Finals Week. The culmination of months of preparation and sacrificing weekend jaunts or gimmicks with friends. The final countdown. I massaged my forehead and stretched my arms after I completed answering my last test paper. I did what I could, and I will just have to wait and pray for positive results. I glanced at Charm and Val. Their heads were still bowed down, furiously answering the questions on their respective papers. I looked around and saw Izzie, Lance, Archer, Jon, Noah, and about half of the class were still not done with their tests. The last subject was Reading and Comprehension, my favorite. Our teacher Ma’am Decena shooed me out as I handed my paper. I grabbed my bag and stepped outside. I saw Dahlia, Len, Julie, and Ayene outside, comparing notes. This was the Honors circle, and I was pondering on why I was in the same group. Len saw me and shrieked, “I knew you would finish up early. Those questions and essays were just a
Friday was the last day of school. I brought an extra set of casual clothing with me just in case the class decides to carry on with the proposed last-day film watching. I rode to school with Mica, as all seniors need to get ready for their graduation exercises. I saw her run over to her section, and the Senior students were occupying a big chunk of the school grounds for their rehearsal. Members of the Music Club were near the platform, testing their musical instruments. I saw Lance carrying a big, black bag. I remember he was a member of the Club and plays the keyboard. I went up to our room and immediately looked for Charm and Val. They were roaming around the hallway that morning, checking in with other section students. Our room was also lively with discussions on how to spend the last day of school. I placed my bag on my seat then ran out to join Val and Charm. We did not have any classes, as the faculty was busy preparing for the graduation eve
It was a sweltering day and I burned my skin several times over from spending too much time outside. Those were the hottest days of summer. I ran around the lot trying to catch that freakishly fast chicken that my Nanay wanted to butcher and cook into tinola. I was crying while doing so, imagining the fate that chicken would have under my Nanay’s experienced hands. I tripped and fell, hurting my knee in the process. An ugly bruise emerged, and I just lost it. I stopped and yelled, “They are selling dressed chickens in the market. Why are you making me go through this? What about Mica?” My Nanay briskly walked towards me and swatted my nape. “You dare shout at your mother?” I ran in the direction of our nipa-styled house to escape from her clutches. “Come back here! Who will capture that chicken?” I ignored her screams and went inside to look for Mica. She was still lying on the bed and snoring. I w
That Monday morning, I was up bright and early to get ready for school. I showered and then dressed with special care. Last night, prepared my new black shoes and ironed my new set of uniforms. This year, I had longer hair, which I usually kept well-groomed by wearing headbands. My old hairdo was getting on my nerves because it simply helped to make me look younger. I wasn't sure whether Lance would join me because it was only the first day of school and kids generally arrive late or not at all. We also didn't get to meet because he was too busy assisting his sister in running their shop.Lance was nowhere to be found at the jeepney station or on their block. I was a little upset, but when I saw Izzie, I felt better. Izzie shrieked upon seeing me and proceeded to chat excitedly about our class. We were so preoccupied with discussing the new students coming in, that we almost passed over our school.We disembarked and noticed some kids entering at a leisurely pace. We p
The weeks that followed kept us all busy. Our new classmates easily adjusted to the pace and acclimated to the group. Jessie, the girl transferred from the afternoon section, was very affable and eager to please. She was a dark, slightly taller girl than me and sporting very straight oily hair. She would always take part in our Friday hangouts and would even self-assuredly join the bubbly boys' discussions. The sports competitions came in and tryouts were conducted. Jessie excitedly told me that she might join the volleyball tryouts but she did not show up when the day came. As expected, Charm, Felicia, and I were selected to the Junior - AM team. Jessie excitedly told me that she might join the tryouts but she did not show up during the selection process. Although her seat was in the middle, she always stays in our row to chat and have fun with the bubbly boys. Charm was then going out with
One morning, I came in later than usual. Most of my classmates were already inside the room and there were tittering and loud calls for Lance. I was surprised but did not think too much about it. I sat down and whispered to Izzie, “What’s up? Why is there so much excitement so early this morning?” Izzie whispered back “Someone left a love letter and a big chocolate bar on Lance’s desk. Must be from an admirer.” I gasped. “Really? Well, that’s a first. Whoever that was must be one brave girl.” Izzie snickered. “Brave? Pretty stupid for me.” I looked back at Izzie. I asked “Why stupid? I mean Lance is really popular. He has no girlfriend yet so I can say he is still pretty much on the market.” Izzie turned her icy stare at me “Lance has you. He doesn’t seem to be courting or going out with anyone else. Whoever did that must know about you being Lance’s best f
