It was three days before the classes start when I decided to buy some school supplies. And roam around the mall, too. Also, I am already contented with the arrangement of stuff in my condo.
I might just add something in it if ever I find something interesting in the mall.
My parents call me everyday, but not all the time. Alam ko namang busy silang tao.
I am still missing them every now and then, pero I have to get used to it. Kasi they also took this opportunity para turuan akong mamuhay independently.
Well, not exactly. Because they are still providing for me since I am still studying, and a minor.
Wearing a casual shirt and denim shorts paired with my go-to white sneakers, I went out of the building.
Tatay said that he will send one of our drivers and a housekeeper here with me. I guess that is better after what I've encountered in the elevator in my first day here.
On my way to the mall, I rode a taxi. I informed my parents about it, too.
Bago gawin ang pakay, tumungo muna ako sa mga food stalls doon at namili ng makakain. I already ate my lunch in my unit, hindi ko lang talaga mapigilang hindi bigyang-pansin ang mahalimuyak na amoy ng pagkain sa paligid ko.
I spent almost half an hour eating some snack and siomai there. Then after it, pumasok ako sa bilihan ng mga school supplies.
I only bought the basic needs of a student. Hindi ko pa alam ang ibang kakailanganin kaya iyon lang muna ang aking binili.
I turned around to see my real prospect. The smell of newly opened book filled my nose.
Naantig ako sa dami ng mga 'yon, they are all interesting, pero mayroon na akong mga kopya ng mag ito sa bahay o sa unit. So ang ending, school supplies lang ang nabili ko at walang bagong libro.
I was quite disappointed by that, they must have more interesting and new books here since it's the center of the province. Mas interesante pa ang mga librong nabibili ko sa amin kaysa rito!
At dahil medyo badtrip ako dahil wala ni isang libro akong nabili, tumungo ako sa isang fast food chain at nag-take out na lang ng dinner ko mamaya.
Dinamdam ko ang pangyayaring iyon at wala ako sa mood sa nagdaang araw hanggang sa na-realise kong pasukan na kinabukasan.
Kung hindi dahil sa tawag ni Nanay ay hindi pa ako matatauhan.
"Lyet, ano bang pinaggagawa mo riyan at parang wala ka sa sarili mo?" she sighed and paused a bit, "May klase ka na bukas, wala kami ng Tatay mo riyan. Magtino ka!"
As I said my sorrys and good nights to my parents, my mood suddenly changed. I was somewhat excited and nervous. I guess it is normal to a transfer student like me.
I still rode the taxi when I went to school. The driver and housekeeper will arrive next week since they are still waiting for my parents.
When I stepped inside the campus, I immediately saw how it is different from the private school I came from.
The name of the school was carved perfectly on top of the gate. Masyadong agaw-pansin sa laki.
This campus is way more bigger and crowded.
There are huge signage directing us where to go, that's why I wasn't lost going to senior high building.
This school is only for senior high schools ang colleges. And both departments were being divided by the huge oval. I think this is where most sports activities are being held.
Nang natunton ang silid-aralan ko, agad akong humanap ng mauupuan. I sat in the middle part, since it was the not too crowdy spot.
Like the usual, I chose not to talk with my classmates. Some of them are familiar. Maybe I met them in a social gatherings.
Most of the students inside this classroom has their own group. Laughing, chit-chating, and the like. Some are by twos, few are alone, like me.
This school has a very excellent quality, so I wouldn't doubt if most children of the notable clans in our province will be sent here just to study. Just like me.
Although my parents are not that notable, just...
"Good morning, class!" said by a guy who I think is in his early thirties with a Korean-like hairdo, "Mhm, hello! I will be your adviser for the whole semester, ABM11C! I am Mr. Kyle Perez." he tried to sound jolly.
The class stood up and greet him. I already expected that on first day of classes, the teacher will just let us do anything we want, parang sa dati kong school. Hindi ako handa na kailangan palang magpakilala pa.
Mr. Perez was looking at paper wherein the names of the students in the classroom were listed. He is selecting randomly, and whoever got picked will introduce itself in front and tell something about itself.
"Gomez, Lea" our teacher announced and the girl talked about herself in front.
"Artemio, July... eight?" he looked around and smiled like there was something funny, "I'm sorry, I think I mispronounced it. Ms. Artemio?"
I walked in front, "Julyeight Miranda Soccorro Artemio." I paused a bit, "I love reading books, and... uh... If it wasn't obvious to you yet, yes, I was born on July 8. Thank you!"
"October ka ginawa, 'no?" someone from the back said.
The class roared a laughter after that, hindi ko na pinansin, ngayon lang siguro sila naka-encounter ng gano'n.
Ako kasi, I'm used to it.
The teacher cleared his throat loudly and proceeded. While the introducing part was going smoothly, a tardy boy distracted all of us.
His hair was pretty messy, at ang kaniyang uniporme ay medyo gusot. A scholar maybe?
"Hi! Are you Mr. Ynarez?" Mr. Perez asked him as he sat at the back part of the room.
The Ynarez boy nodded snobbishly. Halatang mayaman at mayabang 'to!
And definitely not a scholar!
Humarap na ako sa titser nang nawalan ako ng interes sa bagong dating.
"Since natawag na kita kanina, you can go in front and introduce yourself, young sir."
Nakarinig ako ng dabog sa likod. Mayabang siyang naglakad patungo sa harap. Gaya naming mga nauna, sa gitnang harapan din siya pumuwesto.
Dahil nakaupo ako sa gitnang banda, I felt a little intimidated when he focused his stare at me... I think.
This boy has brown eyes, I can see it from afar. He is fair, has an aura of a typical badboy. If I am not mistaken, the Ynarezes are known for having Spanish and Chinese features. Plus, their notable works in the world of business, of course.
"Alejandro Protacio Ynarez, call me Andrew for modernity's sake." he said and did not even flinched after it.
I giggled after hearing what he said. Hindi naman ang pangit ang pangalan niya, parang... luma nga lang.
Tiningnan ko siya. He was just looking intently at... me? Luminga ako dahil medyo naiilang na. What's the problem of this boy? Napansin niya ba ang pagtawa ko?
To avoid the weird eye contact with him, I read the synopsis of the book I brought with me here.
"Okay, Mr. Ynarez. Was that all? You can now go back to your seat."
He chuckled a bit that made me look at him again, then he raised his brows at me.
The heck?!
