𝕱𝕮 802 𝖀4 2002: 𝘖𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘺

1 | Genesis of a Tale

Pero 'di ba, who would have thought? Feelings? Sa isang lalaki pa na hindi ko abot.

Nakakabasag trip 'yon. The possibilities scare me. I know we accept the love we think we deserve and that is why I'm still second-guessing. Dahil p'ano ba biglang naging teleserye ang buhay ko? Even in those soap operas, society is cruel to us—sa amin na walang pretty privilege, money, and fame.

Then, how can such a lowly servant of the Lord make it? Hehe, he said, "Do not fear for I am with you."

"Yes, Lord!"

Parehong napatingin si Santi at ang drayber ng sinasakyan naming tricycle.

"Built-in na po 'yan," tugon ni Santi sa drayber sabay himas sa likod ko na parang debaterya akong chaka doll.

Pabiro ko s'yang sinapak. But she has a heartwarming smile; she's also a Christian, saved by the blood of Christ, and she's not unfamiliar with my quirks. Minsan lang talaga napapasobra sa pag-iisip si ako, at talaga namang kailangan ko rin 'yong i-correct.

"'Di ba ikaw 'yong kumalat sa FB?"

Pareho kaming natahimik. Oh, I almost forgot it happened. Nangyari pala talaga.

Kasi ganito 'yan, natulog lang talaga ako, pero may kumuha ng video sa tulo-laway kong pagmumukha. And after it got uploaded, I lost one of the people I had trusted the most. Siguro, part of it was my denial that she had truly been a friend. In my desperation to have one, I became an awful judge of character. Mismong best friend ko ang nagpahiya sa akin sa lahat, just because he liked the guy I introduced to her. Na-threatened na baka agawin ko sa kan'ya ang lalaking ako mismo ang nagpakilala sa kan'ya.

It truly didn't make sense, but hurt people, also hurt people. She has her traumas and fears, but I don't deserve to be the receiver of that.

Bumuntong-hininga ako. "Ganda ko pa rin po 'no? Kahit tulo-laway?"

"Panagutin mo dapat ang nagkalat n'un."

"Let God do the rest nalang po, Kuya." Matalim ang titg ni Santi na alam kong may hindi magandang sasabihin. "H'wag ka nang sumabat."

"Ba't 'di mo 'ko hayaang kalbuhin ang babaeng 'yon?"

"Barbero ka?"

"Gawin kong mullet buhok n'on."

"Ssh. Daming pa pong sinasabi; magbayad ka na, andito na tayo." Nauna na akong bumaba ng tricycle sa tapat nang matayog na gate ng Clark Lambert University.

It is by the glory of God that even if we are at the bottom of the food chain that He has let us enroll in one of the top institutions of the country. Praise, mercy, and glory truly belongs to Him.

Ako lang sa buong klase namin noon ang nakapasok dito and Santi really worked her way through the National Volleyball Team to be able to get the scholarship in CLHS. We prayed and fasted for all of these, and boy, was it worth it!

Kaya lang, totoo nga na be careful what you prayed for dahil hindi madaling maging mag-aaral dito kung hindi ka mayaman.

Although, I have my tuition and miscellaneous all paid. The environment is not giving! Ang ibig ko pong sabihin, I truly don't belong here.