HER NEMESIS

Page One: Unknown

Page One
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EL

"Where the hell is Barclay?!" El shouted out of frustration and disbelief. Today is their pre-oral defense for the second sem before they proceed to the final oral defense. As usual, siya ang leader ng grupo.

"El! Hindi siya sumasagot!" One of her groupmates, Lia, exclaimed.

"Nakakainis!" Padabog na ibinagsak ni El ang manuscript na hawak niya sa table. Group 4 sila kaya meron pang kaunting time pero nauubos iyon kakahintay sa isa nyang myembro.

"I fucking swear, if we get a low grade, i'll never forgive him..." El, in a low voice but angry tone, spoke.

"Kalma ka lang please, El... review nalang tayo..." kinakabahang sabi ni Shai, best friend ni El. Alam niya kasi na iba magalit si El, minsanan lang pero malala.

"Kalma? Shai, kalma?! Paano?! Ang dami niyang inakong parts sa defense natin! Tapos ngayon wala siya?!" Napatayo nanaman si El.

Some of their classmates around the hallway was caught by El's raging voice. Her voice was echoing in the silent hall of the University. Others might enjoy the scene, Shai and Reese do not.

Wala ng nagawa si Shai at Reese ng tawagin ang grupo nila na susunod na sa pag present. El cursed for a millionth time.

Pumasok sila sa isang silid na kulob dahil sa aircon. Three panelist, including their professor, are sitting in a long table. Reese handed them a food packed from one of the famous restaurants around Metro Manila.

"I'll give five minutes for preparation. And we'll begin at exactly eleven o'clock." Professor Jim spoke.

Inutusan ni El na i-set up ni Jordan at Lia ang presentation na agad naman nilang ginawa. Lumabas ng silid si El at dumiretso sa girl's bathroom para i-text ang kinaiinisan niya. Her tears are slowly forming and she keeps on wiping it.

To: +639745017269
From: Raquel
Message: Fuck Barclay, if u will not be here in 3mins, i'll kill u

She took her pouch and applied make up once again. She needs to look approachable and presentable, but since her current state does not suit the occasion, her last way is to put make up.

After fixing herself, hoping for a man whom she called as Barclay to show up, she entered the room again. But no glimpse of the man showed up.

She gritted her teeth before starting the presentation.

It took them half an hour to finished but no signs of Barclay showed up. Like, absolutely nothing!

"Tangina..." mahinang bulong ni El sa sarili nang tuluyang lamunin ng galit ang sistema niya.

She wasn't like this. She never felt so frustrated and mad at someone, except her elementary classmate who used to bully her and her family. Wala naman talaga siyang galit kay Barclay, bakit ba siya magagalit? Ngayon lang naman.

But this is not just a simple frustration that can be mend by saying sorry. She felt, betrayed.

"Hey, I'm sorry..." For the sixth time, Barclay kept on saying sorry.