"Apo, naghanda ako ng baon mo, ha. Pasensya ka na kung ganiyan lang ang inabot ko," pagpapaumanhin ng kaniyang lola.
She smiled and hugged her grandmother, "Maraming salamat, La. Promise, uubusin ko ito,"
Her grandmother chuckled, "Ayos ka lang ba talagang babalik ako sa probinsya, apo?"
She went silent for a while.
Her uncle asked her if they could send her grandmother back to their hometown. Alam nitong gustong-gusto na ng kaniyang lolang bumalik, at ayaw naman nitong ma-homesick siya sa lugar na hindi naman talaga niya gusto. She was just forced to be here because of Dawn.
"Mas masaya roon, La. Nandoon ang mga kaibigan at anak mo," pagpapakampante ni Dawn.
"Basta apo, pagkatapos mo sa kolehiyo, 'wag mong kalimutang bisitahin ako ha," she told her granddaughter.
"Kapag may time naman ako La, kahit hindi pa ako tapos ay bibisit ako!" She reassured.
She shook her head to disagree. "Naku! Maiisitorbo ko pa ang pag-aaral mo,"
"Basta La, ang sabi ni tito ay susunduin ka raw niya rito sa Sabado. Tutulungan nalang kitang mag-impake pagkauwi ko," sambit nito sa lola.
"Mag-iingat ka apo,"
"Opo!"
She is happy that finally, her sons gave attention to her but deep inside, she wants her grandmother to stay.
Once na umalis na siya, wala na siyang malalapitan at mayayakap kapag sobrang bigat na ng dinaramdam niya. Wala nang maghahanda sa kaniya ng pagkain, wala na ring sasalubong sa kaniya pagkauwi sa trabaho.
She wants Dawn to focus on her studies, little did she know her grand daughter just came back to school after being absent for a week.
Palagi itong naka-uniform umalis ng bahay pero ang punta nito ay sa trabaho. Her body aches too much at alam nitong kung patuloy siya sa pagpasok ay baka hindi na siya makalakad pa.
She went to her locker, she saw her old school bag inside, also a new set of uniform. She gulped as she look at herself. Naka-PE na naman siya.
She disregarded all the things inside her locker, pretending that she doesn't know who gave those to her. She is ashamed to encounter Dominick in that situation.
Lunch time came and she ate at the school garden. This green field reminds her of her grandmother who likes flowers. While thinking of her lola, she felt a presence.
She shut her eyes closed, she is still not finished eating the food. She looked back worriedly, just to see her bullies looking away from her.
That's it? They won't hurt her? What about the money?
Nagtaka ito nang umalis nalang sila sa garden at hinayaang makakain si Dawn nang payapa. She heaved a deep and relieved sigh.
At least, she will be able to enjoy the food that her grandmother prepared for her.
After school, she went straight to her work. She fixed the shelves and organized the game consoles. She also took one book to read it as she wait for the customers.
It is her safe place. Once that the thugs will know where she works, she will be doomed. Hindi niya kakayanin na pati sa trabaho niya ay gagambalain pa siya ng mga ito.
Sometimes she wonders what will happen if she drop out of school. But then this voice comes out;
"Galingan mo sa college, palagi kitang aabangan sa labas,"
YOU ARE READING
One Step Ahead
Romance"I want to see myself through your perspective," In which experiencing youth is a privilege. She was forced to act older than her age and always had no choice but to move forward, making her one step ahead of others. But this advancement has her no...
