We are gathered for a family dinner tonight. My aunts and uncles are here, along with my cousin, Leigh's little brother, Dale, and my favorite cousins. It's been a while since they last saw each other. Unlike us cousins, who often spend time together, our parents rarely get the chance to meet. Once in a blue moon, kumbaga. Ito rin ang naging dahilan kung bakit ako nasalba mula sa sermon ng aking magulang.
"So, how was school?" tanong ni daddy, nauna niyang tinanong ang mga pinsan ko. Of course, everything went well with these guys. Matalino naman silang lahat. They doesn't seem to have problem with their academics.
If ibang matter naman, I have a hint that Leigh and Migs is currently joining a group. I just don't know if it's a an organization or just a plain circle of friends. Nevertheless, they're both doing well with his acads.
"Everything is fine," maikling sagot ni Leigh. He seemed calm in all situation. How I wish I could get the same energy he has right now.
Nabaling naman ang tingin kay Migs, na tahimik na kumakain. Nagkibit-balikat lang siya. Ah, the usual Kyle Miguel that we knew.
"Hindi naman po siya problematic," I said, trying to enlighten the mood but they were too serious for that matter. I tried to hide my smile nang mapatingin ako sa mga pinsan ko.
Witnessing Kyle Miguel's handling of his heartbreak made me realize my own vulnerability. I wish I could be as strong as he is. We're both rebellious, but on different levels. Despite his struggles, he managed to finish with the highest honor. Anong laban ko sa kapag sa kaniya ako kinumpara? Okay, uuwi nalang ako.
"Uhm." I tried to clear my throat. "I went to their school last time. There, I met his teacher, and she told me that he is indeed doing well in their class," I explained, forcing a smile. Our eyes met, and I winked at Migs.
Kahit naman hindi ko sabihin, alam na nilang ginagawa nito ang dapat niyang gawin. Higit sa kahit sino sa aming apat, kay Migs sila pinaka may tiwala.
Ang daya nga kasi kahit loko-loko ang isang 'to ay malaki pa rin ang tiwala nila sa kaniya. Iba talaga kapag excellent ka sa maraming bagay, paborito ka ng lahat.
"How about Iesu?" they asked.
"He is the top performer in research, ranking first in grade 9. And, as these guys can attest, Yeye participated in a chess tournament, representing our school," I said in a hushed tone, gesturing towards my cousins as I spoke. My proud moment for Yeye.
Talking proud talaga ako sa mga pinsan kong ito. Sila nalang kaya kong ipagmalaki. Sige na, kahit hindi na ako basta lahat sila maayos. Nagpaubaya nalang ako para sa kanila. Hahaha!
I let out a deep sigh, feeling the weight of their expectations bearing down on me. I knew what was coming next, the scrutiny, the judgment. As the only girl among my cousins, I was used to being overlooked and underestimated. I am the weakest one.
"How about you, hija?" it was Kyle's mom who asked, tita Kimmy.
I know ako ang pinaka kulelat sa aming magpipinsan, but this time, I had hoped for something different. I know I did well in my final exams, tiwala ako sa mga naging sagot ko.
Kaso bigla akong natahimik, hindi ko nagawang ipagmalaki ang sarili ko sa harap nila. I had hoped for recognition, for validation. Instead, I was left with nothing but my own insecurities and a sense of disappointment.
"What would you expect from that girl?" It was dad. He said it jokingly, but I never knew it could hurt that much.
Alam ko ng nagbibiruan lang sila dahil sa tono ng pagsabi niya no'n. They even laughed about it, pati nga mga pinsan ko, liban kina Migs and Leigh, na nanatiling seryoso ang mga mukha.
BINABASA MO ANG
Cross and Bullet
Fiksi RemajaVasquez Series #3 After the tragic death of her brother inside the academy, Eurie Vasquez's world turned upside down. Consumed by grief and anger, she found herself harboring a deep-seated resentment towards the PMA-ers, blaming the institution for...
