, Nina!!!." He said, laughing hysterically. 'Whuttt? Not even a bit embarrassed?'

"I knocked. Your room was open! I thought it was okay to come in. Why are you even walking ...." I couldn't say it. My eyes were still closed while I defended myself.

I felt Justine opening and closing his closet. I felt him go back to his bathroom. I knew the discreet thing to do was for me to go outside. But I was stuck there barely standing because my legs had turned to jelly. My heart was beating so wild I could barely hear my thoughts.

I couldn't unsee what I had just seen. He was eighteen years old but he had already shed his baby fats. His abdomen was flat. His arms and legs, lean and strong. He body was well-sculpted. His, his... 'OMG, what I am saying?!?!?' I fanned myself with my hands trying to cool my rising temperature.

I almost jumped when Justine took my hand. I was so startled. He put my hand on his chest. He was wearing some clothes now! I opened my eyes. I hit his chest with my fists. Justine embraced me until I calmed down.

"Nina, you've seen everything. Don't you think you have to take responsibility?" Justine continued to tease me.

"Like how?" I shot back.

"Marry me." Justine said.

I brushed off Justine's embrace. "Why do you talk about marriage like it's not a big deal?" I said accusingly.

"No, on the contrary it IS a big deal. Why? Don't you want to marry me?" Justine asked. My heart fluttered.

"I'm only fifteen, I haven't thought of it!" I said. Justine became quiet. He attempted to hug me but I brushed it off again.

"Well, I'm eighteen. You might dismiss me as too young but I know what I want. I want to be with you for the rest of my life... But no pressure Nina. We have many more years to enjoy dating and fighting and making up and fighting again. No pressure, baby. Sorry. I won't mention it again, okay?"

"I honestly don't know how to react. It frustrates me. Also, don't I even deserve a decent proposal like what I watch on YouTube?" I said. Justine laughed heartily. Even I was slightly amused with what I said.

"Oh, you'll have the most romantic proposal, Nina. I promise you!" Justine cupped my face and peppered it with noisy kisses.

"Hey, lovebirds, my grandmother ordered me to check on you!" shouted Via while she repeatedly knocked on the door.