Ashes in the Dusk [CBS#4]

Chapter 28

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"Hwallie, mag-inquire ka bukas tungkol sa schedule ng enrolment sa kolehiyo. Have you already thought about your preferred course program?" tanong ko sa kasama ko sa bahay habang nasa hapag-kainan kami.

I ran in with a friend in the grocery store yesterday and I was told about the nearing enrolment for college. Naisip kong pag-aralin na si Hwallie kasi kung tatambay lang sya dito sa bahay, masasayang ang oras. There was nothing much to do in this small house, anyway. She only cooked for our lunch and for our dinner, we both did the chores, too. It was more reasonable to spend her long vacant time in school.

Kinuha ko na rin ang kapatid nyang si Kuya Bard bilang security guard, sa ganun ay may taga-bukas ng main gate kapag papasok ako at may mag-iikot na rin sa buong lupain. It was always a hassle since the main gate was a little far from the threshold. Kailangan pang takbuhin ni Hwallie mula sa bahay para pagbuksan sina Dana kapag itini-text ako na bibisita rito si Jules.

There was a little guardhouse beside the huge gate. A small cabin with one bed, a big cabinet, a small kitchen, a table and a chair, and a comfort room. I already planned about this several months ago, good thing the three carpenters I hired finished the building in due time. Maliit lang naman kaya hindi sila nahirapan doon.

"P-Pag-aaralin nyo po ako, Ate Syntia?" di makapaniwalang turan ni Hwallie matapos uminom ng tubig.

I nodded and smiled. "Hindi ka na iba sakin. I see you at times reading some educational books at the back of the house. Matalino ka ring bata. You have a good future ahead of you. Manghihinayang ako kung hindi ka makapagtapos."

"Hala, Ate Syntia! Gustung-gusto ko pong mag-aral! Tiyak matutuwa si Kuya at sina nanay nito." Happiness glistened in her eyes.

Parang may pumisil sa puso ko. I suddenly saw the young Syntia in her when I finally understood the importance of education but I had to stop because of uncontrolled circumstances. I was just blessed to have Mrs. Espiña before. I received help from a wonderful person and I wanted to do the same to Hwallie.

"Uhm, okay lang po ba Ate Syntia kung agricultural education yung kunin kong kurso? Gusto ko pong magturo sa sektor ng agrikultura lalo't ito ang pangunahing ikinabubuhay dito sa El Camarico. Tapos gusto kong pag nagtrabaho ako, rito na. May kolehiyo na naman dito at sikat ang mga kursong may kinalaman sa agrikultura. Hindi ko na kailangang iwan ang pamilya ko." medyo nahihiya nyang sinabi.

Lumawak ang ngiti ko at tinanguan sya. I was touched by what she said. Staying with family was indeed a nice insight. Hindi ako ganun kakuntento sa mga panahong nakasama ko sina Mommy, lalong-lalo na si Daddy. I focused on rebelling instead of cherishing the numbered moments with him. Mabuti na nga ang at nagkaayos pa kami bago sya mawala sa mundo. If it weren't for Rahma, the loss of my parents may still hurt me up to now.

"Of course you can take whatever course you like, and that is a wonderful choice. Sure, you'd be a good knowledge-dispenser to next generation, Hwallie."

"Salamat po talaga, Ate Syntia. Hindi ko po sasayangin ang oportunidad na 'to." pangangako nya na tinaguan ko naman.

The usual thing happened all throughout the day. Medyo abala ako sa shop dahil ang daming pina-photocopy na modules, patung-patong. I only had three staffs there, and three photocopying machines. May iba pang nagpapa-print ng documents at hindi nila kakayanin kung sila-sila lang tatlo lalo na't kakailanganin na ang modules by two in the afternoon. I had to take charge in our computer service until four in the afternoon.

Nag-re-relax na ako sa opisina ko nang daanan ako ni Jules, kasama pala si Ate Blaise na nakauniporme pa at si Kashton. Lumabas kaagad ako sa opisina para maasikaso sila kahit mayron na namang staffs. Ate Blaise was sitting in front of the two kids who were enjoying their avocado flavored smoothies and vanilla frosted donuts. I instantly got her attention when I closed the door of my office. She plastered a wide, welcoming smile.