Painting Dusk

Chapter 1

Alone

Peace. Isang bagay na inaasam ng lahat ng tao. Calmness of your inner self. The assurance and safety you feel everytime you sleep at night.

Kapayapaan, isang pakiramdam na malayo sa karahasan at kaguluhan ng mundo, kapayapaan at kalayaan ng isang tao.

However... in my life arriving at peace has always been a struggling fight.

" Frances, she's Mrs.Castro she'll be your tutor this year "

my dad introduced a middle aged woman. My mom was always not around sabi ni dad inaasikaso daw niya yung business namin sa states.

" But dad I'm on top of my class tsaka, I can study on my own already"

" No, Frances. You're graduating elementary this year at we can't afford you losing to Vice Mayor Dela Vega's son. We need to be sure okay. "

He said in a very stern manner

I want to decline pero alam ko namang wala na rin akong maggagawa.

" Yes, dad " it was always my default answer

I was just twelve that time, pero nakatatak na sa musmos kong isip na dapat kong sundin kung anuman ang sabihin ng mga magulang ko. Para maging isang mabuting anak at para maging karapatdapat sa marangyang buhay na ibinigay nila sa akin. Even at a young age I knew I had to do everything to provide for their biddings, because it's my part and I'm obliged to do so.

That year I graduated as the valedictorian of our class and Nikkolai Dela Vega was the salutatorian.

" Congratulations Ms. Valedictorian "

It was Nikkolai. He was a very cheerful boy. Kahit ata alam ng buong school ang rivalry namin at ng aming mga ama ay hindi parin siya nag aalinlangang lapitan ako.

I looked at him

" Is this your way of mocking me? What a sore loser. "

He just laughed

" Easy there I'm not a sore loser plus I know you deserve it, I can't win over you. Hayyyyy... patay na naman ako kay dad nito hahahha "

He just laughed it all out. Somehow I feel him. I know how it feels to be pressured, but it must be worse for him because he disappointed his father.

I was startled at how he handled disappointment. Maybe if I were him I'd cry my heart out or probably sulk myself to death.

" I.... I'm so.. . .sorry " I silently said

Mas lalo lang tumawa

Napatingin ako sa kanya

" Ano ka ba it's not your fault. It's actually mine. I can't beat you, though it would really be great kung matatalo kita pero... Wala eh" he smiled sincerely

I just looked at him still apologetic

" Cut that look. Don't be a sore winner, besides you look like a puppy about to cry " he said laughing at my face

Naginit ang ulo ko sa sinabi niya. Not with dogs. Compare me with anything but not with dogs those creatures are hideous, I mean no offense it's just me, pero hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit ang daming nacu-cutan sa kanila.

" Hitting below the belt huh? Is that your way of revenge Mr. Salutatorian" I said emphasizing the last two words

He laughed and continuously opened topics to spark our conversation.