Expedition towards Success

Chapter 15

The high sunlit clouds drifted across a clear blue sky. The sun rose in a pool of crimson and gold, spilling light all over the land and terra firma. The wind was sighing and thrashing in the tree tops as the boughs whimpered. It was a lovely walk, with the sun rising behind the mountain in a sea of liquid gold.

As I reminisce about Matthew's swift emancipation of his feelings for me, I shut my eyes and felt the soft whispers of the wind. I felt embarrassed for not saying anything that day.

"Can you help me, Andrea? Because I'm already drowning. And not just fallen, but madly smitten."

I was unable to talk. My eyes widened a fraction as I feel those butterflies that tickle my stomach. I could hear the harsh beating of my heart; it felt like it's on my throat.

He tucked my hair at the back of my ears. I struggled to maintain an eye contact. I felt a flush crept up my face.

Wendy whistled and stood up to walk away. I heard her giggles and silly laughs.

The following days have passed like a whirlwind, considering what happened that day, Matthew became more transparent and obvious. The three of us continued to study together.

And today, I'm here in the park having a quality time with myself. Reflecting with random things and meditating out the negative vibes. Tomorrow will be our final exam so I need to release any excess baggage, those unnecessary details that may affect my brain thinking for tomorrow.

That includes my family. My mother and my sister's opposition and hostility were difficult to carry. But my father's espousal was too much to bear; the intensity of his force and pressure's impact was too hard to handle.

I have to be positive. I have to think that I'm doing this for myself. I'm working hard for my future's sake not for the approval of anyone. I'm doing this not to impress but to accomplish.

"Are you ready?" Matthew asked. We're inside our room and arranging our seats to the "one seat apart" order.

I looked at him and nodded. He smiled and put down his chair after he lifted mine first.

"You'll pass." He sincerely said.

I smiled back at him and nodded, "We'll pass."

"What's the commotion here?" Wendy loudly butted in. She put her arms on mine and Matthew's neck side by side.

I pinched her tummy. "Ouch!" She giggled.

Matthew and I laughed at her silliness. Wendy happily sighed. 

"Aren't you nervous?" I asked her.

"No." She confidently shook her head. I chuckled.

"Where is our destination?" Wendy asked us. I smiled as we directed our gazes in front.

"To success." We We firmly stated in chorus.

Wendy tapped our back, "Way to go, future lawyers!"

I fought the urge of laughing. We behave as if we'll already be taking our bar exams.

When the teacher came, we exchanged "goodluck" glances to each other as we went back to our seats.

We were instructed and ordered about a lot of things like how the usual exams happen. We're all nervous. Of course, the confidence, poise and buoyancy that we all wore earlier has disappeared. Everybody was tensed and worried; suddenly bothered and uneasy with the study they've done. 

"Oh God, please. I really need to pass this one. I always fail the recitations." I even heard the edgy whisper of my bloc mate while the teacher was arranging our test questionnaires. 

I bit my lip as I nervously tapped my fingers on the table. It stopped when Matthew stretched his arm to hold my hands. I lifted my head and diverted my gaze to him.

"Are you alright?" He gently whispered. 

I sighed and shook my head, "I'm scared."

"I told you, there's nothing to be scared of when you studied." He caressed my fingers using his hand.

"And that's exactly what you did." He reassured me and smiled. 

The exam lasted for a few hours. I kept myself focused the whole time I was answering. Heavy breathings and heart beats were the things you could only hear. Whenever I'm hesitant or unconvinced with the answer I've came up on my mind, I'd leave it blank and move into the next number.

"Ms. Prado, are you done answering?" I looked at our teacher when she spoke.

Prado, who was now eating chips, smiled and nodded, "Yes, Ma'am."

"Alright. Pass your paper and test questionnaire." She ordered. "You may leave already once you're done answering." She announced in the class.

My bloc mates nodded and eagerly continued taking the exam. After a few more hours, they started standing up and passing their papers in front. It pressured me more. I didn't mind them even though I noticed we're becoming fewer and slowly getting reduced.

Matthew also stood up from where he was sitting and glanced at me. He nodded and walked in front to pass his paper. Then went back to his seat, I thought he'll just get his bag so he could leave. But I was surprised to see him sit again.

I faced him and furrowed my eyebrows.

"What?" He drawled. I was about to ask him back when our teacher barged in and caught our attention.

"Mr. Madrid, please leave already. You're distracting those who are still answering."

He pursed his lips and scratched his neck. He stood up, I shook my head and chuckled.

"I'll wait for you outside." He said before walking away. I shrugged and continued my exam.

Another bunch of minutes have passed and I was already finished. I stood up and my eyes found Wendy who just also stood up. She walked faster to reach my pace.

"At last!" She relief articulated in relief as we both passed our papers.

We went outside and was welcomed by Matthew.

"Done?" He asked us. I nodded and smiled. Wendy hummed.

"Very done." Wendy heaved a satisfied sigh. "Fina-fucking-lly!" 

We laughed at her. 

"You know what does that mean?" She asked and her eyes narrowed. We shook our head.

"Let's go to the mall! Time to give ourselves a reward!"