A Teacher's Diary

God Sent Angels

November 26, 2014

Wednesday

I woke up at 5 AM. Unfortunately, I left home 5:45. I was stucked in traffic almost near Signal. Meralco vans were parked in the other side of the street, making the flow of vehicles one-way. Double the unfortunate event, there were no available tricycle going to C5. And there were other people waiting.

T. Riza texted me, "Good morning cher.asan kna?" I replied I was on my way but I didn't get any reply from her. I was trying to call her but she's not answering. I was debating to myself whether I'll still go to school or just go straight to Triumph where T. Riza instructed me to go before as our first plan was to meet there.

I really have no idea how to get there but I was sure I'll be late. I was already in AFPOVAI when I received her reply, "Nkaalis n po kmi." Ugh. Very bad! -_- I was irritated. But I can't blame T. Riza. I was late because I stopped halfway debating to myself while waiting for her reply. I guess, the messages were delayed.

Yeah. Even in communications, there's TRAFFIC!

I have no idea where the exact place is so I trusted Riza's instructions how to get there.

"Dto kya si t.karen.s triump skay k ng tryc n ppuntang fti den skay k ng jip n ppuntang pasay.sbhin mo villamor."

Before I rode a blue tricycle going to Triumph, I dropped by at Mini Stop in Water Fun C5 to buy some snacks and water. I needed my php100 bill broke down into coins.

EJ called thru phone as soon as he received my message about the hassle I was going through. It's just a good thing I was happy last night and I was not really over it. I am very grateful that we're okay now.

Through asking directions to people and constantly calling Riza, (She told me to look for these landmarks: Mini Stop, Blue Gate, Museum, General Hospital, Petron - she even mentioned about the driver giving back money or sort of a change). I was able to reach until Villamor Airbase Golf Course, where I mistakenly went down the road looking for jeepney bound to Nichols. I asked the barker and he simply said, "Sa taas yun." I went back and observed my surroundings. I saw a line of people waiting for their turn to get in a jeepney which I have no idea where will be headed to. I asked a woman at the end of the line,

Ako: "Eto po ba yung sakayan pa-Nichols?"

Woman: "Ah.. Oo. Dadaanan naman yun. Bakit? Saan ba ang punta mo?"

Ako: "Our lady of loretto chapel po."

Woman: "Ay. Sumabay ka na sakin. Halika. Dun din naman ako papunta."

Ako: "Ay talaga po? First time ko po kasing pumunta doon eh. Hindi ko po alam yung lugar."

Woman: "Saan ka ba nanggaling?"

Ako: "Sa Makati po."

Woman: "O malapit lang naman yun.

Then she explains other routes I should have gone into. I answered Makati because I was thinking that's where I'm teaching. She's also explaining the gates we could enter, how far we should walk if we choose the other gates. But settled into the gate near the General Hospital which Riza mentioned. We crossed the street and entered the gate. While we were in the jeepney, I mentioned to her that I was about to attend the rehearsal of our Grade 3 pupils' Holy Communion in the said church. She asked what time and I was very embarrassed to tell her I'm already late. I told her there are teachers assisting and I was just ordered to follow.

We had a conversation like we had known each other before. She allowed me to have a short glimpse of her life and encourage me to do better with mine.