Now You Know #TheWattys2016

Now You Know

“souvenirs!”

That’s what people want from me every first day of school because they know I just got back from my province.

“here. Polvoron and keychain.” Too common?

Well, let me tell you a bit of myself. I’m Nadine, but just call me Nining instead.

A Filipino who’s studying here in North Carolina, USA. I’m taking up BS Major in Chemical Engineering. As you see, I’m a college student, and this is my sophomore year.

“thank you” I smiled back at them.

I’m a girl with a few words. People here think I’m snobbish. I don’t really like wasting my time creating gossips or talking about my ‘love-life’, like what the girls do. I’m just being my usual self.

I think it’s very healthy to spend your time alone and not be defined by others.

“hey, you know what Jessa? I saw a transferee at Dean’s office. Well, I was handing my documents there and I saw him. He’s Asian, and cute!”

“Ooh.. I love Asian boys!” Tsk. What a flirt! That’s why I chose to shut up avoiding myself from talking nonsense.

The ball rang—it’s the start of classes.

I’ve been with the same people for 2 years now, in different classes. Hundreds of students here, but still no thrill. Wearing the same old faces. Unchanged and untamed attitudes. The nerds. The lazy ones. The sleepy-heads. The gossip-machine. It’s like high school here. Interesting?—not!

I need another story. My life with them is kinda boring. Call me a joy-killer (don’t really care though). My ‘so-called’ friends who remembers me when they need something. Cynical. Pseudo. Users. I’ve been duped for being their friend.

If you’re wondering if I had a friend here? No. I don’t mix with people here. And they don’t want to be my friend either.

But, I do have one friend. My childhood friend, who I left him back in the Philippines. Yes, he’s a he. What happened to us? Well, now is not the right time to tell.

The sudden silence in the room was because of Miss Carla who just entered into the room. After we greeted her, she announced that we had a new classmate. I didn’t even bother to look who’s the transferee. I could hear whispers.

“Jessa! He’s the one I’m telling you earlier!” because of my curiosity, I took a glance at him.

What the?!—I stood up abruptly and asked “Zac?! What are you doing here?” I asked in disbelief. He grinned widely at me.

“Is there a problem, Nadine?” Miss Carla asked.

I could feel that everyone shifted their gazes at me. I shook my head and sat down.

“Hi everyone I’m Zac and I’m from the Philippines, just like Nadine” Who cares?

“that cutie and the nobody knew each other?”

“Okay Zac, please sit beside Nadine at the back”

“Hi Nining, kamusta ka?” I didn’t answer.

“You’re still mad at me? Can we just get over it? I’m sorry, okay?” 

“Whatever. Shut up, will you?”

What happened? Well, he just ruined my Christmas Holiday when I last visited my province, last year. He humiliated me in front of my relatives and also to his best friends, who I also had a slight crush on one of them, but that feeling vanished after I left. Thanks for ruining my holiday.