Wasn't Meant To Be

Chapter 2

ERRORS AHEAD

Pennelope Santiago

Malakas na dumaan ang hangin kasama ang iba pang mga dahon na mula sa nag tataasang puno habang ako ay nakaupo sa school forest. Preoccupied with the activity I'm doing I was still able to see my best friend at the corner of my eye whose bunned curly hair was messy and was on her way to me wearing her "Parang High School" athlete shirt.

Binaling ko ang aking atensyon sa kaniya matapos umupo sa aking harap, kasalukuyan itong naliligo sa pawis na umabot narin sa kaniyang eyeglasses at habol hininga dahil sa practice. Mukhang hagard na si bruha. Habang umiinom ng tubig at nakatuon ang mga itim na mata sa aking green paper na puno ng mga designs at math formulas.

"You have to help me with SILPs." She said, matapos lagukin ang isang bote ng malamig na tubig. Itinaas ko naman ang kilay ko at binigyan ko siya ng "luh" face.

"Sabi ko kasi sayo wag ka muna sumali this year dahil medyo mahirap hirap ang math."

I stated. I can't help her totally with math dahil kahit ako di ko magawa ng maayos. Why do I have to suck in math anyways, geometry in particular.

"As if I can't – "

"say no to papa."

In synch ang pagkakasabi namin sa huling linya. Pati din ang bagsak ng aming balikat at buntong hininga.

It must be hard for her. Even if she wants to quit sports her parents won't let her.

Pennie's dad was supposed to be one of Philippine's greatest badminton player but he failed when he got Pennie's mom pregnant. Now all the pressure that Pennie's dad had once was passed to her.

"This isn't my passion Lala, I'm supposed to be holding a camera and capture wonders."

Her voice cracked because of frustration.

I hugged my best friend and gave comfort. "Hmmm ambango naman nitong si Pennelope Santiago." I thought to myself, pero ang lagkit nung pawis.

Nang makawala sa yakap takam na takam akong kumagat sa shawarma kebab ko then offered her some.

"Kuripot mo, sampu yang dala mong kebab pero ang inooffer mo sa akin yung kinagatan mo na."

Her mouth was so full at may sauce pa na natira sa gilid ng labi niya habang nag rereklamo matapos kumagat sa isinusubo kong kebab.

We were both having our time while eating. Kada chika namin we were both laughing out loud. Nahinto lang lahat ng sakto 3:30 pm ay malakas na tumunog ang bell hudyat para kami ay bumalik na sa aming classroom. Our break is over, sabay kaming tumayo ni Pennie at napansin ang aming height difference. Hanggang baba lang ako nito, damn tall girl. Nag lakad na ako patungo sa classroom at si Pennie naman ay mabilis na tumakbo pabalik sa gym na may bitbit na shawarma.

Pennie has been my best friend ever since I transferred here in Parang High School. Our strong friendship started when I introduced her to KPOP.

After few meetings with my family they treated her like our own blood, she even goes with us in vacation and other family gatherings when she's allowed. We have become sisters but from a different family.

Penelope is an overprotective type of friend. She may not show love the way we always see it but she will make you feel it. She's an acts-of-service-type-of-person. Pala sermon din ito pero sa huli ay walang ginawa kundi sumuporta. Witty most of the time although some says she looks masungit. Madalas nawiwierduhan ito sa aking mga jokes ngunit tanggap niya padin daw ang aking kabaliwan. In short Penelope is the perfect best friend.

The whole day wasn't that boring since I had Cassius with me who kept me my mouth babbling. Malapit pa akong di maka sagot sa recitation dahil sa pakikipagdaldalan jusme ang hirap magpigil ng bibig. But even though Cassius is spending time with me during class I still feel incomplete without Pennie her vibe is different from everyone else. I wish she'd be back already.