Am I At Fault?

“PLEASE!”

This was the only word that mattered to me at that moment. Her facial expression was new to me. Her eyes were watery and she seemed to be on the verge of crying out. When she said that simple word, I was paralyzed on my feet and I know I had no choice but to let her go.

She was a jolly person. She was like the sun, overflowing with brightness. She don't even realize that she is a source of light for some people who experience the dark. I am so thankful that she is my room mate. She inspires me and I admire her although I never told her.

She was adept in saying “please”. She often say the word when borrowing or requesting for something. She also uses the word as an expression of indignation when she was telling stories... Telling stories... But today was different. She wasn't telling a story. We were not in our room. This time, it is not her story only, but our story.

It was the sportsfest. We belong to the blue team. It was the last game. This game was so important to us because it will decide on who will be the champions for this year's sports festival. We were currently on second place. It was a make or break because if we lose this game, we might not be held as champions.

The game consists of five players. She was one of the players of our team. It was a game which involves water. The goal was for each set of players from each team to fill a pail up to the brim by wetting their clothes one by one from the other side of the field then squeezing the water out of it to the designated pail for each team. Each player should only wear one clothing of each kind e.g. one shirt, one pants, one pair of underwear. Only shirts are allowed. No long sleeves or jackets. This was a controversial game. We weren't allowed to take pictures because if the players wanted to take it all off and soak it with water, they have their freedom.

She borrowed my shirt because my shirt was so big. Its sleeves were reaching my elbows and its length was up to my thigh. So, we exchanged shirts. The players all took off their pants and just depended on their big shirts for the covering of their body. Well, I personally think that's fine. The shirts had served their purpose. They were like wearing dresses that time, very short dresses.

And so, the game started. There was a voice inside me saying we needed to win this game. I always reminded everyone that this is our last chance to be the champions. And as the game started, I know that I was not the only one who wanted to win badly. The players were all doing their best. However, it was already the third time for each player to traverse the field but the water of our pail was just near half way to the brim. Our team mates were telling the players to take off their shirts to soak it in water also but I think, for the sake of dignity, they don't need to do that. If I was one of them, I wouldn't take it off even though I badly wanted to win.

Then there was a shortage of water supply from the other side of the field. This was the only thing I can do, I will help in refilling the containers where they soak their clothes. As I refill our container with water, she was now the one soaking her clothes. And I was shocked with what I saw. She had done it, for the sake of winning. Three out of our five players had done it. This was beyond my expectations. Yes, we really wanted to win badly, I told myself.

After a while, somebody told me that we're done so I stopped refilling our water containers and approached our team to ask them if we had achieved victory.

“Sinong nanalo?”

“Tayo! Nauna tayo sa kanila.”

Yes! I can't believe this! We had won! We did it! We were all rejoicing for our sweet victory. I wanted to hug the players but they were all so wet with water, some with mud. Then, there was the announcement of the winners.

“...Next is blue. Then, red ang nanalo.”

Wait lang. Akala ko ba tayo? There was a sudden uproar of disagreement and unfairness from our team. Everyone was saying that we were the first one who filled the pail up to the brim, even overflowing. Honestly, I had no opinion about it. I didn't witness how we won. I cannot comment on something I don't know. I was actually telling them that it was fine. We should give chance to the red team. They were on the last place before the start of the game. However, she spoke. She said something I can't remember. What struck me is that she was in tears. She did her best, I thought. I hugged her that time. No complains. I told her it's all right. Then somebody told me that if we don't win this game, we can't make it to the top. The yellow team was ahead of us. It acted like a stimulant. I wanted to win. I listened to the pleas. We had three witnesses. And, we argued about our situation. Someone from the other team confirmed our side. And I thought we had won the battle. But I was wrong. We can't make them believe that we really finished the game first. Then, they were telling us that it was fine because, adding the scores, we actually made it to the top.

I didn't immediately get that last part. I approached her because she was planning to walk-out of the place. She just came back to ask me for a key.

“Di ka dapat umalis.”

Somebody at her side agreed with my statement and told her the same thing. She didn't reply. I think she was looking at the key on my pants. I was facing her that time and I think I held her near the shoulder or not. Whatever.

“Ano ka ba? Winners never quit!”

