Beneath the Two | Academy Series #1

Chapter 23

Another successful semester has passed. Parang isang pahina ng kalendaryong pinunit ang unang semester sa hulimg taon namin sa SHS.

Sino ba naman ang hindi susuko, pinagsabay-sabay sa isang sem ang tatlong major, partida may Research at Entrepreneurship pa.

There was no single week na walang nalalagas sa strand namin. I can't blame them.

Nagulat na lang ako nang malaman na hindi na papasok si Marie sa second sem. I will miss her cheap presence. Mababawasan ang mga kasalanan ko dahil wala na ang nakakainis niyang mukha. Pero nakalulungkot din na hindi man lang ako makapagpaalam sa kaniya.

I don't understand myself, a part of me wanted to know what happened. I am a little . . . worried? Well . . . she's truly annoying but she became a huge part of my SHS journey."

"What could've happened to her? Hindi naman siya bagsak."

"Miss mo na ang bestfriend mo? Wala ka ng kaaway, ayaw mo no'n? God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Matatahimik ka na rin."

"I'm curious why she stopped. Is she that poor? Where does she live again?" tanong ko pa rin.

"Malapit lang sila sa amin, pero squatter area. Malapit sila sa ilog. Hindi ka pa napupunta ro'n. At sa arte mo na 'yan, hinding-hindi mo gugustuhin pumunta ro'n," she answered.

I rolled my eyes. May kasama pang side comment.

"Why do you think she stopped?" My mouth won't shut up. I'm curious, that's all.

"Wala namang may alam ng dahilan niya. 'Yung mga kaibigan niya ay lumipat din sa ibang strand. Last sem na nga, hindi pa naitagpos."

I can't speak ill of those who left, because I almost gave up. Kung hindi lang dahil kay Zach ay baka bumagsak na ako.

At first, I only enrolled in Senior High to ease my boredom and to live the life of a normal person–of a normal student. I didn't expect to meet someone who will drastically change my life and I always thank heaven that in the two years, I got to meet Zach.

I still have a lot to work on myself but he never made me feel the need to rush and change. Masasabi kong sa lahat ng desisyong ginawa ko, ang sagutin si Zach lang ang tama.

"May school ka na for college?" Pinaglalaruan ko ang necklace ng boyfriend ko.

We're here at Xy's house for a small night party. Birthday niya at sakto naman na siya pa rin ang top one namin. Pinayagan ako ni Mommy since Zach is with me.

The simple celebration is for the whole section since last sem na namin.

I have mixed emotions towards this. Masaya ako dahil ga-graduate na kami in a span of few months. Malungkot ako dahil after this, I'm not studying anymore. I'm gonna need to adjust to a new environment, new routine, at magiging madalang na ang pagkikita namin ni Zach.

"I already applied at some state universities. May private kaming backup schools ni Yelah, pero gusto ko sana ay public para mas tipid."

"I can help you. Puwede kong pakiusapan si Mommy na pag-aralin ka muna. Then, you can-" He cut me off with a kiss on my forehead.

"Don't worry about it. I have my savings, hindi rin ako titigil sa pagiging working student, you don't have to do it."

"I just want to help, I'm your girlfriend," I pointed out.

"You're already helping me. Being here by my side, believing in me, supporting me, and loving me."

I already expected his answer. Sinubukan ko pa rin sa pag-asang baka nagbago na ang isip niya. He still won't ask my parents' help. It's crystal clear why Dad like him so much, kahit sino naman ay magiging proud kay Zach.