Thorns All Over the Stem (SHS Trans Series #1)

Chapter 01

"I was considered as With high honor..." Nakangiti kong inilahad ang aking report card kay Mommy. "Since I've got an average of 97 for today's semester."

Nang makuha'y umayos siya ng upo sa kanyang swivel chair. I saw how her brows furrowed behind with those spectacles she's wearing. Napa-ayos na rin tuloy ako ng upo sa kanyang harapan dahil sa mataman na pagtitig nito sa aking report card.

At first glance, you'll surely get intimidated with my mother's presence. With an aura screaming of formality and authority. At ang itim na buhok niya na palaging naka-french twist bun, samahan pa nang palagi niyang pagsusuot ng kanyang salamin. Talagang mahihinuha mo agad na kagalang-galang subalit estriktang klase ng tao ang aking ina. Iyong tipong hindi nabibiro at naloloko.

Kaya kaming tatlong mga anak niya ay parang mga estudyante na rin kung umasta sa kanyang harapan. Imagine, you should always seat straight and be attentive with all the words you'll say. Ganun kami ka-disiplinado.

Malalim akong bumuntong hininga at inilibot na lamang ang paningin sa loob ng silid. Minsan lamang akong magtungo rito. At ngayon ko lang din napuna ang mga bagay na nakasabit at nakadisenyo sa buong silid na ito.

Trophies. Medals. Framed Certificates.
Halos punuin na ng mga iyon ang buong pader ng silid, same as with those cabinets in the corner.

Nandirito ako ngayon sa opisina ni Mommy sa paaralan. She's the Dean of our school. The respected Lucillia Hilda Vasquejo—a woman of pride and honor. That's my mother.

Ang buong silid ay nagsu-sumigaw sa mga achievements na nakamit ni Mommy gayun na rin ng paaralan. A very prestigious private school na halos hindi mo na mabibilang ang mga karangalang naabot nito. And of course, it's because the school is under the supervision of my mother.

When my prof handed our report cards, I immediately headed here in Mommy's office. Dahil tapos na rin naman ang klase namin at upang maipakita ko iyon sa kanya.

Napabalik ang tingin ko kay Mommy nang tumikhim siya. "With high honors?" Mommy asked. I proudly nodded at her, smiling. "An average of 97? It's way too small, Ressia." She said as she took off her eyeglasses.

Ow. The smile plastered in my lips immediately turned into a thin line. 97 is still not enough. I thought it would be. I felt belittled with what Mommy said. The pride and happiness I felt earlier suddenly faded away. I thought she would be proud of me. I thought it would suffice her expectations to me. But for the nth time... hindi na naman pala.

"Is there a Highest honor?" Mommy asked as she leaned over the table, crossing both of her arms on top of it.

"Y-yes po," maingat kong saad.

She raised a brow. "At sino naman?"

"U-uhm... Si Paul po."

"The young Manzales..." Mommy mumbled. "What's his average?"

Napayuko ako. Alam ko na kung saan na naman ito patungo. "98... 98.4 to be exact," mahina kong saad.

It's not that I'm bitter because someone exceeded over me. Well, partly yes. Pero nanlulumo ako sa kadahilanang umasa ako, na sa wakas ay matutuwa na rin sa akin si Mommy. But I was wrong. Again.

"And you look so proud with your 97 average? You're so proud being the High honor when there is something much higher than that?!" She scoffed. I remained silent. This is way too better rather than explaining myself. She heaved a deep sigh, tila nagpipigil.

"We'll talk this at home..." she handed my report card, nakayukong tinanggap ko iyon. "For now, umuwi ka na lang muna dahil may bisita pa akong darating."