heaven has gained an angel

6. Meet my Little Brother

Chapter 6: Meet my Little Brother

Prism

"Good morning," may kasamang ngiting bati ang bumungad sa akin mula kay Ayara habang nakahalumbaba ito sa lamesa, noo'y kapapasok ko pa lang sa room. Halata sa kaniya na hinihintay niya ako.

Since then, never ko na siyang nakikitang late pumasok sa room. She used to be early than me. In that case, natutuwa naman ako at hindi na siya napagagalitan ng mga prof namin. She improved. Effective ang deal namin na kung saan ay sagot ko ang lunch niya, mas nakikita kong ginaganahan siyang pumasok nang maaga.

I gave her a quick glance and smiled back. "Good morning," nagmamadaling bati ko. I was in a rush to sit down.

She puts her hands off. "Oh? Ba't parang nagmamadali ka naman masyado?"

"I'm not finished yet with my research paper. Mamaya na 'to." Kinuha ko ang laptop sa bag at mabilis itong binuksan.

She nodded. "'Buti ako tapos na," she said casually.

Gulat akong tumingin sa kaniya. "Seryoso? How come?" Palagi kaming magkasama at busy siya sa trabaho niya tuwing gabi kung kaya't I questioned it, anong oras niya naisisingit gumawa?

"Tinapos ko kaninang madaling araw, half baked nga lang pero I know naman na pasado na 'yon, okay na 'yon."

Napailing-iling ako as I turned my gaze to my laptop when it finally opened. "Don't always be like that. Not all the time, sasabihan mo ng okay lang ang ipapasa mo. You should do your best at least."

"I did. Prism, I did."

"Unless, gusto mo rin maka-receive ng grade na okay lang," emotionless kong pagkakasabi.

"Well, not a big deal at all. I'm not scared. I honestly don't care, Prism. That's completely fine, hindi ako grade conscious. Not in a way you do, aral na aral ka, eh. Gusto ko lang pumasa, grumaduate and to become a medical doctor. That's my ultimate goal."

I don't meet her gaze, abala ako sa pagtipa sa laptop. "You can't be a medical doctor if you are not willing to study hard and take things seriously," I unintentionally blurted out.

"Nagseseryoso naman ako," tugon niya.

"Why does everything look so easy for you, then? Chill lang?" I hoped I didn't sound like anything she might think I was.

Humugot siya nang malalim na hininga. "I already told you this, I just don't want to stress myself, that's it. 'Wag pahirapan ang sarili kung kaya naman padaliin in a simplest way. Things are just hard and complicated. Stress na nga ang buhay, idadagdag ko pa 'yan. Ayaw ko ng pressure."

My head is reeling upon hearing her words. "Alam mong hindi madali itong kurso natin at 'yang gusto mong maging. Sa iyo na mismo naggaling, things are not easy. Part ng school life ang ma-stress, you can't just avoid it."

"Prism." I lifted my gaze over Ayara when she called my name. "I just want to graduate, nothing more and nothing less. Nag-aaral ako nang mabuti in a sense na alam ko, hindi lang kagaya mo na goal na hindi maalis sa dean's lister. Nakapagco-comply ako nang maayos. You're being hard headed."

"No. I encourage you to push harder always. Hindi palagi kung ano nakukuha mo, kuntento ka na. Kung alam mong kaya mong higitan, gawin mo. Lahat ng best mo, ibuhos mo. Hindi sapat na okay lang. Hindi sapat na may maipasa lang. Ayaw mo ba ng mataas na grade?" I gently said.

"Why do you care about grades so much? Hindi ko naman madadala sa hukay 'yon. We should enjoy and have fun. I-enjoy ang buhay," she retorted.

I eyed her seriously. "Yes but this is our main priority. Mas magiging masaya kapag may award."