RIVALRY [ heesun ]

twenty.

Sometimes I wonder..

Why is it that when you are happy, sadness suddenly appears?

Why is it that when everything is going on your way, there is always trouble?

Why is it that when I think I'm going to succeed, fate slaps me that I'm going to lose?

Those questions were formed inside my mind as I stared blankly at Aracosa who is filing a candidacy right now together with Joaquin.

Kunyari pa silang nagulat na nandito ako at tinanong kung hahabol din ba ako. I know deep inside, they know it.

Hindi ko ba alam kung bakit nararamdaman kong napipilitan lang si Aracosa na gawin 'to. Halos hindi niya maisulat ang pangalan sa papel. Joaquin already finished writing, habang siya naman ay hindi pa rin sinusulat ang posisyon na gusto niya.

"Ano ba naman 'yan, Kei. Bagal mo! Akin na, ako na magsusulat." Inagaw sa kanya ni Joaquin ang ballpen at siya na nga ang nagsulat.

While Aracosa is just standing beside him. Parang nawalan siya ng lakas na gawin 'yon. Hinayaan na lang niya si Joaquin na matapos.

"Okay na, miss.." sabi ni Joaquin. Bago pa man sila makalabas ng office ay bumaling siya sa akin, "Good luck, Aryse." Tsaka na sila tuluyang lumabas. Hindi na tumingin pa si Aracosa sa akin matapos noon.

I'm still distracted by what happened but I continued moving the boxes that student council asked me to do. Binilisan ko na lang ang paggawa nito para makauwi na agad.

To: Tito Pao

Magpapasundo na po ako

Thank you

As I was waiting for my sundo here in the shed near school, I'm starting to list down the things I want to do once I'm elected as the SSC President. Kumbaga, it will be my platform.

Goals for LEU SHS
• Make sure that every student's voice must be heard
• Go Green (pay back to nature)

Nakapag lista pa lang ako ng dalawa pero pagod na agad ako.

My brain's not functioning anymore.

Alam ko kasing pansamantala ko munang tinapos ang bagay na 'to. This whole planning will be tough. Mas matindi pa ang hirap once nakaupo ka na.

To be honest, I feel bad. I want to be elected just because I want my parents to be proud of me. I want to be validated for the efforts I will put in this election.

Gusto ko lang ay mapansin at mapahalagahan ako. Not because I'm genuine to lead the students.

I know I can. Kaya ko naman ang mabigat na responsibilidad na 'yon. Kinaya ko 'yon before, kaya ko rin dapat ngayon.

But you're not happy anymore, Aryse.

Bago pa ako lamunin ng thoughts ko, bumusina si Tito Pao para iparating na nandito na siya. Sumakay ako sa kotse at binati siya. Hanggang sa makauwi sa bahay ay hindi ako nagsalita.

I can sense that Tito Pao wants to ask if I'm okay, but he chose to give me space and I appreciated it.

"Aryse, iho, nakakain ka na ba? Sandali at iinitin ko lang ang niluto kong ulam para sayo." I heard Nanay Fina's voice coming from the Dining area the moment I entered the house.

I put my bag in the sofa and sat there. Parang nawalan na ako ng gana kumain. So I immediately stood up to stop Nanay from reheating my meal.

"Nanay, I'm not that hungry pa po. I'll rest na lang po muna sa room ko." I said. Worry envelopes her face. Tumango siya pero hindi pa rin pinatay ang apoy ng kalan.