CRIZA
"Just two students out of all the sections got a perfect score for this exam. I must say that I made this exam harder than I usually do to test your understanding, and it is such a relief to have students ace exams. Congrats, Ms. Criza." Mrs. Torres called me out in front of the class as I gleefully received my exam papers from her. My classmates applauded after.
I couldn't help but feel proud and amused as I scanned through all the check marks I got.
"Was the other student Harvey po, Mrs. Torres?" My classmate Bianca suddenly asked as Mrs. Torres distributed the exam papers.
"Obvious, pa ba? Of course, it's him," one of my classmates replied to her instead.
"Crazy! So smart!" She commented after. Napansin kong nilabas nya ang cellphone at mukhang mag f flood na naman ng confetti emoji sa gc ng S.C. para i-congratulate si Harvey.
"Awit, siya lang talaga ina-acknowledge. Naka-perfect ka 'rin no?" Komento ni Onie sa likod ko.
Nilingon ko sya at pinagsingkitan ng mata, "Dear, hindi ko kailangan ng validation, please lang."
Bigla naman natawa si Esnyr na nasa tabi ko, "Pak! Girls on top lang! Mamanhid na lahat ng may bayag!" Sabi nya at inapiran ako.
"Makapagsalitan parang hindi rin nagdadala ng dalawang itlog 'tong si Esnyr." Ayan na naman po sila, magaaway na naman ang dalawa kong bestfriend.
"Bago mo pakialaman lato-lato ko, isipin mo muna pano mo huhugutin pataas grades mo, huy!" Balik ni Esnyr sakanya. Napapikit bigla si Onie at napasandal sa upuan na parang bigla ulit nyang naalala mga past trauma nya.
"Puyat na puyat na ako sa work. Hindi ko na kaya magaral pa in between." Frustrated na sabi nya at pinatong ang test paper sa mukha.
Mukhang busy naman ang lahat itanong kay Mrs. Torres ang mga sagot sa exam kaya tumayo ako at gumawi kay Onie. Kinuha ko ang exam mula sa mukha nya at chineck ang mga sagot nya sa test paper.
"Ayos naman essay part mo, darling. Sa calculations ka lang talaga lumagapak. Do you want me to prepare index cards of all the formulas you need to memorize? Kaya mo pa 'yan hatakin sa periodical exam." I advised as I scanned through his papers. Model kasi 'tong kaibigan namin at dumadalas ang shoot lately. Kaya pinagsasabay nya lahat kahit halos wala na rin syang tulog. Sabay sabay ang shoot at tumaon sa exam week.
Bigla syang napatingin sa akin ng may nagniningning na mata, "Seryoso, darling? You'll do that for me?" He said with hopeful eyes.
"Of course. I already have those. K'kopyahin ko na lang. I'll also send you a compilation of links on YouTube on how to calculate para ma review ka kapag may free time ka." I said and winked.
Onie was so happy that he jumped out of his chair and hugged me.
"I love you, darling. My angel sent from above," He said while hugging me tightly and swaying me from side to side. Ang tangkad tangkad nitong si Honesto, bumabaon ako kapag yinayakap nya ako.
"Nasa kilikili mo na ko, Honesto. Mukhang ka ngang galing shoot, di ka pa ata naliligo." Pero joke lang syempre. He always smells good. He present himself mannerly na kahit na walang tulog yan, pogi pa 'rin.
"Eww, Onie. Mukha ka ngang koryano, hindi ka naman naliligo." Esnyr said as we broke the hug. Pero ang kamay nya ay nanatili sa balikat ko.
"Excuse me. Kahit hindi na ako pumasok ng first period, makaligo lang 'no?" Onie combated his accusations. We remained talking to each other for the entire period. Pa minsan ay may lumalapit sa akin at nagtatanong ng mga sagot kung masyado nang occupied si Mrs. Torres mag accomodate ng questions. I gladly tried to explain answers in simple manner.
"Thanks, Crizy." Ashley greeted me as she made her way back to her seat after asking me questions about some parts of the exam she had trouble answering.
"No worries, darling," I replied and mastered a smile.
Kahit na marami akong kaibigan sa school, Esnyr and Onie remained my constant bestfriends. Si Esnyr na kapit bahay ko lang at si Onie na nakasama ko sa isang peer-mentoring activity nung JHS. From then on, inseperable na kaming tatlo. Kumbaga combo meal kami.
