With Love, Samuel (COMPLETED)

Chapter 30

My mother died because cancer when I was about to start high school. My father was raised in Buenavista so he figured that maybe raising us in this unfamiliar and small city could actually ease his grief. Perhaps it did help the three of us to move on. Davao City is filled with a lot memories that reminds me of mom. 

Two years of her death, I learned to accept the fact that life really leads us to unexpected turns. Turns that we don't really want to go. I also swore to myself that I have to take my studies seriously. My dad has been very timid this past few months and he tends to take notice of my mistakes all the time. 

His expectations for me is so high that he takes notice of every mistakes rather than my accomplishments. Rather than just saying I did great, he would also tell me that I have to do better because my grade was lower compared to my grade last quarter. 

I aced my test but I'm used to it and it's not something to be joyful about because it's my responsibility to good at my studies. 

Nagsimula akong maglakad papunta sa labas ng gate. I watched other people walking down the hallways in clusters and I was alone. I was a never fond of friends anyway, for me it's just a waste of time and saliva. At the end of the day, we're all gonna part our ways after highschool so what's the use? 

Habang naglalakad ako ay bigla kong naramdaman ang dahan-dahang pagbuhos ng ulan. I immediately looked for shelter and ran for the closest shed as possible. I don't wanna go home with my things wet. 

I secured my bag and sat at the bench, waiting for the rain to finally stop. Despite the sudden thunder and loud noises from all the rain drops, it still sounds calm. Masyado akong napagod sa araw na ito, and hearing noises like this is therapeutic for me.

"YES!!!" I frowned, and stared at this weird girl waving her test paper and her other hand as if she was waving to her imaginary audience. She has totally lost it. Baliw na siya.

"Grabe! Ang lake! Pinaghirapan ko 'to, Lord salamat talaga." I gave her a side-eye. I felt uneasy with her sudden appearance. Sana umalis na lang siya kung dadagdag lang siya sa noise pollution.

"Aww hehe sorry, na isturbo ba kita?" I did not respond.

"Sorry, na excite lang." I ignored her.

"Wala ka bang payong?"

"Obviously," matigas kong sagot. Hopefully she got a hint that I don't want to talk to her. She's just so annoying, hindi ba uso ang personal space para sa kanya?

She gestured. Zipping her mouth before smiling at me. I tried not to roll my eyes but failed miserably.

Halatang Grade 7 palang siya, she's immature. At that age, I already understood what privacy meant, halatang hindi niya alam 'yon.

"Sorry kung na abala kita." Inilapag niya sa tabi ko ang isang foldable na payong bago tumakbo papalabas ng gate.

I was about to stop her from running away but she ran so fast and I wasn't in the mood to shout or even utter a single word to call her and I don't even know her name.

Kinuha ko ang payong at doon nakita ang isang name tag na may nakalagay na pangalan at section.

"Malea Khristine De Silva. Grade 7 Sampaguita."

I used the umbrella and walked as fast as I could hoping for me to see her. I could even imagine her to be just in there, standing waiting for a tricycle to stop infront of her but she was gone. No shadow of her, or her silly waving. She suddenly disappeared like she wasn't real.