After class, I asked Izzie to get Charm and meet us in the library. Lance and I left our classroom hurriedly and waited in the library. Soon, Charm and Izzie came. Izzie already apprised Charm about what happened and she was enraged. “The nerve of this girl. It is ok to criticize and all, but threatening you is something else.” I looked at Lance. “What shall we do? I think we should not see or be with each other for now. It might temper down her anger. After all, she got stood up.” I did not care about her other allegations, but she might do something to hurt Lance and me. Charm replied “It might just be an empty threat, but we need to come up with a plan to draw her out. It is hard to do something at this point without knowing who we are up against.” Lance paced around the room, “Yes. I am thinking of responding to that letter and meet that person. But she might not show up. We must put up some sort of bait f
Lance told me everything while we hung out at our favorite cafe, hungrily munching on burgers and fries. “I thought at first it was that Sophomore. I was about to tell her off when Jessie came. Naturally, I was speechless and a bit surprised. Jessie confessed to me everything and asked me to not be mad at her. Honestly, I wanted to choke her. Lucky for her, I have very good self-control. She told me she had a thing for me since last year. She went bragging about her getting the top spot in the afternoon session just to get into our class. She really gave me a nasty headache.” I could see he was trying to control his emotions, except his furrowed brows and red cheeks gave him away. “I told her she should not have spread lies about you and threatened you. That I could not accept.” I asked quietly, “What did she say?” He went on, “She apologized, but I told her she should apologize to you and not me. I told her I
It was already 7:00 in the evening when we left the mall. We walked to the parking lot and got into the car. The car’s engine did not start immediately. After several tries, he was able to get it going. As we were driving along Pasay Road, we heard a funny, rumbling sound. I looked at Lance and said, “What’s that?” He did not answer. I saw he was checking the fuel gauge. “I think we are running out of gas.” I gawked. “What are you going to do?” He answered, “I need to look for a good spot to park and check. I am not sure if we can reach the nearest gas station, though.” He parked on the side. “We need to reach the gas station.” He stepped out and looked around. He came back then said, “I need your help, Nia.”I nodded “Sure, what do you need me to do?” He looked so ill-at-ease, then said “Well, we need to push the car to the gas station.” I just sat there, not really comprehending. “Push? So you want me to help push the car?” He looked down and s
I always felt like I was just a regular guy. Growing up, my parents would shower me with their undivided attention as I was the only boy. My older sister Terry "bullied" me when we were kids, and because of her, I was a bit shy around girls. I just liked hanging around with noisy guys like Jon and Ira, as I felt they "protected" me. I had crushes, but never really told any girl I liked her. Jon joked that the girl must be the one to court me, for I usually clamped up around them. That is, until I met Nia. During our Sophomore year, I heard heard rumors about a girl who transferred to our coed school from an exclusive girls' school. My curiosity was piqued. I felt bad hearing some of them making fun of the girl we have yet to meet. I saw new faces in the room and I asked Ira casually if the new girl had arrived. "Nope, I don't think she's here yet. Those new students came from co-ed schools as well," he replied. I sat down, feeling disappointed. Suddenly, I saw a girl stood b
I was startled to hear my office phone ringing continuously. I picked it up quickly and breathlessly said, "Hello?" "Hello, Nia? Izzie here. What time are you ready? We need to go see Noah immediately at the precinct." I checked my watch and responded, "I can wrap up now and go there. I'll meet you at the mall then we go directly to the precinct. How about the others?" I heard Izzie sighed and said, "Ayene, Leny and Carly went there an hour ago. Ira and Enzo will also proceed there in a bit. I'd like to talk to Noah. He must be really scared." "Don't worry. Buy some snacks, towels, toiletries for him, and I'll be there in a jiffy." I quickly drove to the mall to pick up Izzie. I saw her waiting for me at the mall entrance and quickly stopped at the curb and opened the door. She came in, hugged me and closed the door. She started chatting about Noah. "I told him to resign from that stupid job. He was so stressed out for months, an
"I will not take No again for an answer, Nia," my friend Naomi said crispily over the phone. I was staring at my computer and typing endless memos for my boss who was the senior vice president for Corporate Banking of a leading universal bank. My head was tilted, skillfully balancing the receiver while leafing through the pages of the draft. I was hired as an assistant and working with the bank for nearly 3 years. I met Naomi while I was an intern for a professional advertising executive and she was then his assistant. I liked her because of her feisty nature. "I already met the guy and he seems promising. But do I need to go into another date with him? I am very busy," I answered. Naomi set me up on a blind date with Ervin who was an account executive working for a big pharmaceutical company. "He has been asking why you don't want to give your personal as well as your professional contact number. I think he's got the hots for you. Why don't you give him a chance? Just
