Traversing with the Infinity (Sun Rays #1)

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

After a whole semester, I can't tell if I should celebrate because it's over or just curl up in a corner, dreading the new set of subjects coming my way for the second semester.

The issues during the first semester were too loud to ignore, especially what Noah did to me. Hindi ko rin inaakala na kasuklam-suklam din iyong ginawa niya sa isang kakilala ni Rhyo na Class President din ng HUMSS 11-A. Naging maingay iyon, to the point na first time kong magalit at mairita sa mga taong nakapaligid sa akin.

I'm aware that many people know me, interact with me, and have casual conversations with me. But despite that, I have realized that not everyone is a friend. Sure, I joke around and engage with others, but I always know my boundaries. What I never expected was that when we reported what happened to me, some people chose to blame me instead—classic victim blaming.

Kahit sa totoong buhay at sa reyalidad ay masama ang ginawa ng taong iyon, mayroon at mayroon pa rin sisi sa mga nabiktima. The hypocrisy was so intense that it could easily shatter someone's world.

But I didn't let that happen to me. Thanks to those who stood by my side, the issue quickly faded away.

"Lord, kahit malasin na po ako sa lahat, huwag lang po sa ka-grupo ko sa Practical Research."

Finnley and I nearly squeezed each other's hands as we crossed our fingers. Para kaming mga tanga na nagdadasal nang mahina dahil ngayon din ang araw kung saan kami kailangang i-grupo para sa Practical Research 1. Bali maghe-head count kami hanggang lima dahil five groups daw.

"Group 1, please stand," malumanay na wika ni Ma'am Halili.

Tumayo ang mga number 1 kanina sa headcount at halos kabahan ako dahil ang mga magagaling sa klase ang magkaka-grupo.

I was group in Group 3, and I couldn't decide if I was lucky or just plain blessed today. With Rhyolite and Finnley being my groupmates, para tuloy akong naka-jackpot. Tuwang-tuwa naman na parang bulate si Finn dahil mukhang malakas ang swerte niya.

"Salamat, Lord! Napakabuti mo!" dramatikong sabi ni Finn.

"Raven, dito ka rin, aba! Saan ka pumupunta?!" anas ko sa isa pa naming kagrupo na si Raven. Siya ang Rank 3 ng section namin.

Umakto naman ang loko na parang nagtatakip ng mukha, mukhang ayaw kaming maka-grupo ng traydor na 'to!

"Ayaw ko na maging leader dito, please lang! Goal ko pa naman ang magpabuhat!" pabalik niyang singhal.

Grupo pa lang naman ang ginawa namin, para sa mga susunod kung kailan kailangan na naming magconduct ng study ay hindi na kami magra-rush. Nagsimula na rin agad ang klase sa PR1.

Everything happened so fast, and before I knew it, two months had already passed and the second semester had begun. I could already tell things wouldn't be easy from here on out since our schedules were tighter, the workload felt a little heavier, and it looked like this semester's subjects were determined to stress us out even more.

I quickly straightened myself up and rushed out of the room, eager to make the most of break time. Hindi mawala ang ngiti ko habang tinatahak ang daan papunta sa Petal's Garden.

At dahil break time, may mga nakatambay na rin dito. I followed my footsteps towards the last gazebo inside the garden. And there, my heart began to race when I spotted Jayscen. Mukhang abala siya sa ginagawa niya dahil mayroon pa siyang hawak na pencil. Sa tabi niyon ay isang makapal na libro tungkol sa astronomy.

I gently tapped his shoulder from behind, hoping to catch his attention without startling him.

"Hi!" I greeted.