Borrowed Time (completed)

1. boundary

"Good morning Kuya Cesar!"

"Meng! Good morning din sa yo! Oist! Kayo, gayahin nyo tong si Meng. Hindi kailangan paalalahanan na magpasa ng pera. Di naman pa naman nagbabago ang singil ko ah..." Kuya Cesar admonished the other drivers who were milling around his 'office'. The drivers just scratched their heads and walked away.

"Eh...Kuya Cesar..kung pwede ko po munang bawasan ng kahit singkwenta yung bigay ko ngayon...birthday kasi ni Tatay ngayon, may nakita kasi akong polo dun sa may palengke...ireregalo ko sana sa kanya..." Meng said, shyly.

"...eto, wag ka na magbigay ngayon...magpakain ka sa inyo..."

"Po? Naku! Okay na po yung singkwenta lang..."

"Sige na. Pa-birthday ko na rin sa Tatay mo..."

"Ssalamat po..." Meng walks back to her vehicle, head bowed. She didn't want to accept Kuya Cesar's offer. She didn't even want to celebrate Tatay's birthday, she just wanted to surprise her Tatay with a new shirt. It wasn't a thing in their family to celebrate birthdays. If ever, they would pool their earnings to have one big celebration or party during Christmas. It was only the beginning of the year.

Meng approached the shuttle she drove. This was one of two shuttles her Tatay owned; her brother drove the other shuttle service. A line of people had already formed and were just waiting for Meng to unlock the doors.

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen! Pasensya na po kung na-late tayo ng konti today. Pero, kung ready na ang lahat, aalis na po tayo in 10minutes." Meng greeted to her passengers. Most of the passengers were regular riders so they smiled and greeted her with a "good morning" back. They settled in their seats, and Meng turned on the radio.

"O, Thursday ngayon, lalake ang pipili ng radio station natin. Kuya Mark, wag yung may DJ na puro hugot ha. Ang ganda ng umaga o..." Meng looked at one passenger seated on the first row. The other passengers giggled.

"Lagay mo nalang sa RX...yung may Top10..." Kuya Ding suggested and everyone nodded and agreed.

"Okidoki!" Meng said as she pressed the preset button on the shuttle's radio.

"Good morning mga Ate at Kuya. Andito na po tayo. Have a good day!" Meng says as she pulls up at the curb to let off the last of the passengers on her route.

"See you later, Meng. Salamat!" Amy, a regular rider waves at Meng as she alights from the vehicle.

"Yes po. See you! Have a nice day po!" Meng replies, smiling.

Meng parked the shuttle on the side of the parking lot. She removed her backward facing cap and brushed her hair. Looking at the rearview mirror, she dabbed her face with blotting paper, applied a little powder, and dabbed a little gloss on her lips. She grabbed her books and bag and locked the vehicle and entered the building.

"Good morning Ms. Mendoza!" Mr. Talavera greets Meng who rushes to take her seat. He has just called the roll.

"Good morning Sir!" Meng smiles. She knows she's not late. Mr. Talavera just likes to intimidate his students but is a softie. He also admires Meng's spunk. It wasn't a secret at the she drove a shuttle and brought people to work first before going to school. She would also drive in the afternoon. In fact, she was a scholar and part of her tuition was 'paid'by her shuttling some students and teachers from school.

Despite having a rather full schedule, Meng was still able to submit requirements on time and oftentimes aced her tests and exams.

"Magandang gabi po Nay, Tay..." Meng said as she entered their home.

"O, maaga ka ata ngayon..." Nanay said. She was busy ironing and folding clothes. She worked as a laundry woman for some families in a nearby subdivision.

"...di po tinanggap ni Kuya Cesar yung pera ko kaninang umaga..."

"Hala! Baka naman magkaroon tayo ng utang dun..."

"Yun din po ang naisip ko agad. Pero sabi nya, akin nalang daw yung pera para makapaghanda tayo para kay Tatay...ah Tay, happy birthday po pala..." Meng explained then gave Tatay her present.

"Salamat. Nag-abala ka pa..." Tatay said as he opened the present and put the shirt against his chest.

"Bagay na bagay sa inyo Tay! Kaya eto po, bumili na ako ng pansit at cake. Pasunod na si Kuya at dala nya yung barbecue, ice cream, at softdrinks..."

"Wow! Ang daming handa!" Tatay exclaimed.

"...parang Pasko ulit...Happy Birthday, Tay!" Meng smiled.

"O sige, magtabi ka nalang pagkain para mabigyan mo si Cesar bukas..."

"Opo Nay"