And one of my best friends I cherish the most is my online friend, Chip. I met him during the darkest times of my life, and I felt so secure talking to him about everything. Hindi nya lang alam pero sinagip nya ako. He motivated me to appreciate the brightness of the sun again and not complain about the heat. He made me realize that there's more to life.
"San tayo mamaya? Samgy? We need to celebrate the end of this hell week." Aya ni Esnyr habang naglalakad kami papuntang canteen. Lunch break na at kung hindi kami magmamadali, mauubusan na naman kami ng Kaldereta.
"Darling, I can't. I have Student Council meeting mamaya. Pinalipas lang ng S.C. ang exam period, kaya magiging busy ako ulit sa pagp prepare ng Buwan ng Wika." I told them. Just thinking about it, all the after school meetings, brainstorming and preparing the materials for the event, nahihilo na ako.
Plus, dagdag mo pa 'yung kilay ni Harvey na laging salubong. Nong nag prepare kami for induction ball, kaka panata nya palang na presidente, kilos agad sya. Seryoso agad sya sa trabaho nya. Preparing an event with him is hell of a ride, I must say.
I mean cute naman sya kapag sobrang seryoso nya sa ginagawa pero nakakatakot din minsan, eh. Buti na lang at hindi naging babae, ang lala siguro mag-pms non kung nagkataon.
"Nako, since you're gonna put all the hard work again for the school and also for helping me, ako na bahala sa lunch for today!" Onie offered. I skipped a step and looked up to meet his eyes.
"Talaga? Thank you, darling. I want two orders ng kaldereta, please." I requested and clung both of my arms to his arm.
"Honesto, ba't sya lang? Si Criza lang ba bestfriend mo, ha?" Sabi ni Esnyr at nag cross ng arms na parang nag tatampo.
"Hay nako. Kaya ako kumakayod hanggang madaling araw dahil sa inyo. Sige na, order na kayo."
Tumili kaming dalawa ni Esnyr, "Thank you, darling." We both said in unison. Tumakbo kaming dalawa ni Esnyr papasok ng canteen. Pumila kami agad para makakuha ng lunch.
"Omg, ate, parang paubos na yung favorite mo." Sabi sa akin ni Esnyr habang hinahabaan ang leeg para i-check kung may kaldereta pa.
"No! Stop! Don't say that! Meron pa 'yan!" Kung hindi lang ako vice president, makikipag siksikan at makikipag away talaga ako para sa kaldereta ko. I deserve a good meal after gaining a perfect score on an advance level exam.
"Ate, I'll get the last serving of the kaldereta. Thank you po." Nanlaki ang mata ko ng marinig ang nagorder na nauna sa amin. Tatlong estudyante lang pagitan namin, hindi pa umabot sa akin!
Wait. Hindi ako susuko. I'll make that kaldereta mine with my persuasion skills.
Sumiksik ako sa mga estudyante at nagdahilan para padaanin nila ako. Kilala naman ako halos kaya hindi naman ako nahirapan maabutan ang nilalang na nang-agaw ng kaldereta ko.
"Hello, excuse me." Nakita ko na paabot na sana sya ng mangkok ng kinalabit ko sya at napalingon sa akin.
Oh, dear. It's him.
"What do you want?" Supladong tanong nito ng nilingon ako. Napalunok ako ng laway ng salubungin ang iritado nyang mata.
"Kasi.." I tried to reason out my sudden appearance. Criza, napipi ka ba? Bakit hindi ka makapag salita ngayon?
"What?" He impatiently asked. Napa pikit ako ng mariin para kolektahin lahat ng hiya at kaba ko sa katawan.
Para sa kaldereta!
"Can I please have the last order ng kaldereta?" I said with all of my might and pointed out the food. He looked at both of my eyes as if analyzing my intention. Wala akong masamang balak please, gusto ko lang ng sarsa for lunch. Masama ba hangarin 'yon?
"Nope. Better luck next time," He said, taking the bowl from ate and put it on his tray.
I was dumbfounded as he continued to walk towards the cashier to pay for it. Criza, wag ka sumuko. Hangga't hindi yan nababayaran, pwede pa 'yan.
"Why? I'm seriously asking for a small favor here." I tried my best to sound chill. Kung ibang estudyante 'to malamang nasa kamay ko na 'yung ulam. Ang masama lang talaga, siya ang nakakuha.
He stopped walking and looked at me, "Why put the blame on me? If you just walked faster rather than busying yourself hugging your boyfriend, baka hindi ka naubusan, diba?" He said, accusing me all of a sudden.
Oh, please. Hindi parin ba patay ang issue sa amin ni Onie?
