Takipsilim

Special Chapter: Perfect Strangers

(A/N: The events in this special chapter took place a year before Yael and Katherina met during their Freshmen Orientation in Malaya University.)

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"Negative b plus minus square root of b squared minus 4ac..." A nervous 16-year-old Katherina Hontiveros was silently mumbling a few mathematical formulas while waiting inside their car. In exactly one hour, she would be taking the entrance test at Malaya University, the most prestigous University in the country.

She kept on fidgeting and biting the dry skin off her lips. While she prepared well for the exam, she could not help but get anxious about the outcome for two reasons: one, she wanted so badly to study in Malaya and end her home-schooling days for good, and two, she did not want to disappoint her mother, Clara Hontiveros.

Based on historical data, the national passing rate for the Malaya University College Admission Test (MUCAT) stands at more or less than 10%. Katherina wanted so badly to make it through, for it was just Malaya or home-schooling for her.

"Ma'am, hindi pa po ba kayo mahuhuli? Baka po matagalan pa kayo sa paghahanap ng kwarto ninyo." Mang Renato, one of their old family drivers, looked at her through the car's rearview mirror.

Katherina knew he was right. She insisted on staying inside the car even though they arrived there two hours ago, for she was feeling antsy not only for the exams but also because it was her first time to be inside a classroom with many other kids.

Do I say hi? What if I look like a freak to them?

She knew that if she stayed a minute longer, she might be late for her exams.

Bumuntung-hininga ang dalaga at inayos ang kanyang bag. "Sige po, Mang Renato. 5PM po matatapos ang exam. Dito nyo na lang din po ako sa lugar na ito balikan."

Tumango ang lalaki. Bumaba na si Katherina sa kanilang sasakyan at nagsimulang maglakad palayo.

"Ma'am Kath!" Nagulat ang dalaga nang tawagin siya ni Mang Renato.

"Goodluck po. Alam kong kayang-kaya nyo yang exam 'nyo." Malawak ang ngiti at naniningkit ang mga mata ng matandang lalaki.

Nagulat si Katherina at hindi na nakasagot. She was not used to people in their household showing affection to her, and Mang Renato's words warmed her heart.

He was the only person who wished her luck in this entrance exam, and for Katherina, it was more than enough.

The young woman walked around campus.  She clipped her test permit card between her teeth and took pictures with her phone. The lush surroundings amazed her, and the old buildings looked majestic to her. Her hands wanted to make a painting of the University's beauty right then and there.

All around her were thousands of high school seniors who all aspired to become future Malaya University students.

Hindi rin nakawala sa paningin ng dalaga na lahat ng mga kapwa niya examinees ay may kasamang mga magulang, kapatid, o kaibigan.

How I wish Mom came here with me today, she thought.

Still, she did not let loneliness consume her. Katherina closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and tried her best to smile.

"Malaya University, you are mine!"

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"Huwaaat?! Iba na naman ang sagot ninyo?!" Tila naiiyak na si Sam habang nakikinig kina Regan at Maia na nagpapalitan ng kanilang mga sagot sa natapos na exam.