CHAPTER 5

My family was very happy with the news and they even showed my Aunt Nelen the passport and my visa. But they were also sad because I am leaving this week now. They started to pack my things already and I am getting sadder and sadder knowing that I’ll be leaving soon.

“Come on! I’m going to treat you. You don’t want that?” I kept on grabbing my friends’ hands but they just won’t stand. They were also sad for me. 

We’re under the big tree, this is where we usually are when we have no classes. This has been our spot for months. We met each other just few months ago when the school started. As you all know, my friends and I are freshmen here. The university we are in right now is the school where everyone in the town wants. 

“Where do you want? Mc Donalds? Jollibee?” I asked them but no use. They still ignored me.

I sighed and sat again with them. “It’s okay. I’m still leaving on Sunday, we can still bond and go anywhere, do anything we want. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine there.” I said trying to lift their mood.

They breathed heavily until Ali spoke, “That’s not what we’re thinking.” She said in low tune while her face is so down.

My lips moved, “Then what?”

They all looked at me with their faces trying to act cute.

“I’m thinking where should we eat and I feel eating Wanton Soup, so let’s go to Chowking.” Vina

Wen groaned, “No! I don’t want to eat there. I think it’ll be better if we’ll be in Mang Inasal.” 

These girls are so unbelievable!

“Absolutely none with your suggestions. Jezcyl’s right, we should go for Jollibee.” Ali

I closed my eyes and calmed myself. I don’t really get what’s on their minds. I stood up and my hands went to the sides of my waist.

“You know what? I’ve changed my mind. I won’t treat you now. Let’s just eat on the cafeteria.” I turned my back from them but they all grabbed me.

“What? How could you take back your words?” Wen cried out

“You, liar.” Vina with her glaring eyes on me

“You’ll leave without giving us good memories? Without treating us to somewhere fancy?” Ali grouched

I really want to badmouth these women. How could they think of eating while I was thinking if they’re sad because I’m leaving? Arghh!

“Shut it. I even thought you’re sad because I’m gonna leave and you’ll not see me for half a year. I thought that was your problem, girls! But all this time you were just thinking where to eat?! Oh god! I hate you.”

They smirked, “I love you.” They said in chorus. I stopped glaring at them.

“We’re happy for you because you finally reached one of your dreams but we’re sad because you’re leaving us. We won’t be together for six months and that’s already long. We can’t bond like we usually do and you’ll find another friends there. You’ll have your own life in Canada for half a year and we would badly miss you.” My expression and my heart softened after Ali let out those words. 

“Aww. Stop saying like I’ll not coming back. I’m just going there for six months and that’s not long, I think?”

They rolled their eyes on me. “Yeah, right. Let’s not talk about this and decide where we would eat. Remember, its Jezcyl’s treat!” Wen excitedly yelped

“I’m so jealous of you! I wish I have relatives abroad.” Ali

“Of course, you’ll be jealous. Jezcyl would definitely get herself a boyfriend in America and you? You’ll be stuck all alone by yourself.” 

Ali glared at Vina. She really likes teasing us for being single.

“And that second year senior, would be probably busted.” Added Wen that immediately changed the topic. 

See how they changed the mood that instant?

“Yeah, right! Please tell us the truth, Jezcyl. That senior of us is courting you, right?” Wen

I rolled my eyes, “How many times do I have to tell you? There’s nothing going on between us. He just… he just helped me. That’s all.”

They still looked at me suspicious, “Then, why did he helped you? There’s a hidden agenda, girl. You have to look for it!” Vina

“She’s right. We have boyfriends so we clearly know when a man is interested in a girl. That’s the way my boyfriend pursued me, he kept helping me even though I ignored him.” Wen added

“I don’t care how your boyfriends pursued you, girls. But I am a hundred percent sure that he’s not interested with me nor I am. We just interact with each other like what you do to our other seniors.” I explained. I hope it’s clear to them now.

“She’s right. Doesn’t mean that a man helped you, he’s interested now. We, people, should really help each other. My cousin is helping me with my assignments, can I tell that he’s interested with me?”

