Chapter 2

Luck 

“San Francisco boy! Guess what?” 

Natigilan ako sa pagnguya ko ng pretzels nang biglang pumasok si Adam sa classroom. He’s wearing the most triumphant smile on his face as he sat on the arm desk of Ciel’s chair, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. 

“Stop calling me that,” Ciel said, removing Adam’s hand on his shoulder. 

It’s our break time. Halos lahat ng kaklase ko ay nasa baba para bumili ng pagkain but I chose to stay here dahil may baon naman ako. Isa pa, ayaw ko nang makipagsiksikan sa maraming tao sa canteen. Feeling ko hihimatayin ako sa init, e. 

“Ang arte naman nito! Para akbay lang!” Adam said, chuckling. He doesn’t even look offended. He’s in a good mood, huh? 

“Nakikita mong ang init-init aakbay ka pa. Ang init pa naman ng singaw ng katawan mo. Para kang pinaglihi sa impyerno.” Ciel said, grinning. 

Logan who was sitting in front of them laughed kahit na tutok pa rin ang kanyang mga mata cellphone niyang naka pa landscape at panay ang pagdutdot doon. 

“Tanginang bibig talaga ‘yan, Alfieri!” Adam chuckled, shaking his head at his friend’s joke or insult perhaps? 

In just a month, Ciel Alfieri managed to make some friends despite him being a transferee. Ganoon talaga siguro kapag gwapo ka at malakas ang dating, people would love you kahit na gaano ka pa kayabang. 

Good looks and oozing confidence is like a barrier from a person’s rough personality. When you have good looks, the bad parts of you will be chose to ignored by this society.

When a good looking guy cat called a woman, akala ng mga tao cool at hot pero kapag average guy ang nag cat call, matic manyak na may bonus pang drug addict. 

At when a beautiful woman got cyber bullied, people will start demanding for respect. Pero kapag pangit na babae naman ang na cyber bully, meme ang tawag doon. 

That is how fucked up the society that we’re living in nowadays. People always favors the ‘beautiful’ ones and neglects the ‘ugly’ ones. 

First day pa lang ay nakasama na ni Ciel sina Adam, Logan, at Cyprian. Sa tatlo niyang kaibigan ay si Cyprian ang mas kilala niya dahil naging magkaklase pala sila noong grade one si Ciel hanggang grade five. 

During the first week of class, nonstop of self introducing session were made that’s why I get to memorize some of Ciel’s information. Nalaman ko na galing pala siyang San Franciso, sa California. Doon daw siya nag-aral ng grade six hanggang grade 9 at ngayong grade 10 ay lumipat siya dito. 

He didn’t stated the reason why and I’m really getting curious. Sa isang buwan na iisang silid lang ang aming ginagalawan araw-araw ay kahit paano ay napapansin ko na ang mga bagay-bagay sa kanya. 

It’s not that I have a crush on him… Well, maybe the first time I saw him and the first time he talked to me, I did. 

I thought he was nice and different but I found out that he’s just one of those guys who loves poking fun at me. Malamang, tropa na niya sina Adam, e. Tell me your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are, sabi nga nila. 

He was one of those people who would laugh sa tuwing inaasar ako. I noticed that he’s the type of a highschool guy with this pompous and mischievous demeanor. Every lift of the corner of his lips is tainted with arrogance. 

“So, what is it about that you’re trying to tell me?” Ciel asked, holding the wire of his earphones, playing with it to rotate the bud in the air. 

I can’t help but to watch them. Pare-parehas kaming nandito sa may pinakalikuran. Hindi nga lang kami parehas ng column dahil siya ay nasa una at ako naman ay nasa gitna. 

Muling nanumbalik ang mga ngisi ni Adam. 

“I’m just happy, man. I saw Lexie Sevilla at the canteen and she smiled at me.”

Ciel just looked at his friend, his face was stoic. No reaction at all. “Wow. That’s so cool, Adam. I really fucking felt that. You just unleashed my emotional side.” Walang emosyon niyang sabi at hinawakan pa ang dibdib niya. 

