CHELSEA RAMOS

It’s been a long day of smiles and short conversations with our customers through phone calls and walk-in inquiries. Such a busy day. I was tired, and my mind was on the go. Time to go home.

This weekend, I will help my Mama watch and do some chores for our business—the Lower Valley Inn that my Dad left for us. Not literally left for us. My Dad died tragically and untimely, but I was young, only five years old, and didn’t know what really happened back then. I just remember my Mama crying the whole day, the whole weekend, or even for months. Yet, she still manages our business inn.

Our Tourist Valley Inn was popular all over the country due to our magnificent cottages and cabins. This popularity stemmed from the breathtaking view of the rivers flowing from the mountains into the blue sea, as well as the scenic views of the forest and natural surroundings from our inns. As a result, a multitude of tourists became addicted to staying and returning here repeatedly.

I’m on duty right now; I’m Chelsea Ramos with auburn wavy hair. However, sometimes I’m mistaken for being boyish because I tend to hang out with boys a lot, especially my cousins. My appearance doesn’t often catch the attention of boys since I give off a fierce vibe. Despite this, I’m very independent and strive to stand on my own two feet. I’m an outgoing and sociable girl, so I tend to make a lot of friends wherever I go.

I’m the type of person who treasures special moments, kaya sasamahan at dadamayan kita magdamag kahit walang kuwenta ’yang pinag-uusapan natin. I love talking to people and interacting with strangers. I’m just an ordinary girl, a regular person who lives in the present – not a girl who’s dating a gangster or engaged to a mafia leader. I’m just me, a girl who is content with a simple life.

This year is my last year in high school, and I’m thankful for our business. It serves as our main source of financial support. Dito kumukuha si Mama ng pambayad sa aking tuition at ng araw-araw na gastusin namin, pati na rin ang sahod ng kaniyang tatlong empleyado sa Valley Inn: si Kuya Ramon, ang chef; si Kuya Lito, ang tagapamahala; at si Ate Mona, sa information desk, na ako ang pumapalit tuwing weekend dahil sa kaniyang day off. Inaasikaso ni Mama ang aming negosyo kahit na paminsan-minsan ay malungkot siya, dahil maraming alaala siya kay Daddy rito sa lugar na ito. Ito rin ang dahilan kung bakit mas lalong niyang pinapahalagahan at inaalagaan ang Tourist Valley Inn.

Buti na lang at marami pa ang naliligaw na customers, kaya hindi ipinapasara ito ni Mama. The place is very comfy, and the fact that the best foods are available here adds to its appeal. Kuya Ramon, who was once a chef at a famous restaurant, is responsible for that. He’s a friend of my late Dad, kaya naging loyal na siya sa amin. Nagluluto siya kapag may mga order sa kaniya mula sa aming customers, at kapag wala naman silang dala o baon na pagkain, nagbibigay kami ng mga pagkain para sa kanila.

“Alright! At five o'clock in the afternoon, we’re going to close our business as of today,” I muttered. I glanced at the office clock on the wall as I put my pen and logbook in their places. Kahit weekend lang ako nandito ay nakakapagod at nakakabagot pa rin. Tapos wala pa akong kasama sa buong araw dahil busy si Mama sa pag-ayos ng mga cabins na inokupa noong mga nakaraang araw. At walang empleyadong pumapasok si Mama dahil weekend. Kahit medyo tag-ulan, marami pa rin ang pumupunta rito. Hindi kami nauubusan ng mga customer araw-araw, lalo na tuwing summer kung saan halos puno ang mga cabins at cottages namin. All in all, we have 3 concrete cabins and 5 simple cottages.

“This day is over,” I said to myself as I gathered my things and put them all in my tote bag. Well, I’m just 19 years old, but I’m a big help to my Mom and our business. I’m stuck on the phone, answering inquiries from travelers, mountaineers, or groups of young people seeking freedom and enjoyment. Often times, lovers ang umo-occupy ng mga cottages with rooms namin. Minsan naman, wealthy individuals who can’t find peace with their wealth, so they rent cabins for several months just to escape their reality and do nothing but sleep and eat.

