Wretched Choices

Chapter 19

#WretchedChoicesWP

Chapter 19
Spotlight

I gave myself an invisible reward after the brief confrontation with Archer. I was very lucky enough that I didn't bump into him for the rest of the day. Kinabukasan naman ay sa subject na kaklase ko siya, naging abala kami para sa pagfi-finalize ng aming research paper para sa reporting kinabukasan. I was also too focused on my report that my mind and eyes didn't wander once. Si Hope din ay mas lalong naging seryoso lalo na't hindi kami nagkita kahapon.

If ever my bad luck would be tested once again and I would be partnered with Hope for the second time around, I hoped she would just zip her mouth like what she did while we were finalizing our report. Our flow got smoother, and we agreed on so many terms which was very unlikely, to be honest.

"I hope you'll review your part tomorrow. I can't speak on your behalf so, please, please, do your part well. I'm confident our research paper will get a high grade. I can't afford to have a low grade for our reporting."

We stayed inside the library after our classes for today. We reviewed and went through all the slides of our powerpoint presentation just to make sure that there wouldn't be any mistakes nor corrections.

"Anyway, don't worry because I'll go through your research, too," she added and smiled reassuringly. "During the Q&A part, if our professor won't ask you to answer, I'll answer the questions so, you don't need to be troubled. But don't be too complacent because she might call you if she catches you daydreaming during our report."

Lahat ng sinabi niya ay pinalabas ko lang sa aking kabilang tainga. I decided not to let her words affect me negatively. I'm just going to surprise her tomorrow and make sure that she'd be left speechless after our report. Iyong tipong wala na siyang masasabi dahil napatunayan ko na ang kakayahan ko.

That's the best thing to do in this situation instead of stressing myself out because of her closed mind and hopefully, it would make her see things better.

Whenever people are doubting you, do everything to prove them wrong. Make sure that they wouldn't see any signs of weakness to underestimate you again. Make them realize that they've mistaken you for a pyrite when you're a real gold.

As soon as I got home, I ate dinner, took a shower, and went to sleep right away. Maaga akong gumising kinabukasan. Hindi pa sumisikat ang araw ay nirereview ko na ang aming report. I mentally noted the answers for possible questions our professor might throw us. Just like Hope, I also reviewed her part. Baka kasi sa sobrang kayabangan niya ay siya pa ang makalimot o baka masyado siyang magtuon sa parte ko para lamang may mapatunayan.

Nasa plano ko rin ang maagang pumasok ngayon kaya mag-aalas-sais pa lang ay bumaba na ako para kumain ng umagahan. I was surprised to see my mother at the dining who was almost finished eating her breakfast and ready to go with her handbag on the top of the dining table.

Ang huling pagkikita namin ay noong bumisita pa kami ni Archer sa ospital. She was always out of my sight since then. She kept on avoiding me.

Bakas sa kanyang mukha ang pagkagulat nang makita ako. Mabilis siyang uminom ng tubig at pinunasan ang kanyang bibig gamit ang table napkin.

"Ang aga mo ngayon," puna niya at saka ngumiti sa akin na parang wala lang. "Kumain ka na ng umagahan. Patapos na ako."

"Where are you going?" I asked without taking my eyes off her and ignoring her greetings.

She looked slightly hesitant, but she still answered me despite of it. "To the hospital..." she said. "I'll just process some papers."

Muli akong ginapangan ng kaba. Kaya siya laging wala sa bahay ay dahil nasa ospital siya. She's rarely home. According to out househelps, she would only come home to sleep, shower, and change her clothes.