The Total Opposite

CHAPTER 1

Rinig na rinig ang tunog ng bell habang ginaganap ang moving exam sa subject namin na zoology. I'm a first year biology student in the prestigious university of Western Mindanao. I decided to take this course because I want to proceed to medicine right after graduating and become a doctor someday. I'm studying not because for myself but for my parents. I just don't want them to be disappointed of me.

I numbered my paper for the last remaining items and I'm looking at the ventral part of the frog and I'm entasked to identify the labeled parts. To be honest, it was just easy for me because I have already prepared this and studied every reviewers I had. And, for me, exams are not different since I considered myself as an achiever and a grade conscious since then.

Why?

Why am I pushing myself so hard to relieve the expectations of my parents? The reason is that I'm gay. At first, they are against of it but they let it slide which I'm quite grateful of and to further get their acceptance, I'm doing my best academically.

It was so difficult to the point that in order for you to be accepted you need to be the person they want and fixed yourself to their standards.

Nonetheless, I'm still blessed. I can still do my things and errands. But, with strict limitations kasi kahit college na ako, hatid sundo and 100 lang ang baon ko kase pinapadalhan pa rin ako ng lunch. And yeah, you might think na parang high school. Pero wala ako magagawa, I'm the bunso. Before I forgot I have two elder brothers and take note they are both straight and so manipulative or should I say dominated. This is because I turned as a gay and they treat me as a girl. Nakakasakal naman pero nakakatuwa kase supportive pa rin sila in a way.

"Okay, time's up, pass your paper forward. Late papers will be deducted with 5 points" announced by our professor. Kaya dali dali naming pinass ang aming papel.

"Grabe, nahirapan ako doon. Ano sagot mo doon sa number 16?" Paunang bungad sa aking ng kaibigan ko si Kristel.

"Stratum corneum akin" Sagot ko sa kanya habang nililigpit ang aking mga gamit.

"Sabi ko na ba eh, nakakainis naman. For sure, ikaw naman highest sa exam natin." Sabi niya. Napangiti na lang ako sa kanya at pinagpatuloy ang pagliligpit.

"Pero teka, uwi ka na ba? Wala na tayo class after this? Gusto mo mag-mall tayo?" Sabay dala ng bag at lab kit niya.

"Hinde ako pwede eh and my brother texted me na susunduin niya ako. May family dinner daw eh" tugon ko sa kanya. Minsan lang ako sumama sa mga lakad ng kaibigan minsan tago pa. Hinde kase ako pinapayagan ni papa if hinde naman gaano kaimportante.

Lumabas na kame ng laboratory and naglalakad sa hallway. Tamang usap lang about sa mga pending requirements na meron kame sa ibang subjects until I heard a beep from my phone.

I'm here outside, hurry up, they're waiting. Text sa akin ni kuya Jefferson. Kaya dali-dali akong nagpaalam kay Kristel at pumunta sa parking area ng university. Marami akong nakasalubong na mga friends ko and binabati ko rin sila pabalik.

I saw the red car of my brother and he slide his window. "Why are you so slow?" He immediately asked with annoyance.

"Sorry kuya, remember ang layo ng CSM, sa parking". I defended myself. "Tsk, get in, mom and dad is already waiting." I hurriedly put my things in the back seat and sat on the passenger seat.

"Ano pala meron kuya?" I asked kasi bakit bigla bigla may family dinner. "Kuya Ian got promoted and our parents want to celebrate that" he said. I just nodded. Kuya Ian is the eldest and he is an engineer while kuya Jefferson is an architect.

My family runs a business in rubbery and plastics and I can say that we are quite well off. However, our parents taught us to still be grounded and save money as we can because even we are blessed, we do still have our priorities.

After several minutes, we reached our destination. Before going out of the car, I get my phone and waited for my brother while he's checking the car. After that, I just walked beside him with his towering height. Nakakaiyak nga na sa amin magkakapatid ako ang pinakamaliit with a height of 5'2. Kaya paminsan, binubully ako nila kuya and sinasahihan ng minion. Kainis lang.

"Hello dear, how's school?" mom asked while I hugged her and kissed her cheek. "It was fine ma, I just had few exams this day" I replied. I also approached papa and kuya Ian and greet them.

"Oh you must be tired and hungry, sit down. We're just waiting for you before we start eating" She said.

I just sat beside kuya Jeff and we started eating. They talked so many things including the promotion, the planned wedding of my Kuya Ian to his longtime girlfriend, ate Aubrey, and also kuya Jeff's work. I just continued eating while listening to their conversation and I just answer when they are asking me and remained silent when I'm not.

After eating, we decided to go home because it's becoming late and I opened my phone and it was already 8 o'clock in the evening. I also saw unread messages and to found out it came from Kristel.

Louis, don't forget to proofread our synthesis paper in botany, okay? Love you. The last message she send.

We got home, and I went to my room and prepared myself for a half bath before I do my school stuffs. I prepared my PJs and went inside the bathroom.

After grooming myself, I opened my laptop and started to do my things. I also studied for an exam in math.  This night would be tiring. Uggggh. The only thing you can hear is the clicking sound of my keyboard until I feel the urge to drink water. So, I went out of my room and went to the kitchen. I drink water while scanning through my phone and I saw one message request from someone I don't know. I just shrugged it of and entered my room again and continued what I left.

This is my typical life, school-bahay, the same routine. And don't forget the routine of being a good epitome of a son and a student. This is my life and I'm Jeyel Louis Loyola. A typical gay nerd, with a small physique. Some say I look cute and quite feminine for a boy. Pero I just let it slide since I really don't mind what I look like.

I finished all my stuff and looked at my wall clock where it points to 2am. I need to sleep now because I have a class at 7am. I turned off my laptop and surrened my body to my bed. I removed my glasses and bid good night.