Leaving is Living (Reality Series #1)

Chapter 2- Blessed

Blessed

"Ang sarap po talaga nitong kwek-kwek niyo! The best!" I said while munching the food in my mouth.

Nakaupo ako ngayon sa harap ng foodcart ni Mang Odi. Siya ang palagi kong binibilhan ng mga street foods dito sa tapat ng UP. Mabuti na lang at lagi siyang may dalang monobloc chair kaya nakakatambay ako. Masaya din siyang kakuwentuhan dahil marami siyang alam na kwentong barbero.

"Naku, hija. Ilang beses mo nang sinabi 'yan ah. Wala bang bago?" Tanong ni Mang Odi habang abala sa pagpiprito ng mga paninda niya.

Natawa lang ako at nilantakan ang pagkaing hawak ko.

"Eh masarap naman po talaga pati fishball niyo. Kahit isawsaw pa sa babaran ng sandok!" Saad ko na tinawanan niya lang.

"Ikaw talagang bata ka." Aniya at umiiling pa.

I smiled widely. I finished my food but grabbed another stick to get some kwek-kwek.

"Mang Ods, baka naman." sabi ko habang kumikindat.

Inginuso ko ang kwek-kwek na kanina pa niya tapos lutuin. Napakamot na lang siya sa ulo pero patuloy pa rin naman sa pagluluto.

"Hay naku! Malulugi ako sayong bata ka!" aniya habang natatawa.

Nang makita niyang natigilan ako ay sinenyasan niyang kumuha ako sa mga naluto na niya. Mukhang naawa sa itsura kong gutom pa.

"Hay, o siya! Kumuha kana, hija. Ano ba 'yan. Parang hindi ka pinapakain sa inyo ah" aniya at sumulyap pa sa akin.

Natawa ako. Maraming pagkain sa bahay pero hindi ko dama ang ganang kumain doon. Mas okay pa nga na dito sa kalye kumain eh, at least may kausap ako! Nakalibre pa ako ng extra kwek-kwek.

"Naku, Mang Ods. Doon kana lang sa bahay. Baka gusto mo!" ganti kong sabi habang nagbibiro.

He seemed like he understood my statement. I knew that he was observing me from the previous encounters I had with him. He's getting older now and yet he's still working hard to survive. Ang mga puting buhok at kulubot na balat niya ay simbolo ng tagal niya sa ganitong trabaho. That's why I salute this kind of man. He still managed to smile and face a new with positivity despite life struggles.

"May permit na ho ba kayo?" Tanong ko pagkaraan ng ilang sandali.

Natigilan siya bago tumango. Bakas ang saya sa kanyang mga mata nang balingan ako.

"Oo anak. Mabuti na lang at tinulungan mo ako. Hindi ko na alam gagawin ko kapag nahuhuli kami dito eh. Hindi ko na kayang itakbo itong mga paninda ko." Sagot niya at ngumiti ng tipid.

I nodded. Mabuti naman at may permit na siya para magtinda dito. Hindi ko kasi kayang makitang naghihirap siya sa pagtakbo mula sa mga pulis. Kaya, I've talked to my friend. He's a lawyer and he helped Mang Ods to get his permit. Kaya ito, kampante na siyang magtinda dito sa isang tabi. Masaya akong natulungan ko siya kahit papaano.

"Good to hear that, Mang Ods." I said, with a genuine smile on my lips.

"Salamat sa'yo, hija. Malaking tulong 'yung ginawa mo."  sambit niya.

And I know from that, my heart melted. Ang sarap kasing marinig sa mga taong natulungan ko yung mga salitang "thank you". It feels like all the things I did were all great! It motivates me to continue what I've started. As much as possible, I really wanted to help. Kaya kahit sa maliit na bagay, masaya ako na may nagawa ako.

"Wala 'yon, Mang Ods. Liit na bagay eh. Basta, pa-fishball and kwek-kwek lagi ah?" I asked with my usual grin.

He chuckled. Mas lalo tuloy naging malinaw sa paningin ang mga linya sa kanyang mukha. Naku! Tumatanda na siya. Dapat magretire na siya sa work.

"Oo naman hija!" Aniya at inabutan pa ako ng panibagong stick ng toge.

Mabilis ko namang tinanggap 'yon at nilantakan. Ilang sandali pa ay nagpaalam na rin ako sa kanya dahil may next class pa ako. Kumaway siya sa akin habang pasimple kong nilalagay ang 500 pesos sa may lalagyanan niya ng benta. Alam ko kasing hindi niya tatanggapin kapat inabot ko mismo.

"Sige, Mang Ods. See you around!" I waved my hand as I walked away from his cart.

Kumaway siya pabalik hanggang sa mapansin niya ang perang iniwan ko sa lalagyan nya. Nanglaki ang mata niya at hinabol ako ng tingin. Mukhang aalis pa siya sa puwesto niya pero umiling ako kaagad.

"Goods yan, Tay!" I gave him a thumbs up and then ran away.

