"Congratulations for passing the board exam in US biggest college University , Mr. Monteserio. You can start in Monday."
I just gave the professor a small smile before getting the result of my exam. It was perfect. I know it. Pinaghandaan ko ang lahat ng 'to para makapag-aral ako sa US kahit first year ng college lang. I just want to grant her wish, to achieve my goals in life.
Studying in US is my first ever dream. I planned to bring her when we graduated but I failed to do it. I sighed in frustration and packed all my things. Alam kong ngayon ibibigay ang resulta at kapag nakapasa ako, saka lamang ako aalis papuntang US. Matagal na akong atat na pumunta ro'n but I can't just leave my studies here. Actually, I graduated two months ago. Bilis 'no.
Napaaga ang pag-take ko ng board exam para sigurado na. I will get a new condo when I got there and I make sure that she's just near with me.
"Sigurado ka nang ngayon na ang alis mo? Si mom and dad k
"Ma, Pa, alis na po ako" I fixed my things before giving them a kiss on their cheeks. Kumaway ako sa kanila bago tumakbo papuntang gate at sinara 'yon. Gosh! It's already 7:45 and I might get late. Strikto pa naman 'yong eskwelahang 'yon dahil nga pribado. I don't have a bike kaya napilitan lang akong maglakad. Well, I'm used to walk in going to school ever since I entered highschool or even when I'm still a preschooler. Mahirap kami kaya hindi namin kayang i-afford ang mga sasakyan. It's not important, though. Ano namang silbi ng paa natin kung hindi lang din natin gagamitin, 'di ba? "Shara! What took you so long?! Tingnan mo, late na tayo!" singhal ni Maureen nang makita niya akong tumatakbo palapit sa kanya. Napakamot naman ako sa batok ko at ngumiti ng pilit."Sorry, late akong nagising eh. Tinapos ko muna 'yong assignments natin sa History kaya mga bandang alas dyes na akong nakatulog." "Whatever. Tara na, basta pakopyahin mo'ko sa Mat
"Shara! Anong oras na oh, baka nagstart na ang basketball practice nila Ziro"Maureen keeps on pulling my hand while I was busy writing an essay for our English subject. 'Yong ibang mga kaklase ko ay nagmamadali rin dahil baka mapuno na 'yong covered court at maubusan daw sila ng pwesto. I just shook my head, not planning to go with them. Why would I? Tataas ba ang grades ko kapag nanood ako sa basketball practice ng mokong na si Caseth. Well, when it comes to him, it's expected that almost all of the students in the Academy would watch him. Siya pa ba?!"How many time do I have to tell you, Mau?! I don't have time for that. Nagsasayang lang ako ng oras sa mga ganyan, hindi naman 'yan importante." Pinagpatuloy ko ang pagsusulat pero hindi talaga ako makapagfocus dahil sa kanya."Don't be so cheesy, Shara. Isang oras lang naman 'yon at hindi naman papasok si maam. Let's go, the court might be fully occupied right now!" Hinila niya ako patayo kaya wala
"Oh, i-serve mo 'to doon sa table number 5"Tinanggap ko ang tray na binigay ng kasama ko at hinanap 'yong sinasabi niyang table. I found out that it was their table that's why they waved their hands on me. Napapatingin tuloy sa kanila yung ibang customers. My classmates were really embarrassing. Why do they have to wave their hands on me?! As if we just meet each other for years. Besides, we're in a freaking restaurant where I was working after classes. Tapos ganoon sila umasta, ewan ko nalang sa kanila."Ganyan nga, ayusin mo. You should place our orders properly so that your salary will get higher." Tinuro pa ni Fiona kung saan ko dapat ilagay ang mga pagkain nila. Kinakawawa talaga ako ng bruhang 'to!"Demanding ka 'te?! As if you're going to pay for her salary, tsk. Umalis ka na nga lang, hindi ka naman kasama sa treat ni Pres," irap na sambit ni Roses."Tahimik nga kayo! Baka palabasin tayo ng manager nila dito. You guys couldn't s
