A Time In This World [Dubredo]

Book 2: A Time To Struggle

Chapter 9

--

Nanay Soleng was finally released in the hospital. Jun helped Rody settle back down in their home.

"You're very reliable Jun, maraming salamat, hijo." Nanay Soleng thanked Jun.

"Walang anuman, Nanay. Pagaling po kayo,"

"Ikaw na bahala dyan kay Rody, alam mo na yun."

"Ma," Rody rolled his eyes.

"Alam na po niya yun, Nanay. He's a changed man now."

Nanay Soleng laughed loudly. "I should also thank Leni pala for that," she winked at her son.

--

"Jun,"

"Oh?" Rody and Jun met and agreed to walk towards school the next morning.

"I haven't heard from Leni since the dinner with her parents," he admitted to his friend.

"And?"

"Napaisip lang naman ako,"

"Baka itinakwil ka na?"

Rody looked at Jun intently.

"Hindi naman. I trust Leni."

Jun beamed at Rody and even clapped his hands. "So ano naisip mo?"

"This is a challenge that I must overcome."

"Yun ang naisip mo?"

He looked at Jun. "Oo. Apparently, God is finally looking down at me Jun! He took notice of me pare!" He held his friend's collar excitedly.

Jun laughed. "Bakit, dati di ka Niya kilala?"

"He may have forgotten that He made me, pare."

"Why do you think he's looking down on you now?"

"Because He's giving me all these problems, putangina, sino pa bang magbibigay nito sa akin?" Rody exclaimed that some of the people in the street looked at them.

"And you're excited for all of these problems?"

"Oo because finally He's giving me a chance to prove myself to Him, that I am worthy of this life," he beamed at his friend. Jun smiled at him.

"So who's the devil in all these problems?"

"Sabihin nalang natin na,

- even if I could, I wouldn't turn on you."

­--

"Pareng Rodrigo!" It was Jess Dureza.

"O ano pare?"

"Ang sad ng jowa mo lately ah – either nag-away kayo or hindi mo na siya jowa. Please tell me it's the former."

Rody laughed. "Neither - dahil hindi ko pa siya jowa, yawa ka. Hindi ko nga siya nakikita lately e."

"I know, I know you're busy. Kaya nga cinommit namin ni Beth to look after you two, you know, we're good friends!"

"Sus, papapogi ka lang kay Beth e, pero salamat pare. Ano kaya puwede kong gawin? Hindi ko maiwan yung mga ginagawa ko, kailangan kong grumaduate Jesus!" He knelt in front of Jess and kissed his feet.

"Yawa ka, Rodrigo, tumayo ka diyan! Pag-usapan natin nila Jun ito."

--

"It's Jorge." was Sonny's response when asked why Leni's a bit quiet recently.