Then, I felt her frustration overpowering her.

“Hindi ako nagku-quit!”

I didn't expect that answer. I nearly told her, 'then what do you call your process of walking-out?'. But I know that it would not improve the situation. I'd better hold my tongue. While still facing her, I asked the one beside her if we will reach the top even if we don't win this game. She told me, we will. I talked to her again.

“ 'Wag kang umalis. Okay lang yan. First pa din tayo! 'Wag ka nang magwalk-out. Ano ka ba?”

For a fraction of a second, I saw her eyes swarming in tears. I can't remember if she was looking at me and she said...

“PLEASE!”

This was the only word that mattered to me at that moment. Her facial expression was new to me. Her eyes were watery and she seemed to be on the verge of crying out. When she said that simple word, I was paralyzed on my feet and I know I had no choice but to let her go.

Part of me wanted to run after her and comfort her but something kept me from doing it. I was rooted on the spot where she left me. Everyone was looking at her and I, too, gazed at her until she disappeared. Again, there were arguments but I did not participate. I was wondering where she was about to go. She had no key. Where would she stay? Outside the room? I waited for the matter to be settled before I finally decide to follow her. I looked for her friend. I was half expecting that someone might have followed her and comforted her but no one did. I asked her friend to accompany me. I was quite afraid of her. Just apologize, I told myself.

We went to my room. She was sitting there near our room. I approached her and said sorry several times. She didn't say anything in reply. That was expected. Her bangs were covering her eyes which were blood shot red and again, I saw tears slowly rolling down her cheeks. She wiped them with her hands. I sat in front of her and touched her cheeks. I took it as a good sign that she did not take my hands off. One palm on each cheek, I apologized again. No reply. She was soaking wet.

“Gusto mong mag-shower? Tara mag-shower na tayo. Basang-basa ka oh. Baka magkasakit ka pa.”

I didn't expect a reply. I already know she wouldn't, anyway. I stood up, opened our room and entered. She also entered after a while. She got a towel and clothes to change. She grabbed her soap case and went out of the room without another word. I heaved a sigh.

Since we won the sportsfest, we should celebrate. I asked our team mates to celebrate on our room because she might not come if it was somewhere else. It was intended to be a surprise. Nearly the whole team was on the room when she finished showering. She was smiling. I counted up to three and we sang her a happy birthday although it wasn't her birthday. That was supposed to be funny. Well, she laughed. I felt that my load was lighter. Each of us introduced ourselves. When it was my turn, I acknowledged her as my room mate. I looked into her eyes but immediately looked away again. Her gaze seemed to be swallowing me. She also acknowledged me as her room mate and I thought that it was as if nothing happened except that we can't directly look into each others' eyes. The celebration has ended and I thought that we were fine now.

I didn't try to open the topic. It takes a lot of courage to do that. I won't risk the 'development' that she was talking to me again. Maybe tomorrow but not now. I haven't figured out the words to tell her. I don't want to lose the friendship. But, is this the right thing to do?

Part of me was telling that I am not at fault. I tried to help her but she was just so immature to accept my help so she just walked out of the place. Part of me was insisting that I sometimes need to bare with her. She's a friend, after all. But, she needed to mature, right? I shouldn't tell her the words she wanted to hear. I should tell her the words she needed to hear. I took it as a challenge from God to tell her to mature, as something to conquer. I missed her.

When she woke up next day, everything had changed. She wasn't talking to me again. Ugh. Whatever. I said goodbye as she had gone to close the door. She said a soft goodbye too, without looking at me. It was awkward. But I can do it. God is with me. I guess. LOL. No one can be against me. Hopefully, she would realize what she had done. Well, I also had my mistakes. I did not put myself into her shoes. I should have considered her efforts more. She gave it her all. She was the first one to take it all off from our team. No one might have done it if she didn't. I approached her wrongly. I was deeply sorry. We weren't on the same boat and I knew I hurt her. I need to fix this friendship because if I wouldn't, no one would. Oh, I hope she will. LOL. That was a joke.

When Everything Else Fails...

*This past few months, ang daming bumabagabag sa isip ko. Andaming mga bagay na kinailangan kong gawin. Ang daming mga bagay na kinailangan ng atensyon ko.

