Tears Of An Angel

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Keeping my part of the bargain

I take a deep breath then bite my thumb as I wait for that important announcement that I've been working so hard to get. I walk to and fro while still trying to be positive. You're gonna get it, Chela. You've worked hard for it. 

"Best, will you please sit down and relax?" Mikey, my best friend, says. "Pati naman ako parang na-je-jebs na dahil sa anticipation eh! Chill lang, pwede? Nakakahawa ka, sa totoo lang."

I sit down beside her and breathe out. "Best, what if di ko makuha iyon? What will I do then? Paano na?"

"Chill ka lang, pwede? Be positive. I'm sure ikaw na makaka-kuha doon. No one studied harder than you did, best. Kaya chill ka lang diyan. Let's wait for the announcement."

That's right. I studied so hard just so I could perfect all my exams. I studied hard so I could fulfill my promise to him. 

"Franchesca," 

I look up and see Jake's smiling face. He's one of my persistent suitors. He's also the dean's nephew. Kinakabahang tumayo ako. 

"Jake?" I give him an inquiring look.

He gives me a big smile. "Congratulations, Ms valedictorian."

Tumili si Mikey at niyakap ako ng mahigpit. Habang ako ay parang hindi pa rin makapaniwala. Ilang sandali akong natulala. 

"Congrats, best! You did it! I'm so proud of you. I know how much you worked hard for it. You have to let him know ASAP!"

Napaluha ako sa sobrang saya. "I did it, best... I did it," I say, crying. "My hard work paid off."

"I gotta tell the others about this!" Mikey says with enthusiasm. 

Lumayo pa siya ng konti sa amin habang tinatawagan ang mga kaibigan namin. Nakangiting napailing na lang ako. Then I turn to Jake.

"Thank you, Jake."

He smiles. Actually, hindi pa naman talaga ngayon ang announcement. Pinakiusapan lang siya ni Mikey na alamin kung sinong valedictorian sa tita niya. Walang pagda-dalawang isip na pumayag siya. 

"You're welcome. You deserve it. If you weren't the valedictorian, I would protest in front of my tita's office." 

I chuckle. "Salamat. Thank you so much for doing this."

"Don't mention it. Nag-tanong lang naman ako. Ikaw pa rin ang nag-sunog ng kilay para maging valedictorian." Then his face turns serious. "Good luck sa college. I don't know if we'll see each other again after graduation. We might not study in the same university. But I want you to know that you'll always be special."

"Jake." I don't know what to say. 

Tipid siyang ngumiti. "It's all right. Tanggap ko na."

Jake knows my heart belongs to someone else. But it didn't stop him from courting me. He said I was worth the try. Maybe if I hadn't fallen for Vince, I would've liked Jake. He's such a nice guy. He's also good-looking and smart. A good catch. But I already gave my heart to Vince a long time ago. He is the only one for me. 

I sigh. "I don't know what to say."

He smiles and taps my shoulder. "You don't have to say anything. Kahit kailan naman ay di mo 'ko pinaasa. You've been nothing but honest from the very start." he says, smiling sadly. "I hope he knows how lucky he is."

"You don't have to say anything. Kahit kailan di mo naman ako pinaasa. you've been so honest from the beginning." Huminga siya ng malalim. "I hope he knows how lucky he is."