Endless Blues

CHAPTER 1

(EBLUES) Chapter 1

"Oh my god. I missed you so much." I hugged Hennie and we jumped excitedly like we havent seen each other for years.

"Kamusta naman ang US?" She asked me. I stayed at US since nandun yung other relatives namin. I stayed for every summer.

"Mas masaya kung nandun ka." I grinned at her and tickled her neck.

"Napaka cheesy mo. Iw ka. Lumayo ka sakin." Tinaboy taboy niya ako na parang pusa. Tong bestfriend kong to, napakaarte. Kala mo naman ang ganda niya. But true, she's pretty kung matuto lang tong magayos.

Pumunta na kami sa assigned classroom namin, then nakipagkwentuhan sa ibang mga classmates namin. Girls will always be girls. We'll greet each other like we havent met for i dont know years.

Umupo kami sa pinaka-likod na parte ng mga upuan. I usually seat at the corner of the room since katabi nito yung bintana because I liked it when the wind brushed of the dried leaves from the acacia tree. Ang relaxing lang sa feeling.

"Good Morning, Jen." Earl greeted me na kinagulat ko kaai bigla siyang lumitaw sa labas ng bintana.

"Nakakagulat ka naman. Kanina ka pa ba dyan?" Matagal na kaming friends, since grade school pa.

Tumango siya. "Di ka man lang napakita sakin pagkarating mo galing US." He pouted and tried to be cute around me. God, He's so annoying.

"Kakarating ko lang kahapon. Si Hennie nga di ko kinita, ikaw pa kaya?" I rolled my eyes at him. He's too clingy kahit kailan.

"Napakasungit talaga." I just made face at him then the school bell rung which made him run sa classroom niya. Buti nalang di kami classmates. Our adviser went inside our classroom and discussed our schedule.

"Alam mo di ko talaga bet yang si Earl. Mamatay ka na, wag mo lang jojowain yan." Biglang sumulpot naman si Hennie sa tabi ko. Nakakagulat naman to.

"Parang baliktad. Bakit ako mamatay?" I pouted.

"Kasi sabi ko." She took her pen and paper to write what ever notes the teacher announced. Ever since, napaka-sipag talaga nito. Annoucment nalang, isususlat pa.

"But Earl's fine. Pero wala akong balak jowain yun. Kilabutan ka nga." Sabi ko sakanya habang nagsesenti sa bintana.

The class has ended and since the next teacher is absent, nagdecided kaming bumili ng snacks at the canteen. Apparantely, there's a canteen near our classroom but mas gusto namin dun sa isang canteen. Masarap kasi mga pagkain dun.

"Who's up for baby hunting sa lower years?" Christine said and made Ella and Hennie shrieked for Pete's sake. Di ako informed na mahilig to sa mga bata. Nako, di ko man lang makita ang sarili kong magkaroon ng mas batang boyfriend. I feel like I'll be the matured one between us and will do all the moves. I wanted to be spoiled, all girls do.

"I heard there's a new student from tenth grade. Okay na siguro ang 2 years age gap, no?" Hennie ask me. I just smacked her head playfully as an answer. This school is too small that's why all students know each other.

"Yup. I saw him at the flag ceremony earlier. Yan kase, lagi kayong late ni Jen." Ella is giving scolding early in the morning. God, she's fitted to become my Mama.

Since, class hours pa, walang masyadong studyanteng bumili dito. Swear to God, parang tren sa LRT dito kapag recess. I decided to buy a tuna sandwich and a can of coke.

Umupo kami sa isa sa mga benches na malapit sa canteen. We just talked about how our summer went. Hennie stayed at her Grandmother's home in Batangas, Christine at Nueva Ejica and Ella stayed here.

We were in the middle of chatting and Ella pinched my wrist. Just girl's signal for a cute guy alert. Tumingin ako sa gawi niya at nakaturo ang kanyang labi sa likuran ko.

"He's the guy I saw at the Flag ceremony." Ella whispered.

"Act natural, girls." Christine froze and continued to share stories about her summer.

