Chapter 6

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Chapter 6

I stayed up all night studying. While Zoey was in a deep slumber, I took a seat next to the open window and let the moon, the stars, and the lampposts outside light up the notepad I was using to jot down the information I needed to remember.

Students who only want to pass may think I'm trying a bit too hard. That I'm going over the top and that I'm overacting. Lagi kong naririnig 'yon sa mga kaklase kong madalas ma-weirdohan sa akin tuwing aral na aral na ako, tuwing makikita nila ang index cards ko na naglalaman ng summary ng lessons namin, at tuwing gising na gising ako sa klase habang sila ay humihikab na.

They said I was too grade conscious. They said that looking at me could generate high academic pressure. Na para bang ang dami nilang hindi alam kapag nakikita nila akong nag-aaral.

I get mad sometimes. I mean, it's not my fault they don't make studying a big deal as I do. But then I realized they didn't know why I was putting up so much effort. They had no idea that being on top was the only option available to me.

Dahil kapag hindi ako nag-aral nang mabuti, mawawalan kami ng matitirhan. Kapag hindi ako nag-aral nang mabuti, mawawalan ako ng pagkakataon na marinig ang tatay ko na proud siya sa akin . . . mawawalan ako ng tyansa na makilala ang nanay ko.

"Mari, gisingin mo na si Leon sa kabila," utos ni Ms. Lubrica nang makita akong nag-aayos na.

"Po?"

Lumapit siya sa akin at kinuha ang suklay sa kamay ko. She began combing my damp hair, and I could see her doing it gently because I was in front of the mirror.

"Natulog ka ba?" malamyos ang boses na tanong niya. "Ikaw bata ka, napaka-competitive mo. Ano'ng sabi ko? Okay lang hindi manalo, 'di ba?"

I smiled, warmth surrounding my heart. "Hindi lang po ako makatulog kagabi kaya nagbasa na lang ako."

Hindi na siya sumagot. She continued brushing my hair with the comb before returning it to me.

"All good." Pinaharap niya ako sa kanya at mabilis na inayos ang ilang hibla ng buhok ko sa noo. "Your features are well-defined."

I pursed my lips. "Thank you, ma'am."

She tapped my forearm gently. "Sige na, gisingin mo na si Leon para makapag-umagahan na tayo."

"Wala po ba si Dean?"

Tumango siya. "Maagang umalis. May tatrabahuhin lang daw sa bayan kasi doon malakas ang signal."

I cleared my throat. "Uhm . . . si Leon lang po ang nando'n?"

"Oo. Bakit?"

"Wala naman po!" Napakurap ako nang nanliit ang mga mata niya sa akin. "Ah, sige. Pupunta na po ako sa kabila."

Agad ko siyang tinalikuran. Lumabas ako ng kubo namin at pinaypayan ang sarili. I'm not sure what's making me nervous. Siguro dahil matapos ang pag-uusap namin kagabi ay hindi na siya nagsalita. Paulit-ulit kong sinabi sa kanya na kailangan niyang sumali sa individual quiz bee dahil maraming incentives na matatanggap ang mananalo. He could use those to help his mother.

I walked up to the nipa hut's door and knocked. "Zamora, gumising ka na!" sigaw ko bago muling kumatok. "Uhm . . . sa amin daw mag-uumagahan!" My heart was pounding in my chest, as I was getting more nervous and a little bit . . . excited?

No, Mari! Kaba lang 'yan!

I knocked again, louder this time. "Bahala kang ma-late, ha! Basta ginising ki—"

My mouth dropped open when the door suddenly opened. Topless and clothed in just a pair of rugged, tattered jeans around his torso, Leon Ysmael Zamora stood there in flesh, brows furrowed and hair obviously damp.

Mistakes We Can't Laugh About (Loser #2)Tahanan ng mga kuwento. Tumuklas ngayon