Richard's Standard

Chapter 13 - Dona is a Liar

Before going to school, I bought lovely flowers for Dona. Today,my plan was to  ask her formally if I could court her. Nais ko ring makita ang pamilya niya sa Dinagat Islands para makausap ko ang ina niya. My feelings for Dona are sincere, and I really love her. I hope our love will last a lifetime.

I was in the school corridor when I texted Dona that we should meet at the rooftop. She replied with a yes.

I just felt so excited because I was eager to win her heart forever.

Bago ako tumuloy, may nahagilap akong magazine na gawa mismo ng school. It was published last year, I think. It caught my attention when I saw Dona's face on the cover page with the headline, 'Dona Olarte, US Pride Brings Home the Bacon, Bags Gold Medal in National Essay Writing Contest'.

I decided to read what it was about. It was an essay writing contest in the English medium held in Agusan del Norte.

I read some lines from her piece. "One of us may fail. One of us may hurt someone we love. Lies cannot be avoided when mistakes lie ahead. Shallow judgment is deepening someone's fault. Narrow reason is lessening wings to fly. What are we waking up to every morning? How can this word 'hope' mend our pain and suffering? Remember that life's journey begins when our minds fertilize what we are craving for."

Right now, I can't believe what I'm seeing. It's so well-written in English. Dona could write this well in English but claims she can't understand it? Wait, maybe she's crazy? Or just too wise?

She had told me she could not understand English, and I believed her. I knew she won't lie to me, but what's this I'm seeing right now? What the hell is Dona up to? There's only one way to find out, I'll confront her about it.

I left the flowers in the corridor.

While waiting for her at the rooftop, I was flooded with thoughts. I realized I hadn't done any research about Dona because I was hypnotized by her innocent charm. But I prayed she wasn't lying to me at all. 'Cause if she did, I would never forgive her.

"Chad!" Dona called out, smiling brightly. "Sorry kung na-late ako ng kaunti. Inutusan pa kasi ako ni Mrs. Velco na bumili ng snacks niya."

I stared at her for a moment until she got closer to me.

"Ano pala 'yung sasabihin mo? Ito naman, na-miss ako kaagad. Pero ako, sobrang na-miss kita, Chad. Hindi pa rin talaga ako makapaniwala," and she laughed.

"Ako rin, sobrang hindi makapaniwala."

"Talaga, Chad? Ikaw talaga, lalo mo akong pinapahulog sa iyo."

"Can we talk in English?" I said coldly, with absolutely no emotion.

She stopped laughing. "Hah? Naku, gusto mo na namang pagtawanan ako, 'no?"

"Hindi talaga ako makapaniwala," I stated as I took the magazine and threw it near her feet.

She picked it up, and her jaw dropped.

"You think I won't discover the truth?!" I shouted. I was feeling mad 'cause it seemed she really had lied from the first time we met.

She shook her head. "Chad... Hindi ako 'to... ano.. ano lang ... ahh...---"

"Stop! Lumabas din ang totoo base sa ikinikilos mo!" Nanakit ang lalamunan ko dahil sa lakas ng sigaw ko.

Unti-unti siyang lumapit sa akin. "Chad... please... ahhh... kasi...---"

"Ngayon, tatanungin kita and I don't want you to lie. Have you ever been sincere to me?" I asked, cutting her off.

She covered her face with her palms. "Chad, I'm sorry, but I can explain."