Unfolding Secrets

Chapter 1

9 years later

Briiiiiing.. Beep beep beep. Beep beep beep.

"Alright, alright. I'm up.", I mumbled as I turned the alarm clock off.

5:15 a.m. Aga pa, hay.

Kelangan ko pa kasing dumaan sa association para kunin allowance ko bago pumasok.

Sponsored kasi ang education ko by the Association for Independent Youth or AIY.

I took an exam for the 8-year scholarship and I passed. Along with the scholarship comes a monthly allowance of Php 9,000.00, and board & lodging, pero hindi pwedeng bumaba sa 87 ang grades ko at dapat magpart time job ako sa isang associate company nila every Sunday, 1:00-7:00 p.m. Server sa isang coffee shop ang napili ko.

I've been supported by this scholarship since I was 7, and now I'm in 3rd year high school.

I got out of bed, took a shower, cooked my food, ate breakfast, and walked down to the association's office. 15 minutes away lang naman by foot, kaya chicks lang 'yan, lapit lang. Tsaka saktong 6 na pagdating ko dun, the office would be open then.

When I arrived, I saw the other scholars waiting to be called by Mrs. Ramirez, ang head ng association.

Nakita ako ni Seth, one of my friends. Pareho kaming inabandon ng parents.

"Yo, Cane. Musta na, pare? Fil-am pa rin? Hahaha.", bati niya sabay fist pump.

"I'm good. E ikaw? Feeling Koreano pa rin? Hahaha", sagot ko naman.

"O, first day of classes na naman dude. Mageemo ka na naman ba? Make some friends naman aside from Chase and Kael. Tahimik ka din lang kahit kasama sila. Pa'no maaattract ang chicks sa'yo nyan?", he laughed.

"Clarke, Criss Nathaniel G.", tinawag na ako ni Mrs. Ramirez sa loob.

"Excuse me, bro. Dadaan ang hearthrob." I said and laughed, and he lightly punched me on the shoulder.

Pumasok na ako sa loob at binati si Mrs. R ng good morning.

"Good morning. Please have a seat, Mr. Clarke.", she pointed at the seat in front of her desk, and I took it.

"Before I hand you your allowance, I would like to remind you about the conditions we set for your scholarship. Ang final averages mo last year, mababa. 91 na lang ang highest mo. Focus, Mr. Clarke. Ikacut ko ang shift mo sa shop, 1-5 p.m. na lang, pero dapat ang spare time mo, gamitin mo sa school work. Are we clear, Cane?", she looked into my eyes with concern.

"Yes, ma'am. I apologize for any incompetence I might have shown.", I said.

"Okay, here.", she handed me an envelope. I opened it and saw the usual Php 9,000.00.

"Set your priorities, Mr. Clarke. Ingat ka iho."

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you po."

Lumabas ako ng office at nagpaalam kay Seth. Nag-abang na din ako ng jeep papuntang school after that.

When I got to school, I still had 30 minutes to spare. 7:00 pa kasi pasok namin.

"Great. I'll just look for Kael and Chase. Nasa cafeteria siguro mga 'yun", I mumbled to myself.

I walked through the school gates.

And another year begins.