"Congrats, panalo kayo sa basketball." Lumingon sa akin si Yhael.

"Bakit parang ang plastic naman niyang sinabi mo? Hindi bukal sa loob 'no?" tanong niya sa akin. "Isa pa, champion kayo sa volleyball. Dalang-dala mo ang laro sabi ni Sovie."

I chuckled softly at his words. "I'm just tired. You know a lot happened during Invictus, right?" I gently inquired.

His innocent eyes filled with concern. "Bakit? May umaaway ba sa 'yo na taga-Stem?" he asked.

Nakangiti akong umiling. "Napagod lang ako sa cheer," naiiling kong sinabi.

I looked down. Trying to hold back the tears that wanted to escape earlier. "Ayos ka lang?" tanong niya. Hindi ako kumibo kaya muli siyang nagsalita. "Nagagalit ka ba dahil hindi ako napanood ng laro mo?"

I shook my head once more before gazing up at him. We were at the school's waiting shed, waiting for Sovie and others. "It's not because of that. I know you had a championship earlier, that's why you weren't around. Congratulations," I said softly.

Bumuntong hininga siya bago hawakan ang dalawang balikat ko at maiharap sa kaniya. "Ano ba kasing problema? Bakit ganiyan ang boses mo? May umaway na naman ba sa 'yo? Sino?" sunod-sunod niyang tanong. Umiling lang ako bilang sagot. "Alam mo, hindi kita matutulungan diyan sa problema mo kung hindi mo sasabihin sa akin."

I gently removed his hand from my shoulder and offered him a faint smile. "It's okay, Yhael. Maybe I'm just feeling a bit sensitive right now," I said.

"Anong—" natigil siya sa kaniyang sinasabi nang lumabas ng gate sina Sovie. Nakikipag-asaran siya kina Janser at Daniel. "Sovie, anong problema nito?" tanong ni Yhael kay Sovie sabay turo sa akin.

Lumapit sila sa kinauupuan namin ni Yhael. Umiling ako kay Sovie nang nagkatinginan kami. Ngumisi naman siya sa akin bago bumaling kay Yhael. "Inaway siya ng crowd ninyo. Kaya hindi niyo deserve ang overall champion, mga tangkay na mga bully na ang papanget naman," litanya ni Sovie.

"Anong ginawa?" sabay-sabay na tanong nung lima. Natatawang nag-apir si Daniel at Janser. Hindi nila maka-apir si Yhael dahil masama ang mukha.

"Magaling na server kasi 'tong kaibigan ko, boys," pagmamayabang ni Sovie bago ako inakbayan. "Sa sobrang galing, no need na ng ibang players. Kaya na niyang ipanalo ang laro laban sa inyong mga tangkay na nilampaso niya."

"'Wag mo nga kaming nililigaw, Sovie." Seryosong sinabi ni Yhael.

"Ito naman, hindi mabiro," natatawang sinabi ni Sovie. "Ito na nga..." Tiningnan niya ang limang lalaki na naghihintay sa kaniyang idudugtong. Imbes na dugtungan iyon ay tumawa siya nang malakas. "Hinga, para naman kayong nag-aabang ng chis—"

"Sovie!" sabay-sabay na tawag sa kaniya nung lima.

"Oo na, Kuya. Ito na, sasabihin ko na. Nanginginig pa," sinambit ni Sovie.

"Tapos na tayo sa pagiging bida-bida ng kaibigan ko," dugtong niya bago nagseryoso ng mukha. "Nung malapit na kasing matapos ang laro, lamang kami ng 5 points sa inyo. Kada mag-se-serve si Aphle, may sumisigaw na “anak ng cheater!” para mawala sa concentration si Aphle. Muntik pa kaming matalo dahil madadaya kayo!"

"Paanong kami?! Puro girls kaya 'yung nanonood sa inyo. Mapagbintang ka," depensa ni Janser.

"Sinabi ko bang kayong lima? 'Yung mga babae sa inyo!" sigaw ni Sovie.

"Nakikilala niyo ba?" tanong ni Kuya Zhack. Nanatili akong tahimik habang nag-di-discussion sila.

"Tara nga, kakausapin natin," sinabi ni Yhael bago tumayo.

We were all surprised when Yhael went to school without pausing. His steps were heavy and forceful, as if he were gearing up for a fight in a corner. "Yhael!" sabay-sabay naming tawag sa kaniya pero parang wala siyang naririnig.

