Panimula

"Bakit ka nga ulit nag-ABM?" tanong ni Clary bago uminom sa cokefloat niya.

It made me stopped from my tracks. Ilang ulit kong nilista sa utak ko kung ano ba dapat ang sagot sa tanong niya.

I contemplated what's the right answer for her question. It is because it's align to my future course in college or it had the highest result in my NCAE?

"Gusto ko yumaman."

I decided to just leave it like that. Hindi naman ito masama. What's wrong with wanting to be rich?

Nabulunan si Clary sa sinabi ko. I shrugged my shoulders.

It was the truth.

When we had our career fair at school, isa sa mga natandaan ko na sinabi ng speaker ay kung gusto namin yumaman ang kunin namin ay Accountancy, Business and Management or ABM.

Sino bang hindi gustong yumaman?

The speaker from the career fair told us that ABM is the strand of the rich mainly because it covers the business sector. Malamang nandito ang mga bigating pangalan na nasa mga pahina ng Forbes.

Humanga na ako sa strand na 'yon simula noon. I wanted to be rich. I was studying twice as much because I wanted to be rich enough so that my parents won't need to work anymore.

I was no hypocrite. Money is the thing that makes the world round. Kaya naman mas gugustuhin kong mag-aral tungkol dito.

She bit the straw on her drink before commenting.

"Di ka man lang nagpanggap, ano? Pwede mo naman sabihin na pangarap mong maging CPA."

Tumingin ako sa kanya, a smirk appearing on my face.

"Pangarap kong maging CPA kasi malaki sweldo nila."

Besides, the CPA beside your name is really enticing. Masarap sa pakiramdam kapag may ikakabit sa pangalan mo na CPA. It makes everything worth it.

"Huwag mo na nga lang akong kausapin." Umirap siya sa akin.

Nagpatuloy na lang kami sa pagbili ng mga gamit. We were told to get everything we might need for Senior Highschool. Wala namang guide o ano dahil bago lang din naman ito sa pilipinas. Umaasa lang kami galing sa mga kakilala at facebook pages tungkol sa SHS.

Nasa National Bookstore kami ngayon, inaaliw ang sarili sa pagpili ng mga notebooks at ballpen. I decided to settle with a small amount of notebooks and pens. Ayoko sana pangunahan pero ayoko naman pumasok nang walang sandata.

I have a week before the first day of school. Grade 11 na ako sa pasukan at lumipat ako sa ibang school dahil wala pang Senior Highschool sa dati kong eskwelahan.

It was tough to convince my parents to let me transfer to the prestigious University of Jeanne D'Arc. It was an international school that's renowned for their good facilities and teaching methods. I also tried other universities, pero malalayo na ito sa amin. Hindi rin talaga papayag ang mga magulang ko na mas maging malayo pa.

I had to graduate with honors if I wanted to transfer to a University. Wala kasing malapit na University sa bahay namin kaya sa mata nila Mama at Papa ang hassle na mag-University pa ako.

I was persistent though so I offered them a bargain. Kapag honors ako ay papayagan nila akong makitira kina Tita Clara na kapatid ni Mama.

Tita Clara lives in a house near UJD. Kinuha ko na itong sign na sa eskwelahan na 'yon talaga ako mag-aaral.

Kaya ngayon ay kasama ko si Clary na anak ni Tita Clara na bumili ng mga kailangan namin para sa pasukan.

Sa totoo lang, wala pa naman talagang kailangan. We just bought some pens, yellow pad and a few notebooks. Binilin kasi ng Kuya ni Clary na huwag daw masyadong bumili ng mga gamit dahil depende raw talaga sa Prof kung magpapasulat sila ng notes o hindi.

Laptop daw talaga ang puhunan sa Senior Highschool.

Tinanong ko kung bakit pero ang sagot lang sa akin ng Kuya ni Clary ay basta habang mukhang constipated. Ayaw na 'yata balikan ang alaala ng Senior Highschool niya.

Mabilis ang paglipas ng isang linggo. Ganun naman talaga kapag malapit na ang pasukan --- bumibilis ang oras.

The school was too good to be true. Para akong nasa ibang bansa nang mapunta ako sa school grounds. Tall trees, an open field, and gigantic buildings welcomed us as we took a stroll inside of it.

Napatingin ako sa uniporme namin. A plain white polo shirt and a plaid pencil skirt that's below our knee. Inayos ko ang ribbon ko na nagsisilbing necktie dahil tumabingi ito.

"Gusto mo samahan kita? Tanungin natin kung saan 'yung room ng ABM 1?" Clary offered.

Umiling ako sa kanya. The offer was tempting because I was shock to see how vast the school grounds were. Alam kong may kamahalan ang tuition fee pero hindi ko inasahan na binawi talaga nila lahat sa facilities pa lang.