We gave Ali a disgust look and she wrinkled her forehead.

“What?!” she asked like she did not tell something

“Ew. Why do you have to make your cousin as an example? That’s incense!” Wen

“Understand her, she has no boyfriend after all.” Vina said and Ali glared at her.

“Vina!!” Ali shouted and Vina ran off but she was followed by the annoyed Ali. I shook my head with their childishness again.

We started walking too and followed the both of them who’s now gripping each other. Wen clung her arms onto mine and I looked at her, she’s smiling at me.

“There’s only the two of us, you can tell me the truth now.”

I glared at her and she just laughed, “Just kidding, babe.”

I got home from another tiring day but its super fun. I enjoyed a lot with my friends. We had an early dismissal so we decided to hang out for a bit. We went on the sea side, we ate snacks on a park, we walked and took pictures. I had a long day but overall, it’s blissful. 

Tonight, I’m on my bed fixing my luggage. I have to sort out things. I want to be ready when I leave, in that way I’ll be peaceful the whole ride. I am also quite nervous, I’ve never rode an airplane before. I don’t know how it felt like. The door opened and I saw my mother smiling at me.

“Come in.” 

She walked and sat in front of me on the bed.

“Are you ready? Tell me if you need anything, I will get it for you.”

I know Mom is so overwhelmed about this but I am also not ignorant that they’ll be sad. Likewise, this will be the first time that I’ll be away from them. We are not used to being apart from each other.

“It’s fixed, mom. You don’t have to worry anything. I can do this.” I gave her a reassuring smile

“I’m so proud of you. You’ll get into your dream and I hope you remember what we always taught you.” She reminded me

“Of course, mom. I would never forget your counsels. And we should really thank aunt a lot. She helped me with this.”

“Yeah, that’s why I’m making some Filipino delicate. I’m sure she’ll love them. Just say hi for me, alright?”

I smiled and nodded at her. She kept on caressing my hair and I know she has something to tell me but she just can’t let it out. What could be it?

“Mom, tell me. What’s going on your mind?”

She sighed and stopped doing my hair. “I’m worried. Can you last in a new environment? I mean, I don’t doubt you. It’s just that, you’ve never been in that kind of situation before. It will be hard for you.”

I went near to hug her. “Don’t worry about me. I’m sure I can do this. This is my dream, right? And besides, Aron told me that he’s in the same school to where I would go in Canada.” I had a talk with my cousin last day and I told him my school. He was so happy to know that we’re in the same school. I just wish we have the same class so I can have someone to talk with.

My mother sighed again. “Fine, I trust you. How about the boyfriend thingy? Are you sure you won’t have one there—

“Mom, mom.” Me trying to calm her mind. “Stop overthinking. It’s not good for you, okay? I will not have a relationship with anyone there. They are completely strangers for me. I don’t know them that well. Alright?” I have to ensure that my mother is getting my full trust. 

“Okay, I’m counting on you.”

This is it, the day where I have to leave my school, my friends, and my family. I decided to go to the church before leaving. I am with my family and my friends. The mass is just about to start when someone appeared beside me. I turned my gaze and shocked upon seeing person.

“Am I late?” he asked in his low tone. I can’t answer him because I was really stunned with his appearance. How did he knew we’re here?

I looked at my friends at the back and they were also shocked. They’re looking at me with big wide eyes. I refrained myself from talking to them so I just shrugged my shoulders.

“W-why are you here?”

I can’t believe his guts. We’re not even that close yet and here he is? Is he following me? 

He’s wearing maong pants and white polo shirt and the sleeves were folded up to his elbow. His holding his black leather jacket on his left hand. Wow, a leather jacket. He was just looking straight onto the direction in front of us.

“I am with my friends and I happened to see you here. Your back is familiar and I confirmed that it was really you.” 

I looked at him seriously, “Stop lying, we’re inside a church.” I won’t buy it easily. He lied to me once, he’s probably lying to me now.

He chuckled, “You got me.” Then he sighed. I knew it he’s lying again.

