"Remember what I told you."
Mom strictly said. I avoided her gaze because of its intensity. I silently nodded while boring my eyes on my shoes.
Humigpit ang hawak ko sa magkabilang strap ng backpack ko noong magsalita na naman siyang muli.
"Do not disappoint me again. You're already in your last year in high school."
"Yes. I won't forget, Mom." Parang tutang sabi ko na lang upang hindi na humaba pa ang usapan namin.
"Good, go now." I turned my back on her and started walking towards our van.
Hinila ko ang pinto at pumasok na. Pumwesto ako sa gilid at napatulala na lang sa labas ng bintana.
"Good morning, Ma'am." I heard our driver greeted. Ginawaran ko lamang siya ng isang sulyap at tango.
Hindi pa umaandar ang sasakyan dahil hinihintay pa namin ang kapatid ko. I accidentally looked back in front of the main door of our house.
Mom was there with Maggie, my sister. She was combing Maggie's hair using her hand. I was just watching them until she kissed Maggie's temple and waved her hand while Maggie's approaching the van.
Umupo siya sa kabilang dulo, malayo sa akin.
"Aalis na po ba tayo?" Kuya Danny asked and looked at us from the rear view mirror.
"Ah, yes, Kuya." Maggie was the one who answered.
Binuksan niya pa ang bintana at kinawayan ang ina namin.
"Bye, Mom! See you later!"
"Take care, hon!"
I felt a sting in my chest. Ipinilig ko ang aking ulo. I need to get used to it. I closed my eyes when the van started moving. I just opened it again when we arrived in the university.
Maglalakad na sana ako noong pigilan ako ni Maggie.
"What?" Lito kong tanong at nagsalubong ang aking mga kilay.
"Don't come near me, okay?" Hindi ko siya sinagot at nilampasan na lang na tila walang narinig.
Of course, I still remembered her orders. H'wag siyang lapitan kapag nasa eskwelahan. Isipin ko raw na hindi kami magkakilala kapag nandito.
I don't want to talk to her either so I agreed.
Tiningnan ko ang wristwatch na suot ko at nakitang sampung minuto na lang bago magsimula ang klase. Wala naman sa akin kahit malate pa ako dahil unang araw pa lang naman ng klase, palalampasin naman siguro ng mga teachers 'yon.
Pumasok ako ng room namin. Dumiretso ako sa likod at humanap ng pwesto roon. Sa bandang gilid ko napagpasyahang maupo.
I don't have a choice, all the seats here in the back are already occupied. Yumukyok ako sa desk ko dahil naiinip na ako.
Nagsitahimikan ang lahat kaya naman napaayos ako ng upo. Our adviser already entered. I'm not familiar with this teacher. Maybe she's a new one.
She told us her rules and regulations before letting us to introduce ourselves in front of the whole class.
"Freinne Legazpi." I shortly muttered and was about to go back to my seat when our adviser stopped me.
"Uhm, do you want to add something, Miss Legazpi?" I just shook my head and bowed a little to excuse myself.
"Ganiyan pa rin pala siya."
"Kaya nga, eh."
Hindi ko pinansin ang mga bulungang umugong. Alam ko namang ako ang tinutukoy nila, sadyang wala lang talaga akong pakialam kahit ano pa ang sabihin nila.
"Since I'll be your Science teacher, let's just have a recall from your third year lessons." Samu't saring reklamo ang aking narinig mula sa mga kaklase ko dahil sa sinabi ng aming guro.
"I know you're familiar with this one..." She smiled even though she knew that her students don't want to answer.
"What is an organic compound?" Kaagad kong itinaas ang kanang kamay ko upang sumagot sana.
"Yes, Mister Serrano?" Dumako ang atensyon ko sa tinawag ng guro.
Nakatayo na siya ngayon at handa nang sumagot.
I thought I was fast enough. May nauna na pala. Napairap na lamang ako sa kawalan habang pinakikinggan ang sagot niya.
"Organic compounds are compounds that is composed of carbon that is commonly bonded to hydrogen and oxygen."
