Tamsin's
I WAS WALKING gracefully and confidently in the hallway of the school. I know that everyone was looking at me, which I get every time. Sanay naman ako so it did not really bother me. Katatapos lang ng freshmen orientation which started at 3:00 PM kanina and it was finished at five. Ang class naman is at 5:30. Hindi ko nakasama sina Leto and Santi because they went somewhere pa. Nakilala ko sila kanina sa orientation so I assume na friends na kami.
I was wandering around the school looking for my long time crush, Cairo Baltazar. He was a second year law student of this school. He was the reason why I enrolled in law school. I was so in love with him since I was in elementary. We were family friends kasi but he did not even bother looking at me nor play with me when we were kids. Ayaw niya akong lapitan kaya I'll do the move. This is the 21st century naman so an aggressive woman is now acceptable.
Nakita ko naman si Cairo sa labas ng library. My brows furrowed when I saw him talking seriously to a woman. They were both looking at a book. Nilapitan ko naman si Cairo.
"Hi, Cai! Fancy seeing you here," I sweetly greeted him. I looked at the girl beside him and raised my left brow. I rolled my eyes and return my gaze to Cairo, who looked so dashing in his formal attire. Hinawakan ko pa ang necktie nito upang ayusin.
"What are you doing here, Thomasine Arde?" his brows met while looking at me. He was the only one who calls me by my full name. He didn't know that I enrolled in his school. I did not bother telling him because I wanted to surprise him.
"Well, surpise! I also enrolled in law school!" I said while spreading my arms.
"Damn," he silently cursed. Binigay niya sa ate girl ang book then pulled me somewhere. Nakarating naman kami sa medyo tagong part ng school, sa ilalim ng street lamp sa gilid ng chapel.
"Why? Are you not surprised?" I asked him, confused.
"You do not belong here! I mean no offense meant, Thomasine, but you are supposed to be in New York or London or wherever doing your fashion stuffs!" may diing saad ni Cairo.
"What are you talking about? New York or London or wherever can wait! I am here para mapalapit sa'yo. We've known each other since childhood and hindi mo naman ako nilalapitan so I'm making a move right now. Besides, we are gonna get married soon naman because your dad and my dad is planning to arrange us. Isn't that wonderful?" kinikilig kong sambit.
"Listen, Thomasine. I am not going to marry you. That is the reason why I entered law school. If I finished law school and passed the bar, my father will not pursue that marriage plan. And besides, hindi ka bagay dito sa law school. Hindi ito yung mag-aayos ka ng damit o kung ano man ang ginagawa mo sa fashion school. So, please, get back to your senses!" he angrily said then walked away. I was left dumbfounded. I didn't expect that I'll hear that kind of discouragement from him. He seemed to imply that I am dumb. Napayuko na lang ako. I didn't realize that my tears are already falling. Napahikbi ako.
"Ang sakit naman niyang magsalita," I just said in between my sobs. "Di bale, baka he's worried lang na hindi ko kayanin ang law school. Right. He is just worried."
I'm still crying habang nakayuko when someone gave me a white handkerchief. I know that it was from a guy because of his hands. I accepted it without looking. I wiped my tears and about to say thank you but he was already gone. I just sighed and kept the handkerchief in my bag. I gathered myself and decided to just go to my classroom.
When I entered our room, everyone's looking at me. I flashed them my warm smile kasi they deserve it naman I guess.
"Hello, classmates!" I cheerfully greeted them. Our room looks like a mini auditorium. I decided to sit at the front, in front of the professor's desk. Our first subject, according to my prospectus, was Persons and Family Relations. I didn't know about this subject so I just shrugged. The professor will teach anyway so why would I bother.
Maya-maya pa ay dumating na sina Leto and Santi. I smiled at them and gestured them to sit beside me. Santi did not even bothered looking at me and naupo ito sa tabi ng nagspeech kanina sa orientation. May be she wanted to sit sa mga smart kids. Si Leto naman ay tumabi sa akin.
"Hello, Leto. You looked tensed," I looked at what she's holding. "What is that?"
"Hindi mo alam? Hindi mo ba binasa yung mga readings natin na nakapaskil sa bulletin board nung enrolment?" shocked na sabi ni Leto sa kanya.
"My dad's secretary was the one who enrolled me," I said while flipping the pages of her book.
"Are you real? So, basically, pumasok ka ngayon na wala ni isang binasa sa readings?"