"Look, I walked up to you simply requesting to swap meals. 'Wag ka nagaakusa at nag babanggit ng ibang pangalan over an ulam." I tried to knock some senses at him. Masyado na syang clouded ng irita nya sa akin na kung ano ano na binabanggit nya.
"Well, my answer is no, so pick another meal selection and get out of my way." He said, leaving me standing there.
Grabe siya. Ng dahil sa kaldereta, pi-ni-ms siya? Ang lala Harvey, ah?
Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba academic rivals kami and we both want to finish at the top kaya sya ganyan ka iritable sa akin pero hindi naman ako manhid para hindi mapansin na sa akin lang sya ganyan.
Hindi sya nanalo ng President ng student council kung hindi nya pinapakita sa iba na maasahan syang leader. The thought of students looked up to him and casted a vote under his name speaks how approachable he may seem for other students. Landslide pa ang pagkapanalo nya. If ganon sya sa ibang estudyante, bakit hindi rin sya maging civil sa akin? I'm his vice president for heaven's sake.
"You fought a good fight, dear." Esnyr tried to comfort me as I took a slow bite of my lumpia.
"Ang lungkot ng lumpia, dear. Tignan mo yung kaldereta, ang kulay. Parang na-energize talaga sila sa kinakain nila oh?" I said and made a sad face looking at other students enjoying my kaldereta.
Hindi pa talaga nagpa awat din 'tong si Harvey at sa tapat ng table namin sila naupo ng mga kaibigan nya.
"Darling, hindi lahat ng mukhang malungkot hindi masarap. Tignan mo ako. Kahit malungkot, looking tasteful." Komento ni Onie, nagpapatawa. Kinuha ko ang panyo nya sa table at binato sa mukha nya.
"Kadiri ka, Onie. Not infront of my sinigang, please." Esnyr replied.
Sumubo na lang ako ulit ng lumpia ko. Buti na lang si Onie nagbayad dahil never ako magbabayad sa lumpia na kaninang 9 a.m. pa pinrito.
"Dear, question lang. Iritable ba talaga yang si Harvey palagi?" I asked Onie as I recalled our altercation earlier. Bro was so galit he told me to get out of his way.
"No, he's chill. Lagi kaming nasa bahay non nung elem kasi kompleto instruments tas magisa lagi." Onie replied. Schoolmate nya si Onie elementary pa lang at naging magkaibigan sila growing up. They just grew out of the friendship at may ibang circle friends na si Harvey ngayon at si Onie, napunta sa kampon namin ni Esnyr.
As for me, lumitaw lang ako nong grade 9 kaya wala akong masyadong alam sa history ng mga circles dito sa St. Louis.
"Kumusta check ups ni Kuya?" Onie suddenly asked about my big brother.
I mastered a smile and tried to sound okay. "Ayos naman. So far, so good, kaya don't stop praying for him," I told them. They both reached for my hand and held it firmly.
"Of course, darling. Malakas si Kuya, papanhik pa 'yon sa stage para sabitan ka ng medal sa graduation." Esnyr sincerely said. Just the thought of it made me teary already. Ayoko isipin pero, I know it will happen sometime soon. I smiled at both of them out of gratitude na nandito sila para sa akin.
I keep holding on, and I'm trying my best at everything I do because this is my big brother's dream. I vividly recalled how he admired St. Louis Academy's uniform and said that someday, I would wear the same uniform and would look like a doll.
Bilang isa sa limang scholar ng St. Louis Academy, I had to put every ounce of effort into sustaining my grades and extracurricular to continue being here. Hindi ako sing yaman ng mga estudyante dito.
"Bilisan mo at ubusin mo na 'yang malungkot mong lumpia, miss VP. Sa auditorium ang class natin sa Psych ngayon. Gusto mo sa harapan umupo diba?" Esnyr reminded me as he was finishing up his food.
"Ay, ngayon ba 'yon? I thought next week pa!" Sumubo ako agad at kahit na minadali, inubos ko ang pagkain na libre sa amin ni Honesto. Minsan lang 'yon mag libre eh.
"Oo, dear kaya bilisan mo na dyan at may ritwal ka pang ginagawa before third period." sabi ni Esnyr. Ininom ko agad ang tubig at nagmadali na kuhanin ang maliit kong pouch. Tinakbo ko talaga from canteen to CR kahit na kaka kain ko lang.
Hindi kasi ako makakapag concentrate sa class kung hindi ako mag t toothbrush at mag r retouch ng make up. Hindi pwedeng matalino lang ako, dapat maganda at hygenic din.
