Spotlight on Me

Chapter 4

A month has passed since I received the news that I was one of the people who passed the entrance exam at Brentwood University.

Today is indeed a big day for me. Classes will start now and endless projects, assignments, reporting will be back. Gosh!

I'm not sure of what I'm feeling right now, honestly. Am I excited? I guess. Am I nervous? Well, yes. I think I'm more nervous than being excited and I don't know why. Though there is nothing to be nervous about.

Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako at lumabas sa kotse upang makita ang isa sa mga malalaking Unibersidad sa Pilipinas. This university is indeed flabbergasting! I can't help but to force a gasp as I observed how huge it is.

"Good morning, Kuya!" I greeted the same guard whom I talked to when I took the exam.

He looked at me thoroughly. Seems like he was recognizing me. "Good morning, hija! Hindi ba't ikaw 'yung nakausap ko noong papalabas ka rito pagkatapos mong mag exam?" He asked.

"Ako nga, Kuya!" I said with full energy.

"Ay, aba! Oh ang sabi ko sa'yo, hindi ba? Makakapasa ka! Tignan mo ngayon, suot-suot mo na ang uniporme ng Unibersidad na ito at bagay pa sa'yo! Nakatadhana ka nga talaga rito, hija!" He said while smiling.

"Thank you, Kuya! Hayaan niyo po, if may time ako, I'm going to treat you! You were my lucky charm siguro kaya nakapasa ako!" I joked.

"Aba'y sabi mo 'yan, ah? Wala ng bawian!" I smiled at him and bid my goodbye. It must be nice to have a father like him.

Nagsimula na akong maglibot at hanapin ang building ng course ko. Now that I'm here, I can feel that I'm a bit excited.

I have no regrets on choosing my course, but I also have no clue why I chose it. Maybe for thrill?

The good thing about my parents was that they were very supportive and they never put a pressure on me. It's actually the contrary. I'm the one who was putting so much pressure on myself.

Ever since I was in my pre school, I was really competitive and grade conscious. Hindi ko hinahayaan na magkaroon ako ng marka na mababa sa 95. Hanggang ngayon ay masyado pa rin akong grade conscious.

When I was a highschool student, volleyball became my sport. I experienced competing with different schools back then.

It was challenging because I had to manage my time. But volleyball never became a hindrance in my academics. I was always still satisfied of my grades.

Nakita ko na ang building na kanina ko pa hinahanap. I walked inside the building to find my room. Habang naglalakad ay may nakita rin akong mga students na nasa kanya-kanya nilang mundo.

May mga nag-uusap, naglalakad katulad ko, nagbabasa, at kung ano-ano pa.

"Alodia?" I stopped walking after hearing a familiar voice. I looked behind and saw a friend.

"Kiara!" She hugged me and I laughed. It looks like we haven't seen each other in a year. But really, the last time we saw each other was last month; when we went to Centric Mall.

I couldn't believe that her wish which was to become my classmate would come to reality. Mukhang malakas ang isang 'to kaysa sa akin.

We opened the door of our classroom once we saw it. Nakita ko ang dalawang bakanteng upuan sa gitna kaya inalok ko si Kiara na roon na lamang maupo.

"Hey!" I was about to seat when someone shouted behind me.

I turned around just to see a familiar guy who looked really arrogant. Siya rin 'yung lalaking nakabangga ko noon! I'm not a judgemental person, okay. Ang hirap lang talagang hindi makapag-isip nang masama sa lalaking kaharap ko ngayon na parang aso kung makangisi.

"Yes?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. Mas lalo siyang ngumisi na ikinainit ng ulo ko.

"Sa amin na 'yang uupuan niyo. Naka-reserve na 'yan sa amin," he cockily said. Huh? The temerity of this guy was insane! First day of class at kakapasok niya pa lang tapos grabe na kung makapang-angkin?!

"Excuse me? Nakalagay ba ang pangalan mo rito?" I heard some whistles. Looks like they were enjoying. Mukha bang palabas 'to?!

"Feisty, huh? Mga tipo ko..." Mas lumakas ang mga sipol nang sabihin niya iyon kaya lumala ang init ng ulo ko.

I was about to curse him when Kiara suddenly spoke. "Dude, back off. Akin na 'yan," matapang na saad niya. I couldn't help but to laugh at what she said. Hindi ko kayang isipin iyon.

Nagulat kami nang may pumukpok sa lamesa na nasa harapan. Ang mga nanonood kanina ng maikling palabas namin ay nagsi-balikan na sa kani-kanilang upuan.

I saw a woman in front who looked really strict. She was wearing glasses and her white hair was showing. She looked like she was in her mid 50's.

"Tapos na ba? Pwede nang magsalita?" Her voice gave me chills. Mukhang siya 'yung tipo ng guro na gigisahin ka sa recitation.

Walang nagsalita sa amin kaya nagpatuloy siya. "Okay, good morning," she greeted. We all stood up from our seats to greet her.

"'Okay, good morning'," panggagaya ni Kiara kay Professor Cuevaz. Nakaupo kami sa bench ngayon na ang kaharap ay napakagandang fountain habang naglu-lunch.

"Nakakainis talaga! Parang ayaw ko nang pumasok dahil sa kaniya, e! Tapos kanina, bwisit din 'yung lalaking akala mo sobrang gwapo! Ay, gwapo naman siya pero hindi. 'Yung gwapo lang pero demonyo, gano'n! Gets mo ba ako, Alodia? Wala eh, gwapo talaga siya kaya 'di ko alam kung anong emosyon ang ipapakita ko kanina," mahabang sabi niya.

"Kadiri ka naman, Kiara! Manigas ka nga sa mga sinasabi mo! Ayon? Gwapo? Walang gwapo roon kung mayabang at papansin naman! Siguro, noong umulan ng kademonyohan, nakalimutan niyang magdala ng payong," inis na sabi ko.

"Hala, baka naman enemies to lovers ang trope ninyo, ah?" I rolled my eyes at her before standing up from the bench.

Habang naglalakad pabalik sa aming classroom ay napaisip ako. Handa na nga ba ako sa bagong yugto ng buhay ko?

Kaya ko bang harapin ang mga balakid sa pagkamit ko ng aking pangarap?

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