After that day, I found myself frequently taken aback, as I would often be left speechless, only to have someone approach me unexpectedly. Kapag tumitili ako ay napapa-irap ang mga kaklase ko.

I may claim to be fine, but the memories of that night still linger vividly in my mind. The harassment I endured is something I cannot easily forget.

It was a traumatic experience. I no longer wish to linger in the waiting shed, especially with a woman who often sits there awaiting her pickup. Her presence somehow alleviates my anxiety, yet she exudes an intimidating aura that could unnerve even a saint.

Being seated at the far end of the bench, I went unnoticed by her, as she always occupied the seat near the school gate.

I frequently observed Zyron and his companions during their campaign activities. As they exited the gate together, his attention never landed on me, as I consistently kept my head lowered.

Despite the persistent bullying, I remain grateful to the Lord for instilling in me the strength to persevere. Several months passed until the conclusion of the first semester. While I didn't secure the top spot in the class, occasionally finding myself at a loss during reviews, perhaps being second in the room sufficed for my parents, Mommy and Daddy.

"Pangalawa ka lang?" tanong ni Daddy habang nakaupo ako sa aking study table at magkatawagan kami dahil chineck nila ni Mommy ang grades ko.

"Daddy, Aiko is really smart. He always tops me in recitations," I responded.

"You're intelligent, Aphle. You surpass everyone in that aspect," Mommy expressed her encouragement, yet I sensed an underlying meaning in her words. "Do you have a lover already? Remember, staying focused on your studies will keep you at the top spot."

"I'm sorry, Mommy," mahina kong sinabi.

"Your Daddy and I don't simply want your apologies. What we desire is for you to consistently rank first in your class and across the entire strand," Mommy asserted. "I've always emphasized that your academic success is the best way for you to repay your Daddy and me, yet you have yet to achieve it."

I maintained the top position in my class from kindergarten to grade 10. Until now kahit pangalawa lang naman ako.

"Perhaps your peers here are correct. Maybe you only achieve the top spot because of your friendships with the teachers here. If that's the case, replicate that elsewhere," she admonished sternly.

Hindi naman ganoon kadali 'yon. Magkaiba ang mga teacher ko noon, sa mga teacher ko ngayon. Wala akong pwedeng maging kaibigan sa kanilang lahat. Ibang-iba sila sa mga teacher ko roon. Hindi nila ako tinuturing na estudyante, sila pa ang nam-bu-bully sa akin minsan.

"Enhance your grades, Aphle. You are no longer a child for us to instruct on what to do. You should be aware of your standing. Settling for second place is not enough; you must strive for first," Daddy remarked.

"Mom, Dad," boses iyon ni Ate Grapes. "Kamustahin niyo kaya muna si Aphle kung ayos lang ba siya. Kayo na rin ang nagsabi na hindi siya magiging pangalawa kung nag-fo-focus siya sa pag-aaral niya. Paano makakapag-focus 'yan kung parang na-bu-bully ata siya."

Tears welled up as I listened to Ate Grapes' voice. She may not be talkative, but her words are always precise and impactful.

"Na-bu-bully? Paano siya ma-bu-bully doon?" tanong ni Kuya Mark.

"Kuya, 'wag kang magbulag-bulagan. Alam natin ang reason." Kahit hindi ko nakikita, alam kong umirap na si Ate Grapes kay Kuya Mark.

"Shut up, you two," saway ni Mommy sa dalawa kong nakakatandang kapatid na palaging parang aso at pusa. Never na nagkasundo.

"If Aphle is being bullied, she would speak up immediately. I know your sister; she cannot tolerate pain. Hence, when she experiences distress, she voices it promptly," Mommy remarked smugly.

Internally, I shook my head. I refrained from confiding in them about my recent struggles. I even instructed Aling Nita not to communicate with Mommy any longer as she lacks concern. Their sole focus revolves around my academic performance. Without exceptional grades, I am utterly dispensable to them.

