Carpool

Chapter 11

~ Unexpected ~

JHOANA

"You have everything in there?" I entered Jaja and I's room and sat on the bed. Nakaupo ngayon si Jaja sa sahig at tumango pero hindi parin ako tinitignan. She's done putting her clothes inside and is now just putting her other essentials.

Ngayon na ang alis ni Jaja papuntang Batangas, nag usap na rin kami ng masinsinan. Although she's still a little bit mad at mama and I, the fact that she still listened and followed us, already meant a lot.

"Masyadong mabilis ang mga nangyayari ate, nung isang araw lang ayokong pumunta sa Batangas," Natawa siya at tinignan ang mga gamit niya. "But now, look at me, I'm packing my bags and in a few hours I'll be in with lola na."

"Ganon talaga, Ja. But when all of this is over, I promise everything will go back just the way it was before, maybe even better." I smiled sadly at her.

"Thank you for understanding."

"Wala naman akong choice." Sinasarado na ni Jaja ang maleta niya when I stopped her. She was shocked and curiously looked and observed what I was doing.

"Wait lang, may nakalimutan ka." I turned around and reached out for the cabinet. I held the small Winnie the Pooh stuffed toy in my arms and slowly walked towards Ja. This stuffed toy has been with us for years, this was one of the things that reminded us of how our life was before. Binili namin 'to ni Jaja sa Japan noong bata pa kami, ever since that day hindi ko pinapahawak si Pooh sakanya dahil ayokong may makasira.

This Winnie the Pooh is very special to me, that's why I can understand the shock look on her face right now.

"Are you giving him to me?" Masayang sabi ni Jaja. Natawa ako at hinugot pabalik ang stuffed toy. Ang laki na namin pero para parin kaming bata ngayon.

"Of course not." I hugged it but just smiled. "I'm not giving him to you, but I'll let you borrow him."

Inabot ko sakanya at kinuha naman ito ni Jaja ng dahan dahan.

"Alam kong you'll miss me kaya ipapahiram ko muna sayo, para naman may mayakap ka sa gabi. " Mayabang na sabi ko sakanya.

Jaja laughed sarcastically but she suddenly stood up and ran towards me.

"Mamimiss talaga kita, ate."

I took a deep breath as I feel Jaja's shoulder go up and down. She started crying silently as I rub her back slowly. I looked up the ceiling trying to stop my tears as well, ang dami ko ng naiyak this week, wala na bang tigil 'to.

"Shh, tahan na, Batangas is like 3-5 hours away from here lang kayang kaya ka namin dalawin ni mama. Saka ayaw mo ba nun? Aalagaan ka ni lola!" I pulled away and shook her shoulders to try and lighten up her mood. Halatang napaisip din si Jaja dahil alam niyang mas malaki ang bahay ni Lola kaysa sa maliit na apartment namin ngayon.

"You'll have your own room again and wala ka ng kaagaw sa CR whenever you need to get ready for school." Natawa naman siya at tumango nalang. "Lola will give you an allowance as high as our allawances before!" I added just to cheer her up again.

I looked at her seriously and smiled.

"Promise, I'll get sidelines and maybe even a job so that if ever man na may long week end, may pamasahe ako para bisitahin kita. Will that make you feel better?" I asked and smiled at her.

"Yes." Matipid niyang sabi.

The door suddenly opened and revealed mama carrying her own duffel bag too since she'll stay with Jaja in Batangas for a week to help her adjust.