Lumingon ako kay Clary, she has concern written all over her face.

"You'll be late. Mas maaga ang start ng klase mo sa akin." I told her as I pretended to look at my watch. Basta ang alam ko mas maaga ang start ng klase ng GAS o general academic strand.

"Pero —" she looked worried but I decided to cut her off.

"Kaya ko na, okay? Alam mo na classroom mo 'di ba? Puntahan mo na." I smiled at her.

She also gave a small smile before departing from my side. Natanaw ko siyang papunta sa direksyon ng building na sa tingin ko ay building para sa GAS.

Pumunta siya sa isang sulok kung saan may grupo ng mga babae na kanina pa nakatingin sa kanya. Kaagad siyang niyakap ng mga ito nang lumapit siya.

I knew it.

She already has friends here.

Good for her.

I went on my own way but I was clueless on where should I go.

I stomped my feet impatiently as the realization hits me that I'm just encircling around the school grounds. Paulit-ulit na lamang ang mga nakikita ko.

Hindi pa nakatulong na ang laki ng University of Jeanne D'Arc. Dapat may kasamang mapa 'yung matriculation namin e!

I bit my lip in frustration. Akala ko kasi ay hanggang dulo ay kasama ko si Clary kaya hindi na ako nag-atubili pang ipagsawalang bahala kung saan ang room ko. I was too preoccupied with fixing my things that I forgot to know the direction of my room.

Napasapo ako sa aking noo. Ghad, Zafirah! You're so bad with directions!

"Dude, ABM ka 'di ba?"

Hindi ko mapigilan ang maki-tsismis sa mga kalalakihan sa likod ko. Medyo umawang ang labi ko dahil mukha silang mga modelo. My eyes widened because this is such a sight! Hindi naman ako mahilig sa mga gwapo pero ang aga naman 'yatang blessing ito. It was probably because this school is allowing foreign students to be enrolled.

I immediately shook my head. I have no time to idle. Ilang minuto na lang ay late na ako!

I had no choice but to follow them. I'm assuming they're also ABM since one of them talked about it. May pagdududa pero wala naman akong mapapala kung tutunganga ako rito.

Wala naman sigurong masama kung makiki-bandwagon ako sa paghanap ng room, 'di ba?

They walked towards a building so I furtively followed them, even pretending that I'm reading from my phone. Sinusundan ko lamang ang tunog ng kanilang mga hakbang patungo sa isang kwarto.

Dama ko na agad ang lamig sa loob ng kanilang kwarto dahil sa nakikita kong moist sa salamin na bintana. My hunch was only proven when they opened the door because I felt the coldness of the room.

Mas lalo akong natuwa nang may makita akong 1 sa gilid ng pintuan. This is probably the room!

They went inside a room where the windows were glass. All of the students inside were already interacting with each other.

Ganito na ba ako ka-late? Lahat sila close na?

Nagsisi tuloy ako na 'yung sirang relo ko 'yung ginamit ko ngayon. Ginamit ko lang kasi ito pang-display.

I also went inside, sumilip muna ako at unti-unting pumasok nang mapansin na mukhang hindi pa naman sobrang late.

Umupo ako sa pinaka-malapit sa pintuan. Sa kabilang banda kasi nakalagay 'yung aircon, I didn't bring any jacket so I didn't want to freeze to death.

I roam around my eyes and saw how everyone almost knew each other. The power of social media, I guess? Pero wala pa naman akong nasasalihan na groupchat o kung ano man.

May katabi akong naka-hoodie at gumagamit ng cellphone. Naramdaman niya 'yatang nakatingin ako sa kanya kaya lumingon siya sa akin.

"Yes?" he tilted his head to my side. His voice sounded like he was bored. Hindi pa nakatulong na halata sa kan'yang dila ang pagiging bihasa sa ingles.

My throat felt dry making me gulped my own saliva. I turned to his side and eventually decided to talk to him.

"Wala. Medyo kinakabahan lang ako kasi akala ko late na ako." I tried forming a small talk.

Hindi siya agad sumagot, the pause from him only made me more nervous. Pinatay niya ang cellphone n'ya at sumagot sa isang mababang tono.

"Not really, there's a few minutes before homeroom." He said, shrugging.

Tinanggal niya ang hoodie niya kaya naman nakita ko na ang buong mukha niya. He has thick eyebrows, pointed nose, and a fair skin without any flaws. His chestnut brown hair looks like it was wax but it's probably not. He looks foreign though, parang may half?