Nagsimula silang magbatuhan ni Adam ng biruan at nakisali na rin si Logan. Mostly, pinagtutulungan nila si Adam and Cyprian was just sleeping there beside Ciel. Sagad sa may wall ang pwesto niya. 

“Damn! Wait! Ang asim! Ano ‘yon?” Natigilan sila sa pag-aasaran nang may maamoy si Ciel. Tumingin ako sa may harapan and there I saw one of our classmate eating a vegetable wrapped in a lumpia wrapper and it has a vinegar dip. 

Nagutom tuloy ako kahit na kakaubos ko lang nitong isang pack ng pretzels at iyong baon kong sandwich kanina. 

“Baka si Mona lang ang naamoy mo, pre.” 

The moment I heard my name, muli akong napatingin sa gawi nila and their eyes is what I immediately met. The three of them were looking at me, grinning devilishly. 

I clenched my jaw. Ayan na, mag-uumpisa na naman sila. Ako na naman ang nakita nila. 

“Ang gara mo talaga, Mona. Kung may Victoria’s Secret, iyong sa’yo naman ay Mona Lisa’s secret. Mas makamandag nga lang ang sa’yo, ang asim, e.” Logan commented and Adam laughed so hard. 

“Gago, Logan!” Adam said, still laughing. 

Tiningnan ko si Ciel, natatawa rin siya nang bahagya habang nakangising nakatingin sa akin. The dimple on his cheek that looked like a parenthesis beside the corner of his lips is showing. 

I don’t get why they’re still buying Logan’s comment. Nakita naman nila na may hawak na suka iyong isa naming kaklase, e. And it’s like sweating a lot is something that I can control. Malinis naman ako sa katawan ko, madalas lang talaga akong pagpawisan. 

Hindi na lang ako sumagot at nagbaba na lang nang tingin sa libro ko na nakapatong sa arm desk ko. My mom always told me that during in a situation like this, it is wiser to just keep your mouth shut. They will eventually stop when you decide to just ignore them. 

“Mona, para kang chicharon ni Mang Juan. Isa kang sukang paombong! Boom!” Gatong pa ni Logan na mas lalong ikinalakas nang tawa ni Adam. Even some of our classmates inside the room laughed, too. 

Laughing is a good thing but laughing while a person suffers is a different kind of thing. There are some things that you might find funny but for the person who’s being laughed at, it wasn’t. It’s terrible. 

“Monang paombong!” Adam teased, almost out of breath because of the happiness that he’s feeling as him and his group kept on making fun of me, degrading me, stealing away even the tiniest self love that I have for myself. 

“Mona, ikaw ba talaga ‘yung maasim?” I heard Ciel finally spoke. I ignored him… well that was what I want to do but it’s as if my neck has its own mind and it decided to turn on Ciel’s direction. 

He was grinning at me, mockingly sniffing the air. 

I clenched my teeth. Napakasama talaga ng ugali niya! Akala ko iba siya. First impression never really last. 

He was still sniffing mockingly. 

I was just looking at him as his face leans on Adam’s arm, beside his armpit and began sniffing him. Ciel frowned and backed away from Adam in a split second. 

“Putangina, pre ikaw pala ‘yung maasim, e! Kaya pala hanggang ngiti lang sa’yo si Lexie Sevilla, hindi ka pala naliligong hayop ka!” Ciel teased Adam. His voice was too loud that it boomed around the four walls of this room. 

Natawa si Logan at ngayon ay parehas na silang nakatingin kay Adam. Even some of our classmates who were laughing at me are now laughing at Adam! And I’m not… Because I don’t think that’s funny. 

In fact, I feel bad for Adam because I know how it feels to be laughed at, to make fun of, and to be ridiculed. 

“Tangina! Wala ka pala, Adam, e!” Logan snickered. Ciel and him were both laughing at Adam. 

Woah. The tables got turned smoothly. 

