Chapter 1
"Congratulations, honors. Now, for the next section."
We're here at the auditorium of our school for our recognition. This is my last year as a senior student at masaya ako kasi kahit papano ay nakapag adjust ako agad at nakakahabol sa mga lessons, that's why I'm very happy when I got a chance to be still on top.
"Siguro si Ken na naman ang high honor sa klase nila." Salita nang kung sino.
I was busy taking pictures of my award together with my friends, when I heard some people mumbling. I've been hearing that name ever since I've entered this school and he's always on top.
"Sino ba yung Ken na 'yan? Matalino ba 'yon?" I couldn't wait but to ask Michelle.
"Oo kaya no. Hindi mo pa ba nakikita 'yon?" I shook my head to answer.
Wala pa akong masyadong kilala kahit matagal na ako dito dahil hindi naman ako ang taong nakikipaghalubilo sa kapwa estudyante ko dahil nga sa mahiyain ako and I don't think maaalala ko kung anong itsura niya. Siguro nakita ko na siya, hindi ko lang talaga makilala kung siya ba 'yon o hindi. But ever since I came here, I always hear his name every recognition and that he's always the highest honor of their section.
"Mamaya makikita mo."
I just nodded at nilibot ang tingin ko sa paligid. There, I saw Nathan, I am thrilled when I saw him taking photos for the students. Naging kaklase ko siya for two years only and had a crush on him when we both separated in our sections. Yeah, you heard the right thing. I don't know, ganun talaga ako, e. Always late. Huli na palagi nang marerealize kong may gusto pala ako sa isang tao kaya, ito ako, hanggang tingin nalang sa kanya mula sa malayo. Hindi katulad dati, kapag lumalapit siya sa akin naiinis ako kasi palipat lipat lang siya ng babaeng lalandiin.
"With high honor, Kendrick Luis Torres."
Bumalik ang tingin ko sa harapan nang marinig ang pangalan niya, ngunit natagalan pa bago siya umakyat sa stage kaya binalik ko ulit ang tingin kay Nathan.
"Ellie, he's here."
I shifted my eyes to a guy who's walking through the stairs. He's a bit chubby pero matangkad siya at maputi. His smile never faded on his face until he reached the center to get his award. They took a photo together with their adviser and he smiled very widely.
He looks innocent with that chubby face, but who knows, he might be naughty. I just shrugged at her and we headed back to our room after the program.
The next day, first sub namin ay dumiretso ako agad kahit maaga palang. Pagdating sa room, konti palang kami kaya naisip kong maglibot muna sa buong classroom.
The room is in a very good arrangement and it's very neat. Adviser kasi ng room na 'to ay science and math teacher kaya naman maganda ang pagkakaayos ng room. Mas lalong nakadagdag sa ganda ang mga projects ng mga students niya na may kinalaman sa subject nito.
I was busy roaming around the room. Ngayon ko lang napansin na ganito pala kaganda ang room ni sir, masyado kasing maraming gawain lately, kaya hindi kami nakakapag pahinga. I was still roaming my eyes when it suddenly stuck at the students profiles and some pictures on their bulletin.
Dito pala ang room niya. I was looking from it's sides at nakitang kasali rin pala siya sa room officers. He really is a smart and grade conscious. I am looking at their faces and to him.
"Hindi ko pa nakikita si Lea."
I was surprised when Ram quickly pops up behind my back. He was also looking at their class pictures.
"Bakit? Nasaan ba siya?" I curiously asked.
He shrugged. "I don't know. Ang sabi, nag leave raw siya for a week dahil magbabakasyon for her birthday."
What? Sa ganitong panahon pa talaga niya naisip mag bakasyon, kung kelan second sem at graduating na.
"What? Bakit hindi nalang pinagpaliban muna? Ilang months nalang at matatapos na ang pasukan, ah." Katwiran ko.
He shrugged again. "Siguro okay lang rin sa kanya and besides, matalino rin namam siya kaya I'm sure makakahabol pa." He paused. "But, Ken is way more better than Lea, kitang kita naman."
They mentioned that name again. I got curious for the second time. "Matalino talaga siya?"
