YATD1
"Dapat pa ba akong magulat? I know it will be you!"
I looked to my side and immediately saw Althea walking toward me while her group of friends are behind her. Tumigil ako sa paglalakad at pinagmasdan siya.
"Congrats!" she said and tapped my shoulder as soon as she reached my position. Magkalapit na kami ngunit nanatiling ilang hakbang ang layo saamin ng mga kaibigan niya, probably not wanting to interact with me.
Tumango ako sa kanya bilang sagot sa pagbati niya. It sounds like an empty greeting to me. Hindi naman sa sinasabi kong insincere si Thea. I just don't feel anything about the recognition.
There's this tradition kasi na nire-release ng school ang mga nagta-top sa bawat department during the major exams. I hate that concept. Wala akong interes na makisali sa kung ano mang kompetisyon. It just so happened that I need to take the exam and I would never let my grade suffer.
Ranking systems are just another way to control people. Anyone who wants to get ahead and see their names listed at the top will strive harder. Those who are already there will try their best to maintain their positions. Yes, their performance in school will be better. But is it because they want to learn? No. It's for competition. And they don't even realize that they are being manipulated.
"Pero first time na may malapit sa score mo, no? I heard he just transferred this sem, and he's hot!" Thea said, with too much excitement evident in her voice as she shakes my shoulders. Walang buhay akong nagpadala sa ginagawa ng pinsan ko. I'm used to it. Mas aakalain pa nga minsan na magkapatid sila ni Ate Marianne kaysa saakin.
"Tsk... stop," nakakunot-noo kong reklamo noong hindi siya tumigil. Ako na mismo ang nagtanggal ng kamay niya mula saakin para matigil na siya.
"Kaklase mo ba?" she asked curiously.
Nagsimula na akong maglakad ulit habang kasunod si Thea. I frowned.
"No."
"Sayang!"
I rolled my eyes as I heard her comment. Sayang? As if.
"Pero magkadepartment kayo, 'di ba? Nakita mo na ba? Gwapo ba talaga?"
Goodness, she won't stop.
Lumingon ako sa mga kaibigan niyang nakasunod din saamin at tinaasan sila ng kilay. They jump on their feet like they are suddenly surprised of the attention I'm giving to them. What? I just want them to retrieve my nosy cousin and give me peace.
"Ah eh... Thea..."
"Hmm?"
"'Di ba hinihintay pa tayo nila Danica sa lib?" one of them asked, followed by an awkward laugh while her eyes move back and forth to me and Althea. I nearly rolled my eyes. They are too obvious. I know I'm far from being approachable, pero hindi naman ako nangangain ng tao.
"Ay oo nga pala! Sorry, nakita ko kasi 'tong si Chess kaya napaliko ako..." tawa ni Thea habang kausap ang mga kaibigan. She turned to me next. "Bye! Kikilalanin ko para sa'yo," bulong niya saakin.
"I don't care."
"Sshh! You just had your first rival, it's fine!"
Tuluyan na akong napairap dahil sa pagpilit niya saakin kahit wala naman talaga akong pakealam. I just let her say anything so she could leave. I nodded at her when she waved her hands to say goodbye. I started walking again when they all left.
Abraham Zaccheus Legrand.
Who could forget that asshole?
He was the one who was with me in the garden during his father's birthday. During that time, he really pissed me off with something so trivial that I couldn't, for a second, even believe myself. Rememberingthat night makes my blood boil.
