"I, once again, thank all of you, for the wonderful knowledge and wisdom you've planted in my heart and mind. Truly, intelligence is power. Hanggang dito na lang, your one and only top one at grade eleven, Nazari Lone Marcos Zuniega. Happy graduation day to all of us."
Narinig ko ang malakas na palakpakan ng mga estudyante, teachers at parents. Nangunguna ang Mama ko na tuwang-tuwa habang nakatingin sa akin.
Nakahinga ako ng maluwag matapos ang speech ko. Kinakabahan ako dahil baka mahuli ako na may dala akong maliit na kopya sa kamay ko. Mabuti na lang at may nakaharang hanggang sa dibdib ko kaya hindi makita ang kamay ko.
I crumpled the tiny paper in my hand and slid it in my pocket.
With much confidence, I bowed in front of them.
Bumaba ako ng stage at sinalubong ni Mama.
"I'm so proud of you, hija. Truly, wisdom runs in our blood."
Napalunok ako. Wisdom? I really hope so that it runs in our blood. Pero bakit sa akin wala? When I was pre-school I got low scores, Mom got me eight tutors. Still, I couldn't reach Mama's expectations. I was the least favorite grand daughter dahil ang bobo ko hanggang grade three. And when I was grade five, that's when I decided to cheat. I want to be noticed by Lola, I want to make Mama proud. Medyo umangat ako sa class. Top three noong grade five, at top two na noong grade six. Still, not enough.
Second is still a second, it is still one step behind the top one. Kaya noong nag-grade seven na I bought the calculator glasses made by a Japanese scientist. It is an eyeglass that I always wear. A technology that calculates all mathematical equations. I was then called the Math prodigy. Doon na ako napansin ni Lola. I was the happiest.
Looking back, is it worth it? Yes... Or no?
"We will have a small celebration in our house, Zari. Wear your best dress, huwag kang magpapatalo kay Sophia." Mama reminded me.
Determined, I nodded at Mama.
"Good, let's go."
Pinagtitinginan kami ng mga tao habang paalis kami. Well, Papa is a famous doctor at si Mama naman ay kilala sa larangan ng negosyo. I don't know why she didn't became a lawyer, Business Ad graduate din siya at hindi political science.
Nginitian ko si Luisa nang madaanan namin siya. She also give a smile. Wala akong ibang kinakausap maliban sa kanya.
Wala akong kaibigan. Mom raised me to just study and study. Bad influence lang naman daw ang maidudulot ng mga kaibigan. Ayaw niya na nakikipagkaibigan ako sa public school. She picked my friends.
But I don't complain. I don't. I will never... Because I'm afraid.
The celebration in our house started.
"Top one! I am impressed Nazari!" Masayang-masaya si Lola ng malaman na ako ang naging una sa grade eleven.
Hindi nakalampas sa paningin ko ang pag-irap ni Sophia.
"I am too, Mama. My Nazari has really grown up." Emosyonal na sinabi ni Mama kay Lola.
"So? I am expecting that Nazari will also do well in intelligence high." Tita Lina said.
"She better do well, Mama." Sophia said with her brows raised.
Mama cleared her throat. "I know she will, dear Sophia."
"Anong malay natin? Mukhang magiging magkaklase pa si Sophia at Zari." Nakangiting tinuran ni Papa.
Lola nodded. "Mabuti nga. A little competition between them won't hurt right?"
Napalunok ako. Sophia is the smartest in her class, since pre-school up to now.
Phia flashed a sarcastic smile. "I gladly will, Lola. If... Zari will also be in my section. You see? I am neither in Section one nor two. I am in section A+ now. I was promoted."
Mas lalo akong napressure sa sinabi ni Sophia. Section A plus is the highest section. Iba ang schedule nila sa normal na estudyante. Sila ang pinakamatatalino sa buong paaralan. And considering that Intelligence high is the school of geniuses, it means their section is beyond the word gifted.
"You're now in section A plus, Sophia?"
"Yes, tita Jean."
Tumingin sa akin si Mama. Her eyes were telling me that I should say something.
I swallowed a lump on the throat.
"I will try my best to be in your section, Sophia."
Sophia just smirk, while Mama seems disappointed in my answer. What? Ano bang gusto niyang sabihin ko. Trying is better than promising.
"Enough with sections. Kamusta na ang kampanya ni Ortiz, Jean?" Tanong ni Lola.
"Maayos naman, Mama. Tita Perisha is also running for Vice-Governor."
"Good. Mabuti naman at napagpasyahan niya ng tumakbo."