Natulala na lamang ako. Ghad, wala po sa plano ko ang lumandi ngayong school year. Balak ko sana ay kapag nasa college na ako para mas matured na kami! Pero kung ganito ba naman ang magiging kaklase ko, sino ako para tumanggi?

I held on my forehead thinking about the dilemma that I'm currently in. Ayoko magka-crush ngayong school year dahil balak ko talagang maging valedictorian! I know love is just a distraction from studies! So, it's definitely a no!

Pero bakit kasi ang gwapo nito?

Bakit ako napapalibutan ng mga gwapo? Requirement ba 'to sa school na 'to?

I swallowed hard, again. Have you been a 'bida-bida' before just because someone has caught your attention? Well, currently I'm sweating like crazy because this guy is too good looking for his own good.

"Hey, I'll share something." I said, out of no where.

I'll try to befriend him. Siguro naman mawawala na ang nabubuong paghanga ko kung magiging kaibigan ko siya. Matutuldukan na ito na hanggang kaibigan lang. I'm too centralized on academics, I couldn't really afford romantic love right now.

He looks at me, lifting one of his eyebrows. A look of confusion was evident in the way his brow was raise.

"What?"

I chuckled before giving a small smile.

"Nag-basa ako ng iilang bagay pagdating sa accounting. Just some basic things to know," sabi ko at nakita ko naman na nakikinig siya sa akin.

I think this is a bad idea. He looks hotter when he's serious. Nasaan naman ang hustisya roon?

I continued.

"Ang mga accounts na nasa debit ay assets, expenses at drawings. Sa credit naman ang liabilities, income at capital. Syempre depende pa rin siya sa transanction pero 'yun 'yong normal balance nila. I just wanna share it to you 'cause maybe you also have a few tips?"

I saw how his lips rose in amusement.

Bigla siyang ngumisi, he was obviously bemused for some reason. Nalaglag lamang ang kanyang ngisi nang lumapit siya sa aking mukha.

In a serious tone, he asked me.

"Bakit mo ako tinuturuan ng accounting?"

I arched an eyebrow.

"Well, I just want to give you a heads up. It could help you in the future. Obviously, pag-aaralan natin 'yon."

I blushed in embarrassment. Baka akala niya ay nagmamagaling ako? I just want us to talk about something! Ilang linggo na kaya ako naga-advance reading sa mga subjects ng senior highschool.

Siya na nga binibigyan ng kaalaman, ayaw niya pa? Choosy siya porke't yummy?

The side of his lips moved upward. Parang pinipigilan niya ang sarili na ngumiti.

He lumbered down on his seat and he lazily move his eyesight on me.

"Want to talk about Pre Cal?"

Pre Cal? Pre Calculus? That's not for ABM.

"Why would we talk about Pre Cal? ABM naman tayo, that's for STEM." I said, confidently.

The amusement reappeared on his face.

"Ikaw lang ABM dito, STEM kami."

There was a mocking smile on his face.

"What?" Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya.

"You're in the wrong room, Miss. STEM 1 'to, you've been sitting on the wrong room for a while now."

Umawang ang labi ko. Ilang beses akong kumurap-kurap dahil baka nabingi lang ako.

Wrong room? That's so cliché for a first day! Pero maaaring mangyari nga dahil hinulaan ko lang naman ang room number ko.

Ghad, bakit kasi iniwan ko kay Clary 'yung mga dapat tandaan? I was too excited that I forgot this piece of information!

Napatayo kaagad ako. Heat slowly rising on my cheeks.

Ang layo ng Accountancy, Business and Management sa Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics!

His eyes followed me but his mockery was still on his face. Hinahawakan pa nga niya ang labi niya na tila hindi makapaghintay na tumawa sa susunod kong gagawin.

The nerve of this guy! Kinasusuklaman kong sinabihan ko siya ng gwapo!

Hindi na talaga ako magkaka-gusto sa mga ganitong klaseng mukha!

Studies first na talaga ako! Hanggang college! Hanggang magka-trabaho! Nakakainis!

"Hey," tawag ko sa isang lalaki na nakaupo sa desk niya. He seems the friendliest here.

"Po?" He turned to me.

"Anong strand 'to?"

The guy looks around before answering.

"STEM 1 po."

He wasn't lying!

Naramdaman ko ang pagtaas ng dugo ko sa mukha ko. Ghad! Nakakahiya!

In my last attempt to save face, I gulped as I was preparing my things before going out.

"CR lang ako saglit," sabi ko sabay kuha ng bag at kaagad na lumabas.

He chuckled. Damn him!

"Ingat ka, baka maligaw ka ulit." That annoying voice!

Hindi na ako nagpahuli sa kanila. From my peripheral view, nakita ko na halos lahat ng mga nasa STEM 1 ay nagtatawanan.

Nakakahiya talaga!

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