Spotlight on Me

Chapter 2

"What course are you planning to take?" Kiara asked while sipping on her coke.

"Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. How about you?" Muntik na siyang masamid nang sabihin ko 'yon kaya naman nagulat ako.

"Oh, my gosh! Same! I also want to be an accountant!" She said excitedly. Grabe naman ang energy ng babaeng 'to!

"That's great!" Gosh, I hate this! I just want to go home. I'm not really used to talking to people kaya naman ang lumalabas ay parang hindi ako interesado sa sinasabi ng mga nakakausap ko.

"Pero sana, makapasa tayo, 'no? Tapos classmates pa!" I just nodded at her since I don't know what to say.

Pinagmasdan ko na lang ang mga tao na pumapasok para hindi ako mailang sa kausap ko. Mukhang marami na ang nakatapos mag exam, ah? Halos lahat ng mga nag exam kanina ay rito rin kumakain.

It looks like we just need to wait for the results, and I hope that I can be one of the passers. I don't want to disappoint my Mom. Una pa lang, sinabi niya nang pangarap niyang makita akong nag-aaral sa Unibersidad na ito.

And there's also a reason why I chose to take the entrance exam at this University. Not just to study, to graduate, and be an accountant.

I'm also here to continue my passion which was playing volleyball. Alam kong marami pang mga Unibersidad diyan na pwede kong pasukan but I still chose to try at Brentwood University dahil alam kong kayang-kaya nila akong tulungan na mas mahubog pa at makilala ang sarili ko.

Brentwood University was also known for being always number one in sports. At alam kong hindi 'yon madali. Hindi nila basta-basta makakamit 'yon kung walang hirap at sakripisyong ibinigay ang mga estudyanteng atleta.

I'm also aware that it's not easy to be a student-athlete. You really need to manage your time, always. I know that, but I'm here to take the risk. My Dad was also my inspiration to continue my passion. He's always been telling me that I should pursue it but I should not also forget my studies. He was always been supportive.

"Alodia, are you still with me?" I looked at Kiara who's raising her eyebrows at me right now. Oh, yeah. I almost forgot that she's here.

"Y-yes, what were you saying again?" I asked.

She sighed before speaking, "I said, why aren't you eating your food? Is there a problem?" Tinignan ko ang pagkain na nasa harap ko. Oo nga pala, hindi pa ako nakakakain. Nawala kasi 'yung konting gutom ko dahil sa babaeng 'to, e. Hindi ata siya nauubusan ng laway kakasalita, kaya naman nakakahiyang kumain habang siya, dumadaldal.

"Oh, I lost my appetite. Sa'yo na lang, gusto mo?" I asked. Fries and burger na lang naman ang hindi ko pa nababawasan.

"Sure! Nako, ang bait mo talaga! Sana talaga maging classmate kita kung sakali, para 'di na ako magbabaon!" She's crazy.

I checked the time and it's already 10:27 AM. Wow, ang bilis ng oras! Parang kakapasok ko pa lang kanina sa Mcdo, ah.
Medyo maaga pa naman pero kailangan ko nang umalis. Wala naman na akong gagawin dito. Aantayin ko na lang talaga 'yung result.

I stood up from my seat before getting my bag, "Kiara, I'm really sorry but I have to go. It's nice knowing you," I said. I was about to go when she stood up from her seat, getting the burger and fries on the table.

"Sabay na tayo. Paalis na rin kaya ako," she said. She put the burger inside her bag so I got confused. Mainit pa 'yon, ah?

"Ah, sayang naman kasi kung iiwan ko lang dito. At saka, hindi naman na mainit 'yon!" She probably noticed that I was staring at it for so long.

"Oh, o-okay. Let's go?" She nodded and we went outside. Oh, wow! There's a lot of people in front of the school. I smiled when I saw that there are also parents outside the school, probably waiting for their children to finish the exam.

"Alodia, una na ako, ah. I hope to see you soon. Thank you ulit!" I just smiled and watched her leave.

I opened my bag to get my phone. Ime-message ko lang sana 'yung driver namin para masundo na ako. I was about to type my password when someone hold my wrist. Oh, my gosh?! Kidnapper?!

Hala, sinong tangang kidnapper ang mang-hoholdap dito e napakaraming tao?!

"Help! Hey, don't touch me!" I said.

"Alodia? Ayos ka lang?" Tinignan ko ang taong kanina pa hawak-hawak ang wrist ko at gano'n na lang ang gulat ko nang makilala ito.

"K-kiara?"

"Oo, ako 'to, 'no! Nakaka-hurt ka naman, Alodia! Ang bilis mong makalimot!" She said while pouting. It was Kiara?!

"'Di ba, nakaalis ka na? Ba't bumalik ka? May naiwan ka ba?" I asked.

"Nakaka-hurt ka na talaga! Bakit parang ayaw mong makita ulit ako? Itong mukha na 'to, ayaw mong makita?" I chuckled because of her craziness.

"Bakit ka nga bumalik? May kailangan ka pa ba? Napagkamalan pa tuloy kitang kidnapper dahil bigla-bigla ka na lang nanghahawak!" I said.

"Ay, aba't kidnapper pa talaga?! Grabe ka na talaga, Alodia. Parang sinabi mo naman na mukha akong gano'n. Bumalik lang naman ako dahil nakalimutan kong itanong kung may Instagram ka." 'Yun lang naman pala ang itatanong niya, e!

"Yes, I have. Bakit?" I asked.

"I-follow na sana kita ngayon kaso wala akong load. Poor ako, 'no!" She gave me her username so I followed her on Instagram immediately. I-follow back niya na lang daw ako sa bahay nila dahil may internet na roon.

Our driver has already arrived and I got into home quickly. I saw our maids and asked one of them if my parents are still here pero ka-aalis lang daw.

I sighed and just decided to go to my room to take a nap. I just changed my clothes before going to bed.

Nagising na lang ako nang maramdaman kong kumukulo na ang tiyan ko. Teka, anong oras na ba?

I opened my phone to see the time. It's already 2:56 PM?! Ilang oras din pala akong nakatulog.

I was about to turn off my phone when I saw a notification from my Instagram. A message.

kialopez: Hi, miss, pwede ka bang i-date? "Yes" lang ang tinatanggap ko.

I chuckled a little because of her silly message.

alomaurij: Sira!

kialopez: Hoy, mag post ka naman ng picture mo, hindi 'yung puro buhangin lang o kape. Kawawa naman kaming mga followers mo, ang dami kaya namin!

Our conversation was really funny. Nakalimutan ko na tuloy 'yung gutom ko.

***