Chasing The Sun

Chapter One: Nemesis

#CTSNemesis

My parents are filthy rich. And that explains why I seem to have every thing in the world. Papa and Tito Alfred Cuhaci, his best friend, are business partners and co-founders of the C&C or Clemente & Cuhaci. It's one of the leading international companies in the design and consulting industry sa Asia. Papa earned his PhD in environmental engineering and then doctorate naman in Harvard. Parehas sila ng school ni Tito Alfred, though, si Tito naman ay civil engineering ang kinuha and also an MSc in Engineering.

Sabi ni Mama para raw silang mga halimaw lalo na sa acads and career. Na parang laging may paligsahan sa kanilang dalawa and no one dared to back down. It's a friendly competition kaya naman along the way ay mas lumalim ang friendship nila.

"I have defeated you, Hidalgo! I haven't lost my wits to anyone nor anything," natatawang sambit ni Tito Alfred noong inimbitahan namin siya sa dinner some time ago.

Umiling-uling si Papa noon at humilig kay Mama, planting a soft and quick kiss on her cheek. "I have bent the knee to my one and only queen. Wait until you find yours, Alfred."

Ganoon lagi ang eksena tuwing nakakarami na sila ng naiinom sa hapag.

Kahit noong bago pa lang nagsimula si Papa at si Tito Alfred, hindi malabong naging tanyag ang company dahil sa pagsusumikap nilang dalawa. Thriving and ambitious! No wonder I became like this.

I was always on top. I claimed every achievement with my will and I never let anything or anyone come in my way. I fight fair and square because that holds my entirety.

I'm a Clemente and triumphs are a source of pride. Well, it runs in the genes.

I stood firmly with my group mates and waited for the host to announce the winners. It was our school's foundation day so they held brimming activities such as quiz bees, intellectual fun games, and many more. The teams were separated with colors; red, blue, yellow, and green. I belonged to the red team—my favorite color! Ewan ko, pero para sa akin, it reflects my bravery and passion to be number one.

"We will now move on to the announcement of winners... for the quiz bee!" My heart leaped in excitement! I swear I'm going to claim every award! I waved my little hand at my parents who were watching from their seats. Katulad ko ay pula rin ang suot nila dahil dapat magkatulad ang kulay ng suot ng magulang at anak para sa event na ito. Papa was wearing a red polo shirt, dark pants, and loafers. Oh, he's even wearing a cap the same with mine. Well, I'm a daddy's girl.

            Mama, on the other hand, wore a red chiffon blouse, white fitted pants, and sandals. She kept coaching me to smile and insisted on taking pictures of me as I saw her stretching her arms to find a good angle. Yeah, she's a stage mom.

"Second place goes to... the yellow team!" Roaring cheers and excited squeals filled the area. Ngumiti naman ako sa narinig. That means... maaaring mag-champion kami! Though may first-runner pa naman na i-a-announce, alam kong hindi kami mapupunta roon. Our team worked hard—kahit na alam ko sa sarili ko na halos ako lamang ang sumasagot sa mga binabatong tanong.

"First runner-up goes to... the red team!" The cheers from my classmates roared and I couldn't smile. First runner up only? What? I was scowling and eyed the score board. Nakakunot ang noo ko habang hinihila ako ng isa sa mga kaklase ko sa stage para mag-picture. Pilit na pilit ang ngiti ko habang kinukunan kami ng litrato. I can't believe it!

"Congratulations to our champion, the blue team!"

And just like that, I eyed the score board again at tiningnan kung sobrang lamang ba sila. One point... one point lang ang lamang! Nakita kong medyo mababa ang nakuha naming score sa isang category. May time limit kasi iyon at physically demanding. Kahit na active naman ako, my short legs and limbs can't beat that of a boy. Namataan ko na pababa na ng bleachers sina Mama at Papa. I was pouting the whole time at hindi pa nakakatulong ang paglapit din ng batang lalaking kalaban ko!