It has been a long day in the office, where we sleep if needed, lalo na kapag marami kaming customers. Three meters away from the main gate, it looks like a house, but my Mom made it our office. In front, there’s a balcony with balusters, along with three stairs leading to a mahogany door that opens into our so-called office. This is where I work and stay during weekends and holidays. Inside, there are two rooms, a small kitchen with a sink, a fridge, a four-burner gas range with an oven, and a small dining table for four. Beside the sink, there’s a small door leading to a small bathroom.

This is like a house but I’m excited to go home. My little sister, Lorraine, and my best friend, Myrtle, are waiting for me there. Mayroon pa naman sana kaming gala ng best friend ko at ng mga pinsan ko. Wala na. Hindi na naman matutuloy dahil sa customer na iyon. My mom is collecting used bedsheets, pillowcases, and quilts from a cabin that were recently used by a small family who settled here for almost a week. They love fishing and hiking, so this is the best place for them. Families in the clamoring and busy cities were craving calmness and serenity. They wanted to escape their reality; they ended up searching for our wonderful place and cozy cabins, then booked at our Valley Inn and stayed here for over a week I heard my mom's steps drawing nearer in our office. I’ll make a move to stand, grab my things, and walk outside, but I’m startled when a phone rings. I automatically answer it hesitantly, because this is not during office hours anyway.

“Lower Valley Inn. Hello?” I answer, realizing I need to sound professional for a potential good feedback. I wait for a reply, but I hear nothing but a sigh.
“Hello? May I help you?” I ask politely again. Then I notice my Mom presence behind me.

“Who’s on the phone?” I shrug. She knows I hate prank calls. So, I give her the phone and decide to go outside to wait for her.
“Lower Valley Inn. Who’s on the line, please?” I hear my mom's voice through the sliding windows while I’m sitting on a baluster, waiting for her.

“Yes, I am,” I hear my mom say.

“Okay, I’ll wait for you there, and I’ve also prepared your cabin. Take care of yourself,” she added. “Thank you,” I also heard her say, while my mind wondered kung sino ‘yong nasa kabilang linya ng phone na ayaw makipag-usap sa’kin.

Ano kayang pinag-usapan nila? Kilala ba siya ni Mama at pinag-iingat pa niya ito? Hindi ako mapakali, kaya pumasok ulit ako at lumapit kay Mama. I saw that her face was anxious and distracted. My 45-year-old mother is still pretty, but her emotions now were like a déjà vu. Ngayon ko na lang ulit siyang nakitang nag-alala nang ganoon.

“Chelsea,” she called me na parang nasa malayo ako. Hindi niya napansin na nasa harapan niya lang ako, at mukhang seryoso siya dahil full name ko ang binanggit niya.

“Ma, yes po?" I answered.

“Stay here. We have a customer. I need to go home quickly and get something. If he arrives, then bring him to his cabin. Escort him to the last cabin near the stream," she talks to me as if she doesn’t want to waste time. She’s obviously in a hurry.

“Him? Lalaki? Mag-isa lang siya. Pero, Ma, nagugutom na ako. Bakit tumanggap ka pa ng customer? We’re supposed to go home and rest,” reklamo ko habang naghahagilap siya ng susi ng scooter at isinusuot ang maong na jacket.

“Don’t ask, just do as I say.” Fine. Wala akong magagawa. I zipped my mouth and prepared new bedsheets and a pillowcase. VIP na naman siguro. Pero, bakit siya uuwi? Ano’ng kukunin niya?

“I’ll give you a clue: he offered to double the price. Be careful, he is a big customer.” Tumango-tango na lang ako.

Surely, naiisip ni Mama kung ano ang nasa isip ko. Four o’clock nang hapon nagcheck-out ang last customer namin ngayong week. Akala ko, makakauwi kami nang maaga dahil Lunes pa naman bukas at may mga tatapusin akong assignment at projects. Sana, dinala ko na rito ‘yong school bag ko para nagawa ko na. Malamang, hating-gabi na kami makakauwi.

Umiling-iling na lang ako nang marinig ko ang scooter ni Mama na humarurot pababa ng bayan, patungo sa bahay. Medyo may kalayuan ang bahay namin kaya kailangan talaga ng sasakyan. Puwede naman ako ang utusan niya dahil marunong naman na ako magdrive, pero mukhang nagmamadali siya. Okay. On duty ulit. Lumabas na ako ng main cabin para dalhin ang mga kakailanganin ng customer na paparating. Dalawang minuto rin akong naglakad papunta sa cabin na tinutukoy ni Mama. Siguro, mayaman ‘yong customer dahil pinili niya ang pinakamahal na cabin dito.

