Thorns After Everything (Completed)

Chapter 10

"Kaya ko 'to." I whispered to myself as I began reading the Final Examination Exam.

I was pressured kasi kailangan ko talagang makakuha ng highest score. By the time na tatakbo akong SSC President sa Next year ko sa College ay I had to make an impression. Iniisip ko, good grades would probably make a good impression. Since I am maintaining my scholarship cut-off din, I really have to get the highest score. Ayokong mag-settle sa mindset na basta makapasa lang kasi I know I can do more. Do better.

I answered all of the questions and the time na tapos na ako ay inuulit-ulit ko pa sa pagbabasa. Natatawa ako sa sarili ko kasi Education ang course na kinukuha ko. More on socializing. Humanities and Social sciences related and yet I am not sociable at all.

I passed my exam paper last.

Oo.

Sa loob ng 30 minutes lang ay tapos na ako sa pag-answer pero nakaya ko pa ding mag review ng 30 minutes din. Mahirap nang maging careless. Without regrets, I left the classroom and headed outside.

I saw Paolla waiting.

She can't be waiting for the teacher. Tapos ako nalang ang natitirang student sa Section na to.

She stood up straight the moment she saw me.

"Maris." She greeted.

I figured I had to greet her back kasi wala naman siyang ginagawang masama o ikakasama ko. Okay lang naman na iiwan niya ako ng paulit-ulit.

She hugged me.

"I'm sorry."

"What for?" I asked.

Lumayo siya sa yakap.

"Oh come on. I know your story. You have been telling me na feeling mo everyone is bored at you kaya ka biglang didistansyahan." She said. "I mean, you told me that before."

I nodded.

Napakunot ako ng noo.

"Paolla, I think I didn't saw you kanina sa exam..."

"Yes, I missed the exam."

Napatingin ako sa suot niya.

She's in the wrong type of uniform. Supposedly type A ang susuotin ngayon kasi formla ang examination. I figured there is something going on.

Hinihingal din siya.

"Anong nangyari?" I asked.

Napailing siya na para bang nagmamakaawa siya na 'wag ako magtanong.

"Okay. Pero okay ka lang ba?" I asked.

"My parents are gonna kill me."

Naglakad na kami.

"Ano ba kasi ang nangyari?" I asked again and maybe she'll answer.

"I got late sa Exam. Hindi ako nagising ng maaga. Hangover pa ako." Ah, alak pa nga. "Nagpunta kasi ako ng finance office ng late. Hindi na ako nakapagbayad kaagad."

Napatango ako.

"You know naman na strict ang school when it comes to Exam Permit diba?"

She nodded. "Sila Mom kasi ang tagal nagpadala tapos nakalimutan ko din saan ang office kanina. I got lost kaya."

I nodded.

Nakarating na kami sa labas ng school.

May nag-aantay na kotse.

"Can you help me out?" Paolla asked.

Napatingin ako sa kanya.

"Hah?"

"I had to study for my special exam tomorrow. Hindi pa kasi ako nakaka-study ng maayos e. Review din wala."

Nagmamakaawa si Paolla sa akin habang hinihila niya ako papasok sa Kotse.

"Wait, san tayo pupunta?" 

"Sa bahay." She smiled. "Sleepover."

Napakunot ako ng noo.

"Uhm, I can't. Hindi ako nakapagpaalam."

Sleepover? Wala ako nun ever since.

"Let's call them nalang okay? And besides, you'll have to tutor me and get paid."

Napatigil ako.

Get paid?

"I mean, hindi naman kasi madali ang magturo. Let's just say nililibre kita. Sige na please. Pretty please." She begged.

Just when I was about to enter the car, I saw Zadist from afar.

Nang makaupo na ako sa loob and have Paolla wear me the seat belt ay napatahimik ako at napapaisip.

There was something that Zadist really want to tell me pero hindi ko siya pinayagan for I was too busy. What was it? Kaya ba naghihintay siya sa labas ng school? Right after the exam?

He was just there.

Waiting... alone.