Inayos ko ang tassel earrings sa tenga ko. I put on the last thing I haven't applied yet to put color on my pale face. Ang may kaputlaan kong labi ay nabigyan kahit papaano ng kulay pagkatapos kong lagyan ng pulang lipstick ang labi. I sprayed ounce of perfume on my neck, collar bone, wrist and at the back of my ears. Vanilla scent played inside the four-cornered room as I swayed gracefully in front of the mirror. Huling pasada, nang makuntento sa itsura ay lumabas ako ng kuwarto. Ngayon magaganap ang pinakahihintay kong grant art exhibit. This was so special for me because this was a special event only for myself after all the hardworks and efforts I'd spent to prepare. Matagal ko nang pinangarap mangyari ang lahat ng ito, ngayon ay narito na. Abala nang makarating sa venue ang mga tauhan. My assistant was instructing huge and tall guys where to put my art canvas. Lahat ay maingat na maingat sa ginagawa, natatakot na makasira ng mga ipininta ko. They were all sealed in a fragile fra
Usok ang una kong namataan pagkamulat ng dalawang mga mata. I coughed painfully when I smelled the toxic smoke from an engine. I felt a hot sticky fluid rolled down my cheeks and some coated a part of my forehead. Sumasakit ang katawan ko at tanging daing lamang ang naririnig sa sarili habang sinusubukang gumapang papalabas ng isang nakataob na sasakyan. "May bata sa ilalim!" Naghiyawan ang mga natatarantang mga tao na pumapalibot sa sasakyan. My head went dizzy and everyone around me seemed to be fading away. I only heard the faint sound of an ambulance and the sound of the panicking people before I felt a huge hand encircling my small fragile frame.Iyon ang paulit-ulit na tumatakbo sa aking isipan kahit pa noong inilagay na ako sa bahay ampuna
I took scholarship examination in Chua High School and Colleges that summer. I spent the Summer earning money by selling halo-halo to our place. Wala pa kasi ang result ng kinuha kong exam at lalabas pa sa katapusan ng May. If I may not be able to pass it, then I will just continue studying in my former school. Kapag nakapasa naman ay magkakaroon ako ng formal enrollment. I wanted so much to be in that school so I studied hard the day before the scholarship examination. Naghanap ako ng mga coverage na madalas ilabas nila sa examination. Kadalasan doon ay mga lesson na na-take na namin sa mga naunang year. May mga bago ring lesson at kumuha na lang ako ng mga PDF files and google drive para mapag-aralan.
The whole week of class was just all about the rules and the school. Second day, we had the usual routine where the teacher introduces themselves and we had to do the same thing.May subjects na rin na kaklase ko si Athelia at sa kasamaang palad, marami ring subjects na kaklase ko iyong si Ford. There were even subjects that Ena and his were in the same class! The horrified look on Ena's face were remnants in my mind. Si Athelia naman nang malaman iyon ay halos isumpa na ang buong angkan namin dahil hindi namin siya naging kaklase roon.During Friday, we only had one subject. It was PE day for the whole 9am up to 12pm. May kaunting break time naman daw gaya ng in-orient sa amin ng teacher namin pero thirty minutes lang, saktong pang-recess. Since we only have our first week then, it only happened to had orientation about the subjec
We had our club hopping for two days where we had to choose which club we'll be in. Dalawa ang pipiliin namin, ang isa ay para sa academic club at ang isa ay para sa creative club.Few had to choose for the creative side, nahihirapan pa dahil wala namang skills sa area na iyon at more on academics lang. Athletes need not to worry about choosing because they were already in sports club so as the journalists who were in actibo writing.I planned on joining the arts club where my potential lies.Nagsusulat pa man lang ako ng pangalan ay excited na ako. We were making line outside the art room before the old club member decided to let us in.Naroroon ang teacher na major in arts and d
We already started formal classes during the next weeks. Ordinary schedule na rin dahil tapos na ang clubbings. Tuwing Friday naman naipapasok namin ang schedule namin para sa club dahil morning-afternoon schedule naman ang ganap. The students with morning schedule will attend the club during afternoon until 3pm and those who are in afternoon schedule will start 9am until 11am because their PE classes will start on 12am. Tinapik-tapik ko ang hawak na ballpen sa mesa nang magsalitang muli ang teacher namin. Nagtaas siya ng kamay na para bang nag-eencourage ng students para sumagot sa magiging tanong niya. The chalk was dusting her fingers as she held it tightly in between her thumb and index finger. "How do you think technology can affect your active lifestyle?" Iginala niya ang paningin. Nagsiyukuan ang iba kong mga kaklase para magpatuloy pa rin sa pagsusulat. Or maybe to avoid being called to answer. Sumandal lamang ako sa upuan dahil naghihintay lang ng maidadagdag sa notebook