“You know what? I still got a spare of deodorant at home. Nabili ko pa ‘yon sa San Franciso. Sayo na lang, early christmas gift ko na sa’yo. Maawa ka, Adam! Baka pare-parehas na tayong ‘di umabot ng pasko dahil sa amoy mo e.” Ciel said, laughing at his own rudeness. 

“Tang ina mo, Ciel! Gago ka talaga!” Tawang-tawang sabi ni Logan at napapahampas pa sa arm desk niya. 

“Pre, gamit na medyas ka ba na hindi piniga? Because it shows, bro. It shows.” Ciel added, grinning as he fanned his nose. 

“Ah, tangina hindi ko na kaya!” Logan was turning red dahil sa kakatawa niya. Tinulak niya pa sa balikat si Ciel at imbes na mainis ay lalo lang ngumisi si Ciel habang nakatingin pa rin kay Adam. 

How can he still grin and look at the person that he’s embarrassing? Hindi ba siya nahihiya sa sarili niya? 

Adam’s face crumpled as he glared at his friend. “Putangina, sige ako na naman nakita mo!” 

“Geez! Will you guys keep it down? I’m sleeping! Respeto naman!” Biglang bumangon si Cyprian, his eyes are half closed and his face is crumpled. 

“Ito kasing si Ciel, e. Ang KJ! Kitang nagkakatuwaan tapos bigla-bigla ako na naman ang pagdidiskitahan! Tangina, hindi cool!” 

“Bahala kayo diyan mga gago kayo…” Walang pakialam na sabi ni Cyprian at muling bumalik sa pagtulog. Saglit na sinulyapan ni Ciel ang kaibigan at napangisi bago muling ibinalik ang tingin kay Adam na mukhang pikon pa rin. 

I was just watching them with my mouth in quite agape. Damn. What did just happen? 

“Oh, chill. Masyado kang mainit, Adam. We’re having fun here, right?” Ciel cooly said, unbothered that he just pissed his friend off. 

“Chill mo mukha mo, ulul!” Adam hissed angrily before getting up from being seated on Ciel’s desk. He took frantic and angry steps towards the exit and his two friends just watched him. Logan’s mouth is parted with amusement and shock. 

Hindi alam ni Logan kung matatawa ba siya o ano nang tingnan niya si Ciel na nakangisi lang at mukhang walang pakialam sa pag wa-walk out ni Adam. 

“Tangina ka, ginalit mo.” Dinaan na lang din ni Logan sa tawa ang sitwasyon nila. 

“That’s what happens when you can’t stand your own attitude, Logan.” Ciel shrugged and he was about to put his earphones back on his ears when Logan spoke again. 

“Gago, hindi mo talaga susundan ‘yon?” 

“Bakit? Chicks ba siya?” Ciel lackadaisically respond before plugging his earphones back to his ears. 

Unexpectedly, his eyes turned to me and I almost jumped off my skin because I was too caught off guard. 

I really wanted to look away but when a corner of his lips lifted up, showing that parenthesis-like-dimple, my eyes couldn’t just help but to stare even more.

I didn’t understand what kind of smirk he was giving me but he stared at me, for solid three seconds and what happened next is what made me feel even more confused because he winked at me. 

Ciel Alfieri winked at me before drawing his gaze back down to his phone. 

Why would he winks at me? 

--

“Hi, Mona…” Natigilan ako sa pagda-drawing ng mixing bowl sa likod ng activity sheet ko nang biglang sumulpot sina Nika at Gemma sa harapan ko. 

TLE ngayon ang subject namin that’s why the teacher asked us to answer an activity and to draw the equipment used in baking. 

“Hello…” Alanganin kong bati sa kanila sabay sulyap sa pwesto nila. Nakita kong mag-isa na lang si Courtney sa pwesto nilang tatlo at kasalukuyang nag ce-cellphone.

“May answer ka na ba sa number five?” Nakangiting sabi ni Nika sa akin. 

Ngumiti ako at tumango. I’m actually finish answering the given questions, inuna ko talaga ang mga iyon at hinuli itong drawing because I know that it will consume a lot of my time since I really suck at drawing. 

“Pwede patingin?” She smiled at me. Gemma was standing behind her and she’s smiling at me, too. 

