They Don't Know About Us

Chapter 29

"Hey, Sash," Kenny's voice startled Sasha who had just got done writing a letter for Kai per Kenny's request. "Nandito ka lang pala," she smiled while she took the seat in front of Sasha. "You found a good spot to write. It's peaceful here," she looked around the little garden Sasha found behind the barn.

Sasha only smiled. "Oo nga eh," she agreed. "Ang ganda ng venue. I'm surprised pumayag si Omar na dito sila magpakasal," she commented.

"What do you mean?" Kenny looked at her.

Sasha smiled a little. "He just doesn't fancy me as a farm type of guy."

Kenny chuckled. "Oh, I know. This is all Kai's idea. Ewan ko ba dun sa fascination nya with the country life. Sabi nya na one day, pag magreretire na sya, she wants to live in the countryside. Bibili daw sya ng malaking land where she can plant all the fruits and vegetables na she wants. Tapos hindi daw nya ibibenta yung harvest. When she has enough for herself, which is plenty as you could imagine, she hopes to donate the rest sa mga soup kitchen na nag-fifeed ng mga homeless and sa mga meals-on-wheels na provides meals sa mga less fortunate specially sa mga seniors living by themselves tapos hindi na makapag-grocery and can't make food for themselves or can't afford to do so. Bait noh?" She smiled proudly while talking about her friend.

What Kenny divulged about Kai made Sasha so proud to be Kai's friend. "Grabe. I didn't know that," she turned her head from side to side while she took a deep breath.

"Oo noh, grabe nga. Napaka-santa eh. We used to joke around na 'wag syang masyadong mabait para hindi sya kunin agad ni Lord," Kenny laughed.

Sasha shook her head and smiled a little.

"Tapos di lang yun," Kenny continued. "She hopes to have a barn filled with senior animals like a sanctuary for them kumbaga. She thinks na all seniors, tao o hayop man yan, deserves to enjoy the rest of their life free from stress or anything like that. She wants to give the animals a happy life. Kaya yan si lola T, ang swerte nyan."

Sasha couldn't help but laugh at Kenny's comment. "Bakit naman napunta kay lola? Ikaw ha, susumbong kita. Kinocompare mo si lola sa hayop," she almost snorted while she laughed.

"Baliw, we're talking about seniors nga, diba? Lola is a senior. Eto ano-ano iniisip eh. Ipapa-trouble mo pako kay lola, kaloka sya," Kenny said defensively though she couldn't help but laugh with Sasha. "I just mean na ang swerte ni lola na may apo sya na has a heart like that. Alam mo yun? Yung secured na yung the rest of lola T's life kasi alam mong may apo sya who would make sure she's taken care of—kaya kita mo oh, she gives lola T nothing but the best," Kenny grinned. "Ayee, eh yung segue na yun nagustuhan mo?"

Sasha burst out laughing. "Baliw."

Kenny's eyes widened. "What? It's true? Why do you think she chose you para maging main caregiver ni lola? Because she thinks you're the best."

Sasha's stare didn't leave Kenny's eyes. "I was placed there. She didn't choose me. Wala syang choice but to deal with what was given to her," she claimed.

"Ay ang hirap nya i-please oh," Kenny reacted. "And anong walang choice? Ilang caregiver na ba nagdaan kay lola na mga kapalitan mo? She had to filter everyone. She let go of the ones she thinks hindi compatible kay lola. Caregivers came and went yet you remained. What does that say about how she sees you?"

Sasha continued to look Kenny in the eyes. "Matagal na rin naman si Libby tsaka si ate Gemma."

Kenny rolled her eyes. "Alam mo ikaw—ay naku. That's not the point, Sashimi. The point is, oo, matagal na rin sila ate Gemma't Libby, but she had to let go of other caregivers before she found the right ones. Ikaw lang yung pinakamatagal sa kanila na nagustuhan kaagad nya. You weren't filtered unlike the rest. Ikaw yung original—the OG, you know what I'm saying? Oo, you were placed there, but the fact na hindi ka napalitan tells me she likes you. She likes what she sees in you. She thinks you're one of the best to care for her lola, if not the best of the best pa nga."