PART 1: Stay With Me (ON-GOING)

CHAPTER 27

Zahaira's POV

"Grabe! tindi mo pa rin talaga Zahaira!
akalain mo nga naman na nanalo ka pa!
partida si Keziah na yan" Natatawang
saad ni Kokoy at saka inakbayan ako,
masaya ako pero nawala ang mood ko
ng makita ko si Enzo. Tipid na ngumiti
na lang ako at saka umalis na dederetso
muna ako sa cafeteria dahil nagugutom
na rin naman ako, kaliwa't kanan ang pag bati saakin ng mga estudyante.

Pagkapasok na pagkapasok ko pa lang sa cafeteria, naramdaman ko na agad ang matalim na tingin ni Jeanne. Hindi pa rin siya maka-move on sa pagkatalo niya, obviously. Pumila sana ako sa line para mag-order, pero bago pa ako makalapit, bigla siyang sumulpot sa harap ko kasama si Hanna.

"Wow, Zahaira" Jeanne sneered, crossing her arms over her chest. "Congratulations nga pala. Dapat siguro magpa-party ka na ngayon, no? Since you’re just so... amazing." Puro sarcasm ang tono ng boses niya.

I rolled my eyes, hindi na ako nagulat sa pag-lapit niya. "Jeanne, seriously? It’s over. Tapos na ‘yung eleksyon. Stop acting like a sore loser."

She scoffed, flipping her hair dramatically. "Sore loser? Excuse me, Zahaira, but you wouldn’t understand. Hindi mo alam kung gaano ko pinaghandaan ‘tong eleksyon na ‘to. I deserved to win. I was supposed to be president."

"Right," I replied dryly. "Kasi pag ikaw ang natatalo, unfair agad. But when you’re winning, it’s all about ‘hard work’ and ‘deserving.’ Talk about double standards, Jeanne."

Napangiwi si Jeanne, halatang hindi niya gusto ang mga sinabi ko. "You think you’re so much better than me, don’t you? Just because you got the vice president spot, you think you’ve already proven yourself?"

I shrugged, trying to keep my cool. "I don’t think I’m better than anyone. But I do know how to accept defeat. Unlike you, hindi ako bitter."

Jeanne’s eyes flared with anger. "You’re just lucky. Next time, hindi na ako magpapatalo sa’yo, Zahaira. I will come back stronger, and I will make sure na hindi ka na magtatagal sa pwesto mo."

"Good luck with that," I said, giving her a pointed look. "But maybe next time, focus on doing better instead of bringing others down. Mas magiging effective ‘yun."

Hanna chimed in, smirking. "Ang kapal din ng mukha mo, Zahaira. Parang ikaw na talaga ang may-ari ng school na ‘to, ha?"

I glanced at Hanna, my patience wearing thin. "Look, if you’re just here to gloat or to make me feel bad, you’re wasting your time. I’m not interested in your drama."

Jeanne stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Mark my words, Zahaira. This isn’t over. I’m not done with you yet."

"Sure, Jeanne,” I replied, rolling my eyes again. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Bigla namang dumating si Mikha, halatang na-istorbo sa commotion na nangyayari. "What’s going on here?"

Jeanne turned to him, her frustration boiling over. "Mind your own business, Mikha. Hindi mo alam ang pinagdaanan ko para dito."

Mikha chuckled, clearly amused. "Oh, I think everyone knows, Jeanne. You’ve been complaining about it since the results came out. Time to let it go."

Jeanne glared at him, her lips forming a thin line. "You’re all against me. But remember this—hindi ako susuko. I will fight for what’s mine."

I sighed, shaking my head. "Do what you have to do, Jeanne. Just don’t drag everyone else into your mess."

Nilagpasan ko na sila at pumila na sa
line, hindi na nag-aksaya ng oras sa walang katapusang rant ni Jeanne. Alam kong mas mabuti nang hindi na patulan ang mga ganitong eksena. At least, for now, I have the satisfaction of knowing na kahit anong gawin niya, hindi na niya mababago ang resulta.