Dive into the peculiar odyssey of Fiamiolle Sevilla, an ordinary girl who stumbles upon the extraordinary by sheer chance. From the moment she steps into the unknown, Fiamiolle grapples with the dissonance of being a stranger in a surreal land, year...
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Chapter 1: A Novel Piece
“These are the major views or philosophies in the study of history.”
Inaantok akong napatingin sa presentation ni Mrs. Buenaverde. History, ugh! The most boring subject for me. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ’yong iba kong kaklase ay enjoy na enjoy dito sa subject na ‘to, habang ako naman ay hindi na mapakali sa ini-upuan ko at gusto nang i-mudmud ang pagmumukha ko sa desk.
“The first major views is—”
I was just listening to my class when I felt my phone’s vibration. Our subject teacher is busy discussing our lessons for today so I sneak to see who’s the witch that texted me in the middle of the class.
Family dinner tonight! Dad’s going home so be early, okay?
As I read my elder sister’s text message, it made me frown.
Our Dad will be home today? How unlucky of me. Another instant sermon about the broad gap of achievements between me and my sister again.
“Are you listening, Ms. Sevilla?”
All eyes were on me when our teacher mentioned my surname. Nakita ko naman ang nakataas na kilay ng instructor namin na wari bang ibabaon ako sa lupa kung sumagot ako ng hindi.
“I’m sorry, Ma’am, and yes, I am listening,” sabi ko nalang habang inayos ang aking pagkakaupo.
Tumango naman ang teacher namin at pinatay ang presentasiyon sa tv.
P*tay, tatanongin ako nito panigurado.
“Then, what are the examples of philosophies of history?” our teacher asked, folding her arms. I knew it! I need a way out here, for Pete’s sake!
I roam my eyes around, finding answers, and I think my fate isn’t that harsh today, because I saw the notes of my seatmate.
“Ahm, cyclical view, providential view, linear view, Marxist view, and relativist view.” As I was done reading them my teacher gave me a three-time clap.
“Very good! I didn’t expect that you did listen to our lesson today!” Mrs. Buenaverde complimented. Halatang masaya siya dahil for the first time ay nakasagot ako sa tanong niya.
Phew! That was close! Ayaw ko nang dagdagan bad records ko kay Dad, baka gawin niya akong palaman ng siopai ‘pag nagkataon, gg talaga ako.
Nagpasalamat naman ako kay ma’am. Tumango lang ito at nagsimula na namang magtalakay ukol sa ’ming aralin.
Muntik na talaga ako ron a? Thanks to my classmate’s notes, I’m saved.
CRING!
Seems like music to our ears! Our History subject is finally over, so it means I am going home early... not just like the others who are excited to go to their usual spots and have fun.
I heaved a sigh. Well, I am not a normal student who will enjoy my teenage days. I am the daughter of Jake Sevilla one of the most powerful and rich human in our country, how am I supposed to enjoy it if I am surrounded by some judgemental eyes who thought that I am just like my family, known to be smart, well-mannered, and perfect in many ways?
I rolled my eyes with that thought. How unlucky of me.
“Hey! I thought you will never answer ma’am’s question earlier!” Carl, my seatmate, started talking as he wears his backpack.
I just smiled and wears mine. “Chamba!”
He just smiles back when I said those.
“Sabay na tayo? I am in a hurry too, family dinner, I guess?” he offered. Nagsimula naman siyang maglakad.
I just nodded as my answer, and walk beside him.
All eyes are glued on us when we exited our classroom, and started walking in the hallway.
Well, this is Carl Beltran, the son of Henry Beltran, also one of the most powerful human being they’ve ever known. This happening is very spectacular to them, imagine, me and Carl having a good time together because we’re as rich as Bill Gates? Tsk.
“Sabi ko na sayo magjowa sila eh!”
“Gagi, ship ko talaga sila pero ayaw ko kay Fiamiolle sometimes ang bobo kasi sa klase!”
“Ang gwapo talaga ni Carl!”
Some of the murmurs I heard when we passed some of the students on the campus. I don’t care about it, but Carl seems not to like it so we stop.
Kanina pa kasi nakakunot ang noo nito, habang hindi mapakaling maglakad. A behavior of someone that’s uncomfortable of the atmosphere.
“We’re just friends, guys! Don’t spread rumors that may lead us into traps. Baka i-arrange marriage kami ng family namin niyan ng wala sa oras!” Carl smiled as the students in front and back of me smile too even the boys couldn't take it.
Are they gay? Nope. They were mesmerized by Carl's perfectness, I guess?
Seconds passed, and they all nodded, then silence surrounds us.
Now, we can walk in peace.
Nakahinga naman ang katabi ko ng maluwag nang makita niyang hindi na kami pinapansin ng mga ibang estudyante.
