Hold You Accountable (Published) | ✓

Kabanata 39

Kabanata 39

We all have tiny little demons in our heads and sometimes — they will conquer us. They can make us think all the possible negativities in our world and act like they have no part in destroying ourselves.

My chest usually gets hurt when I let myself succumb to them — I'm just fortunate that Sarathiel has always been a good support system.

The thing about the demons in our heads — they can't control us if we don't let them.

"Are you okay?"

Those three words are my everything.

Lumingon ako kay Sarathiel na nakakunot ang noo. He was looking at me worriedly. He even had his phone on his hand, para bang handa na siyang may tawagan na dedepende sa aking sagot.

"No..." I smiled sadly. "Baka kasi wala na ako sa honors...I'm not confident with my past scores..."

"Papasok 'yan..." Sath gently squeezed my hand. "Kung hindi, there's always college. Our lives doesn't end in Senior High."

Tumango naman ako. That's right, I did my best and if my best wasn't good enough —there is probably next time. I have an entire lifetime to succeed in another opportunity.

He kissed my knuckles while we were waiting in line for our graduation pictures. Magkasabay kasi ang STEM 1 at ABM 1 sa pagpila para kuhanan ng grad pic.

"ABM ka na pala ngayon, Sarathiel?" pangaalaska ni Iscalade kay Sarathiel.

Bumunghalit ng tawanan ang pila ng mga tangkay. Kahit kaming mga ABM ay natawa dahil nagiisa lang si Sath sa tabi ko.

Sa pila kasi ng ABM nakatambay si Sarathiel kaya naman halos nakatingin saamin ang lahat.

"Kapag inggit - pikit." Ngumisi si Sarathiel kay Iscalade, who only raised his dirty finger to him.

I looked at the near window to see my face. Alam ko naman na inayusan kami pero hindi ko mapigilan ang kaba sa dibdib ko na baka mukha akong mannequin dahil sa kapal ng nilagay na make up sa akin. Medyo nagpaplastikan kasi kami kanina tungkol sa make up namin kaya hindi ko alam kung totoo ba na okay lang ang mukha ko.

"Please, sana maganda ako sa grad pic." I crossed both of my fingers.

For sure, isasabit 'yon sa sala ng aming bahay! Tapos araw-araw makikita ng mga tao 'yung pagmumukha ko!

Katatapos lang kami ayusan at nakapila na lang kami para kuhanan ng picture. Sarathiel looks dashing as always, sarap iuwi sa bahay at gawing ama ng mga magiging anak ko.

I giggled when he looked confuse as people dragged him back to his line.

"Gusto mo pa 'yata na kasama ka sa picture ni Zafirah, bumalik ka na nga sa pila mo!" Iscalade scolded Sath, who only frowned at him.

Tiningnan lang ako ni Sath kaya naman nagkibit ako ng balikat at ngumiti.

When it was my turn, I composed myself as I sat down. Sinuotan nila ako ng toga at binigyan ako ng posisyon para maganda ang kuha sa kanilang camera.

The lights hurt my eyes a bit pero nilabas ko ang praktisado kong ngiti.

I gave my brightest smile. Sana talaga maganda ako rito kasi araw-araw ko 'tong makikita sa sala namin.

I heard the camera as it took my photo. Agad na nawala ang ngiti ko dahil sumakit 'yata ang panga ko sa sobrang lawak nito. Please, let it be good!

"Okay! That's good. Creative shot naman." Sabi nung Photographer.