I wasn't really pay attention to them at nakatitig lang sa gawi ning tinurukoy ni Ella. Im so mesmerised. Parang nagso-slowmo siya. He's talking with his fellow classmates. I swear to God, his smile is the major catch. They were walking to the hallway. Grabe Lord, ganyan ka pala sa iba.

"Diba Jen?" I finally snapped out and got back to reality. They caught me drooling over this guy. Im still a teen, duh.

"Ahhh oo, grabe." I just agreed to them and tried to focus my eyes to my friends. But still my peripheral view is too good and finally he's gone. I admit i was too mesmerized by him.

"i think Jen can now finally move on with Jace." Hennie told them.

"i already move on from that long time crush. Im done with guys."

"Dont kid around. Ilang beses mo na yang sinabi samin." they laughed it off. When ever i get so caught off guard like this, this tingling feelings will get too long. I realized that after Jace, i didn't felt this feeling before. But i can just get rid this off my mind.

"what about earl?" Christine asked.

"hell no." i disagreed with that idea. He's only a friend of mine. I cant date that guy because i know him too well.

"Eat those words and I'll wait to say I told you so." Ella began to scold me again. "But its fine for me if you want him, but I just think he's not the best for you." She added.

"God. Bakit ba natin siya pinaguusapan?" My face reflected disgust.

"He doesnt deserve Jen. She's too good for him. Also, he had lots of ex girlfriends already. I dont want Jen to be one of them." Hennie totally disagreed the idea. Agree ako lay Hennie.

Bumalik na kami respective classes namin. Wala namang masyadong bago, nagelect lang ng officers at Treasurer na naman ako. Kung pwede lang maging corrupt.

Finally the day is over and we're about to go home.

"Are you going home? Sabay na tayo!" Earl run towards my direction. He grabbed my tote bag which contains my lunch box. He's always like this, siguro nasanay nalang ako. May pagkagentleman din naman siya kahit tarantado siya. i just nodded and went our way to the gates.

"Bagong lifestyle ba to? Maglalakad ka na pauwi? tama yan since tumaba ka." He laughed as he teased me again. Diba, kung jowa ko to, break na kami agad.

I decided to walk now since my house is just a two blocks away from the school, and his is four blocks away.

"Kala mo naman ang healthy mo. Kahit na ganyan kababy face yang mukha mo, sunog naman baga mo kakayosi." I rolled my eyes to get back at him.

"All guys do this phase and even girls" He tried to defend himself.

"Not girls like me." Nag cross pa ako ng arms.

"You don't hold the future, Jen. But I tell you, walang easy life lang. You wouldn't expect things that's coming your way." I just shrugged but he had a point. Minsan di alam, kung wise ba talaga to or may pagkatarantado lang talaga, I guess bipolar lang to.

We stopped in front of my house and we bid our goodbyes. I was about to turn to face the gate, nakita ko yung lalaking nakuha yung mga tingin ko kanina. Why is he here?

He walked like a model while holding his bag on his right arm and listening to whatever his earphones plays.

I panicked and entered our gate and hid right behind it. I had to dock since our gate only 4 feet tall. Bakit nga pala ako nagtatago? Para akong tanga dito. Sumilip ako sa gate namin para makitang malapit na siya sa gate namin, baka dito din way niya pauwi.

"Jenny, anong ginagawa mo dyan?" I immidetly looked at to where the voice came from. It was my Mom, clearly confused and caught me redhanded.

"Shhh. Ma! Wag ka maingay." I placed my index finger near my mouth.

"Umalis ka nga dyan. Mukha kang tanga. Bakit ka ba nagtatago dyan?" Naglakad siya palapit sakin habang bitbit niya yung walis tingting.

"Ma, ano ba? Wait lang." Pagpumilit kong pigilan siya kasi baka marinig kami. I peeped on the small hole on our gate.

My mom joined me since she's curious. Pasilip silip parin ako. Medyo malapit na siya ngayon. Di ko alam bakit ang bagal niyang maglakad at parang nasa runway. Model ba to? Kasi kung oo, bagay na bagay sa kanya.

"Ano ba kasing tinitignan mo dito anak?" Bulong ni mama sa tenga ko. At pasilip silip din siya.