“Vina told me that you’re going here before leaving the country. I came because I wanted to see you. I guess you’re surprised because we’re not friends yet.”

Definitely shocked. My heart thumped and when I turned to my friends they all avoided my eyes. They knew I was glaring at them but they bowed their head down. Excellent actresses.

I did not respond to him. I listened to the mass and when it finished, we went out. The car we rented came and I was behind my family together with him then in front were my friends. They looked at us.

“Who is this man beside you, Jezcyl?” my father asked

I knew, they’d ask. “He’s my schoolmate, dad.” 

The man beside me smiled. “Hello, Sir. My name is Jack, nice meeting you.” He greeted. This is really awkward.

“Are you here to see her off?” my mom pertaining to me.

“Yes, ma’am. If you’ll allow me.” He directly answered 

My parents nodded. I can tell that it’s okay for them. The talk did not last for too long, my family and my friends went inside the van while I’m still outside facing him. He’s taller than me.

“You’ll wear that going in Canada?” he asked referring to my cute mini old rose dress. It was sleeveless and it’s showing my skin and it hugged the shape of my body. I love wearing fitted dress on me but sometimes, I go for loose T-Shirts. It depends upon my mood. 

I nodded at him, “I have my scarf on my bag, I’ll wear it when I’m on the plane. And I heard that it’s now summer in Vancouver. I think this will be fine.”

Instead of answering back, he lifted his arm and put the jacket on my back. For the time again, I was stunned. He just have his serious mode on.

“W-why are you doing these?” I confusedly asked him. Men, I don’t understand them.

“Later, I’ll tell you. Get in the car, I will just follow you with my bike.” He said pertaining to his big bike parked not too far from us.

I just nodded at him silently and went inside until I closed the door. He left and I think he’ll be going to his service. We just talked again inside the van and they kept asking me about Jack mainly my friends who won’t stop teasing me.

After a long ride, we reached the airport and we’re in front of the departure area. I saw the Dean and some of our teachers then the other four students that will be going with me. 

They cannot go further than here. My luggage were prepared and I was the only one to wait for.

As expected, my family cried hard and kept on hugging me so tight like they don’t want me to leave. I also cried because I will be very far away from them for half a year and I’m going to miss them bad. My friends bid their goodbyes, too and they were also crying. I hugged them back and there we cried.

“Oh my gosh, stop crying, girls. I’m coming back, okay?” I said trying to lift their mood

“We will miss you so much!” Wen

“Get me a boyfriend there, okay? I’ll miss you so much, girl.”

“Take care of yourself. We won’t be there to hit your head when you did something stupid again.” Vina reminded me.

They are all doing that while crying and I can’t help but to cry as well. This will be my first time being away from them for this long.

“Always call us, sweety. We’ll miss you.” Mom said

“Don’t tire yourself too much. Study and enjoy as well, sweetheart.” Dad

“We’ll miss you, sis.” The two of my siblings said. They came and hugged me again. 

I kissed the temple of their head, “I will take care of myself and I will miss you also, so bad. I’ll always call you and if you’ll not be stubborn while I’m away, I’m going to bring you gifts when I come home. Alright?” they nodded at me.

I slowly turned my back from them and went to my luggage but I can hear footsteps behind that’s why I turned again. Then the scent of this man brought uneasiness to my heart once again.

“Take care, Jezcyl.” My heart thumped when he first mentioned my name. That was the first time hearing it from him.

“I’ll be waiting.”

I can’t understand why I am feeling this way but one thing I’m sure, this is new to me and it’s not bad. And he said he’ll be waiting for me, why?

I chose to ignore it maybe because he opted not to tell me. And I won’t force him, too. “Thank you for the jacket, I’ll be needing this. And… take care, too.” I smiled at him and he did the same.

I looked at my family behind and they’re still crying. I went back to hug them again and afterwards, I was called so I have to leave. I took the luggage with me. I brought a backpack, a sling back for necessary things and two luggage. 

I entered the departure area and waved again at them as they do. I wiped my tears and went off. This is it. I’ll be taking another step for my dreams.

Vancouver, Canada. I’ll see you in a bit.