Chapter 9 - Ride

Sabrina's POV

Kelsey smirked at me before bursting into laughter.

"Me?" she asked and even pointed herself. "Having a problem with you?" she laughed as if what I said was funny. "What made you say that?

I smiled at her and shrugged.

"Well, just asking!"

Her mouth twisted into a humorless smile. Although I'm not really convinced of the reason why she's here maybe I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.

"I'll go ahead" I didn't wait for her reply and left her there.

The rain poured out that night. Strong wind is heard outside and a flash of blue-white lightning followed by a roaring thunder made it even harder for me to sleep.

It's raining cats and dogs when I woke up the next morning. If the situation continues to worsen, I'm afraid we can't go home yet. I just hope the weather will improve this afternoon.

Some are already having their breakfast. I was about to go get some coffee when I looked at Red in the distance and heard his constant cough. Is he sick? He looked tired and got weary and teary eyes.

I look for Kelsey but I couldn't find her. Did Kelsey ask for medicine already?

I was hesitant to do the same but there's nothing wrong with trying, right? That's the least I could do to return the favor Red did last night when he talked to Mom.

Martha, one of the local officials said that there are no medicines yet as they are still getting them from the town's clinic. She assured me that she will let me know later. I said to her my thanks before turning my back and went directly to where I could get some breakfast.

I'm holding a cup of coffee and was sipping it when I heard someone shouted.

"Ms. Salazar. Hey, Ms. Salazar, here's the medicine" I almost blew out the coffee I was drinking. It's Martha. I turned to her and she's all smile while showing me the medicine.

What did she call me again? S-Salazar? Did he just call me using Red's last name? Gosh! did she just assume because of the printed name on the back of the shirt I'm wearing? I did forget to introduce myself but--

What was more embarrassing was Red was there talking to some officials. Maybe asking for any update. So he heard it loud and clear. I saw the confusion in Red's face but I could see that he's suppressing his smile when he looked at me.

This is so embarrassing.

I awkwardly smiled at Martha and went directly to her.

"Here" and Martha gave me the medicine and bottled water.

"Are you sick, Ms. Salazar?" Red teased me. I knew it.

What should I say? I don't know if I will give the medicine to him and walked out or should I pretend that I'm sick to avoid this embarrassment?

"Ms. Salazar, eat your breakfast first before taking the medicine, okay?" Martha said. I can feel my cheeks is burning. It felt so ashamed and odd.

Red is all smile clearly enjoying the situation I'm into.

"Thanks, Martha! But just call me Sabrina, please!" I uttered without looking at Red.

"But Salazar suits you more!" he continued teasing me.

I glared at him and gave the medicine and bottled water to him.

"Just take your medicine," I said and then walked out.

"Is this for me? Thank you, Ms. Salazar" Red said and then laughed.

I just continued walking.

Later that day, we received a piece of good news that it's already safe to travel. Mom called me and she said she will pick me up at school. I made sure that this time, I'll be riding on the University bus.

I was comfortably sitting in the back row when I saw Red entered the bus. He exchanged conversation with some girl volunteers before he did a roll-call. Maybe he's just making sure that everyone is already here. I didn't see Kelsey around him maybe she's already waiting for him in the car.

He's calling someone's name when our eyes met. I avoided his gaze immediately and act as if I'm looking at the window. I waited for my name to be called but it didn't come.

"Did I call everyone?" I heard Red asked. He's doing it on purpose. I don't have a choice but to look at him and my guess is right, he's looking at me like he's waiting for my reaction.

I can't help but glare at him.

"You forgot to call me" I raised my hand and all eyes are on me. They looked at me like they didn't know I was there the whole time. "Sabrina Castillo" I added.

Red looked pleased when he heard me talked.

"Ah yeah! You're here. Castillo! Sorry for that." he said while looking at the paper. He lifted his eyes again and looked at me "I just think a different last name suits you" he said and smiled at me.

Some are giving a puzzled look as they have no idea what Red was talking about. I ignored what Red said.

Red gave us some reminders before he talked to the driver and then went out to the bus.

My phone beeped and I got a text from an unregistered number.

0910*******:

"Get off the bus. I'm sending you home. I promised your Mom"

Even without the name, I don't have to guess who was it from.

I looked at the window and saw Red looking at me like he's waiting for me to get off the bus.

I looked at my phone and typed a reply.

Me:

"No, thank you. Mom will pick me up at school so I'm good here" then I hit send.

***

Mommy was already waiting for me when we arrived at the University. She expressed how worried she was but she's glad that I'm okay and that's what is important.

Mom's birthday is next week and I'm planning to surprise her with one thing that she's been requesting me to do these past months, my parent's portrait. She always asked me to do it but I'll end up refusing to her. However, this time is different I've been polishing my skills in drawing and painting and I'm confident I can draw my parents' portrait with perfection.

All I need now is to buy a frame that would perfectly match the portrait.

I'm on the way to the mall now when I observed our driver seems restless.

"Manong, is there a problem?" I can't help but asked him.

Manong looked at me through the rearview mirror. He looks nervous. He cleared his throat as if he's weighing the things he's about to say.

I encouraged him to talk and he mentioned that his daughter is about to give birth and she's the only one at home. He asked me if he could go home after he drops me at the mall and just picks me up later.

Of course, I said yes. That's an emergency. I even said to him not to bother to pick me up later and I just ride a Grab/Uber later. He was hesitant to follow my order but I assured him that I'll call Mom and let her know about this.

I found a perfect made-to-order frame for my parents' portrait but it will be available just in time before Mom's birthday. They asked for my details and paid for it. I am so happy and excited about next week. Dad would be arriving from New York and it's a birthday surprise for Mom.

I went out of the mall and I didn't know that it was raining. It's almost dark outside so I tried booking a car but all drivers are busy again. I looked around and saw the long line at the taxi bay. Not a good idea to ride a taxi cab then.

I saw a jeepney not far from where I am standing. I've been wanting to ride a jeepney but my parents won't permit me. Is it okay if I try this time? Just this time! I started walking towards the jeepney. I'm excited at the same time nervous because it would be my first time.

The jeepney was painted in bright colors decorated with stickers and even has a design of a well-known anime characters. I confirmed first if the jeepney route would pass through our area before getting into the jeepney.

My eyes wandered inside the jeepney. Two long benches elongated lengthwise on both sides and have a space in the middle for the passengers to pass or as an aisle.

"Two more passengers and we're good to go!" shouted a man with a mini towel in his shoulder standing outside.

Two more? What? It's already crowded here. It seemed that other passengers didn't mind what the man said. Some are already sleeping and some are even on their earphones, lost in their own world.

A passenger went in and I was taken aback when I recognized him.

"What are you doing here? Where's your driver?" Yuseff asked me with a wrinkle in his forehead. He looked surprised as well and was not expecting me to see here.

"Why? Am I not allowed here?" I asked him a question. How did he know that I have a driver? I gave him a doubtful look and he avoided my gaze.

I felt someone looking at me and I found a man I guess in his late thirties, rudely staring at my legs. He even has the guts to looked and winked at me. Feeling disgusted, I quickly averted my eyes only to see Yuseff's dangerous look towards the pervert man.

The perverted man smiled at Yuseff. It was as if he was mocking him.

I felt nervous when I saw how Yuseff clenched his fists.

"H-hey," I said trying to get Yuseff's attention. He looked at me, letting out a deep breath.

"I can't take this. Let's go!" he said and abruptly grab my arm and pulled me along with him.