When Destiny Decides To Play

Chapter 1

Uoiea's POV

I was listening to my favorite song when the car slowly stopped. I looked outside just to see a huge gate with letters 'LA' carved on its middle.

This must be it. Lington Academy, huh? A prestigious school for riches and elites, where spoiled brats are usually thrown.

I watched as Mang Toning climbed down from his seat and waited for him to open the van's door. I grab my bag and slid my body out of the car.

"Gusto mo bang samahan pa kita?" our driver asked."No need na po Mang Toning, I can handle myself." I smiled so he can be assured.

"Tawagan mo ako kung mayroon kang kailangan, ija?" I nod as he gave me a reassuring smile. I hugged him before we part ways.

Mang Toning is our private family driver. Hindi siya ang unang private driver sa pamilya namin pero siya lang pinakatumagal sa serbisyo, 13 years is enough to call it long, right? Hindi naman mabigat and trabahong ibinigay sa kaniya. Actually, pagsundo lang sa bawat miyembro ng pamilya namin ang prayoridad niya, and he's been paid more than what's in his contract. He's been polite and hardworking ever since, very passionate and committed to his job. That's what we like about him, though.

Ipinakita ko ang I.D ko sa guard at agad naman niya akong pinapasok. Napansin ko ang bahagyang pagkunot ng noo niya at bahagyang pagtitig sa mukha ko nang mabasa niya ang apilyedo ko. Nang hindi siya umimik ay nagpatuloy na ako sa paglalakad.

I took a sigh before stepping inside.

Kahit na nakita ko na rin naman sa mga pictures na ibinigay sa'kin ni tito ang kabuoang layout ng school, I still can't help myself but to feel amazed nang makapasok ako. May mas igaganda pa pala ang paaralang ito.

What do you expect from the most popular engineer/architect in the Philippines?

There are countless benches everywhere. Three large fountains are located at the center. Tall and green trees can be seen on each corner, the blooming flowers are what most certainly caught my attention.

Napapalibutan ito ng mga naglalakihang school building na magkakaharap, hindi naman ito naging hadlang sa pagpasok ng liwanag sa paligid. Parang box ang pwesto ng lahat ng building pero ang kinatatayuan ko ngayon ay walang building na nagsisilbing daanan para makapunta sa direksyon ng susunod na establisiyemento.

Napailing na lang ako. What a school to rule.

Pinagmasdan kong muli ang tanawin bago nagpatuloy sa paglalakad papuntang Senior High building.

Actually there were six buildings— for elementary, high school and seniors, not including the cafeterias. I heard na meron pang for college, just in a different area.

I became aware sa mga taong nakakasalubong ko as I was strolling the hallway. Nagsisidatingan na ang mga estudyante.

Some looks excited, some are laughing with their peers, may mga mukhang antok din. Hindi nakalagpas sa paningin ko ang iilan na napapatingin sa gawi ko, susulyap saka magbubulungan. I can even hear their whispers, if you can call it one. Oh, how I hate those stares, mga walang magawa sa buhay.

"Omg, look at that girl! She looks so fluffy!"

"What's wrong with her face?"

"I thinks someone's lost."

And of course, them. Ugh, kay aga-aga. I ignored their stares and fixed my gaze on my way. I maximized the volume of my headset. Wala rin naman akong mapapala kung makikinig ako.

It's not even new. Naranasan ko na rin yan sa former school ko. What do I expect? The surroundings might have change but situation like this will never be absent.

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad hanggang makapasok ako sa isang cream coloured na building. Nakasabit sa taas ang kumikintab na letrang 'Senior High Building'. Malayo pa lang ay rinig na rinig ko na ang ingay mula sa loob. Napabuntong hininga na lang ako ulit tsaka nakipagsabayan sa alon ng mga estudyante.

I observed the setting inside. For a prestigious school, hindi na nakapagtataka ang malawak na hallway na nilalakaran ko ngayon.

Nothing could be seen except for those white and gray walls limned with simple but elegantly curved golden paints. Maaliwalas. It could somehow make anyone comfortable, enables me to breathe amidst the crowd of students.

I passed through the students' lobbies, comfort rooms, and several locker rooms. You can't find anything else inside the building aside from those. Halata mong in-organisa talaga.

Natuon ang pansin ko sa babaeng nakatayo 'di kalayuan sa'kin. She's busy chatting with some girls. Gumilid ako nang bahagya para maiwasan siya nang may isang lalaki naman ang nakabunggo sa'kin. Natumba pa ako sa lakas ng impact at nasagi ang katabi ko pero ni hindi man lang siya lumingon. Naramdaman ko ang pagkirot ng pwet ko sa lakas ng pagkakabagsak.

"Watch where you're going."

I noticed a pair of red high heels in front of me. I looked up only to see a girl glaring at me. Tinaasan niya ko ng kilay nang hindi ako gumalaw. Napapatingin na rin ang mga estudyante sa amin. I struggled as I quickly stand and grab my things.

"Hala, si Nat!"

"Naku! First day na first day, may mapapahiya na naman."

"Pre, si Nat oh. Hindi ba binusted ka niyan."

"Ulol! Nakalimutan mo bang ikaw rin?"

"She's so pretty!"

"I really envy her hair."

Sinulyapan ko siya. Morena, matangkad, makapal ang labi na tinapalan ng pulang-pulang lipstick, itim na itim ang bagsak nitong buhok at bumakat ang magandang hubog ng katawan niya sa telang suot niya. It surely contributes to the aura she emits.

"S-sorry."

I said, more like a whisper, and managed to make my voice sound wavy. Aside from it was partly my fault, I wanna avoid making this scene look stale. Seriously? I can't believe this is happening. Mas tumaas ang kilay niyang mukhang tutubuan na ng pakpak

"What daw?" Tanong nung babaeng kasama niya na mukhang mag f-fashion show. Bingi ba 'to? Tinignan ako nitong babaeng kaharap ko mula ulo hanggang paa. "Whatever, make sure I won't see your face again." She looked at me disgustingly and I eventually averted my gaze to prevent myself from rolling my eyes.

"Pasalamat ka, good mood si Nat." Pahabol nung isa bago sila tuluyang umalis. The crowd followed. Oh, we had audiences.

It took me a few moments before realization struck me.

Okay, that was not good. Aside from studying, I entered this institution with one rule: Avoid attention. What just happened seconds ago was completely out of league.

Dang it. First day na first day.

I stared at the girl leading their way. There's no point on arguing with them, especially with this appearance. I shook my head.

Napaisip ako kung sino siya. Base sa postura at pa'no siya pag-usapan ng mga estudyante dito, she must be something, I can sense it.

I shrugged my shoulder as I turn my back and walk. I adjusted my nerdy glasses.

Make sure you won't see my face again? Well, it's hard for heiresses to leave their castles, right?

******