Fallen Melodies

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

All my life, I was taught by my parents how to make my social circle bigger by being friendly at school and by attending social gatherings. My other cousins, Cecille, and I were trained how to treat others with respect and elegance no matter their age and nationality. That will not matter, because the only thing that matters: is their social status.

I thought I, as an expert in making friends won't have a hard time dealing with adjustments as I went here in Santa Praia. I was wrong, and I knew what's the reason why I couldn't make friends and I was having difficulties adjusting. I certainly know why, that's why I would not push myself onto them ever.

The gap, the class, the lifestyle, we're different. Perhaps they're all the same, but me, I'm far much better than them. My life is so much better than theirs, my social class is much higher than theirs. Kaya siguro hindi ko maka-relate.

Hindi ko na rin pinipilit, because I believe the only people who can join my circle are those who live their lives like me.

Sa nagdaang mga araw na nandito ako sa Santa Praia at nag-aaral sa isa sa mga paaralan nila rito kung saan din nag-aral ang Mommy ko dati, kahit isa ay wala pang naging malapit sa akin o hinahayaan kong lumapit sa akin.

I built a boundary between me and them and convinced myself that I'm not one of them and I don't need them in my life. It was not hard though.

I kept my distance including to Reed who tried his best many times to befriend of me, but I wouldn't allow him. Kahit si Suzzy ay iniiwasan ko na dahil ayaw kong makipag-away sa mga cheap na katulad niya.

I will just study here and prove my parents I am worthy coming back to Manila. I don't need friends na hindi ko ka-level. Ang focus ko lang ay maka-graduate para makita ko na ulit ang mga kaibigan ko roon sa Manila, and of course my best friend, Cecille. I miss her so much.

"One order of carrot cake and orange juice please." I ordered at the counter. Agad na inasikaso naman ng nagtitinda ang order ko dahil walang masyadong umu-order sa stall na ito.

Hind ko pa rin mapigilan ang saya at mangha nang nakita kong may bagong nagtitinda sa canteen. Sa wakas ay makakawala na ako sa mga cheap nilang paninda at makakatikim na sa mga pagkaing sini-serve din sa aming cafeteria noon. It really made me happy.

I don't have to adjust with their living and eat the foods they eat because now I have my own. Pati nga sa bahay ay mga nakasanayang pagkain ko na rin ang niluluto ni Aling Emy.

I noticed students weren't paying attention to this stall. Walang masyadong bumilibili, konti lang. And then I looked at the price of their food and smirked at the realization. See? Even with the foods we eat, ang layo talaga.

"Here's your order, Ma'am!" malaking ngiting sabi sa akin ng nagtitinda.

Tinanggap ko ang tray na bigay niya saka nagbayad. Tumalikod na ako at maglalakad na sana papunta sa table ko pero mayroong pumigil sa akin. At that moment, I just wanted to cover up my face and run towards the exit to escape this bunch of headaches.

"Hi, Khloe..." Gosh, I'm hopeless. "For you, remember me?"

I don't remember him. But one thing's for sure, he's one of those persistent guys who keep on pestering me! And it's driving me insane! Like how can I stop them? It has been my struggle for days!

"Khloe, I like you..." One day a guy popped up somewhere and said this.

"Khloe! For you," another guy said another day.

"Khloe, dinig kong maraming nagtangkang lumapit sa'yo at pormahan ka. Pero sana ako ang bigyan mo ng chance." This guy drove me crazy.

"Khloe, ginawa ko 'to sa'yo. May mga pictures mo riyan... kada picture may sinulat ako. Sana ma-touch ka..." This guy gave me shivers that I didn't even open his gift and read what he said!