"Lost time is never found again." – Benjamin Franklin.
She walked toward to the gate and she looked at me. I see how happy she was. A small smile formed to my lips. But suddenly it fades away. When she narrowed her eyes at me. She even crossed her arms on her chest. May ginawa ba akong mali?
"As far as I remember, you told me that this school is not for a Prince or Royalty," she said. I nodded. I heard a loud beep behind us and I see some cars are being stuck. My bad. I looked at our car blocking the way in. I glance at Dria's direction and point our car that we should get in. Before we heard some unnecessary words.
"Yes because that is the truth," I stated. I walked toward to the car. But I heard she mumbled something but I didn't catch up dahil nakaupo na ako sa passenger seat. A minute after she gets in. I fix my dress and wear my seat belt. Binuksan na niya ang makina bago niya ito pinaandar ulit. Kinuha ko naman ang laptop ko sa gilid.
"Do you hear me?" she asked but I shooked my head and glanced at her.
"What!" she exclaimed. "I've been talking here for a minute and you didn't bother to listen." Iritadong sabi niya. Tumingin naman ako ng masama sa kaniya.
"May ginagawa ako kanina diba?" bored na sabi ko. Bago ko iniwas ang tingin sa kaniya. I looked at the large building in front of us. "Parking Building."
"This huge building is for the car only?" she asked. I heard the excitement in her tone. I nodded my head.
"Wow! This is pretty cool." she beamed. Cool? What if may terrorist attack na mangyayari. Tapos pinasabugan ang lahat ng area. Malamang sa malamang sayang ang pera nila. Puro mamahalin pa naman ang mga kotse. Geez.
I looked at the entrance. Kitang-kita mong puno na ng mga kotse galing sa Elite dahil sa kanila ang kabuoan ng first floor. Napahinga naman ako ng malalim. As far as I remember this Elite student ay malapit lang ang bahay dito so why? Bakit pa nila kailangan magkotse, goodness!
Lumingon ako kay Dria. Nakita kong palingon-lingon din siya na parang tumitingin din siya sa loob. Napansin niya rin siguro nawala na kaming paglalagyan ng kotse niya.
"There's a lot of car. Parang maraming rich kid." She whispered. I laughed.
"Rich kids my ass! They just want to flaunt their things. They just into fame and ranking. Boastful Human Beings." I stated. Kung anuman ang sinabi ko. Well that's the reality. If you don't have an expensive car or your rank is low. They will never ever talk to you. Parang may balak akong kausapin sila. If they hate me for being poor. And I hate them from the bottom of my heart.
"It seems like you hate them," she said. I take glanced at her wearing my bored look and point myself. "With this look do you think I love them?" I asked but she chuckled.
"Why? They look nice I guess," she said but I just smirked at her. Yeah, tell that to the monkey.
"If someone heard you and they belong to Elite Class. Maybe their ears and eyes are clapping and twinkling at you. You even boast their guts." I commented. Nakarating na kami sa tapat ng guard kung sino ang nagbabantay ng building na 'to. Tumingin ako kay Dria.
"Don't open your window I will use my I.D." saad ko. Nagtatakang tumingin naman siya sa akin but she just stays quiet and watches me. Binuksan ko ang bintana ng sasakyan. Kinuha ko naman ang I.D sa bulsa ko. Nakatingin naman sa akin ang lady guard. I see how her eyes widen when she saw my I.D. She even raised it to see if it's true or not. Why would I fake my I.D if that is my real I.D?
"You should wear your I.D always." the lady guard said. Before swiping to the machine. Well, I don't usually wear my I.D for some purposes. "You have a high ra--" I don't let her finish her own sentence. I grab my I.D and I closed the window. Before I hide it in my pocket again. Tumingin naman ako kay Dria. Nakataas na ang kilay niya sa akin.
"So anong merong sa I.D?" tanong niya at pinaandar na niya ang kotse.
"I explained to you when we are arrived up there." I pointed to the last floor. It was an aircondition floor for the high-class. I see how she raised her eyebrow at me.
"Okay." I heard a doubt about her tone. Na mas lalo niyang binilisan ang pagmamaneho para lang makarating na kami roon. Napalunok naman ako dahil sa pagmamadali niya. Hindi naman nakakaintriga ang sasabihin ko. I guess. I sighed.
Nang makarating na kami. Nakita ko namang mayroon ulit guard doon. Nagtataka siguro siya kung bakit may ganitong uri ng sasakyan ang nasa harapan niya.
"Another guard again," she commented. Tumango naman ako. Hindi kasi maiiwasan bantayan ang mga sasakyan dito sa taas dahil puro ito mamahalin. Tumingin naman ako sa glass wall. Ang laki-laki ng parking space dito sa taas pero walo lang ang nandito kasama na 'yong amin. Huminto siya sa harapan ng guard.
