As The Sun Sets (Mi Amore #1)

10

I didn't have time to relax. I had to keep studying. Akala ko kapag natapos ko na ang lahat kong gagawin ay pwede na akong hindi mag-aral ngayong break. I mean, it's supposed to be a semestral break so why can't I take one?

"So, when will we officially start our buddy read?" Kiel asks while eyeing me and my textbooks, as if observing me.

I shrugged. "Kailangan ko pala mag-aral, e." He tilted his head to the side and kept staring intently at me.

"Sem break na oh. Kauna-unahang araw ng break at andito ka nag-aaral." Saad niya, hindi maalis ang tingin sa akin.

He invited me to the treehouse again. Since it's Monday, my parents weren't around kaya madali akong nakalabas nang ayain niya ako. He said he wanted to read.

"Akala ko ngayon na tayo magsisimula," he urged.

"After studying," tipid na sagot ko.

I have to be on top next semester. Kailangan kong mas pag-igihan pa ang pag-aaral ko. If being in the second spot doesn't deserve to be congratulated, then I have to be number 1 next time. Hindi pwedeng hindi. I'll get there no matter what it takes. I can study to death only to get that spot.

"Bakit may pinag-aaralan ka pa? Nag-aadvance ka?" tanong niya ulit. I sighed and faced him, getting irritated by the noise.

"Magbasa ka nalang diyan at mag-aaral ako. Then I'll let you know once I'm done so we can start reading Warcross, okay?" I calmly told him.

I've been snapping at him a lot these days whenever I find myself annoyed. Hindi ko kasi napipigilan.

Ngumuso siya sa akin pero kalaunan ay tumango na lamang at kinuha ang librong binabasa.

I smiled before browsing my Calculus textbook. Kailangan kong maunahan si Dane. I have to study all these before the new semester para mas marami ang recitation ko at alam kong maraming dagdag na puntos dahil diyan. She's very active while I solely focus on my written work. Kailangan kong bumawi.

"Pero bakit nga kasi?" He asked in the middle of me solving practice tasks. "They're all out there having fun, Kiarah. Why are you stuck here studying?"

I loudly closed my book and faced him.

"Why? Are you mad that they're all having fun and having vacations while you're stuck with me reading? Who invited in the first place?" I asked, clearly annoyed.

His face softened. "Hindi naman iyon ang ibig kong sabihi-"

"Then what? You're free to leave, Kiel. O kung ayaw mong makita akong nag-aaral, then I'll be the one to leave. You go somewhere else and have whatever fun you want," madiin na saad ko.

He sighed. "Nagtatanong lang ako kung bakit nag-aaral ka. Katatapos lang ng exams tapos nag-aaral ka ulit." His tone became gentle, parang nanlalambing iyon.

"I have to do this..." mahinang saad ko.

In order to make my dad proud, I have to do this. I have to keep pushing myself to the be the best. Only then will my dad be proud. Only then will he acknowledge me as his own.

"Para sa future mo?"

I bit my lip and slowly nodded even though I really didn't know as well.

For my future, huh? What exactly is my future?

"Ikaw? Diba honor ka rin? Bakit hindi ka nag-aaral ngayon? Ayaw mo maging top 1?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ko. I was just curious, that's all.

"Honor nga kaso pang-sampu lang sa klase. Hindi ko naman kasi pine-pressure sarili ko na makasali. Kung hindi kasali, okay lang. Kung oo, edi mabuti," sagot niya.