Nang inabot sa akin ni Janet ang badge ko, ang saya-saya ko. Save na ako sa terror naming boss. Mahirap na mawalan ng trabaho. Para makaipon din naman ako para sa college ko. Kahit sisimulan ko na muna na ako ang magbayad tapos mag-aaral o mag-working student para makatapos.
"Nagpakilala ba sa yo ang nagbigay nito?"
"Hindi pero parang driver yata kasi maganda at mamahaling kotse ang minamaneho at saka parang naka-uniporme. "
"Iniisip ko nga kung saan-saan ako nakapadpad bago nawala to e. Pumasok pa ako nang Biernes at nawala ko ito malamang Nang gabing yon o Sabado."
"Nang pumasok ka ng Sabado wala na yan."
"Di ba siya nagsabi kung saan niya napulot."
"Hindi naman parang nagmamadali nga e."
"O siya sige balik muna ako ng school. "
"Oo nga pala, Lisa puede ka bang mag-substitute mamaya mga 2 oras lang? May meeting kasi ang kapatid ko sa school at di puede ang nanay. Mga 4:30 hanggang 6:30 lang."
"O sige at pag nakauwi ka, pakisabi kay nanay na andito ako ha."
Weird talaga! Di ko naalala kung saan ko talaga nawala ang badge ko.A Tama!!! Noong Biernes nang gabi nang tumambay ako diyan sa may Blue Ridge. Tumakbo ako kaagad palayo sa mama. Malamang siya ang nakakita nito o hindi kaya isa sa mga estudyante pagkatapos ng ball nila. Kungsabagay bakit ko naman talaga iisipin kung sino talaga. Bumalik na sa akin to at yan ang importante.
Pagbalik ko sa school, mag-e-elective na. Dahil mahilig akong sumayaw at kumanta, ay nasa Dance and Music Arts ako. Ka-grupo namin ang Dramatics class pero tuwing may show lang kami nagkasama-sama. Papasok na ako sa auditorium nang ..........
"Miss, miss, I think I am lost...do you know where the Dramatic class is.."
Ito na siguro yung sinasabi ni Tanya na spokening dollars na bagong salta. Natameme ako nang ilang segundo at nang pabukas na yong bibig upang sagutin siya....
"Brandon!!!! Here you are. Dramatics class over here", nasa likod ko pala si Tanya. Kaya ayun disappearing act kaagad ang lalaki. Oh well at least di ako nakapalabas ang konti kong baong ingles. Pero.....wait up! Bakit ang slow motion ngh memory ko? Siya yun! Siya yun! Bigla akong tumakbo papuntang room ng Dramatics class at sumilip. Nagtransfer siya dito sa Blue Ridge? Bakit kaya? Hayyyy!
"Lisa! Anong ginagawa mo dyan, mali-late na tayo sa Elective." Paalaala ni Rod na nasa harapan ng Performing Arts classroom namin.
Aha-hay, alis muna ako Joshua Jackson! Bakit andito siya sa Roxas High School? Ha-hay ang dami kong tanong.
Nawala na lang ang kakaisip ko nang tinawag ako ni Ms. Gaitan at ang lahat ay nakatingin sa akin.
"Lisa, are you with us?"
Yayks! Naging sentro ako ng atraksyon ---sanay naman ako pero hindi dahil parang malalim ang iniisip ko at parang nasa ibang mundo ako.
"I just called your name, because I have 3 spots for full scholarship in Performing Arts sa UP. I may turn in your name as one of the probables dahil you are also academically capable and commendable.", sa pagkakataon na ito ay narinig ko na si Ms. Gaitan.
"Scholarship po? sige po..", nawala sa isip ko ang lalaking nakasalubong ko kanina at bumalik ako sa realidad.
"Good. I will open this also sa Dramatics class because we belong to the Performing Arts umbrella kaya lang, sila boring, tayo exciting!!!"
