The Ugly Duckling (PUBLISHED UNDER PSICOM)

Ugly #5

Transferring on my last year was really difficult. It’s a good thing na may kakilala si Dad sa University na ito kaya it wasn’t as complicated. Daddy really negotiated hard with my credited subjects. May tatlong major subjects ako na hindi pinagbigyan kaya instead of eighteen units, naging loaded ang first semester ko. I can’t take them on my second semester naman dahil magiging busy ako sa OJT by that time for sure.

I’m taking BS Psychology. Hindi ako mahilig sa mathematics like my mom who finished engineering. I’ve never considered architecture na siya namang course ni Daddy. Avis on the other hand, studied Mass Communication. I have no idea what her job is, pero basta nagwo-work siya sa isang magazine company which is owned by the Fajardos na kamag-anak namin. Pinsan ni Daddy ang owner ng Glamour. Si Tito Yvan. Pero mas malapit kami kay Tito Xavier, who’s also working on the same company.

Our parents never told us what course to take. They just supported us. Kaya eto at Psychology ang kinuha ko. I’m still undecided with my life and I found Psychology interesting that’s why I took it.

Hindi ako matalino at masipag kagaya ni Avis. I’m an average student. I slack a lot like most students too. Siguro dahil iyon sa party girl ako. Pero hindi ko pa rin napapabayaan ang grades ko. Hindi iyon bumababa ng C+. I’m happy with it though.

“Dito mo na lang ako ibaba, Luke Dashiel.” Sabi ko kay Luke when I saw that we’re a few blocks away from the University na. Ayaw kong makita na inihahatid ng isang magarang kotse. I stopped using Avis’ old beetle car dahil ang isang mahirap na estudyante, walang kotse. At hindi magiging kapani-paniwala ang pagiging mahirap ko kung gagamit ako ng isang Volkswagen na sasakyan. Granted that it’s old, saan ka nakakita ng scholar student na may sasakyan at kayang mag-afford ng panggasolina araw-araw? Mahirap ang sumabay sa iba at magcommute pero ginusto ko to.

“Susunduin ba kita mamaya?” Ngumuso ako.

“Not sure. I’m going to call you na lang.”

He sighed. “Stop commuting, Les. It’s not safe.”

“Hindi naman ako nagje-jeep. Nagta-taxi ako.”

“It’s still not safe, Les. Paano kung mangyari sa’yo yung mga nasa news? I’m not happy about this. It’s stupid to commute when you have your own car.”

“Luke.” I grunted. He’s being annoying na naman. Over protective talaga sa akin si Luke ever since. He treats me like a little sister that needs some guidance, kaya ayun. Minsan I find it sweet pero minsan, it gets really exasperating.

“Les. Don’t be stubborn.”

“Fine. Oo na po, Kuya Luke. Magpapasundo na po ako sa’yo. Or kay Avis. I’m not going to commute. I’ll call you, okay po?”

“You better. Dahil kapag hindi mo ako tinawagan, I’m going to tell Tita Ava that you’re commuting.” Napairap ako sa kanya.

“Sumbungero!”

“Concerned.” I rolled my eyes again and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. Opening the car door, I gave him a wide smile.