“Sure.” Sagot ko at binaligtad ang activity sheet ko. Sabay na nagliwanag ang mga mukha nila kasabay nang pag okupa nila sa bakanteng pwesto sa magkabila ko. The two of them had to drag the chair away from me para lang makapasok sila. 

Our instructors gave this permanent seat to me, nasa pinaka likod at walang katabi. Naiintindihan ko naman since my body occupies too much space, making it hard for my seatmates to move freely and for the people at my back to see what’s on the board. 

“Pahiram, ah?” Nika said, nicely and I just nod letting her get my activity sheet. Napansin ko na dalawa pa lang ang nasasagutan niya at nang ang papel naman ni Gemma ang tingnan ko ay wala pa itong kasagot-sagot. 

“Wala ka pa palang sagot, Gemma…” I told her while Nika was busy jotting my answers down to her paper. 

She forced a smile. “Inuna kasi namin ‘yung drawing.” She said at umusog nang kaunti palayo sa akin habang nakaupo siya sa upuan. 

“Sikip, e.” She shrugged, smiling. Tipid ko na lang din siyang nginitian. 

I just waited for Nika until she finished copying my answers. Para sa’kin hindi maganda iyong kumokopya sila nang sagot dahil hindi sila matututo. Pero ayaw ko naman silang kontrahin dahil baka sabihan nila akong madamot o di kaya’y kill joy. 

Isa pa, tuwing my activities na ganito doon ko lang naman nararamdaman na may substance ako. Lahat kasi sila bumabait sa’kin at pinapakinggan nila ang mga sinasabi ko. Because when it comes to academics, everything that I say is right. Everything that I say matters. 

“Nika, patingin naman ng sagot mo. Tangina ang damot nila Logan!” 

Adam came rushing behind Nika’s back the moment she finished copying my answers. He’s completely ignoring me and the fact that Nika’s answers came from me. 

“Oh. Pakopyahin mo si Ciel sa mga wala pa niyang sagot, ah?” Mahinang sabi ni Nika kay Adam at ibinigay ang activity sheet niya.

“Oo sige. Salamat! Kaya sa’yo ako, e.” Adam grinned before going back to his seat. 

“What the hell, Nika?! Bakit ibinigay mo sa Adam na ‘yon ang papel mo?! Paano naman ako?” Gemma’s face scrunched, showing her black front page to Nika. 

“Sandali, heto kasi oh. Papel ni Mona. Highblood ka masyado?” She said handing my paper to her friend. 

Umawang ang bibig ko ngunit bago pa ako makapag protesta ay nagsalita ulit si Nika. 

“Okay lang ba, Mona? I had to give my paper para kapag si Ciel ang kumompya ay makita niya ang pangalan ko. Alam mo naman na crush na crush ko siya.” Nika whispered as she eyed Ciel who was busy doing his own thing. 

Tiim ang kanyang bagang at nakakunot ang kanyang noo habang nagda-drawing siya sa likod ng activity sheet niya. 

Medyo nananahimik siya ngayong araw. I don’t know if it’s because of his sprained ankle. Na sprain daw siya kagabi sa volleyball training nila kaya pumasok siya kanina na nakabenda ang paa. Instead of being concern, pinagtripan pa siya ng mga kaibigan niya na tinawanan niya naman at nakisabay pa talaga siya. 

Muli kong ibinalik ang tingin kay Nika at tumango na lamang. 

One of the plenty things that I don’t like about me is the fact that I’m too scared to say no. I always let them take what they need from me. I never knew my own limits when it comes to being a giver… and that sucks. Dahil sa sobrang mapagbigay ko, hindi ko na namamalayan na nauubos na pala ako. 

“Class, pass your activity sheets now and go have your lunch.” 

I immediately tilted my head up as panic rises through my chest. Kakabigay pa lang ng papel ko sa’kin and I’m not even done with the first drawing! I need to draw eight! 

“M-Ma’am…” I raised my hand while my classmates are now passing their papers. Nangunguna sina Nika sa pagpapass at mukhang excited nang lumabas.