"Hinihintay ka na ni Racer sa labas. Don't you have plan to come with him? Pinagihintay mo pa talaga yung tao."I immediately fixed my things before going out of our room. Kanina pa ako pinagmamadali ni Mau dahil kakain daw kami ni Racer sa cafeteria. I don't even know kung anong sadya niya pero baka importante kaya pumayag nalang ako. I saw him busy looking at his phone but when he saw me, he immediately put his phone away."Uy! Anong sadya mo? Why do you want to see me?" tanong ko agad nang makalapit siya sa'kin.He just shrugged his shoulders and waved his hands on the girls who were screaming his name."Wala lang. I just want to eat with you and have a little chitchat. Hindi ka naman siguro busy 'di ba?"Umiling naman ako sa tanong niya."Nah. Ang boring nga eh kase busy lahat ng teachers para bukas. Ikaw ba? You're a member of the SSG Councilors so you should be doing some things right now.""Yeah. I'm also the in charge in partnering of t
"Perfect! You look so gorgeous, Shara. Ang galing ko talaga mag-makeup."I look at my reflection in the mirror after she finished putting something on my face. Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita ang sarili kong mukha. Anong klaseng orasyon ba ang ginawa niya at nagkaganito ang itsura ko?!"Jusme! Ako pa ba 'to?! My goodness Maureen, what did you do to me?" Hinawakan ko ang buong mukha ko pero pinalo niya ako dahil baka matanggal daw ang makeup ko.Like duh. Ang kapal kaya nang pagkakalagay niya. I even told her to apply a light makeup but she didn't listen to me. Bruha talaga!"Ayaw mo no'n?! Guys will approach you and will ask you to be their partner? Ganda mo kaya," sambit niya at inayos ang kulot kong buhok.I don't know what's with her and she even changed the style of my hair. According to her, it suits me well since I'm wearing a makeup and a gown. Bagay daw naman sa'kin kase maganda raw ako at babagay kahit anong istilo ng buh
"Owemji! Our Queen of the Night is here!"Napailing na lang ako sa sigaw ni Maureen nang makapasok ako sa room namin. Kagabi niya pa sinisigaw 'yan simula nang malaman nilang ako 'yong nanalo bilang 'Queen Of The Night'. I was even shocked after hearing the result last night. My mind was preoccupied to the point that I don't even talk until I got home. Duh. It was my first time 'no."Yow! Ganda mo talaga Shara, sa'kin ka na lang," sigaw pa ni Josh kaya inirapan ko siya.He even told me last time that I'm ugly."Gago! Si Fiona ang ayain mo tutal siya naman ang pinakamaganda dito sa section na'tin," I said as I sat on my chair."You're right that I'm beautiful, Shara. Pero hinding-hindi ako papatol sa Josh na 'yan. Hindi nga 'yan naliligo eh." Fiona flipped her hair and rolled her eyes."Akala mo naman maganda, mukha ka ngang paa," he answered back.I just let them quarrel and just focused on our lesson for t
"Hi Shara! Ano 'yang ginagawa mo?"Nag-angat ako ng tingin at nakita ko si Hades na nakatayo sa harap ko. Caseth and Ziro wasn't with him and I don't know why. Palagi naman kase silang magkasama at bihira lang na magkahiwalay. I don't even know what's with him."Ah, may pinabibili lang si maam sa'kin. Why?" tanong ko habang inaayos ang plastic na dadalhin ko kay maam."Wala naman. Pumunta lang talaga ako dito para tingnan kung okay ka lang ba," nakangiti niyang sagot kaya napatingin ako sa kanya.My brows furrowed while looking at him."Ha? Bakit naman ako hindi magiging okay? I'm not even sick, Hades."Sa totoo lang, hindi naman kase talaga kami close. We barely talk to each other even if he's a talkative guy. Ngayon lang siya nag-approach sa'kin ng ganito at tinanong niya pa talaga kung okay lang ba ako. Seriously?! Nakahithit ba siya ng katol?He was about to talk when Ziro suddenly arrived. Ngumiti siya sa'kin at m
"What is the full name of Jose Rizal?"His partner raised her hand."Jose Protacio y Mercado Realonda Rizal Alonzo."Agad kong tinakpan ang bibig ko para pigilang tumawa. Caseth looked at me with his frowned eyebrows and looked at the 2nd year representatives in the other side. Napailing na lang siya at bumalik sa pagre-review habang ako ay pinapanood pa rin ang mga batang magreview. They're so cute together."Damn it! Mali ka na naman. It's Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda," sagot naman ng partner niya.The girl just pouted and while listening to his explanation. They look good on that. Mukhang ilang beses na rin pinapractice ng partner niya and full name ni Jose Rizal pero nakakalimutan niya. Though, we still have 30 minutes to prepare before the contest will start."Hindi ka na nagre-review, ah? Did you already memorize the topics that will possibly come out later?" tanong niya habang nagbabasa pa rin sa tabi ko.
