A Time In This World [Dubredo]

Book 1: A Time To Be Happy

A/N. Wow, last update was 2017. I'm so at awe with myself. Haha! Well, here goes.

Chapter 3

"Rody!" Nanay Soleng called to his son the nth time.

"Hmm?"

"May balak ka pa bang pumasok, o mabuhay man lang mula dyan sa kinahihimlayan mo?" Rody heard his mom shout from the kitchen. He groaned. He was not able to sleep on time yesterday because a thought kept him awake:

Leni Gerona.

He slowly got out of bed and went down for breakfast. "Ma, good morning po," he reached out her hand and kissed it. She looked at him and smiled a little, just to scowl at him again.

"Alam mo ba kung anong oras na?"

"Oras na para kumain ng masarap mong luto?"

"Oras na para magseryoso ka at nang maka-graduate ka na, anak. Hindi ka ba napapagod –"

Rody just sighed and started eating his vegetables. He's been hearing this conversation every day of his college life and while he does his best to fulfill his mother's wishes, there are things that can't be helped.

Leni Gerona.

"Ma,"

" – nang kaka-ulit mo." She sighed loudly. "Ano?"

"May kilala ka bang Gerona?"

"Gerona?" She sat down beside him and thought about it.

He looked at her in anticipation.

"Wala e,"

He sighed. "Kala ko naman, kilala mo lahat."

She slapped his shoulder. "Anong akala mo sa akin, yellow pages? Sige na, bilisan mo na at pumasok – huli ka nanaman."

He saluted her and gave her a peck on the cheek.

She looked at him while he brushes his teeth.

"Ano bang meron dun sa Gerona?"

--

Rody normally just walks to school, sprints on days he needs it, bikes when desperate – but always adjusting his speed when there are beautiful ladies on his way. Today, he will pass through a new route, because of a lingering thought.

Leni Gerona.

He asked the small carinderia across if Leni already left and "yes she already did, and she left on her Honda Jazz," says the nice owner who only speaks in English to train himself the language. He asked him what she ordered and when she left and the good man answered everything in detailed. He ordered the same thing, gave him a peck on the cheek and pedalled his way to school.

Upon arriving, he noticed the place's deserted. He looked at his watch for the first time today.

0725.

"Pisting yawa," Her mother knew Rody barely keeps track of his time so she lured him to believe he's late when in fact, he isn't – he smiled at the thought of his mother laughing her lungs out back at home. He just decided to walk to the swimming compound and take an early dip.

"Ay ambot," he muttered to himself when he saw that he did not take his swimming gear today – well, there are no swimming classes today. He looked at his watch. 0735. "Wala pa naman sigurong tao dito, ok lang sigurong naka-brief - may baon ba akong extra?" He whispered to himself, chuckling.

He took a light shower and went out. He did some strokes, went a few back and forths before getting his head out of the water. He looked at the bleachers and saw a lady – looking his way.