The Only Exception

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

I feel so light and happy this morning that the first thing I did when I woke up was to smile... Something that I don't usually do.

Today feels a happy day...

"Good morning..." I greeted while spraying water at my plants.

Maaga akong nagising kaya may karapatan akong mag-mabagal ng kilos. I got my phone, and played some Lany songs to set my mood in full blast.

"Aga mo 'nak.." bati ni Mama ng mahuli niya akong kumakain. "Excited ka ba?"

Umiling ako para itago ang excitement.

Today is the first day na papasok ako since the coronation night. I must say I'm a bit excited. Because of the pageant, somehow I let other people see the other side of me. Hindi yung usual Cat na nakikita nilang naka-bitch face palagi.

Cassie sat beside me. "Liar!" she spat, "Dumaan ako sa kwarto mo kagabi and I heard you repeatedly practicing your answer sa Q and A!"

I rolled my eyes, kahit kailan talaga.

"Excited 'yan, Ma!" she insisted.

Bukod sa ngayon ang unang pasok ko since coronation, ngayon din ako i-interviewhin para sa school newspaper.

"Nag-practice ka?" Mama smiled at me, mukha siyang proud na proud. And I'm happy seeing my mom happy.

"Nireview ko lang po 'yung sagot ko, baka kasi tanungin." I answered and stuffed my mouth with bacon.

This is also new, madalas para hindi ako ma-late cereals na lang ang kinakain ko sa umaga. But today I had time to eat a decent breakfast!

"Kaya pala you're also up early than the usual. Oo nga, hindi ka nga excited."

"I'm always up early." I eyed her.

"Sure," she smiled fakely. "I'll act convinced na lang for you."

Mom laughed at us. Binilisan ko na lang pag-nguya sa pagkain para makaalis na bago pa masira ni Cassie ang mood ko.

Upon leaving the house my phone beeped twice, both from unregistered contacts.

+639234567890:

Good morning Ms. Alcoran! This is Kurt Villanueva from the student-journalism team of our school. Please be reminded that today is your interview with us, scheduled at our school auditorium after your last class. Thank you, and have a good day ahead! :)

and the other text was also from an unregistered number but a familiar one.

+639123456789:

good morning

I smirked.

May pa good morning ang Lolo mo.

Nag-reply ako sa unang message, just confirming na sisipot ako sa interview. Pero sa pangalawa, pinag-isipan ko kung anong ita-type. Ano namang irereply ko? Good morning rin? Bakit naman ako mag-good morning?

Sa kakaisip ko, hindi ko tuloy naabutan yung dumaang coaster! Kailangan ko pa tuloy mag-hintay ng ilang minuto bago makasakay uli.

"Morning, Miss Intrams!" Syrene greeted me. This is also new. Maaga siya ngayon.

"Bagong buhay na ako," she explained.