Binaba ko naman ang bintana ko for the last verification. Nang ma-check na niya ang I.D ko. Ngumiti siya sa akin at tinuro ang lugar kung saan kami mag-pa-park. Binalik na niya sa akin ang I.D. Ngumiti naman ako pabalik. Bago ko isinarado ang bintana. Tumingin naman ako kay Dria at masama siyang nakatingin sa akin. Napangiwi na lang ako.
Bago niya ulit pinaandar ang sasakyan at na-i-park 'to ng maayos. Napahinga naman ako ng malalim bago tinanggal ang seat belt ko. Kinuha ko ang laptop ko. Bago ko binuksan ang pintuan at ganoon din siya. Nang makalabas na kami nakita ko namang nakatitig siya sa isang Bugatti na red. Alam kong bagong labas lang 'yan sa market at matagal ko ng nakikitang nag-re-research siya tungkol d'on.
"That is a limited edition." She said while pointing to the Bugatti Red Car. "No! All of the cars here are limited edition for heaven's sake. Goodness, they are rich." she exclaimed then she looked at her car.
"That too far to my car," she said but I just walked towards her and grab her hand.
"Don't mind it. At least laging malinis ang kotse mo." komento ko pero sinamaan niya ako ng tingin. Bago siya lumapit sa akin nang sobrang lapit.
"Tell me. What is your secret? Anong meron sa I.D mo?" Pang-uusisa niya. Kaya napatingin ako sa kabilang direksiyon at bahagya ko siyang tinulak.
"W-Wala." nauutal ako. Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin. Titinitigan niya lang ako ng maiigi. Bago ako huminga ng malalim.
"Fine," I said. "But before I start I think we should go, right?" I asked while pointing her clock to remind her that her class will start at any moment. Naglakad kami papunta sa elevator. Bumukas na ito at pinundot ko na ang ground floor. Hanggang sa tuluyan na itong sumurado. Tumayo naman siya sa harapan ko.
"Now I guess you have the time to explained everything to me," she said. Napairap naman ako. Muli kong nilabas ang I.D ko at pinaharap sa kaniya. She grabbed it right away.
"Your I.D is your identification for your status and ranking in this university," I said. Before she took a glanced at me and nodded.
"Means?" she mumbled.
"Whenever they see one of that kind like what you are holding. They will automatically know what rank you are. You will earn respect and fame easily if you belong to the high class. They will even bow their head to you. They will follow you." I uttered. A small smile formed to her lips.
"So I can use mine?" She asked but I shooked my head.
"No. My I.D is different from your I.D. Try to look harder." I said before she holds her I.D and my I.D in her hands. I see how she was shocked and mesmerize for the thing that she saw.
"It has a blue and gold fire flaming in the middle of your I.D and a shining sword while mine is just..." She lends it to me. "Plain and ordinary," she stated. I nodded. Nakita kong bumukas na ang pintuan pero bago kami lumabas binigay na niya ang I.D sa akin. Kaya tinago ko na ito sa bulsa ko at nakita ko siyang ginaya rin ako.
"Wear your I.D Dria." saad ko pero sinimangutan niya lang ako. "But why. Ikaw nga hindi mo sinuot tapos sa akin. Madaya." sabi niya.
"I just don't like the attention so I this have one." sabi ko at inangat ang isa ko pang-I.D. This one is the fake. Pinapalabas ko lang 'to para malaya akong makagalaw sa school na 'to.
"Geez! Everyone loves attention."
"Not me," I said.
"I want to have a normal life Dria." Even though I'm not normal. Ngumiti naman siya ng alanganin sa akin. But I just chuckled. And she cleared her throat to remove the awkwardness in the air.
"Tell me. How many I.D do you have?" she asked.
"As far as you can see I have two," I said. Naglakad na kami papasok sa building. Nakita ko siyang namangha sa mga suot ng estudyante. Kahit ang mga hallway ng school.
Every design was inspired to a Medieval Era. The painting even the ceiling, the corridor, the floor and the large chandelier. All you can see there was an art. Beautiful, sophisticated, and elegant. Opposite to the attitude of every student. I looked at the Elite Class they are loud and not classy. They ruined the reputation of the school. I facepalmed.
"Why my I.D and Uniform are the same with them?" she asked. I looked at Dria and grinned.
"They are Elite Class."
"Don't tell me I belong to them?" she asked. Kaya mas lalo akong ngumiti sa kaniya.
"Then I won't tell you." I grinned.
"What!" sigaw niya. Kaya sinamaan ko naman siya ng tingin. Napansin ko namang maraming mga estudyanteng napalingon sa gawi namin. Nakita ko naman siyang yumuko at ngumiti ng alaganin bago siya dumikit sa akin.
"They looked like a jerk and bitch to me Eunice." So I looked at her.
"Same as you." I uttered. Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin. Natawa naman ako. Nakita kong may dumaan na Noble Class sa harapan namin kaya yumuko ako at nakita ko naman ang leader nila na si Yuriko na bahagyang tumango rin sa akin bago sila naglakad papalayo. Tumingin naman ako kay Dria na nakapameywang sa akin.
