Jeepney

Everyday I’m riding a jeepney. Sometimes I’m reading my notes while I’m on my way to school, sleeping, listening to music or doing stuff to kill the boredom. I hate riding in the jeepney. First, you have to wait. Then, a long boring journey to school. It sucks. There are times that the jeep’s damn crowded. Argh. Hassle.

Since I’m riding in a jeepney almost everyday since my first sem in college. I’d experienced so many things in that Filipino vehicle.

*One time, while waiting for the jeep to be occupied by 12 persons, I sat next to a woman like in her 40’s. She was endorsing some stones, “magical ones” and what she calls “gayuma”. I was talking to my boyfriend in the phone and she asked things about us. 50 pesos lang neng, malalaman mo kung kayo talaga magkakatuluyan. I smiled and continued my conversation with my boy. After that phone call, she said “may bato ako dito, para maging sunud-sunuran lang sayo yang nobyo mo”. I smiled again and said that I really don’t need it because my boyfriend and I are best buds.*

*”Waiting” An old couple sat beside me. I smiled because they glanced at me. I was so bored that’s why I told them “Kanina pa po ako dito, ang tagal po talaga magpuno po dito .” They asked me, “ilang taon ka na neng? Sa Cavsu ka napasok?”. I said I’m 17 and that I’m taking up Mass Communication in CvSU. I saw they were quite disappointed. They said, “May anak rin kaming kasing edad mo eh. Sa CvSU sa Naic namin pinagaral kasi wala naman kaming pera. Ayun nag-asawa na, hindi na namin siya nakakasama. Akala pa man din namin malapit na matapos yun pagkayod namin. Akala namin makakatapos siya. Kaya ikaw, pwede naman magkanobyo eh, basta’t huwag ka munang mag-aasawa ha. Isipin mo na lang ang hirap ng magulang, lalo na kami, hirap na hirap kami.” then the old lady sighed. I was a little shock. I mean, me? I really miss my mom, super, I cry every night because I’m used to sleeping with my mom beside me and still, I can’t move on. And the daughter of this old lady, we don’t know her reasons, but she’s so lucky to have her mom and dad. I saw their faces, I know they’re good ones. I feel so sorry for them. I comforted the mom and talked to her to lift her up even a little. -sigh-*

*”waiting.again” A woman in her 50’s sat in front of me. Again, I smiled because she glanced at me. She began to ask me questions like how old am I, what course am I taking up and so on. As I answered them, there goes another story. ” Kasing edad mo pala yung anak kong lalaki eh. Eh kaso nag-asawa na yon! Ayun nasa bahay lang, hindi na nag-aaral. Yung babae, ayun at ibingay na sa amin basta ng mga magulang niya. Alangan namang pabayaan namin yon. -scratches in the head- Hindi naman buntis yon eh. Ayan, asawa na ng anak ko. Ang babata pa! -pauses- Bata pa may asawa na. Wala nang magagawa kundi ikayod na rin.” The girl wasn’t pregnant but he’s living with the guy with her parents’ approval. This is unusual, I always thought that a teenager will only have a wife/husband early if the girl’s pregnant. Hmmm. But I admire the old lady. Still, she cared for her manugang. Though they aren’t rich, still she does everything for their living. *

*”waiting.again.and.again” I was the first person in the jeepney. woooh. I have to wait for hours! Then, an old lady (again. but she’s a different one) sat in front of me (again) and I smiled because she glanced at me (again). She asked me if I just arrived, I said no. Then we had a chat about her family, what she did there, what she ate in the morning and a lot more things. Hours passed, I’m still there, the 12 quota isn’t complete yet. Argh. An insect bit me and the lady saw me scratching. Another grandma with her grandchild sat beside me and saw my insect bite. The old lady gave me an ointment and told me “Hay naku kamot ng kamot ayan at namumula na! Pahiran mo nga nito! Kamot ng kamot!” As I’ve said, I’m really emotional. I felt teary eyed because I miss my mom. Hmm.*

Different stories. Different inspirations. Eye openers. All from my jeepney ride.

Now, I don’t know if I really hate it.

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