FEAR CONSUMED JOVIE when she saw a large truck coming in her way. She was unable to move. Itinukod niya ang palad sa semento upang makatayo ngunit agad siyang napadaing. She remembered her bruises in her palms. Tampulan siya ng tukso kaya't ang lokong mga kaklase niya, pinagplanuhang patirin siya. It was successful and here she is.
Pauwi na siya galing school. Paika-ika pa siya kung maglakad dahil sa sugat na natamo. She was about to cross the high way but her legs weakened. Napaupo tuloy siya.
Jovie just closed her eyes, praying to the heavens that in her next life, she wanted to be born in a rich and nice family. Iyon ang nasa isip niya habang hinihintay ang pagsalpok ng truck.
Is this how she will die? What a shame, Jovie.
She waited.. waited and waited. But a large hand held her waist and pulled her. Napatayo siya dahilan para bumalik sa katinuan.
Jovie looked at her right and saw a man, almost her age. O kung hindi, siguro ay isa o dalawang taon ang agwat sa kan'ya.
"Salamat.. " mahina niyang sinabi at pinagpag ang palda.
His eyes narrowed.
"That's the only thing you will say, kid? It's odd that you're not even hysterical. You nearly died. "
Ngumiti lang siya. Hindi naman siya takot sa bagay na iyon. It's just sad that she may die in a way she didn't expected to be. She doesn't want to die in unfair. Kung mamamatay siya, she wanted to die in peace!
"Natakot din naman ako. Hindi lang siguro halata. " Nginitian niya ang lalaki. "Salamat nga pala ulit!"
Jovie woke up from her dream. Or maybe not. It isn't a dream. It's her memories. What a great memory to start the day.
It's Monday today. Maaga siyang nagising ngayon. She was really excited to see Rania. To see how much she grows. But at the same time, she was scared. She's afraid that she might break down as soon as she will see her daughter. And there's something she wanted to confirm.
She wanted to see if Rania knew her.
Malawak ang ngiti niya kahit nasa biyahe siya. Is Rania tall now? She's 7! Matangkad na iyon! And probably pretty!
"Good morning, Teacher.. " bati ng ilang mga estudyanteng papasok na rin sa sari-sariling mga silid. She greeted back the kids before going to the office to log in.
"Aga, ah?" Teacher Joshua talked to her. He's a Math teacher. Estudyante rin niya ang anak nito.
"Yes. May kailangang asikasuhin sa room. " Napatigil siya. "Josiah isn't with you?" tukoy niya sa anak nito.
"Mamaya pa iyon. Ihahatid ng asawa ko. "
Pagkatapos makipag-usap sa mga teachers na maaga rin ay naglagi na lang siya sa room niya. Some of her students already arrived at medyo naging maingay na rin. Inayos niya na lamang ang mga upuan at maayos na sinalansan ang mga textbooks na nasa likod. Her students even helped her in arranging the books.
Hanggang sa napuno na ang room. The flag ceremony ended and she told them to behave while she will go at the principal office for a while.
"Estudyante mo iyong transferee, ano? Nasa loob. Kind of aloof. Ayaw magpaiwan. " Si Liah nang madaanan niya ito.
Doon siya napatigil. She totally forgot! Of course, Rania's with a guardian!
Sumasakit na ang ulo niya sa kaba. It can't be him. Ayaw niya.
Jovie did breathing exercises before pushing the door. Nanlalamig siya. Ngunit namamawis. She still can't believe she will meet Rania again. The last time she saw her daughter was 6 years ago. Wala na siyang nagawa nang mabalitaan na dinala ito sa Seatle.
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