Beneath the Two | Academy Series #1

Chapter 16

"Someone please differentiate enculturation and socialization."

Sir Avez is indirectly looking at me, because I'm not raising my hand. It's not like I don't know the answer, I am just busy staring at Zach. Hindi talaga nakatulong na sa harapan ko siya nakaupo dahil nawawala ang isip ko sa klase.

As for me, UCSP feels like a continuation of Philosophy. I really like the topics and I love it as much as I loved Philosophy last sem. Hindi nawawala sa topic ang kung sinong mga philosophers.

We're talking about enculturation and socialization. Marami naman ang nagtataas ng kamay, pero ako ata ang gusto niyang sumagot. Nagulat siguro siya na simula midterms ay ngayong finals lang ako hindi nagtataas madalas. Palagi kasi akong nakatingin kay Zach.

Now that I realized he's looking at me, I raised my hand to answer. Baka nami-miss na niyang marinig ang maarte kong boses at nagsasawa na siya sa mga pangit kong kaklase.

"Yes, Alvarez." For the first time, he didn't avoid my hand.

Sa dami ng naunang nagtaas ako ang tinawag niya. I smirked before standing straight with arrogance.

"Socialization is the process through which we learn the norms, customs, values, and roles of the society, from birth through death while enculturation is the process by which we learn the requirements of our surrounding culture and acquire the behaviors and values appropriate for this culture."

He gave me a nod and even clapped. Akala ko mahahalata niyang kinabisado ko lang 'yon kagabi mula sa google, hindi pala. Nagreklamo pa sa akin si Yelah dahil sinagot ko na raw ang dapat sana ay isasagot niya.

If love changes people, then do I love Zach? Surprisingly, I found myself interested in studies when I'm originally not. Binabasa ko na rin ang mga ipinapadala niyang notes dahil nanghihinayang ako. I will feel guilty if I will just look at it and won't read it.

Sinisingit niya ang pagbubuod ng mga lessons namin sa pagtatrabaho para sa akin. I should at least appreciate that. Wow! When did I ever learn how to appreciate? I always complain!

Zach is an honor student and I feel like I want to attend the recognition with him that's why I'm trying my best. Pero hindi na rin puwede dahil hindi ako honor last sem. Maybe I'll just do better for my grades to improve.

What the hell! I never imagined myself doing this for someone. I don't even care about my grades before. Am I being cheap slowly?

"Anong oras ka papasok bukas? Anong isusuot mo? Magdadala ka pa ng bag?"

Parang sirang makina si Yelah nang tanungin ako. Thursday and Friday ay intrams namin. Ilang weeks nang nasasagasaan ang ibang subjects dahil sa pagpapraktis nila ng speech choir at sa pag-eensayo ng mga lalaro. By section ang labanan kaya sobrang competitive ng mga kaklase ko.

"Puwede bang hindi pumasok bukas? Ayokong pumunta." I boringly held my cheeks.

"Hindi mo susuportahan si Kuya? Baka matalo 'yon."

I rolled my eyes. "Then I'll just buy him a trophy. I am certain it costs less than a thousand. Bilhan ko pa siya ng tatlo."

"Of course, sis! iba pa rin 'yung pinaghihirapan. Hindi ka talaga papasok? Kahit moral support, wala?"

Zach will be competing for Mr. Intrams. It is supposed to be Idris, but the speech choir needs him, lalaro rin siya ng badminton.

I'm not mad about that. I even convinced him to join because we will surely win. The only thing that makes me irritated is the fact that his muse is Marie.

"Manonood ka lang naman tapos papalakpak. Girl, 'yon na lang ambag mo sa section. Pumasok ka na."

"If Zach begs me, I'll come," maarte kong sabi habang magkakrus ang mga paa.