"She! Halika na! Breakfast time, hija!"

Ngumuso ako nang marinig ang tawag ni mamsi. I popped my lips and checked my liptint through my mirror. I stood and checked my uniform and my badge. I smiled and took my anello backpack.

"Nandiyan na po!" sabi ko at saka lumabas ng kwarto.

Patakbong bumaba ako ng hagdan namin. Dumiretso ako sa dining at nakita ko sina mamsi at dadsi kasama sina ate.

"Halika na at mali-late ka na sa pasok mo. First day mo pa naman." Si mamsi.

Ngumiti ako at umupo na sa usual chair ko.

"Mamsi, ang lapit lang ng school ko, no," sabi ko pa.

"Asus. Kahit na no! Tsaka ano ka ba, ikaw ang SSG President! Kaya dapat role model ka!" sagot naman ni mamsi at nag-pose pose pa roon. Napailing na lang ako.

Kinuha ko ang tinidor at tinusok ang isang jumbo hotdog. Kumuha na rin ako ng kanin. Kumakain na sina papsi at ang mga ate ko kaya tanging mga tunog na lang ng kubyertos ang maririnig.

Sumubo na rin ako.

"Nga pala mamsi, college na po ako. Pwede na akong magka-kotse?" Dinig kong hirit ni Ate Trish.

Napairap ako. Yeah right, try your luck. Di ko alam bakit obssessed sa mga kotse ang mga tao. I mean, duh, gugustuhin talaga nilang mag-drive araw-araw kaysa magpahatid? De-kotse pa naman sila, what's the difference di ba?

Hay nako.

"Trisha, sinabi ko na. No deal, pa."

Agad na nanlumo ang mukha ni Ate Trish sa sagot ni papsi.

Nakagat ko ang aking labi para pigilan ang pagtawa. I felt Ate Trish's glare. Tuluyan na akong natawa.

And that's just it. My breakfast ended with my sister being butthurt for not having her car in college. Pagkatapos noon hinatid na kami ni Manong Leroy.

Malapit lang ang school ko at yung dalawang ate ko naman medyo malapit lapit lang din naman. Dalawa silang college na at ako naman ay Senior High, grade 12.

"Bye, sis!" Kumaway sina Ate Trish. Kumaway rin ako at saka pumasok na sa main gate.

Nakahawak ako sa strap ng aking Anello backpack habang naglalakad sa corridor.

Dumiretso muna ako sa SSG Headquarters sa likod ng Admin Building para ilagay ang gamit ko. We'll be having our annual First Day Opening celebration sa Grandstand ng open field and SSG ang in-charge, of course. I just need to check if everything is ready and perfect. I don't want the students to think na failure kami, no. I want them to experience a glorious first day in Glorious High.

"Good morning!" I greeted my team with a huge smile on my face.

They all turned to me.

"Morning, Miss Pres!"

"Morning, Fretz!" I greeted our auditor.

Everyone was busy with something. Sobrang kalat din ng council sa mga art materials and everything.  Nilagpasan ko muna sila roon at pumunta sa cubicle ko.

I placed my bag on my table and got my phone then binalikan ko na sila sa may lounge room.

"Almost ready na ba lahat?" tanong ko.

"Yes, pres. No need to worry." Clarke, the VP, winked and salute pa. I chuckled and gave my thumbs up.

"Okay, guys, I think we're ready to go to the grandstand. Everybody up! Let's finish it agad para makapag-relax pa tayo. Chop chop!" I clapped my hands  as they stood and get our things.

Kumuha rin ako ng ibang gamit tapos one line kami papunta ng grandstand sa may open field. Tanaw na tanaw ko yung mga ibang mga students na abala sa pag-set up ng stage. The others were arranging the monoblocks as well. The SSG officers went to the stage. Ako naman ay pinuntahan si Hans na i-charge ng program. He's our other PIO and he's also the one who handles the program today

"Hansen," I called. Lumingon siya.

"Yes, Miss Pres?"

"Everything okay na? How about the documentation? Ready na yung Journalism?"

"Yup! They're ready na, Miss Pres!"

Napangiti ako. I tapped his shoulder

"Okay, good job!" I gave him a thumbs up.

He just flipped his bangs and shrugged.

"Ako pa!"

I chuckled. Gosh, this gay ha.

I shook my head and went to the other side of the field.

"Hey, Aby!" I called our other PIO and one of SSG Power Boys, some sort of group powered by the SSG council.

"Miss Pres!"

"Everything okay with performance later?"

"Yep. Everything is good!"

Ngumiti ako at nag-thumbs up.

"Splendid! Good job!" sabi ko. Ngumisi lang siya at tumango.

Iniwan ko na rin sila roon. I went up to the stage and checked all the decorations.  The arts club were so busy moving things. Tinanaw ko ang field.  I could already visualize the set up later. Tanaw ko rin ang garen at main cafeteria mula rito.

Lumingon ako sa gilid at nakita kong medyo marami ng mga students na papasok. Halos lahat may mga squads pa. What can I say? First day of class is really fun with friends. It's another memorable year for me. It's the most nga siguro since this is my last year in high school.

