Chapter Two: Part One

A few weeks after graduation, Leni bummed around the house.
Her mother has been complaining about her cluttered room but she was too lazy to clean it up.She spent the whole day eating, watching television, surfing the net, and reading showbiz gossips. Indeed, she was never productive since she graduated from college.

One day, Leni decided to help out because she got tired hearing her mom’s sermon.
She was sweeping the dry leaves when an unexpected visitor came.
“Leni, is that you?” Her Aunt Juana said with excitement. She nodded and kissed her aunt.
“Pasok po kayo.” Leni said as she helped her aunt carry her things.
While preparing their merienda inside the kitchen, Her mom and aunt talked about her.
“Your niece recently graduated from college.”
“Is she working right now?”
“Not yet. Hindi ko nga alam kung ano yung plano niya eh. Magahapong lang dito, nagbibilang lang ata ng butiki sa kisame eh ”
“The last time that I saw her was five years ago, Nung libing ni Agatha. Dalaga na ang anak mo. Does she have a boyfriend?”
“She used to. Unfortunately, the guy dumped her on her birthday.”
“Sobra naman yun. That must be really hard on her.”

“That’s true. She didn’t disclose to me what happened, I just found out from her friends. Ate, papuntahin ko kaya siya dun sa inyo para malibang, kahit ngayong bakasyon lang. Naisip ko kasi, na baka kaya masyado siyang tinatamad, eh masyado siyang naapektuhan nung nangyari.”

“ Mukhang ganun na nga. Sige, pasunurin mo sakin sa susunod na linggo para hindi na niya maisip yun. Tuturuan kong magka-disiplina si Leni. Wag kang mag-alala, ako bahala sa anak mo.”

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The night before she left, Adam and Faith helped her pack her things.
“You’re going to spend the rest of the summer at the province?” Adam asked
“Yes. But I’m not really excited because I don’t have any close friends there. Yung boyfriend niya at ibang kababata niya lang ang kilala ko dun. Isa doon,kina-iinisan ko pa, alaskador kasi. For sure, maiinip lang ako dun.” Leni said.
“Ok lang yan, kaysa naman sa nandito ka nga tapos, maiisip mo lang lagi si Red. Baka ma-baliw ka niyan. Anyway, Just make yourself busy, so you won’t get homesick. Here are some DVDs so you can beat your boredom.” Faith said as she handed them to her.
The two of them, kept on pulling clothes out of Leni’s closet.
“Faith, why would I bring my graduation dress?” She asked.
“Wala lang. Basta, dalin mo na lang.”
“Ay ewan, just help me pack my things.”
Aside from the clothes, she included the scrapbook that chronicled her college life.
“Leni, this is the first time that the three of us won’t spend the summer together. Wala tuloy ako taga-basa ng Daily Horoscope.” Faith said.
Leni replied sarcastically.
“Grabe, you’re really a good friend. Yun lang pala pakinabang ko sa iyo, Faith.”
“Sobra ka naman, hindi ka na ma-biro. It’s just my way of saying that I’m going to miss you.”
Adam looked at his watch and said to Faith.
“It’s getting late. Your Dad texted me, ihatid na daw kita.”
Leni began to tease the two of them.
“Uy, gentleman. Bakit kaya? In fairness, bagay kayo.”
“Alam ko, parehas kaming unan ni Adam.”
“Leni, pagbalik mo, payat na ako. Ewan ko lang sa isa diyan.” Adam surpsisngly said.
“Talaga lang ah. We’ll see.”
As Adam and Faith stepped out of the house, they both sang the chorus part of “Hindi kita malilimutan” to Leni.
“Tumigil nga kayo, ginagawa niyo naman akong patay eh. Mas bagay yung ‘Farewell to you my friend’ by Raymund Lauchengco”
Adam replied,
"Tama na, nagiging corny na tayo."
The three of them laughed afterwards as Adam and Faith bid goodbye to Leni.


The next morning, her Mom drove her off to the Bus Terminal. “Tumawag ka pagdating mo doon. -iingat ka ha.” Her Mom told her as she stepped out of the car.