"I won the quiz bee contest, Dad."
I know there's no use of telling this to him because he already knew it, still I chose to.
He stopped eating and looked at me, "Champion?" I nodded. A small smile appeared on his lips before he continued eating. "Congratulations, then."
I look at my brother who's just silently eating. He may have noticed I was looking at him as he glanced at me and gave me a subtle smile. It's his way of congratulating me. I was about to tell Dad that I won another contest I joined but opt not to when he start questioning my brother.
"I've heard about your performance at Law School, Unique." There's a warning in his voice.
"I'm doing good, Dad." Kuya simply uttered with finality.
Alam ko hanggang ngayon ginagapang pa rin ni Kuya tapusin ang Law School to take BAR and become a lawyer.
"Also, you, Unice," he began. "I'm not happy hearing you join another contest that is not helpful in your credentials . Stop wasting your time with those nonsense contests and just focus on your studies."
Gone the proud Dad earlier and a full disappointment replaces on his face.
We continued eating in silence. I look again at Kuya. Tahimik lang s'ya pero alam ko kung anong nararamdaman niya.
From the very first start it's against his will—our will— because he really wanted to take Medicine while I wanted to take Architecture instead of Accountancy. Bago pa man kami makapagsalita, Dad already made the decision for us. He controls everything and it's suffocating.
No wonder Mom left him, left us.
***
Sobrang nakakapagod nitong nagdaang linggo. Sunod-sunod na requirements ang kailangan naming tapusin at kailangan pa naming mag review for Finals.
Finally, hell week is done.
A few days from now malalaman ko na first semester grades ko. I knew I did my best. I will ace those exams and have higher grades. I study without resting, knowing Dad will be very disappointed once he heard I have failed grades. I'm scared of what he can do.
"Finally! Makakapag-pahinga na rin. First sem palang 'to pero feeling ko tuyot na tuyot na brain cells ko, paano pa kaya sa second sem?" himutok ng bestfriend ko.
Her name is Cherry and I don't know how we became best friends. She just decided it on her own and I chose not to complain about it, remembering that one time she nagged me endlessly when I went against her.
"Same. Gusto ko na lang magpalamon sa kama ko mamaya. My brain needs to rest." I groaned while stretching my back from hours of slouching. A bad habit of mine I found hard to fix.
She nudge me. "Katatapos lang ng finals tapos sembreak naman na next week, let's go unwind!"
I'm that type of student who'd rather study than go out and party. I wanted to decline her offer, also because I can already hear my bed calling me. I'm tired and want to go home now, but maybe a little unwinding is not a bad idea to freshen up my mind.
I smiled at her and clung onto her arm, "Let's go!"
Katatapos lang ng Finals at mas nakakapagod kung pipiliin kong umuwi ng maaga sa bahay tapos madadatnan ko lang si Daddy questioning about my exam.
***
Days have already passed and today is the release of our grades. I'm not nervous upon checking my grades, knowing I did my best. I entered my account in our portal and checked my grades. Almost one's, may ilang subjects lang na hindi.