"Is that a big deal?" I asked her innocently.
"It is! Oh my god ka talaga. May 1x1 picture ka ba diyan?" Leto asked her, frustrated. May biglang hinanap ito sa knapsack nito.
"In my wallet. Why? Oh! You want my picture!" I excitedly said as I get my wallet.
"Oh my god again, talaga! Here, index card. Put your last name and your name tapos dikit mo yung 1x1 sa upper right side. This is one of our requirements. Naku, magpray ka nalang na hindi index card mo ang manalo sa raffle mamaya."
"Oh, may paraffle pala sa law school. Gosh! This is exciting," I giggled then followed Leto's instructions. I didn't understand kung bakit mukha siyang kabado. I mean this is just school. Papasok, magle-learn, gagraduate. Good timing naman na because the professor came and I just finished what Leto told me.
"Pass you index cards," the professor said in a cold baritone voice. I looked at him and gulped. Magkaharap lang kaming dalawa. Gosh! He's hot! The sleeves of his white polo shirt were folded showing his lean arms. Nakabukas din ang dalawang butones nito, showing a bit of his chest. His hair is a bit messy and his eyes looked intense as he wandered them around the room. He looks young to be a professor. I bet he is just 26 or 27 years old. Akala ko kasi mga oldies na ang mga professors sa law school. I was so wrong talaga oh my god!
"I am Atty. Saint Villasis. My name's Saint but I'm no saint at all in this class," he introduced himself while looking at the index cards. "Miss Thomasine Arde Alleje, stand up."
"Shit," Leto silently cursed beside me. I smiled and stood up.
"Yes, sir?" I said, still smiling. My dad told me that I could launch a thousand ship with my smile that's why I'm always smiling. I was not nervous at all. I didn't know why my classmates were all tensed.
"Stop smiling," he coldly said. My smile slowly faded. "Did you read the case of Tañada versus Tuvera?"
My smile really faded. Who the hell were those people he mentioned?
"No, sir. I didn't read that case," I honestly said na lang. What's the use of lying, eh I have nothing to answer naman. Meanwhile, Atty. Villasis looked at me with disbelief. He went in front of his table. He crossed his arms and looked at me from head to toe then straight into my eyes. Why did he look at me like he's seducing me? Gosh!
"Why are you here, Miss Alleje?" He asked. The room was so quiet na nakakabingi na!
"Uhm, because this is my first class, sir?" I answered na patanong.
"Really, Miss Alleje?" itinukod nito ang dalawang braso sa harap niya. Then his face went closer to mine. "I don't really like it when my students come unprepared in my class."
Tumayo ito ng tuwid then looked at the class. "One rule in this class: come unprepared, the door's open. Now, Miss Alleje, you have no place here so get out!"
I was frozen. Did I just got kicked out of the class?! Just because I didn't know those people? What?! I am so confused.
"Sir?" I asked, confirming. He looked at me again, looking like I am the dumbest person that ever existed in his class.
"Yes, lady. I am sending you out of the class," he said while shuffling the index cards. I heaved a deep breath and proceeded to get my things. Leto looked at me and whispered asking if I am fine. I just nodded my head and went out.
"Miss Valderama, did you read the case of..."
"DAMN HIM talaga! Super hot nga suplado naman. Nakakainis!" I said as I was walking in the silent hallway.
"I will really make him pay talaga. Does he think I am dumb? Huh! I'm gonna make him eat his words talaga, yung mabulubunan... malubunan? The fuck? Whatever that tagalog word is!" naiiritang sabi ko habang papunta sa parking lot.
"Damn, again. I did not get Leto's number," I just shrugged and I decided to check the bulletin board. Might as well check the said readings daw na nakapaskil sa bulletin board according to Leto. So, meron ngang nakalagay dito. I just made an annoyed face and took a photo of the syllabus. Wala akong naiintindihan. I can see certain people versus this people. And I can even see Republic of the Philippines versus this person. Ang brave naman this person para awayin ang Philippines.
When I reached my condo, I did not bother changing my clothes. I went straight to my study table where my MacBook is placed. I researched all the cases mentioned in the readings. I am really determined to prove that not-so-saintly-attorney that I am not dumb. I still have a one-hour class with him tomorrow night because his subject was 4-units.
