Bits of Chemistry | ✓

Kabanata 7

Kabanata 7

Etienne was as pure as the white fur of a rabbit; soft and pristine. Hindi nga n'ya magawang magalit nang matagal. Marunong lamang siyang magtampo ngunit hindi siya nagagalit, he never shows any sign of aggressive behavior. He would never do anything that could harm any individual.

"You didn't pass the special science class?" ulit ko habang nakita na kasama pa rin siya sa listahan ng mga kaklase ko sa susunod na school year.

"I didn't pass the exam. It was hard, Lavy." Etienne fidgeted his fingers.

Hindi ako makapaniwala. Pilit n'yang iniiwas ang tingin sa akin. Nagawa pa n'yang pumalumbaba sa kan'yang desk at tumingin sa malapit na bintana.

Nagtangis naman ang bagang ko sa irita. That's impossible, ayon sa mga ibang nakapasok ng special science class ay inulit na lamang ang mga tanong sa nakaraang test para mas sigurado na pasok na sila.

"You're lying, aren't you?"

"Why would I lie?" he gulped. Liar.

"Hindi ko rin alam. Bakit nga ba? The special science class would advance you to more opportunities, Etienne."

Bahagyang napanguso si Etienne. His eyelashes fluttered because of his sudden movement, somehow, he looks agitated. Pakiramdam ko ay tila isa siyang batang nahuling may ginagawang masama.

"Ayaw mo ba ako'ng maging kaklase?" tanong n'ya sa maliit na tono. Agad naman na nagkaroon ng yupi ang aking noo.

"Teka? Bakit mo nilalayo ang usapan? Of course, I still want to be your classmate. Saan mo naman nakuha 'yang ideya na 'yan?"

"Then, stop asking about it. Ayoko roon."

"Bakit nga? Sayang naman." I sighed, putting my feet on the top of my classmate's seat.

It was our school year's end party. I was wearing a black mesh sleeve A-line dress despite my protest. Si Dayanara ang namili ng damit ko dahil ang ilan sa mga anak ng kaibigan n'ya ay kaklase ko. She probably heard reports about me being tacky, which wasn't true. Hindi ko lang talaga alam bakit kailangan mag-ayos kung araw-araw naman ako'ng nauumay sa pagmumukha nila.

I want to feel beautiful because I want to, not because they want me to be pleasing in their eyes. There's a difference. My beauty isn't based from their perspective but my own.

At para sa akin, maganda ako kahit basahan pa ang damit ko. Pakialam ko ba sa kanila? If they can't appreciate me, it's their loss.

"Ayaw mo ba ako makasama, Lavy?"

"That's not the point, Etienne." I, once again, sighed. Paikot-ikot na lang kami.

Days after that event, parang binuhusan ng gas ang galit ko nang may malaman ako'ng ginawa ni Etienne. Sinugod ko siya sa kanilang mansion nang walang pasabi.

"Nasaan po si Etienne?" hinihingal kong saad. The caretaker only pointed towards his room.

Tumango ako.

Pumanhik ako patungo roon na may mabibigat na yapak. I even folded my sleeves because I was ready to smack his head for doing something stupid.

He purposely failed his exam for the special science class.

Ang dahilan? Hindi ko rin alam. Napagusapan lang ito sa faculty ng mga teachers dahil handang-handa na pala ang mga nasa special science class para kay Etienne. It was almost a conundrum for them. Walang makahula kung bakit binagsak ni Etienne ang sarili n'yang exam.

I knock on the door as hard as I could. Hindi kayang pigilan ang naiiritang pakiramdam para sa kan'ya. Kakaltukan ko talaga ang isang 'yon!

The door harshly opened. Hindi si Etienne ang bungad sa akin bagkus isang pamilyar na bulto ng tao ang humarap sa akin ngayon. She was tall, slender and had an uptight appearance.