I am currently standing in front of the school that Mommy mentioned.

It's the first day of school, and many students have not entered the gate yet. Some are clearly waiting for their friends.

"Hira ko!" I observed a woman running towards a beautiful girl.

Glancing to the side, I noticed a girl staring intently at the school gate. She also turned towards the girl who exclaimed. Before she could notice me looking at her, I turned in a different direction.

Upon entering the school, I checked the bulletin board displaying the buildings and sections. "Humss 1," bulong ko sa sarili nang makita ko na ang section ko.

Naglakad ako sa building ng Humss, sa likod ng ABM building, kaharap nung ABM building ang Stem. Magkatalikuran ang building Stem at TVL, magkatalikuran naman ang building ng ABM at Humss.

As I entered the room, the rest of my classmates simply gazed at me. I quietly took a seat in the front row. I prefer this spot as it is well-ventilated; there is no need for air conditioning.

Two women and a gay man walked in. The gay man and one of the women burst into loud laughter, while the one trailing behind remained silent.

"Excuse me." Ibinaba nung isang mataray na babae ang kaniyang bag sa katabi kong arm chair.

Tumaas ang tingin ko sa kaniya. "Why?" I asked.

Mahina siyang napatawa dahil sa pang-e-english ko. Natahimik naman ang iba naming mga kaklase.

"Transferee ka, 'di ba?" tanong niya. Tumango naman ako. "Edi dapat alam mo kung saan ka nababagay, hindi ba? Dapat alam mong palagi kang nasa likuran."

"Why? Is it prohibited for a transferee to sit in the front row?" I asked again.

Hinawi nung bakla ang babaeng kausap ko. Pumuputok ang kaniyang labi dahil sa sobrang kapal ng kaniyang lip tint, at ang kaniyang pisngi na makapal ang pagkakalagay ng lip cheek.

"Mayaman ka?" tanong nung bakla. Hindi ako sumagot. Kapag nalaman nilang mayaman ako, baka makipag-kaibigan na naman sila sa akin. "Hmm, mukhang mayaman ka. What's your name?"

"Aphle," I replied.

"As in prutas?" Tumawa 'yung babaeng kausap ko kanina.

"Oo, pero hindi ganoon ang spelling," sagot ko.

"Apol? A-P-O-L?" tanong niya bago tumawa ang iba naming mga kaklase.

Bumuntong hininga na lang ako bago tumahimik. The woman kicked the leg of my chair. As I glanced up at her, she was now smirking at me.

The gay man reached for the woman's elbow and whispered something to her, causing her expression to soften. She then sat beside me and delicately took hold of my arm. "Hello, Aphle. Nice meeting you, girl. Sana maging magkaibigan tayo. Pwede naman, 'di ba? Nakikipag-kaibigan pa rin naman ang mga mayayaman sa mga katulad namin, 'di ba?" nakangiti niyang tanong.

Tumango naman ako para maging mabait siya sa akin. The first thing I should do is make friends so I don't feel miserable.

The four of us sat together until our teacher entered. His uniform was neatly ironed, he wore glasses, and was both serious and, above all, handsome. He appeared a decade older than us but not over thirty years old. He headed straight to the front and gazed at us, his students.

"Before we proceed, I would like to introduce myself to all of you," he announced. "I am your teacher for Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. I am Sir Zade Nixen Pueblo."

"As your adviser, I want you to understand the rules within our classroom. Firstly, I do not tolerate any cursing. It is inappropriate both in my presence and absence. While I acknowledge that swearing may happen, please be mindful of your language. I will issue a warning if necessary, and in a second instance, we will meet in the conference room," he emphasized.

After outlining all his regulations, he appointed the class officers. "As you can see, I will not hold a vote for class officers because I understand that you are not yet acquainted with each other, and the election may be frivolous without proper knowledge of one another," he stated earnestly.

A picture of a man at the back was displayed on the television screen attached to the top of the whiteboard, with the title "President" below his name.

"Aiko Silvestre," Sir Zade called out. Aiko stood up and adjusted his glasses. "And our Vice President, Aphle Xierinah Poniente." I felt puzzled when my name was called. He looked at me as if he already knew me. I slowly rose as the slide transitioned to the next image.

"These are the two individuals I have selected as partners for group work in this class. I have decided not to appoint secretaries as I trust in the capabilities of our two officers," he explained. "Both of you, come forward."

Aiko and I approached Sir Zade, sitting next to our adviser before he instructed us to introduce ourselves. Aiko spoke first before my turn.

"Good morning, classmates," una kong sinabi. "My name is Aphle Xierinah Poniente. I'm six—"

"Anak ka nung naging kabit ni Mama?" putol sa akin ni Steffi—'yung katabi ko kanina.

"Kabit?" Nag-umpisang magbulungan ang mga kaklase ko.

"Siya ba 'yung anak ni dating gobernador Dracius Poniente?" tanong nung isang babae.

Tumango ako kaya mas lalong lumala ang bulungan sa loob ng classroom. Napalunok ako nang samaan nila ako ng tingin isa-isa. The women were squinting, while the men were shaking their heads and whispering to each other.