Wala rin akong pinagsabihan tungkol sa nangyaring pang-haharassed sa akin. Hindi ko na rin nakita si Hiraya o kahit 'yung kaibigan niyang cute na madaldal pagkatapos ng gabing iyon.

That's when I came to the realization that I can't share everything with my family. They would likely cast blame on me if they discovered I was out late with no explanation for my absence. Rather than offering support, they might view it as a lesson for me or impart negative remarks.

"Hi, Aphle!" Sovie greeted me as I entered the classroom early, finding her as the sole occupant in the room. "Ang aga mo ata ngayon."

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya bago bumati pabalik. "Maaga lang akong nagising," sambit ko.

"Same," aniya. "By the way, congrats nga pala. Pangalawa ka sa buong strand at sa room natin. Ngayon lang kita nabati kasi palagi akong kasama nina Steffi. Alam mo namang malalagot ako sa kanila kapag nalaman nilang kinakausap kita."

"Ayos lang," Ngumiti ako sa kaniya bago ibinaba ang aking bag sa table ko. "Thank you nga pala. Kahit papaano may nakakausap ako paminsan-minsan."

"May dala ka bang lunch? May dala ako. Baka hindi kasi pumasok 'yung dalawa ngayon. Sinabihan ko naman silang pumasok kasi baka may discussion ngayon tapos bukas ay quiz. Pero ayaw nilang makinig sa akin," litanya niya. "Pumasok na lang ako para sa 'yo."

Mas lumawak ang ngiti ko. "Thank you talaga, Sovie. Sana hindi ka kagaya noong iba na kunwari mabait sa akin," malungkot kong sinabi.

"Hindi naman tatagal ang pagkakaibigan natin ng dalawang linggo kung peke ako sa 'yo," aniya.

I nodded to her before retrieving the bracelet I had purchased from the nearby store. It was plain and inexpensive, unlike my other bracelets. Placing the bracelet in front of her, she gazed at it with a puzzled expression. "Take it. Consider it a token of our friendship," I urged.

She smiled at me before excitedly accepting the bracelet I gave her before putting it on her wrist. Pinagmasdan niya ang bracelet sa kaniyang pulsuhan. "Ang ganda! Ganito lang gusto ko, 'yung mga simpleng bagay lang!" Masaya niyang sinabi. "Thank you, Aphle!"

She was on the verge of embracing me when a group of our female classmates entered. To mask her true intentions, she playfully nudged me as if she were teasing me. I feigned vulnerability as Sovie accidentally brushed against me, despite the light contact on my shoulder. She also feigned laughter.

At noon, I grabbed my lunch bag to retreat to the garden. During lunchtime, the garden remained deserted as everyone preferred the canteen or classrooms. Who would opt for a solitary and warm garden lunch spot? The answer was evident - only me, as I lacked companions.

Shortly after, I discerned Sovie's footsteps nearing me. "Hi!" she greeted me as she settled in front of me, placing her lunch on the mat. "Himala, hindi galing mamahaling restaurant ang lunch mo," natatawa niyang sinabi.

I unwrapped my rice, embellished with a garnish of scallions on top, skillfully prepared by Aling Nita who had meticulously sliced it into small portions. Additionally, I unveiled my dish bag containing Wagyu Kaiseki from a restaurant that had freshly delivered it earlier in the day. Glancing over at Sovie, I noticed her gaze fixated on my meal.

"Mali pala ako ng hinala. Mukhang kanin lang ang niluto mo riyan," natatawa niyang sinabi.

Ipinilig ko ang aking ulo sa kabilang banda. "Hindi ako nagluluto. Ewan ko ba, buong buhay ko, hindi pa ako nakakaranas maghugas ng plato," saad ko.

Nabagya naman siyang nagulat. "Seryoso ka ba?" Gulat niyang tanong. Inosente naman akong tumango bago nilantakan ang pagkain ko.

Sinadya ko kasing hindi kumain ng almusal para maubos ko itong lunch ko, palagi na lang kasing may nasasayang. "Share tayo sa ulam ko, para walang sayang," saad ko.