Marami laging tao sa CR after lunch pero buti na lang at may libreng space sa sink kaya kinuha ko na agad ang pwesto na 'yon. Nagulat ako bigla ng napatingin ako sa salamin at nakita si Bianca na nagsusuklay ng mahaba nyang buhok.
"Hi Criza," bati nito. Napaka ganda talaga rin ng isang 'to. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi nililigawan ni Harvey. Napaka choosy, kala mo naman talaga.
"Hey, Bia." Bati ko pabalik. I started brushing my teeth but she continue talking to me kaya wala akong magawa kung hindi tumango at makinig sa mga sinasabi nya.
"Don't forget the meeting later at the S.C. office. Mukhang marami tayong ip'prepare for Buwan ng Wika," she told me. Tumango ako para ipakita na nakikinig ako sa kanya.
"And, congrats nga pala for acing Mrs. Torres' exam. Ang talino nyo talaga ni Harvey. Ang higpit ng laban nyo for class valedictorian." She continued. Hindi niya talaga palalampasin ang chance na banggitin ang pangalan ng crush nya. In any situation, talagang all in ang ate mo.
Well, I'm not trying to compete. Never kong ipapakita na may gusto ako kay Harvey dahil hindi lang kahihiyan ang mapapala ko, mga 50% din ng girls and gays population ng school na may gusto sa kanya ang makakalaban ko. So, no thanks. I'm good being his VP.
"But to be honest, he might actually win the thing because he's the student council president, leader ng music club, active member ng social charity program, and apo ng isa sa mga founder ng school. I must say that being on the same radar as him is already impressive for you, Criza. Keep it up." was the last thing she told me after she waited for Ashley to finish washing her hands.
Hindi na ako nakapag reply dahil naka pasok parin sa bunganga ko ang toothbrush ko pero I think, she doesn't mean ill naman, diba?
I mean, let's be real. Totoo lahat ng iyon but out of all she mentioned Harvey was active with, I'm also there, minus the fact the apo sya ng may ari ng school while I'm just a scholar.
But I don't like being downplayed with what I can do. May ilang semesters pa ang natitira at kahit ano pwede pang mangyari.
"Welcome to Psych 101, Wednesday class. I'm Carlos Ty, your substitute instructor, while your professors couldn't be here. Before we begin, I would like to ask if someone wants to volunteer to be my class beadles, preferably a boy and a girl. This is a large group, so I do need help for this class to be united,"
Sir Tan, our class facilitator, was undergoing a serious operation while yung professor ng kabilang section, Mrs. Garcia, ay nag maternity leave. Kaya pinagsama ang dalawang sections ng psych class for the meantime.
Before pa ako mag react at mag taas ng kamay, all of the students gathered in the audi shouted my name and Harvey's. Isang sako na naman ang nadagdagan sa bibitbitin ko.
"Sorry darling, tataas ko sana kamay ko kaso sabi boy and girl daw. I'm neither," Pagj'joke ni Esnyr.
"Miss Criza and Mister Harvey, please come here at stage at kayo ang ginawang tribute ng mga classmates nyo."
Pinikit ko muna ang mga mata ko para ihanda ang sarili. Siya na naman ang kasama ko dito kaya please, Mama, help me.
Criza, laban. Para sa medal, okay?
I mentally counted to three and forcibly stood up to walk in front. Muntik pa kami mag banggaan ni Harvey nong pababa sya at patawid ako para makapunta ng center aisle.
"After you," he simply said. Oh boy, wag mo ko pinopogi typings. Ginet away mo ko kanina!
"Ano? Asan na pagtataboy mo sa akin kanina?" Bulong ko ng maglakad kami papunta sa stage. Napalingon sya sa akin na may kunot ng noo. Ayan na naman sya, lumilitaw na naman mga linya nya sa noo.
"You're so pressed for a kaldereta." He said amusingly.
"And you're so rude telling a lady to 'get out of your way.'" I said.
"Ang petty, Criza." He commented in a low voice. Oh, so first name basis na pala kami.
"Ang snappy, Harvey." I commented back which made him look at me. Tumingin din ako pabalik para malaman nya kung sinong Taa pinagsasabihan nya.
"Mamaya na kayo mag L.Q. dyan and listen to my instructions," Sir Ty's voice suddenly awaken me to reality.
"Sorry, sir. We're listening," sabi ni Harvey at nagpatuloy makinig kay Sir.
Kakabwisit ka, Harvey! Sarap mo kurutin sa tagiliran!