Mizpah: Jillian

Chapter 16

I opened the kitchen's cabinet at kinuha ang isang pack ng instant noodles. I frowned. I guess kailangan ko na talagang matutong magluto ng ulam. Not all the time instant noodles lang ang kakainin ko.

But maybe later. Gutom na kasi ako. I'm cooking for brunch right now.

I cooked it and placed it on a bowl after. I started eating but I stopped when I heard my phone ringing.

Unregistered number.

"Hello? Who's this?"

"Gaga, anong who's this? Si Suri 'to!"

My face lightened.

"Suri!" I shouted with excitement. "Aba hindi ko alam na ikaw pala ang tumatawag. Unregistered number kasi."

"Hoy, bakit hindi ka na pumapasok?" she asked. "Palagi akong nagtatanong sa Kuya mo if nasaan ka or anong nangyari sayo pero sini-seen niya lang ang mga messages ko."

"I think magsa-summer nalang ako school," I said.

"Hoy, bakit? Tanga ka ba? Hindi 'yan madali, Jill. Baka uulit ka ng second year ha," she said. "Naku, nakakahiya naman."

Tumahimik lang ako. She's right. Nakakahiya talaga if uulit ako ng second year. Mapapahiya din ang pamilya ko, lalong-lalo na si Cale. He's smart and academic tapos 'yung babaeng kapatid niya umulit ng second year.

"Bakit ka nag-deactivate sa mga social accounts mo? 'Yung mga admirer mo kinukulit ako sinasabing gino-ghost mo daw sila. Ano bang kadramahan mo, Jillian?"

"Bakit sinasabi nilang gino-ghost ko sila? I didn't even reply to their messages at least once." I rolled my eyes

"Please, pansinin mo na sila, Jill. Baka lilipat sila sa akin."

I chuckled. Gaga talaga.

"Nasa bahay ka ba ninyo ngayon?" She asked.

"Lumayas ako. Dad and Brenda..."

Hindi ko na pinagpatuloy ang sinasabi ko. She already knew what's happening. Siya lagi ang sinasabihan ko sa mga problema ko.

She's my friend and classmate. I'm lucky to have her. Hindi siya plastic and that's what I like about her. Not all the time sa akin siya pumapanig. She always puts herself on other's shoes and understands the situation.

If I'm wrong, she corrects me. If I'm right, she supports me.

I heard her sigh.

"Saan naman?"

"San Fernando," I answered.

"Where the heck is that? Maraming San Fernando all over the Philippines. Be specific naman."

"La Uñion."

"Naglayas ka ba or nagbakasyon?"

"Naglayas nga. Dad confiscated my card," I said.

"Hindi mo nga kayang magluto o magsindi ng posporo tapos naisipan mong lumayas. Sana nagsama ka nalang ng maid diyan," she laughed sarcastically. "Oh, anong kinakain mo? Hindi ka kumakain ng lutong karinderya, diba? Huwag mong sabihin de-lata at noodles kinakain mo diyan? Naku, pagna-UTI ka, bahala ka na talaga sa buhay mo. Nursing student ka pa naman. Alagaan mo sarili mo, hoy."

"Don't worry. I'll learn how to cook."

"Jill, hindi mo naman kailangan lumayas pa, eh. Hindi 'yan makakatulong sa problema mo. In fact, dumadagdag ka pa. I'm sure nag-aalala na si Tito sa'yo," she said worriedly.

I smiled bitterly.

"He didn't even text or call me, Sur. I'm sure he's not worried. I know he want me gone."