Hindi naman na kinakampanya ni Ms. Gaitan ang di pagkaunawaan sa gitna ng klase namin at ng Dramatics...I think may personal na rason siya sa konting rivalry sa gitna nila ni Mr. Trillo. Balita ko dati silang magka-on..as in BF-GF noong college. (Chismis mode on!) Tapos para yatang may 3rd party at nagbreak up pero sa dinig ko di daw babae ang dahilan kung hindi lalaki. Yes---tama ang iniisip niyo--- baklush ang teacher ng Dramatics club.
"Lisa at Melody, you prepare 3 performing piece and according to the guidelines that they sent us---it's lyrical dance, ballroom and contemporary sa yo Lisa. Sa yo Melody, you need to sing a classical Filipino composition, one foreign and one pop. I am not sure what are the requirements doon sa kabilang classroom. Who cares."
Nagtawanan sa loob ng classroom.
"And Lisa, by tomorrow kailangan tapos na yong choreography ng lyrical hip-hop nyo for the coming alumni presentation. So that maituro mo na sa grupo--likewise Rod ang ballroom and Melody yong mga kakantahin ng minstrels."
"Yes, Ma'am", sabay kaming tatlo.
"Lisa, you are now excused and you can use the right side of the auditorium to create choreography. While the others, we need to brainstorm for the concept and everything."
Scholarship? Thank you, Lord. Ito na yong pinapangarap ko.
"What made you transfer to our school, Brandon? Blue Ridge High is such a high-end private school", Mr. Rodriguez scanned through my documents. "And you're not a failing student...your grades are average and some above average. With the look of it, you could have done it better without your athletic activities. We have taken in students from Blue Ridge but they are the expelled ones and could hardly pass."
"It's my first school here in the Philippines and it is extremely as much as I have expected so much compared to Hasting High in Houston. I would like to know about my filipino roots just how my late real mom told me about-- not on the account of how my screaming and nagging pregnant stepmom showed me."
"Hmmm...interesting. Sarcasm is your forte."
"I'm just honest and truthful in most of my opinions."
"OKay, Brandon..in as much that this is a public school at halu-halo dito ang mga studyante...students here came from all walks fo life. Mga mayayaman din at middle class who still believe that public school could offer such quality education. There are some poor students who really work so hard because they believe that they will a have a better future and alleviate poverty. Meron then namang, don't care at all students."
Mr. Rodriguez stood up and opened the wide window overlooking the whole campus.
"WElcome to Manuel Roxas High School!"....he stopped to call for his secretary. "Ms. Caridad, can you call any student officer?"
"Right away, sir. Nasa elective classes po ang mga Seniors. You want me to get Mr. Domingo instead?"
"THat would be awesome!" then he turned to me. "Mr. Domingo by the way is the Senior class adviser. He will help you in all your needs..well, that excludes finances. Then, because you came in the middle of the year, you cannot choose your elective. We will look for an elective class na may bakante. And that is...." he was flipping through his files. Oh I wish it's more on technology or mechanical...."we have an open spot in Dramatics! Ms. Solis would be delighted to have you around."
I screamed to myself, "WHAT!!!!!!! Dramatics! My life has full of drama and school should not add more to it. Damn!!!!!"
"Good luck, Brandon and enjoy your stay in Manuel Roxas."
Seriously--- I know I could get away from this. My need to get away from Blue Ridge is way serious than staying here and do some drama. Good luck to myself,too!
Vacant time---masaya! Chika-chika-- wala na yatang hihigit pa sa kakadaldalera ni Tanya. Madaldal din ako pero ibang klase siya. Parang manok na naghahanap ng kanyang mga inakay. Mula noong First Year pa naman, di na kami magkatugma sa lahat ng bagay. Pero di ko siya kaaway, di ko lang siya feel. Si Kristin naman ay dakilang "julalay" niya. Kulang na lang yata magtayo ng beauty parlor sa mga shed pag vacant period namin. Kung hindi liha sa kuko ang dala, malamang may tweezer, at buong manicure set ang dala. At kasama pa nila ang mga dakilang chihuahuas na sina Mildred at Becky.
"Hay alam nyo ba may bago daw tayong classmates na spokening dollars.", ayan simula na ng kanyang "talumpati" si Tanya.
