Watermelon Dreams

The Volunteer

CHAPTER TWENTYTHREE

SUMMER OF 2005

"The weather is killing me," nakakunot ang noong sabi ni Chino. Pawisan na ang lalaki. Ginawa na nitong pamaypay ang itim nitong baseball cap. "Have some water, Liv." Ngumiti itong ibinigay ang malamig na bote ng mineral water kay Olivia, na noo'y naka-indian seat sa damuhan sa tabi ng kalsada.

"Thanks." Olivia gave him a quick smile and accepted the bottle but made no attempt to open it.

"He likes you," Caitlyn, who was sitting beside Olivia, whispered. Kinikilig pa itong nakatingin sa likod ng papalayong lalaki. "But Domino is hotter."

Awtomatikong bumangon ang galit sa kalooban ni Olivia nang marinig ang pangalan ni Domino. Naalala na naman nya ang nangyari ilang buwan na ang nakalipas. She was angrier with herself than with him.

Olivia liked him. She was disappointed with herself for trusting Domino. She was blinded by his attractive personality. He's both extremely handsome and intellectual until she found out he's a psycho.

They were on the same school that specializes in Business Management and Media- Mendershausen University. Olivia met him at a Leaders' Forum. She was his seatmate and admired him for being witty and clever.

He pursued her. They dated for few months. Although she liked him very much, she wanted to know him more before commiting. She was grateful because he was very patient and understanding.

While enjoying pasta and wine in her condo, Olivia suddenly felt dizzy. She realized Domino put a drug on her drink. She tried to fight him while still conscious but her black belt in kick boxing was useless.

Lucky for her to have a trustworthy bestfriend. Rayanne, who had a spare key to her condo, walked in on them that night. She saved her from Domino by breaking Olivia's newly purchased expensive vase on his head.

"Told you, someone named after a pizza is very suspicious." Rayanne tried to make her smile.

Olivia laughed and threw a pillow at her bestfriend, who called the police.

"Too bad he dropped out," komento pa ulit ni Caitlyn. "Are you okay?" Hindi na namalayan ni Olivia na napahigpit na pala ang hawak nya sa bote ng tubig. "Kung ayaw mo nyan, sa akin na lang. I'm parched." Ibinigay nya ang tubig dito.

Kaklase nya sa lahat ng subject si Caitlyn at naging kaibigan na rin. What happened with Domino was dealt with in private. She didn't want to draw attention. Hindi na nya ipinaalam pa sa mga kaibigan. Pinalabas na lamang na nagdrop- out sa school si Domino. Hindi na kailangang isapubliko pa ang pagkakakulong nito.

Naging active volunteer si Caitlyn sa The 11 Foundation. Kapag may oras, sumasama ito kay Olivia.
Patungo sila ng araw na iyon sa isang komunidad na nakatira sa isang bundok sa Quezon Province for volunteer teaching at iba pang community service.

They were somewhere in Batangas when the bus broke down. Nasira ang makina. Ayon sa driver at konduktor, medyo matatagalan ang pagkukumpuni nito. Pinili na lang umupo sa labas ng mga volunteers kagaya ni Olivia.

Tumawag na sa head quarters ang OIC nila ngunit baka matagalan din magpadala ng kapalit na bus since na-deploy na sa iba't- ibang lugar ang mga unit para sa volunteer work.

Olivia felt her Nokia 7710 vibrated in her pocket. It was her Lola Esmeralda calling.

"I'm afraid there's no bus we could get on short notice." Her Lola sighed. Busy ito sa pagde-delegate ng mga volunteers.

Layunin ng Foundation na makarating sa mga liblib na lugar para maghatid ng edukasyon ngayong summer vacation at para na rin pag-aralan ang mga tulong na maaari pang ibahagi sa mga ito.