As we exit our Academy, Carl started talking, or should I say complaining? Pfft...
“I hate them, they think we’re perfect but in reality, we’re not! Konting mali lang natin... bulungan agad! Wala na ba silang magawa sa buhay?” I just laugh a bit when he started fussing beside me. Kapag wala ng tao ay do’n lang niya pinapalabas ang tunay na ugali niya. He’s childish and talkative not just like the composed Carl you’ve seen earlier.
“They think we’re a perfect couple together. Rich × rich, I think?” I replied making him frown even more.
Nakita ko naman kung paano niya ginulo ang naka-gel niyang buhok, kaya umirap nalang ako sa kaniya.
Sayang effort no’n, well, uuwi naman na kami kaya no worries na.
Lumiko naman kami sa left side.
“Kapag ‘yan nakarating kay Papa tapos gagawin tayong mag-asawa ‘di ko talaga sila mapapatawad!” aniya. He’s making some weird gestures infront of me, like a witch babbling about some incantation spells.
He’s really funny yet a very annoying guy.
“We‘re here,” I announced as I walked hastily toward the bus stop.
We stopped when we arrived. Umupo naman kami at naghintay ng sasakyan.
Marami siyang kini-kuwento sa tabi ko, ngunit tango at pagsang-ayon lang ang isinasagot ko sa kaniya. I’m not interested on his stories. May iniisip pa akong mas magandang kuwento kaysa sa kaniya. Napangisi naman ako sa aking kaloob-looban nang maisip ko ‘yon.
Well, wondering if we don’t have a car to fetch us from our school? As our parents said, we need to be independent sometimes, and I am fine with that except for the boy beside me.
“I opened my notes for you to take a peak for it on History Class, how was it?” he started talking as he typed something on his cellphone.
Ngumiti naman ako ng pilit sa kaniyang sinabi. Muntik ko nang makalimutan siya pala ang katabi ko kanina. I was too preoccupied earlier, I think?
“Thank you?” I just said that made him laugh a little. Nagtaka naman ako kung bakit siya tumawa.
“You’re welcome, Ms. Sevilla!” he smiled ear to ear. “Oh! Here’s my bus! See you later!” he added and waved goodbye to me. I waved also and smiled.
What’s with the see-you-later phrase? Magkikita ba kami? Napailing nalang ako sa naisip ko.
Now, I am alone, and I love it.
Kinuha ko naman ang librong hiniram ko kanina sa library. This book caught my eye. It is really old, and how much I do to make myself pick another one, I can’t. I think it’s calling me. I’m saying odd things right?
Well, let’s just start reading it.
Napairap na naman ako sa kawalan nang mabasa ko ito.
It is just a light novel book that you can encounter many times. Nothing is important to it. I put it down because of disappointment, I thought this would be exciting, but no. I shouldn’t expect too much. Tsk.
My bus has finally arrived kaya nagmadali akong ayusin ang mga gamit sa lap ko. As I stood up the book on my lap fell. I need to take it as fast as I could because the bus is waiting for me, then I saw a piece of paper landed together with the book.
It seems someone kept it inside the book. Dinampot ko nalang ito at sumakay na sa bus.
Nothing special on the paper too, it is a blank piece of paper, and it smells old and looks old. I think someone put it there as a bookmark, It is a thick book anyways, no one can finish it in just one day.
Umandar naman ang sinasakyan kong bus kaya nadadaplisan ako ng kaunting sikat ng araw kapag hindi ito natatakpan ng mga gusali o ‘di kaya ng mga puno.
The sun’s rays touches my skin, obviously. I look out the window, the sun is now setting. It appears like it is afraid of the dark which makes it go down and hide.
I raised my hands when the sun reaches my face. Binaba ko naman ito nang mawala na. I look down and see it touches my skin thighs, this sun today is something.
May umagaw naman ng atensyon ko nang napayuko ako. My eyes widened when I saw something spectacular.
It’s a piece of paper!
Kung wala itong sulat kanina, ngayon meron na! The sun made it looks like it is not blank!
I could not see myself right now, but I know my eyes were sparkling and twinkling. Every time I discovered something new, I can feel only delightfulness! This is freakin’ exciting!
Nagmadali naman akong itinuon ang aking atensiyon sa kaperasong papel na ito. Pinagtitinginan na nga ako nga mga kasama kong pasahero, lalo na ng katabi ko, ngunit hindi ko na inalintana iyon sapagkat mas importante itong na-diskubre ko ngayon!
I was about to read it, but we went through a tunnel. Ugh! My excitement faded when I saw the sun is nowhere to be found. Great! Just great.
Well, at least I am with this piece of paper. I can get a wind of it tomorrow, and I am heated about it.
