Is Ihstan Alone?

I

CHAPTER 1

"Ihstan! Kaldhi is already here."

Mom shouted from the kitchen while I was still in my room, packing my things for school. I moved as fast as I can because Kaldhi was waiting me in front of our house.

That bastard! I wanted to punch his face right now. He's so early! I looked at the clock on my wall and it's 6:44 AM. Our classes begin at 8:00 AM. When he called me twenty minutes ago. He was on his way to pick me up.

I walked into the kitchen after I finished preparing. I grabbed some piece of bread that mom was making. I ate that while leaving the house. Mom said something but I did not care. I felt bad because I did not even say goodbye.

Dad, on the other hand, is in Cebu for some business. He will be back tomorrow, I guess.

"Did you take a bath?" Asked Kaldhi while studying me. "You did not even wash your face, did you?" He added, insulting me.

"Fvck you, Kaldhi! Let's go." I annoyedly demand.

Kaldhi and I are childhood bestfriends since elementary school. He always picked me home because I was still afraid of commuting and I am safe when he is my driver. I had a car accident trauma when I was 14 so good things now that he had already a driver's license. We were riding a bicycle together before so our time going to school became faster.

"Stop thinking that again, can you?"

"Shut up!" I lied then act like I was reading my syllabus.

Kaldhi knew me very much and he has been helping me to heal. Everytime I saw my small scars in my body, I can't stop thinking that car accident when I commuted in a jeep. Honestly, Kaldhi was blaming himself before that he should be there for me, but he chose to attend a birthday party of our classmate. I did not blame him for that. Because I think, his reasons were valid.

While Kaldhi was driving. I was still reviewing my syllabus because I have a long quiz today. I need to calm down. He was quiet and I was observing his presence besides me and I felt like he wanted to say something but he did not care at all because I was occupied.

"It's still so early. You bastard!" I told him when he parked his car.

He laughed. "Want to eat something? Two hours more before the bell rings."

We straightened at the cafeteria of Canhris High. I let him decide my order since I was busy. I fvcking need to pass the long quiz because if I will not. I will punish myself again. I will starve my body.

Next, I favored Kaldhi to throw me some questions while having a cup of coffee and sweet donuts. I easily irritated when I don't get the correct answers.

"Avoid cramming, okay? Just focus." Kaldhi reminded me. "And if you can't then just relax."

I kept that on my mind.

Minutes passed, Kaldhi went to their Supreme Student Government office. He had an important meeting for the foundation day of our school, together with his colleagues. In short, he is a school officer.

Kaldhi and I were classmates from Elementary to Junior High School, but when we entered Senior High School, everything changed. We chose a different academic track. Kaldhi chose Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, while I chose Humanities and Social Sciences strand. As a result, we've learnt that we're not always there for each other anymore.

I walked towards our classroom afterwards. I was simply sitting on my chair and still reviewing my syllabus. I can't concentrate because some of my classmates were too naughty. They were distractions. They should be reviewing.

"Bring 1/2 sheet of lengthwise."

My heart beats fast when Mrs. Belo, our class adviser and subject teacher in Creative Nonfiction, welcomed the class. I shakily wrote my name, my section, and my subject before numbering it to a one to fifty. When all of us were already done, the stupid long quiz began.

"Number 1. Who is considered as the father of the English Essay?" Mrs. Belo asked the very first question.

I bitterly smiled because I don't know the answer.