"Saan mo naman nasagap ang chizmax na yan, Tanya? Ikaw talaga wag kang magbiro ha."
"Ano ba ang pangalan ng registrar natin?"
"Miss Morales---Miss Geraldine Morales.", sagot ni Becky habang nakatunganga kay Kristin na nagmamanicure kay Tanya.
"Hay naku ang slow motion nyo ano? My name is Antonia Maria Morales Abraham. Titang-tita ko siya." Mukhang naiinip na siya dahil di nakukuha ng 3 niyang alipores.
"Hay talaga?", sambit naman ni Janice na nasa tabi ko sa boses na ala-Tanya.
Si Janice yung mataray ang dating. Matapang at walang pakialam. Wag mo lang siyang pakitaan ng pagka-antipatika at okay kayo. Minsan natatawa lang ako sa kanyang banat. At ang minsan na yan ay ngayon kaya....bigla ba naman akong nadamay.
Biglang tumayo itong Tanya at pinagalitan si Janice. "Ikaw, weirdo ka, wag kang sagot nang sagot pag di ka kinakausap ha. Kung hindi ay..."
Tumayo din ito na parang nanghahamon---"At ano? Papatalsikin mo ako dini sa Manuel Roxas---hoy, public school ito ano? At bukas sa lahat na mga weirdong teenagers katulad ko at mas lalong katulad mo.Babaeng bakla!!!"
"Aba, aba, aba...ugaling palengkera yata ang kausap ko..."
Bigla na lang akong tumayo at naging "referee".
"Prrttt!!!! Teka ha, madadaan ito sa magandang usapan," ako ay pumagitna sa kanila at nakita ko na ring tumayo ang 3 alipores ni Tanya.
"Pwes! sabihin mo dyan sa kaibigan mo, tigilan na ako...at wag kang maging hero diyan, Lisa dahil nakita kitang tumawa din. Pareho lang kayo!!!"
Yan na ang sabi ko. Di ko naman talaga close friend si Janice. Nagkataon lang kaming nagkatabi sa bench.
"Alam mo, Lisa--halika na", hinatak ako paalis ni Janice at may binulong sa akin habang papunta kami sa kabilang shed, "yang mga yan nai-estress pag inaway ko. Pati si Dante mamaya, hindi makakadiga kasi wala sa mood si Tanya."
"Hayaan mo na lang sila, Janice."
"Alam mo, Lisa pag di mo kalabanin ang mga yan, ikaw ang kawawa. Don't be a doormat. Minsan inaartehan ko lang ang mga yan. Dinadala sa sarcasm pero kinakagat naman nila. Akala nila nalalamangan nila ako. Pwes hindi, I am just a good actress."
"Ang galing mo nga."
" Lisa---you're too nice a person. You should know to hate sometimes. Kahit konti on the right reasons."
"Ayokong maghate ng tao. Gusto ko lang gumawa ng mga bagay para sa sarili ko at sa pamilya ko."
"Ganon din yun. Pag inuna mo yung sarili mo, aayaw na yan sa yo. Pumili ka lang---magtago ka sa lungga mo o F--- you all!!!"
"Gusto ko nasa gitna lang ako---- mapagkaibigan pero may paninindigan sa sarili."
Bigla na lang akong natahimik---beep! beep!-- may nagtext.
Janet: Baj m d2 n sa cafe.Buti aq tanggp, d c boss.Paktay k kung xa.
"Are you out of your mind, Brandon?" My stepmom just blurted out of the blue. I know I am just talking to my dad all along and she wants to join the conversation. She was knitting my unborn sibling's shoe and I could see the needles that she's holding moved up and down as if she wants to prick me by the eyes using them.
"Brandon, you must think it over, son. You can not just decide in a haste."
"Dad, I made up my mind."
"Peter, you cannot just make your son move school. Blue Ridge is the best school in the country. "
I could see my dad's face getting irritated. It seemed like he's going to explode, but I saw him breathed deeply.
"Brandon, you're graduating and I am so concern about the standards...."
"But dad, I want a total new environment....I want you to trust me on this."
"Peter..." my stepmom sighed with dismay.