"Do you see that guy over there, Ma?" I pointed at the guy.

"Oh. Sino yan?" Curious na tanong ni mama sakin.

Lumunok muna ako ng laway at siniguradong mahina ang boses ko. "Crush ko yan ma."

Napatayo yung nanay ko at pinagpapalo ako. "Ayan ka na naman, tapos iiyak iyak ka na naman. Tigilin mo yan Jennifer ha!"

"Ma naman, at least hindi boyfriend. Pero soon!" I ran away from Mama kasi alam kong papaluin niya na naman ako.

"Ikaw bata ka, tara dito."

Naghabulan na kami ni Mama but then I noticed that he's standing near the gate. I was shocked because he is looking at our direction. Tapos bigla niya akong inismiran at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

Saktong-sakto naabutan ako ni Mama at pinagpalopalo na naman.

What's his problem? Wala naman akong ginawa sa kanya. Or did he hear my conversation with my Mama? Oh no! Nakakahiya.

I went inside the house and headed straight to my bedroom. Hindi naman ganun kalaki ang bahay namin. Just a perfect size for a family with a number of five members. I just took a quick shower and wore pambahay clothes.

Since its already 6 in the evening, I went towards the kitchen to help my Mama cook dinner. My parents taught us house chores, so we dont need a helper. Besides, my Mama loves to cook food for us. She's just too sweet.

"Ma, let me help you."

"Sige, hugasan mo itong mga gulay at magluto tayo ng kare-kare." I did what my Mama told me baka ma-highblood dahil napakaseñorita ko dito sa bahay.

"Ma. Where's Ate?" Tanong ko kay Mama habang kumakain ng chicharon.

"Kasama yung mga batchmates niyan nung high school. At wag mo nang kainin yan, itatoppings natin yannsa Kare-kare." Sabi niya at inagaw sa akin yung chicharon.

Sinimangutan ko nalang si Mama. Pumunta na ako sa living room para manuod sa tv ng Netflix. Nanuod nalang ako ng isa sa mga paborito kong series na Riverdale.

Gusto ko talagang series na ito. Puno siya ng misteryo at romansa. Tyaka, bata palang si Cole Sprouse sa kanyang dating TV series na Suite Life on Deck, talagang sinubaybayan ko na siya.

Until, Papa arrived upon hearing his car parked. Napaupo ako sa pagkakahiga ko sa sofa. Papa always wanted us prim and proper lalo na't dalawa kaming babaeng magkapatid, plus yung kapatid kong bunsong lalaki.

Nagmano ako kay Papa tyaka siya dumiretso sa study room niya. I really admired my Father lalo na yung pagpurisge niya para sa pamilya namin. My Papa is a heart doctor.

Nagpatuloy ako sa panunuod ng Riverdale nang tumawag na si Mama para kumain. I got up from the couch and walked towards Papa's study room to call him for dinner.

Maingat kong binuksan ang pinto nito. "Pa, let's eat." Tumango lang siya at tumayo sa pagkakaupo.

I oeft the door open at pumunta na sa dining area para kumain. Tumakbo naman si Ate Lei kagagaling lang sa main door.

"Is Papa here?" Tumango nalang ako. Tinapon niya yung bag niya sa couch ng living area at tumabi sa akin. Umupo na rin si Papa at Mama.

Kumuha na kami ng pagkain namin habang si Ate napakadaming kwento kay Mama. She talked about their fun adventure together with her batchmates. She just got back from their overnight camping sa beach. No wonder nung nasa Maynila siya, laging trabaho lang iniisip niya. Buti naman ngayon, di na siya stress sa trabaho.

"Jennifer." Tawag sakin ni Papa. Ate Lei stopped talking and continued eating silently.

"Yes po?" Pilit kong kinakalma ang aking sarili. Nakakatakot si Papa, mahirap na baka pagalitan na naman ako.

"Have you thought about what you'll get on college?" Sabi ni Papa habang patuloy na kumakain.

"Hindi ko po alam."

"How about any med courses?" Oh no. Hindi ako makasagot kaya napatingin na sakin si Papa. Nailang akong ngumiti sa kanya kaya tinaasan niya ako ng kilay habang naghihintay ng isasagot ko.

