RIVALRY [ heesun ]

eleven.

Cars moving. People passing by. Murmurs everywhere.

That's what I observed as I am sitting alone in a shed right now para maghintay na huminto ang malakas na ulan.

Malapit na magdilim.

I looked at my wrist watch to check the time.

Kailangan ko na pa lang umuwi. Our maids must be worried.

As I was about to step out of the shed, I saw familiar figures sa 'di kalayuan.

It's Wayne and Simone.

May tig-isa silang umbrella at nag-uusap habang naglalakad. Pwede naman siguro akong sumabay?

Humugot ako ng lakas para tawagin sila.

"Wayne! Simone! I'm here!" I shouted. Narinig nila ako at lumapit sila sa gawi ko.

"Thank God you guys are here! Kanina ko pa gusto umuw—"

"You know us?"

I was stunned from Wayne's question.

"H-huh?"

"You know him, Sim?" Wayne stated as he looked at me with a judging face then he turned to Simone with confusion.

"Oo." Tipid na sagot ni Simone sa kanya.

Nagpabalik-balik ang tingin ko sa mga kaibigan ko. They are really acting strange right now, and I don't know why.

"You guys are trying to prank me, 'no? hahaha! 'Di uubra 'yan so stop it. Please isabay niyo na ako sa umbrella niyo. Nanay must be waiting for me." I pleaded. Ngayong araw kasi ang balik ni Nanay Fina galing Jerbania. Siguradong nag-aalala na 'yon dahil ganitong oras ay hindi pa ako nakakabalik ng bahay.

"Ayoko nga."

"E-eh? Why?"

"I don't want to be with someone who's not really intelligent."

"W-what.. anong.. "

"Akala ko pa naman magaling ka. Other students are right, you are no match with him."

Him? Who? Aracosa?

"Yeah.. can't believe I be friended someone who can't keep up with us."

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig sa mga naririnig ko ngayon. Is this what they really think of me? My own friends?

"Anong s-sinasabi niyo.. S-sim, I can do better j-just, don't leave me h-here, hmm?"

Both of them are just giving me glares. Umiling-iling pa sila habang naglalakad paalis, naiwan na naman ako sa waiting shed habang patuloy pa rin ang pagbuhos nang malakas na ulan.