Grabe. College na pala ako next year! Shocks. Ang bilis lang ng panahon. I don't know if I should be excited or sad about that. I mean I love high school, but I cannot stay high school forever naman no. I wanna be a doctor. I just can't believe it na sobrang bilis. Parang kailan lang, freshman pa ako. Now, I'm already in my last year.

I sighed and shrugged.  Nilibot ko ulit ang tingin ko sa buong field tapos ay tiningnan ang wristwatch ko. It's already 7:15 AM.

The assembly is at 8 AM. It's a tradition na sa Glorious High na magkakaroon ng parang pa-welcome for the school year and the students.

I glanced at the movable bleachers na naka-display sa mga gilid. Chineck ko kung may mga labels na yun ng clubs. Meron naman. That's good. Maaasahan talaga mga officers ko. Gosh. I feel like a proud momma!

I smiled and turned to the Arts Club.

"Guys, come on. We only have 45 minutes na lang. Chop chop!" I clapped my hands and went to the backstage.

"Everything okay here?" I asked.

Nandoon na yung mga dance troupe for their production.

Sinuri ko isa-isa ang costumes nila at mga make-up nila.

"I think her makeup is too thick. You're performing in daylight guys. No need for a full blown makeup," I commented on one dancer.

I saw her covering her face. Bumuntong-hininga na lang ako at lumabas ng backstage. Kinalabit ko yung unang nakita ko sa may stage.

"Sinong makeup artist ng dance troupe?" I asked.

"Kanya-kanya po yata sila pero si Frances po yata, Miss Pres."

Tumango ako at agad na hinanap si France.

Nang makita ko siya mabilis ko siyang nilapitan.

"France, please check the makeups of the dance troupe. Yung isa sa kanila parang binudburan ng abo. Make it light lang please? It's daylight naman," diretsong sabi ko.

Bahagya siyang natawa.

"Okay, Pres."

Tumango ako at iniwan na rin siya. Bumaba ako ng stage at pumwesto sa gitna ng field. I looked at my wristwatch again.

"Last 40 minutes guys!" I said and clapped my hands again. "Let's all be done in 30 minutes please. We need every students to settle down pa."

I looked at the movable bleachers and checked every club teams. Dito uupo ang mga representatives ng every club teams para alam ng mga students especially the new ones kung anong mga in-oofer ng Glorious High sa kanila.

When I was done checking, hinanap ko naman ang mga journalism. Gosh. Where are they anyway? I needed to brief them for their spots.

"Hans, where are the journalists?!" sabi ko habang naglalakad palapit kay Hansen.

Agad naman siyang nag-type sa phone niya.

"Parating pa, te. Yun ang text ng cameraman nila."

Napairap ako.

"Bakit hindi sila maaga? They need to be brief pa. Ikaw na lang mag-brief sa kanila. Papwestuhin mo rito sa dalawang aisle ang dalawang cameraman. Yung isa sa may stage. Their writer should sit in a place na kita ang lahat. Copy?" I handed him the pen and paper. Tumango naman siya.

Nag-thumbs up ako at iniwan na rin siya roon.

I heaved a sigh and continued checking everything. Panay rin ang glance ko sa aking wristwatch para mag-check ng time. I was doing that nang biglang tumunog ang phone ko.

My forehead creased and fished it from the pocked of my skirt. I smiled when I saw a text from Gab, my boyfriend for almost three years already.

From: Gabriel
Hey, where are you? I have something to tell you.

Ngumuso ako at nilibot ang tingin sa field.

I told him naman na maaga ako ngayon sa field. Why is he asking?

Nagkibit-balikat ako at nag-type na lang ng reply.

To: Gabriel
Sa field. Helping with the preps for assembly.

I hit send. Ilang segundo pa ay nag-reply na rin siya.

From: Gabriel
Okay. I'll be there.

Ngumuso ako at nagkibit-balikat. Okay. Ipinasok ko na lang ulit sa aking bulsa ang cellphone at tiningnan ulit ang wristwatch ko.

"Last 25 minutes!" I announced.

I saw some of the journalism members coming in.

Gosh. Finally!

I approached them immediately. Hans was giving instructions to them then nag-aadd lang ako. After them,  bumalik ulit ako sa backstage para i-check ang dance troupe. Thank god, na-okay na yung makeups nila.

"That's nice na, don't add," sabi ko kay France. Tumango siya at nagkibit-balikat.

I turned away and went to the stage backdrop.  I was looking at the letters nang biglang may tumawag sa akin.

"Miss Pres!"

Lumingon ako.

"What?"

"Hinahanap ka po ni Gab. Nandoon sa may field." Tinuro niya ang field.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang makita si Gab doon na nakatayo. He wasn't wearing his basketball jersey. Hindi ba siya kasali sa reps ng basketball? Siya kaya ang captain.

Bumuntong-hininga na lang ako at nginitian ang lalaking nagsabi.

"Thanks," sabi ko at bumaba na rin ng stage.

"Hey," I called Gab nang makalapit ako. Ngumiti ako at bumeso sa kanya.