He nodded. "Yeah. He's always on top kahit dati palang. Kaya hindi na ako magtataka kung bakit hanggang ngayon, siya pa rin ang mangunguna." His eyes are still roaming at the bulletin. "Grade conscious masyado."
Matalim pa ang tingin ko sa litrato niya nang mag sumigaw. "Guys, parating na si sir!"
Hindi ko pinansin kaya sinundot ako ni Ram. "Ellie, nandito na raw si sir." He pokes me as he noticed I'm not following him. I just nodded.
I don't know kung bakit ako napatitig sa kanya. It's like, there's somethin' with this boy. Nagsimula nang mag discuss si sir tungkol sa aming topic nang biglang may kumatok sa pinto.
"Good morning sir, ito na po ang libro na inutos niyo sa akin." Nathan talked and made his voice louder as he's still at the door. I automatically gazed my eyes at the door.
Sir nodded. "Thank you, Nate. Pakilagay nalang sa mesa ko at pakisabi na rin sa mga kaklase mo na matutuloy ang quiz mamaya." He nodded and smiled widely. I am trying to hide my smile, as well.
After putting the book, he was about to leave when sir called him again. "Nathan, dina schedule niyo ngayon kay sir Santos?" He asked, Nate nodded. "Tell him to meet me later after lunch."
Nathan smiled and nodded again. "Okay sir." He left, cheerfully.
I smiled widely. He's really kind and handsome kaya maraming nagkakagusto sa kanya dito, e. The discussion continued smoothly.
"Tara, canteen. Kain tayo nang marami dahil walang gawain sa school." I agreed to what Vina said and headed to the canteen with our other friends.
They were talking somethin' about their crushes habang tahimik lang akong nakikinig.
"Si Jeff kasi ang bait at talino pa." Vina giggles.
Michelle refused. "Yeah, pero may pagka mayabang rin siya Von, kaya wala rin." She is the protective friend when it comes to boys kasi siya pa lang naman ang may boyfriend sa amin.
"Ahh basta si Red sa akin. Kasi tahimik lang at sobrang cute tapos magaling pa sumayaw." Sagot rin ni Millie.
I was just eating my food when Kesha pokes me. I look at her and she pointed somewhere nang hindi halata sa mga kasama namin. I looked to where she pointed and saw Nathan, walking together with his friends.
Gosh, I am always thrilled whenever I see him, but I tried my best not to because my other friends are here. I continued eating while Kesh is laughing at my side.
"Anong nakakatawa, Kesha?" She stopped when Vina notice her and suddenly asked. She just shook her head, still laughing. Gosh Kesh, mahahalata ka niyan, e!
Weeks passed at ilang months nalang ay malapit na nga ang graduation I am going to passe some of my requirements to one of my teachers. Kanya kanya kasi kami ngayon kaya ako lang mag isa.
"Good morning, ma'am. I would like to pass my requirements for this subject."
Nagdidiscuss si ma'am nang kumatok ako kaya napatigil muna siya para puntahan ako. She told me to enter but I refused to kasi nahihiya ako sa mga estudyante niya. I was waiting for her on the outside when I saw something familiar.
Hala, it's him. He's with his friend, holding a folder. Nasa taas ako ng corridor kaya kitang kita ko siya na nasa baba nang hindi ako nakikita. He's laughing while talking which makes me thrilled more. He's really ah some and cute.
"Here."
I was startled when ma'am talked behind my back. Nakakahiya, baka nakita niya akong tinitingnan si Nate. I took my papers and immediately leave the place. Nagmamadali ako dahil anytime ay lalabas sina Nate na nasa room sa baba at ayokong makita niya ako. Babalik na sana ako sa room nang may mabunggo akong tao. We both dropped the folders we're holding.
He talked to me while I remained silent, but gets my things, eventually. Nauna niya pang kunin ang akin kesa sa kanya. After getting his, he looked at me again and smile at dahil doon ay natauhan ako. I just nodded at him and smiled before leaving.
"Where do you plan to study for college?"
I looked at my grandma when she asked me. Nasa dinner kami ngayon together with my family.
"Same school pa rin po, lola. Mahirap naman po kasing lumayo pa kaya dito ko nalang tatapusin ang pag aaral." I answered politely.
