Chapter 2
***
The apartment I considered my home towered in front of me. Mahinang ugong ng sariling motorsiklo ang nagpaingay sa paligid until it disappeared signalling my stop at the limited parking space. Wala nang gaanong tao at nang huminto ang ilaw ng motor ay sinakop na ng dilim ang paligid.
Bumaba na ako ng sariling sasakyan bitbit ang helmet. The faint light of the streetlight nearby and the lighting of the building serves as my guide to trace my own unit up until fourth floor.
The heavy steps created a creaking sound as I ascend gripping the handrails not so gently. Ilang hakbang pa at ilang pihit, bago umabot sa ikaapat na palapag. I came to a halt when I noticed the other side of the apartment.
The silence became deafening in my ears. Ang pagitan na maliit na pasilyo lamang ang naghihiwalay mula sa akin at sa mga kuwartong naroroon. Sa apat na unit ng ikaapat na palapag, tanging unit ko lang ang okupado, the rest were empty after the family from unit 9 moved out last month. But the apparent moving in of the family in the unit 10 signifies I am not alone in this floor anymore.
How lucky i was, the room in front was occupied by none other than the brat herself, Denisse Leighanne.
"Can you lift it up gently, Manong? That's my frame."
Ganoong klase ang nabungaran ko pagkabukas ng pinto ng sariling apartment. Ang pagsara ng sariling pinto ay natigil pati na ang paghakbang para ipagpatuloy ang lakad para sa nakatakdang araw.
The unusual scene captured my attention, scanning every movement and thud from the commotion in front. There are men moving things to my neighboring apartment. Beside them stood a man in his forties, seemingly overseeing the process, while a young woman, arms crossed and a displeased expression etched on her face, observed their every move.
"Why do they have to be in a rush? May bayad naman sila ah? Can't you tell them that, Dad?"
Akala ko pa namamalik-mata lang ako, but after several seconds, the image didn't blur nor change. My brows furrowed. I can't get why I was seeing this woman here, hindi pu-pwedeng kahawig lang. She's really Denisse Leighanne.
"Pakiingatan na lang ang mga gamit sa pagtaas Boy, ha? Hinay-hinay dahil may mga babasagin diyan." The man who seems to be Denisse's father responded to her plea.
"Opo, Ser." The mover replied, but a momentary lapse of balance resulted in an awkward stumble sending that familiar woman grunting in disappointment. "My God!"
Unfortunately, the lift is out of order, ganitong klaseng pasakit ang dala ng kinaroroonang building.
Naisara ko na ang pinto sa sandaling pag-aanalisa ng nasa unahang komosyon. The thud made noise sending the other parties glancing my way.
That's how she figured out I was living in the area. That's when she looked at me slowly widening her eyes, realizing I am someone she knows.
Maybe she thought I discovered something she considered awry. Her mouth went open and stepped back like she was about to run and hide from me. It was nothing for me. Her issues is different from my issues. Wala akong pakialam sa kung ano ang nangyayari sa kanya and she should do the same.
It was only that interaction. I only saw her moving in. Why does it have to reach up to this point? Hers and My problem clashed resulting to this and it is now my fault relying on my impulsive decision. Bakit kailangan niya pang sumabay sa problema?
I decided to reach my unit's door when I realized I was standing at the hallway staring at the other door like a creep. Nakasara ang pintuan ng kabilang apartment pero hindi ko mapigilang mapailing na lamang. I hope the drama ends here. I already said my word.
The loud shut behind made me feel that this became the longest day I have endured eversince the day I am out from home.
Now, I am thinking if i should consider moving out from here for my own sake.
MONDAY when I woke late than usual only to adjust my morning routine to arrive at school before the teacher. Kita ko ang pagkukumpulan ng mga estudyante sa daan kung saan naroroon ang bulletin board. I am on my way to the room but I guess a little inconvenience had to stop me from going, seeing that the crowd is on the way.
Inayos ko ang bag and scanned for some exit point. Uniform vests in the shade of dark green met my eyes. Skirts and pants like mine struggled to keep up from crowding.
I advanced my step, hearing the commotion about a particular topic.
"Diba siya yung Top from last year?" A loud murmur made its way to my ears distracting me for a second. Stares darted around my area along with the beginning of distant whispers causing my brows to furrow. The scrutinizing and questioning look were directly pointed at me from the distracted on-lookers and that made me grip my bag tight.
