"Your report cards are here. And as expected, the previous top students of this class managed to maintain their positions."
Ano daw? Maintain? No, this can't be.
"Rank 1, Hedrick Valez."
Siya na naman? But I swear, I did my best to ace all my subjects. My mom will be furious about this one.
"Rank 2, Solace Gazera."
When will all my efforts be enough? Lagi naman akong pangalawa. What's with that Hedrick at bakit ba di ko siya kayang taasan? I've got everything that I need. Mayaman naman ako, I can afford to go to the best private tutors and private classes existing in my place. But why?
And him? Well, Hedrick Valez is just an average student. Typical lower class. Talino lang naman ang kapit niya.
The report cards are handed. Nawala na ako sa huwisyo kakaisip kung ano na naman kayang paliwanag ang sasabihin ko kay Mama. What shall I do?
I docked my head, thinking of possible alibis on why I came second in the rankings for the nth time. Ugh.
I heard a knock on my desk that caught my attention. And there he is, the annoying smile of Hedrick.
"Congrats." Sabay kamot sa batok.
I smiled back.
"Thanks, congrats din sa'yo. You came in first again. You're indeed the ace of this school." Halos pasinghal kong tugon.
He nodded saka siya umalis. Gawd. He's getting into my nerves.
-
"Solace do you really consider these as grades? Normal ba 'to sa estudyanteng tulad mo?" Kalmadong tanong ni Mama habang hawak hawak ang report card ko.
She seems composed but I know deep inside that she's barely hanging on to her composure.
I sighed.
"Ma, I really did my best. Can't you see, I barely had the chance to sleep kakareview ko. Ginawa ko lahat ng makakaya ko Ma. Maybe that rank wasn't supposed to be mine. Baka di talaga ako yung destined sa Rank 1."
Nag-angat siya ng tingin sakin.
"You're spitting nonsensical words again. From the very first start, Solace walang nagmamay-ari ng tuktok. Nasa sayo yan kung paanong diskarte ang gagawin mo para maangkin iyon."
"Pero Ma-"
"Solace naman. Hija, graduating student ka. Please reconsider, ayokong mahuli sa mga amiga ko. Lahat sila'y nagpapayabangan dahil lahat ng panganay nila ay napagtapos nila na nasa numero uno. Hindi ko pwedeng ipagmalaki ang segunda."
I rolled my eyes, here we go again.
"Ikaw ang inaasahan ko. Alam mo namang mababa pa rin ang tingin sakin ng Lola mo. Kesyo pinakasalan ko lang daw ang Papa mo dahil sa pera. Gusto kong patunayan na ikaw ang magdadala ng pangalan ng Gazera. Ipagpapatuloy natin ang walang palyang numero uno ng pamilya. Naiintindihan mo ba?"
Sumimsim siya sa tsaa. Muli niya akong binalingan saka matamang tinitigan.
"Solace Gazera, naiintindihan mo ba?"
"Opo, Mama."
"Mabuti. Pag-isipan mo ang sinabi ko hija."
Tumayo siya at lumabas sa kwarto. Padarag ang pagsara ng pinto. Alam kong nagtitimpi lang siya.
Diskarte? Well, I'll do whatever I have to para maungusan yang Valez na yan. Makikita nila. I'll make my Mama happy, I'll carry the legacy of the whole Gazera clan, we'll prove our eligibility to Lola Priscilla.
Who am I by the way? Syempre ako ang nag-iisang Solace Gazera. Sure, no sweat.
-
I dialed Frey's number and told her my plans.
"What?! Sol! Are you out of your mind?" Ekseheradangs sigaw nang malaman ang plano.
"Well, kung yun ang kailangan kong gawin, sure, no sweat."
"Sol! Nahihibang ka na ba? I didn't know your cruelty and greed will reach this point! How could you use and toy with someone's feeling just to own the top rank!"
"C'mon, Frey. Can't you trust me on this one? Best friend mo ako diba? Sit back, relax and enjoy the show. Besides, I'm not toying with him. It's called, beneficial manipulation." I mockingly laughed.
"Aigoo. Thank God, hindi ganyang mga problema kinakaharap ko. All I need to worry about is kung anong brand na naman ng bag ang bibilhin ko mamaya."
Kung ako ay isa sa mga nasa higher ranks, halos nasa lower ranks naman si Frey. I don't know what's wrong with her. Pasang awa. Her parents spoil her all the time. Their family don't believe that a piece of paper will determine someone's future.
"Pero Sol, alam mo, medyo excited akong makita kung paano mo ieexecute yang plano mo."
"Why?"
"You see, all your life, you've been busy with books and such. Never pa kitang nakita na may kasamang lalaki. Kung meron man, it's either pinsan mo o mga kamag anak mo."
"Yeah, I'm kinda nervous too. I can't handle rejection that much. So, Frey please pray for me."
"I got your back sis. Go be a hoe honey. I'm so proud of you."
-
Well, the plan is to make Hedrick distracted. I'll know his tactics. I'll ask him for answers and if possible I could even ask for his post test guide materials.
I've been very observant. Inalam ko ang mga ayaw at gusto niya. Mga paborito niya. Pati ang hobbies niya.
Broad shoulders. A lean tall man. Lively eyes. Messy hair.
Siguro kung dati pa ako observant, naging crush ko na 'to. I immediately shrugged the idea off. This is not the right time to fantasize over that stupid Valez.
Break time na at hinihintay ko nalang na maubos ang tao sa classroom. Napansin kong hindi siya kumakain ng lunch sa cafeteria, lagi siyang may dalang packed lunch. Might as well pack my own set of lunch.
Nang dalawa na lang kaming natira sa classroom, I approached him.
"Hey, can I eat my lunch with you?" I smiled in the sweetest way I can.
"Sure." Iminuwestra niya ang upuan sa tapat niya.
I sat across his seat. In all fairness, kahit na halatang laging puyat siya, clear skin si gago.
He took out his earphones. It made my eyebrows shot upwards.
"How rude, shouldn't you be listening to that music with me. Share it with me."
His face eyebrows creased. Confusion is written all over his face. But then, he has no choice. He hesitantly unplugged the earphones from his phone. Thanks to the song, it illuminated the silence.
Tipid siyang ngumiti. Sumandal siya sa upuan at manghang tumingin sakin.
"Solace, why the hell are you doing this?"
"Doing what?"
"Stop being pretentious. I know you're not doing this for nothing. You have your motives don't you? Anong kailangan mo sakin Solace?"
"Masama ba makipagkaibigan, Hedrick?"
"Damn, Amore stop giving me that innocent sweet look. I'm having a hard time calming my self."
I secretly smirked. I knew it. This will be easy. Pretend, benefit and leave. Yun lang naman.
Tumikhim ako saka nagkibit balikat.
"Di ko alam yang mga sinasabi mo. Let's just enjoy our lunch, shall we?" Nagsimula akong sumubo.
Natawa siya nang bahagya at napapakamot pa sa batok.
"You're unbelievable, Amore."
Wait, did he just called me Amore?!
++
