The Prominent 8

CHAPTER 9

There are more contest on the following days and in July 31 will be the awarding.

ALBERT'S POV

"Okay! Very good my dear fellow officers!
Clap your hands, clap your hands"

"So because of that, I will treat you all a dinner tonight!"

I saw happiness in their eyes.
"Oh really? Yes!"
"You're so good Albert!" they said.
"Yeah, yeah, my pleasure!"
I looked at Jonathan.

"Jonathan, you’ll go with us?" I asked.
"I'll think of that." he said and smiled.
"Iba ka talaga Jonathan!"
__________________

Lunch time!
"Oh, I know! I'll go eat with Jonathan!"
I instantly looked for Jonathan at the cafeteria.
"Hi Albert!" someone called me, and I looked at from where it came from.
"Come eat with us!"
They were telling me to eat with them.
"Sorry, but I'll eat now with my friend!" I said and continued on looking for Jonathan. I was raising my head and when I turn at the side

"Aah!" I screamed, I was shocked!
"Jonathan! You made me scream like a gay!"

"Did I surprise you?"
"Yes you did!" napakamot ako sa ulo ko.
I tapped his back.
"I just wanna eat with you."
"S-sorry, am not friendly.." he said with a low voice.
"Then I should be." I smiled and bring him with me to a table and sat down.

"So know.. Let's be friends!" I said.
"Thank you, but am not talkative like--"
"Just shut up, alam ko po bro. Aha! Bro tatawag ko sayo."
He just nodded.
"E-ee" I smiled fakely.
"Okay, let's have a fist bump!" I said.
"Fist bump."
"Let's eat."

While eating I noticed someone on the other table, eating alone.
"Hey Jonathan, you knew that guy right?"
"Huh?"
"Over there.." I pointed him.
"Ahh, him.. They call him nerd."
"I call him that too!"
"He's Paul."

I looked at the boy again. I saw sadness in his eyes while eating.
"Pssst." I called him.
Napansin niya ako. I smiled and waved at him. He didn't give me a response and he just continue on eating.
"Ouch, kinda rude."

"Makipagkaibigan lang oh.."
"I don't like having friends." he uttered.
"Ouch, double kill." I said and shake my hands.

"Okay, is this really his attitude?" I asked Jonathan and he nodded.

"If you wanna be friends with me, you should also love books." Paul said.
"Look, I like books but I don't read 'em the whoooleee daaay."
"Then we can't be friends."

Ohhh he's getting on my nerves!
"Okay okay, let's just stop talking." I said and continue on eating.
And I was surprised when Paul sat beside me.
"Wooh.. W-why--"
"We're friends now." he said and smiled.
Jonathan chuckled.

"Hindi talaga kita maintindihan."
"I was just joking. I know I'm being rude." he said.
"Just don't do it again, don't!" I show him my palm saying stop it.
"You can't tell me what to do."
"Fine, then just do what you want."
___________________

I was waiting for my dad to come and pick me up when Diana passed through.
"Diana, hi!"
Napahinto siya at lumingon sakin.
"Hello."
"Uuwi kana?" I asked. Why am I asking such an obvious question.
"Oo, uwi na ako inaantay na ako ni ina."
"S-sorry Binibini." I bow two times.
"Okay lang, you don't have to do that. Sige bye."
At nagpatuloy siya sa paglalakad.

DIANA'S POV

Malapit na ako sa bahay namin, nagmadali ako ng marinig ko ang boses ni Ina na sumisigaw.
"Nay!"
Lumabas si Nanay mula sa bahay.
"Nak patawarin mo 'ko." ani niya na umiiyak at lumuhod sa harapan ko.
"Bakit?"

"Umalis na kayo! Hindi naman kayo makabayad!" sabi ng landlord.
Sa totoo, wala talaga kaming permanenteng bahay.

"Please, bigyan niyo lang kami ng isang pagkaka---"
"Pagkakataon? Ubos na yung pasensya ko sa inyo!"
"Lumayas na kayo!" she yeld at us.

Hinagis niya ang mga gamit namin sa labas. Pati mga artworks ko.
"Itong artworks mo? Wala itong maitulong sayo!"
And she torn it into pieces.
I break down crying.
"B-bakit ba, bakit---"
"Basta lumayas na kayo, hindi na nga ako halos nakapagbigay ng mga pangangailangan ng mga anak ko!"

I hugged Nanay, napakahirap nga pamumuhay namin. Wala na kaming ibang magawa kundi hahanap na naman ng matitirhan.

"Nanay, di muna ako mag-aaral." I uttered.
Nasa waiting shade lang kami nakaupo.
Gabi na at ang lamig ng simoy ng hangin.

"Hindi pwede Diana."
"Hahanap nalang ako ng part-time job."

"Nak, ipagpatuloy mo ang pag-aaral. Ako na bahala, kasalanan ko naman ito."
"Nay, wala kang kasalanan."
I hugged her and lay my head in her shoulders.