We were near the Stem building when I grasped his wristwatch. He turned to me. "Don't mind them. It's normal, probably just a joke," I reassured him.

"Joke 'yung ginawa nila?" sarkastiko niyang tanong. "Magkakaganiyan ka ba kung joke lang talaga 'yon?"

"I'm the only sensitive one. For sure, that's just a joke. Let it go," I replied.

"Wala naman kasing joke na nakakasakit, Xierinah," matigas niyang sinabi.

"Bakit second name ko?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

Umirap siya sa akin. "Nakakainis ka kasi. Ayaw mong lumalaban, kaya ka inaalipusta," inis niyang sinabi.

I sighed. "I gain nothing by retaliating against them, so I choose to let it go. My grades won't improve by engaging in that manner," I explained.

"Bahala ka nga. Ang kulit-kulit mo," inis niyang sinabi bago naglakad palabas ng school.

"Ngayon na lang ulit siya nagalit ng ganoon," sinabi ni Kuya Zhack.

"Kailan ba 'yung unang beses?" tanong ko.

"'Wag na. Baka ikaw naman ang magalit," sabay-sabay nilang sinabi.

I simply walked past them to follow Yhael, but when I emerged, my pick-up was already waiting outside. I also didn't spot Yhael on the street. Ang bilis naman niyang maglakad. Ganoon ba kapag ayaw niya akong kausap.

Totoo naman kasi 'yung sinabi ko. Wala namang mali kung hindi lalaban.

I arrived home to find that Yhael and I were not on good terms. I attempted to message him, but he didn't respond. All my messages were delivered. I'm unsure, but it seems like he's truly upset.

Instead of sleeping, I waited for his reply. He responded in the group chat, but he couldn't reply to me. My chest constricted as I sensed his frustration towards me. Bakit ganoon? Siya hindi ko matiis, mabilis akong mag-reply. Pero siya, kaunting away lang nagagawa niya akong tiisin.

I rubbed my forehead and neck. I felt warmer and more sluggish than before, perhaps because I hadn't rested or eaten. That was my intention, but it got disrupted by Yhael's mood.

Daniel
Naboboring ako rito sa bahay. Tara, Yhael. Basketball tayo

Yhael
Dalawang oras pa lang ako nagpapahinga.

Daniel
Hala, nandito na ako sa tapat ng bahay niyo

Yhael
Gago, bawal ako lumabas ng bahay. Walang bantay dito.

Janser
Bakit? Lalayas ba 'yang bahay niyo?

Yhael
Hindi. Gagala lang kapag gumala rin ako.

Daniel
Edi isama mo, problema ba 'yon?

Sovie
Daniel, diyan daw tutulog si Kuya Zhack sa inyo. Bawal ka raw humindi.

Daniel
Sure, welcome na welcome 'yan sa bahay-kubo namin

Yhael
Tinatarantado na naman ako ni Mark. Restricted ako sa pm. Ano na naman ginawa ko?

Nawala ang tingin ko roon. I glanced up as the door suddenly swung open. My eyes widened at the sight of Mommy followed by Daddy. "M-Mommy," I exclaimed in surprise, accidentally dropping my cellphone.

They settled on my bed, wearing serious expressions. "I have spoken to your adviser about your grades. Care to explain?" Daddy inquired.

"W-What do you mean, Daddy?" kinakabahan kong tanong.

"You're only third in Humss overall. What can I say to you? You should always strive to be at the top, Aphle," Mommy firmly reminded me.

"Mommy, I've done everything. I've sacrificed sleep to review all my notes. There are simply others who are smarter than me," I explained.

"You're only giving excuses. You weren't like this when you were younger, Aphle. You are gradually changing. Tell me, do you have a boyfriend that we're unaware of?" Mommy questioned sternly.

I repeatedly shook my head. "Mommy, how can I have a boyfriend if the boys at school never pay attention to me for long because..." I trailed off, glancing at Daddy. I wanted to disclose that I was being bullied because of Daddy's actions, but I hesitated. I knew they would likely dismiss it as an excuse. "Because I don't consider myself attractive."

"Then why?!" Mommy raised her voice. "Why can't you surpass the top two? You're intelligent, Aphle. That's your strongest suit, so work on it."

Mommy stormed out of my room, leaving Daddy looking disappointed. He shook his head and followed Mommy out.

I sat dumbfounded in my room, gripping my cellphone so tightly that it nearly broke.

After some time, I sarcastically chuckled to myself. "Wow, they came home just to lecture me? They didn't even say hello?" I mused to myself.

