Carpool

Chapter 13

~ Best Buddies ~

BEATRIZ

I lightly shook Jhoana's shoulders as she stirred awake.

I looked around the area at tahimik naman ito. This is the first time that I'm dropping off Jhoana in her exact address. Buti nalang may waze kaya kahit nakatulog siya, I was still able to locate her house easily.

"We're here, Jhow. Wake up." I softly said then tapped her cheeks. I waited for her to fully adjust to the light coming from the posts.

"Ang bilis naman, siguro over speeding ka 'no?" She mumbled while she fixed herself.

"Hindi naman," I replied and looked at her but she just cocked an eyebrow at me. "Medyo lang."

Umiling nalang si Jhoana at lumabas na ng sasakyan. I followed behind her while she looked for her keys in her bag.

"Hindi ba magagalit mom mo that you're home late?" I casually asked. Napatigil naman sa paghahanap si Jhoana sa bag at biglang tinignan ako.

"Nahh, she's used to it." She softly mumbled while rummaging her bag again.

"How about your sister? Gising pa kaya siya?" I asked again before Jhoana faced me.

"Why? You wanna meet Jaja ba?" Natatawang tanong niya.

"Yeah, why not?" I shrugged.

"Next time nalang." Jhoana gave me a small smile then turned to unlock the gate and open it.

Sinundan ko siya papasok ng gate and discovered that they're living in an apartment. We then skipped two doors before reaching their own unit.

"Do you wanna come in? Gusto mo ng coffee?" Jhoana asked as she unlocked the door of their apartment using the same keys awhile ago.

She then faced me and waited for my reply.

"As much as I want to I can't, bud." I pointed to my watch and she immediately understood why. Baka pagalitan nanaman ako nila mom na mag isa akong nag drive this late.

"Oo nga pala, masyado nang gabi." She softly spoke. Antok na nga siya.

"Yeah." Natatawa kong sabi. "Saka ayoko maka istorbo baka tulog na mom mo."

"Right." She chuckled. "I guess I'll see you on Monday then." Jhoana then flashed me her smile, trying to hide her sleepiness.

"See you, Jhow Jhow." I smiled and was expecting her to just wave at me like what she usually does but she didn't.

She then stepped closer and leaned in to give me a hug.

"Thanks for today, bud."

I rubbed her back with my palms as if indirectly telling her that I'll always be here for her. It's so obvious na hindi siya okay ng ilang araw na but sadly, I can't do anything about it.

Kasi hindi ko pa naman alam what really happened.

I left her apartment that night feeling a little bit sad kasi wrong timing. I wish I could stay longer.

But the fact that she thanked me this way though, says a lot. I don't know what I did for her to give me this tight long hug but I just hope she's doing fine now, somehow.

That night, I wish I stayed with Jhoana instead dahil pagkauwi ko wala naman ang parents ko para pagalitan ako.

Sunday came and I was able to finish my requirements early. I sat on my bed and placed my laptop on my lap. Wala na rin naman ako magawa kaya I decided to stalk Jhoana since I haven't tried scanning her fb account.