"I am really gonna prove all of them wrong for thinking that I'm dumb! I did not graduate Summa Cum Laude in St. Catherine School of the Arts for nothing! Hah! I am even president of Taytet Club before I graduate." I said and closed my eyes and chanted the sacred mantra of my club. "In the name of my goddess, I pray strength and courage to do my obligation as your child. I vow not to taint nor shame your name for you are confidence and grace. Enter your soul into me and I shall change the world!"
That night, I did not sleep.
"YOU LOOK... sabog," Leto said while looking at me. I really am. I finished reading all the cases assigned last night. I retained them all in my brain. Price of having a photographic memory.
"Yes, I am really sabog. I finished reading the assigned readings in Sta. Maria and all the cases last night," I just said. "I'll go to the bathroom muna to retouch. I don't want to look sabog in front of that not so saintly professor."
Leto just nodded. I can see her smile though. I just shrugged my shoulder and went to the bathroom to retouch.
I was busy doing my thing when someone entered. Oh! It was Santi. I smiled and looked at her.
"Hello, Santi!" I greeted her. Ngumiwi lang ito.
"You should not really talk to me, girl. Masama na kasi ang reputation mo kay Atty. Villasis. I don't want my name to be dragged by you," she said with disgust painted on her face.
"So, you are also one of those people who thinks I'm dumb?" I asked her while raising my left brow.
"It's not me lang naman. I guess the whole class and the whole school. Kasi naman girl, look at your Barbie-like appearance, ganda lang wala namang utak."
Damn this girl. I thought pa naman na mabait ito. Well, ganda lang rin ang meron siya, wala namang character, which is ew.
"Oh. Well, maybe I'm really dumb, little miss puppet. Next time I see you again, remind me not to talk to you. My dear, unlike you, I am a woman of my own, not someone groomed like a dog." I rolled my eyes. "Also, you're full of crap din kasi that you could pass a toilet paper, which is so ew and so yuckie," I said and left her dumbfounded inside the bathroom, where she belongs. She's really a bitch in the toilet.
I went back to the classroom with my grim face. I never thought that I will be judged this hard in this school. Well, screw them all. I'm gonna let them eat all the shits that they've said to me.
"What's wrong? Hindi ka na nga sabog, mukha ka naming papatay," bungad ni Leto sa akin ng makarating na ako sa room.
"Hey, Leto. Are you one of those people who think that I am dumb?" I asked her directly. I don't play around the bush, honey. I asked what I wanted to know.
"So, you knew? Damn," she whispered to herself, na narining ko naman. "Don't worry, I am not like them. Naisip ko lang na hindi ka lang naman prepared kasi wala kang copy ng syllabus."
"Fuck them. I'm gonna show everyone how St. Catherine and goddess Taytet raised me."
Leto just looked at me. I am thankful that she didn't judge me, I just don't feel like saying it kasi naka focus na ako sa pagrereview ng notes na ginawa ko kagabi. My determination is at the peak right now.
"Everyone, clean table," Atty. Villasis commanded as he entered the room.
"I mentioned last night, for 'those' who are not here, that on the one-hour class, I do "on deck" recitations. This means I'll pick five of you who will be lucky to be on deck this night." Atty. Villasis looked at me and shuffled the index cards. "Stand up as I call your names."
I mentally rolled my eyes. I know that he was pertaining to me kasi nga napalabas niya ako. He thinks I'm scared? Well, may be a little but I am confident that I will have my revenge this night.
"Sta. Maria, Valderama, Monteverde, Cervantes, and..." napatayo naman ang mga tinawag niya. Alam kong sinadya niyang bitinin ang panghuli dahil malamang hinahanap niya ang pangalan ko. "Alleje."
I just stand up with my stoic face. I don't really care. I vowed to my goddess not to taint her name and I never ruin a vow.
He just keep on asking the first four. I mentally laughed when that Santi girl get a dose of her own medicine. She was not able to answer attorney's chain of question which prompt him to make her sit down. Karma is a bitch. Valderama girl also did well, that is may be the reason why she topped the entrance exam. Leto also did well, though she's stuttering. I guess, she has a stage fright. Cervantes guy also did well. I don't want to talk about him 'cause I don't know him.
"Well, Miss Alleje, this is again your lucky night. I still have thirty minutes in my watch, might as well make the most of it," Atty. Not-So-Saintly said, as if taunting me. I leveled his gaze and said,
"Bring it on, Attorney."