"Graciana, we'll talk about this okay", he gave her a pat on her shoulder. I would say if she keeps quiet for a while and accept this, she will have my whole respect for a lifetime.
"Peter, I am telling it's not a good idea."
Dad turned to me, "Brandon, this I am telling you. I will grant my permission but we need to have an agreement."
"You got my word, dad."
"You must show me the better version of Brandon. The Brandon I used to know--smart and active."
Now we are talking business here. I know there is a bargain and for once between dad and me, I have a feeling that I could win that bargain.
"Thanks, Dad. I have an idea where to go...it's just the public school across Blue Ridge."
I saw my stepmom's jaw dropped open and was about to protest.
"I saw and read some streamers outside that shows that it is in the nation's top 20 public high schools. It has a good athletic team and swimming team."
Finally, I saw my dad's face lit up. It's probably the first time he saw me insisting something good for myself. It's the first time I spoke what I want and what I really desire. Part of the truth is I want to get away from Krizzia and also part of it is to break free. I have lived in the US for 15 years--- of freedom and to make good choices for myself. Then, I was thrown to this place where I seemed to be guarded all the time and to be "harrassed" by stepmom of her shrieking voice everyday. Good thing it has been mellowed when she knew she was pregnant.
"Brandon, don't fail my trust on you. I just want you to be good to yourself and don't make me go to school and speak with your principal twice a week because you were in trouble...or I have to receive your failing grade."
Honestly, even though how uncertain and distrustful my words are--- when I heard my dad's words encouraging and kind of "warning" me at the same time-- I feel that I somehow about to grow up.
Yes, I am about to break free from Blue Ridge School which undoubtedly one of the best private school in the Philippines, but just want to get out in the company of some cliques that I used to know. A name of a school just snapped in my mind--- Manuel Roxas High School--the school just across the street. Well, it's just because of the reason it's the second high school that I know of.
Whatever my fate is--- I gotta have (I can't believe I am saying this)...FAITH. There is it, I said it.
Lisa, Lisa...parang nanood ka lang ng isang hollywood movie. Mmmm...para bang na-transport ako sa America na walang Visa. Pero ay..ganoon pala sila ka-intense..feel na feel. Di ko sila makuha sa isip ko habang papauwi ng gabing yun. Ang babae sosyal, ang lalaki kalahati-native, kalahati-alien.
Hanggang kinabukasan pagbalik ko sa internet cafe, patingin -tingin ako sa gate ng Blue Ridge School. In fairness, yung lalaki parang si Jonathan Jackson. Hayyy,,,
"Lisa?...", kanina pa pala si Janet sa harapan ko-- ang madaldal kong katrabaho. "Aba-aba-aba wag mong sabihin na nagdi-daydream ka na. Uy..sino ang swerteng lalaki na nagpatibok ng puso ng babaing siga."
"Ayee...wala. Iniisip ko lang yung utang ko at saka....meron ako ngayon. Kabuwanan ko kaya tuliro ako." Defensive tuloy ako.
"Oo nga tuliro ka nga..mamaya pag nakita ka ni bossing na di mo suot ang badge mo, malilintikan ka."
Bigla kong hinagip yong dibdib ko para i-check kung suot ko ang badge ko.
"Patay..baka may multa ako nito."
"Ipagdasal mo na lang na di si Sir Marco ang pupunta ngayon kundi si Ma'am Edna. Kahit masungit yun pero walang pakialam kung may badge ka o wala."
"Kailangan ko ng 15 minutes break muna. Hahanapin ko sa locker ko. May utang ka na time sa akin, remember nang nakipaglandian ka sa papa mo."
"O sige bilisan mo at baka may oorder na ng kape."
Tumakbo ako sa locker at nilabas lahat ng laman ng bag ko. Wala talaga..walang badge.
******************************************************************
My stepmom drives me crazy. It's hard to get a ride in our family car whenever she's around. She plays dispatcher all the time and she has to know where I am going. I lied---told her that I will go to Charlie's but I have our driver detour us to the internet cafe where the girl last night was working.