Time really flies, and how! I am now a Senior in college, and in just a few months will graduate hopefully with Latin Honors. Soon, I'd be able to keep my promise to Nanay. It was a long arduous journey, but I did it. I only need to pass the remaining exams and defend my thesis. I was so grateful to Jena, Eden, Arnold, and the rest of my classmates who made life in college bearable. As expected, life there was more serious and I learned that you have to take ownership of your decisions and not rely on others. I realized my inner strength and determination to finish what I've started. I sacrificed Lance, and nothing's going to stop me from my goal. A stumbling block indeed came, but I was able to overcome and moved on. A few months ago, I was roaming the University Belt with Jena and Arnold looking for additional sources for our thesis. The place was teeming with students from other universities and colleges. I was able to get copies of the books I needed and was waiting for
One year later.I was walking towards the Main Building/Science library of the University of Saint Thomas to look through additional materials for our group presentation scheduled for next week. It was a hectic year for the Freshman AB class, and I was looking forward to a relaxing summer. I saw my classmates, Arnold and Eden already in our favorite table and I quickly sat on the chair across the two. Both smiled at me and proceeded to discuss the materials they were able to get from the undiscovered section of the old library.On the last Friday of March that year, the class of 1986 graduated. Surrounded by excited classmates and proud parents and companions, I felt empty that day. Even when my Nanay shed tears and Bree took pictures of me on the stage with my diploma and mother in tow, I barely mustered a tiny grin. Because we all brought our family members, my classmates and I were only able to say quick goodbyes before we left the venue. I quick
Classes were resumed several days after the peaceful EDSA Revolution of February 25, 1986. My classmates were very excited to see each other again. The school officials welcomed us back during our morning assembly, with the principal asking the students to go on studying and not worry about the political situation. He also reminded us seniors of our remaining projects and upcoming examinations, which effectively gave us the direction we needed. My clasmates worked like crazy, and we extended our stay at the campus in order to finish all our projects. Every minute with them counts. Lance and I went home late, and we see each other during weekends, too. Bree talked to me one night. She looked subdued, and I was a bit concerned. "How are you doing at school? Ready for college?" she asked. I nodded vigorously. "Of course! It's just the final examinations and we are all set to graduate. Don't worry. I just need to wait for the documents i need to submit to UST and I
Lance and I quickly went out to join our group. were on the dancefloor, gyrating to the class favorite song, "Always something there to remind me." ValAll of themand Charm were with us, along with some of their friends and we made a circle. Pairs danced off amidst loud cheers and laughter. Charm hugged me, and thoughts of Alfred were forgotten. It was the Seniors' night, our special event before graduation, and no one can take the excitement away from us. Lance and I embraced and danced, and our friends rejoiced with us. I saw Izzie dancing with Archer, Noah and Val stealing the show along with Jon and Ira, and that was how Class IV-1 spent their last JS Prom together. At past 1:00am, we left the campus. We saw a store still open, and we stayed for half an hour drinking cold soda and eating biscuits while we recounted everything that happened that night. We said goodnight to each other, and went home. Lance and I sat inside his car, and we talked about what
That year's JS Prom was austere. The antsy political situation was felt everywhere and our principal almost cancelled the event. However, the majority of the students and their parents implored the school authorities to push through with it. Certainly, it was an annual event that most juniors and seniors look forward to and make up the bulk of their high school memories. We were encouraged to wear second-hand gowns and tuxedoes or rent-out from shops that give out discounts and promos to students. Noah comically said even with the end of the world coming, we must have our prom. I looked a myself at our old mirror, checking my simple make-up and my altered pink gown. Lance will be coming any time now, and I quickly picked up my purse and ran outside. I saw him parking the car and I quickly went to the passenger side. I slid in, and kissed him on the cheek. "I think we need to go now or we'll be late for registration. Archer already went to Izzie's house ea
Lance's act of courage was the trending topic the following week, as the bubbly boys and girls of Section IV-1 excitedly recounted to everyone who cared to listen how he quickly ran down the treacherous slope to save me from harm. He became even more popular and awarded a few days later with the CAT Medal of Bravery which was a first. It may have been an embarrasing time for me, but Lance would tell everyone that he only thought of saving me, and he thought of nothing else. I imagined how he must have looked like, almost flying down the hill to be able to catch up to a helpless me. So dreamy and handsome, and so brave. I felt so lucky to have the bravest boy at my side. The next few weeks was both busy and exciting. The holiday season was coming and everyone of us was rushing to complete school activities and projects. We also took college entrance examinations in our chosen universities and colleges. Izzie was becoming distracted, with her university res