“Yes, ms. Clavel?” 

“Ma’am hindi pa po kasi ako tapos…” Nahihiya kong sabi. 

Bumuntong hininga siya at tumango at hinarap ang buong klase. “Sige iyong mga hindi pa tapos ipass niyo na lang mamaya sa’kin sa faculty. Hanggang alas tres lang, ha?” 

“Thank you po!” Halos magkasabay naming sabi ng dalawa ko pang kaklase. 

“Osige, tumayo na muna tayong lahat at magdasal.” She said and we all did stand up, said our memorized prayer and everyone was back in their own business after. 

“Anong ulam ang gusto mo?” I heard Cyprian’s voice while I was busy rummaging through my bag. Hinahanap ko ‘yong earphones ko. 

“Kahit ano.” Boses naman ni Ciel ang narinig ko. 

“Walang kahit ano do’n, Ciel. Be specific. Para kang babae.” Cyprian said. Kahit ‘di ko sila tingnan ay naririnig ko sila. 

“Hoy! Ang tagal Cyprian!” It was Adam’s voice. 

“Maghintay ka!” Sigaw ni Cyprian pabalik. “Ano na, Ciel?” 

“Basta kung ano ang kakainin mo, iyon na lang ‘din ang akin.” 

“Okay. We’ll try to get back as soon as we can.” 

“Take your time. I’m not hungry anyway.” I heard Ciel respond. 

Ibig ba’ng sabihin ay maiiwan dito si Ciel sa classroom? Darn. Bahala na. Mag e-earphones na lang ako. Isa pa, hindi naman siguro niya ako pagti-tripan ‘di ba? Usually, hindi naman kasi talaga si Ciel ang nagsisimula nang pang-aasar sa akin. Iyong mga kaibigan niya lang tapos makikitawa na lang siya. 

Tapos si Cyprian ay iiling-iling na lang at hindi nakikisali. Kaya nga sa kanilang apat, si Cyprian sa tingin ko ang mabait kahit hindi ko pa siya nakakausap masyado. 

Napatingin ako sa paligid habang inaayos ko ang earphones ko na nagkabuhol-buhol. I was shocked when I saw two of my classmates, rising from their seats while holding their activity sheets.

“Tapos na kayo?” Hindi ko mapigilang tanong. 

Hinarap nila ako at tinanguan. “Ikaw ba? Ipapasabay mo ba ang papel mo?” One of them asked. 

Umiling ako at tipid na ngumiti. “Sige, mauna na kayo. Hindi pa ako tapos, e.” I told them. Tumango naman sila at tumuloy-tuloy na sa labas. 

I just sighed before plugging one earphone on my ear before picking a song to listen. Tahimik ko na lamang na sinimulan ang pagda-drawing ko. 

“Argh, bakit ba ang hirap naman nito?!” I silently groan, erasing my drawing to start all over again. Out of all the 7 Billion people in this world, ako pa talaga ang napiling hindi biyayaan ng talent sa drawing? 

“Ilan pa ang kulang mo?” 

I almost jumped on my own skin when I heard the smoky voice coming from my right side. 

I tilted my head on the right and I immediately met Ciel’s deep eyes, looking at me. Tiningnan ko lang din siya. Nagsalita ba talaga siya? 

Ako ba talaga ang tinatanong niya? 

He raised both his brows at me before pushing out a deep sigh. Bigla siyang tumayo mula sa kinauupuan niya at ika-ikang humakbang papalapit sa akin. 

He stood beside me, looking down on my paper. He was just few inches away from me, his scent slowly filling my nostrils. 

I heard him click his tongue. “Ni isa wala ka pang natatapos. Maganda ‘yan,” sarcastic niyang sabi. I rolled my eyeballs. Nandito lang ba siya para mang-asar? Tss. 

“I’m sorry if I wasn’t blessed with a talent when it comes to drawing…” 

Gumuhit ang isang ngisi sa kanyang mga labi. 

“You’re lucky, I was. Akin na papel mo.”