First Rain Of Summer | COMPLETED

Twenty Three

THERESE'S POV

My vision is kind of blurry and there's a faint sound echoed in the room. I'm at the hospital as of now and my back is lying on a soft mattress.

"You're awake!"

I looked at my side dahil nanggagaling doon ang boses. I just couldn't figure out whose voice it is. When I can see the person clearly, I feel disappointed.

"Mom..." My voice is low and weak.

I was expecting someone, and that would be Madam Eula or anyone but Mom. I don't want to see her now.

"You're awake and I've got permission from your doctor that you're allowed to take the entrance exam."

That damn entrance exam. I almost died but all she's about now is the entrance exam. Kagigising ko lang, utang na loob! I don't care if she doesn't want to act like a mother, can she at least cut some slack? My body is still weak, as well as my voice. Can't she fucking tell?

"We still have two hours before the exam starts. May oras ka pa para magpahinga at maghanda."

I remained silent and shifted my head to the other side. Kung may remote lang siguro ako para i-mute si Mom, forever ko siyang im-mute.

The doctor came in and to be honest, I still have no energy to listen to him as well. He explained my situation and all I can digest is the part when he mentioned I'm lucky because someone rushed me into the hospital and I'm still alive.

Whatever. If only that person didn't save me, I'm certain there's a wake for me.

Dr. Craige allowed me to take the exam because Mom threatened him and I'm sure of it. I changed my hospital gown into something formal; white, long-sleeve polo shirt and pencil skirt.

Since I'm still weak and there's some pain on my chest, I still have dextrose on my hand and the nurse earlier glued something on my chest and according to her it's a portable heart monitor.

I'm on a wheelchair and a nurse is pushing it. Kahit sa byahe, hindi ako umimik. When we arrived at the university, Mom couldn't find the nearest parking lot and we needed to look around pa. We still have thirty minutes and Mom sighed when we parked the car.

I'm still in a wheelchair and this shit called a lot of attention from the crowd and it's embarrassing. I kept my head low, not only because I'm embarrassed but also because the light from the sun is being a bitch and it's hurting my eyes.

Mom brought the nurse at siya ang umaalay sa 'kin ngayon. Sakto lang din ang dating ko sa exam hall. Hindi na ako nahirapan pa sa paghahanap ng upuan ko dahil nasa unahan lang iyon. I could feel some eyes are now glued with me. Kulang ako sa pansin, oo, pero hindi sa ganitong paraan.

The exam lasted for three hours and I could feel my stomach acid rising up to my esophagus as I haven't eaten anything since when I woke up.

Gladly, the proctor allowed the nurse to assist me when I'm done with the exam. The university is one of the prestigious colleges in the country. It's where Mom and Dad graduated; they wanted me to graduate here even though I was so clear that I wanted to go to an international university outside the country.

"Just try it and if you pass, you can apply to their exchange student program." Mom insisted. "If you passed the exam, I'll let you avail the student exchange program."

I hate it.

While we waited for Mom at the quadrangle of this university, people were scattered and having conversations about the exam. Some felt nausea and dizzy because finally, they could sleep peacefully at night; some were crying because they felt they're doomed as they couldn't answer all the questions provided.