Marami pang itinanong ang guro bago natapos ang oras niya sa amin. Sa mga sumunod na subject teachers ay wala kaming ginawa kundi magpakilala lamang nang paulit-ulit. Hindi ko nga maintindihan kung bakit pa kailangan ng ganoon, eh magkakakilala naman na ang mga estudyante.
Noong tumunog ang bell ay kaniya-kaniyang takbuhan na ang mga kaklase ko palabas ng room. I fixed all my things before heading to our canteen. It's already full. Kung saan-saan nakakalat ang mga tao. Maingay pa. I hate it.
Dumiretso ako sa pila at pinilit na habaan ang pasensya kahit pa marami ring bumibili at ang init-init ng paligid dahil siksikan.
"Isang bottled water at isang macaroni salad po." I told the lady behind the counter.
Inabot ko na rin ang bayad at sinuklian niya naman ako. Isinilid ko ang mga barya sa bulsa ng paldang suot ko.
Hanggang taas lamang ng tuhod ang pleated skirt namin na beige at mayroong bulsa sa kanan. Simple lang naman. Maiksi ang manggas ng polo namin, may piping na beige din sa edge ng collar pati na rin ang sa sleeves. Mayroon ding necktie at kapareha ang kulay sa skirt, nakaburda sa pinakababa niyon ang pangalan ng university.
Ang alam ko, may elementary din dito at siyempre may mga kolehiyo dahil dito nag-aaral si Maggie. She's already on her third year in college.
I roamed my eyes around to see if there's already a vacant seat. I found one in the middle so I immediately walked towards it and sat on the chair.
Binuksan ko ang tub na pinaglalagyan ng binili kong pagkain. Busy ako sa pagkuha ng macaroni mula sa tub at isusubo na sana ang kutsara noong makarinig ako ng mga tawanan malapit sa akin.
Palihim akong napailing noong mapagtantong grupo 'yon nina Zillian. Ang kaklase kong nauna sa pagsagot sa akin kanina.
He's with our other guy classmates as well and I think some college men. I just found out because of their uniforms. He has a large circle of friends.
Tila wala naman silang pakialam sa paligid nila dahil ang lalakas ng mga boses nila habang nag-uusap. Akala mo magkakalayo sila.
Napatigil sa pagtawa si Zillian at nawala ang ngiti noong magtama ang tingin namin. Agad akong umiwas at ipinagpatuloy ang pagkain ko.
The last teacher finally dismissed us. I looked at my wristwatch and saw that it's already 3:30 PM. Dapat kanina pang alas tres ang tapos ng klase. Nag-overtime lang siya.
I nearly flew just to get to the parking lot. I immediately saw our van on the left corner. Lakad-takbo ako upang makarating doon. I was catching my breath when I finally entered.
I was fixing my messy hair when I heard Maggie talked at the back. I bored my eyes into her.
She was eating a glazed doughnut while her other hand was holding a frappe.
"Bakit ba ang tagal mo? Kanina pa dapat ang uwian, 'di ba?" Nakataas pa ang isang kilay nito at parang sinusuri ang kabuuan ko.
"Are you still doing something?" Pinaningkitan ako nito ng mga mata.
"Ngayon lang natapos ang klase namin." Sagot ko ngunit parang hindi siya naniniwala.
Ano ba ang akala niyang gagawin ko pa sa school? Wala naman akong ibang inaatupag, ah.
The whole ride on our way home was silent. I didn't bother talking. I was about to step into the stairs so I could go to my room when Mom showed up.
She has this strict look on her face again.
"Anong nangyari sa unang araw mo?" I stopped myself from clenching my jaw before answering her.
"Just like the usual, Mom. We just introduced ourselves."
"Are you sure? 'Yon lang?" Paninigurado niya pa.
"Our adviser asked some questions regarding our lessons last school year." I informed her.
Humawak siya sa kaniyang baywang at tinaasan ako ng isang kilay. "Nakasagot ka naman ba?"
"I was about to---" She cut me off immediately that made me look down on my feet.