Lolo Ortiz and Lola Perisha are Lola's younger siblings.
"By the way, the Olvidos are cooperating with the Mayor. Magtatayo sila ng hospital." Papa shared.
Halos mabulunan si Mama sa narinig.
"What?! The mayor, tita Perisha? Is she sane? Tito Ortiz is with the Sarmientos. Alam niyang magkalaban sa politika ang Sarmiento at Olvido!"  Mama exclaimed.
Papa just shrugged. "I dunno. As what I've heard, tita Perisha is joining the Olvido's parties."
"What? Mama, do something about it." Pagkausap ni Mama kay Lola.
"I will talk with Perisha. But, anyway it's just fine with me. Mas maganda iyon para hindi na tayo madamay sa alitan ng dalawang pamilya. It's better if we remain neutral." Lola stated.
Tita Lina nodded. "I agree, Mama."
"Kung ganoon kanino tayo sasama sa floating parade?"
"Both. Sigurado namang magkaiba ang schedule ng parada nila."
"Hindi ba tayo magmumukhang sipsip, Mama?"
"Sycophantic is better than a loser, Jean. Remember that."
Ngayon na ang araw ng exam ko. The result will determine my section. As usual, suot-suot ko ang calculator glasses ko. Hindi sa intelligence high ginanap ang examination. It was in an enclosed room in the building owned by the Olvidos. Yes, ganoon ka strict sa intelligence high. Nagtayo sila ng building na magiging examination area.
Si Mama mismo ang naghatid sa akin.
"Remember, Nazari. Aim for the A plus! Tapatan mo si Sophia."
"Opo, Mama. I will."
"Excellent." Hinalikan ako ni mama sa noo.
Bawal na si Mama pumasok sa building kaya mag-isa na lang ako mula rito.
"Go and do best."
Tumango ako at tinalikuran na siya.
Marami rin akong nakakasabay na tao na naglalakad patungo sa building.
I stopped right in front of the door of the building. Huminga ako ng malalim. This is it. Be in section A plus or die, that's the option.
"The test will consist of one hundred questions. One hour is given for you. It means you have one minute and sixty-six seconds to answer each question. Best of luck."
Pagkalapag ng test paper sa harap ko ay napalunok na agad ako. Is this serious? I... I can't-- no you can. You have to.
I sighed and adjusted my glasses. Half of the questions are mathematics. It means sigurado na akong may fifty points, but that's not enough. Kung gusto kong makapasok sa A plus section. I have to have perfect score.
Inuna ko na agad ang tungkol sa math questions.
Agad na may pomormang solution sa eyeglass ko. I just have to write the equation and my eyeglass will be the one to solve it. That easy. Pinag-ipunan ko ang eyeglass kong ito. I bought it from a genius scientist in Japan.
'What is the world's smallest country?'
Answer: Vatican city.
Glad I know this.
'What is Newton's Law?'
Answer: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
'What are the names of the five oceans?'
Answer: Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, Southern.
What is the only letter that does not appear on the periodic table?
Answer: J.
'There is a dry water. True or false?'
I... I don't know this. Is there? Come on. I sighed.
Answer: False.
Just after writing the e in false. The bell rang. Tapos na ang isang oras.
The woman collected our papers. "Results will be given immediately. Please wait in the lobby. We will plaster the results in the announcement board."
I headed to the lobby. Umupo ako sa isa sa mga bench na nandoon. Ilang buntong hininga na yata ang nagawa ko. Hindi ako mapakali. I was unsure in my answer in the one hundredth question.
Nang dumating na ang babae bitbit ang result, agad niya itong dinikit sa announcement board. Ako ang kauna-unahang pumunta sa board. Buti na lang ako ang pinakamalapit, hindi ko na kailangang makipagsiksikan.
Hinahanap ko ang pangalan ko sa listahan. Zamora, Zeres, Zuniega.
Zuniega, Nazari Lone M - Section one.
Score- 99 out of hundred.
Para akong nanghina sa nakita ko. I was right. Mali ako. Nagkamali ako. The right answer is true. There is a dry water. I can't believe my life was decided by a simple true or false question. I answered the enumerations but I cannot got the right answer in that?
You're pathetic Nazari Lone.
Section one is not that bad alright. But... For Mama, it is still one step behind A plus section. Behind Sophia.
Hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasabihin kay Mama na hanggang section one lang ang nakaya ko. I'm sure Papa would understand me but... Mama won't. Lola won't. Tita Lina and Sophia will probably laughed at my stupidity.