"Manong ano ba 'yan? Hindi niyo chini-check bago gamitin?"
Our car broke down just when we were about to leave the neighbourhood. And it's the first day of school.
"Sorry po ma'am. Pasensya na po talaga."
I was so frustrated that I almost pulled my hair out. But I spent so much time making it, so I stopped myself.
"Manong, I'll commute na lang."
He looked at me concerned.
"Ma'am, nako po bawal po. Baka masisante po ako ng magulang niyo."
He really looked scared while looking at me.
"They won't know, just don't come home early. And if they do happen to know, I'll take care of it. I just can't be late, especially today."
He was having second thoughts. So, I told him na babawiin ko lahat ng ibinigay ko sa daughter niya. Although I didn't plan on doing so.
"Basta ma'am, bente lang po ang bayad sa jeep ha. Huwag po kayong magbayad ng malaking bill at baka lokohin po kayo. Tapos ang babaan po nang school niyo Rellego Street."
He explained while we were waiting for the jeep. Hindi ko alam na kailangan pa pala maghintay for the jeep, I thought they would just be here waiting.
"Will someone tell me if we've arrived at rellego?"
It's my first time commuting, so I'm starting to feel anxious.
"Mayroon pong iba na nagsasabi, pero kapag wala po tandaan niyo na lang po ang landmark. Basta po kapag nakita niyo na 'yung malaking----"
I moved closer to him. A car suddenly drove fast right in front of us right after he was telling me about the landmark.
"Ayan na po ma'am ang jeep. Pasok na po kayo."
Tinulungan niya ako makasakay sa jeep.
"Malaking what manong? The landmark, what was it?"
I tried asking him again, but cars started honking, so he didn't hear me. Tumakbo na siya pabalik sa kotse sa takot na mabukasa ito ng iba.
I looked in front awkwardly. Everyone was looking at me. I just walked and tried to find a vacant seat.
What I didn't know is that drivers start driving even though their passengers aren't seated yet. Hindi nila inisip na delikado 'yun. Nawalan tuloy ako nang balance.
"Aray!"
I looked at the guy na nakaupo sa may gilid ko. My eyes widen after seeing my hand in between his legs.
"Baka gusto mong tanggalin miss, masisira ang future ko."
"Omg, sorry!"
I panicked and removed my hands, causing me to be out of balance again, but this time, he held me and made me sit beside him.
"Dito ka nga, ako na i-stress sa'yo."
He scooted over and left a space for me beside him.
"Sorry ulit."
He just nodded and turned his back on me. Hindi pa puno ang jeep kaya pwede pa maupo nang kumportable.
I started hearing people's whispers and giggles. Probably talking about me, but I didn't care. My mind was full of that stupid landmark. I didn't hear what it was, so how can I find it now?
"Huy! Miss."
I looked at the guy earlier na kanina pa pala kinukuha ang atensyon ko.
"What?"
"Saan ka raw bababa?"
He asked me. I looked at everyone, whose attention was on me again.
"Relleno?"
I answered after trying so hard to think what manong said earlier.
"Gutom ka ba?"
"Ha?"
He shook his head in disappointment.
"Manong dalawang Superior."
He looked at manong driver and handed him his money. Other passengers took it from his hand and sort of made a relay. Now I have an idea how to make bayad.
"Manong bayad po."
I was about to give the other passengers my money but he stopped me.
"Huwag na, bayad ka na."
"Why?"
I asked him, confused. I was the one who did something disrespectful to him tapos ako pa nilibre niya.
"Baka sabihin mo na naman relleno, dalhin ka pa sa palengke niyan."
"Was it not relleno?"
I looked deadly at the passengers as I heard their silent giggles again.
"Rellego kasi 'yon."
"Sorry, I didn't know. I'm new to this stuff!"
"Halata naman."
Naiinis na siya sa'kin, and I can feel that. I just rolled my eyes and didn't say anything anymore. I don't want to ruin my day any further.
"Superior."
The driver said that made the guy beside me stand up and left the jeep in a hurry. Even his walking was hurried. Like I care, I didn't even know him.
I followed him, but I still kept my distance. I still don't know where the school is and that landmark manong was talking about.
"So that's what it was!"
I told myself when I saw a giant eagle just beside the school gate.
"Alin?"
I almost jumped in shock when someone spoke behind me, but then I rolled my eyes when I recognized his voice. I looked at him, and he was looking at the eagle.
"Don't touch me."
I left him there and started walking.
"Lah! Hindi naman kita hinawakan."
He followed behind me. Hindi ko pa rin siya pinapansin at ipinagpatuloy ang paglalakad ko, pero naalala ko na hindi ko pa pala alam kung saan ang assigned room ko.
"You go first,"
I stopped and signalled him to walk ahead of me. I even gave him space.
"Bati na tayo?"
He smiled widely thinking na bati na kami.
"No!"
I answered, still refusing to look at him directly.
"Edi, ma le-late ka."
He refused to walk ahead of me. He knows I hate being late.
"Fine!"
I said, still angry.
"Ay, ayoko niyan. Gusto ko 'yung sweet."
I looked at him mad but softened my eyes because I wanted this to be over.
