Maria Isabela P. Ardiente
First Month In School
"Nakakahiya pa rin ang nangyari, Isabela!" Dad angrily exclaimed as we stayed in the living area. I kept gazing down because I was scolded again even though I tried to live my life slowly here after that scandalous incident that happened to me. "Pagkatapos na makita ka na dinala ng lintik na boyfriend mo sa motel at nakunan ng litrato ay ito na naman?!"
"Henry, your daughter already explained what happened. Nadamay lang sya sa mga kaibigan nya!" Mom was always there ready to speak for me. "About the motel, nagpa check up na sya sa doctor, walang nangyari sa kanila."
"Nadamay? Saan mo ba nilagay ang utak mo, Isabela? Nakakahiya. Anak ng Congressman tapos nahuling nag cheat sa exam? You disgust me!"
Pa ulit-ulit ko itong natatanggap even though it's just a month that passed by already. After that incident from my previous university in Manila, I was expelled, and my parents transferred me here in Marci Alli— at Escolar University. It was really a big disappointment for dad because the news was somehow spread online, and this could affect his profile.
"Sige na, anak. Just go upstairs already to change then bumaba ka dito for dinner."
"Nagrerebelde 'yang mga anak mo, Marian, kasi tinotolerate mo."
"Henry, ilang beses bang sabihin sayo na nadamay lang ang anak natin!" Mom angrily exclaimed.
"Nadamay? Eh putangina 'yang batang 'yan kahit nadamay pa 'yan, nadumihan na ang apilyedo natin. Kung hindi pa binayaran ni Papa ang mga publishers ng mga articles para ibahin ang storya eh laking kahihiyan talaga sa mga Ardiente!"
My heart pounded loudly when dad's angry voice erupted. I wasn't used to getting scolded by this, and it was really my struggle everyday to make it up with the people I disappointed.
We were actually 5 in our circle of friends. I had no idea that Ringo stole a test paper in the faculty for our major subject. My friends answered it, and they sent it to the group chat. I did not try to copy, I studied on my own. Hindi sana ako madadamay kung hindi sana inilipad sa ilalim ng upoan ko ang kodigo ng isa kong kaibigan na si Rhianne kaya ayon nadamay ako.
I had no contact with my friends after that, we separated ways. For sure they were like me too, being transferred to another school for such a major offense. I was also obstructed to use my social media accounts which I could say was good for me.
In Escolar University, I took up Legal Management, the same as my first course in Manila. I was already in my 2nd year of college, but there was one subject I had to take in summer due to the difference of school's curriculum.
After that night I got scolded again, when the next day came, I just prepared for my class. My class will start at 10 AM, a minor subject. Isang buwan na akong ganito, natatakot at kinakabahang pumasok dahil sa mga ina-anticipate ko na mangyayari. Pinahatid ako sa SUV namin, mas lalo lang akong kinabahan dahil hindi ko kasama si Thalia, ang working student ni mommy.
When I arrived at school, I immediately walked inside. The school was huge, when I entered the gate, there was a huge field and our school buildings who surrounded it— unpainted. Trees were everywhere. I could say this school had a better environment compared to my previous school. I was walking in the pathway right now on the way to find the building where my first class was, malayo ito, nasa likod ng gym kung saan maraming kahoy.
"Tignan mo, tingnan mo!" I overheard. "Yuck!" A group of students staying on the cemented benches were laughing, I didn't know sino ang pinagtatawanan nila pero I felt like it was me so I tried to look at them, I was right they were looking and laughing at me. As I did that, I smiled at them which made their faces turn emotionless.
