My Handsome Katipunero

KABANATA 1

     "Wow, Kristin. Is this your new handbag? And OMG, is this Hermes?" Jane asked, amused, habang nakatingin sa aking new handbag.

     "Himalayan Birkin bag, to be exact," I answered proudly while scrolling my twitter's news feed.

Hinihintay ko ang update ng One Direction tungkol sa concert nila ngayong gabi. VIP ticket ang binili ko kaya okay lang na kahit late ako pumunta do'n. But still, I prefer to go early to witness their arrival. Kung 'di lang dahil sa letseng event ng letseng university'ng 'to, e baka kanina pa ako nasa venue ng concert.

   "Grabe ka, Kristin. You are so rich talaga. You bought a handbag worth half a million dollars. And you even bought a golden VIP ticket for One Direction's concert!" Lian exclaimed.

"Grabe ka magwaldas ng pera. Why don't you try saving it? Buy Filipino designer bags, shoes, clothes. Go to concerts of well-known Filipino Singers or band-"

Hindi ko siya hinayaang matapos at  inihampas ang dalawa kong kamay sa mesa. Naibaling sa akin ang atensyon ng halos lahat nang nasa classroom.

Huminga ako ng malalim at hinarap si Lian.

"Kung wala kang masabing matino, better shut up."

Napaatras siya. "S-sorry, opinyon ko lang naman 'yon-"

"Keep it to yourself. I don't need it." Inirapan ko siya at bumalik sa pagkakaupo. "Money is made para gastusin. I want to spend it on good stuff. Not for local and cheap products."

Napasinghap ang ilan sa sinabi ko. Nagbulong-bulungan.

The problem of this university is that they're stuck in the past. They keep celebrating the same events over and over again, still embracing the customs and traditions of the past, unable to accept the new offerings of every changing year.

     " 'Yan ang mahirap sa'yo. 'Yang utak mo, utak kano. Utak banyaga. Hindi ka marunong makisama." Lian said before and stormed out of the room after gathering her things.

I don't care.

This country is rotten and devastated anyway. And no one can change it.

     "Guys, pinapapunta na daw lahat sa Gym. Mag-uumpisa na ang opening," anunsiyo ng class representative namin na kararating pa lamang.

Everyone stood up and left the room, trying to avoid the tension that enveloped the surrounding.

I sighed. Inayos ko na ang mga gamit ko saka lumabas ng silid, ngunit imbes na ang daan papuntang gym ang tahakin ay ang ang daan palabas ng unibersidad ang pinili ko.

     "Kristin, sa'n ka pupunta? The gym's that way," Jane pointed.

     "Concert venue."

     "Required umattend sa opening, diba?"

     "I don't give a damn."

She sighed, "Fine. Suit yourself."

10th to the 12th day of June a three-day celebration is conducted for the country's Independence day.