For sure, ibabalik na naman niya sa akin gaya last time. Paano kasi, hinulugan ko dati ng 1k yung lalagyanan niya. Pero binalik niya sa akin. Ewan ko ba. I feel like he's a father and friend to me. Marami siyang kwento sa buhay. Nakaka-inspire lang na ganoon niya tingnan ang buhay kahit kumplikado.

Ayon pa nga sa kwento niya eh may dalawa siyang anak na pinapaaral. Yung panganay, one year na lang graduate na. Kaya, nagsisikap talaga siya. Yung bunso naman daw ay nasa high school pa. Kaya hanga talaga ako sa pagsisikap ni Mang Ods. I wish I have a kind of father like him. Well, my parents are good naman. Its just that they love to make money and stuffs about being wealthy.

"Naku! Miss Vera, nandito na po pala kayo!" masaya akong sinalubong ni Sister Eva sa orphanage na tinutulungan ko.

I greeted her with my wide smile. Dumating din ang ilang kasamahan nila at tinulungan nila akong ibaba ang mga boxes sa compartment ng Everest na dala ko ngayon.

"Kumusta, Miss Vera?" Sister Eva asked while we're walking towards her office.

I nodded as a response.

"I'm fine! Eh ang mga bata po?" Tanong ko pabalik.

"Okay naman sila. Nasa prayer room pa lang ngayon. Oras ng pagdarasal eh." Sagot niya at sinenyasan akong maupo.

I seated on a small couch. She offered me a coffee which I gladly accepted because I'm a bit sleepy. Medyo puyat ako kagabi dahil sa night out with my friends.

"Maraming salamat po sa donations niyo. Palagi po kayong tinatanong ng mga bata." Aniya habang nakaupo sa kanyang swivel chair.

I smiled. Nakakatouch naman na naaalala ako ng mga kids na tinutulungan ko.

"Really, sister?"she nodded with my question.

"Naku! Mukhang mapapadalas ako dito ah." I said and she chuckled.

"I actually brought extra new clothes aside from the grocery items for the kids po, sister. I hope they'll like those." I said and gestured the huge boxes.

I saw how happy they are with my simple presents. But my heart was so much filled with joy too! I even sold my brand new Mustang so that I can donate with other organizations. Kasi, bakit ko pa ipapaayos 'yon pwede ko namang ibenta. Saka, isang beses ko lang nagamit tapos nabangga pa. Kaya, ibinenta na lang! Ang dami pang mapapakain 'nung pera mula sa kotseng 'yon. Maghahanda na lang ako ng alibi sa parents ko once they've found out na nag benta na naman ako ng kotse.

After an hour, nagpaalam na ako sa mga bata dahil may mga kailangan pa akong tapusin. Makakalimutan ko ba naman ang pinaka favorite kong gawin during weekend? Of course not!

"You're late, Miss Vera." My trainer welcomed me with his creased forehead.

I just laughed and went to my closet. Nandito kami ngayon sa isang Racing club na kinabibilangan ko. Halos ang mga members dito ay mga anak-mayaman na walang magawa sa buhay o sadyang hilig lang nila ang buwis-buhay na outdoor activity.

"You ready?" Neston asked, my professional trainer for almost a year.

Actually, I am new at this stuff since I turned eighteen last year. Hindi kasi pupwede ang minor at kailangan pang mag-undergo ng proper trainings. Hindi naman kasi pwedeng barumbado ka lang mag-drive. Kailangan mo talaga ng disiplina at pasensiya.

"Okay, buckle your seat belts. We're going to fly!" I yelled when I approached some of my racer friends.

They are in their safety gears and beside their racing cars. I smirked when I saw Ziara, one of my close friends. She's wearing a racing outfit while playing her helmet using her right hand.

"Hey!" I said and grabbed her arm.

She was surprised when she saw me.

"Oh my gosh! Vera? I thought you're not here." She said and chuckled elegantly.

Maganda talaga siya kahit ano pang isuot sa kanya. Kahit nga walang make up eh maganda pa rin. Hustisya naman sa akin na kailangan pa ng transformation.

"Well, ngayon lang ako nakahanap ng time. You know, school thingy." I shrugged my shoulders.

She nodded. Mukhang may sasabihin pa siya kaya lang tinawag na kami ng aming mga trainers. The race is about to start. So I looked at Ziara and gave her a fist bump.

"Good luck, then. My bet is kinda high today." She said and gave me threatening look.

I laughed and shook my head.

"Okay. Let's see who'll win." I winked and walked towards my car.

I immediately buckled my seat belt. I placed the helmet on my head. Then I held tightly on the steering wheel.

"Good luck!" My trainer tapped my shoulder so I shrugged.

I smirked when the race began. In a sudden snap, my sports car was speeding its way to the finish line. I was driving under 95 kph and some of my co-racers were trying to catch up with me.

But, I won't let that to happen.

Veraña Delgado never wants to lose...especially in car racing.

"Vera! What took you so long? We've been waiting for you." My mom said when I entered the dining area.

Nagulat pa ako dahil nandito sila ngayon samantalang isang linggo silang hindi umuwi. I took a deep breath before giving her a fake smile.

"Wow! I don't have any idea that you're coming home this early, mom, dad." I looked at them with my surprised expression.