"Ang hirap-hirap mag-aral," basag-boses kong sinabi sa aking sarili. "Ang hirap mag-aral kung alam niyo lang, Mommy, Daddy. May mga teacher na pinag-iinitan ako at dinadamay ang aking grades dahil sa ginawa ni Daddy. Na paulit-ulit kong sinasabi na parang kasalanan ko."

Mommy's words echoed in my mind repeatedly. Intelligence is the only aspect I can take pride in, so I must work on enhancing my strengths. But I struggle in this field. Must I rely solely on my intellect for everything?

I lay on my bed, the same one I had been trying to prevent from collapsing. Life is challenging. I am weak both physically and mentally.

Unlike the wounds on my body that heal quickly, the emotional pain inflicted by my parents is hard to mend. I don't know when I'll be able to heal myself.

That night, I remained in my room, fearing that Mommy and Daddy might still be in the living room. I dreaded the possibility of facing more hurtful words. The pain from their earlier remarks was unbearable, and I hoped it wouldn't persist.

The door creaked open, causing me to panic, and I hastily covered myself with a blanket. I presumed it was Mommy and Daddy. I was afraid that if they saw me crying, the reprimand would intensify.

"'Wag ka na magpanggap na tulog. Wala na sila." Nawala ang kabang aking nararamdaman nang marinig ang boses ni Aling Nita.

"Iiwan ko na itong hapunan at gamot mo rito. Uminom ka ng gamot, alam kong lalagnatin ka kaka-iyak mo," aniya. "Labas na ako."

When I realized she had exited the room, I cried even harder. I didn't want to cry anymore, as it would only worsen my fever, but I couldn't control it.

I retrieved my cellphone from beside me and opened my messages. Seeing that I still hadn't received any messages from Yhael made me cry even more. Gusto kong magsumbong sa kaniya, pero alam kong hindi pwede. Galit nga siya sa akin e.

Nag-pop up ang chat head mula sa group chat ng section namin. Nag-send ng message si Sir Xade.

Zade Nixen Pueblo
Good evening, Humss 1.First and foremost, I want to congratulate you for completing grade 11 successfully without any issues (Humss 1 only). Whether with or without honors, I simply want to express how proud I am of you, my Humss 1.

Sovie
Hala, Sir. Bakit ka po ganiyan? Look, I'm crying 😭😭

Zade
To everyone who in the overall ranking—who are you?

Sovie
Si Aphle lang, Sir!

Zade
Congrats, Ms. Poniente. I am incredibly proud of you as your teacher. Always keep in mind that your ranking does not define your worth. What truly matters are your determination and progress. It's alright even if you're in third place, as for some, it may be too challenging to achieve, but you, you accomplished it. It's not just being in third place. Pangatlo ka. Isa pa, hindi lang sa akademika nasusukat ang talino ng isang tao, sa maraming aspeto rin. At mahalaga ka sa lahat, hindi lang dahil may rank ka. Mahalaga ka, dahil may halaga ka.

Thank you so much, Sir! You enlighten my mood! 💗🌙

Sunod namang nag-ring ang phone ko. Tumatawag si Ate Grapes. Kaagad ko iyong sinagot.

"Ate," nagsusumbong kong tinig.

"Hmm? Sinabi ni Kuya sa akin na nanggaling diyan sina Mommy at Daddy. Ayos ka lang? Anong sinabi sa 'yo?" sunod-sunod niyang tanong.

"N-Nagbago raw ako, ate," basag-boses kong sinabi.

"Nagbago?" nagtataka niyang tanong. "You like the color green, you prefer fruits that are green, you're afraid of thunder and lightning, you get sick easily, especially when you cry, you avoid conflicts even when you're upset, you don't drink coffee but opt for Milo and milk instead, you still enjoy playing Barbie doll apps, and you adore wearing a green dress with a floral design. Ngayon, sagutin mo 'ko. Nagbago ka ba?"

Wala akong naging sagot, tanging paghikbi lang. "Alam kong iyon ang sinabi sa 'yo ni Mommy. Na nagbago ka na," aniya.

"Mali siya, Aphle. Hindi ka nagbago. Ikaw pa rin iyan. Syaka mo sabihin na nagbago ka na kapag nagbago lahat ng sinabi ko."

"Just because Mommy said you've changed, doesn't mean you have to believe it. It's not like that, Aphle. Only you can determine if you have truly changed. You are the only one who truly know yourself."

-iamlunamoon