Be the First (Love in Rivalry #1)

11: Castle Crumbling

What do you when you fail to get the one thing you've always wanted to achieve?

What do you do when you almost have that goal in your hands, inches away, and then ending up losing it?

"Dani, you're not touching your food." I heard Mom's voice but I'm just not sure what she said.

I only moved when a hand reached my forehead. "Masama pa rin ba ang pakiramdam mo?" It was Dad this time who spoke. At saka lang ako natauhan.

"Sorry, may iniisip lang pong homework." I stared down at my food, thinking why I couldn't bring myself to eat. Masarap naman ang Adobong niluto ni Mom.

Sa tingin pa lang ng mga magulang ko, alam kong ramdam nila na may mali sa akin.

"You should skip class tomorrow." Sabi ni Dad habang may kunot ang noo niya. He looks a little worried and mad at the same time.

"I can't," sabi ko. "Malapit na ang elections sa School Council." There was a heavy pang of pain formed in my chest when I lied.

Ayoko naman kasing malaman nila kung paano nag-fail ang anak nilang maging school leader.

And worse, paano na lang kung malaman nila ang gulong pinasok ko?

"It's not a question, Daniella Miel." May bigat sa boses ni Dad. "Maglaan ka ng kahit isang araw para maipahinga mo ang katawan mo. Hindi ka pa magaling." Binalingan niya ng tingin si Mom na walang ginawa kundi manahimik at mag-alala.

"Tama ang Dad mo, Dani. I will call your school tomorrow para ma-excuse kita."

"You don't have to do that." I argued.

"No more objections, Dani." Dad said it with finality.

Bakit ko pa ba pinipilit ang sarili kong pumasok bukas, eh nawala naman na ang lahat? 

Isa pa, wala na rin naman akong mukhang maihaharap sa campus. Lalo na sa mga officers ng The Heralds. Sa mga teachers. Sa mga kaibigan ko.

Wait. Do I even still have friends after all this?

I stood up from my seat. "Can I go to bed early? Gusto ko na pong magpahinga." Tutulo na kasi ang luha ko, and I don't want  them to see me cry.

Not when I am already this down. Ayokong makita nila.

"You're excused." Sabi ni Dad at dali-dali akong umakyat ng hagdan.

"Hindi siya kumain ng kahit ano--"

"Let her be."

Pagkasara ko ng pinto, saktong pagtulo ng luha ko. Hanggang sa pumadausdos ako sa pinto at doon napasandal nang sumalampak ako doon para umiyak nang umiyak.

My head was throbbing from both fatigue and non-stop crying.

I failed.

I did everything yet I failed.

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Nona: Kanina pa kita tinatawagan, Dani. Sumagot ka, please? You're not alone in this. Sinabi sakin ni Matias 'yung nangyari. Please pick your phone. 🥺