His boyish grin lingered on his face and strode some steps towards me. "Better luck next time, Sorina," then he patted my head like a dog. I growled and pushed him! He was taken aback but he was still grinning like an idiot. "There are still lots of games later. Don't feel so bad!" Feeling close pa siya! Just because he's famous among the students doesn't mean he can act like a close friend of mine. Ew!

But then again, only one can be at the top. This day proved it to my face.

"The champion, once again, blue team! Congratulations to everybody!" the host announced. Hindi ko na pinakinggan ang iba pang announcement.

I gripped the red band from my forehead and threw it on the ground. We had lots of activities and our team only went to second best. I can't deal with just being a second best! I was fuming mad when Colt approached me. Our eyes leveled since I'm as tall as him. He was smiling and offered his hand, dirtied with the soil from the sack race. Hindi ako natumba kanina sa kahit anong laro. I was graceful and fast! Pero siya, kahit na nahuhulog siya, kaya niya pa rin akong abutan!

"Congratulations to us!" he merrily spoke, still extending his hand. I sneered and slapped away his hand. He didn't seem to mind. Kahit na medyo nagulat siya sa asal ko, napaltan naman iyon ng isang nakakalokong ngiti.

"Watch and I'll beat you! I'll be number one, like what I have always been!" I snarled at him. Again, he showed his shocked expression but returned to its playful manner. Lumakad siya palapit sa akin hanggang sa tingalain ko siya. He's one of the tallest boys in their class at hindi na ako magugulat kung kalaunan ay mas may itatangkad pa ito. He's in his sixth grade while I'm in my fifth grade. Bukod pa roon ay sikat din siya sa faculty and, well, sa lahat! Isang taon lang ang agwat namin pero kung titingnan ay parang high school na ang tangkad niya. Sabagay, graduating naman na siya.

I glared at him as he continued to get closer that I can almost feel his breath.

"Little Sunshine, have the clouds covered your bright rays? Maybe you should go back and play with your barbies, they might help you win the games next time."

Wow! Ang yabang talaga! Tingnan natin yabang mo ngayon!

"Oh, my gosh! Sorina!" Mama hurriedly held my hand and pulled my body to her side. "What did you do?"

            I didn't answer but instead I watched Colt hold his bleeding nose and get assisted by Tito Diego and Tita Mareen. Yes, I punched him, so what?

"Sorina," my father's voice was low but threatening. Oh, kasalanan ko na naman? Kung hindi ba naman kasi siya nang-aasar eh!

"Oh, Mareen, I'm so sorry," Mama held Tita Mareen's arm and checked on Colt before returning her stern gaze at me. "Sorina, go and apologize!"

Tumungo lamang ako and fiddled my fingers.

"No worries, Andrea. They're kids, it happens," Tita Mareen said and smiled a bit. Tito Diego whispered something to Colt at nakita kong tumango ito bago ako tapunan ng tingin.

"Sorina, don't you think you should apologize?" Papa knelt and held my tiny hands. "It's a friendly game; a friendly competition. This event was meant for you kids to enjoy and develop friendships." Dagdag pa ni Papa. I was pouting and nodded briefly.

I sighed and held my head up high and met Colt's parents. "I'm sorry, Tito and Tita, for what I did to your son," my voice was tiny and a bit fragile, but it was clear and smooth. I walked towards Colt who was still pressing bunch of tissues in his nose. He was just looking at me, void with any emotion.

Ngumiti lamang ako nang payak at tumigil sa harap niya. Pasimple kong pinasok ang kamay ko sa bulsa ko bago iangat ang aking tingin. "I'm sorry, Colt." I held up my hand and watched him carefully. He was a bit hesitant but he managed to lift his hand and hold mine.

            "Ah!" Impit siyang sumigaw habang winiwisik niya ang kanyang kanang kamay. It was a trick-buzzer, okay? Asa naman siyang mag-so-sorry ako!?

I still hear my parents calling my name but I insisted to get inside the car and pretend to be asleep.

Sabi nila Papa, friendly competition ito. Na parang sila ni Tito Alfred.

Well, sila iyon! Because at this very moment, I am freaking declaring Colt Iñigo Apollo as my nemesis.