Chapter 3 (1/2)

Jennafei’s father and brother atching TV at the living room when she went home She remembered why she has to work as a student assistant and to join extracurricular activities just so she can continue studying at that exclusive school

Her father used to be aa lot and her rocery store THey also live in a big house They studied at exclusive school since nursery They are not rich but they were living well, they never experienced to starve and not have any money in their pocket

But when their father ha a probleer able to work at the shi+p He has to undergo treatment and stay at home It’s almost a year since he last worked because he also obtained arthritis Their only source of inco well But it’s still not enough to support her and her brother’ studies, daily needs and their father’sat exclusive schools that have such an expensive tuition fees

Before, Jenna suggested to transfer to another school but her parents did not agree It’s because they believe that the name of the school will carry their future That’s why she looked for other way to help her parents and that is to be a student assistant

“Jenna, you’re back” Her father saw her first

She sat beside him and she lifted his hand towards her forehead She let her whole weight fell on the sofa as she stretched her li day

(Mano or Pagesture used in Filipino culture perfor a blessing froreeting boards the offered hand of the elder and presses his or her forehead on the elder’s hand Usually perfor respect may ask “Mano po” to the elder in order to ask peresture Typically someone may mano to his or her older relatives upon entry into their ho them)

“You look so tired You should stop working as a student assistant, it’s just not your health but even your grades are being affected”

“Papa, it was not affecting rades”

“What are you saying, when you were a first year, you have three Ones on first sem and four Ones on second sem Now, you only have two”

“Papa, there are only basic subjects in 1st year In 2nd year, it’sharder subjects It also depends on the professor There are profs who are generous and there are those who stingy in giving grades There are those who only gives 15 however high the effort you give Papa, it’s not like you did not go through college”

He father stared at the TV for a while before continuing “But if you can no longer carry on, you should just stop working The grocery store can still finance the two of you You don’t have to do this”

“I can still do it, ‘Pa Being a student librarian is not that hard In fact, I can even do nments there when there is not much to do”

She even wants to add that it’s even harder to be a caned to her But she will do everything to accomplish her task

“Ate, helpas he watches basketball

She rolled her eyes It’s because he only does two thing: To play basketball and to watch basketball He almost looks like a basketball already

“Oi, Jonas, you are already 14, you are already grown up Te only reason I was helping you before is because you were still young, but now, you have to do your assignated him She stood up from the sofa and that hen her mother came in from the kitchen

“Dinner is ready You ca ” Jenna took her mother’s hand and blessed

“How rigid!” Jonas’ delayed reaction She ignored her brother and continued going up the stairs

“Having that she was just left by her boyfriend”

She stopped her tracks and she heard her parents berate her brother who just loves taunting her She breathed out and continued to ascend to her room

After reaching her rooain The first man she ever loved

She rolled on her bed and lay on her stomach She looked at the picture frame on her bedside table Her hand automatically moved to take it It was she and Melvin They were both s, his hand was on her shoulder and her head is inclined to his

He was her first boyfriend– they went out for a year– but he was gone He left her for the Lord Sometime in their relationshi+p, he realizes he wanted to become a priest

Even before, she is already aware of his devotion to Christ He caious clan He has an uncle and a cousin who is already a priest Even histhe church She even threw him a joke one tihed at her joke She never iined that her joke will come true

They are already separated for 4 o She does not the right to convince hiry with him or the Lord who took her ex-boyfriend away fros with hio of this picture frame

Jennafei said, that she will only put it away once she no longer loves hi for her to expect that he will still come back to her but it is what her heart wants She knows that there are a lot of priests who change their o back to her As long as he still has not taken his vow and blessed as a priest, she will still continue to wait

She ya held at That is the et an interview from Dex She already prepared her list of questions, tape recorder and herself She oism and will not be intimidated in case he acts rude and discourteous

She saw the guy standing at the court and shooting from the free throw line It went in She watched hi him play basketball Even when she’s not a fan of basketball, she still enjoyed watching And even when she does not have a good igressiveness ame His teot fouled out

She was surprised when someone tapped her shoulder That was Jude, Dex’s teammate and her classmate on one subject He is already a third year

“What made you visit us here, Jenna?” He smiled as he asked her

She smiled back “I just have someone I have to speak with” She stood up when she saw Dex sitting in one of the front seats