"Congratulations for passing the board exam in US biggest college University , Mr. Monteserio. You can start in Monday."I just gave the professor a small smile before getting the result of my exam. It was perfect. I know it. Pinaghandaan ko ang lahat ng 'to para makapag-aral ako sa US kahit first year ng college lang. I just want to grant her wish, to achieve my goals in life.Studying in US is my first ever dream. I planned to bring her when we graduated but I failed to do it. I sighed in frustration and packed all my things. Alam kong ngayon ibibigay ang resulta at kapag nakapasa ako, saka lamang ako aalis papuntang US. Matagal na akong atat na pumunta ro'n but I can't just leave my studies here. Actually, I graduated two months ago. Bilis 'no.Napaaga ang pag-take ko ng board exam para sigurado na. I will get a new condo when I got there and I make sure that she's just near with me."Sigurado ka nang ngayon na ang alis mo? Si mom and dad k
"How are you feeling? Do you need something? Baby, you can tell me."Lumabas saglit ang parents ko kasama ang doctor habang 'yong mga kaibigan ko ay napilitang umuwi dahil gabi na talaga. Except for Maureen who doesn't have plan on leaving me especially in my situation right now. I couldn't blame her because she's just worrying about me. Gusto ko rin namang nandito lang siya dahil baka kung anong mangyari sa'kin at sa huling pagkakataon ay makita ko man lang siya.I nodded at him slowly."I-I'm okay. M-Matulog... ka na. Kailangang.. m-mong magpahinga."Ever since I collapsed earlier, my body gets really weaker than ever. Like, I couldn't move my body that easier. I only control my hands but not that easier too."Baby, magpapagaling ka, ha? Ate Casyn will visit you tomorrow so you'll better not give up. She wants to talk to you too." Mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang kamay ko at hinalik-halikan ito.I gave him a small smile and nodded even th
"I just missed you that's why I decided to come here. Hindi mo naman sinabi ang lugar na pupuntahan niyo kaya naghanap na lang ako kung saan posible."The boys knew that they arrived earlier when we were gone to change our clothes. Hindi naman sana sila tumatanggap ng ibang guests but since Jelo is a nice guy and they are close to them, he didn't hesitate to let them enter. Nasa iisang hotel pa kami na tutulugan pero syempre, ibang rooms sila."What about that grocery thingy? Is that a lie? Ang sabi sa'kin ni Ate Casyn lumabas kayo ni Ashley para mag-grocery. What was that?" nakataas kilay kong tanong sa kanya.Sumimangot naman kaagad siya."That was true, she didn't lie. Bago ko siya sinamahang mag-grocery, naka-impake na ang mga gamit ko no'n. And when we get back to the house, I told them that I'm going to have my favor since I agreed to come with her. Don't be mad, baby. Hindi naman namin kayo iistorbohin.""Talaga lang, huh? Hindi pala?" N
"Handa na ba ang dadalhin natin? We have to go now. Ilang oras pa tayo sa byahe."Kanina pa kami minamadali ni Kyla dahil atat na siyang makarating sa resort na pupuntahan namin. They decided to have a bonding in a resort para daw maiba naman. Ang sabi pa nila, palagi raw nilang nakikita sa mga posts ni Caseth sa Instagram ang mga pictures naming magkasama na nililibot ang city. Though, we will stay in the resort for only one day.Bilang na lang ang oras na meron ako kaya kailangan kong sulitin 'to ng pantay sa kanila. Tomorrow will be the last day and I'm going to spend it with my parents. Si Caseth, hindi siya sumama dahil bonding time raw naming magkakaibigan 'to pero halata namang ayaw niya akong iwan. He couldn't do anything but to stay with his family. Balita ko kase next week pa sila aalis ulit."How long will it take to get there? Malayo ba ang resort na pinili mo, Jelo?" tanong sa kanya ni Roses.He scratched his head lightly."Uh... Not tha