Isang araw, umattend ako ng LIFE party namin sa SOD. Masaya ang LIFE. Super refreshing. Super feel ko ang presence ni God. May nagkwento about sacrifices na nagawa niya sa buhay niya. She said she was from UP, EL major ata, if I'm not mistaken. Hindi man ako familiar sa course na 'yon, alam kong mahirap. After all, UP graduate pa din sya. Nagwork daw siya sa isang malaking company. Mataas na sweldo. Magandang trabaho. Nagagamit niya ang pinaghirapan niyang pag-aralan for how many years. Pero she gave up the work. Nag-resign ata siya. Para magwork sa church. I was not surprised on the outcome of the story. Alam ko na dun hahantong 'yun and I admired her. Sabi ko, sana dumating ang panahon na kaya kong isacrifice ang lahat para sa kanya. Para kay God. I hope it will come. I know it will come. Pero hindi ko alam kung kailan. Basta ang alam ko, hindi pa ata ngayon 'yun. I love Jesus. I love him so much that it makes me shiver but in a good way :D Pero ang buhay na pinangarap ko mula bata pa ko, hindi ko ata kayang isuko 'yun ng basta-basta. Si ate na nagwork sa church, I admire her so much. Ang laking sacrifice ng ginawa niya. Ilang taon kang naghirap sa UP then hindi mo magagamit ng buong-buo ang napag-aralan mo. Grabe 'yun di ba? Pero hindi 'yun ang point di ba? Ang importante ay masaya siya sa church. Masaya syang paglingkuran si God. 'Yun ang destiny nya.

Naikwento ko 'to kay mama dahil super hanga ako kay ate. Syempre pag hinahangaan mo, ikikwento mo sa iba di ba? Nagulat si mama. At kasabay ng pagkagulat niya ang pagkagulat ko sa ipinakita nyang reaction. Sabi nya pa, “bakit sya nagwork sa church?! Sayang ang pinag-aralan niya!!! Tsaka di ba mababa lang naman ang sweldo dun?” Sa gulat ko, ang nasabi ko lang “Ewan. Ganun talaga. May **calling sya ni God eh. ” I wasn't satisfied with my answer. Hindi ko man lang naipagtanggol ang taong hinahangaan ko. At sa facial expression ni mama, alam kong hindi sya naniniwala sa “calling” na tinutukoy ko.

Few months later, may nasagutan akong psychological test sa internet. May tanong dun na hindi ko malilimutan. Whom do I resemble the most daw sa bible. Si Abraham, na kayang i-sacrifice ang lahat ng walang pag-aalinlangan kay God? Si Moses na super doubtful kay God? Si Adam na natakot at nagtago kay God nung may nagawang kasalanan? Or si Jacob na ***nalimutan ko ang description? Sorry!

Syempre hindi ako si Adam. Hindi naman kaya ako nagtatago kay God! Sya nga ang takbuhan ko eh! (Kailangan talaga may exclamation point di ba?) Syempre hindi di ako si Jacob, nalimutan ko nga kung anong ginawa nya eh :)) At namili ako kay Abraham at Moses. Nabasa ko na yung kwento ni Abraham. Alam ko sa sarili kong hindi ako ganun. Pag hiningi ni Lord ang bagay na pinakapinahahalagahan ko, siguro magdadalawang-isip akong ibigay. Dun sa story ni Abraham, super agree lang sya. As in, okay Lord ioofer ko po sya sa inyo. Grabe! He's been longing fot that child. He's been waiting for Isaac. He loved his son so much na feeling ko hindi nya kayang i'sacrifice ang bata as a BURNT offering. But he is willing to. Grabe pa nga si God eh. Super in'emphasize pa nya yung “your BELOVED SON, your ONLY SON, Isaac ”. Grabe talaga. Kung ako dun baka I questoned God pa. Lord, bakit naman po sya pa? Iba na lang Lord. But Abraham was right. Isaac was GIVEN BY the Lord. The Lord God has ALL the rights to have him back. So ayun nga. I ended with Moses. I doubt in God's powers. I always think na baka hindi ko kaya. Baka.

