I'll Remember

Eighth Week

I love studying. Isa ito sa mga bagay na alam kong gusto ko at magaling ako. It is thrilling to learn. Home school man o regular school, I really want to excel at my studies because I want Mommy to be proud of me. I also want to help her in the future. At alam kong ang pinakamagandang sukli sa lahat ng sakripisyo niya, ay ang pag-aaral ng mabuti.

Kaya medyo competitive ako.

Even sayo.

Alam mo naman 'yan diba? Lagi kitang kaklase noong grade school.

"One point lang naman, Ian. Don't be upset." You tried to cheer me up. Medyo nalungkot ako dahil hindi ako nakaperfect sa Science Quiz.

When I asked you of your score, pilit mo pang tinatago sa akin but too late, I've already got a glimpse of your paper.

Perfect! Ikaw na matalino!

"Sa Language test ibabagsak ko, Ian." Seryoso mong sabi. I hit you with a book.

"Baliw! I'm not petty, Sky." I rolled my eyes. "Magagalit ako sayo kapag ginawa mo 'yan!"

Ngumisi ka at walang pasabing umakbay sa akin. "Next time, I'll teach you na lang."

Ang yabang natin eh! Parang ang laki ng lamang mo sa score ko ah!

"No need. I can manage." Pinalis ko ang akbay mo.

"That's my girl!" You pinched my cheeks and quickly ran away before I can hit you again.

"Libre kita ng waffles kapag perfect ka sa Language!" You added while still running.

Years worth of memories came back to me when I stepped inside Princeton's premises again. We used to run around as kids here. Well, mostly you do the running haha. Takot mo lang sa hampas ko!

10th Grade.

First day of class.

For the first time, hindi kita kaklase. I recognize some familiar faces and they seem too happy to welcome me again.  Sobrang awkward lang dahil hindi ko alam kung paano mag- rereact. Hindi ko halos tanda ang mga pangalan ng ilan sa mga naging kaklase natin noon. Kaya ngumingiti na lang ako. I mastered my fake smiles already since we moved to L.A, kaya wala ng makakahalata ngayon.

I find it also really uncomfortable kapag may nagtatanong kung bakit ako umalis at bakit ngayon lang bumalik. Anong nangyari sa kompanya namin. Or narinig ko ba ang balita tungkol sa Dad ko.

People really likes to fish information whenever they got a chance. And I'm too fucked up by life during that time kaya I coldly brushed them off. It's not nice to be nosy of other's business. Close ba kami? Bakit kailangan pang itanong 'yon.

Kaya nang may nag-aaya sa aking kumain ng lunch, I politely declined. I'm not really open to the idea of making friends. Hindi ko rin feel ang ibang mga kaklase ko.

I quickly spotted you in the cafeteria. You were surrounded by your friends and cousins. I tried to be unnoticeable as possible pero hindi nangyari dahil halos lahat nakatingin sa akin.

Heaven quickly came to my side. Kitang kita ko 'yung kunot ng noo mo nang magtama ang tingin natin.

"Hey, join us at our table." Si Heaven.

Para akong lalagnatin nang inalok niya 'yon. Gusto ko lang naman bumili ng pagkain. Naisip ko pang magbaon na lang ng lunch para makaiwas.

I know a lot of things changed since I left. Alam ko ring sobrang hirap mag reconnect. And I really appreciate your cousins' efforts. They actually visited me before the school started. Hindi nila pinaalam sayo, dahil baka daw magtampo ka.