"Sagutin mo muna 'yung tanong ko. Hindi ka talaga naghuhugas ng plato?" tanong niya ulit.

"Bakit parang big deal sa 'yo ang sagot ko? Normal lang naman na hindi maghugas ng plato ang anak kasi hindi naman ating obligasyon iyon," sagot ko.

"Hindi kaya. Sa bahay, kapag ako hindi nakapaghugas ng plato hindi ako kakain," aniya.

"Nakilala ko ang anak ng ibang politiko kapag may event sa bahay o sa bahay noong mga tao na iyon, hindi raw normal ang paghuhugas ng pinggan. Kahit ang mga asawang babae ng politiko, hindi naghuhugas kasi hindi sila Yaya," litanya ko.

"Syempre sa inyong mayayaman normal ang hindi paggawa ng kahit ano sa bahay kasi mayroon naman kayong kasambahay. Pero para sa aming mga walang kasambahay, kami ang gumagawa para malinis ang bahay namin," ani Sovie. "Ganoon ang normal na buhay para sa amin."

Normal life? What is the life I grew up with? Why didn't I experience what Sovie was experiencing?

"Gusto ko rin 'yung ganiyan," bigla kong sinabi. "Gusto ko rin 'yung araw-araw akong maghuhugas ng plato. Maglilinis ng bahay para hindi ako design sa bahay namin. Gusto ko ring matutong magluto, maglaba, magligpit ng mga damit kong nilabhan. Ang saya siguro no'n!"

Natawa si Sovie sa akin. "May madaldal na side ka rin pala. Akala ko pa naman, ikaw 'yung tipo ng tao na hindi mapagsasalita. Lagi ka kasing nakayuko," aniya. "Alam mo ba nung mga first week pa lang nang pang-bu-bully nila sa 'yo syempre hindi ka pumapalag at palagi silang pinagpapasensyahan, akala ko no'n, nagbabalat-kayo ka."

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" Kunot-noo kong tanong.

"Wala pa kasi akong nakikilalang katulad mo na mahaba ang pasensya," sagot niya. "Hindi ka kailanman nainis kina Steffi kahit sobra-sobra na sila. Siguro kung ako 'yon, matagal na akong lumaban sa kanila. Hindi ko kakayanin ang mga ganoong salitaan."

I mustered a faint smile. "I may also be hurting, but I choose not to display it because that's what they desire. I'll simply endure it; eventually, they will tire of tormenting me," I remarked.

"Hulaan ko, umiiyak ka palagi sa kwarto mo pagka-uwi ng bahay," Napatingin ako sa kaniya. "Syempre, na-bully din kaya ako, kaya nga ayokong kinakampihan ka kapag nandiyan sila, natatakot akong ma-bully ulit."

I was nodding my head. "There's no problem with me. Let's just eat," I invited.

Nag-umpisa kaming kumain pero nagsalita ulit si Sovie. "Tungkol nga pala roon sa sinasabi mong gusto mong maglinis ng bahay at ng kung ano-ano pa." Tumango ako sa kaniya. "Nako, 'wag mo nang hilingin na mamuhay ng ganoon, nakakapagod kaya."

"Imagine, three times a day ka maghuhugas ng pinggan, para kang nag-to-toothbrush pero one-hundred times ang pagod. Tapos maglalaba kada linggo. Maglilinis ng bahay, umaga, tanghali, hapon, at gabi. Anong masaya roon?" Tuloy-tuloy niyang sinabi.

I shrugged my shoulder. "Wala lang, parang gusto kong mamuhay bilang mahirap," sambit ko.

"'Wag na. Diyan ka na lang sa itaas, maraming tumitingala sa mga mayayaman," aniya. "Buti ka pa nga, hindi mo na iisipin ang araw-araw mong pagkain kasi palagi nang nakahanda sa hapag-kainan. Perfect na nga 'yang buhay mo."

Perfect? Hindi nga lumilipas ang isang araw na hindi ako umiiyak sa loob ng kwarto ko dahil sa pam-bu-bully sa akin.

-iamlunamoon