Kinuwento ko 'yun sa room mate ko. Akala nya nga ata si Abraham ang pipiliin ko. Andami ko nang naikwento sa kanya. Mga bagay na sa kanya lang ako nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob na sabihin. Kaya naman madami syang alam sa akin. Sa personal na buhay ko. Kaya akala nya siguro si Abraham ang pipiliin ko. Akala nya. Tinanong nya ko kung bakit hindi si Abraham ang pinili ko. Hindi ko naman kayang i'sacrifice ang lahat para sa kanya eh. 'Yun ang sagot ko. Pag sabihin ni Lord sakin na i'sacrifice ko ang acads ko, hindi ko alam kung magagawa ko. Pag sinabi nya sakin na ihinto ko na ang pag-abot sa mga pangarap ko, hindi ko alam kung kaya ko nga bang gawin. Hindi ko talaga alam. Ang wish ko na lang 'wag dumating ang oras na hingin ni Lord sakin 'yun. Hingin ni Lord ang pinaka-importanteng bagay sa buhay ko. Hindi man ako GC. Hindi man ako US at CS. Hindi ko man nauuno ang lahat ng subjects ko, masaya na ko na UP student ako. UP pa din yun. Pumapasa. Nakakaraos din. Oo, gusto kong magserve kay God. Pero, kaya ko naman pagsabayin ang acads ko at ang paglilingkod ko kay God eh.

“God will sometimes break the strongest bone in your life when you think you are very strong...”

Grabe 'tong quote na 'to. I realized something dahil dito. (Salamat Louis!) At hindi ko yun marerealize kung hindi yun ginawa sakin ni God. Yes. God broke the 'strongest' bone in me. Pinilit kong ayusin. Pinipilit kong ayusin. But THE MORE I INSIST, THE MORE HE TRIES TO CRASH IT. Ang sakit naman. Ang sakit sakit. I never thought that I'm very strong. But I always thought I'm strong enough.

Eto ako. UP student. Computer Science Major. CavSci graduate. La Salle supervised pa ang elementary school ko. Sabi nga ni mama, wala daw akong dapat ikahiya. Ang ganda ng educational background ko. BE PROUD, ika nya. I wasn't proud of being a Lasallian. I wasn't that proud of being a CavScian. But, I must admit, I am so proud of being an ISKOLAR NG BAYAN. Your taxes, My education. I wasn't an over achiever. Ordinary student lang ako na nangarap, nag-UPCAT at pumasa. Hindi ko akalain na dito. Dito sa school na 'to. Dito sa UP, ibibreak ni God ang bone na pinaghirapan kong tadtarin ng calcium :P

The strongest bone in me was my acads. Kontento na ko na nasa mean lang ako, basta pasado. Basta pasado. Basta pasado. First year pa lang binanatan na ko ni God eh. Pinilit kong ayusin. Pero ayun, lalo pang nilakasan ang hampas. Kaya eto. Naiiyak na ko. Naiiyak na talaga ko. Sana sa ibang prof na lang ako napunta. Petiks lang sila. Madali lang. No sweat. Tapos eto ako, hirap na hirap. Dugo na ang pinapawis ko. Grabe dapat pinalitan ko na lang yun nung enrollment eh. Pero hindi ko ginawa kasi HE had a greater plan for me, I believe. Kaso tagilid eh. Tagilid talaga. Nakakainis. Pinaghirapan ko at napunta lang sa wala. Tinanong ko so God , “Lord, bakit naman po ganun Lord? Akala ko naman ok lang. Akala ko...” Bago ko pa 'to itanong, alam ko naman ang sagot eh. He made me fail in my acads dahil top priority ko ang acads ko. Lagi ko pang sinasabing hindi ko kayang i'sacrifice 'to. Ayan. Sabi tuloy ni God sakin, “ayaw mong ibigay yan, eh ako ang dahilan kung bakit ka nandyan! Ako ang dahilan kung bakit ComSci ka! Ako ang dahilan kung bakit Lasallian ka! Ako ang dahilan kung bakit CavScian ka at napunta ka sa HYDROCARBON! Ako ang dahilan! Ako ang nagpasok sayo dyan sa UP, tapos uunahinmo yan kaysa sakin?!” Sorry po, Lord!!!!! Sorry kasi ipinagdamot ko sa inyo ang bagay na galanteng-galante nyong ibinigay sa akin. Katangi-tanging bagay na ipinagkatiwala niyo sa akin ng buong-buo at walang pag-aalinlangan.

