Hey You

Chapter 14

"Teka lang pala, may nag-text sakin. Sorry," Jane apologized while taking her phone out.

"Ayan, may nag-hahanap na kaagad sayo," Nella laughed a little.

"Yung pinsan ko," Jane let her know.

"Oh okay," Nella nodded. "Is everything okay?"

Jane sighed while putting away her phone. "Nella, I appreciate tong pag-bigay mo ng oras sakin para may mahingahan ako. Wala pa yatang nakakagawa nun sakin. Salamat sa oras ha, pero pwede bang patapusin na lang natin yung first class then balik na tayo so we can make it to second period? Tumatawag pala kasi sakin mommy ko tapos di ko sinasagot so dun nanggugulo sa pinsan ko. Tinawagan na siguro yun nung school."

Nella frowned. "Hala, sorry. Pinag-alala ko pa yung mommy mo tapos nadamay din tuloy pinsan mo. We can go back na so we can go to second period."

"Eto naman," Jane shook her head. "'Wag kang mag-sorry. Iniisip mo lang naman ako eh. Sobrang thank you talaga. Nakahinga nako ng maluwag," she gave Nella another hug.

"Sus, wala yun. Basta tawag ka lang anytime." Nella was starting to surprise herself. Talking to Jane felt so natural, it didn't take much energy hanging out with her. In fact, it's the opposite; she felt strongly energized. She thought Jane's presence was a breath of fresh air. Somehow, Jane felt like an escape.

Before their first period ends, Jane drove with Nella back to school. "Salamat ulit, Nella ha," she said when they arrived.

"Anytime," Nella replied.

The two embraced each other one last time, then they parted ways by the entrance.

Later that night, Dahlia, Jane's mother, walked around her daughter's room while Jane stayed seated on her bed.

"Ma, isang class lang naman eh," Jane tried to reason with her.

"Jane, ayan ka na naman eh. Don't you see the pattern here? Ganyan ka rin the past three years. You said it's just one detention and then sunod-sunod na. Ganun naman din dati, so what's different now? Senior year mo na, yet first day of school may detention ka na naman. Akala ko nga you're going to do better kasi, so far, you didn't get another one. Pero hindi mo naman pala patatapusin tong unang week ng last year mo ng high school without skipping a class. Eh mas mabuti pa yata yung detention kasi at least you show up to class. Pero yung mag-skip ka—ano? Sasabihin mo na naman na isang class lang naman? One thing leads to another with you, Jane, and I better not hear from you na I'm being too harsh with you. I let you enjoy the perks of going to school ever since you were a young kid. Ngayon lang ako nagkaganito dahil graduating ka na. You're turning eighteen. That means you're going to be an adult na. You're going to have to learn how to act like one, Jane. Hindi lahat ng oras pwede kang hindi magseryoso. Future mo na ang nakasalalay dito. Pano ka na lang pag may nangyari samin ng daddy mo?" Dahlia couldn't hide her disappointment with her daughter.

"Ma, konting tiwala naman, please. I'm trying to get my act together naman eh," Jane replied.

"How? By cutting classes and leaving me with no choice but to lie to your school when you don't show up sa classes mo? Eh pano kung may nangyari na palang masama sayo tapos sinabi ko sa school na you're accounted for at na kasama kita? Never mind getting both of us in trouble pero don't put me in a situation where I cover for you tapos you're out there getting yourself in trouble na pala," Dahlia's voice raised a little.

"I'm sorry, mom. I'm sorry for making you cover for me. I promise it won't happen again. I'm trying to get my act straight. I promise," Jane felt guilty after what her mom said.

"Siguradohin mo lang, Jane. Hindi kami nagpapakahirap ng daddy mo na pag-aralin ka just for you to screw things up for yourself. Kahit hindi na para samin ng daddy mo, para sayo na lang. Do better for yourself, para din naman sayo yan. At the end of the day, ikaw lang din naman ang iniisip namin ng daddy mo," Dahlia reminded her.