Technically, I’m single. But my heart is taken by someone I can’t call my own
- theqoutemaster.com
Chapter 6: Wait... WHATTT???
After I received the message, it took me weeks before I told my parents about it. Of course I also hesitated kasi I know na mahihiwalay ako sa pamilya ko, lalo na sa mga kapatid ko but after I heard them talking about financial problems I told them about it.
I realized na it will be a big help to us and lalo na, na it would ease the burdens that my parents are carrying. At first, syempre hindi sila pumayag but I told them that it would help us, na yung tatlong kapatid ko na lang ang aasikasuhin nila at okay lang din naman kasi kapatid din naman yun ng papa.
The day after my parents gave their approval, I messaged my tita na,
"Okay po Tita, pumayag na din po sina Mama."
"Thank you Joe, I'm so happy" she replied.
"Thank you din po Tita, napakalaking tulong po nito sa amin."
That day, inasikaso kaagad niya ang mga kakailangan ko, lahat ng expenses sa kanya. Ni piso wala kaming nagastos. Ilang araw din bago ako natapos sa pag-eempake ko. Iyong mga kapatid ko iyak pa ng iyak, parang ayaw ko na tuloy tumuloy but paano iyong Tita ko? Iyong mga nagastos niya, nakakahiya naman.
May 30, 2022 the day I went to Manila.
"Joe Carvede? Tessa Carvede's niece?"
"Yes po, it's me."
*************
When I arrived here in Manila, I made lots of adjustments. It took me months bago pa ako medyo nasanay. My Tita is very welcoming and kind, maasikaso din, kaya hindi talaga kami nagkaproblema. Tita Tess enrolled me in Fuentabella University and I took Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Mathematics.
When school year came, I was really and super nervous kasi kolehiyo na, tapos online class pa. I'm really hoping na mabakunahan na lahat. The government officials, the DOH and DepEd stated in the news na kapag nabakunahan na lahat, back to face to face na ulit and I'm really hoping for it.
In my first year of college, sobra akong nahirapan sa online class. There are times na ayaw makipag-cooperate ng utak ko, yung iisipin ko palang, sumasakit na ulo ko, nabobored pa ako, inaantok din at pawala-wala pang signal. And also the quizzes, exams, prelims, midterms, finals, projects, performance tasks, activities and deadlines made the pressure overwhelming.
In my second year in college, ganon pa rin but I learned to manage it. In those years, I did everything I can to have good and better grades. My hardworks, sleepless nights, my eye bags and my pimples are all worth it. I made my family and tita proud, both my first and second year, I became part of the Deans Lister.
Next school year I'll be in my 3rd-year. I am very excited since it will be face to face classes na, though the DepEd decided to move the classes in september, which the President also approved. My T---
"Joe, tapos ka na ba mag-empake? " my thoughts got interrupted when my tita asked.
"Yes po, kagabi pa." I answered
"That's good, aalis na ako bukas." Last last week Tita Tess told me that she'll be traveling abroad with her bestfriend, Tita Mary. Tapos sabi niya, dun muna ako magste-stay sa bahay ni Tita Mary. Mas mapapanatag daw siya, kasi may makakasama ako doon and who am I to say no diba?
***************
"You okay?" tita asked, while we're in the taxi.
"Yes po" I answered and smiled
"You sure Joe? Baka napipilitan ka lang ha? Don't be shy magsabi ka lang sa akin." she said worriedly.
"Okay lang po talaga Tita and I can take care of self, I'm already 20, I'll be okay po." I said genuinely.
Medyo mahaba iyong naging byahe namin papunta kina Tita Mary. When we arrived in our destination I gasped in awe, literally. Hindi naman sobrang laki ng bahay but ang ganda, para siyang three storey kasi may parang tambayan sa rooftop and also the backyard is very wide, and ang peaceful dito, medyo malayo din kasi sa highway.
"Tess, iha , good morning " tita Mary greeted us.
"Morning Mer/Morning din po Tita" we greeted back.
"Hali kayo pasok, welcome to my humble abode." She said as we entered the house.
"Joe, this house will be your temporary home and come with me ipapakita ko sayo yung magiging room mo." Tita said as she walks upstairs and I followed.
"I have only three rooms here, the big one, which is mine and yung dalawang magkaharap na room are for guests. And this will be your room." she said while holding the doorknob.
"Iyong kaharap mo na room, diyan nagste-stay ang pamangkin ko, and I hope you'll get along. So maiwan na kita ha?" she added
"Opo Tita, okay na po ako na pong bahala." I answered her as I nod my head. Nung nakaalis na siya, I went inside the room and maganda din iyong kwarto, spacious din.
Knock knock knock
"Bukas po yan!"
"Joe, alis na kami ha? Nandito na iyong sundo. Mag-iingat ka palagi, wag kakalimutang kumain, wag masyado magbabad sa cellphone but enjoy your stay ha?"
"Opo tita hindi ko po yan makakalimutan, tsaka sasabay po ako sa inyo pababa."
Pagdating namin sa labas, wala na iyong mga gamit nila, nasa loob na siguro ng sasakyan.
"So pano Joe, alis na kami. Kapag may mga tanong ka, just ask my pamangkin ha? Nabigyan ko na din yun ng instructions." Tita Mary said.
"Okay po, copy."
"Joe, mag-update ka sa akin ha? " sabi naman ni Tita Tess habang nakayakap sa akin.
"Yes po" I answered tapos sumakay na silang dalawa sa van.
"Bye, Joe!" they said in unison while waving their hands.
"Bye din po, Titas" I said as I waved back. Nung medyo malayo na sila ay pumasok na ako sa loob ng bahay at nilock ang pinto. I went straight to my room kasi madami pa akong aayusin.
**********
Nung medyo natapos na ako sa pag-aarange, I decided na lumabas muna kasi bigla akong nagutom. The moment I opened my door, I got totally shocked.
Am I dreaming?
The guy in front of me, stops and looked at me from head to toe. Head to toe?
Oh shez, I really don't know what to do and what to say.
Is that --- is that Jeremiah Chu?
"Hi" shit, siya talaga. No way! No! I mean, Yes. Yes way!
Waitttttt, WHATTTTTT?
********
1st year (S.Y. 2022-2023)
2nd year (S.Y. 2023-2024)
3rd year (S.Y. 2024-2025)
YOU ARE READING
Be la mia Stella (Be my Star)
RomanceHe's far, I can't reach him. He's like a star, so close to look at, yet so far to reach. A star that I couldn't reach. (A story dedicated to Jeremy S. Chua)