"Ricky, I just want to grabe some milkshake. Can you turn right where my school is? Right in that cafe?"
"Are you sure po, Sir? There's a Starbucks in the mall?"
"I am so sure. I know they have good milk shakes in here. I'll see later".
When I walked in, I am the first customer. There is a lady in the counter but I am sure it wasn't her.
"Good morning, Sir, how can I help you?"
I scanned through their menu on the wall and nothing would come to my mind. I was just here to return a badge but not really to order.
"What would you recommend?" I jingled the keys and the badge in my pocket.
"Well, we have mocca mint shake, choco mint shake, nutty choco mint shake....they are our customer's favorite."
"How about your choco mint shake --regular size."
"Right away in 5 minutes, Sir."
As I watched her razzled dazzled around pouring, mixing, shaking the drink-- I looked around for some clue of the girl. When she was done, I paid her and took my order.
"Is there anything else you want, sir?"
"Mmm.... are you the only one working in here?"
I saw her face turned point blank..
"Up front..yes but there's a lot of people inside....", she pointed to the room. "There are like 5 big muscled people in there....like bouncer." She seemed frightened, so I just bade goodbye and left the cafe.
************************************************************************
Lumabas ako na matamlay dahil di ko nakita ang badge ko. Nawala na talaga yun. Pero si Janet parang....
"Lisa, Lisa..hay naku buti na lang lumabas ka. Di mo naabutan. Nagkukunyari pang sosyal at akala mo alta-sosyodad, yun pala may planong mang-hold up."
"Ha!!!!"
"Oo..pero infairness -- milyun-milyon ang pogi points niya. Hayyy....natakot yata nang sinabi ko na may limang bouncer diyan sa loob. Di niya alam ikaw lang pala ang andyan."
"Okay ka rin pala ano? Ginawa mo akong panakot. E papano kung lumabas talaga ako at malaman niya na nagsisinungaling ka lang? Naku, Janet....nakakatakot naman niyan."
****************************************************************
I get in the car and told Ricky to bring me to the mall.
"Sir Brandon, your black berry has been ringing and ringing when you're out. "
I grabbed my phone at the back seat and Krizzia has rang the phone more than 10 times.
"Shittt!!!", I whispered to myself. If there's one thing that I don't like, it's someone who didn't get it at all.
"O Ricky, do you want a new cellphone?"
"Ay Sir..no money..I am just using this old nokia 3210..old model....just for my pamili po, sir."
"How about a brand new black berry model?"
"No joke sir?"
I handed over him the phone.
"Sir, how about you?"
"I will buy an iphone when I get to the mall."
"How about the sim card and your friends list here?"
"Can you do me a favor, Ricky?"
"Anything sir."
"Can you throw the sim card away? As in gone from my sight."
"Okay, sir..kung yan ang gusto nyo.."
"What did you say?"
"Ip dats what you want sir..i will."
"Thank you, Ricky."
Now, I will be Krizzia-free ---for now.
"What the hell is happening to you, Brandon? You can't just leave me in there. I am your date! You could have told me you're leaving and not just leave me with Cristopher to take care of me. I am not just a random date you took because we need to have a date--I am your girlfriend!!!"
"Krizzia, leave me alone. I am going home. Stop nagging me about things I didn't even do. And what was that all about? You've been telling everyone that we had some wild nights in the jacuzzi. What will your parents say about me? Hell, Krizzia, even though I grew up in America but I do know your culture in here."
"I..I am so sorry Brandon..please give me another chance. I just don't want any other girls to get you. You're every girl's dream in campus to be their boyfriend and I don't want you to be their friend.....we belong to each other."
"Not a chance now, Krizzia, because we're through!! As in end...finito...no more chance."
Upon hearing my words, Krizzia ran back inside crying. I felt there's something in my hand that I wanted to give a blow on the post near the post. I wasn't able to control myself and I punch the wall of the telephone booth. It left a little dent. Suddenly, I heard a frightened sigh in one of the benches in the lobby. I looked at her and kind of not seeing much of her face because it was a little bit dark.
