The Path Towards Greatness (Youth Series #2)

22

#TPTG22

"Totoo kaya yung chismis na anak siya sa labas?"

"Nabalitaan ko nga rin pero hindi tayo sigurado. Maybe it's just a rumor. Kilala mo naman ang pamilya nila."

"The media will know about it sooner or later."

"Yeah, especially that her family is exposed to it. Governor pa naman yung papa niya."

"I don't get it. Ampon ba siya? Hindi siya tunay na anak? May kabit ba yung papa niya?"

"Hay nako. Huwag mo nang alamin. Hindi na natin problema yun."

I kept my head low and fixed my hoodie as I listen to their conversation. They seem oblivious that the person they were gossiping about was just right behind them on one of the bookshelves. Maya-maya ay umalis din sila. Sinundan ko sila ng tingin hanggang sa makalabas sila sa bookstore.

Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag. I diverted my attention back to the books in front of me. Kumuha ako ng ilan na kakailanganin sa bar exam since I planned to review in advance. Kumuha din ako ng mga ballpens, highlighters, yellow pad at iba pa.

Things have been hard for me for the past couple of weeks. Hindi ko alam kung paano kumalat ang balita. I just woke up one day and then everyone's starting to talk about it. I kind of expected it already. Not that I care about their opinions or reactions. It's our family business anyway, not theirs.

What's difficult for me is to cope. The truth still hurts...and I don't think I'll be able to heal anytime soon. It's my battle alone.

Panay ang tingin ko sa paligid. I feel very anxious and self-conscious. Inayos ko ulit ang hood sa ulo ko at medyo yumuko. Mabilis kong tinapos ang pamimili ko. Lumiko ako at diretsong naglakad. 

I avoided their suspicious gazes towards me. And just when I was already a few feet away to the cashier, I suddenly bumped into someone. Kita ko ang itim niyang sapatos habang nakayuko ako. I slowly lifted my eyes and saw Keith.

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa dala kong gamit. His lips parted while staring at me. At that moment, I knew he recognized me. If only it was just a normal day for me then I'd greet him, but I'm in a rush. So I acted like I didn't know him.

"Fey--"

"Sorry, excuse me," sabi ko at mabilis siyang nilagpasan

Pagkadating ko sa cashier ay agad kong nilapag ang mga gamit doon. Muntikan pa silang mahulog. The lady started to punch the items while throwing glances at me. I licked my lips and looked away. From the corner of my eyes, I can see her putting the items on the plastic. Wish she could be faster.

"That would be one thousand five hundred ma'am," sambit niya

I immediately took out my card from my wallet. Binigay ko iyon sa kanya na agad niyang tinanggap. From my peripheral vision, lies a man standing next to the line. Agad akong umiwas ng tingin nang mapansing si Keith iyon. Siya na ang susunod sa'kin. I didn't know where to look so I stared down at my black sneakers instead.

"Uh...ma'am, ayaw po gumana nung card niyo."

Napatingin ako sa cashier. "I'm sorry?"

"May iba pa po ba kayong card? Ayaw po gumana nitong binigay niyo."

My lips parted. Agad kong kinuha ang isa ko pang card at binigay iyon sa kanya. I swallowed hard as I watch her swipe my card, then I heard a buzz sound.

"What's wrong?" I asked

She swiped my card again and glanced at me. "Ayaw din po nito eh."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "What? Can you double check please?"