Fate and Plans (Engineering Student #6)

Chapter One

Chapter 1

"Congratulations, Christopher, Melanie at sa anak niyo!"

"Where's Cody?" Mommy asked one of our maids.

"Congratulations! Your son is so good! Ang talinong bata! Manang-mana sa Tatay."

"Alona, I'm jealous. Sa tatay lang ba nagmana?"

"Oh, don't be so sentimental Annie. Of course, kasama ka na doon. I'm just complimenting my pare because you know..."

Mommy laughed and shook her head. Kausap na ngayon ni Daddy si Tito Eugenio at papunta na rin sila sa labas para daluhan ang ibang mga bisita. Mommy is still enjoying her chitchats with Tita Alona.

Bumuntonghininga ako at dumaan sa tabi nila pero hindi nila ako napansin dahil sa kanilang pag-uusap. I went straight to our garden. I sat in one of the benches here and looked at the bright sky.

Graduate na si Kuya Cody sa elementary at siya ang valedictorian. Nagkaroon ng simpleng handaan para sa selebrasyon.

Speaking of... where is he? Ah, maybe he's with his friend right now. Baka nasa kuwarto siya at nakikipag-usap kay Yuno. Napagod na rin siya siguro sa mga halik at pagbati ng mga bisita kaya nagtago na lang sa kuwarto.

Well, he deserved that recognition though. He's an intelligent boy. Matalino si Kuya. Palaging may awards, palaging nakiki-contest at nananalo.

"Next year is your turn Keziah..." Mommy smiled and held my hand. Ilang linggo na ang nakakalipas nung grumaduate si Kuya sa elementary pero ito ang topic pa rin namin. Tahimik lang akong kumakain habang pinapakinggan ang mga puri nila Mommy at Daddy kay Kuya. Pinag-uusapan din nila iyong naging speech niya. Hindi ko alam kung paano napunta sa akin ang usapan.

I looked away.

"But... I don't think I'll get an award..." I bit my lower lip and shyly continued swallowing my food even though it's already now hard to swallow. There's something in my throat that is painful down to my chest.

"It's okay, hija... you're doing good naman sa school!" Mommy cheered me up. I just gave her a small smile.

Between the two of us, I am not the achiever. I am not the intelligent one. Never ko pa nakita ang sarili ko na nag-excel o nakakuha ng kahit anong award. Uh... well... most behave? I don't know.

"How's high school?" I curiously asked Kuya one time I saw him in the veranda. He shrugged and said 'okay lang.'

"Madali?"

"Madali."

I made a face. "Para sa iyo madali, s'yempre! Paano naman ako?"

Kumunot ang noo niya, "Of course, madali din para sa iyo 'yon."

"Hindi naman ako kagaya mo na matalino..." I mumbled as I am watching how the trees dancing with the wind.