Baka Pwede Pa

Chapter 24

"I forgot to ask," tumingin ako kay Ellouise habang nagmamaneho siya. Agad naman tumaas ang kaniyang kilay.

"What is it?" She asked and smiled. She often smiles now, huh?

"What is Errol's work?" I asked. I pressed my lips. "Did he still pursue's engineer?" I added.

Ang alam ko kasi ay 'yon ang pangarap na tutuparin ni Errol. Since, pareho kaming may problema noon bago kami nag hiwalay. I know he's still studying in the same school but hindi ko alam kung sa sumunod na taon ay natupad niya pa rin 'yon dahil lumipat siya.

"Yes, he did. He's an engineer now. And I am proud of him. I hope I can achieve mine." Sinabayan pa niya 'yon ng tawa.

Napayuko ako at napatango. Like I am not proud of him am I? Of course I am proud of him as a friend. I don't care about the past.

"You will. You sure will." I said and smiled without looking at her.

Until we arrived. She even insisted on treating me again. Buti na lang na pilit ko na ako naman this time. She always treat me. I mean it's good but it's not good if she always does and I do not do the same.

We talked and laughed. We enjoyed it. Hanggang sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon ay nakita kong pumasok sa loob si Jillian.

I was speechless. My heart is beating faster. I wanted to hug her but it didn't feel same as before. Is she back for real? Oh, how much I've missed her!

"Jillian. . ." I uttered. Napalunok ako at muling umupo sa aking upuan.

"Jillian? Who's Jillian?" Narinig ko naman tanong ni Ellouise kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya. Sobrang nagtataka ito at tumingin pa sa paligid kung sino ang ibig kong sabihin.

"I am Jillian." Nanlaki ang aking dalawang mata at napatingin sa aking gilid. It's Jillian! Hindi naman ako nanaginip 'di ba? I pinched myself in the cheek.

Tumawa si Jillian. "Tinanong ko kung sa'n ka pumunta no'ng nakabalik ako dito. Sabi ni Tita Elysa, nandito ka, kaya naman. . ." Tumayo na ako at niyakap siya ng mahigpit.

Narinig kong muli ang kaniyang tawa. "I missed you, Dinah. And I'm sorry if I left without saying goodbye." Kinalas ko ang yakap namin at hinawakan ang magkabilang pisngi niya. Natawa ito. "I am real!" She exclaimed.

"I am sorry too, Jillian. I will never ever offending you again!" Pangako ko sa kaniya at muli siyang niyakap. Niyakap niya rin ako pabalik.

"Pakilala mo naman ako sa bago mong kaibigan." She whispered. Nabigla naman ako at kinalas ang yakap.

Tumingin ako kay Ellouise. She's just smiling while looking at us. Napalunok ako bago ngumiti.

"Ellouise, this is Jillian, my childhood friend!" Excited na pakilala ko kay Jillian. "Jillian," tumingin naman ako sa kaniya. "This is Ellouise, my new friend. Jowa ni Errol." Nanlaki ang dalawa niyang mata.

"What did I missed!?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya. Nag hanap siya ng upuan since pang dalawa lang ang inupuan namin.

In the end, lumipat kami para sa pang apat kahit na tatlo lang kami. She ordered her own drink before sitting and asking me and Ellouise.

"So? Mag kaibigan kayo nitong syota ni Errol? Wow." She amazingly said and laughed before sipping into her drink.

"It's a long story Jillian. When Errol and I saw each other again. As I said to you back then, sana natatandaan mo pa-"

"Na liligawan ka niya. Yeah, I remembered that." Seryosong sabi ni Jillian at hinintay ang susunod na sasabihin ko.

"Kasama niya si Ellouise. Nagtaka ako pero akala ko rin liligawan niya ako pero hindi. He explained to me and I didn't accepted it at first. Wala naman akong magawa kaya malungkot ako pag uwi ko."