Alam ko kung ano ang nasa bulletin kahit na hindi ko pa yan tignan, so let me pass by coz you're on the way.
My eyes landed to the girl who's eyeing me a while who looked away as if caught in the act.
"Para ka talagang speaker." The boy beside taunted.
The hate of being the center of the attention slowly resonating urged me to find a free way. Kaunting disiplina naman.
Luckily, I spotted a space in between the students and the wall of Kale High and continued, successfully passing by that huge lump of a crowd.
"Ang layo talaga ng ibinaba niya."
That was the last thing I heard before my boots continued to travel the floor of the campus up until our department. Fortunately, the teacher wasn't around pero dumaan pa rin ako sa likuran at nagdire-diretso sa loob ng silid without everyone noticing my entrance since they're busy with each other's business.
"We do not know what runs through the minds of smart people. And besides, haven't you notice? Nag lie low si Alexis ngayong year." Nasa gitnang parte ng room nakaupo ang nagsalitang si Lorrainne and her seatmate was Denisse.
I can hear their chat no matter how I tried to unhear the words since it is only three rows distance before my seat.
"Well, there's always a first time for everything. Alexis is not the only one who deserve the place." The familiar voice remarked and I thought it was Denisse's voice.
My seatmate's eyes widened for a second after recognizing my presence, probably concerned that I am hearing the conversations ahead. She gave me an awkward smile before saying an exaggerated greeting. "Hi, Alex."
I put my bag at the chair. Naramdaman ko rin ang mabilis na paglipat ng atensiyon ng mga nasa unahan, particularly the gossip ahead. Muntik na akong mapailing and only politely returned the gesture to greet Phillie and finally have my seat.
The conversation though, is never a big deal to begin with. Wala naman akong pakialam sa pinag-uusapan nila. People can gossip whatever they want as long as it does not aim for the neck. Besides if it's true that I'm no longer the Top, i can say it is intentional. I am not at someone's grip anymore. I am not under my Dad's wing and I can place the rankings whichever that I please. It's not some kind of rebellion. It's what I like. Hanggang doon ang gusto kong abutin. Ang kaya ko. I am not pushing my limits right now, not trying to compete unlike before. I am happy I am free of that. What only ties me now is the scholarship grant of the school that doesn't even require you to Top the rankings.
"Uhm wait.." I glanced at Philie who seemed to have something to say to me but kept me hanging while she looked for something in her bag. Hinarap niya ulit ako na hawak na ang isang ballpen "By the way, here's your ballpen, Alex. I'm sorry hindi ko na naisauli sayo nung Friday. Thank you so much."
"It's fine. Your Welcome." I replied before a teacher emerged from outside.
The class immediately scrammbled to their seats and stand up to greet the sudden presence in front.
Everyone sat after the greetings before a thud of book became the sign that silence began.
"Have you seen your rankings?" Immediate question was raised. The old and strict bald-headed teacher's eyes roamed around the room like an eagle eye and landed at me. His eyes under his lowered glasses pointed directly at me like i am examined for a reaction. "What about you, Monterey, have you seen it?"
The teacher anticipated my answer so I stand up and replied according to his question. "No, Sir."
His brows quirked, para bang hindi nasisiyahan sa sinabi ko. "Why? Is there any reason why you did not see it for yourself?"
"No, Sir. There's no reason." I responded again firmly.
Tumaas ang dalawa nitong kilay at ibinalik na ang atensiyon sa lahat. "Then, I suggest you have to see it for yourself. And even the rest of you who have not seen it so it would serve you an assessment on how you're going to study further. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Sir." Everybody replied synonymously.
"If that's the case then let's begin." The teacher opened the book. "Monterey, on the board."
IPINATAWAG ako ng faculty pagkatapos ng klase. It was only a short conversation from the head teacher that I should be expecting changes from the acquired result.
I entered the canteen for lunch. The wide space accommodated just as much as the students of this school. Nagdire-diretso ako papasok never minding those gawking eyes then whispered something beside them probably because of that result. Alam kong hindi lang tatagal at huhupa rin naman ang mga bulungang yan. Rene deserved the Top this year and there's no question about his performance.
Kinuha ko ang tray but someone grabbed it in my hand before i can even lift it. My brows furrowed just to realize it's none other than Denisse Stranner.
