She was known for being the very loud lady in the campus.
She would often ask people around about their opinions, converse with them as if they're already close for such a long time.
In terms of academics, recitations, public-speaking and essay writing would always be her favorite.
She was once the straight-forward opinionated girl.
She was once vocal.
Until things happened.
And it changed her. Everything about her, actually.
They were at the grocery store when a girl suddenly approached Jho's boyfriend. The girl was obviously bitching around him not minding Jhoana's presence.
The girl's actions triggered Jho's patience. She was about to grab her boyfriend's arm when the girl pulled him away.
"Ano ba?!" Jhoana shouted earning the shoppers' attention.
"Let go of him!" she shouted once more.
"Jhoana, tone down your voice, we're in a public place." Her boyfriend said while gritting his teeth trying to control his emotions.
"The hell I care?! Why?! Sino ba siya?!"
"She's my girlfriend." The guy confessed while shyly looking at her.
"Sorry, Jho. I made a mistake."
A hard slap hit the guys cheek. Jhoana immediately walked away and saw a lot of people looking at her.
She wants to die at that very moment. If the earth could evaporate her, she's willing to give in.
She went home and cried as she remembered what happened a while ago. That was absolutely humiliating knowing that some are taking videos also.
She didn't even dare to open her social media accounts. Instead, she deactivated all of it to protect herself as no one's gonna do it for her.
Jhoana graduated with honors. Well, that was no surprise to anyone. She drowned herself in her studies to escape from the burden of the past.
Jhoana didn't bothered to talk to anyone. Necessary times are the only times that she would speak–with very minimal and short words.
It was graduation day when she was asked to do a speech.
Palms sweating, knees trembling and heart beats faster than it should.
She's damn nervous.
She was about to say a word when few familiar faces caught her attention.
It was her ex and his girlfriend, a few guys were behind them and silent laughs are evident in their faces.
"Bungangera kasi. Yan tuloy."
"Tama lang yan, sipsip kasi masyado sa lahat."
"Kala mo famous, eh madaldal lang naman."
Jho recalled what she has overheard after the scene in the grocery.
"Mag-sign language ka nalang!"
A guy shouted that earned some laughs.
"Sigaw ka nalang din uli! Hahahahahah!"
Imagine yourself being humiliated by your batchmates on your graduation day. Plus, in the middle of your speech. How cruel, right?
She looked down and a tear fell on her cheek.
She walked down the stage and was welcomed by her professors.
"Don't mind them. Congratulations, Maraguinot."
She nodded and wiped her tear before heading back to her seat.
-
"Congratulations, Miss Maraguinot! The producers and the directors liked your script. Actually, they are looking forward to meet you very soon and talk about your movie."
"Thank you." she simply said and showed a small smile.
"Would you mind if I ask you something?"
"Not at all, ma'am."
"Let's go somewhere private." the lady stood up and asked Jho to follow her which she obliged.
"Why are you so good in writing yet so silent?"
Jhoana sighed.
"I write, because no one ever wanted to listen."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jhoana is kinda puzzled here. Bare with her.... and also with me. Heheheheh!
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