My dad seems serious with a cup of coffee on his hand. While my mom stared at my whole body. Nakakunot pa ang noo niya habang sinusuri ako ng tingin.

"Vera! What happened with your skin? My God! You have many bruises!" My mom exaggerrated.

I just chuckled. Asus! Pasa lang 'yan. Sanay na sanay na ako diyan. Paano kasi nagkaroon ng rambulan kanina after ng race. Yung third placer napikon sa akin kaya sinapak ako. Buti tumulong si Ziara na kahit second, hindi naman nabadtrip sa pagkapanalo ko. Eh yung babaeng anak ata ng mayor sa kabilang lungsod, sobrang eager manalo. Kaya  lang naungusan ko siya eh. That's why she was fuming mad at me because she put higher bet on the race. So, I have no choice but to punch her face too. Bakit kasi pupusta ng malaki, olats naman!

"Let's eat. We don't have time to argue about nonsense things." My dad intervened when my mom was trying to ask me the whole story.

Nagkibit balikat na lang ako at ibinaba ang aking gamit sa bakanteng upuan. I seated on a chair in front of my mom, who's sitting on the right part while dad is at the center chair of the dining table.

"How was your school?" Dad asked in his serious tone.

Para bang empleyado lang ang kausap niya at hindi anak.

"It's fine, dad. The first sem was kinda easy." I answered nonchalantly.

I heard my mom's sigh of relief. On the other hand, I finished my food. I don't want to pretend that I'm happy with this dinner. Ayaw ko ng magpanggap pa na okay sa harap nila.

"Excuse me. I have things to do." I stood up and they both said nothing.

Doon ko napagtantong may sari-sarili silang kausap sa phone. Probably, business matters. I smiled bitterly and left the dining area. Hindi naman ako umasang pipigilan nila ako. Wala naman silang pakialam.

Kaya't nagbihis ako ng isang black body con dress paired with my silver stilletos. I applied make up on my face and dark shade of lipstick emphasized the curves of my lips.

When I went downstairs, my parents were nowhere to be found. Maybe they're in the library, doing business stuffs. I heaved a deep sigh before going to our garage. I took out my key fob and a red Audi alarmed.

I plastered a smirk on my face when I pulled over in a high-end bar in Q.C. Some of my friends welcomed me with smiles on their faces. They reek of alcohol and cigarettes.

"Hey! Vera, I thought you're not going to show up!" Ziara hugged me when I went on their couch.

I giggled.

"Well, I'm here now." I responded and got a glass of Black Label.

She chuckled and then talked to her date tonight. I shook my head because she have another victim.

"Hi!" Rezzo greeted me and kissed my cheeks.

Well, he's my long time friend. Kaibigan niya rin sila Eyvan, Ziara, Manni, Drave and Trivon. They are my close friends because of our status. Madalas ko silang nakikita dito sa bar except Manni. She's quite sheltered and anti-social. Pareho sila ni Rem. Pili lang ang mga kaibigan.

"Eyvan's not here?" I asked Rezzo who's sitting beside me.

The party is at peak right now. Some people are getting wild as the party gets at peak.

"Yeah. He went home early. May new housemate eh." He said, chuckling.

My forehead creased because of what he said. I mean, Eyvan Delos Reyes himself won't allow a girl to live with him. Like, is it for real?

"What do you mean!?" I asked with my high tone because the music was loud.

He shook his head.

"Basta, it's his choice. Let him be." He answered, trying to end the conversation.

I have no choice but to nod. Nagpunta na lang ako sa dance floor. Kailangan kong isayaw ang frustrations ko!

"Hey!" A baritone voice whispered on my ear.

I giggled and turn my gaze on him. I plastered my seductive smile the moment he laid his hands on my waist.

"Hi.." I uttered, biting my lower lip.

We're now dancing wildly. I felt how he touched my bare back sensually. But no, I won't let him go that far.

"Your name, beautiful?" He asked.

I rolled my eyes.

"Oops! Not so fast!" I grinned and pushed his chest.

He's a maniac! I walked away from his sensual look. Wala akong pakialam kung matapilok ako sa dami ng mga taong nagsasayawan sa gitna. Kaagad akong nakabalik sa aming pwesto.

"Hey! You looked so pissed!" Ziara said upon seeing my frowning face.

"May gago kasi 'dun!" Paghihimutok ko.

She just laughed and drank her JD bottle. Lakas din niyang uminom eh!

"Well, what do you expect? We're in a bar!" she said.

I brushed my hair using my fingers. I am damn frustrated! Bakit kasi may mga ganoong klase ng lalaki? Ayaw magpakipot!

"Parang nagsasawa kanang manglalaki ah!" Prangkang sabi ni Drave, namumula na ang mukha.

My lips parted. Minsan talaga, hindi na siya dapat magsalita kasi nakakapikon lang! Masyado siyang direct to the point!

"Gosh! You're harsh!" Sita ni Ziara at hinampas sya sa braso.

Napairap na lang ako. Hinayaan ko silang mag away sa harapan ko. Tinungga ko na lang ang natitirang laman ng bote ng JD.

Sometimes, I feel so empty. It was like my heart was looking for something I can't even clarify.