SINCE NINE Book 2: Reunited

Back Home

CHAPTER 14

"Vi!" Narinig nya ang tinig ng isang babae. Hinanap ng mga mata nya ang tumawag sa kanya habang naglalakad at hila-hila ang kanyang dalawang luggage kasabay ng mga passengers na katulad nyang kababalik lang sa Pilipinas. "Vi! Over here!" She saw a very pretty woman enthusiastically waving her two arms to catch her attention.

"Is that Jenny?" Victoria thought. Hindi sya makapaniwalang pinagmasdan ang kaibigang papalapit sa kanya. Kelan ba nya ito huling nakita? Was it eight years ago? When she said goodbye to her on the same airport before migrating to the U.S and promised to stay in touch? "Hi!" She was teary eyed when Jenny stopped infront of her.

"Hi!" Jenny's tears were already rolling down her oval shaped face. They were both speechless and just stood there looking at each other. Jenny was only an inch shorter than her. Victoria remembered how small her childhood friend was before. Jenny's gotten taller. She also looked pretty on her black body hugging dress, shoulder length hair and high heels. "What are we waiting for?"

They hugged each other tightly. Victoria smelled Jenny's citrusy perfume. She couldn't believed she was finally be able to hold her friend after so many years. She longed for this moment for a very long time. Pictures, Emails, phone calls and video calls weren't enough. Nothing compared to seeing your love ones in the flesh.

"Oh my god, Jen! It's so nice to finally see you," sabi ni Victoria nang binitawan nila ang isa't-isa. Jenny dabbed her almond shaped eyes with her handkerchief and smiled.

"I'm so happy to see you, Vi!"

Nagyakap sila ulit nang mahigpit bago tuluyang lumabas ng airport. The sky was gloomy and it started drizzling as soon as they entered Jenny's car and drove away. It's summer already in the U.S while it's rainy season in the Philippines. Hinatid sila ng driver sa bahay nina Jenny sa Mandaluyong, kung saan ang mga ito tumira mula nang lumipat galing probinsya.

Malaki ang two- storey house. May malawak na landscaped garden sa harap, fountain at may dalawang white columns ang entrance nito. Sinalubong sila ni Tita Angie, ang nanay ni Jenny. Magiliw sya nitong niyakap at agad na pinapasok.

Magara ang mga kasangkapan sa loob. Halatang mamahalin. Makintab ang marmol na sahig which reminded Victoria of her old home in the province. Mataas na ang posisyon ng Tatay ni Jenny sa Pharmaceutical company na pinapasukan nito at ganun din si Tita Angie sa Insurance company kung saan ito nagt-trabaho. Kahit umangat na ang estado sa buhay, nanatili pa ring humble ang mga ito.

Saktong Lunch ang dating nya kaya sa dining room agad ang diretso nila. Naghanda ang mga ito ng maraming pagkain kabilang na ang paborito nyang Seafood Kare-kare. It became her favorite when she tasted Tita Jo's kare-kare when she was a kid. Napangiti sya nang maalalang si Ramcel ang nagdala ng ulam at ripe mangoes noong may sakit sya.

"Si Tita Jo mo ang nagluto nyan. Idinaan nya rito kaninang umaga," sabi ni Tita Angie nang mapansing nakatitig sya sa kare-kare. "Alam nya kasing gustong-gusto mo yan."

"R-Really?" Nag-init ang mga mata nya.

"She'd like to stay and see you. Kaso busy din sya. May kailangang asikasuhing importante sa opisina. Big time na rin kasi yun," natatawang sabi ni Tita Angie.

Kung dati sari-sari store lang ang negosyo ni Tita Jo, ang Mommy ni Ramcel, ngayon may dalawang branch na ito ng supermarket na mina-manage. Ang pinagbentahan ng lupa at bahay ng mga ito sa probinsya ang ginawang puhunan ni Tita Jo para magtayo ng mini grocey sa Manila. Dahil may angking galing ito sa business, napalago nya ito at patuloy pang lumalago.

"Maupo ka, Vi. Tamang-tama ang dating mo. Kumain na tayo." Umupo ito sa pinaka-kabisera habang pumuwesto sila ni Jenny sa magkabilang gilid nito. "Nasa office pa si Tito Romy mo. Mamayang gabi mo pa makikita dahil naglalaro ng golf kasama ng mga kliyente nila. O di ba? Sosyalin?" Tumawa ito. "Sinong mag-aakala na kahit papaano, aasenso rin kami. Kaya lagi naming pangaral yan ni Jo kina Jenny at Ramcel, na magsumikap at huwag tatamad-tamad para may magandang kinabukasan."