Chapter 1: Insult

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(THE COMPLETE CHAPTERS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE AT DREAME)

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"There's no way I won't let you have that darling."

I smiled at Daddy. Nasa mall kami ngayon, kaming dalawa lang, nasa bahay si Mommy at may ginagawa. I want to get those cute little pig stuffed toy but it came out, ubos na. Last na 'yong nakita ko at nakuha pa ng isang bata.

"It's okay, ayoko na non. Kumain na lang po tayo."

I am not spoiled. If things that I want are gone or I won't get anymore, it's okay with me. My life is not depended on it. Meron pa namang iba, at ayos lang sa 'kin if maubusan man.

"Are you sure? But you said you want that."

His eyes are so soft while looking at me. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at hinila palayo doon. Even if I want to, it's okay. At kung mag-i-stay pa kami dito, I know he'll do everything just to let me get that one. I don't wanna be spoiled.

"Daddy, ubos na. Maybe next time," I said.

Nanliliit ang mga matang tumingin siya sa akin at nangiti. One glanced at the store, humigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay ko at nagpauna sa paglalakad.

It was one of those days that I bonded with Daddy. Kahit busy siya minsan, nakakahanap pa rin siya ng time sa 'kin. And that's why I love him more than my Mommy. Si Mom kasi, laging nasa bahay lang o 'di kaya'y nasa trabaho. She would make time to me but it's short. But despite of that, I still love her.

"Be good in school Alissa," Mommy said as she kissed my cheeks.

I nodded and promised her I'll do good. I'm on my third year in high school now but she treats me like a kinder. Binabaunan pa ako at kung ano-ano ang ibinibilin. I'm okay with it anyway, that's how she shows her love for me.

My performance in school is not a big deal for Daddy, but for Mommy, she said I need to be good. She's not pressuring me, sinasabi niya lang na huwag akong magpa-baya. Never man napunta sa with honors, nakakuha ng matataas na grades, napupunta sa top, they're still contented. I am too, hindi nga pinalad na maging matalino kaya bakit pa pipilitin? As long as pasado ako, okay na 'yon sa 'kin.

I haven't blessed in terms of academics but in physical appearance, I have lots. With my long natural dark brown hair, and skin as white as snow, very high cheekbones, pointed nose and a natural reddish lips, I'm sure I'm blessed. Plus, my height, I am ahead of my classmates. Minsan ng napagkamalang Senior dahil sa tangkad.

"Who wants to answer this on the board?"

Dahan-dahan akong yumuko. Ayaw na makita ng guro dahil sa problem na nasa harap. Kahit pa nakinig ako sa trenta minutos niyang page-explain, hindi ko pa rin na-gets. Nakikinig naman ako, pero wala talaga akong naintindihan! I hope she won't call my name.

"Ms. Alcantara," my teacher called out.

My heart started beating fast. I don't know what to do! Oh God, please, save me! I slowly lifted my head up, our eyes met. Nanginginig akong tumayo at naglakad papunta sa harap. She handed me the felt tip pen, and pointed out the problem.

Namuo ang pawis sa akin. I can hear all the exhales of my classmates. Nakahinga ng maluwag dahil hindi sila ang napili. Huminga ako ng malalim at isinagot na lang ang aking nasa isip. As I handed back the pen to her, she looked at my answer. Ayaw nang mapahiya pa sa harap, agad na akong bumalik sa kinauupuan.

And as expected, my answer was wrong. Nagalit ang teacher, sinabing hindi ako nakikinig. Na mayaman lang ako at maganda. Na wala akong maiibuga dahil maganda lang ako. Na sila Mommy at Daddy lang ang meron ako, pero utak? Wala. I don't mind though, sanay na ako. I've been told that things since I was in grade seven. Hindi na rin ako umaangal dahil totoo naman.

"I would gladly choose brain over face if I am in your shoes," huling komento ni Ma'am sa mapait na boses.

As the insults goes by, my classmates are silent but the only one who is laughing is the one I only hate here. Tawa ng tawa sa katangahan ko. And my teacher didn't mind him, she just let him instead.

"That's enough," sabi at nagpatuloy sa pagtuturo.

I was silent the whole day. Sa loob ng library kumakain, at diretso agad sa room. I'm not lonely though, my classmates wants to befriend with me but I'm the only one who doesn't want that. Hindi ko alam, feeling ko kasi, they're laughing at me being idiot behind my back.

My whole day is at peace pwera lang kanina at ngayong pauwi. Nasa harap ako ng gate ng school, waiting for daddy to pick me up when Jack Daniel and his company walked passed me. Tumatawa ang mga kaibigan niya habang nakatingin sa 'kin, pero siya, nasa malayo ang tingin.

Alam kong ako ang pinagtatawanan pero hindi ko na lang pinansin. But they got my attention when I heard their conversation. Nakita ko pa sa gilid ng mata ko na itinuro ako ng isa sakanila.

"Jack oh! That's a pretty girl! I bet she's in your class?"

"Oo nga dude! She's prettier than my senior high fling!"

Bigla akong kinabahan at naging hindi komportable. Simpleng puri lang pero hindi ako sanay roon. Did he meant to flirt with me? Kung akala ng lalaking ito na easy to get ako, nagkakamali siya. He isn't my type.

I rolled my eyes and saw Daddy's car. Tumakbo ako palapit doon. I opened the door to ride. But before I come in, I heard Jacks's reply to his friend.

"I don't know her. Tigilan niyo na 'yan," he said in a low voice.

Hanggang sa makauwi ay hindi pa rin mawala sa isip ko ang sinabi niya. Hindi niya ako kilala? Eh ako yung lagi niyang pinagtatawanan? Totoo ba 'yon? He doesn't... know me? How is that possible?

I just shrugged at the thought. Kung hindi niya ako kilala, well then, I don't care about him too.

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Want to read the full story? Here's the link:

https://www.dreame.com/story/2452496640

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