Recognition
"With High Honors, Salendro Robert II, P."
As I stood beside the stage to call my name is now happening and this isn't the first I got to be recognized during the quarterly honors assembly. I strive to be the top and highest in class, it always pays off: teachers adore my work, my friends are also in the same honor class as me, I'm predicted to become the valedictorian of our batch.
Everything in my life is like reading a book from the leading role, except I get to experience it as well. My sister takes a picture of me with a medal and a certificate with my parents by my side smiling and seeing another achievement from one of their children.
I sit back in my seat in the middle of the school gym with my friends as we accomplish again an honors award. As I look around to see other students; elementary and seniors and even my batch, I can just about see someone who really keeps grabbing my attention: Laura. He sits at the bleachers which I think are his friends. They were never honored students, but they didn't seem to be bothered by it.
Something about Laura seems so interesting to look at that I can't really explain myself... He seems so feminine despite being a boy, but the way he presents himself is like it's... Hard not to look away. He keeps looking at the host and waits for all of this to end..
"Thank you to all the students for showcasing to us the value of hard work and dedication truly means a sweet victory to taste. Once again, congratulations!" The program is done and everyone in the gym starts getting up and talks to each other.
I look up and see Laura still with his friends sitting and talking about something. "Rob hali na mag celebrate tayu sa Pizza Shack!" As my sister said, I looked at her and went to her and my parents.
"Congrats ulit anak, ang saya na palagi ka honors" sabi ni Mommy habang ngumiti rin siya. "Anak pwede mo naman samahan ang mga kaibigan mo sa kain natin." Sabi ni Dad habang inakbay niya si mommy. "Okay lang dad, they're with their family so im guessing magcecelebrate rin sila" Dad nods in understanding and Mommy signaled us to go and get in the car.
As I look back at Laura, he was gone along with his friends. It bothered me that he congratulated my friends but me.. am I that invisible to him? He doesn't even look in my direction, halimaw lang ba ako?
Natatawa ako sa naiisip ko kung ano ano at nakita ni ate, "Uy ano nangyari sa'yo?" "Ah wala, some joke na sabi ni Kyle kanina" "Para kang baliw" I just shook my head and chuckled at her comment, not knowing that his recognition.. is what I yearn for.
