Carpool

Chapter 1

~ Jhoana's Situation ~

"Ba't nag aya ng bigla?" One of my two best friends asked. Maddie sat beside me while asking the bartender to give her a drink.

I looked at her and smiled sadly.

"Mads, hindi ko na alam. Napapagod na akong makitang ganon si mama." Umiling ako ng konti habang pinupunasan ang mga luha sa aking pisngi.

Her face softened as she went in for a hug.

"Anong nangyari kay tita?" She asked worriedly.

"The typical. Gahol na gahol nanaman sa oras. Ang dami na ngang na iwan ni papa na utang dumagdag pa noong na loan yung dati kong sasakyan. My mom's still trying her best to get it back kahit na alam kong wala namang pag asa."

"Did she borrow money again?" Maddie asked.

I nodded as a response.

"Ewan ko ba. Parang pa ikot ikot nalang. Uutang si mama pero hindi naman halos sa amin napupunta, pero para sa utang na kailangang bayaran. They cycle never ends." I said sarcastically.

"Hay nako, if pinayagan mo na kasi kaming tumulong eh. You know we can help you, Jho." Napatingin naman ako kung sino ang nag salita. Dumating si Jia sa aking likod at ngumiti.

I shook my head no.

"Jhoana, malaki ang utang nila tita Lovel. Habang tumatagal, mas lalong lumalaki rin ang interest. Are we still gonna wait for things to blow out of proportion?"

"It kind of is already blowing out—"

"More the reasons why you should accept our offer. Kahit ngayon lang, huwag mo na pairilan yang pride mo."

"Mads, Jia, I appreciate it. I really do pero pero hindi ako nakaka sigurado kung mababayaran ko ba yon."

I stated firmly and looked at them both.

"I already let you guys help me before, nabayaran ko na ba? Diba hindi?" Pag papatuloy ko.

"Siningil ka ba namin? Diba hindi rin?" Malokong ngiti ni Maddie.

"Ayon na nga okay?!" I raised my voice. "Hiyang hiya na ako sainyong dalawa."

I felt fresh hot tears streaming down my face again.

"Ever since papa left us two years ago, kayo na yung laging nandiyan sakin, emotionally and financially. Hiyang hiya na ako."

I bowed my head and felt myself cry harder.

"You guys have done so much already for me and my family. More than dun sa gago kong tatay na iniwan lang kami despite his pending cases."

I clenched my fist upon remembering how our own father abandoned us. I looked at both of my friends who stared at me with pity evident in their eyes. Kitang kita ko.

"Listen, the fact that you guys stayed friends with me kahit na ang dami ng humuhusga sa pamilya namin, is more than enough." I smiled and held their hands.

"I'm not gonna act all mighty and say I don't need your help, because I do pero huwag na muna. I'll try to prove to my father na kaya namin. Na kaya namin nila Mama and Jaja."

Natahimik sila habang nakatingin lang sa sahig. After a few moments, Jia finally spoke.

"Alright." Maddie and Jia looked at each other and sighed. They nodded almost at the same time as I chuckled and hugged them both.