Codes, Films, and Mirrorballs

02

"Our batch salutatorian, Chanielle Dale Austin."

The stadium was filled with loud claps, and shouts, but I don't feel any proudness or happiness. At that moment, while walking towards the center of the stage, I only felt despair, and disappointment.

I was so close. So freaking close. It's just two points... but that two points made my world crumble.

"Congratulations, Ms. Austin," bati ng principal namin kay Mommy. My mom and I forced a smile.

After we received my medals and poised for the camera, we immediately left the stage like it's nothing.

Walang sinasabi si Mommy na kahit ano pero ramdam na ramdam sa kaniya ang disappointment, at pagka-irita. I maintained quiet.

We parted ways; my mom went back to the seats reserved for parents. While walking towards my seat, my heart is beating so fast.

So fast, like it's anticipating something to happen or as if it's like a ticking bomb that will explode any second from now.

Hindi ko pa rin matanggap. Hindi ko pa rin tanggap.

"Batch 20**, please give a round of applause for our batch valedictorian, Zadkiel Vaughn Ismael!"

The claps, cheerful smiles, and shouts made for him sound like an insult to me. I bit my lower lip, and maintained my eyes on the floor.

I. Hate. Him.

"Ms. Austin? Ms. Austin, I'm calling you!"

"Austin!" Bumalik ako sa reyalidad nang bigla kong naramdamang may yumuyugyog sa akin. Dali-dali akong tumayo.

I rapidly wiped my tears away. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang paninitig sa aking ng buong klase, especially him. "Yes, ma'am?"

"What's the eleventh term in this sequence?" she pointed at the image flashed on the tv.

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13... Fibonacci sequence. Fibonacci sequence is a sequence where each number is obtained by adding the two preceding terms.

"The answer is 89, ma'am. It's the sum of 55, the tenth term, and 34, the ninth term."

"Okay." Mrs. Pacheco pressed her lips into thin line. Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay bago bumaling sa gawi niya. "Mr. Ismael, is she correct?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. What the heck? Bakit kailangan pang i-consult sa lalaking 'yon kung tama ako? Doesn't she trust me?!

Hello? Ako lang kaisa-isang naka-perfect sa quiz mo? And you're doubting me?

"Yes, ma'am. She's absolutely correct."

The dog was all smiles. He's enjoying this, he's enjoying the spotlight, and this embarrassing moment of mine.

"Ms. Austin, you can sit now. Plus fifteen sa index card."

Nagpakawala ako ng mabigat na buntong-hininga pagka-upo ko.

"This message is for each one of you. Hindi porket matalino na kayo, at nasa star section kayo, hindi na kayo makikinig sa klase ko. Being smart is not—and will never be a valid reason to be disrespectful. If feeling mo alam mo na lahat..." Napalunok ako nang binalingan ako ni Mrs. Pacheco. "Lumayas ka sa klase ko."

I secretly rolled me eyes.

Nag-zone out lang 'yong tao ang dami-dami nang sinabi. And this is the first time I zoned out, why is she acting hysterically? OA.

Hanggang sa matapos ang klase niya ay tahimik lang ako. Mabuti na lang ay last subject siya ngayong araw since half day lang kami. Nasira na kasi ang mood ko, paniguradong tatamarin na ako sa mga susunod na subject.