Nanatili siya sa pag-upo sa itaas ng desk ko at binabalanse lamang ang sarili ng mga paa. Nakatukod ang mga iyon nang mariin sa inuupuan ko. Pakiramdam ko ay kapag tatayo ako, magiging dahilan iyon upang bumagsak siya sa gumagalaw na desk. The thought that Ford can make that desk go wobble, girls were seemingly like that towards him too. Sakali mang tatayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo at mawalan ng balanse ang kaniyang pag-upo, babagsak talaga siya. Parang buong-buo pa ang tiwala niyang hindi ko siya hahayaang mahulog mula roon dahil nakatodo ang bigat niya sa pag-upo.Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. He's demanding me to get on our discussion for our reporting. Tinaasan ko rin siya ng kilay, I see to it that mine was higher. Ipinagkrus ko ang braso, hindi na naisip magpatalo sa pagiging arogante niya. Itinaas ko pa ang isang paa at ipinatong sa binti niya. He was not even su
I was invited over a dinner with Ford's family but I refused to. Bukod sa nakakahiya ay gusto ko ng umuwi para may kasama si Nanay sa bahay. They're probably still in the karinderya serving our customers or probably keeping the tables clean there. Marahil kapag tapos na sila ngayon ay naghihintay na si Nanay sa akin doon at baka hindi pa kumakain. Matigas pa naman ang ulo no'n."Pasensiya na po. Mauuna na po akong umuwi. Baka naghihintay na po si Nanay." I politely declined.Tumango sa akin si Mr. Chua at nakangiti, nagiging kurbadong buwan ang mata nito. His Father reminds me of Ford since he's a great resemblance of his Father. "Ford, ihatid mo pauwi sa kanila." "Hindi na po." Umiling ako at nahihiyang ngumiti sa kaniyang ina. Her mother smiled at me then eyes were directed to Ford. Parang may ipinapaabot ito sa
The fun started with the student council representatives hosting the event. They had games and all which I didn’t participate because I was wearing a dress. Si Athelia naman ay sumali pa rin kahit na nakapalda. She even dragged Ena along with her when she saw that Adamson was participating in one of the games. I remembered... it was called newspaper dance. Tahimik lang akong nakaupo at nanonood sa mga estudyante. “You don’t want to join in?” Ford asked. Umiling ako.Narito lang din siya at nagmamasid sa kasiyahan ng lahat. Kian and Ivan was watching with us from the next table as well. Ang tatlo lang ang umalis sa kinauupuan para makisali sa kung anong mga palaro. Athelia even removed her heels to win the games. Sa tuwing bumabalik siya ay may panibago na naman siyang dalang box na napalanunan. Ena was holding a bag of candies as a consolation price. “How about you? You might want to play the games.” “Do you want me to?” he asked. Bahagya niya akong niyuko. Our eyes met and my ch
Bago pa dumating ang araw kung kailan gaganapin ang exam namin ay natapos na rin sa wakas ang Freedom Wall namin. It took a lot of time to finish small details. Although compared to when we have a lot of things to do, this was less tiring. Only that you have to be very careful not to mess up. Isa ako sa mga kailangang tumapos sa mga maliliit na detalye. That also includes the rest of the club officers. Ramdam ko ang pagsisisi na naging isa ako sa mga officers. Ganoon din siguro ang mga kasama ko. I know we only felt that way at this period of time though. We still carry the same pride of being the officers of our club. Pero gusto ko na lang humiga habang ginagawa ang natitirang gawain. Hindi naman na masyadong binibigyan ng pansin ng mga estudyante ang Freedom Wall! They were enthusiastic about it at first. They followed the proper curriculum about this gimmick but time passes and it was just forgotten. Just another display to the school. Kairo’s parents were very understanding kno
Kaya nang sumunod na araw habang hinahatid niya ako kila Kian, naghahanap ako ng magandang tiyempo kung kailan siya kokomprontahin.Huminto ang sasakyan sa labas ng malaking gate nila Kian. Nakasilip lang ako sa labas at hinahanda ang sarili ko. I was so determined to do it but now I am shaking in my bones! Dahil sigurado akong sa aming dalawa, mas malaki ang kumpyansa niya sa sariling tanggihan ang maaaring sabihin ko. While I would just succumb on my opinions because most of the times, he was right. Ngayon ay wala siya sa tama! I can't have him ruining all of his study schedule just because he messed up a little bit.Tinanggal ko ang seatbelt at humarap sa kaniya. He was just watching me, probably pondering on my silence. My mind was floating in the surface though. I was sauntering on the scruple I am feeling."What time will you
