Caroleen’s Treasures

Last night I said I am not going home yet, that I am not dragging my feet back home and that I really mean it. Forget it. After debating with myself, I gave in and packed our stuffs. Although I really wanted to stay for the weekend, I decided it is best to go home since I am not in the mood to commute. We were ready at 4am, waiting for a text message from Ate Gina. Donald changed Ella’s clothes while she’s sleeping while I do the final packing of stuffs. I already put everything in one corner and waited. After a few moments, Donald went to get a taxi and Cheche (still half-awake) ushered us out of the gate. We didn’t bother waking my sister Crislyn and BIL because like us, they were still up until past midnight because the neighbors at the side are so loud. They were drinking and talking about nonsense stuffs loudly that I wanted to throw a stone over their roof. After their “noise barrage” and before we could finally go to sleep, a neighbor at the back thought that the best time to chop woods is at 2am and so that is what he did. Such crazy neighbors!

Kuya Bernard was waiting outside his car when the taxi pulled over at the agreed meeting place. We were surprised to see Inang inside. She’s there in Davao for a couple of days to meet her niece who has lupus. Kuya Bernard drove fast and after just a couple and a half hours, we were at our doorstep greeted by Bogart. Like the trip going to Davao last Sunday, I feel so uneasy. It was like I was running out of air and I was nauseated. I was fanning myself while everyone inside the car are wearing their jackets. I was worried about the chicken but thanks to the neighbor (the good one, not the crazy one) who fed them. As expected, the darn chicken ate all the food that Donald left for them which will supposedly last until tomorrow. I wasn’t worried about Bogart, the dog, because he goes to Kuya Bernard’s house or to Tatang’s everytime we are out of town. He isn’t in chain and could freely go to them for food (because they were theirs, Ella just adopted him) that is why I didn’t think much of him. When we left last Sunday night, he just stayed at the doorstep and never responded when we called him to follow us to Kuya Bernard’s house. It was too unusual of him since he would come running past us each time we leave the house. It was drizzling at that time and we thought he just doesn’t want to catch colds. He looks as though he was waiting since Sunday which is true. The neighbor who fed the chicken found out last Wednesday that Bogart was here, weak and could not almost stand. I felt bad. Thanks to neighbor for feeding him.

After putting away our stuffs and did some little cleaning, we slept. I was the last one to get up at almost 11am, feeling so tired and hungry. We changed clothes and went to Central Warehouse to have lunch at Mang Inasal. Bogart must have been so afraid that he will be left alone again for so long that he was followed us there. He just ignored how many times Donald threw a stone (not aimed to him of course) to make him stop and turn around for home. It was really unBogart because he listen when we shove him off when we are going out to the market or somewhere else. This time he was running after the trisikad we are riding with his tongue hanging. When we got off, Ella and I went inside first while Donald left the umbrella at the baggage counter. He shoved Bogart one last time and when he was sure Bogart wasn’t looking, he went in. We found a table at the inner part of the fastfood and we settled there only to hear the customers at the other table that there was a dog inside. When I looked around, there was Bogart underneath the bench I am sitting. He was peacefully lying on his tummy, making sure he won’t be left behind for so long. We tried shoving him out but he won’t budge and forcing him to go out would disturb others, so we just let him stay there and waited patiently for us to finish our meal. He was well behaved the entire time and patiently waiting for us. I am just glad that we are here in this sleepy, little town where people don’t care if Bogart was there.

We then headed to the market to check if my earning from payu2blog was already transferred from my paypal to my bank account. Still none. I stayed for a little longer because it was Saturday, Ukay-ukay day for me Donald and Ella went home ahead to prepare a lesson for the bible study because Tatang, who is suppose to teach this afternoon, went to Butuan. I went home with a small bag of loot which consists of baby clothes and a top for Cheche. We had a nice afternoon at Sis. Ining’s house. There were only a few of us yet we enjoyed the bible study and the merienda afterwards. I’ve been dozing on and off in bed when we got home which made my head ache. Got this little asthma attacks which I hope would stop so I could get enough sleep and be ready for tomorrow’s day with my kids at my Children’s class.