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

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

TW: Mention of Self-harm

Needless to say, the entire trip was a disaster for me. Jin kept talking to me as if we were friends. Kahit si Leon ang katabi ko sa eroplano ay nakagawa pa rin ng paraan si Jin para kausapin ako. I would just clench my fist to stop myself from having an outburst. Ayoko kasing ipakita sa mga kasama namin kung gaano ako ka-apektado sa presensya ng lalaki.

Ipinagpasalamat ko na lang na hindi namin siya kasama sa tutuluyan namin. If he is, I don't think I can last a few days. Mabuti nga at tinotoo ni Leon ang pag-aaral namin sa eroplano. Kahit papaano ay nalimitahan noon ang pag-iingay ni Jin.

Sa isang malaki at malawak na isla gaganapin ang convention. I had done some research on the location and was blown away by its beauty. Kung hindi ko lang nalaman na pupunta si Dad at kung wala si Jin sa paligid ay paniguradong maganda ang mood ko. We rode a rowboat earlier, and I was thankful that Leon told me to sit beside him.

Amidst the mixed emotions I was feeling, I couldn't deny that the island was beautiful. The sand was golden, and the water was almost crystal clear. On the side, there were modern nipa huts where we would all stay for the following days. A white lighthouse stood atop the hill, and the waves crashing against the cliffs could be heard even from a distance.

"Ma'am, mamaya pa naman po 'yong start, 'di ba?" tanong ni Zoey nang maiayos namin ang mga gamit namin. Sila ni Ms. Lubrica ang kasama ko sa may kalakihang kubo.

"Yup." Ms. Lubrica glanced at her watch. "Five."

Zoey giggled. "Puwede pong mag-ikot muna? Magpi-picture lang."

"Ayaw n'yo bang kumain muna?"

Habang nag-uusap sila ay sinilip ko ang cellphone ko para i-check kung nagreply na ba sa text ko si Dad. When I saw a message from him, I went outside to send a reply. Mahina kasi ang signal sa loob.

From: Mr. Mendoza

I'll arrive there tomorrow night to watch the group and individual quiz bees the next day. I'll text you when I get there.

I stretched my arm to find a signal, but it was too weak! Lumingon ako sa paligid para maghanap ng puwedeng puntahan. I see the hill, and I think it would take me at least ten minutes to get there. Siguradong malakas ang signal doon.

"What are you doing?"

Halos maibato ko ang cellphone ko nang marinig si Leon sa likuran ko.

"Papatayin mo ba 'ko?!" iritableng tanong ko bago ibinaba ang kamay. "At kung hindi pa obvious, ayan." I waved my cellphone. "Naghahanap ako ng signal."

His brow furrowed. "Is it important?"

"Sobra," sagot ko kahit na ang ire-reply ko lang naman kay Dad ay mag-iingat siya.

Lalong kumunot ang noo niya. "Sino 'yan?"

I pursed my lips before turning my back on him. "Chismoso."

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad pero hindi ko na itinaas ulit ang cellphone ko. I'm sure there's a signal up the hill. I looked at the place and realized how it looked like a paradise. The pathway towards the event hall where the convention would take place had coconut trees and colorful plants on the sides. The way the event hall was emphasized because of the nature made it look like a palace, even if it wasn't too big.

Ang mga kubo naman ay magkakatabi, pare-pareho ng itsura, at sa tantya ko ay hindi lalampas ng dalawampu. Hindi naman kasi lahat ng attendees ay dito mag-s-stay. Some of them probably rented hotels or suites in the city.