They nodded when grandma talked again. "Ano ang kursong kukunin mo?"
"Nursing po." I answered.
We continued eating again when papa talked. "Siya nga pala, I contacted a person about our tickets. Wala pa siyang balita, but he'll call right away."
"Guys, nakapag decide na ba kayo sa kursong kukunin niyo?" Millie asked in the middle of our talkings.
Vacant namin ngayon at dito lang kami sa room nag stay. We formed a small circle to talk dahil may kanya kanya namang ginagawa ang mga kaklase namin. All four of us took a nursing course.
"Lahat pala tayo, e. How about you, Kesha?" Tanong ni Michelle.
Kesh smiled. "Engineering ako, e." I smiled at her. Hindi namin siya kaklase kasi ibang section siya at nandito lang siya dahil pwede namang pumunta ang ibang students lalo na ngayong walang masyadong pasok.
"Wait, dito pa rin ba kayo mag aaral?" Biglang tanong ni Vina.
Millie suddenly nodded. "Yes naman. Kita kits nalang tayo sa enrollment and first day of class. Sana magka klase pa rin tayo." She pouted. We agreed at her. Nagkwentuhan pa kami nang bigla akong inaya ni Kesha na lumabas.
"Saan kayo pupunta?" Vina asked. Kesh answered, magpapasama lang pala sa cr.
"Bess, I heard engineering raw ang course ni Nathan." I looked at her when she mentioned about Nathan.
My brows furrowed. "Paano mo nalaman?"
She look at me, unbelievably. "Duuuh classmates kaya kami at kilala ko na 'yon since elementary kasi schoolmate ko 'yon. He always mention about engineering and him being an engineer." She shrugged.
Iyon na pala talaga ang gusto niya ever since. "Saan naman siya mag aaral?" I curiously asked.
She shrugged. "I don't know. Dito rin ata siya mag aaral, e."
Sana dito pa rin siya mag aral. Gusto ko pa siyang makita, araw araw.
Weeks passed, malapit nang mag end ang semester na 'to kaya mas naging busy kaming lahat. We have different things to deal. We need to make sure that we don't have a failed subject dahil nga graduating na at kailangang maayos ang grades.
"Good morning ma'am. Magtatanong lang po kami tungkol sa grades namin." I politely told her about our intention.
I am with Vina and Michelle to asked for the grades. As we enter, nagulat ako nang makitang dito ang klase nila ngayon sa advisor room nila. Nakakahiya. Nagka kaklase sila tapos bigla kaming susulpot para lang magtanong ng grado namin, pero importante naman 'to ah at alam kong maiintindihan nila 'yon. I saw Kesha and we smiled at each other.
"Here. Pakisabi nalang rin sa iba niyong kaklase na pumunta para masabihan kung sino ang may kulang o problema sa kanilang grado." Announce niya.
Ms. Diaz is explaining to us about our grades, but I can't focused with what she's saying 'cause I feel nervous knowing that Nate and I are just in the same room. Nakaw tingin ako sa kanya but I made sure na hindi mahahalata ng mga kaklase niya. I hid my face to smile when he was playing with his seatmates while laughing.
"Ellie, ikaw na tumingin nang sa'yo, oh. Hinahanap ko kasi kay Millie." I stopped when Michelle pokes my arms and whispered. I quickly changed my expression.
"Sige, wait lang."
I look at my grades and thankfully, it's a passing one. Paalis na kami but before we leave the room, I glance at him for the last time. I saw that smile and heard that laughed again.
From : Breezy
Halata ka, bess : D
My lips parted when I saw the message. I can't believe, she was looking at me the whole time. I sent her a reply, saying to just shut up.
"Ellie, sabay ka sa amin, lunch?" Inangat ko ang ulo nang magsalita si Michelle.
I gave her a nod. "Sige, saan tayo kakain?"
"Sa bahay ko. Kasama rin natin sina Millie at Ash." She said while looking at her phone. "Wait, hintayin lang natin si Ash."
We waited for a few minutes for her to arrive. "Hey, Millie. Hi, Ma." She greeted them and looked at me, confusedly.
"Kasama siya?" I just smile at her, she rolled her eyes. Tss.
