Slipped
~~*~~
MELISSA
Everything is connected to everything else. Who would not know such fact in life? Though this principle will not end with a dot.
As human beings, we are bound to cross paths with a lot of people and few of them will give us answers to the questions we threw in life. Some will bring us lessons and some will show us our purpose.
"Good Morning, Mama! Hi Papa! Yow, Kuya Em!" I cheerfully greeted my family as I descend from the stairs.
I saw the dining table is now ready for breakfast and I think they are just waiting for me. Ganito ang kadalasang bumubungad sa akin araw-araw. And I am contented with the simple life we have.
"Hurry up Mel! I don't want to get late!" my brother told me. I poked the side of his waist. Gusto na makita ang crush niya e kaya nagmamadali.
I sat beside him facing Mama.
"Seems like you are not excited for your class today, Mel," Mama noticed my normal expression.
Papa put some bacons on my plate. "Thanks, Pa." I smiled at him.
"Always welcome, 'nak," he softly messed my messy hair.
"Mama, today is just a normal day in my life." Hindi naman kasi first day of classes o kahit naman first day nga, wala namang nakaka excite para sa akin.
Is it because of new material things or they missed their friends? I shrugged my shoulders. My squad and I bond every week during the whole summer vacation so it's no big deal. Nakakasawa na nga ang mukha nila minsan.
"Aren't you excited to use your birthday present?"
I stared at Mama for a few second trying to absorb what she's pointing. My mouth formed an 'O' when I finally realized it!
"Seryoso? I can drive my car to school now!" I exclaimed.
Kuya Emmanuel, aka Kuya Em hates traffic so he prefers to ride his motorbike. Ako naman, ayoko sumama sa kanya kasi sobrang bilis niya magmaneho kaya si Papa lagi ang naghahatid sa akin gamit ang sasakyan ko.
"You already have your license and you completed your driving lessons last month so what else do you do when you have a car? Of course, use it!"
I wickedly smiled and finished my food as fast as I can. I didn't expect they will let my drive for myself now.
The moment I stepped inside, it feels so surreal.
This car was not brought by my parents. Hindi naming afford bumili ng ganitong sasakyan. Ang pera naming ay sapat lang sa mga pangangailan at ilang mga extra expenses.
The school gave this to me as a birthday present and a reward for winning the Global Motivational Speech Competition in Paris. Another things is, we are not rich. I am a scholar in an international school and a part-time working student. My mother is a public school teacher and my Dad is a mechanical engineer at a private company. Si Kuya Em ay nasa college na so we are not in the same school.
"Go girl," I cheered myself, then I buckled my seatbelt and started the engine.
It was a smooth ride. Not bad for a first timer like me. I reached the campus with students staring at me. Ang mga mapanuring mata nga naman.
Studying here wasn't easy.
Bullies. They exist right in front of my face but they cannot instantly do something to me because the school admin's eyes are on me because for some reason, the owner of the school is Mama's step-father but I didn't bother to let anyone know.