"Class, quiet!" Sir Xade interrupted them. I simply lowered my head as they all directed their attention towards me. "Another one of my rules: I do not tolerate any form of bullying among you, especially among classmates. Such behavior reflects poorly on your education."

"I am aware of the history between the former governor, Dracius Poniente, and those who became his mistresses. However, you should show sympathy towards a classmate who is unaware of this past. Do you understand, Humss 1?"

"Yes, Sir!" Sabay-sabay nilang sagot.

I thought I wouldn't be bullied because I was the class vice president, but I was wrong. Mas malala pa pala sa ordinaryong bullying ang mapapala ko.

"Hi, Aphle!" I startled in my seat when Flint—Steffi and Sovie's gay friend—suddenly appeared.

"H-Hello," I replied.

It had been a week since the class started, and I had only eaten once in the canteen due to the fear of a repeat of the embarrassment they inflicted on me on the first day.

I still vividly recall how Steffi and Flint publicly disclosed that I was the daughter of a cheater. I had hoped to find at least one ally, but they all judged me as if it were my gravest sin. It felt as though I was being blamed for my father's affairs.

"Sayang ka, Aphle. Pwede ka pa sana namin maging kaibigan kung hindi ka lang anak ni dating Gobernador Poniente," Naiiling na sinabi ni Flint. "Imagine, araw-araw ka naming nakikitang hatid-sundo ng isang kotse. Pinapadeliver dito sa school ang lunch mo, galing pa sa mga yayamaning restaurant."

"Sayang lang talaga dahil anak ka ng cheater," natawa si Steffi sa kaniyang sinabi. "Imagine, halos lahat ng mga kaklase natin, broken family ngayon dahil sa Ama mong malandi."

"My Daddy is not flirtatious." I defended my Dad.

"E anong tawag mo sa kumabit? Hindi malandi?" tanong niya. "Malandi ka rin siguro katulad ng Daddy mo kaya dinedepensahan mo siya, ano?"

"I stand up for him because he is my father. You have no right to speak about my Daddy in that manner since you don't know him," I asserted firmly.

Steffi forcefully pushed me with both hands, causing my elbow and hip to collide with the base of the tree in the garden. "Aphle..." Sovie attempted to assist me in getting up, but Steffi glared at her.

"Subukan mong tulungan 'yang anak ng cheater na 'yan, dalawa kayong magdudusa sa araw-araw," pagbabanta nito kay Sovie.

I reached out my hand to Sovie, but she simply looked away. Steffi knelt down, then grasped my jaw to make our eyes meet. "Itong tatandaan mo, Aphle. Walang tutulong sa anak ng isang cheater na kagaya mo. Magdudusa ka hanggang sa umalis ka rito. Hindi ka naman pwedeng magsumbong kasi walang maniniwala sa 'yo. Sinungaling ang Daddy mo, kaya ganoon ka na rin sa mga mata namin. Naiintindihan mo ba?" litanya niya.

Padabog niyang binitawan ang panga ko bago tumayo at naglakad palayo. "Poor, Aphle," nakangising sinabi ni Flint. Tumuyo ako para hindi na siya makita.

He walked away, laughing loudly. I noticed Sovie's shoes; she hadn't departed yet. I gazed up at her, noticing the compassion in her expression. "Sorry, Aphle," she uttered before swiftly running off.

Left alone in the garden with scars on both elbows and a tender rear from the impact of the tree root, tears started to stream down my cheeks due to Steffi's hurtful words. She made me feel the depths of bullying like never before in my life.

In the place where I grew up and studied, I had never encountered such harsh language from my classmates, friends or teachers. However, here in this new environment, even the teachers could inflict emotional pain on me.

"Form groups of three!" Ma'am Aya instructed.

Everyone swiftly formed groups, leaving me as the solitary one without a partner.

"And you, Ms. Poniente?" Ma'am inquired, emphasizing my surname.

Tumungo ako nang walang balak na makipag-group sa akin.

"Sa amin na lang siya, Ma'am." Narinig ko ang boses ni Aiko, ang president ng classroom.

"Bakit mo naman siya isasali sa group natin, bro? Hindi ba nilandi nung Daddy niya ang Mommy mo kaya namatay sa heart ang Dad mo? Hindi mo ba naaalala?" sulsol nung isang ka-group niya.

Aiko remained silent. I hesitated to meet his gaze, fearing that the only person I ever conversed with might be upset with me.

"Hayaan na lang natin siyang maging isa. Deserve naman niya kasi..." Pagputol ni Steffi sa kaniyang sinabi.

"Anak siya ng malandi!" Sabay-sabay na pagpatuloy nila bago malakas na tumawa na abot hanggang hallway.

I bowed even lower upon hearing Ma'am Aya's soft chuckle.

She should be supporting me here, so why is she taking part in the laughter? She should reprimand my classmates as that behavior constitutes bullying.

Tears welled up in my eyes, causing my vision to blur.

Is this how it feels for Daddy too? Is this the karma that he deserves?

This is not my fault. So why am I enduring this suffering?

-iamlunamoon