Mistakes We Can't Laugh About (Loser #2)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I sipped on my tea as I watched the raindrops dash across the window. Some made their way down as quickly as they could. Some paused for a moment, as if savoring the life of being free from the clouds. And some . . . some didn't make it to the window. They went straight out of the ground, colliding and clashing.

I took a deep breath and exhaled deeply.

Another day. Another day of stress. Another day of pressure.

Sana, gaya ng ulan, puwede rin akong dumiretso na lang sa lupa. That way, I wouldn't have to feel awful for not achieving perfection. That way, I wouldn't have to deal with self-disappointment.

"Anong oras ka uuwi mamaya?"

Napatigil ako sa pag-iisip nang marinig ang boses ni Mill sa likuran ko. I turned around to face her, and I couldn't help but notice how attractive she was. Naka-uniform na siya. In her left hand was a black cloth, and she was carefully pressing it to her damp pixie-cut hair.

"Ano?" inis na tanong niya nang mapansin ang pagtitig ko.

I grimaced and tried to think of a reason not to compliment her.

"T-shirt ko 'yan," sagot ko.

She laughed. "Kaya pala amoy luom."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Siraulo ka ba? Ni hindi ko pa nga 'yan nagagamit!"

She is really pretty. 'Wag lang talagang magsasalita.

"Edi pangit ang laba mo."

"Ah, talaga? Itinerno ko kasi sa mukha mo," I fired back.

Lalong lumawak ang ngisi niya. "Laging may sagot amputa."

Nakasimangot kong ibinalik ang tingin sa bintana. Bwisit na babae! Ang paya-payapa ng umaga ko pero ginugulo niya!

I felt her move closer to my side. "Ano ngang oras ang uwi mo mamaya?"

I took another sip of my tea. Alas diez ang klase ko pero dahil maaga akong nagising ay tinulungan ko na lang si Kat na magluto ng umagahan namin. Late na rin kasing nakauwi sina Karsen at Mill kagabi dahil sa trabaho.

"Three," sagot ko.

I put down my mug after realizing that I had already consumed my drink.

Kat, Mill, and Karsen were my childhood friends in Bahay Tuluyan, the shelter who put a roof over our heads. Ako ang nauna roon dahil ilang linggo pa lang akong naisisilang ay ipinadala na agad ako sa ampunan. I was one when Karsen came. Halos dalawang buwan pa lang siya noon. Sumunod naman ay si Mill na ka-edad ko lang. We were only three at that time. Makalipas lang din ang isang buwan ay dumating na si Kat.

I couldn't remember how our friendship started. Iba-iba kami ng katangian kaya kung titingnan ay parang imposible kaming mabuo. Karsen was innocent and playful, Mill was fierce and aggressive, and Kat, well, what could I say about her? She was the most generous and helpful person I have ever known.

I remember her giving me her revenue from selling sampaguita when I was in grade school. Ayoko na kasing mag-aral noon. I was so close to giving up my studies. I just couldn't bear seeing my classmates being fetched by their parents. I couldn't stand watching them eat while my stomach tightened in hunger.

Ibinigay sa akin ni Kat ang napagbentahan niya dahil alam niyang gusto kong bumili ng chuckie na nakikita ko lang noon sa mga kaklase ko.

It wasn't a big deal to me back then.

But now I see how much love it takes to give someone something when you're barely surviving.

"May gagawin ka after?" untag ni Mill.