Now, I don't care about my acads. Ulitin kung uulitin. So what? Kaya ko 'to! Kakayanin ko 'to! Hindi natin dapat i'question ang plans ni God for us. Believe me, in this way, we will grow. Wow. Nagmature nanaman ata ako. HAHA. And I'm loving God more.

Kaya ikaw! Oo, ikaw nga! Kung hindi si God ang sentro ng mundo mo, wag mo nang hayaan dumating pa sa oras na kunin nya sayo ang bagay na pinakapinahahalagahan mo! 'Wag mong hintayin na i'break pa nya ang strongest bone mo. Masakit 'yun! Promise! Pero mas okay yun. If I didn't experience pain, how would I possibly know that God is a healer di ba? Kaya ikaw, gawin mo nang siya ang strongest bone mo. Not your ACADS. Not your FAMILY. Not your FRIENDS. But GOD! Co'z nothing can break him. Nothing :D

* I made this on 10-01-10. Late ko lang nailagay sa fb :D

** Calling yung gamit ko dati. Which is so wrong!!!! Hindi yun nadadaan sa calling! Its your love for God :D At si Ate Luanne pala sya. :D

*** Naalala ko na si Jacob. He wrestled with God :D Hindi ako like Jacob kasi I follow God's plans so much. Kung katulad ako ni Jacob edi baka hindi ako ComSci ngayon :P

High School Decameron

Life’s Challenges

by:

Victoria Cassandra R. Real

There was this one family whom you would think of describing to be almost perfect. This family was composed of three children. Each of them has their own story to tell. The eldest, named Quince, was a girl slowly turning into a lady who undoubtfully excelled in her chosen field – academics. Next to her was another girl named Ninny. Her cute name does not really describe her desire – music. The youngest was a little boy who dramatically excelled in sports. I used to call him Peter Lysander but I preferably call him Peter. They had a nice, loving and caring mother who was always concerned about the needs and safety of her three children. Their father was a generous and gallant man of wisdom who was willing to do everything for his family. They were just this happier and simpler family. Until one incident made everything change.

Despite of the unexplainable wealth of the family, they keep their feet on the ground. The siblings were all scholars on their school. At the age of sixteen, many were already courting Quince not only because of her intelligence but also because of her charming facial expressions. Boys of the same age as Ninny were also revealing their hidden admiration to the girl. But, as the only boy among the three, Peter would not allow anybody to go near his sisters. Despite of his young age, his desire to defend his siblings was very obvious.

Quince had five men who were very important on her life. Her father, her brother, her best friend named Jeremy, her crush named William and of course God who gave her wisdom.

One afternoon, news spread through out their city. Their parents were ambushed on the way home. All this time they don’t know that their businesses were experiencing bankruptcy and many inventors were getting angry because a large amount of money just went into nothing. As a result, their parents were ambushed. Their father was dead on arrival but their mother’s body was never found. Witnesses say that father let mother escape but armed men still followed her.

Quince was very surprised of what had happened. As the eldest, she holds all responsibilities now that their parents were dead. Quince cannot accept the death of her parents because of money. She got an investigator to look for the master mind of the ambush. Months passed by but the investigation failed and she just consumed more than half of their savings. All those times, Jeremy was always there to help her emotionally and economically. Jeremy had been admiring her more than just a friend but Quince never noticed.

On the first few months, the situation went well but as time passed by, Quince noticed that they were running out of money so she decided to sell their house for half a million pesos and just rent on a small apartment suited for the three of them. Quince budgeted their money and it will be enough for two to three years. After two or three years, she doesn’t know yet what will happen to them. Because of these problems, her grades got a little low but she promises to recover because she should maintain her scholarship. During those times, she never thought of her love life but unexpectedly, William proposed to court her and Jeremy was left alone. Now that Quince was in front of her childhood crush, Jeremy was out of place. Of course, he cannot easily surrender his love to another guy whom he thinks he was better and more deserving. He also courted Quince. At first, Quince was very shocked to discover that her best friend had long loved her.

During those times, she thought she was in the middle of everything. She had to think about school, the necessities of her siblings, and to guys who loved her very much. William was very different from Jeremy. William was just a simple guy who loved to play tennis. Many girls had a crush on him but he never talked to them. The only thing William can give them was a polite smile. He was quite snobbish so Quince never thought that of all girls in the campus, she will be the one courted by William.

