Lost in Paradise (Morayta Series 1)

Kabanata 25 (I)

"Magna Cum Laude?!"

Sigaw sa akin ni daddy nang bumisita ako sa kanila. Halos hatinggabi na pero dito ako dumiretso pagkagaling sa Tagaytay, kung saan ako nagpunta para huminga sandali kaysa sa Antipolo dahil baka magpang-abot lang kami ni Jayce.

"I-I'm sorry... I'll still graduate with... Latin Honors by the way," nahihiya kong sabi.

"You should have done better! Hindi ba't running for Summa Cum Laude ka?!"

I bit my lower lip. "Y-yes, dad,"

"Is this because of Jayce?" my mom asked.

Mabilis akong umiling. Ni hindi nga niya alam ang mga pinagdaanan ko nitong mga nakaraan. Walang kinalaman si Jayce dito. Nagkaproblema man kami, pero labas siya sa issue na ito.

Siya ang pahinga ko sa nakakapagod kong mundo.

It was all because of me... because of my decisions. Na maling-mali ngang sumali ako sa council dahil napabayaan ko ang studies ko. I should have seen this coming! Maybe Ethan was right... That I am not credible and an effective leader. Kasi kung mahusay akong leader, hindi sana nagkaganito. Wala sana akong napabayaan sa alinman sa dalawa.

"No, mom. Please, spare him from this. Ako po ang sisihin niyo. Wala po siyang kasalanan dito."

"Bakit ikaw ang sisisihin?! He must be the reason why you've become distracted," my mom in her frustrated voice.

"Wala nga po siyang kasalanan dito. It was all because of me. I... joined FEUCSO, to make you proud. I-I thought... you'd be proud when... you knew that I'll be graduating with Latin Honors and when you... knew that I've become a part of a central student organization."

"Do you think you made us proud with what happened now?!" Dad's voice was like thunder.

Yes, you should be. I made all of these for the both of you.

Kahit ang hirap.. Kahit gusto kong sumuko, I didn't. Because you were the reason why I should always be at my best... why I should always strive so hard... the reason why even though I may look like always competing with others, ay wala akong pakialam... Because I just wanted to make you proud... always.

"N-no," nakayuko kong sagot habang pinipigilang umiyak sa harap nila.

"Buti alam mo," tumikhim si dad. "We're very..." I bit my lower lip. Mukhang alam na ang kasunod. 

"Disappointed with you!"

I left our house after that. Walang mukhang maihaharap pa sa mga magulang. How can other people be contented with that? My feelings should be the same right? I should be happy? Kasi ang taas na nga non e. Buti nga hindi ako nawala sa Latin Honors kahit naging student leader ako.