Beneath Your Smile (The Old And The New Series #1)

Kabanata 29

Kabanata 29

I was planning to have a talk with Demi the other day pero napuno ako ng gawain. Masyado akong pokus sa isang subject kung nasaan mayroon kaming exam.

"'Wag mo na 'yang aralin. You're good in Oral Communication naman," si Lucia nang makalapit na sa akin.

Pansin na bagong rating lang ito. Amoy ko pa kasi ang air freshener na gamit niya sa sasakyan niya.

Umiling ako. "Kailangan ko pa ring aralin. Ito na lang ang subject na madali sa akin kaya kailangan ko lalong galingan."

"Ipe-perfect mo?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I'm not sure."

"Sus. Kayang-kaya mo 'yan! By the way, nag-aral ka na sa Pre-Calculus? Mayroon daw exam ngayon, e."

I raised my head and gaped at Lucia. Matagal bago nito na proseso ang reaksyon ko. She gasped and covered her mouth.

"Saan in-announce?" I asked and started to panic. I got my bag at mabilisan kong hinanap ang notebook doon.

"Stay calm, Eanne. Walang magagawa ang pag-panic mo."

But I didn't listen. My hands were shaking as I fished out my notebook. Mabilis ko iyon binuklat at tiningnan ang huling page kung nasaan mayroong sulat ko. There's no notes there indicating that we have a test for this day!

Naluluha ang mga mata na tumingin ako kay Lucia. Naaawa naman ako nitong tiningnan.

"Kagabi. In our group chat. Hindi kita nakitang mag-seen so I tried messaging you. I also sent a message in our group chat with Darko but you didn't see the message."

"Shit!" Napakurap-kurap ako. "Is the announcement legit? Baka gawa-gawa lang?"

She shook his head. "'Yung teacher na natin ang nagsabi."

One tear fell.

"Eanne!" may pag-aalala na sabi ni Lucia at tumabi sa akin. Hinagod nito ang likod ko pero hindi iyon nakatulong.

I felt my whole world crashed. If I am not going to pass this examination then it's doom to me. I can't fail this one. I've got a lot of failing scores in this subject! I need to pass!

My lips quaked and tears started to fall. Wala na akong pakialam sa ibang kaklase na nakatingin sa akin.

"S-Sandali. I'll ask for help from someone. The class is in one hour and thirty minutes. Good thing you and I arrived here early." She patted my head lightly. "I'll come back, okay? Just wait for me."

I was busy drying my never ending tears but I couldn't. Gusto ko nang tumigil ang mga luha sa kakalabas dahil gusto ko nang mag-aral. I was sobbing lightly dahil ayaw kong makaabala sa ibang kasama ko sa benches kahit na alam kong kanina ko pa sila naabala dahil sa pag-iyak.

I just lowered my head, letting the pain cover me for a while. I breathe in, and breathe out. Slowly. I tried that five times. And when my tears already stopped from falling, I heard my name being shouted.

"Eanne! Eanne! Help is here!"

Looking up with blurry eyes, I saw Lucia running to my side and waving her hands. Someone is at her back. Nakasunod at tumatakbo rin.

When they got near, I finally got the clear physique of who's the help Lucia meant. My mouth slowly formed into a small o when I saw him. Sweats are on the sides of his forehead. His mouth was open, trying to catch his own breath, because of the run.

Lucia pushed him to sit next to me. Para ngang hindi na kailangan ng pagtulak nito dahil kusa na umupo rin si Demetrio sa tabi ko.

He was still catching his breath when Lucia went to the other benches. She waved her hand at me. "Study hard," she mouthed.