"Ang sabi ko pagbutihan mo, 'di ba?" Mahihimigan na ang galit sa kaniyang tono.
Inangat kong muli ang ulo ko at tumugon. "It's just our first day, Mom." Pangangatwiran ko ngunit tila hindi siya natuwa.
"I don't care! You're really stupid."
I just excused myself so I can escape her words.
Second day of class, I was late. Napansin kong wala na halos tao sa hallway dahil tumunog na ang bell, narinig ko noong papasok pa lang ako ng building.
Mas binilisan ko ang lakad ko hanggang makarating ako sa labas ng room namin.
Kumatok muna ako bago pinihit ang doorknob at pumasok. Natigilan ang lahat noong makita ako.
"I'm sorry, Miss." Maikling paumanhin ko na lang. A smile appeared on her lips.
"It's okay, Miss Legazpi. You may take your seat now." I bowed my head as a sign of respect before heading to my desk.
Ibinaba ko ang gamit ko sa katabing upuan dahil wala namang nakaupo roon. Nakinig na lang ako noong magsalita ang adviser namin.
I was now staring at her back while she was writing something on the white board. When she turned to us again, she was already smiling from ear to ear.
My brows slowly furrowed while reading what she just wrote. It says 'Officers'.
"Yes, we'll be having an election of officers. Kahapon pa dapat natin gagawin ito ngunit nawala sa isip ko. I'm sorry." She gave us an apologetic smile.
"So, let's start! Starting for the president!" Naghiyawan ang lahat at todo banggit sa mga pangalang gusto nilang maging presidente ng klase.
Pinatahimik sila ng teacher at nagsalita na naman itong muli. "Who do you want to nominate? Raise your hands."
Tinuro niya ang isang kaklase kong babae na nakaupo sa harapan.
Tumayo naman ito at binanggit kung sino ang gusto niya. "I nominate Crizhielle for president!" She playfully smirked and winked at her best friend.
Hinila siya ni Crizhielle paupo at mahinang sinabunutan. Mag-aaway pa yata silang dalawa dahil doon.
"Anyone else?"
"Ako po, Ma'am!" Halton shouted. Hindi pa siya sinasabihan na tumayo ngunit nakatayo na siya ngayon at tatawa-tawa.
"I nominate Zillian Quinn Serrano for president." Dumaplis ang kamao ni Zillian sa braso ni Halton dahil sa sinabi nito pero hindi nito ininda ang suntok niya.
Aangal pa sana si Zillian ngunit naisulat na ng teacher sa board ang pangalan niya.
"May gusto pa ba kayong idagdag?" Walang nagsalita kaya't awtomatikong wala na silang gustong inominate.
"Nomination closed. Who will vote for Crizhielle?" Iilan ang nagtaas at binilang 'yon ng guro.
"Alright, 13 for Miss Crizhielle." She said while writing the number of the people who voted for Crizhielle.
"And for Quinn?" A lot of our classmates raised their hands.
I didn't raise my hand because I don't feel like to.
"Wait, something's wrong. 35 kayong lahat, wala namang absent pero kulang ng isa. Labing tatlo ang kay Crizhielle. 21 lang ang nagtaas kay Quinn, kabilang ang sarili niya." Sarkastiko akong natawa sa loob-loob ko.
Voting yourself, huh?
"Sinong hindi bumoto? 22 dapat ang boboto." Takang tanong ni Miss Valdenor.
I heaved a sigh before raising my left hand.
"Oh, Miss Legazpi. Why didn't you vote?" I don't have a plan to speak up at first. Napilitan lang ako noong marinig ang bulungan nila.
"She really wants attention." Sabi ng isa sa harapan ko.
"My apologies, Miss. I'm voting for Crizhielle." Alam kong talo na si Crizhielle ngunit ayaw kong mapunta ang boto ko kay Serrano.
Hindi ko pinansin ang pares ng matang matiim na nakatitig sa akin. It was Serrano's.
"So, we have our president now and that's Mister Serrano."