Jeremy, on the other hand, was some kind of a knight in shining armor. When Jeremy is with Quince, no one can stare at them and no one tries to. Every time Jeremy feels that somebody was badly looking at them, he stares at them incisively. His eyes always mean something but for Quince, that is Jeremy’s best asset.

The only guy who can look at Jeremy the same way was Peter. This cute little boy scolds Jeremy for making everybody afraid of him. Jeremy reminded Peter that he is doing that for Quince. However, Peter insisted that no guy can go near his sister except him and their father. Quince heard what the boy said. She smiled but her smile was full of darkness. Months had passed but she never recovered from the incident. She promised herself that they will all finish studying. Days went well. Although there were little problems like when Peter accidentally had a sprain while swimming, when Ninny was wounded when the string of her guitar was broken and when Quince slipped off the floor while receiving an award from a contest, Quince still keep to manage. In fact, she was getting used to it.

After two years, Jeremy and William were already asking Quince to choose between the two of them. She was more confused now. She thought she never wanted to loose Jeremy but she also loved William. This can’t be happening! Like the Law of Impenetrability which states that no two objects can occupy the same place at the same time, she should not love William and Jeremy at the same time. Ninny knew the problem of her sister and she never dared to bother Quince also. Even Peter cannot do anything about it, he never experienced those things and besides he was a boy. To lessen the burden of their sister, Ninny took care of Peter and she also helped Quince in the household chores. Quince never asked her to do such things because Ninny’s hands were often tired of playing musical instruments. After doing the household chores, Peter’s role was to massage his sisters and entertain them by telling his make-believe stories.

A week before her eighteenth birthday, Quince noticed that their savings were now not enough for one more year. Ninny knew this when she accidentally read the diary of her sister. She also became worried about it but what’s more important to her now was to celebrate the debut of her beloved sister happily. Together, Ninny and Peter had a secret fund raising in school to prepare for the celebration of Quince’s birthday. Jeremy knew this secret fund raising so he talked to Ninny and Peter because he volunteered to shoulder the expenses so they do not need to do such things.

On the other hand, William noticed the loneliness of Quince. When William touched Quince’s back to comfort her, Quince just cried and she told her problem to William. William understands what she feels. Jeremy saw them and he became jealous of William. He thought that Quince will choose him if she’ll just know that he was the busiest man on the preparation for her birthday. Jeremy just smiled – a naughty smile.

On Quince's debut, she was surprised to know that Jeremy and her siblings were actually preparing for it. She thought no one had remembered her debut. Quince embraced Jeremy for such extravagant debut party. During the opening of the gifts, Jeremy gave Quince a necklace. By the way, where is William? William was just there on one side of the table, staring at Quince. Peter approached him to ask him to play tennis together. William just smiled then a guy approached Quince. He was wearing formal attire and he gave Quince a title of a house. It states there that someone pitied the three of them so this guy wanted to help them. Jeremy was also shocked but Quince thought that he was just acting so she accepted the gift from the guy.

The next day, they all went to that house together with Jeremy. The house was quite big for the three of them and everything they needed was all there. Quince was very delighted to see all those things and she thanked Jeremy. Jeremy just accepted her gratitude. When Jeremy was gone, Quince heard a voice in her room. She was afraid at first but when the voice said that he was once the owner of the house, she thought of Jeremy. She thought this was one of his strategies again. That voice always warms her heart, comforts her in times of problems and encourages her when needed. Thinking that the voice was Jeremy, she was now sure that Jeremy was her true love. She now planned to tell the two guys who had won her heart.

Peter told Quince that it is not Jeremy because William admitted to him that it was him. Quince never believed because she never saw William and Peter together. All this time Quince does not know about the tennis tutorial of Peter with William. Ninny never told her. Because of what she heard from Peter, she doubted about the voice. She investigated by herself and did many experiments but she did not get any relevant data. She looked for a speaker in her room or any hardware that made her communicate with the voice. At last, she found something. She also found a very small camera on her room. This means that the voice was not only hearing her voice but also seeing all the things she was doing. She blushed a little.

