The Universe of Us

CHAPTER 1

Sandro's POV:

JUNE 21, 2015 EVENING.

"Pops, are you okay?" Simon asked him habang nakahiga si Dad sa hospital bed.

"I'm fine."

"I just got the food poisoning." He said smiling.

I felt guilty.

He got that when I treat him to dinner for father's day.

"This is your fault." Bigla naman akong hinampas ni Vinny ng very slight.

He said then stick his tounge out.

"Oo nga. Dad got food poisoning because of you."

Simon rolled his eyes on me.

"No. This is not your kuya's fault. Walang may kasalanan nito. I'm sure the restaurant didn't want this to happen either." My Dad was tapping me habang yung mga kapatid ko nakakunot na ang noo.

"Okay enough of that. Let your father rest." My Mom said as she help my Dad settled in sa bed niya.

"I'm sorry, pops." I whispered.

"It's not your fault, son, I'm okay." He smiled at me.

My pops is a really good father.

"Honey, you still have your speech tomorrow for the PUP forum." My Mom told him.

Napaisip naman si pops.

"I know. I guess I'll have to inform them that I could not make it."

"But they will be disappointed." He said.

Napayuko naman ako.

"Why don't you make Sandro deliver your speech, pops?" Simon suggested and agad ko syang tiningnan ng masama.

"Oo nga, pops, it his fault naman bakit ka na-food poison eh." Ginatungan naman ni Vinny.

I showed them my ready to punch fist.

And they still stick their tounge out on me.

"You know, Simon... you are right." Pops said that made me shiver.

"What? Pops, no!" I exclaimed.

Natawa naman si Dad.

"I mean, it is a good practice for you, anak."

My Mom said.

"Mom!!" Halos gusto ko ng humiga sa sahig.

I cannot do my Dad's speech.

I am not ready.

"Pops, no, I am not ready." I tried to protest.

"Well.. if ayaw mo hindi naman kita pipilitin."

"I just feel bad para sa mga pupunta ng forum tomorrow sa PUP." He was pouting trying to make me feel guilty.

"Mommy?" I was asking my Mom for rescue but she just turned her back on me.

"Pops..."

"It's alright, son, I know they will understand..." His face was gloomy which made me feel worst.

"Okay, fine! I'll deliver your speech for you tomorrow." I said in defeat.

"Really?" Na-excite naman ang mukha ni pops.

"Yeah..." Sagot ko in a very low toned voice.

"Don't worry, anak, you just have to read and deliver your pop's speech tomorrow and you'll be fine." My Mom handed me his speech.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines forum on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.

PUP?

Me going there?

And then I remembered something.

Right!

That girl that I saw sa San Agustin Church sa Paoay last month. I heard her say na pupunta daw ako ng PUP by next month which is this month!

That kinky curly haired.

She was right.

She said na na-predict niya ang pagpunta ko ng PUP.

Is she a witch or something?

The next day, maaga akong pumunta ng PUP to prepare myself.

I looked at the crowd and ang daming tao.

I am nervous.

I am only 22 years old and I don't speak tagalog well.

My speech started by explaining why my Dad couldn't make it and that I have to recite his speech for him.

I greeted each and everyone of them, from the faculty, to the students, the school administration and the organizers of the events.

"Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat." I said then I heard someone on the crowd saying "Awww" and everyone started clapping and laughing.

And that made me smile.

I am overwhelm that someone appreciate me.

I was feeling great but when I started reading the tagalog words I started to shiver a bit.

"Pasensya ne keyo yung tegeleg ke medyo okey leng."
I said.

And then they started clapping and cheering for me again and I felt better.

After my speech doon na ako nakahinga ng maayos and I hope they understood what I said.

Oh Lord, please I hope they did.

I went backstage to calm myself down.

"Oh di ba, sabi ko sa inyo pupunta talaga si Sandro dito sa PUP, ayaw nyong maniwala eh." I heard a girl said.

Is she the same girl na nag-predict na pupunta ako ng PUP?

I tried to ran kung saan galing yung boses niya pero the only thing I saw was her kinky curly hair.

"Miss—"

"Sir Sandro, we need you on the stage right now." One of the organizers interrupted me.

I will see her again. I know I will.