Fatimanians Series #1: Calculating Chemistry

Chapter 3

We were done practicing our dance, and this was our last day. Jadis and the others went home first, and only Aly and I stayed here with those who were playing. We still had a week to prepare, but Jadis said we needed to rest to avoid overusing our bodies from all the practice, so we had one week of rest before the sportfest.

It was still draining because it was hard to balance practice and schoolwork. We were only in the first semester, but we already had so much to do.

As competitive students na uhaw sa academic validation, we really needed to avoid being lazy. At least we managed to balance our schedules. Multitasking and procrastinating were the best strategies when it came to this!

"Sino ba 'yung sinisilip mo diyan?" I asked Alyra. She had been stretching her neck to look at the other side of the court. We were sitting in front of the ring, and she had visited me here since the court was close to her house.

We could not perform if we gave nothing to our schoolmates during the opening of the sportfest. They had really positioned us at the opening—mga pa main character talaga.

"Si Armi, baka nandito siya. May usapan kasi kami na magkikita mamaya rito," she replied, still looking at the group of guys. I couldn't see their faces because I had just taken off my glasses. Baka kasi matamaan ng bola; kakapalit ko pa lang naman nito ngayon. In just one month, tatlong salamin na yung nabili ko dahil sa mga tama ng bola na 'yan.

"Asim naman, teh. Akala ko ako na dahilan ng pagpunta mo," I said jokingly. Alyra already had a boyfriend, and that was Armi. I wouldn't have known that he was her boyfriend if I hadn't seen them eating at a fast-food chain in SM. Aly wasn't aware that Armi was my cousin. Sabagay, kahit sino naman. Si Armi maasim, ako hindi.

"Magda-date kasi kami. Maghanap ka na rin ng boyfriend mo para hindi ka bitter diyan. Aral na aral e."

"Do you think I have time for that? And I can't imagine myself doing sweet things."

"Sa ngayon, hindi pa. Pero kapag narinig mo na yung intro ng 'Tadhana' ng UDD habang nakatingin sa kanya at nakikita mong siya na, kabahan ka na, girl."

"Ulol, teh! Hindi uso 'yan sa akin. Ayaw ko rin maghanap. Kusa namang dadating 'yan kapag gusto ko."

"Desisyon talaga. Pinapatanong pala ni Armi kung papasundo ka ba raw kay kuya Rhen." She was already holding her phone. Kausap na ata si Armi.

"Wag na baka maging abala pa ako." I said before standing up and grabbing my things when suddenly a big ball hit my stuff.

"Gago ka, Aiko. Kunin mo 'yung tumama sa gamit oh," I heard a guy say teasingly. I turned around because the name he said sounded familiar.

I saw someone running towards me it must be Aiko, and Aly was already beside me. "Ay, si Aiko yung varsity player ng ABM. Hindi ko siya napansin kanina ah." Aly was really just gossiping instead of helping me pick up my things that had fallen.

I just picked up my things and let Aly stand aside. I felt Aiko beside me. "Sorry, miss. The ball slipped out of my hand. Let me help you." He helped me pick up my purple tumbler and bag that had been thrown by the force of the ball.

"Sinadya niya 'yan, ate," shouted one of his friends, followed by laughter from their group.

"Okay lang. Salamat. Akin na yung tumbler," I said. When he realized what I said, he handed it over to me.

"Oh, sorry. Natamaan ka ba?" he asked genuinely and his voice is very polite. Akala mo good boy, pero mukhang maloko. His face doesn't match his voice!

"Hindi naman, malayo sa bituka," I replied, glancing at Aly. She was busy typing on her phone. Kaya pala hindi siya nagsasalita.

"It's good to hear that. Sorry again. But wait, you look familiar. Did we meet before?" I felt awkward because he was staring intently at my face after asking that.

"Ah, magkakatapat tayo ng room," Aly chimed in. Thank goodness you finally spoke!

"Ah, mga ABM 11 pala kayo."

"Uy, hindi! STEM 11 kami," I replied, denying his statement.

"Hoy, tama na 'yan Aiko, tara na," his friends shouted.

"I apologize again. I must be going now. I'll see you at school," he said before running to the other side of the court.

"Hoy! Sabi niya sayo, 'see you sa school' daw beh," she said to me with a smile, as if she were getting butterflies.

"Tanga, of course we go to the same school. Oa ah."

"Asus, what do you mean 'we'? Maybe 'you and I.' Ikaw ah, wala pa ngang kayo. Delulu na," she teased me, poking my side.

"Tigilan mo nga ako, nakakakiliti! Atsaka, baliw ka ba? Anong delulu? Uwi na nga tayo. Makipagkita ka na diyan kay Armi." As we walked, she kept smiling at me teasingly.

As we walked, she kept smiling at me teasingly. We passed by the  famous fast food chain, where the smell of fried chicken wafted through the air. My stomach grumbled.

"Mag-lunch muna tayo," I suggested, but Aly shook her head.

"Sorry, kailangan namin mag kita ni Armi." she replied, glancing at her phone again.

"Sige, ako na lang." I waved her off and headed toward the nearest fast food chain. I'd rather stay here than go home to eat. Sometimes, the home you call a home doesn't really feel like one anymore. Parang nagiging isang lugar na lang kung saan ako nagpapahinga, hindi kung saan ako nagkakaroon ng saya o pagmamahal.

While I was eating, I noticed a family enjoying their meal together, laughing and chatting happily. Bigla akong nainggit; ganyan din kami dati. Family issues are really acting up lately, and it's hard not to feel that sense of longing for the times when everything felt normal—those simple moments when the table was filled with laughter instead of tension.

Kaya binibigyan ko talaga ng atensyon ang pag-aaral ko kaysa sa ibang bagay na hindi naman kailangan. I need to survive for myself. I want to create a future where I don't have to rely on anyone else, where my efforts lead to my own success and happiness. Nakita ko na kasi ang hirap ng buhay, at ayokong maulit ang mga pagkakamaling yun. I've seen how quickly things can change, and I refuse to be caught off guard again.

Sa bawat pagsusumikap ko, naiisip ko na kailangan namin mag-survive ng kapatid ko. Kailangan kong ipakita na kaya ko at kakayanin ko pa. Kaya kahit na minsan nakakaramdam ako ng pagod at panghihina, hindi ko pinapayagang masira ng mga problema ang focus ko. I remind myself that every late night studying and every skipped social event is a step closer to a better life.

Minsan naiisip ko, kung sana may ibang pagkakataon, pero sa ngayon, ang tanging makakapagpabago sa sitwasyon ko ay ang pag-aaral. I need to keep pushing forward, kahit gaano pa kahirap. The weight of my responsibilities can be overwhelming, but I know that giving up isn't an option.

Minsan, nakakatuwang isipin na sa gitna ng lahat ng ito, natututo rin akong magpahalaga sa sarili ko at sa mga tao sa paligid ko. I want to create a future where I can genuinely be proud of myself, where I can celebrate my achievements without feeling guilty.

Distractions are not allowed.

Suddenly, I spotted Aly with Armi, who had just arrived. They were both laughing, their joy infectious, and it made me realize how much I appreciated having friends who could balance school, sports, and a bit of fun. Their laughter reminded me of the good times, the moments when life felt lighter.

I felt a smile break on my face. Maybe today wouldn't be so bad after all.