Kabanata 4
Pain
Nilalabanan ko ang nararamdaman kong antok. Pilit na nakikinig sa diskusyon ng lecturer sa harapan.
Sielo's comment that I was different from my sister hit me hard. Many people compare us, saying she is kind, approachable, and sweet, while I am her complete opposite.
May kunting kurot sa dibdib ko ang marinig sa kanila na magkaiba kaming dalawa ni Sammy. Couldn't they just keep their opinions to themselves and not make me feel like I’m so far from her?
May kumalabit saakin kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya.
"What?" I asked. She pointed to the front, napabaling ako sa harapan. Bumungad saakin ang galit na mukha ni prof.
Ngayon ko lang napansin nasa akin ang atensyon ng mga kaklase ko.
"Are you listening, miss Vergara?!!" Galit niyang sigaw saakin kaya agad akong napayuko .
"I'm sorry, Prof." I said, feeling embarrassed.
"I don't need your apology here, miss. All I need is your full attention during my class. Understood?" She said, still angry. "dean list ka pa naman." Mas lalo akong napahiya.
Napakagat ako sa aking labi. Buti ay bumalik na ito sa pagdidiscuss. Biglang bumigat ang nararamdaman ko. Tinuon ko nalang ang buong atensyon ko sa pakikinig.
Lunch time na at heto parin ako sa classroom. Nakakawalang ganang lumabas. Dumukdok lang ako sa desk.
In my house i feel alone pati ba naman sa school mag isa parin ako.
Maybe that’s why I don’t have friends—because I’m not approachable like my sister. I’m not as friendly as she is.
A knock on the door made me look up. I rolled my eyes when I saw who it was.
Why is he here?
"Why are you here?" I asked him, annoyed.
"Napadaan lang ako tapos nakita kita dito." Sagot ni Sielo. " Ayaw mo mag lunch?" Tanong niya, napairap ako sa tanong niya.
"What do you think?"
"You’re really rude. I’m just asking."
Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kaniya.
"Snobber," he muttered before walking away.
Dumukdok ulit ako sa desk at pinikit ang mga mata ko. I only woke up when the classroom became noisy, so I straightened up. My attention was drawn to a paper bag on my desk.
I looked at the classmate sitting near me.
"Miley, is this yours?" I asked her.
"No, it was already in your desk when I arrived," she said, returning to her work.
Tinignan ko ang laman ng paperbag. It was food. I saw a sticky note inside, I took it, and read it.
I felt irritated when I read what was written.
"I bought you some food, Baka lalo kang maging masungit kapag di ka makakain.
From: Sielo"
That guy really annoys me. I looked at the paper bag. Masasayang lang ito, wala talaga akong ganang kumain at hindi rin naman ako gutom.
Our last class ended in the afternoon,at kung sila ay natutuwa na uwian na ako ay hindi.
Dinala ko ang pagkain na binigay ng lalaking iyon. I planned to give it to the kids on the street.
"Manong pakihinto po mona ang sasakyan." Utos ko kay manong Albert. Lumabas ako ng sasakyan at lumapit sa batang naglilimos.
"Bata!" Tinawag ko ang batang musmos na nanlilimos sa mga taong dumadaan.
Habang pinagmasdan ko ito. I thought na ako lang ang nakaramdam ng mag isa. May magulang nga ako pero parang di ko naramdaman na nadyan sila para saakin.
Kagaya ng mga bata dito sa langsangan na ang iba ay pinabayaan narin ng magulang. Sa halip na maglaro at mag-aral ay kailangan pa nilang manlimos para makakain.
I felt pity for them.
"Ano po iyon ate?"
I smiled at him and handed over the paper bag of food.
Parang may humaplos sa puso ko ang makita ang mukha niya na labis na saya.
"Salamat nito ate." he said with genuine gratitude.
Napasandal lang ako habang pinagmamasdan ang nadadaanang gusali.
"How is your child, Manong?" I asked without looking at him.
"Nahihirapan parin,young lady." Mahinang sagot niya,but I could sense his pain for his child.
I had nothing to say to ease his pain because even with my own, I felt helpless.
A/N: please follow, vote and comment on my story ☺️
Date started: July 1, 2024
