Antonyms

one

Watching him playing basketball is cool but, that's the only thing that I can do, watching him from a far.

Sound of dribbling ball, and the friction between on their shoes and floor is all is can hear. Masyadong mataas ang tensyon dito sa loob ng gymnasium. Wala akong naririnig na kahit anong mga salita mula sa audience.

"Go Anto!" the crowd shouted for him. Most of them are girls, holding their banners, pompoms and lightsticks to express their support to the team, especially for him.

Habang ako, nandito lang sa pinakadulo at corner ng gymnasium.

My phone rang and I immediately pick it up. "Hello?" I answered on the caller which is Kuya Chris.

"Where are you?" he asked. "Nandito na ako sa harapan ng school niyo."

"Okay po, papunta na po ako diyan," agarang sagot ko sa kanya at lumabas na sa gymnasium.

Sa sobrang pagmamadali ko ay may nabunggo ako at napaupo sa sahig kasama na ang mga libro ko. "Sorry po," I said on her.

Rica answered back, "Sa susunod, tumingin ka," sabay sigaw ng may kasamang tili at padabog na umalis kasama ang mga kaibigan niya. 

No one attempted to help me. Even just to extend their hand nor pick up my books. That's how I am really invisible.

Pero meron rin palang nakakita.

"Here," someone said. Tiningala ko kung sino 'yon at hindi ko siya kilala.

"Uhh, thank you." 'Yon nalang ang nasabi ko dahil nakaramdam ako ng gulat.

Who would have thought that someone will help? I mean, I am invisible and no cares on me.

I don't know what to do that's why I walked away from him. I'm too shocked and can't process what happened.

"See you around miss!" he shouted here in the corridors. That made the people here stopped for awhile even me.

Nilingon ko siya at tanging tango lang ang isinagot ko.

Pinagpatuloy ko na ang paglalakad dahil alam kong maiinip si Kuya Chris sa kakahintay sa'kin.

As I walked here, people at staring at me. Kahit nasa gilid ako ng corridors ay pinagtitinginan nila ako and I don't have any single hint about it.

"She's funny."

"I pity her."

"Papansin."

Or maybe I am just being paranoid.

Pero hindi kasi everytime na dadaan ako ganyan and once that I'll completely pass on 'em parang wala lang pero ngayon ay tumatawa sila. I don't why but I can feel something's strange is behind me. Or maybe not?

"Neri!" Jane shouted behind my back. "Who put this thing on Neri?" She asked the crowd but no one is answering her. They remained silent and boringly rolled their eyes on us.

"Ano ba 'yan?" tanong ko sa kanya at pilit na tiningnan ang hinahawakan niya.

"It's nothing, don't mind it." Jane keeps on resisting to give the paper pero alam ko na. Alam ko na 'yan ang bagay na nasa likod ko, and it was hanging behind my back all the time.

"That's the first time that I got something bad and..." I watched the crumpled paper on Jane's hand. Hurtful words are written on that paper. At wala ng iba pa. "Just give that thing."

Jane gave it to me and I opened it.

I'm a pathetic loser. A lonely bitch forever.

'Yan lang naman ang nakalagay. It's hurtful and full of nonsense things. They don't need to post it on my back, alam ko naman. Why do they need to remind it to me?

"Neri, it's not true."

"Well, it's true. I won't deny the reality." Lumakad na ako na parang walang nangyari at habang si Jane naman ay sumabay sa'kin.

"Arrghhhh, nakakagigil! 'Di naman 'yan totoo. Kung sino man ang lumagay niyan, susuntukin ko or mas mabuti na ipa-torture!" Gigil na sabi ni Jane. Natawa nalang ako. I won't tolerate what happened to me but at the same time, 'di ko nalang papansinin. It's a waste of time.

I am sure na 'yung lalaki ang lumagay, or someone nung time na kinukuha ko ang books ko.

"Oh ba't natatawa ka pa?" She asked with a tune of irritated and pissed.

Ayaw ko pumatol sa ganoong klaseng tao. I don't mingle with immature people except nalang sa isa dalawang friends ko na si Jane.

Jane is childish and immature. While one of my friend, Kimberly is kinda stubborn but with a good heart.

"Hey, I need to go home. Kuya Chris is already here." Nagmadali akong lumabas sa school at ayun na nga, nakita ko ang black sedan ni Kuya.

I immediately ran towards on it and knocked on its windows.

"Kuya!" I shouted. It seems like his pissed kaya 'di niya ako binubuksan. He's really mean. Naku! Kung nandito lang si Mommy.

Kinuha ko ang phone ko at tinawagan siya. He heard his ringtone and I just saw how he rolled his eyes. Arte neto! He's the worst Kuya kahit kailan.

"You're too slow. Kanina pa ako." Bungad niyang sabi nung nakapasok na ako.

"Something nonsense happened." Sagot ko.

"I don't care." Masungit na sagot niya at pinaandar na ang kotse.

"You're being mean!" Tampo ko at 'di na siya pinansin. Pinagmasdan ko nalang ang mga nakikita ko sa daan. Trees, tall buildings, bunch of cars, and stores is all I can see.

"Someone..." I calmly started the conversation.

"Someone what?" he asked without a tone of interest.

"Someone put a paper behind-- nevemind." I chose not to say. I chose to be mute about it.

"You're being nonsense," Kuya Chris said without giving me a gaze since he is focusing on his way. As the time goes by, he is really serious about the rules and principles in driving, Kuya Chris is careful as he holds and manipulate the steering wheel of the car.

"Kuya Chris, I need to buy the newest book of Lang Leav on the bookstore. Can we stop on the mall for a minute? Please?" I pleaded to Kuya and without answering, he maneuvers the direction to the mall.

Finally, I can have a new book of the author. Actually I love to read books and I have a wide choices of genres.

"I'm going to the coffee shop. Just meet me there. Bilisan mo." He walked away from me. Naku, he's unpredictable and at the same time nakakainis.

I ran to the bookstore and checked out the shelves as I entered on it. While seeing and checking some books. I saw them together outside the bookstore and planning to get inside.

Just be calm, don't worry they will not notice you. He will never noticed you.

Diana is the name of his girlfriend. She's almost perfect. She got brains, talents, beauty and a good heart. Anto's standards perfectly suited for her, not for me because I only got brain.

She's really kind to the point na naiinggit at masaya ako. Naiinggit ako kasi nasa kanya na ang lahat. Masaya ako dahil nasa tamang babae si Anto.

I shouldn't feel jealous since each one of us is different and you should be proud of. But in my case, kahit pilit kong hindi ma-feel 'yon, I can't stop the insecurities.

Silently, I am planning to go out outside but, I remembered na may hawak pala akong libro, buti nalang 'di pa ako tuluyang lumabas at pumunta nalang ako sa art section.

I want to start something new. I think art is the way to make me spectacular.