Becoming The Man (COMPLETED)

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Technically, I'm 40-percent an Iska today. The remaining 60-percent depends on my performance in this exam.

I played with my pencil as I looked around the room. A lot of them were top students in their school, some even came from Science high schools and the others had supportive parents na maiintindihan kung hindi sila pumasa.

God, I need this so bad.

It took me two years to have my redemption arc—I'm not wasting it.

"So you want to get into UP?"

Biglang natahimik ang testing room when the female proctor walked in. The kaba that I did not feel simula kaninang umaga started to creep up on me. She gave us the instructions and maya-maya ay pinasa na ang questionnaires.

"Isang beses niyo lang kukunin ang UPCAT. Give it your best shot," she said before she flipped the timer.

'Carpe diem,' I said to myself as I embarked on the test.

I could feel beads of sweat in my forehead already. Paulit-ulit kong binabasa yung questions to make sure I wouldn't miss anything dahil right minus wrong daw. I was shading midway nang bigla nalang ipa-pass forward yung questionnaire.

"What the hell?" I murmured. I kinda overlooked the time!

Kaya for the next subtests, hindi ko na ginoal na masagutan lahat. If I didn't get it the first time, I'd skip to the next one.

"The results will be out by March or April next year. Congrats mga future Isko at Iska," the proctor said while making pantay the answer sheets.

'I'm here.'

I was biting my lips pag-labas ko ng room. Super pinipigilan kong maiyak kasi I know naman na I did my best pero bakit ganito?!

When I got to the coffee shop na we decided na magkita after exams, nakita ko agad si Bailey na tumayo. I forced myself to smile as I entered.

I rushed to him and wrapped my arms around his body for a hug. Yumakap siya pabalik after a few seconds.

"You did your best?" Bailey whispered in my ears.

I nodded, my face still buried in his chest. "How about you?"

"Of course. Now, the waiting game begins."

Ngumiti ako and hugged him even tighter. Napa-hiwalay lang kami when we heard someone na nag-clear ng throat.

"Caiden?" I asked when I saw him. "Bakit ka nandito?"

Bailey chuckled. "May hinihintay 'yan."

"Nandito na pala siya," Caiden said kaya I followed where he was looking at and nakita ko si Santana na pumasok ng coffee shop.

Lumapit si Caiden to make salubong and then he draped his arm around Santana's shoulder. Bigla siyang na-shook nung magka-tinginan kami. She removed Caiden's arm agad.

"Mali ka ng iniisip, Debbie!" she quickly defended.

"What's going on sa inyong dalawa?"

My gosh! I never even knew they know each other tapos biglang ganito? The tea is piping hot!

"W-Wala, ah... 'Di pa ba kayo uuwi?" she said, obviously dodging my question. I eyed her. Hmm...

"Going home na rin. Do you guys wanna ride with us?"

"Oo nga," Bailey agreed. "Hassle na mag-commute ngayon."

They shared a look bago sumunod sa van. Bailey and I sat in the middle row while the "friends" stayed at the back. Okay po, friends! Eme!