Descending Stars (Fallen Heroes Series #1)

Kabanata 11

Kabanata 11 | Cupcakes

“I like this one better,” I pointed to the pink box with bunny designs. Pinapapili ako ni Ate Lela ng box na lalagyan ng cupcake.

Tumango si Ate Lela at sinunod ang sinabi ko.

“I'm planning to give this after class. Hindi ba papangit ang cupcakes?" I asked while putting icing on top of the cupcakes.

Napaisip siya. “Kunin na lang ni Kuya Lando dito saka ihatid sa school at maibigay mo bago ka umuwi. Gano’n na lang siguro."

I just nodded.

On my way to school, I was recalling formulas for our long test in Pre-cal na last period namin.

“Kuya Lando, ‘wag mo kalimutan mamaya ‘yung cupcakes. Ibibigay ni Ate Lela mamaya…” tinanguan lang ako ng driver.

“Sige po, ma'am."

Kahit maraming beses ko na siyang tinatakasan ay hindi pa rin siya nagsasawa na sundin ako. It's just that, we both have a mutual understanding that there are some situations that don't really need to reach mommy's knowledge. 

Nilingon ko ang dalawang kaklase sa likod nang may mahagip akong maliit na papel na kanilang pinagpapalitan.

My brows furrowed.

It was Elen. Ang isa ay alipores ni Angelica.

Nanlaki ang mga mata nila nang mapansin ako at agad na yumuko sa kanilang sariling papel. I just rolled my eyes and didn't mind them.

She has the guts to try and lecture me when they can't even reach my level even if they cheat.

“Exchange papers… counter clockwise.”

Napahinga ako nang malalim nang saktong mapunta sa akin ang papel ng isa sa kanila. Magulo ang sulat at marami pang bura.

Even though the teacher started to dictate the right answers, I already wrote down her score.

If they think I'll tolerate this unfairness, they surely don't know me too well. Nakakainis talaga ang mga ganitong uri ng tao. Imagine how much effort you try to exert in reading and studying but here they are, cheating their way out.

“Pakibalik na ang mga papel sa may-ari. Double check your score dahil ‘yan ang ire-record ko," sabi ng teacher namin.

I sighed.

Thankfully, I got a perfect score. Though I already expected it since I know I reviewed it.

“Ma'am!" reklamo ni Hannah, kaibigan ni Angelica.

I touched my nape and felt light when I heard some bone cracking as I stretched out my head.

“Perfect naman ako, ma'am, pero bakit zero!?" galit na sigaw nito at nilingon ako.

Her words cued a commotion.

I looked at Elen na nakayuko lamang. At the very least, she knows what guilt means. But this pest doesn't understand anything.

I stood up. “Tell me, what kind of pleasure do you feel while cheating that you do it again and again?”

Halos umusok ang ilong niya nang marinig ang sinabi ko.

“Pinagsasabi mo!? Inggit ka lang kasi hindi lang ikaw ang magaling dito!" Ngumisi siya. “... affected ka ba masyado na hindi lang ikaw ang kayang i-perfect ‘to?"

I smiled sarcastically.

“Tama ka. Ako nga lang ang kayang i-perfect ‘yan dito. That's the case if nobody here cheats. Pero dahil may mga kagaya mo…” I shrugged.