i'm broke but i'm happy

"I'll be going to Bohol pala," JJ said as she finished up the Charlie Chan pasta on her plate. Fortunately, she was able to join us at Yellow Cab. I was feeling restless that morning so I called JL for an emergency dinner.

"Puwede ba kami sumama," JL asked after finding out how inexpensive the package was.

"Ay! After two years and three months pa ako makakapag-travel, you guys," I interjected. "Daming gastos, eh. Sana maka-abot ako sa enrollment this time."

"Lalo naman ako. Wala na akong suweldo," JL said reminding us that she just tendered her resignation.

"Hahaha. Naalala ko tuloy yung nangyari last suweldo," I said chuckling. "My officemate and I were heading home. We were walking along Valero, talking about stuff. Mostly, trying to recall the movie Constantince. Napanuod kasi niya yun sa bus na sinakyan niya on the way to the office that morning."

"Ayan madilim na," I said.

"Oo nga. Sana wag akong abutan ng ulan. Siksikan pa naman na sa bus ng ganitong oras. Ikaw kasi eh," the officemate said.

"Anong ako? Di ko naman sinabi sa'yong hintayin mo ko..."

"Hehe. Joke lang. O sige. Ingat ka," he said as we reached the underpass. He was northbound. "Hoy, mamaya ha. Usap tayo," he added before heading down the stairs.

I nodded and walked towards the sheds. It was already past six so it was expected that the avenue will be littered by commuters by now.

Gusto ko na makauwi. Sana wag naman akong abutan ng ulan.

I waited patiently for the next empty jeepney, listening to Archie, oblivious to everything, when somebody playfully punched my right shoulder.

"Ah!" I was startled. I turned to face whomever it was only to find the the officemate grinning like an idiot standing behind me. "Oh," I asked.

"Pahiram naman ng 26 Pesos. Wala na akong barya pala," he asked still laughing at what he just pulled off.

"So I reached for my wallet and pulled out the last bill that I had," I continued the story. "Sakto yun eh. P20 talaga yung natira for that day. Hanggang sumuweldo kinabukasan kamo! Haha."

I fished out six more coins to complete his fare. "Ayan, kala ko kulang. Hehe." I said as I handed him the last of my money without hesitation.

"Salamat," he gratefully said as he took the change and headed back to the underpass.

"So ano ginawa mo," one of the girls asked while laughing.

"Ayun. Eh di napalakad ako pauwi nang wala sa oras. Hahaha," I said, proudly. "Kesa naman na siya yung maglakad pauwi hanggang Quezon city, di ba? Nagdasal na lang ako na wag umulan hangga't di ako nakakarating sa bahay."