"Good morning, sleepy head. Mataas na ang sikat ng araw, kailangan mo nang bumangon. C'mon, baby."I groaned when I felt him kissing my head endlessly. Hindi niya talaga ako tinigilan hanggang sa magising ako kaya napasimangot na lang ako at umupo sa kama. I heard him chuckled and then seconds after, he's already hugging me.Mas nauna niya pa akong ginising kaysa sa alarm clock ko. If I know that he'll wake me up, I shouldn't have set my alarm clock. He slept with me here in my room. Though, he wanted to sleep on the floor instead in the couch or beside me. Gusto niya raw kaseng bantayan ang lahat ng kilos ko para siguradong okay ako.He let his parents know about my situation and I didn't ask him what's their reaction. Alam kong naiinis sila sa'kin dahil dito matutulog si Caseth pero wala naman silang magagawa dahil desisyon niya 'yon. He's still mad at them, though."Hmmm. Inaantok pa ako eh. You can wait me in the couch, give me 5 minutes,"
"Anong sasabihin mo, Shara? And why you look so pale? Are you alright?"Ngumiti lang ako ng tipid kay Racer nang makarating kami sa gazebo kung saan walang tao. Whenever I'm going to talk with him or Caseth in school, I always prefer this place not just because it's my favorite spot but also away from everyone. I can have a private talk with him whatever I want to say."I won't take this too long, Racer. Hindi na ako babalik dito simula bukas. I'll stop my studies," diretso kong sagot sa kanya.Kumunot naman ang noo niya."H-Huh? Why? I thought your friends will manage your school fees? Ayaw mo na bang mag-aral dahil sa sakit mo? 'Yon ba ang sabi ng parents mo o ng doctor?"Alam niya pala na kaibigan ko ang gumagastos sa'kin dito. If I know, it was the talk of the town here. Mabilis pa sa kidlat na kumalat ang balita dahil sa mga estudyante na mukhang reporters sa media."Yes, it's because I'm sick. Racer... I-I'm dying... My life will o
"Is that the reason why you don't want to talk to me, huh? Who told you that, baby? Wala akong pakialam kung ayaw nila sa'yo basta para sa'kin ikaw lang ang mahal ko."After what he'd heard earlier, he dragged me away from the cafeteria right after I ate lunch. Nilapag niya sa pwesto ko ang tray niya at hindi man lang kinain para lang dalhin ako rito sa gazebo at kausapin. He's mad, not on me but because of what I've said."It's not about who told me, Caseth. I saw it. I went to the hospital the night before to went to see me," matapang kong sagot.Bakas naman ang gulat sa mukha niya nang sabihin ko 'yon."Y-You were there? Sinong kasama mo? B-Bakit hindi ko alam?""How could you know? Sekreto lang naman ang pagpasok namin ni Maureen do'n dahil wala kaming karapatan na umakyat. It was restricted and they won't accept visitors who were not on the list. Kasalanan ko bang nag-aalala lang ako dahil para na akong baliw kakaisip ko anong nangyari sa
"Shara, baby, please talk to me. Hindi ko na kayang iniiwasan mo'ko. I'm begging you, stop ignoring me."Wala si Mama at Papa dito sa bahay pagkauwi ko galing school at hindi ko rin alam kung saan sila nagpunta. Alam kong hindi sila lumabas para bumili ng groceries dahil sagot na ni Mau 'yon lahat kahapon. Our stocks and refrigerator were all full so I don't have any idea where did they go.And this guy beside me, asking for forgiveness after four days of ignoring me. Ever since I arrived from school, he suddenly came and brought foods for me but it won't kill my anger towards him. Hindi niya ako madadala sa mga sorry at pagbibigay niya ng pagkain.He lied. He freaking ignored me like what I'm doing right now. Magtiis siya dahil nakaya niya naman akong tiisin na hindi pansinin ng apat na araw. I should be the one to take revenge now. I'm not going to talk to him nor even glance at him.I don't care!"Baby, hindi ko talaga sinasady
"Bess, alam kong nag-aalala ka na pero hindi ka naman pwedeng pumunta. If there is a problem, maybe he's not telling you because he can handle it on his own. Alam mo namang ayaw niya na mag-alala ka."Nagpaiwan si Maureen pagkatapos ng bonding naming magkakaibigan. She wants to accompany me since I'm starting to overthink right now. Two whole days. Dalawang araw na siyang hindi nagpaparamdam kaya paanong hindi ako mag-aalala?!How could he resist not to even text me just once?!"Alam mong hindi gano'n 'yon, Mau. I only need one text or call from him but he couldn't even do that. Pinagmumukha niya kase akong tanga eh. Dalawang araw na akong hindi mapakali dahil sa mga nangyayari. I'm his freaking girlfriend. Of course, I have the right to know what's going on! Bakit? Dahil ba wala akong silbi? Pinapamukha niya ba sa'king wala akong kayang gawin?! Huh? Is that it?" I messed up my hair because of madness.Wala naman akong nakikitang mali kung sab