"Hindi ko pa po alam." Yun yung sagot ko sa kanya.

"Jennifer. You'll already graduate this year for god's sake. Get your life together!" Medyo napalakas ang boses ni Papa sa akin.

Hinaplos naman ni Mama ang kamay ni Papa para huminahon ito. Bahagyang tumulo na ang akin luha dahil sa takot. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganto na si Papa, dati naman sobrang close kami pero dahil sa trabaho niya nawawalan na siyang oras para samin.

"Pabayaan mo na si Jen. Bata pa yan. Baka hinahanap niya pa kung ano talaga ang gusto niya marating." Sabi ni Mama kay Papa.

"After she graduates, ano tatambay lang ba to gaya ni Liandra?" Sabi ni Papa matapos tingnan si Ate Lei na nakayuko na rin.

"Pa, alam mo naman kung anong nangyari sa una kong trabaho diba? Or baka wala ka talagang pakealam dahil puro ka trabaho." Sabi ni Ate Lei at nagwalk-out.

"Liandra!" Sigaw ni Papa tapos tumingin si Papa sa mata ko. "Ikaw, Jennifer. Tatambay ka lang ba gaya ng Ate mo?"

"Hindi naman sa ganun Pa. Pagiisipan ko pa po." Sagot ko kay Papa.

"Then think faster, Jennifer. Time is running." Sabi niya at pumunta sa silid niya.

Di nalang ako umimik sa hanggang sa ubusin ko yung pagkain ko. Tinulungan ko na din si Mama na magligpit ng pinagkainan.

Umakyat na ako sa kwarto ko para magayos at matulog na rin. Iniisip ko tuloy kung ano ba talagang kurso ang gusto ko. Parang nakalaan na talaga for me ang medicine. But what pre med course?

I began searching on internet kung anong pre med ang maganda.

Nursing? Sobrang hirap daw neto e. Anyways lahat naman mahirap ang courses.

Medtech? Mama doesn't like needles. Pero sabi eto daw pinakamalapit na course for Medicine.

Optha? Dentistry? Doctor na to but my dad wants me to pursue Medicine.

Pharmacy? Gamot? This is nice. But i still don't know. Ayoko na magisip. Next time na ako magisip niyan. At nakatulog na rin sa sobrang pagiisip.

--

"JENNIFER! GUMISING KA NA!" Nagising ako nang binato ako ni Ate Lia ng unan habang nagtotoothbrush siya.

Bumangon na ako at dumiretso sa CR para maligo. Nagsuot na ako ng uniform at nagayos para mukhang presentable. As usual, late nanaman ako.

Pagbaba ko ng kwarto, sinalubong ako ng bunganga ni Mama.

"Jusko late ka na. Ayan pagkain mo, lumabas ka na! Lintek kang bata ka" Lumapit si mama para isubo sakin yung wheat bread at inabutan na rin ng saging. Inabot niya na rin yun isang bag na baon ko for lunch. Tinulak niya na ako palabas ng bahay.

"Si Mama naman. Eto na aalis na." Sinuot ko na yunf black shoes ko habang nginunguya yung tinapay.

Nagsimula na akong maglakad papuntang school. Di na ako fresh, pawis na kakamadali---

The next thing I knew, nakahiga na ako sa kalsada. Buti i saved my banana. Nasagi ba naman ako ng bike.

"Hoy! ***** ka. Bumalik ka dito. Argh!" Ungol ko habang tinatry tumayo. Ang sakit ng tuhod ko. Bumalik naman yung nakabangga sakin, pero busy ako sa pagayos ng sarili ko. Buti nalang di ko masyadong nadumihan.

"I'm sorry. I didn't saw you."

"Bulag ka ba? Edi sana di ka nagbabike kung bulag ka." Sabi ko sa kanya habang pinapagpag yung palda ko. May onti nga lang galos sa tuhod.

"I'm really sorry. Should I take you to the hospital?"

"Wag na. Hospital agad--" This time, napatigil ako nang magtagpo ang mga mata namin.