take a chance {crizvey}

[ 9] Workshop pt. 1

HARVEY

"Sir, may isa pa po. Sigurado po ba kayo? Baka pwede naman po tayong ma-late kahit kaunti," my heart was pumping so fast as I look at kuya Dan tending Nala's puppies. He suggested waiting for him to drive us to Bulacan, but I insisted on driving so he could tend my puppies.

Hindi nga asawa ni Kuya Dan ang nanganganak, yung aso ko naman. Hindi ako makaalis kasi si kuya Dan lang ang may alam kung pano magalaga ng mga bagong panganak na aso. I was left with no choice but to be the driver today. Hindi ako makakapag focus sa araw ko kung walang magbabantay kay Nala lalo na't sobrang vulnerable nya ngayon at mga anak nya. 

"Yung susi na lang po ng BMW, kuya. Alagaan nyo na muna po si Nala," sabi ko kay kuya Dan. Naghesitate be si Kuya pero binigay nya rin. May mga pinaalala lang sya bago ako umalis.

I hurriedly went to the driver's seat. I learned to drive when I was 14 and had my license at 16. Hindi ko na rin pinaalam sa tatay ko na gagamit ako ng kotse kasi lagi naman syang wala at walang pakialam sa akin. 

As I was getting ready to leave, Criza suddenly called me. I answered it immediately.

[Criza: hello? nasan ka na ba? nanuyot na yung sunblock ko dito, wala ka parin]

I put the car on drive and started to hit the road. I told her we'll meet at school by 6:30, 6:45 na ako naka alis ng bahay.

"I'm driving, papunta na," I kept my sentence short as I focused my vision on the road. Maaga pa kaya hindi pa traffic. I will arrive at school in no time.

[Criza: HUH?! Ikaw nagd'drive?! Makakarating ba tayo nyan?!] she shouted on the phone. Buti na lang wala sa tenga ko at sa speaker ng kotse naka connect. 

"Too loud, Criza. It's too early for this energy," I replied. She immediately apologized and asked why I was driving in a whisper. Hindi ko na talaga maintindihan ang dynamic nya. Walang in between.

I was about to explain when she cut me off.

[Criza: Wait! Mamaya ka na mag explain at mag focus ka sa pagd'drive mo. Ba't di mo agad sinabi? Hindi ako nakapag dala ng rosaryo, jusme!] Her tone sounded so anxious. Hindi ba sya nagtitiwala sa driving skills ko? 

"I'm a pro driver," I replied. 

[Criza: I don't care if you're Charles Leclerc; I'm hanging this up so focus on your driving]

"I'm surprise you know Charles Leclerc," I said, turning the steering wheel. Malapit na ako sa school. 

[Criza: TikTok. Okay, bye.] She said that and hung up the call. Honestly, she didn't need to do that because I could already see the SLA's gates. Malapit lang naman talaga ang bahay ko sa school. 

I slowed down as I approached the gates. I quickly spotted Criza, who was busy with her phone, standing in front of the gate. I honked to catch her attention and rolled down my windows. Agad din naman syang tumingala at nakita ako.