Wounds Of The Hearts, Justice Of The Mind

Chapter 9

A wake-up call jolted me awake. It was from the school administrator, their voice firm and urgent, breaking through my drowsiness and pulling me into full alertness. Damn, it's only 2am in the morning. What's this urgent call? Ang daming missed calls.

Namatay ang tawag pero nag-ring ulit ang cellphone ko. Bwesit! I answered the call, still groggy. "Yes, hello?" I answered sleepily.

As the administrator's words began to sink in, I blinked my eyes. "There's an important matter we need to discuss," they said, their tone leaving no room for delay. My mind raced, grasping for reasons why they'd be calling me so early. I sat up, heart pounding, wondering what could possibly require such immediate attention to be attended.

"You should be at school at 9 in the morning. Ikaw ang napili na lalaban sa isang writing contest at debate." They said without even confirming my decision about it.

My brows shot up. What the hell? I quit competitions because I find them boring, and I'm too lazy to be part of any contest. Why did they decide this without even confirming with me? They just entered me in a contest I knew nothing about, and now they're only telling me?

"What are you talking about?" I asked nonchalantly. "You entered me in a contest without asking if I even wanted to join?" My voice rose slightly as my heart raced—not from nervousness, but from anger I was trying to suppress.

The administrator sighed heavily. "Ikaw lang ang nakikita namin that fit in the contest. You are behind the image of our school, Isaiah. Please, just come here tomorrow morning..." he said, pleasing.

Tangina...

"You know I already quit. Are you out of your mind?" I continued questioning him, feeling completely frustrated. So, this is the urgent call? They had to wake a student up at dawn just to say I'm competing in a contest? "You don't get to decide on your own, Sir. And don't involve me in a contest without my consent. I'm not going tomorrow. I'm not joining. Find other representatives—just not me!" And with that, I ended the call.

I have a lot of respect from the school administrator, but I can't let him decide my life when it comes to contests and all that. Yes, it's true that I contribute to the school's good image among other schools, but this isn't me anymore. I don't want to join. That's why I quit being a varsity athlete—I don't like that kind of attention, and I don't want the responsibility.

I brushed my hair behind with my fingers to soothe my mind. I took a deep breath, held it for a moment, then released it slowly when my phone beep for a message.

From: Administrator

I'm sorry, Isaiah. If you have the means to come tomorrow, it would be an honor. And if not, still thank you for answering my call and I am sorry to disturb your peaceful night.

Mas lalo akong hindi nakatulog. Bwesit! Their message makes me feel guilt. This is why I don't want to reject academic proposals—because guilt gnawing at me from within. The feeling settles deep in my chest, heavy and unforgiving, as if I've let a part of myself down. Iyon naman ang gusto ko pero iba 'yong pakiramdam ko.

I thought about the writing and debate contests. They might benefit the school a lot... and they would benefit me too, but is this really what I want? I'm good at writing papers and I'm a top student, yes... but I don't like attention.

I lay back on the bed, still trying to make sense of things. I should be sleeping, but that damn contest is stuck in my mind. Frustration bubbled up as I stared at the ceiling, replaying the conversation in my head. Why couldn't they just ask me first? I had made it clear that I didn't want to be part of these contests anymore. Yet here I was, wide awake, dragged into something I'd never agreed to.