"Ako ang nauna, now will you please excuse me?" She snatched it like it was normal then eyed me with contempt.
My lips pursed. I know I owe her from yesterday's kaya hindi na lang ako umimik at hinayaan siya sa gusto niya. Allowing that as a bit of a compensation from that impulsive decision I have made.
Her friends, who seemed to be a little surprised and confused followed her like a minion. Almost everyone in this school admired her and I think they have the wrong idea.
Kumuha na lang ako ng akin pagkatapos ng mga nasa unahan.
Nang makitang may nakaupo na sa dati kong puwesto ay naghanap na lang ako ng ibang mauupuan. I realized that the vacant table is next to Denisse's but I still proceeded. What the h*ck's wrong with it? Para namang hindi ko siya kaklase't nakikita araw-araw.
"Hi, Alex! Pwedeng makiupo?" Muntik ko pang malaglag ang kutsara sa malakas na boses. I looked at the woman at the front almost sending a glare. Tiningnan ko rin ang kasama nitong lalaking may salamin at may hawak na papel. The other man had a camera with him. All of them are looking at me syncronously waiting for my approval. As if I was the owner of this canteen?
"Sige lang." I only mutterred. All of them scrambled to find a seat. Nagsiksikan sila sa harapan ko before they managed to be comfortable. I finally managed to start my own lunch without any interruption. Only to halt again when I noticed the intense stare at the front.
Inilapag ko na lang ulit ang kutsara't tinidor. "What do you want?" I said it looking at them. Their faces are familiar. I can remember two of them from the student publication. Yung isa mukhang baguhan.
"Ahm. Ano kasi. Member kami ng Student Publication." The woman started the conversation.
"Alam ko." I asserted. Even when Kale High is big, I can still remember their faces, especially when the two of them are my batch and belongs to the same strand as mine.
The woman slowly beamed and tucked her hair in her ears. "So, ayun nga, we are here for this month's issue. You know, you are among the top, I mean, not the Top top this time, but--"
"Ahh hehe..." The one with glasses beside interrupted, moving his glasses for composure. "Ang ibig niyang sabihin doon, Alex, magsasagawa lang sana kami ng interview dahil isa ka sa mga bumilang sa Top 10. Gumagawa kasi kami ng article according to the scholastic achievement sa pagsisimula ng school year. So..."
"Still. I am in the middle of my lunch."
Natahimik ito sandali. "Sorry. Ginamit lang naman kasi namin ang pagkakataon kasi kagaya last year, we didn't even manage to have you interviewed. Palagi ka kasing busy sa Council, kung hindi man, palaging maagang umuuwi. So even when it's a bit...you know...we will wait."
Am I that busy? Hindi ko rin alam na ganoon pala ako ka-ilap dahil sa mga ginagawa dati.
Right. I was the Student Council President last year. Since I was that, it almost ate up all of my time along with my studies to even forget the student publication have this kind of activity. Luckily, being the Student Council President is enough that my Dad didn't insist for me to join any academic clubs for the year. Ano na lang ang magiging katayuan ko kung ganoon nga?
I sighed. "Is this urgent?"
"Hindi naman."
"Then I can do the interview. Hindi lang ngayon na kumakain ako."
Their faces brightened hindi gaya kanina na para bang takot na tanggihan ko. "Ayun! Thanks! Puntahan ka na lang namin mamaya after dismissal."
"Don't bother. Kahit ako na lang, you just have to set where."
The woman in the middle pursed her lips like suppressing her own smile. "Thank you. Can we just message you where, pahingi na lang ako ng number-"
I saw the man with glasses nudged the woman causing my brows to furrow a bit. "Sa Publication Room na lang, Alex. Salamat."
I just nodded before they finally left my table.
The woman even whispered to the man beside her "Panira ka talaga kahit kailan. That's my chance."
My brows creased. Inihatid ko na lang ng tingin ang tatlo to assure I could finally eat without any disruption. Nahagip pa ng mga paningin ko ang nasa katabing mesa.
Denisse's looking at the three people leaving the canteen with a straight face. Mukhang nahalata naman nito ang tingin ko kaya nailipat sa gawi ko, giving me a swift shot of brows.
If she stay that way, everybody would notice and question her admirable reputation.
Ako na lang ang nagbawi ng tingin at umiling scooping some from my lunch.