It's weekend today and Ricca is currently in my room. I texted her and ask her to come over, just to hangout.
I already told my parents about the date of the completion and Dad said he will clear his sched on that day. Mom asked about our class rankings, which is I still don't know because it wasn't announce yet. Maybe they will announce it this coming Monday.
“Sayang. Sabay yung completion natin” I said pouting.
“Yeah. I was planning to go to your school that day.” Ricca said.
“Anyway, is Tita Alisson coming?” she asked.
I stilled for a bit then smiled.
“I..hope so.. I mean Dad is coming so..she will probably come too.”
Tumango siya atsaka ngumiti. Natawa ako ng pabagsak niyang ihiga ang sarili sa kama ko.
“I'm quite nervous about our class rank....Dad expects a lot.” she said.
Mom and Dad doesn't expect a lot from me but I do.
We talked about a lot of things. She also told me that Evelyn wants to see me. Evelyn is one of our friends. We did catch up and tell stories about each other like before.
Pareho kaming nakahiga sa kama. We are both using our phone, scrolling on our newsfeed in Facebook.
I open my messages when someone sent me a message. Agad akong napasimangot ng makita kung sino yung nag chat.
RD Dizon
        Psstt sungit!!!
I just ignore his message. It was pure bullshit anyway. Hindi pa lumilipas ng isang minuto nag chat na naman siya.
RD Dizon
        Wews seener. Naol famous.
My brows were furrowed as I type my reply to him.
May Perez
       What do you want!?🙄
Napataas ang kilay ko ng mag reply siya agad. Wala ba siyang ibang ka chat?
RD Dizon
         Ikaw
My lips parted as I stared on his reply. Me? He wants me? I was about to type again when he sent a message again.
RD Dizon
       Ikaw, what do you want?🙄
Such an annoying asshole
May Perez
        Whatever. You're such a vex.
I waited for his reply and just a minute later he did.
RD Dizon
      Vex? Yun ba yung pampahid, yung parang Katinko?🤔
Saglit na nangunot ang noo ko. I bit my lip hard to prevent my laughter when it cross my mind of what he's trying to say. Oh my goodness, he's a crazy annoying asshole.
I slowly looked on my side when I felt the stares. Ricca is looking at me with her brows rise.
“W-what?” I asked, smiling sheepishly.
“Who is that?” she said with a teasing smile on her lips.
I roll my eyes then stand up.
“Who's what?”
“Come on May, let me see..is that a guy?”
“Ricca....it's nothing I'm telling you..” I said and place my phone into my pocket
“Then why are you smiling so widely?”
“Because....it was a meme, okay? It's quite...funny”
“Meme my ass....” she said not believing me. “I'll find out”
I shake my head and just decided to go down to get us some food.
“What do you want?” I asked her before leaving the room.
“Anything will do. Thank you.”
I nod my head then head out of my room. I bit my lip as I remember Ranzell's stupid joke. Okay fine, he got me there.
Monday came and for some reason I feel happy. I don't know why, maybe I just woke up on the right side of the bed.
I went to school with my driver. I am a bit early but our room is already open. Pumasok ako at saglit na natigilan ang makita kung sino na ang tao sa loob.
Kath, Syndy, and Ranzell are sitting on the back. They were laughing about something. I averted my gaze and made my way to sit on my chair in front.
Later on, I felt stares on my back. I didn't try to look back because I already have a guess who can that be. I sigh and stood up to go in the canteen. I suddenly feel hungry.
Nasa may pinto na ako ng room ng marinig ko ang sigaw ni Syndy.
“Rands, saan ka?”
“Wala kang pake”
My eyes widened a fraction as I heard his voice just behind my back. I walk faster to get away from him.
I looked at him when he started walking beside me.
“Good morning” he said then smiled at me.
I averted my gaze and didn't answer.
Narinig ko ang pag tawa niya.
“Ang sungit mo talaga” natatawang sabi niya.
I look at him, irritated by the fact that he keeps calling me 'masungit'.
“Would you please stop calling me that?” I snapped at him.
“Ano palang itatawag ko sayo?” he asked smirking.
“My name duh” I said then roll my eyes at him.
“Okay...-”
“Good” I said then turned my back at him.
“Sweetheart”
I stop on my track then slowly turned around. He is grinning widely like an idiot.
“W-what?”
