CREAM OF THE CROP

Chapter 4 - Damn

Nang makarating kami sa field ay nagsasalita si Principal Valdez sa stage. Katabi ko parin si Arvin na ngayon ay kunot-noong nakikinig kay Sir. He's very serious when it comes to speeches and discussions.

Arvin belongs to a very tradional family. I know his parents because he often brings me to their house which is malapit lang sa amin.

His mom was a beauty queen when she was young. She's half brazilian. So it's not a mystery how Arvin got his looks. Kapag naglalakad siya sa bahay nila, tila ito isang reyna sa kanyang kastilyo. His dad, on the other hand is a cruel king ruling his kingdom and for him, Arvin is his knight, hindi anak, but a piece in his game called chess.

That's why Arvin chose to hide his sexuality. He knew for a fact that his Dad would never accept him for who he is. So he remained in the shadows. He has learned to wear his mask. Ang maskarang yun ang tanging pinakita niya sa mundo. Malamig na mata, walang puso, walang awa, bato.

But they didn't know that behind that mask is a broken boy broken by his own father. He has learned to be someone he's not.

"Family should make us whole, right?" Minsan tanong niya sakin. General Assembly Meeting noon at may isang line of 8 sa mga grado niya. I accidentally witnessed how his Dad scolded him. Gulat ako noon kasi yung kilala kong Arvin na matapang at mataas ay minamaliit lang ng kanyang sariling ama.

That was the first time I saw him cry. The first time he wore his mask off. "Bakit hindi naman ata? Kasi kung ganoon nga, why is my heart breaking for every damn word my Dad has told me?"

He cried so hard that day. I didn't know what to say but when I hugged him, he became my friend. That hug was my promise that I will be there for him no matter what. In a way, I understand him. Alam ko kung gaano kahirap maging mabuti kung ang nakagisnan mo ay kasakiman. Alam ko kung gaano kahirap makita ang pagmamahal ng isang magulang kung ang tanging pinadama sayo ay pagkadisgusto.

"Natunaw na," pukaw ni Hovea sa lumulutang na isipan ko.

My eyes darted from Arvin who's now looking at me quizzically towards my group of friends. I waved at them and we talked a bit.

They don't know about Arvin's sexuality kaya madalas tinutukso nila ako sa kanya. Which I don't mind. Kasi it will help him hide his secret. Gusto ko man na maging malaya siya ay ayaw ko namang pangunahan siya sa mga desisyon niya.

"Where are the Grade 10- Maxwell people?" tanong ng Principal.

Nagsitaasan kami ng kamay. Isinunod niya ang mga dalawampu pang sections sa regular class. Hindi ko alam kong bakit kailangang isa-isahan nila ang mga section. Kanina pa kami nakatayo rito, nakabilad sa tumataas nang haring araw.

"Hand me your umbrella, Arissa," masungit na utos ni Arvin sa akin.

"Wow, so bumili si Avi ng payong niya para gamitin lang ni Arvin ganun?" sarkastiko kong sagot.

His jaw clenched and his eyes turned into slits. Inagaw niya sakin ang sling bag ko at inilabas ang folded na payong na kulay itim.

Just when I thought he would lend me back my bag, isinuot niya iyon sa kanyang balikat at binuksan ang payong. I pouted in amusement.

"Come here, stupid, your skin will get burned," he whispered.

"Only if I didn't know, kinikilig na sana ako ngayon," tawa ko sabay sumukob sa payong.

He ignored my remark and focused on what the Principal was saying.

Majority of the eyes in the field ay nakadirekta kay Arvin. Walang mag aakalang bading siya sa kanyang postura at pananalita. Kahit pa nakasuot sa kanyang balikat ang pink na sling bag ay lalaking lalaki siya. Ngunit kung mayroon man akong natutunan, not everything you see tells it all. People only show what they want you to see. In Arvin's case, babae siya na nakulong sa katawan ng isang lalaki. Ngunit kahit pa ganoon ay hindi siya nagco-cross dress o anuman. At lalaki parin siyang kumilos.

***
Pagkatapos ng flag ceremony ay humilera ang mga trainees sa dapat daanan ng mga estudyante patungo sa kanilang classroom. Sunod-sunod na "Good morning Ma'am/ Sir/ Officers" ay maririnig nang kami na ang nasa pagitan nila.

Pagkarating sa classroom ay pumunta sa harapan si Jeremiah, ang classroom president. Ibinalita niya na may seminar ang karamihan sa mga teachers namin kaya puwede na kaming mag-umpisang magplano para sa Nutri-Jingle Competion na under sa Nutrition Month Celebration. May mga inassign na siyang magpapaalam sa mga teachers naming hindi dadalo sa seminar para buong araw ang practice.

"Pakitaas ang kamay ng mga sasayaw guys," Inilista ng secretary, si Jamei ang mga pangalan. Isa si Jamei sa mga nakasuot ng salamin sa klase.

"Sino ang maggigitara?" tanong ni Jeremiah ngunit walang nagboluntaryo.

"Mica ayaw mo?" tanong ni Desteen.

"Gusto pero kulang kasi yung mga sasayaw kaya sasayaw nalang ako," sagot niya. She's petite with curly long hair that she often knots into a pony tail. "How about Jamei?"

Nag-isip kaonti si Jamei then she said yes.

Jay was assigned to lead the team. Actually they are all qualifed to be leaders. But he is the focal person kasi he's good in singing and dancing kaya malaking percentage ng decisions ay manggagaling sa desisyon niya.

He's in front hearing suggestions and opinions from the team. Lahat may kanya-kanyang views and suggestions. What's good in here is that hindi takot ang mga tao to voice out their thoughts because since 7th Grade we were trained to be the Créme of the Crop, the best of the bests.

It's hard to come up with final decisions kasi lahat may gustong sabihin, walang gustong magpatalo.

But then again, these people are intelligent and they know much of Right Conduct kaya there's still respect. And they know when to shut up. Pero dahil siguro sa excitement, they became unaware that Jay in front feels very insulted with them talking to one another.

"DAMN THIS SCHOOL. DAMN THIS ORGANIZATION. DAMN THIS COMPETITION. DAMN YOU ALL! YOU SAY YOU'RE INTELLIGENT BUT YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO RESPECT WHO'S TALKING IN FRONT! BULLSHIT!"