Escape of Sweet Cinnamon

CHAPTER ONE

"Congrats, Deanna!"

"Congrats po, ate!"

"How to be you??!! Omg galing :> mimasaur ko 'yan!"

I woke up with my phone flooded with messages. I knew why they were congratulating me but paano nila nalaman?

My forehead was creasing as I stood up from my bed. Instead of going to school, I've decided to ditch my today's class na lang. I know it's not a good thing pero wala naman kaming ginagawa, walang nagtuturo... parang nag aaksaya lang ako ng oras.

Nag ayos lang ako ng breakfast but I was surprised ng makita ko ang post ni mommy, ng mga tita ko at mga kapatid ko on facebook. 

Mom posted four pictures, the first one of my picture smiling on the camera when I was in Baguio. The three pictures were the screenshot of my acceptance letter from SLIU, St. Leonidas School of Business and
Arts, and University of British Columbia. 

I was left with my mouth formed in O. Anong pumasok sa isip ng magulang ko para mag post? Why would they post something like this? 

It's given that they're all proud of me but none of them even asked for my permission... if gusto ko bang ipublic 'yung results sa mga school na naipasa ko. 

I know my mom's proud of me but... I hate publicity. 

"Congrats sa pamangkin ko!" Napatingin ako sa taong niluwa ng pinto dito sa kusina. Inabot sakin ni tito ang isang sobre at tinapik ang balikat ko. "Ang galing mo talaga! Nag congrats nga din pala si Jade sa 'yo. Medyo naiinggit kasi sa Canada ka na raw mag-aaral." 

I looked at my uncle as he move around the kitchen. He was talking about his daughter. My forehead was yet again creasing. 

"Sinong nagsabi na sa Canada na ako?" I asked. 

Hindi pa ako nagdedesisyon. 

I'm open to many possibilities. I am not closing any doors for growth and opportunities. 

But... I know what I want. 

I know what I want to pursue. 

"Bakit hindi? Madali ka namang makakapag aral sa Canada dahil inayos na namin papeles mo." 

Hindi ko na tinuloy ang pakikipag-usap kay tito at mabilis akong naglakad paakyat sa kwarto ko. 

"Natanggap mo na gift ko sa 'yo?" Tanong ni mommy. I nodded. "Buy yourself a new phone para hindi na 'yan biglang nag sh-shut down." I nodded once again. 

"Nag congrats pala mga teacher mo sa akin. Nag message pa pati Principal mo!" I took a deep sigh. 

"Ma, I don't want you to post my achievements," I said. Kumunot ang noo niya. 

"Sira ka ba? Bakit hindi? Para malaman nilang lahat na matalino ka talaga. Na sinayang ka nila... 'yang treatment na nakukuha mo sa school mo just because of favoritism. Dapat makita nilang matalino ka... that you are smarter than they thought." 

I took a deep sigh as I watch my phone almost dying because of the massive notifications. 

Funny isn't it? 

None of them told me a simple 'good luck' but all of them are now 'congratulating' me. 

"Mom..." I called. Tumingin muna siya sa akin bago inayos ang bag niya. naka scrub na siya ngayon papuntang duty. 

"I don't want UBC Nursing..." I whispered. I saw how my mom sighed a little but she was able to smile then nod. 

"Mamaya na tayo mag-usap. May duty pa ako, nak."