RUN FOR YOUR LIFE

CHAPTER 1: WELCOME

Chapter 1: WELCOME

Year 2070

LABING isang taong gulang ako nang lubusan kong mapansin na tila hindi pantay ang pakikitungo ng buong Capital sa mga babae at lalaki. Men are much privileged than women. Men can vote, prioritized for education, and other benefits were given to them. Not to mention that most leaders are men, which is why I began to think that it was the reason for inequality. Kung isa lang sana sa mga opisyal ay babae, then, there will be no more inequality. No gender discrimination. There will be equal rights for both men and women.

Just one female official and then inequality will be abolished. Back then, I decided that when I grow older, I will become one of the officials of the Capital. For seven years, I kept that goal in mind and now is the commencement of my journey to achieve it.

"Sunny!"

Napalingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses na tumawag sa akin at napangiti ako nang matanaw ang kaibigan kong si Stella.

"Sigurado ka na ba sa pasya mo?" tanong niya sa akin at hinagod ako ng tingin. "Kaya mo ba'ng makisalamuha sa kanila roon sa Academy? Sabi ni Ronnie, masasama raw talaga ang ugali ng mga nag-aaral sa Academy lalo na ang mga taga-1st Ward."

Si Ronnie ay ang kapatid ni Stella na nag-aaral sa Academy. The Capital is subdivided into five wards and each ward must have at least three officials.

Elites are from the 1st Ward, while poorest are on the 5th Ward—the one farthest from the Capital that most benefits are always delayed. And I luckily belong to the 3rd Ward, or the middle class. Bawat ward ay may eskwelahan para sa mga mamamayan to teach them basic education but once everyone completed basic education, maaari silang mag-aral sa akademya na nasa 1st Ward. Limang taon na ang lumipas mula nang maging bukas ang akademya sa lahat ng papasa sa test. From what I heard, the academy opened for all when the Capital decided to launch the Project: RUM.

In fact, iilan lamang ang babae na naroon. Other females left because of the rampant gender discrimination while others chose not to try their luck at nanatili sa kani-kanilang ward at nag-asawa na lamang.

"I don't care. I'll try not crossing paths with them," sagot ko, although it seems impossible. The academy is dominated by men of the 1st Ward.

Ngayon ang araw na aalis ako ng 3rd Ward at susubukan ang kapalaran ko sa akademya. Nagulat na lamang ako nang may nakabalot na bagay na iniabot si Stella sa akin.

"Para sa 'yo."

Nagtataka man ay tinanggap ko pa rin iyon at binuksan. Isang malaking hiwa iyon ng karne ng baka. My eyes shifted from the smoked meat to her.

"Stella . . ."

"Alam ko!" maluha-luhang wika niya. "Kaya kailangang kainin mo na 'yan. Para 'yan kay Ronnie pero hindi naman niya mapapansin na binawasan ko, 'di ba?"

I can't help but smile. She stole some meat for me. It may seem something unlawful but the thought of giving it to me counts.