Napaatras ako ng maglakad siya papalapit. I stilled when he squeeze my cheek again while smiling.
“Ang sungit mo, sweetheart.” he said then walk past me.
I am so excited to go home. I badly wanna text my mother to tell her that I am an honor and in the fifth place. But I figured that it's better if I tell her in person.
“Hi kuya Jude” I greeted him as I enter the car.
He smiled then nod.
“Mukhang good mood kayo Mam ah?”
I just smiled at him. I texted Ricca and told her the good news. She immediately reply and congratulated me. I put my phone back into my pocket as the car stop in front of our house.
I hurriedly went inside and looked for Nanay. I saw her preparing our dinner in the kitchen.
“Nanay!” I excitedly said.
She look so shock for a bit before she chuckle.
“Bakit ang saya saya mo?” natatawang tanong niya.
“I....am in fifth place” I said happily then hug her.
“Wow, congrats. Ang galing galing talaga ng alaga ko.”
“Not just that Nanay, I am also an honor”
She smiled widely at me.
“Congrats. Siguradong matutuwa ang mommy at daddy mo.”
I smiled at her. After that I went to my room to change my clothes. I waited until mom and dad are home.
I was doing my our report in Science when I heard their car parked outside. I hurriedly went down to welcome them.
“Hi Dad, Mom” I greeted them.
“Hi, darling. Kanina ka pa?” Dad asked.
I nod then smiled.
“I want to tell you..” I said then glance at my mother. “and Mom about something.”
“What is it?” Dad asked curiously.
I smiled and was about to open my mouth to say something but then Mom spoke.
“Let's talk about it over dinner. I'm famished.” she said then made her way to the dining area.
Dad and I followed her. We settle ourselves then started to eat.
“What is it that you want to tell us?” Dad asked.
I smiled at him.
“Our adviser....announce our class ranks today-”
“What is your class rank?”
Saglit akong natigilan at napatingin kay Mom. She has this looked in her face that makes me nervous.
“I'm on the...f-fifth place, but my a-average is still in line of 9 so...I-”
“Fifth?” she asked.
Natigil ako atsaka nakagat ang labi. Dahan dahan akong tumango.
“Congrats. Your in fifth place and you have an honor”
I smiled when I heard what Dad said.
“Thank you Daddy.”
“What have you've been doing?” Mom asked.
My lips parted as I saw the disappointment in her face.
“M-mom...I d-did my best-”
“Your best?” she said sarcastically.
Nakagat ko ang labi at nagbaba ng tingin.
“Allison, your daughter did great” Dad said.
“If March is alive, she could have done better.” she said.
I bit my lip hard when I felt a stab in my chest. Her words pierce into my heart like a sharp dagger. I lower down my head as I felt the tears pool in my eyes.
We continue eating in a very deadly silence. After we finished eating I immediately went into my room.
Kasabay nang pagsarado ng pinto ay ang pagtulo ng mga luha ko. Dumapa ako sa kama at itinago ang mukha ko sa unan para pigilan ang pagkawala ng mga hikbi.
I don't think I will get used to every heartbreaking words that I will hear from my mother. I know that she's blaming me. After that accident, she never treated me the same way as before. I didn't even remember the last time she told me that she's proud of me or the last time she told me that I did well. She never appreciated me.
If only I can turn back time, I will take Ate March place.
My phone beeped but I ignored it. I decided to take it when it beeped for the second time. I wiped my tears before opening the unknown message.
Unknown Number,
             Hi, sweetheart. Busy ka?
I frowned when I read the first text message. Sweetheart? So corny. Who the....the annoying asshole.
Unknown Number,
   
               Can I call?
I typed my reply and said no. I raise my brows when he called. I sigh then answered his call.
“What do you want?” I asked.
“Hi, may sasabihin lang sana ako sweetheart.” he said on the other line.
I instantly got annoyed.
“Stop calling me sweetheart, will you? It so...corny.”
I heard him chuckle.
“Sweetheart o sungit?”
I rolled my eyes.
“None, I told you call me by my name”
“Ayoko, gusto ko sweetheart.” he insisted.
“Whatever. What is it that you want to tell me?”
“Dapat kasi kanina ko ito sasabihin.....ang kaso nagmamadali ka kaya-”
“Just say it”
“Congrats, honors tsaka top 5.”