On the other hand, Jeremy was also agreeing to every thing she says when she was telling their conversation last night. Jeremy was confident that Quince will choose him. He can feel it in her actions. Besides, he never failed to show Quince how he loved her.

The next day, she met William and Jeremy on the stairway. She asked them many things then she showed the small camera and speaker from her room. She saw Jeremy’s reaction and William’s reaction. Then she finished the conversation.

On that night, she asked her siblings if it’s just okay with them if their sister will have a boyfriend. Peter jumped out of joy when he heard this but he reminded her sister that it should be William. Ninny just smiled at her sister and told her that the most important thing is she’s happy. She invited the two guys in their house. Now, who is the lucky guy? Quince had made her final decision. She chose to give her heart to someone more deserving, to someone who never failed to show his love for her and to someone who will always be there for her. It was no other than William. William was very surprised to know this because it was already very obvious that he loosed the game. On the other hand, Jeremy was so disappointed. Quince hugged him to lessen his disappointment. She said sorry to Jeremy. Jeremy just whispered to her ears, “Promise me, I will always be your knight in shining armor and no one can replace me for that title.” He turned back then he told William to never hurt her because if he did, Jeremy will ask vengeance for Quince. William promised to Jeremy.

Now, they do not need to communicate with the speaker. Quince scolded William because she knew already that every thing she does in her room was seen by William. She asked William to remove those things from her room or else she will transfer to another room. William removed the circuits of the camera but not the speaker because he still wanted to talk to her whenever he wants. It’s just fine with Quince. William did not only took of Quince but also of Peter and Ninny. Quince never thought that she made the wrong decision of choosing William.

One day, when Quince was sent to the hospital because of high fever, Ninny saw someone they thought was forever gone. It was their mother. She was in comatose for five years already. After Quince had recovered from the fever, Ninny told her what she saw. They went to that room and talked to the doctor. It was indeed their mother. She survived the ambush but she was in comatose. Still, the children were happy to know that their mother was still alive.

William helped in the recovery of their mother. After two more years, she had finally waked up. She was very happy to discover that Quince was now a professional. She was proud of her very responsible daughter, Quince, and she was delighted to know that Quince has a boyfriend who can take care of her daughter while he was in comatose. Now they had the complete and happy family even without father.

High School Class Prophecy :)

Between the Past and the Present

by:

Victoria Cassandra R. Real

This day was memorable to me. This was exactly the tenth year after my graduation on Cavite National Science High School. I remember that one day when I shed my tears because I feel the sorrow of losing in touch with my classmates in preparation of my college life. I remember that day when we cried but actually we were still about to see each other the next day for the signing of the clearance. It really sounded funny but if you were in our situation, you cannot prevent shedding your tears. That day initiated our college life and temporarily ended our high school. We had our reunions once in a while and we are about to have it again, today.

As I was preparing myself for the reunion, I summon up my classmates and their current professions in life. I started from our beloved president, Devyd. Devyd was now an official of the Philippine Air Force. After college, he immediately followed Erica abroad and returned here in the Philippines after two years to have a stable life after getting married. Erica finished tourism and she was now the highest ranking stewardess at Philippine Airlines. Today, I will know the status of their relationship as a couple. I felt excited.

Speaking of couples, Ela became the neurologist of Captain Paiton from the Philippine Navy. Who would think that this love team would also excel in the field? That time, Sarah was the happiest person for them because her make-believe daddy Kenneth and mommy Ela became a reality. Jam was also happy for them but as before, Sarah won the game. Their mommy Ela was destined for daddy Kenneth and not for daddy Paul.

Talking about Sarah and Jam, they both excelled in the field of medicine but they are of different specialties. Jam was the kindest doctor of animals. I often bring my pet hamster to her for examination and she never failed me. On the other hand, Sarah was known to be one of the best surgeons of St. Luke’s Hospital. It was never doubtful but still you would not convince me to have her as my surgeon. I remember the times when we were telling each other that alcohol would be the best solution for bleeding wounds and operations.

Going back to couples, Cheyanne became Jhei-R’s inspiration on his appearances in theater plays as a lead actor and an important character in dance troupes. On our last reunion, I felt how Jhei-R missed Cheyanne after Cheyanne left the country for a world-tour concerning the release of her newest album as a singer/composer. Every time we see them, we remember the twist in our high school life. I, myself, never thought that Jhei-R and Cheyanne would change each others attitude and behavior.

