Love In A Cruel World

Chapter 13

"Good morning, class."

Mabilis na nag-upuan ang mga classmates ko na may kaniya-kaniyang harutan kanina nang pumasok si Prof. Chester sa classroom. Umayos lang ako ng upo kahit halatang tinatamad ako magklase and the reason is I don't know.

"Good morning, Prof.," bati nila pabalik.

Prof. Chester put his book on his desk and roamed his eyes on every corner of our room. "Today I'll be giving your activity regarding our trip last week," he informed us.

All of us remained silent, maybe because kinakabahan sa ipapagawa ni Prof. Chester. Kahit naman spoiled ang mga kaklase ko, marunong pa rin silang kabahan sa mga gawain na ibibigay lalo na't junior year na namin.

"But before that, do you all remember when I told you to do a reflection paper about the city last year? It is very easy for all of you, isn't it?" dagdag na tanong ni Prof.

Napuno naman ng samu't saring komento ang buong classroom namin. Nagreact din naman ako pero hindi ko pinahalata kaya tahimik lang kami ni Lie habang sila ay nagsisimula ng umingay.

Don't tell me reflection na naman ang gagawin namin? Ano 'to, memories bring back, memories bring back him?

"If you're thinking that I'll ask you to do a reflection about the Mayon, then you are right. But this time, Filipino is the medium, so it will be more challenging for all of you. I want it deeper than average," Prof. Chester said, which actually caught my attention immediately.

Damn.

Mas lalong lumakas pa ang ingay ng di pagsang-ayon ng mga kaklase ko especially with the medium na gagamitin because most of them are not that good when it comes to Filipino language.

"I don't think it will be more challenging for all of us, Prof.," a girl on our left spoke.

Parang scripted na tumigil ang pagrereklamo ng mga kaklase ko dahil sa nagsalitang iyon. I didn't bother to look at her because I'm not in the mood.

"What do you mean?" Prof. Chester asked.

"Because we have this 'skwater' on our class and I'm sure she's more on using Tagalog language dahil nga galing siya sa mahirap," sagot ng babaeng 'yon na may diin talaga.

That moment, I knew they are pertaining to me pero nanatili akong nakatingin sa unahan. Pakialam ko ba sa kanila.

"She's mayaman na now but she still looks cheap. Kadiri," another girl said.

I saw Lie on my peripheral vision, patayo na sana siya and I am pretty sure that she'll start a fight again kaya hinawakan ko siya sa braso to stop her. Baka mapagalitan na talaga kami nila Mom kung pati rito sa classroom ay maghahamon ng away si Lie.

Having my gawk look, lumingon ako sa kanila and raised my eyebrow. No one can beat a Zabala who grew up in a world full of striving people for their daily life.

I looked at them, full of disgustment. "Well, that's my advantage. How 'bout you? Can't you do it or sadyang wala ka lang talagang maisip? Oh wait, may isip ka ba? Ah, wala." Then I smirked.

I heard some amusement comments from the others pero wala akong pake. I also saw Lie smirked then raised her eyebrow to those girls. Funny that they are always blocking our way at hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa rin alam ang pangalan nila. Well, not that I give a damn.

"That's enough," saway ni Prof. kaya napunta na ulit sa kaniya ang tingin ng lahat.

"Skwater," narinig ko pang bulong nila pero wala na akong pakialam, kawawa naman kung gagantihan ko pa ulit.