Batangas Racing Circuit
I had been to Batangas many times when my dad was alive. Batangas was a province located in the Calabarzon region on Luzon. It was bordered by the provinces of Cavite and Laguna–where we live. It was one of the most popular tourist destinations near Metro Manila. And was home to the well-known Taal Volcano. The province also had numerous beaches and diving spots.
Jonas was driving us to Batangas Racing Circuit. I checked the place on-line and it said that it was a permanent circuit here in Rosario, Batangas. It was built on October 16, 1996. The circuit was 3. 7 km long, had 10 turns, and ran in a clockwise direction. When we arrived, there were three British guys with orange umbrellas who greeted us. They took Bram to what appeared to be the latest car model of the team that he was racing for in F1.
Chantal and Jonas guided me to a tent because it was scorching hot. We left Mama Credence’s home at half past one in the afternoon. It was half past three now. Bram briefed me during our drive that this activity was for the Youtube channel of his former team. An advertisement for their newly released GT car.
Jonas, Chantal and I watched as a guy oriented Bram to what they wanted to do. He was probably the director. I noticed that Bram was now wearing a different pair of sunglasses compared to what he was wearing in the car. Probably a merch of the brand. I was so excited for Bram! I had never experienced anything like this in my entire life.
“Madam?” I heard Chantal call me.
I turned to her, she was handing me three cases of branded sunglasses. My eyes widened with the logos but I chose the one that suited the shape of my face.
“Thank you, Chantal,” I told her after I wore the sunglasses, “Did Maria ask you to bring this?”
“Yes, Madam,” Chantal responded.
“Okay,” I said and gave her a small smile. Then we all watched Bram and his team as they walked towards a make-shift changing room.
“I didn’t know you were here?” I heard a voice say from the back.
The three of us turned and stared at Connor, “Hello,” I greeted him.
“I used to hang out here with Bram,” Connor responded. He was wearing sports sunglasses too. A white polo shirt, khaki shorts and Stan Smith sneakers. On his head was a white ball cap and a smartwatch on his left arm.
“Oh, are you a racing enthusiast as well?” I asked him. We were standing side by side. Chantal stood on my left and Jonas was on Connor’s right.
“Bram and I started at Go-karts,” Connor explained.
I nodded and smiled at Connor, “What happened? Why didn’t you continue?”
“I love flying,” Connor responded and gave me a broad smile.
“I see,” I commented as I nodded on what he said.
Connor suddenly waved to Bram’s direction. When I turned to look at Bram he was now about to enter the newly released GT car. Its orange color was complemented by the bright sun. I waved and smiled at him. He lifted his right arm in response. Then I recalled what he said about not talking to Connor and other guys. My smile disappeared.
“Madam,” I heard Chantal say. Then she gave me a monobloc chair.
“Thank you,” I told her before I sat. Then I felt my small sling bag vibrate. I opened it and checked my phone. There was a message from Mama Credence.
Mama Credence: Can I call you now?
I bit my lower lip and checked my phone signal. Three bars should work. I typed in my reply.
Me: Yes, Mama.
“Excuse me, I need to make a phone call,” I told Connor. He responded by nodding his head.
I walked away from the tent while Chantal held the umbrella for me. And we ended up at the parking lot. When I checked my phone I already missed two calls from Mama Credence. Then it rang again.
“Hello?” I answered immediately.
“Is Chantal with you, dear?” Mama Credence asked me.
“Yes, she’s with me,” I answered her, “We left the tent because of the noise.”
“Good, listen to me very carefully,” Mama Credence’s tone changed, “Connor was very suspicious about you.”
My jaw dropped after hearing what Mama Credence said. I covered my left hand over my mouth and shook my head.
“You see, Connor was one of the few people who knew Bram and Alicia were together,” Mama Credence continued, “Maybe he was just wondering who you are because Connor is very close to Bram.”
“Um,” I uttered. I gulped before I spoke again, “I don’t know what to say.”
“Let’s just say he was just curious about you,” Mama Credence said, “Just be careful around him.”
“I will keep that in mind,” I said to Mama Credence, “Thank you for telling me.”
“Dear, you are the wife of my son,” Mama Credence commented, “I will protect you like you’re my own daughter.”
“Thank you, that means a lot to me,” I responded teary eyed.
“I’ll let you go now before my son tells me that I’m hogging you, bye!” Mama Credence said with a giggle.
When we walked back to the tent Connor was already gone. Jonas said that Bram was still on the track. He said that there were at least three cars with Bram and they were filming him. I checked my watch and saw that it was already four o’clock. I returned to my chair and waited for Bram to return.
“Do you need refreshments, Madam?” Chantal asked me, “Miss Maria packed some food for you and Sir Bram.”
“Just water,” I told Chantal because I was parched.
“I’ll get it, Madam,” Jonas told us then he went to the direction of the parking lot.
“Here they are,” Chantal said and I followed the direction where she was looking.
A pick-up truck with a camera was driving at the front and Bram was following it. Then the two other pick-up trucks at the back were carrying cameras as well. They all parked to where they were earlier. I watched as Bram got out of the car then he removed his green helmet. Someone took his helmet and a guy handed him a towel.
The director called his attention and the rest of the team huddled together with them. When Jonas came back, he was carrying a small sized cooler. He opened it for me and I got bottled water.
“You two should drink too, it’s really hot out here,” I told Chantal and Jonas. I saw them stare at each other, “Don’t worry I will not tell Maria, Bram and I could not possibly finish all of that.” Then I smiled at them.