Be the First (Love in Rivalry #1)

First

"There's greatness in weakness, and weakness in greatness, Daniella. You have to learn your way between the two, and stand in the midst of it--maintain the balance--so you can stay on top and remain to be the best of all."

'Yan ang laging sinasabi sa akin noon ni grandpa noong buhay pa siya.

In order to be great, you have to know where you are good at, what your weakpoints are, and learn your way around all of the things that could possibly put you down.

To be great, you are to be self-aware. You have to be consistent. Perseverant. Observant. Calculated. Prepared-always prepared.

"Congratulations, Dani!"

"Nilamon mo na naman lahat, Dani!"

"Daniella Miel for the win! Hakot awards!"

"You ate and left no crumbs! Baka si Dani 'yan?"

"Thank you!" Hindi mawala ang ngiti ko sa lahat ng mga bumabati sa akin habang naglalakad ako. Paano ba naman kasi, sampung medals yata itong nakasabit sa leeg ko matapos ang Awarding ng grade eight.

Expected ko nang ganito ang eksena palagi dahil mula nang malipat at ma-accelerate ako sa Junior High at maangat ang level ko ng isang taon, hindi na ako naawat sa paguwi ng mga medals at certificates sa lahat ng awarding ceremonies ng school.

I am Daniella Miel Saavedra-Samaniego, o mas kilala ng lahat na 'Dani the Great' at forever kong pangangatawanan ang titulo na iyon.

Hinawakan ko ulit ang mga medals na suot ko habang naglalakad papalapit kay Mom. "Come here, anak." Niyakap kaagad ako nang mahigpit ni Mom bago ko pa natanong kung nasaan si Dad. "I'm so proud of you. Ang dami mong awards!"

"Thank you, Mom." Sinipat ko ang paligid at wala akong nakitang lalaking kamukha ko. "Let me guess, Dad's in an important meeting?"

I saw how Mom's smile grew smaller. That means one thing. I'm right.

I'm always right.

"He'll be with us at dinner, Dani. May kailangan lang siyang asikasuhin sa trabaho." Sandali kong tinignan nang mabuti ang mukha ni Mom. Sa unang tingin, parang hindi halatang mag-ina kami dahil bata pa rin ang aura ni Mom at sobrang ganda ng kutis niya.

I got her dark brown hair color and her round deep-set eyes. Then the rest of my facial features were from my Dad.

My dad who is not always there to see every shining moment I worked hard for. My dad-who is not so supportive like grandpa-seemed to hate the fact that I am an overachiever.

It's fine, Dani. What's new?

"I will be cooking." Kinindatan ako ni Mom bago niya ako hinila papalabas ng School Auditorium kung saan naganap ang Awarding Ceremony ng grade eight level. "May request ka ba for tonight?"

I pulled out my phone and opened the camera so I could take a photo of me wearing all the medals. 'Yung pangalawang picture, sinama ko na si Mom. I will post these online later.

"Chicken Alfredo," sabi ko habang nakanguso. Nginitian lang ako ni Mom hanggang sa makalabas na kami ng school. May mga nakasalubong pa kaming mga schoolmates kaya binati nila ulit ako.

Hindi na bago sa akin ang ganito. Coming from a family of educators, and with everyone knowing that my grandfather used to own a prestigious school, it's not a surprise for everyone to know me and my name.