FANGIRL (Jordi Gomez de Liaño)

Chapter 1

"Wake up. It's already 6:30, Emilia Margaret Pangilinan. Baka ma-late ka, anak."

Mama woke me up. My head was throbbing and I wanted to sleep in but I obviously can't. May pasok mamayang 8:00, e. First day of school pa naman ngayon, and it was my last year as a senior high school student.

I got up and prepared my uniform. A white blouse with our school's logo on it and a light blue skirt. Simple lang naman ito.

Naligo ako pagkatapos kumain. I made sure to put all the things I needed for school in my bag. I wore plain white socks and put on my black shoes bago nagpaalam kay Mama at kay Ate Ana, 'yung katulong namin.

I also greeted Kuya Arman, our driver of twenty years. Grabe, mas matagal pa silang magkakilala ni Mama kaysa sa akin!

"Hatid na kita, Margi. Doon lang naman sa may Oble, diba?" He offered.

"Nako, huwag na po, Kuya. Kaya ko naman lakarin, e. Ingat nalang po kayo!" Sabi ko and smiled before leaving.

I enjoyed walking naman, and save the environment din, 'no? It's better to walk lalo na when it's just nearby. Masama 'yung gases na ine-emit ng mga sasakyan sa environment.

I lived in Umali, which was a bit close to where we held our classes. Sa may Oblation Park lang naman which was ten minutes away from here.

I decided to sit in one of the benches in front of our building since I had thirty minutes to spare. While watching Instagram stories, a video of Jordi appeared. Kasama niya si Collin, 'yung captain ng basketball team. Grabe, ang gwapo talaga nila!

I turned my phone off when I spotted one of my best friends, Mich, approaching me.

"Puta, may pasok na naman," bati niya agad sakin bago umupo.

"Good morning to you, too, Michiko Elisse." I chuckled. Groggy lang talaga siya tuwing umaga.

We talked for a bit while waiting for Nat, 'yung isa pa naming kaibigan. We all became friends during the start of senior high. Bago kasi kaming lahat sa Rural noon kaya we decided to stick together. We've been stuck with each other since then.

Nang magta-time na ay pumasok na kami sa classroom. I really didn't understand why I took up STEAM. I mean, gusto ko talaga maging piloto kaya siguro that became a factor, kaso bobo naman ako sa Math at Science. Tanga lang, 'no?

I waited for the day to end and headed home right away. It was only 6:00 yet Mama wasn't around so I decided to go out for dinner. Habang naglalakad ako sa Raymundo ay bigla kong nakita si Nat.

"Uy, Natalia! Samahan mo ako sa Bachi's. Order tayo tapos tambay na rin sa C-Park. G ka?" She agreed so naglakad kami papuntang Vega Arcade.

"Let's drink next week, mars. Dadating kasi friend ko from QC, I think you know him? Nanonood ka naman ng UAAP, e. Basta, I'll introduce you to him. Malay mo magka-something! Single pa naman din 'yon. Hahaha!" Nat said with excitement.

Napahinto ako. UAAP? Friend ni Nat? Wow!

"Syempre, game agad ako sa inom. Pero, sino na naman? Big time 'yan siguro. Aba, UAAP player, e. Sana si Jordi!"

"Basta! I won't tell. Manigas ka diyan. Makikita mo naman next Friday, e," sabi niya habang nakangisi.

I swear, sobrang tease ni Nat. Edi sana hindi nalang niya sinabi sakin. Grr.

Nakarating na kami sa Bachi's at nagorder ako ng hotsilog with extra cheese sauce. She ordered bacsilog with extra sauce din. This was one of my favorite meals outside home not only because of its taste and price but because it was also very convenient to eat.

I also ordered strawberry milk tea with crystals from Infinitea kasi bigla akong nagcrave. Buti nalang nagdala ako ng extra cash. Umupo na kami sa bench at naghintay ng mga inorder namin.

I scrolled through Twitter when I saw a picture of Jordi. Grabe, ang gwapo talaga. When will I ever see him play live? Lagi kasing may ganap tuwing may laro siya. Bwiset. Hinampas ko si Nat nang paulit-ulit habang kinikilig sa picture ni Jordi.

Tumingin siya sa screen ng phone ko at biglang nagsalita, "Ayan ka na naman. Parang baliw talaga, Margs. He doesn't even know you."

Napaka-pessimistic talaga. But I knew she didn't mean it. Ganon lang talaga siya sa akin kapag nagfafangirl ako.

"Ay hindi ka sure! Malay mo stinalk na ako sa mga socials ko. Kaya nga naka-public 'yun para makita niya 'yung kagandahan ko," I said confidently while flicking my hair.

"Bahala ka nga diyan," she said, not giving a fuck. Sanay na kasi 'yung dalawa sa ganitong attitude ko.

Our orders we complete after ten minutes so naglakad na kami papuntang Carabao Park. Doon namin kakainin 'tong mga inorder namin. Medyo matagal din naman since the last time na nag-hang out kami ni Nat since we were both preoccupied with our own lives. Buti nalang nakita ko siya kanina sa Raymundo.

"Paano kung pumasa tayo sa UPD? Edi mas malaki 'yung chance na makita natin sila Jordi. Ah! Sana legit, Lord. Bigay mo na 'to sakin, please," sabi ko habang kumakain.

Inirapan lang ako ni Nat, "Sige na, Lord. Bigay mo na nga 'to sa kanya. Kawawa naman kung hindi siya papasa doon." Ang epal talaga.

Nat and I finished our food and walked home together since magka-village naman kami. "Don't forget about next Friday, ha? Okay, ingat!" Sabi ni Nat as we parted ways. Mas malapit kasi bahay ko sa Raymundo kumpara sa kanya.

Upon entering the house, I noticed Mama sitting on the couch. "Hi, Ma! You alright?" Bati ko sa kanya habang papalapit sa kanya. She looked beat. Baka na-stress sa trabaho.

My mom's a businesswoman. We own a manpower agency — 'yung nag-eemploy ng mga tao sa factories and other businesses. Naka-locate 'yung building ng company sa Quezon City at pumupunta siya doon araw-araw.

It must be tiring for her going back and forth, pero may driver naman siya so na-lelessen naman 'yung pagod kahit papaano. Ayaw niya kasing tumira sa condo namin doon. I was the only child at wala rin akong tatay so we only had each other, kaya minsan nagiging overprotective si Mama sakin.

"I'm alright, dear. Just a bit tired from work. Have you eaten yet?" I nodded and decided to head upstairs after a quick chat. I took a bath and fixed my things for the next day of school. Natulog na agad ako pagkatapos.

———

STEAM is an academic track in UPRHS, just like the regular STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) but with Agriculture involved.