"I'm sorry po. Natakot kasi ako pero okay lang. Di ko kayo kilala, di nyo rin ako kilala, parang wala lang po akong nakita o narinig. Di ko po kayo nakitang sumuntok diyan sa telephone booth at nasira.At isa pa english yun di ba? Di ako nakakaintindi ng malalim na english. Sige po goodnight."
I might have frightened her that she ran away. She dropped her larnyard with her work badge on the ground. She works at Cyber Hide Out internet cafe. It was too late, I can't see her anymore in the street.
As for Krizzia, maybe I wasn't sure of her at all. It was just the thing of having a girlfriend and having an idea of what every young guy has--a girlfriend. But what really is the sense of having a special girl in your life? My mind and my heart don't reject the idea--it's just that it was so early for me to decide that Krizzia should be my girlfriend because I want to today, but I just don't have that "thing" you feel for a girlfriend. With me and Krizzia, it was just imposed because everyone supposed to have one, but because you like and you love that person. I maybe the worst person in the world at this time, but yes, Brandon is the meanest person of the hour tonight.
In short, I realized tonight that I don't love Krizzia at all.
Ako si Lisa-- simple, karinyosa at bungisngis. Sanay na ako sa payak na pamumuhay. Si Nanay nagtitinda ng kakanin sa tapat ng paaralan namin tuwing recess at sa hapon naman, nag-a- alsa balutan siya sa kabilang kanto doon naman sa paaralan ng mga mayayaman. Parang Mara-Clara ang drama ano? Pero buti na lang walang Clara sa buhay namin at ang Tatay talagang pinakamabait na ama sa lahat. Ang masaklap nga lang napagbintangan siyang pumatay sa boss niya kaya ayun nasa bilangguan ng dalawampung taon. Labinlimang taon na lang at lalaya na siya. Ay!!! Tagal pa pala non. Kaya ang nanay, ina na , ama pa sa buhay naming 3 magkakapatid. Panganay ako sa tatlo. Ang sunod sa akin ay si Lester at ang bunso ay si Daniel. Ayaw sana ng nanay na magtrabaho ako pero pinilit ko siya para makatulong at makaipon din ako. Magka-college na kasi ako sa susunod na pasukan. Kaya naman namasukan akong Internet Cafe assistant tuwing Biernes, Sabado at Linggo malapit sa Blue Ridge School. Ito yong sinasabi kong school ng mayayaman.
Simple lang kaligayahan namin. Pagkatapos kumain ng hapunan at gumawa ng homework, manonood ng paboritong teleserye sa bintana ng bahay ni Aling Choleng, matutulog na para pumasok kinabukasan. Umiiba lang yata ang daloy ng buhay pag may birthday kasi alam ko ang nanay magluluto yan ng pansit o spaghetti at minsan punta kami ng park para magpahangin. Tuwing Pasko naman, bumibisita kami sa tatay.
Kaya ako, kahit na ano kasalat kami sa lahat ng luho, naging maganda ang pananaw namin sa buhay. Tawag ng mga kaklase ko sa akin nga bungisngis at tigasin kasi di ako patatalo sa mga mayayaman at maaarte. Ang mga lalaki sa school, di umaalma sa akin kasi sinisindak ko sila. Kaya ngayon wala masyadong nagkakamaling manligaw kasi tingin ko sa kanila lahat--utol! Ekanga ako, one of the boys lang.
"Lisa, andon ka ba sa internet cafe mamaya?", tanong ni Rod habang hinahabol ako. Palabas na kasi ako ng school.
"Didiretso ako ngayon don at hanggang alas nuebe ako.Bukas at Linggo, 9-5 ako. Bakit?"
"E kasi", may dinudukot siya sa bulsa niya at kinuha ang flash drive, "ito o-- project ng grupo natin. Kung may time kang i-print. 35 pages yan, puede ba?"
"Puedeng-puede kaya lang, nagtatrabaho lang ako don. Hindi ko pag-aari ang printer at saka yong tinta ng printer. Kailangan nyo pa ring bayaran yong print services. Tingnan ko kung pueding magdiscount."