Tipid din naman siyang ngumiti, but I feel that something was off. My forehead creased.

"You okay? Why aren't you in your jersey? Di ka kasali sa reps ng basketball?" tanong ko.

Hindk agad siya sumagot at nakatitig lang sa akin. Mas lalo akong nagtaka.

"May problem ba, Gab? You're off," I said.

Para siyang nagulat sa sinabi ko. Sa huli ay bumuntong-hininga siya.

What is his problem ba? Ang nega ng vibes ha. First day na first day.

"Resche."

"Yes?"

He sighed again.

"Are you just gonna sigh? What is it? I still have to monitor them," sabi ko.

Napatanga na naman siya.

"Resche I...."

Bumuga siya ng hininga at yumuko.

Mas naguluhan ako.

"Gab-"

"Wait. Ako muna please. I might not be able to say it."

I stared at him. He looked so serious and it's confusing the hell out of me.

He took a deep breath again.

"Resche, you are important to me, okay? We've been together since elementary and I know you know that..."

"Wait, bakit mo ba sinasabi iyan? What's wrong?" I asked confusingly.

I could feel the stares of the people in the field already. Ano ba kasing problema nito at naging senti all of a sudden?

"Gab what really is the problem? Kailangan ba talagang ngayon mo sabihin yan? Can't it wait later? I still have to monitor-"

"Resche, let's break up."

Nabitin sa ere ang dapat na sasabihin ko. My mout parted. Mas kumunot ang noo ko.

"Wait, what?" I asked confusingly.

Bumuga siya ng hininga at tiningnan ako sa mata.

"Resche, it's over. We're over."

Hindi ako nakapagsalita. I heard murmurs around. I don't know what to say. Heck I don't even know what I felt!

"Look, Resche. It's fun while it lasted okay? And I really did value you. But I think...we're better off as friends. We just don't fit, Resche. You're...you're too much. I mean, you always have it your way. You always have a say in everything. I....I just can't feel myself anymore." He sighed. "I feel controlled."

Nalaglag ang panga ko.

Mas lalong lumakas ang bulungan sa paligid. Nanatili ang tingin ko sa kanya pero hindi ako makagalaw. Para akong natuod. I couldn't even move my lips!  Parang nag-slow motion lahat at tanging naririnig ko na lang ang mga bulungan ng mga tao sa field.

"I'm sorry, Resche."

And just like that, he left me. He left me in the center of that freaking field with everyone murmuring about it and the flash of cameras everywhere as if capturing every angle.

Fudge.

Fuck you, Gabriel. Just fuck you!

***

"Oh my gosh,  si Miss Pres, o!"

"Hala! Pumasok siya?"

"Gosh. Kung ako yun hindi na ako magpapakita the whole school year no!"

"Same girl, that was so freakimg embarassing! I'd transfer school!"

"Girl, grabe. Narinig mo ba yung sinabi ni Gab noong break up scene?"

"Oo te! Nandoon ako no, humahakot ng mga monoblocks. Ang sabi controlling daw si Miss Pres."

"Ay true naman kasi no! Makapag boss around ha! Porket SSG President."

I stopped on my track. Lumunok ako at hinigpitan ang pagkakapit sa strap ng aking bag. Nilingon ko ang gilid ng corridor.

Bumungad sa akin ang isang grupo ng mga kababaihan. Nagtulakan pa sila nang makitang nakatingin ako.  Tinitigan ko sila tapos ay sinamaan ng tingin.

"If you can't shut your mouth, make sure to lower your voices. Ayokong sumagap ng chismis kaya kung pwede kayo ang mag-adjust." I stared at them from head to toe. "Commoners."

I glared at them again and walked away. Binilisan ko ang lakad at sa halip na pumasok sa hallway papunta sa headquarters ay sa hallway ng main cafeteria ako pumasok at nagtuloy-tuloy sa garden.

Walang katao-tao roon. Good dahil ayoko ng tao ngayon. I want to be alone. 

Bumuntong-hininga ako at umupo sa isang bench. I crossed my legs and placed my bag on my thighs. Nakatingin lang ako sa hilera ng mga bulaklak sa aking harapan.

So much for expecting this year to be memorable. Memorable nga naman. First day na first day sikat na ako. Kalat na kalat lang naman sa campus ang ginawa ng magaling kong ex. That asshole. He ruined my first day and he ruined my whole year too. Just fuck him!

"O, mas kailangan mo yata."

Agad akong natigilan nang may nag-abot ng panyo.

Kumunot ang noo ko at tumingala.

"Excuse me?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

Umirap siya.

"Tss. Umiiyak ka. Pampunas."

I stares at him then  I touched my cheek. What the hell? I didn't even know that I was crying already!  And why the hell am I crying?!

Mabilis kong kinuha ang panyo at pinahid ang luha ko.

"Thanks," I said and stood quickly.

"Tss. Balik mo ha. Pakilabhan na rin." 

Natigilan ako. Nilingon ko siya pero naglalakad na rin siya palayo. Umirap ako. Whatever.

I sighed and looked at the handkerchief.

'Vench'

Kumunot ang noo ko. Fake na bench towel?