"What was that? Bakit may pagyuko?" tanong niya.
"Sign of respect. Wait! Tell me did you read the school book?" I asked but she just shooked her head. I sighed.
"Why would I read those stupid things." she said.
"Then I wouldn't tell you about those stupid things," I said. Sinimangutan naman niya ako.
"Then tell me about I.D's thing. I bet hindi 'yan nakalagay sa student book." mayabang na sabi niya. Kaya natawa naman ako dahil hindi niya pa rin nakakalimutan ang tungkol sa I.D
"Yeah wala talaga dahil ang I.D ay code ng mga higher rank at iba-iba ang nakalagay sa school book. If you belong to Elite Class then your school book is about the Elite nothing more, nothing less." I said. I walked towards the balcony. In this position, you can see the field and the garden even the student from higher to lower class.
"Iyong mga taong nakasalubong natin kanina ang ganda ng damit nila." komento niya sa akin. Tumingin naman ako sa kaniya. Habang hinahaplos ko ang laptop ko.
"They are the Noble Class," I uttered.
"Pero bakit 'yong isa tinanguan ka?" tanong niya sa akin. Napansin niya pa 'yon. She's really observant.
"Yuriko is my friend," I said. She nodded. Well that's partly true. But I can't say more. She'll know it may be some other day.
"Noble, Elite a-and what is the last class," she asked.
"The Earl," I said while staring to my fake I.D
"The Noble Class is the higher class. They are the ones who are excellent on the battlefield like sports and games. They are good warriors and leaders. Mostly in their class, they are the chosen student to be the representative of the student council." I said.
"How great. Nakaka-intimidate naman kasi ang aura nila kanina. Kaso sadyang matapang lang ako." mayabang na sabi niya kaya napailing na lang ako.
"The next is the Earl, the middle class. We are known to have great intelligence. We can construct and decide rationally. We used to formulate and calculate every little thing before we do." Nakita ko naman siyang ngumiwi.
"Not my class. It will bore me to the death." I said. I glared at her.
"The last one is the Elite Class, the normal class. They are known to be a Merchant. They are good at making goods and raw products. Same as your family business Dria. The fortune cards and herbal plants." I said. She nodded.
"Wow. That's nice. So it seems like we are in the middle-class family." She said. Tumango naman ako. Napansin ko namang nagsihawian ang mga estudyante sa baba. Naging tahimik ang buong lugar. Hanggang sa nagparada ito sa labas ng tapat naming building. Nakita ko namang dumami ang mga nasa tabi namin at nakisilip na rin. Narinig ko naman ang mga impit nilang tilian at mga bulungan. Napangiwi naman ako.
Hanggang sa bumukas na ang pintuan at may bumaba na sa limousine. Nakita ko namang nakasunod ang mga mata nila. Tumingin naman ako kay Dria. Nakamasid din siya. Napahinga na lang ako ng malalim at binalik ko ang tingin sa kanila.
Ano na naman kayang dahilan bakit sila nandito? Hindi pa ito ang buwan ng pagbalik nila. Napahinga na lang ako ng malalim at binalik ko ang tingin sa kanila. Nakita ko ang mga Aristocrat Class. They have the power and intimidate aura. Geez here we go again.
"Who are they?" But before I answer her question I heard the bell ring. Nakita ko namang nagpulasan ang mga estudyante sa gilid namin. Narinig ko pa ang mga reklamo nila pero nagsipasukan na rin sila. So I looked at her. I see how she pout her lips. This ugly duck.
"You need to go to your room," I uttered.
"But Eunice. You didn't tell me who are they. You said it only has three class. So who are they? A blessing from above? They look like a king and queen to me. Royalty to be exact." Royalty my ass. She even pointed her finger to their direction. Kaya mabilis ko itong binaba. This woman doesn't know how to act properly. I sighed.
"At hindi mananahimik ang kaluluwa ko ng hindi ko nalalaman 'yon." saad niya. Tumawa naman ako sa naging usal niya. Tumunog ulit ang bell ng building nila kaya tinulak ko na siya papunta roon.
"I'll tell you later but before that, you need to go to your room." I said. She just narrowed her eyes at me.
"You better be. So wait for me and I'll just finish this class. I can't wait to know him more." she said. I creased my forehead. Him? Who's that guy? But before I asked her she run to her classroom. I chuckled.
I glanced at her direction. I see that she was sitting beside the window. She even waved her hands to me.
"Study well." I mouthed and she grinned at me.
"Wish me luck." She mouthed. I chuckled before I turn my back pero bago ako makalakad ulit. Nakita kong may nakaharang na tao sa harapan ko. Dali-dali naman akong yumuko ng makita ko si Yuriko.
"The Aristocrat wants to see you. Follow me."