May dinukot siya uli sa kabilang bulsa, "Ito o, kasya na ba ang singkwenta. Yan lang ang kaya ng grupo. Baka gusto mo na rin i-proofread nang konti kaya di ka na namin singilin ng contribution mo."
"Okay", kinuha ko ang flash drive at ang pera.
"Sige salamat, Lisa."
Yan si Rod-- kababata ko since Grade 1. Mabait naman siya at naging kalaro ko noong maliliit pa kami pero parang nalason din yata ng mama niya ang utak niya sa pagiging matapobre. Ang nakakatawa lang ay mayaman ang kanyang madrasto pero sa public school pa rin siya nag-aaral. Pero ayun naman sa sabi niya, tatapusin na lang niya ang high school at saka na mag-college sa magandang kolehiyo. Ganyan naman kaming lahat sa school, halos magkakakilala mula noong bata pa kaya minsan nakakasuka rin ang pagmumukha namin sa isa't isa. Hahaha
Minsan, naiisip ko, kelan kaya magkaroon ng konting "twist" ang buhay ko? Yong maganda. Ang huli yatang twist ay yong bumaha sa lugar namin at kailangan naming tumira sa school at syempre walang pasok ng isang linggo. Ayoko ng ganoong "twist". Kaya ako'y nangarap na lang sa bituin sa langit--- sana naman......sekret yun kaya di niyo mababasa dito. (wink wink)
Habang papauwi ako nang gabi noon galing sa trabaho, nakita ko yong kumukuti-kutitap na mga ilaw sa Blue Ridge School. Prom Night pala nila. Maki-usyuso nga. Minsan, napag-isip isip ko rin kung paano kaya kung iba yong buhay ko at sila yong mga kaklase ko. Para akong timang na umupo doon sa may lobby nila at bigla na lang nakasaksi ng isang drama......
People who knew me knows I am perfect.
My clothes, my family and the way I look. But then, deep within me I know it's a big fat lie. It's all superficial. If they all feel what I feel and see how empty my world is and how can one comes in and out inside it because there's a void in it--- I absolutely know that they will change their perspective about me. It will destroy my picture perfect image.
I look at my reflection in the mirror--it's blurry. I can't see the real me. What I see is a good looking guy which is according to my girlfriend Krizzia. But I do not feel my face as if it is my feelings. It's just a genetic combination of my parents' genes. I am a mixture of east and west--- got my mom's color of skin and hair, but my dad's facial feature.
"Brandon! Come down!!!", my stepmom was yelling downstairs. Oh yes, I have a stepmom. My real mom died 5 years ago and my dad married this gold digging woman. She is also a filipina like my mom, but so far no one could replace my mom's gentle and loving ways. Incase you didn't know, my mom died of breast cancer. My parents had me in their late 30's that's why even though I am seventeen, they are already older than most who married younger.
"Brandon!!!!!", it's louder this time.
The first time she called, my first instinct was to ignore her. "WTF", I thought for the second yell. I am called Mr. Ignore Her---for if I start to retaliate, it will be more arguments, heartaches, and more and more yelling.
I come down from the stairs and she is at the bottom of the staircase with that "you're late" look.
"I know, I know. I will just eat my breakfast on the way to school."
"You came home past midnight. That's what you get---eye bags and pimples". She scanned through my face as if she's a ultra sound machine. " Your dad left early for Iloilo for a business conference and there's only me, you, the housemaid and your forthcoming brother slash sister."
She's pregnant! I didn't scream for joy but shrugged my shoulder. "Okay." I didn't know she could have babies but I do hope they could be like Dad---like a 100% all-Jefferson Raucher genes. Or else we will have 2 screaming creatures in the house. I just don't know how my dad could stand her.
"Juliana!!! Yong baon ng senyorito mo, bilis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!", I could already see her tonsils on that one.
"Tita Elizabeth, isn't it bad for the babies if you scream like that? According to studies, you need to be gentler and happier while you're pregnant. It will affect the baby's disposition."
"Oh really. Okay", she touches her belly, "I am sorry baby. Mom will not scream again.
That took care of it--- well at least for like few months. (wink, wink)
