Play The Game (COMPLETED)

Chapter 01

#PTG01 Chapter 01

They said that it's a man's world, and I couldn't agree more. Bata pa lang ako, kailangan ko na lang patunayan ang sarili ko—otherwise, I wouldn't be taken seriously. I could still remember when I was in high school, I wasn't allowed to run as president of the student council kahit mas magaling naman ako doon sa nanalo. The reason? Babae kasi ako. Lalaki daw dapat kapag president. It was so annoying. It was annoying to be a woman because you always have to prove yourself, work twice as hard. But really, what could I do but to prove them how wrong they are?

"Katherine," my Dad said using his warning tone. He was frowning when he accidentally read my enrollment slip. To say that he wasn't a fan of me entering law school would be the understatement of the century.

I pressed my lips together. Ugh. I should've just accompanied Joey papunta sa Cavite. If I did, I wouldn't have to deal with this. The last thing that I wanted was to argue with my parents. They gave me everything—but they couldn't stop me from doing this. I knew I could do more—and so I would.

I'm a very ambitious person. Pretty sure that this would be my downfall. I never know when to stop.

"I'm already enrolled, Dad."

"Don't you want to work?"

"I want to... but I also want to try law school."

"Try?" he asked, obviously disappointed with my choice of word. "If you're not sure, you'll just be wasting your time. Just help us with the family business."

I sighed. "One year," I replied. "Just give me a year to figure things out... If I didn't like law school, I promise I'll help you," dugtong ko pa. He still didn't seem convinced, though. "I promise din na I'll finally agree to meeting your friend's son."

That seemed to have convinced him. Finally, I got him off my back. But even then, I knew that I have to work extra hard. Alam ko na if hindi maganda ang grades ko sa law school, mas lalo lang silang magkakaroon ng dahilan para paalisin ako doon. Hindi ko alam kung gusto lang talaga nila akong ma-challenge or wala lang talagang bilib sa akin ang mga magulang ko.

Either way, I'll slay law school.

Or die trying.

* * *

After my not so pleasant talk with my father, I went to my room and decided to read the Constitution. Gusto ko sanang tanungin si Jax about law school... but asa naman akong papansinin ako nun. Baka pilosopohin lang ako nun. If not for Joey, he wouldn't even talk to me! Nakaka-inis, but the more na hindi niya ako pansinin, the more na mas magpapapansin ako sa kanya! Lalo na ngayon na nasa iisang lugar na lang kami.

Reading the 1987 Constitution made me fall asleep na nagising ako, umaga na. I went about with my usual day routine. I still had a week left before the real law school hustle begins kaya naman balak ko na sulutin talaga iyon. I initially planned na manggulo sa kung sinumang kaibigan ko ang available, but also decided na pumunta muna sa Rex Bookstore para bumili ng libro. So far, codals pa lang ang meron ako. I really wanted to do an advance read kasi ayoko na mapag-iwanan ako sa class. I really despise the feeling of not knowing the answer kapag tinanong ako ng professor. And I am not fearless enough to go to class unprepared—ikamamatay ko ang anxiety.

I went to the bookstore. I had no idea what to buy kasi iba-iba iyong recommendations na nababasa ko online... It would really help kung hindi lang tingin sa akin ni Jax ay tinik sa tagiliran niya. I needed help to choose books!

Tahimik akong nags-scan ng libro para sa Criminal Law I nang may mag-abot sa akin ng libro. Agad na nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita ko si Jax sa harap ko. I knew it! Mas liliit ang mundo namin kapag nasa law school na rin ako! I mean, it wasn't really the reason why I attended, but it was a nice perk, seeing Jax around. I definitely wouldn't complain!