Umakyat ako sa ikatlong baitang ng hagdan at binuksan ang doorknob. Ilang buwan na rin na walang gumagamit nito pero t’wing weekends naman ito ipinapalinis ni Mama. Pagbukas ko ng pinto ay tumambad ulit sa akin ang magandang interior design ng cabin at ang kumpletong kagamitan nito. Tatlong cabin lang ang meron kami na ganito. Dahil noong buhay pa si Daddy, may mga customers kami na VIP galing provincial government, kaya ipinaayos nila ang tatlong cabin at binilhan ng kumpletong appliances para convenient sa mga nagre-rent.

Natapos akong maglagay ng bedsheet at pillowcase nang hindi man lang pinagpapawisan. Lalaki ang aming bisita, kaya’t pinili ko ang chocolate brown na bedsheet at kumot na katernong kulay, pati na rin ang unan. Lumabas ako mula sa maliit na kuwarto at pumasok sa maliit na kusina. Tinignan ko ang sink at ang mga kagamitan sa kusina upang tiyakin na maayos ang mga ito at hindi na ako kailangang bumalik para ayusin pa. May laman na mga bote ng tubig sa ref, mga inoorder ni Mama. Malinis ang banyo dahil hindi naman masyadong nagagamit. May isang pinto mula sa kusina na patungo sa labas, at doon makikita ang malaking sapa at ang view mula sa ibaba ng bahay.

Nalanghap ko ang sariwang hangin pagbukas ko ng pinto, pero isinara ko ulit ito dahil kumakalam na ang sikmura ko. Maghahanap ako ng puwedeng kainin sa fridge na nasa office namin, kaya mabilis kong tinungo ang main door at lumabas. Madilim na. Bakit wala pa si Mama? Kahit ang sinasabing guest namin ay wala pa rin? Pero napansin ko na may nakaparadang sasakyan sa tapat ng gate. Patakbo ko itong pinuntahan.

“He must be our ‘big’ customer,” bulong ko sa sarili habang palapit ng sasakyan. Black Sedan. Medyo may kalumaan na ang sasakyan.

Maliwanag sa parking area, kaya nakita ko ang pagbukas ng pinto bago may lalaking lumabas na inaayos ang malaking backpack sa kaniyang likod. Pagkasara ng pinto, binuksan naman niya ang pinto sa likod ng sasakyan saka, may kinuhang sports bag. Nang mga sandaling ito, tuluyan na akong nakalapit sa kaniya.

“Good evening, Sir. Welcome to our Lower Valley Tourist Inn,” excited na pagbati ko sa kaniya. Hindi siya umimik habang isinasara ang sasakyan niya saka, pumihit paharap sa akin.

That’s when I clearly saw his face. He turned out to be nothing but a young man. Kanina, iniisip ko na baka may edad na ang lalaking VIP customer namin. Na-i-imagine ko pa nga na malaking tao at malaki rin ang tiyan niya. Tapos, akala ko na matanda na ito, at kulubot ang balat, pero nagulat ako dahil mukhang hindi nagkakalayo ang edad namin.

Uhh, wait. Puwede na siyang mag-drive, kaya siguradong legal age na siya. Kung tama ang hinala ko, he must be 16 or 17 years old and above. I’m about to shake his hands, but he refused. He is snob dahil siguro mayaman siya. He is wearing a black leather jacket paired with a gray shirt inside, that’s matched with worned pants and black shoes. His hair was blonde na parang matagal nang pinakulayan ito. Makinis din ang kayumanggi niyang mukha, katamtaman naman ang kaniyang ilong, at singkit ang mga mata. 

What is a young boy doing in this part of the world, alone? Where are his parents? What exactly did he tell my Mom to convince her to let him be our guest? This young man deceived my Mom. Nagkunwari ba siyang adult na para i-entertain ni Mama? Well, he is tall, kaya hindi mapagkakamalan na he’s young while driving. 

Who is this boy?