The Fat Girl

Chapter 4

[[REVISED]]

Napahilot ako sa sintido ko habang umiling-iling. Hindi ko anong pakulo na naman ito.

‘Daniel...’ Nagagalit na bulong ko sa aking isipan.

“Daniel what’s the meaning of this?” Mahinahon na tanong ko na sapat para makarinig siya, no, para makarinig ang lahat na nasa loob ng classroom.

Napakamot naman siya sa kanyang batok at napaiwas ng tingin.

“I just wanted to say sorry for what happened yesterday.” He uttered.

“Oh... the lies you've been telling yesterday? Nah, let's forget it.” Sambit ko sabay ngiti ng peke.

‘He almost did it...’

“And hey,” Tawag ko ulit sa kanya, because I just wanted to clarify one thing. “about what I've said yesterday wasn't true. I ain't a bully so it's impossible.”

Magsasalita pa sana ulit ako kaso may sumulpot na tatlong butete.

Sophia, Soffany, Sophie.

“Because she used to be bullied. Right my dearest Nerdy Pig?” Pang-aasar sakin ni Sophia.

Tumawa naman ang mga kaklase ko except for Daniel that was shocked. Tinignan niya naman ako na may halong pagtataka at awa na nakaguhit sa kanyang mukha.

‘He was suffering depression...’

Ngumiti lang ako kahit medyo nasasaktan na yung feelings ko. Pero medyo sanay na rin ako sa ganitong scenario. So... I think I will be fine.

“So, Natalie my dear.” Tawag naman sakin ni Soffany. “Maaari mo bang sagutin yung mga takdang aralin natin sa Filipino? Alam kong walang-wala lang yan sayo. But I can tell our classmates that you will be the one to answer it all.” Ngisi niya. Na ikina-ngisi rin nila Sophia at Sophie.

I was about to say something but I noticed Ma'am Clara has already here in the front. She was not mad nor smiling. Only neutral. And I don't know if she heard Sophia and Soffany's word.

“Daniel you may now go out. Class is starting and better catch up your grade on my subject.” Sambit ni Ma'am Clara sa kanya, habang si Daniel ay tumatango-tango lamang at agad ring umalis taking one last glance to me. Binalingan naman kami ni Ma'am Clara. “Natalie, Sophia, and Soffany remain standing. The rest sit down.” Dagdag ni Ma'am.

“Remain standing? Pft. What the heck Ma'am? I didn't do anything wrong!” Sigaw ni Sophia.

Tinignan naman siya ni Ma'am Clara, “I hate bullies and liars, Sophia. Or you wanted to go home early and I will call your parents for being a bitch today?” Galit na tugon ni Ma'am.

Napairap naman si Sophia at galit na tumabi kay Soffany na tahimik lang sa tabi ko. Tinignan naman ako ni Sophia, and she mouthed its-all-your-fault-pig.

Napayuko naman ako, my confidence were gone. And I was just feeling brave and all those pain were staying in my heart... lifting.

‘If I wasn't fat, could I live more normal? No bully and not being bullied. Can befriend with anyone that can't insult you for being fat. And not being hated by my father.’

I remembered my Mom said, ‘Being fat is being healthy.’ but David disagreed he says, ‘Being fat is being lazy to do diets!’.

My visions on the floor were being slowly blurred, and I know my tears was about to fall. But I fight back and forced my self to not it fall.

“Huy tabachoy,” rinig kong tawag sakin ni Soffany. Pero hindi ako lumingon, she'll just insult me anyways. “Wag mong pigilan ang sarili mo na umiyak. Because there is one day, carrying that heaviness pain and end up crying so hard until you'll cry blood.”

After the morning classes, which is now lunch break, were shocking. Hindi ko aakalain na pinagsabihan ako ni Soffany nang ganun. Which is she was serious saying that. I wonder if she had that experience.

‘Crying Blood. Pft.’

Which is truly impossible.

Pumunta ako sa library at pumili ng kung anong-ano na libro para basahin. Anything just to waste my time and head to class afterwards. Hindi na ako kumain ng lunch, pampabawas weight na rin. And I was really trying it hard.

“Natalie?” rinig kong tawag sakin na may pamilyar na boses.

Napalingon naman ako sa likuran ko at nakita ko si Nephan na kumakaway habang may dala na maraming libro. And of course, Daniel with his infamous annoyed face. He doesn't like the smell of books huh?

“Hey.” simple kong bati. “what brings you here, Nep?” taka kong tanong sa kanya. Which is obviously maang-maangan ko.

Napangiti naman siya, “Ibibigay ko lang ito kay Ma'am SARDINES na inuutos sakin ni Mr. Tuna.”

“Oh.” na lamang ang nasabi ko.

“Hey,” tawag ulit sakin ni Nep. “gusto ko lang sana magpapasama na kumain sayo, okay lang ba?” nahihiya niyang tanong sakin.

Bigla namang tumingin si Daniel sa kanya at sa akin.

“Nephan akala ko ba na sasama ka samin ni Nicholas kumain?” inis na tanong ni Daniel kay Nep.

Siniko naman ni Nep si Daniel, “kakasawa na kayong kasama eh. Puro babae topic.”

‘You are the only one who can help him, Natalie.’

“At sigurado naman ako na hindi sasabay ulit si Nicholas satin. Why bringing him up?” dagdag ulit ni Nep.

Namula naman sa kahihiyan si Daniel at umiwas ng tingin, “wala kasi akong kasama at hindi ako sanay kumain mag-isa dito. Tapos sasama ka sa iba na hindi mo kilala? Psh.” medyo galit na sambit niya.

“Kung gusto mong sumama just spell it out. Don't waste a second for the utters you take.” sabi ko at tumayo na sa pagka-upo ko. And returned the book by it's proper place. “so Nep, saan tayo kakain?” tanong ko kay Nep at ngumiti.

‘Just this one, Nat. And it will never happen again.’

Nagulat naman si Nep sa sinabi ko, “Sigurado ka ba?” hindi naniniwalang tanong niya. Napataas naman ako ng kilay. “baka kasi nagda-dalawang isip ka.”

“Every word I will say is thought and true. So don't worry. I haven't eaten yet.” sagot ko at tumawa ng mahina.

“Doon tayo sa karenderia.” Masayang sambit ni Nep at daling-dali binigay ang mga libro kay Ma'am SARDINES.

“You'll regret this, Torres.” Mahinang pagkasabi ni Daniel sakin.

He sure is moody.