Saving May

11

Something

1. Kyle Marvin P. Dela Veña 97.6%
2. May Jenevin D. Guiverra  95.4%

I sighed.

I was staring at the post before leaving our college. It's been weeks simula ng malaman ko ang results. It's not that I'm not happy, maybe I just expected too much. I thought I did great pero may nakalamang pala. I wasn't even close to his results.

Growing up, I was always at the top. Maybe it was a sign that I can't be at the top forever. But for my Dad. It's possible. Being the perfectionist, hindi niya ito palalampasin.

I sighed again.

"Pasalamat ka't di mabaho hininga mo." I heard July complained. Nasa loob kami ng main library. Gusto niya raw mag internet kaya wala akong choice kundi samahan siya.

I needed to study.  Nagsimula na ang mga seryosong klase. Our majors didn't even consider to slow down their pace in giving activities and requirements. I know it was normal. But sometimes, too much can be a hindrance to anyone.

"Di ka parin maka move on?"

"My Dad is avoiding me." Pag-amin ko while writing some notes on my notebook.

"Because you're not top 1?" Her brows furrowed. July can be a little over dramatic in small things. Mas nabobother siya kaysa saakin.

I shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe."

"Ang babaw naman. Ako nga makapasa lang okay na."

I scoffed. "Clearly, I'm not you."

Sometimes, I envied her for being carefree. Maka 75 lang okay na siya don. Her parents don't pressure her. Which is a great thing.

Me on the other hand, I was the total opposite of it.

"You're smart, May. More than you know." She said. "But sometimes, being smart isn't everything."

Hindi ko alam ang isasagot don. Smart? Was I really that smart?

I gave her a small smile saka nag patuloy sa pag susulat.

༆༆༆

"Great job Ms. Guiverra. You may take your seat."

I gave them a smile saka ako umupo. They eyed me like I did something amazing. I was getting used to it, but I never liked the attention. I prefer to be the lowkey person pero sa tingin ko imposible yan kung itong utak ko ay maraming laman kaya nakakasagot ako.

I was thankful enough at hindi nila ako ginugulo, but except to this one person.

"Hi, May! Kumusta?" At first he was really annoying, pero dahil sa sakanya my serious days were not that boring. He's humble. Everytime the prof's asks us kung sino naka top 1, he never raises his hand. Tinuturo na lang siya ng mga kaibigan niya and would say nothing.

"Hi." I didn't want to be rude so I just said hi.

"By the way, i-send ko later yon part ko para sa report natin ah."

I only nodded and continued reading. Funny is, palagi kaming mag ka grupo. Di ko din alam paano nangyayari iyon. Walang nag rereklamo dahil hindi lang naman kami ang matalino sa room. But, who knows. Di ko alam anong tumatakbo sa mga utak ng classmates namin

"Wow. Gaano kalabo mata mo?"

Kyle was the persistent type. And I am not good with those people. Nakakapagod magsalita pwera na lang kung close kita o importante ka saakin. July and Feb were always noisy, kung di ko silala lubos na kilala baka natarayan ko na sila.

Nagpatuloy lang ako sa pagbabasa so he could understand that I needed to read this chapter. May quiz ako mamaya sa minor ko at feeling major yon na subject.

"Ay sorry. Mukhang busy ka." He giggled. Para siyang bata minsan. Ano kayang mangyari kung mag usap sila ni Miggy? That kid is too mature for his age, but this one I dunno.

"Pasensya na. Long quiz kasi ito." I said, without leaving my eyes on the book.

"Rizal ba?" He asked. I felt his stare to my handouts. Naklaro niya kaagad. Ang sakit sa mata nung font size. I had to highlight some parts.

"Oo." I paused and glance to him. "Meron ka neto?"

He nodded. "Di ko lang alam kung swerte ba kami, puro jokes kasi siya. Nakakalimutan ko tuloy kung ano ba ang tinuturo niya. How to make jokes o buhay ni Rizal?"

I pursed my lips. Bahagya akong natawa. But I couldn't show that to him.

"Ahh.. siguro swerte nga kayo."

"I like studying. Kaya mas gugustuhin kong nasa section niyo ako." He said, then winked.

I only blinked and slowly nodded my head. I don't understand pero sige na lang.

"Di ka ba nilalamig dito?" I was under a tree, a big one. May nauupuan dito. I prefer it here. Presko ang hangin at natatakpan ng puno ang araw. To top everything, less crowd. No disturbance. Until, he arrived.

"It's fine." I mumbled.

Pinagmasdan ko siya, as he slowly closed his eyes. The air swayed his soft hair, even the jacket he was wearing.

"Now I understand kung bakit palagi ka nandito."

I watched him feel the cold breeze habang nakapikit parin. He knew I was always here? Why?

I almost hated him because he got the spot that I worked hard to have it for my father's acknowledgement. But looking back, I can't hate a guy who was genuine and true to himself.

Something I can't even do.