From: Ford When are you going to Kian's house? Nahinto ako sa ginagawa. We were still finishing a few touches on the freedom wall. Nalalapit na kasi ang exam kaya kailangan bago pa dumaan ang exam ay matapos na kami. I stood up from squatting and excused myself to someone nearby. Tinanguan lang ako nito habang hindi iniiwan ang ginagawa. I looked for Ford on F******k and sent him a message on Messenger instead. Wala akong load! Kapag hindi niya makita ang reply ko, hindi ko na iyon kasalanan. Sasabihin ko na lang na nag-reply naman ako, hindi nga lang niya binisita ang Messenger. At tsaka, halata namang wala akong load! Wala akong masyadong ka-text o katawag at may free naman kaya bakit ko pahihirapan ang sarili? Good thing he was able to figure out my character in a few seconds, even earlier than I
I am already tired of trying to run away from my real feelings and masked it with the past promises."Uh-huh…" he said slowly, trying to organize his thoughts about me. Maybe… about us. "Why would you cry about us kissing?"I gasped and looked up at him. Nagsimula na namang mangilid ang mga luha ko sa mata dahil sa sinabi niya. He did not deny that they indeed kissed! Tinawag nga niyang "my woman" kanina kaya bakit hindi sila puwedeng maghalikan!? Tang ina!Bumitaw sa akin ang kamay niyang kanina pa pala nakahawak sa braso ko. He reached my face and wiped the tears that traced my cheek."Tell me, why are you crying about it…" he p
The waltzing did not stopped just because I left Kian alone in the middle of the dance floor. Nagpatuloy ang mabagal na musika at ang romantikong sayaw ng mga nasa gitna. Hindi ko iyon inalintana. Like a fish, I swam against the current of the dancing crowd. Naging eksperto ata ako sa pag-ilag sa pagkakataon na iyon at iisang direksyon lang ang patutunguhan--kung nasaan si Ford. Minalas pa ako at natapos na ang mahinang tugtugin at pinalitan na nila ng nakakabingi at maingay na musika.Naghiyawan ang mga estudyante at parang nawala sa romantikong katauhan, parang leon na gustong magwala sa kulungan. The crowd gows wild, it was harder to slipped in the small spaces! Halos mabuwal ako sa kinaroroonan. Nagsimula silang magtulakan na parang mga timang, kapag natatangay ako sa alon ay itinutulak ko rin sila sa iritasyon. Walang nagawa ang kaunting lakas ko sa malaking grupo ngunit kapa
Hinablot nito ang palapulsuhan ko nang walang salita at nagsimulang maglakad nang mabilis habang bitbit ako. I was struggling to carry my things while his strides were long. Sa haba ng binti niya ay halos patakbo na ako sa pagsunod sa kaniya kahit hawak naman ako nito.“Ano bang problema mo, Ford? Dahan-dahan naman! Ang bilis mo eh!” reklamo ko at pilit na pumipiglas sa hawak niya. His grip tightened but his pace slowed a little to give me slight comfort.Bumagal nga pero hinigpitan naman ang hawak sa akin! Hindi naman ako tatakbo palayo!Tumigil lang kami nang makarating malapit sa conference room at wala nang masyadong tao. Madalas kasi rito nagtitipon-tipon ang matataas na tao ng paaralan kaya inihiwalay sa mga lugar na maraming estudyante para mabigyan ng privacy.Pagod na ako nang hu
So it has been decided that I am going to the open field ball?Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala at natauhan lang nang harap-harapan ko na ang malalaking gowns. Sumama sa akin sina Athelia at Ena dahil pipili rin sila ng susuotin nila. Ena's mom was too busy to come with us so she left her card with Ena.Masigla si Athelia at para bang prinsesa sa kaniyang coming of age habang namimili ng maisusuot. Ena was talking to the attendant and viewing the brochure while I awkwardly sat on the bench at watched them closely.Hindi ko naman binalak na pumunta kahit pa may pera ako dahil abala ako at iniisip ko na nagpapagod lang ako para sa isang event na hindi naman gaanong mahalaga. Hindi naman sinabi ng guro namin na graded ang mangyayaring ball at wala akong grado kapag hindi ako pumunta. Although a little part of me wanted to come but I can win over my little desire. After al
Kairo was insisting that he need not to study with me. Naka-perfect naman daw siya sa mga quizzes nila at hindi naman daw siya stupid! Minsan gusto ko na rin talagang batukan 'tong si Kairo. Kapag ayaw niyang mag-aral, e'di wala akong trabaho no'n!Mama na nga niya ang bumatok sa kaniya at nang nanahimik na siya ay pinagtatawanan lang siya ng ama na nakatanggap din naman ng sapok galing sa asawa.Masama ang tingin sa akin ni Kairo na para bang ako ang pumilit sa kaniyang mag-aral. Mamula-mula ang ilalim ng mata at ilong dahil sa pag-iyak kanina."Then, can you try answering this?" mahinahon kong sabi kay Kairo."If it's that easy, why do I need you to teach me this?" reklamo nito ngunit kinuha rin naman ang papel at ballpen at nagsimulang magsagot.This kid! I understand his sentiments about himself and how he turned to be because of his family but someday, if he’s not going to fix his attitude, he’s going to g