Chapter Nine: Part Two

They were in the living room, laughing at the flick that they’re watching, when Leni’s phone rang. At first, she doesn’t want to answer it because she got carried away with the hilarious scenes, but Red insisted.

“Hi Leni, Mong here.”
“Oh, hi there. Kumusta na kayo diyan?”
“Mabuti naman. What’s with the noise?”
“We’re watching a movie. Wait, I’ll step outside so I could hear you.”
“Ok.”

Leni went to the veranda.

“Ok, the reception is better here. Napatawag ka ata.”
“Leni, there’s something that I would like to tell you, wag kang mabibigla ha.”
“What is it? Bakit parang kinabahan ka.”
“Lolo Celso passed away this morning?”
“What?! This can’t happen; I promised him that I’ll be back in December!”
“I’m sorry Leni.”
“Kailan ang libing?”
“Sunday next week, hihintayin pa kasi umuwi yung mga kamag-anak nila Aldo sa ibang bansa.”
“Basta, pupunta ako diyan.”


A few minutes after sobbing, she went back to the living room. She tried to pretend that everything was okay, but her eyes can’t hide it.

“Umiyak ka noh?” Adam said
“Hindi, marami lang akong nakain na wasabi.” Leni replied as she wiped her tears.

Faith patted her back and said.
“Sus, hindi ka na makakapag-tago sa amin. Alam namin kung umiyak ka o hindi. Ano ba yung sinabi nung kausap mo kanina?”
“Wala na kasi si Lolo Celso, yung lolo ni Aldo. Naging malapit kasi ako sa kanya nung nagbakasyon ako dun sa probinsya. Nung nandun ako, tinuring niya ako na parang tunay na apo.Doon ko lang naranasan kung ano ang pakiramdam ng may lolo. ”
“Naintindihan namin, Leni.So, ano na ang plano mo? Pupunta ka ba?”
“Oo, pupunta ako sa Sabado. Pwede niyo ba akong samahan? Para kasing hindi ko kakayanin kapag ako lang ang pumunta dun eh.”
“Naku Leni, problema yung shift namin ni Adam. Di bale, makiki-usap na lang ako sa supervisor namin. Pero, ikaw muna ang magbayad ng ticket sa bus kasi wala na kaming oras pumunta sa terminal.”
“Huh? Kulang ang pera ko, next week pa ang sweldo.”

Red broke in and said

“Sasama rin ako. Ako na ang magbabayad ng ticket niyo.”

“Sigurado ka? Baka kailangan ka dito,limang oras ang biyahe dun ha.” Leni said.

He held Leni’s hand and said.

“Hindi, magpapa-alam na ako ng maaga. Maiitndihan naman nila siguro yun eh.”

“Yan naman pala Leni, may pakinabang din ang boyfriend mo!” Faith exclaimed.

“Babes, wag mong pagsamantalahan yang si Red. Nagmama-gandang loob na nga yung tao, aasarin mo pa.” Adam said.

Leni imperceptibly asked.

“Bakit ‘babes’ ang tawagan niyo?Dahil ba mataba kayo dati?”

“Leni, isa ka pa ha. Alaskador kayo parehas ni Faith.” Adam said.