Borrowed Time (completed)

29. first time

SPG

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Meng made 'Rj's hideaway' her new hang out place when she wanted to relax and have some quiet and alone time. She had the view of a wide open space on her left with buildings and a river in the horizon, and Rj's condo almost directly in front of her.

She was reading her notes, reviewing for her classes, when she noticed movement on the balcony of Rj's condo. The upper floors of the building were visible from Meng's spot because it was one of the taller ones in the area. Meng never bothered looking up at the buildings before but this time, she became curious because the figure on a high platform (which she thought to be helipad), looked familiar. She could not really see the face clearly because of the distance but she knew there were people there and they seemed to be busy.

She watched them for a few minutes more before returning to her books and notes. It was almost dark when Meng came down from the watch tower for the night.

"Ah Meng, kamusta na nga pala yung pag-aaral mo?" Nanay asked as she and Meng cleared away the dinner table.

"Malapit na ako matapos Nay..." Meng smiled.

"Ha? Paano? Teka, hindi ka na humihingi sa amin ni Tatay ng pag-tuition mo ah..." Nanay looked at Meng, puzzled.

"...may nag-s-sponsor na po kasi ng tuition ko...hindi ko na po nabanggit sa inyo sa dami na nangyari sa buhay natin..."

"Ah talaga? Kelan pa?"

"...pagka-ospital po ni Rj..."

"...ni Tisoy?"

"Opo..."

"...may mga exam ako at papers na dapat asikasuhin at i-submit nung mga panahon na yon at nagawa ko naman kahit na medyo napuyat ako nun..."

"...wag mong pababayaan ang sarili mo..."

"Opo...matagal na akong nag-a-aapply ng scholarship para makabawas sa gastos natin...buti naman, nabigyan ako ng chance..." Meng didn't mention who provided her the scholarship. Because of their busy lives, Nanay and Tatay didn't also notice that Meng stopped asking for money for her tuition fees and school expenses.

"Kelan ka ba matatapos?"

"Isang semester nalang po." Meng smiled. She was in the middle of the current semester still. Her eyes twinkled but Nanay just kept quiet. She knew that there was something more to Meng's smile but didn't want to pry any more than what Meng was telling her.

"Ah, nga pala, lumipat daw ng unit si Tisoy..." Nanay said.