El Entre

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Her hair was that of a setting sun. It's composed of different shades of red, orange and yellow. It was long, with curls like the waves of the sea. But it suits her. With her milky white skin and a jaw that made her look like a proud goddess, I could never think of anyone else who could pull off such look.

Gamit ang isang sticky note, naglagay ako ng note sa tabi nito. Tumunog ang cellphone ko hudyat na may isang oras na lamang ako bago ang susunod kong klase. Malalim na lamang akong napabuntong hininga. One hour and I'm still stuck with the characters. Out of frustration, I started kicking my feet underwater. Muli akong napahinga ng malalim bago muling bumalik sa pagbabasa.

"Sabi ko na nga ba dito kita mahahanap eh!" napalingon ako sa nagsalita. I gave her a warm smile before going back to what I was reading.

Hinubad nya ang suot nyang sapatos at medyas saka umupo sa tabi ko. Gaya ko, binabad nya rin sa tubig ang mga paa.

"Bakit ba ang hilig mong mag-aral sa pool? In case hindi mo po alam, may library po tayo. Meron din tayong mga reading nooks na nagkalat sa iba-ibang parte ng campus, and then there is the classroom. Yet of all the places, napili mo talagang mag study sa pool." komento nya.

"I'm cramming so I need water." maikli kong sagot. She knew very well why I usually soak my feet in water. In an odd way, it calms me down and makes me think more clearly.

She looked over what I was reading.

"Hindi ka pa tapos sa assignment natin?" nagtataka nyang tanong. I can't blame her, I'm the kind of person who never write an assignment in school.

"Unfortunately, hindi pa." ani ko sa pagitan ng isang buntong hininga. "May party na naganap kagabi sa bahay. It was too loud so I can't really concentrate." annoyed kong paliwanag. It's the beginning of the busy week in school and yet my inconsiderate step-sister chose to do her party during the most crucial time of my life! A week before midterms!

"You're too serious Raia, loosen up a bit. May isang oras ka pa at halos patapos ka na. Don't worry too much. Ako nga hindi pa nagsisimula e." ani nya sabay hagalpak ng tawa. Napailing nalang ako. Kita mo to, kung makatingin sa'kin kanina, tapos 'di pa pala nakakapagsimula.

Minsan talaga nahihiling ko nalang na sana kayang kong maging kasing carefree nya. Na hindi matakot na hindi makapasa ng takdang aralin, o kaya naman ay magkaroon ng mababang marka. Sometimes I wonder what it feels like to live that way? But I knew that's something I could never do.

"I'm not like you Elli. Hindi ako mayaman kaya kailangan kong mag-aral ng mabuti kung gusto kong magkaroon ng magandang kinabukasan." sagot ko habang sinusulat ko ang tema ng maikling kwento na binabasa ko.

"Ouch ha." ani nya though alam ko na hindi naman nya iyon dinibdib. "Kung makasabi ka ng mayaman, pano nalang kayo na may dalawang bahay, limang sasakyan at nagmamay-ari ng isang buong condominium building, anong tawag sa inyo ha?" sarcastic nyang turan.

"Kay dad 'yon." I said trying not to show the bitterness in my voice. Kung napansin man iyon ni Elli ay hindi na sya nagkomento pa. Mahigpit akong napahawak sa ballpen na nasa kamay ko.

I was actually an orphan, until thirteen years ago, a very rich couple who can't bear a child adopted me. From then on, I had a happy family. I was well-loved, well-provided, I had everything I could ever ask for. But then, 7 years later, my mom died because of Lupus, and everything was shattered. Dad was devastated, and no comfort could ever reach his shattered heart.