Michelle nodded. "Oo, kaya tara na. Kanina pa kami naghihintay sa'yo."
Months passed, at pagkatapos ng ilang weeks na pag practice at pag asikaso ng mga grades, this is it now. Our gradation finally came.
"Congrats, guys!"
We took a photo together with the whole class and also with the friends. Tapos na ang program at picture taking nalang. I was trying to find Nathan and there I saw him, taking photos with some of his friends, as well both girls and boys.
Ano kaya ang feeling na kasama siya sa isang litrato. I just smiled sadly dahil hindi 'yon mangyayari sa akin. Tss, sink ba naman ako para magkaroon ng litrato kasama siya.
"Ellie, saan ka magbabakasyon?" Nawala ang tingin ko sa kanya at nabaling kay Mia.
My sadness faded when I remembered where we are going to have our vacation.
"Sa Bohol." Bohol is my favorite place at all time. We always went there every year dahil nandoon ang relatives nina papa, and also to celebrate the fiesta there.
"Sabay tayong mag paenroll, ha." I told them. They nodded.
A month passed, and it is now our time to leave. We had a one day ride with a ship before arriving at our place. I took a deep breath as I stepped out my foot on the land. We just had a visit here last year, but the feeling still feels the same. This is really.my comforting place.
Mabuti na rin 'tong pagbabakasyon namin sa paborito kong lugar para makapag relax pansamantala since magcocollege na rin ako. It's good to take a break for a while before stress comes.
"Ellie, ang laki mo na, ah. Gwapa pud."
May Aunt and other relatives greets us. They are talking with their own language, so I can't understand a thing. If they would want to talk to me, they will be the one who'll adjust for us to understand each other.
Tama. Sila nga ang nag aadjust para sa akin. Eh, pa'no ba naman, kahit every year kami dito, hindi ko pa rin nagegets ang mga sinasabi. Ang bilis rin kasing magsalita.
Days passed but I'm still happy being here. 'Yon nga lang, malapit na rin kaming umuwi.
"We should stay here for more couple of days." Dad paused. "Instead of five days, well just make it a week here. Sayang naman ang bakasyon kaya sulitin na natin."
Puteeek! Hindi alam ni papa kung gaano ako kasama nang marinig ang sinabi niya. But, I remembered my friends, sabi ko pa naman na sa kanila na makikisabay ako sa enrollment.
"Oh! Enrolled ka na?"
Tanong agad ni mama pagkarating ko nang bahay. Tumango ako sa kanya at dumiretsong kwarto para magpahinga. Mabuti nalang at may kasama pa ako kanina kaya hindi ako nahirapan.
Days passed, classes started....
"Ellie, bangon na. Mahuhuli ka sa unang klase mo!" I heard my .om's voice from the kitchen.
I woke up very sad today. It's my first day today and I don't wanna be late but my body feels lazy especially when I remembered that maybe I won't have a chance to see Nate. I took a bath and just drank my milk, not eating food.
Pagkatapos nang ilang minuto, nakarating na rin ako. Alam ko na kung saan ang room ko kaya didiretso na ako doon. As I was passing by, nakita ko sa bintana si Kesha. We just smiled at each other at nagmadali sa paglakad dahil late na ako.
I slowly opened the door and my friends suddenly called me.
"Ellie!"
Wala pa ang prof namin kaya mabuti nalang talaga. I walked towards my friend's seats and sat beside them. Ash is giving me a death glare.
"Ashley, tigilan mo na 'yang kaka sungit mo kay Ellie. 'Pag ako nainis sa inyong dalawa...." Michelle talked.
Ashley shrugged. "Me? Eh, kasi siya, e." She complained. Me? What did I do?
"Wala akong ginagawa sa'yo diyan, ah." I arched a brows.
We just didn't mind each other and talked separately. As I roamed my eyes around the room, I have seen some familiar faces to me. Some of them, were my classmates during my highschool days and even elementary. I was talking to Millie and Rainer when someone shouted.
"Tigilan mo na nga, Ken!" Natatawang saad ng lalaki. Nagloading ako sandali nang marealize ang sinabi.
Did I heard it right? Is it really him? Or maybe not?