Ilang minuto akong natigilan. He called to say that?
“P-psh, it's not even a big deal”
“Anong hindi? Ang galing mo kaya. Nakasali ka sa rank, top 5 pa tapos with honor. Nakakaproud kaya yun.” he said.
I bit my lip when a tear fell from my eyes. Hindi ako agad nakasagot. I felt like crying again, not because I am hurt but because I feel appreciated. 
I am appreciated.
“You think so?” mahinang tanong ko.
“Oo naman. Bakit? Ikaw ba hindi?”
My Mom don't.
“Thank you....Ranzell” I said then smiled.
Salamat sa pag papagaan ng loob ko. I still think he is annoying, though.
Today is the day, our completion. Kanina pa ako tingin ng tingin sa gate ng school. Malapit na kasing batch naman namin ang bibigyan ng award pero wala pa si Dad at Mom.
“Dadating din iyon”
I looked at Nanay when she holds my hand and slightly squeeze it. Pilit akong ngumiti sa kaniya.
I bit my lip when the emcee started calling names coming from our batch. I quickly checked my phone when it beep.
Daddy,
      I'm sorry darling. Your Mom and I have an emergency. I already text Manang Lory, she'll take care of you. Babawi kami next time.
I stared at it for a minute. Hoping that it is not true. Umaasa na may kasunod na text yun na sinasabing papunta na sila. Pero hindi yun nangyari. Hindi sila dumating.
Nagbabadya na ang mga luha ko ng makaakyat kami sa stage para kunin ang award. Si Manang Lory ang nagsabit sa akin ng medal.
In the crowd I saw Tita Elizabeth and Tita Alice with Ryken and Xavier. They looked worried while looking at me. I envy them.
I forced a smile to tell them that I'm okay. The photographer took a picture of us before we go down of the stage.
While walking to my sit, coincidentally my eyes meet Ranzell's worried ones. He is looking at me, with a concern and worried looked at his face. I averted my gaze and just continue walking back into my sit.
Later on, I excuse myself to go in the comfort room. Kapapasok ko pa lang sa loob ay wala na agad tigil ang pagtulo ng luha ko. Ang bigat bigat ng pakiramdam ko.
He said he would clear out his schedule for this day. Umasa ako na this time pupunta sila. Mabuti pang sinabi na lang nila na hindi sila makakapunta gaya nung ibang mga taon. Hindi gaya ngayon na umasa pa ako sa wala.
I let out my cries. Mabuti na lang at walang tao ngayon dito sa loob. Hindi ko alam kung ilang oras akong nakatayo dito sa loob at umiiyak. Mahapdi na ang mata ko at namumula na.
Nang tuluyan ng tumahan ay naghilamos ako bago lumabas.
Natigilan ako sa paghakbang palabas ng makita si Ranzell na nakasandal sa dingding sa labas. Nang makita ako ay umayos siya ng tayo atsaka naglakad papalapit.
“W-what are you doing here?” I asked.
Instead of answering me he stared at my face. I consciously looked at him.
“Why?” I asked again.
“Umiyak ka ba?” he asked seriously.
My lips parted for a bit.
“W-what are you talking about?” I said then averted my gaze.
He sighed
“Umiyak ka nga”
“I don't know what your talking about” I said then turn my back at him.
I was shocked when he pulled me back to him and hugged me.
“W-what are you....Ranzell” I said as I tried to push him away.
“Shhhh, I'm so proud of you” he said sincerely.
Natigilan ako at hindi agad nakasagot. He started tapping my back in a slow manner, giving me an unknown kind of comfort. Hindi ko namalayan na muli na namang tumulo ang mga luha sa mata ko.
“You did well sweetheart” he said.
I let out a cry. He hugged me tighter as I hold into his uniform. I hugged him back and cried.
“S-sabi ni D-daddy...p-pupunta sila” umiiyak na sabi ko.
“H-hindi sila dumating....h-hindi sila p-pumunta, Ranzell”
“Sorry. I'm sorry, tahan na.” malambing na sabi niya habang masuyong hinahaplos ang likod ko.
Mas lalo kong isiniksik ang mukha ko sa dibdib niya. Tears are still flowing into my face but I didn't care. I am hurt and disappointed right now, but his actions for unknown reasons, somehow bring comfort.
Ipagpapatuloy..........