However, of all people in the world, there would be no happier than Klarenz. She never changed. As before, she was still the girl who never ceased to laugh. Knowing that Cheyanne and Jhei-R was now a certified couple, Klarenz immediately jumped out of joy. She had been the leader of the fans club. By the way, Klarenz was now a professional pharmacist earning at least P200, 000/month. She seldom visits the country like Nicole. They actually had many similarities but they were never been couples yet. I don’t know, maybe in the future, hopefully. They were too much busy about their chosen professions away from the country. Nicole was now an owner of an Asian Cruise. At last, his dream became a reality. We were all happy for him. Last time, we celebrated our reunion in his cruise. It was quite different from his make-believe cruise but still it’s fantastic.

Speaking of reunions, Aimeeh administered our first reunion after college. Now that she owns her own eleven-star hotel, arrangements about our reunion would be easy for her. The venue that time was her hotel, it was not that tall but it was long. Aimeeh was afraid of heights, I remember but, as always, the entire hotel was in pink. No one would doubt that Aimeeh was the owner of the hotel; she designed the interior by herself – pink. Rassel helped her with regards to the food because Rassel was now the second highest ranking chef in the white house. She proved not only to the whole CNSHS that she had the talent in cooking but also to the whole world by serving foods to the president of America himself. I actually missed her cordon bleu and honestly speaking, it was bar more delicious this time.

I remember that time; Jerome was again the first one to sit on the table but the last one to get up the table. He had never changed. Well, it’s just okay because he probably needed energy on his profession as an international volleyball player. I never thought he would reach that far. Marc was also an international player of badminton. Although he chose tourism first, the athletic path had pulled him through and brought him to his desired success.

Talking about Marc, his best friend Paul was now a licensed chemical engineer working at San Miguel Corporation. Not bad for him! At last he found a profession in which he was really inclined to. By the way, Joevy was also a licensed chemical engineer working at Sugarland Corporation at the same time assisting the Biotech lab of UPLB. Before, this two were just simple students having experiments on their research studies but now they were definitely successful chemical engineers accepting consultations regarding researches.

Kent was successful being licensed accountant. Although he and Tin did not last for long as couples, no one had closed their doors yet. Who knows? By the way, Tin starred on a musical last time. I failed to watch it because I was so busy with my work but at least I remembered. Actually, if not because of Grachelle, it would be hard for Tin to enter showbiz. By the way, Grachelle was an electronics and communication engineer at TV5. Well, what’s the use of being classmates for four years? She also helped Jackie to be discovered by Saicy of PBB who was now a popular choreographer. It’s just the start for her and I guess she would probably take Saicy’s place in the future. Kim was also working on networks and I think she had worked with Grachelle once, as a computer programmer after finishing a computer engineering course. Even the high school life was not perfect for them, knowing someone on that kind of industry was still the best.

Returning the topic to successful engineers, M.A. was now an electrical engineer and after a series of promotions and with his father’s help, she was now the manager of Meralco-Trece Branch. Anjo was now a successful civil engineer and he actually took part on the building of my own hospital in Tanza. It’s really hard being involved in this kind of profession but still its fun. I actually met my former classmates because of this. Raiza had been my assistant nurse for two months before she finally flew abroad and now, she earns P350, 000/month. I also witnessed the practicum of Maurha as a nurse. I was still studying that time but we are having the practicum on the same hospital. What a coincidence!

I also worked with Marianne for more than five times already. As a cardiologist, I encounter many patients experiencing strokes and being in comatose for more than a year and upon their recovery, I always suggest Marianne to be their physical therapist. I would rather suggest her! Now I have one classmate left, the toddler, Louis. He became a professor of Law at UP-Diliman. Amazing! I, myself, never expected although everybody knows that he always wanted arguments and debates. He was also teaching other subjects than law but it is his major. I actually met him often at UP-Diliman because I also had 2-year course of psychology.

Krrrrriiing! Krriiing!

“Oh, the phone...I would be late for the reunion again… Hello…”

“Doc, there is an emergency here!—”

“No need to elaborate, I’m coming.”