They continued voting for the rest of the officers until the teacher dismissed us. Sinabi nitong wala raw klase buong maghapon. Bukas pa sila magsisimulang magturo kaya't ayos lang kung anong gawin namin.
It's already lunch but I don't feel like eating. Kaunti lang naman ang kinain ko bago umalis ng bahay pero hindi pa rin ako dinadapuan ng pagkagutom.
I just decided to roam around the university. Napagilid ako sa railings noong may nakabangga sa akin na mukhang first year pa lang.
She didn't even bother apologizing. Just... wow.
I continued walking until my feet stopped outside the covered court. I sat down on the benches in front to watch some students playing badminton.
I have the urge to join them, but I shook my head and just stayed there. Noong magsawa ay tinungo ko naman ang library. Wala namang katao-tao roon.
I was choosing a book to read when I saw a pair of familiar eyes. Nasa kabilang bahagi siya ng bookshelf kung saan ako pumipili. He was slowly tracing his fingers on the books while busy choosing as well.
Noong may nagustuhan na ako ay pumwesto ako sa dulong bahagi ng library para wala talagang mang-iistorbo. I was flipping the pages when I felt someone sat in front of me.
Nagtagpo ang mga mata namin ni Zillian. Sinamaan ko kaagad siya ng tingin ngunit nanatili ang mapaglarong ngisi sa kaniyang labi habang nakatukod ang magkabilaang siko sa desk at sapo-sapo ang kaniyang pisngi.
He tilted his head to the side like he was experimenting me. Seconds later, he opened his mouth and muttered something.
"Why didn't you vote for me earlier?" He minimized his voice because the librarian was so strict.
I didn't show any emotions on my face before returning my attention to the book I was reading a while ago.
Hindi naman siguro required na kausapin ko siya, hindi ba? Sino ba siya para umaktong close kami? At ano naman sa kaniya kung hindi ko siya binoto, eh nanalo pa rin naman siya.
He was persistent on catching my attention, but I didn't give any to him. I continued reading even though I feel irritated.
"Suplada mo naman." Ani nito at mahinang tumawa.
Kumaway-kaway pa nga, mukha lang siyang baliw sa ginagawa niya.
When will he realize that he just looks stupid while doing that?
I felt my phone vibrated in my pocket. Hindi ko muna tiningnan kung sino ang nagtext at basta na lang tumayo upang ibalik ang libro sa pinaglalagyan nito kanina kahit hindi ko pa 'yon tapos basahin.
"Freinne, where are you going?" Lumakas ang pagkakasabi ni Serrano kaya naman sinenyasan siya ng librarian na manahimik.
Hanggang makalabas ng library at hanggang pabalik ng room ay ramdam ko ang pagsunod niya sa aking likuran. Isinukbit ko ang bag sa aking likod bago lumabas.
I brought out my phone and read the message. It was from Maggie.
'Nauna na akong umuwi, napakatagal mo na naman. Just commute.'
Alas kwatro na pala. Hindi ko kasi namalayan 'yon dahil siguro masyado akong tutok sa pagbabasa kanina sa library.
I guess, I'll just really commute. I don't want to text Kuya Danny to go back here. It's already his resting hours. Besides, may pamasahe naman ako kaya't ayos lang.
Nasa waiting shed na ako malapit sa university pero hanggang ngayon, wala pa ring dumadaang jeep. Bumuntong hininga ako at naglakad na lang sa gilid ng daan, umaasang may dadaan na sasakyan. Nakatungo ako habang hawak-hawak ang dalawang strap ng bag.
My lips parted in shock when someone dragged my arms to the side of the road. I first looked at the road and saw a motorcycle. Mabilis ang pagharurot nito.
Sinalubong ko ang matiim at seryosong tingin ni Zillian habang nakahawak pa rin sa mga braso ko.
"Muntik ka nang masagasaan, alam mo ba 'yon?" Mas lalong dumilim ang mukha nito at hindi ko alam kung ano ang magiging reaksyon ko. Napatiim ang bagang nito noong hindi ako nagsalita.
"Sa susunod, mag-iingat ka."