Broken

Chapter 1 - IAYYAM

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.------

"Where's the noise coming from?"

I lifted my head and lifted an eyebrow but on the second thought, baka di ako papasahin sa exam, watch your actions, self.

I noticed fingers pointing at me from my peripheral vision, I shifted my gaze to the professor who right now is glaring at me as if he were going to devour me alive.

"Examinee No. 12 what do you think you're doing?"

"Uhm.. Tapping my pen."

"And?"

I probably know he'd want me to admit that I'm disturbing others but I refuse to! Pfft kidding.

"I apologize." I said as I smiled.

I read the next question I'm about to answer.

The following are duties of a lawyer but only one of these is expressly stated in the Lawyer's Oath. Choose the express duty that the oath contains.

A. To maintain a respectful attitude towards the courts.

B. To uphold the honor and dignity of the legal profession

C. To act with courtesy, candor and fairness towards other lawyers

D. To do no falsehood, nor consent to the doing of any in court

E. To respect the courts and uphold the dignity of the profession

I'm sure nabasa ko yung oath.. But I'm pretty sure this was part of legal ethics.

One more thing I'm sure of is that I know the answer but why the hell am I confusing myself? Do I miss being stupid or something.. Whatever this is not the right time for that.

Tinignan ko sa kabuo-an yung buong questionnaire. Ansakit sa ulo tignan.

I answered the remaining questions up to the last then I flipped the paper over to the first page. After that, I decided to review.

I hate reviewing my answers because I feel like I get even more confused after doing so. But still this is a bar exam which can't be taken lightly. Parang ang letse lang kasi, I mean ba't ba kasi nauuna yung graduation kesa sa bar exam?

Dati rati, I didn't know the existence of bar exams so I was confident that after graduating I'll finally be free from the burden but hell no.

I mean can you imagine? After all the hardworks you've went through all of your college days of studying then finally you'll be graduating but after that there lies a bigger obstacle, bar exam. I mean what if you can't pass it? Parang lahat ng hardworks walang silbi but meron namang better luck next time, not all deserves second chances though.

Bat kaya di nalang nila unahin yung bar exam tas pag nakapasa then dyan na nila ipapa graduate. Hayyssttt.

I started to tap the desk with my pen again as I yawned. Nakakaantok magtake ng exam sabayan pa ng kaba kung makakapasa ka ba o hindi.

When it was finally over, nag stretch ako. It is indeed very tiring. Parang feeling ko deserve kong kumain ng masarap.

Grabe ang kaba ko kanina pero ngayon na natapos na parang ansarap tumalon at gumiling pero wag na, baka akalain pang high ako eh. Para lang kasing may pasan ako na sobrang bigat pero na let go ko na. Mamaya na ako magluluksa sa results kapag andyan na, sa ngayon, free muna.

Pumasok ako sa cafe where I usually eat here in Boston. Famer Horse Coffee. Pagpasok ko ay umorder na ako diritso.

"Good Afternoon, may I know what your order is?"

"I'd like to get one Espresso and one chocolate cake." Sabi ko habang tinitignan ang menu then I opened my bag to get my wallet.

"That'll be 5.25 bucks."

I took ten dollars from my wallet and gave it to the cashier. She then typed something in that computer like thingy then opened the money storage.

"Here's your change and your order." aniya sabay lagay ng tray with my order sa harap ko habang inaabot nya yung change.

I took the change and placed it in my pocket. Kinuha ko na yung tray and looked for a vacant table. Nang nakita kong bakante iyong table sa may corner ay nagmadali akong pumunta don.

I walked faster but a bit careful kasi baka ma spill ko tong Espresso ko. When suddenly a guy sat down.

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad and looked at the table beside it, don nalang ako umupo kasi naunahan ako sa gusto kong spot. Gusto ko sana don eh kasi ang emo tignan. Yung parang mga nakikita ko sa movies then may pa tingin tingin sa labas kunwari since glass naman yung wall.

Kinuha ko cp ko at pinicturan yung order ko. Isesend ko to kay mama mamaya. Tas sinubukan kong umupo habang nakatalikod sa view sa labas para makita ito sa selfie ko when I put my phone down ay nagulat ako bigla nang may mukha ng tao.

He bowed and smiled. "Is this chair vacant?" tanong nya.

At the first sight, I noticed his cute little eyes those are just so captivating. Basing from his looks, he might also be Asian but maybe from East Asia or something.

"Yes." I said and tried to maintain my composure while I started to take a bite from my chocolate cake. Sasagutin ko sana ng obviously eh pero baka sapakin ako.

"If you don't mind, may I occupy this seat?" he asked while smiling. I shifted my gaze at his face and wow, like what's this? Yung mga pangyayari sa mga dramas? Like nagkakakilala sila sa cafe ganon? Sobrang gwapo talaga.

"You"

"Yes?" he asked and looked a bit serious. Those eyes really are just so... That pointy nose.. I stared at it down to his lips.

"You don't have any contagious diseases, do you?"

He smiled and scratched his head. "Do I look sick?"

I shook my head. "But well you see, it's good to be sure sometimes."

Then umupo na sya. I moved my Espresso and cake closer to me and took my tray para mas malaki yung Space sa table, he also placed his order on the table.

"Give me your tray, I'll return it together with mine." he said tas binigay ko na yung tray ko and said "Thanks."

Once we were finished settling down, the atmosphere between us got very awkward and yet I kept stealing glances at him and his gorgeous face. Like I mean, may ganito pala talagang mga tao kang makikilala once in your life. I mean marami namang oh so called hotties sa school but it's not like those typical high school kasi college lang naman ako nagsimula dito. Also mga mababait mga tao sa Harvard.

"The weather's really great today, don't you think?" he asked while holding his drink and looking outside.

"I agree." I said and and took a sip from my Espresso.

"If you don't mind me asking, what's your name?" he asked.

I lifted an eyebrow. His expressions then changed "Ah it's not what you think" he said while scratching his head. I presume he's a shy type. Well I'm not stereotyping but usually Asian boys are more respectful for me kaya parang ganito sila, shy type.

"Who thinks what?" I asked. "My name is Expaidefties Fallera." I said and he looked a bit shocked.

"Wow classy name. Never heard of it before. And allow me to introduce as well, I am---"

Naputol yung sasabihin nya sana when my phone rang, I gestured 'excuse me, I'll just take this call' and he also gestured agreement.

Tumayo na ako, I went outside and answered the call.

"Hello Ma" aniya ko sabay lapit nito sa tenga ko.

"Anak di ko makita mukha mo."

Tinignan ko naman cellphone ko and realized it was video call. Kaya hinarap ko ito sa mukha ko, kumaway naman sya.

"Kumusta exam mo nak?"

Ngumiti naman ako. "Medyo okay lang naman po. Mahirap po sya slight."

"Ay jusko, alam kong mapapasa mo yan, ikaw yan eh, kung yung kapatid mo pa yung andyan eh baka di pa nga yon makakuha ng Scholarship kahit dito lang sa Pilipinas."

Pilit kong ngumiti...

"Tignan nalang natin sa results, ma. Within two months pa ata yung results."

"Eh talaga? Matagal tagal pa pala results nyan anak. Eh wala ka bang plano na dito sa Pilipinas magtrabaho? Miss ko na anak ko, gusto ko mayakap."

Tumulo luha ko pero buti nalang di nya napansin yon. Pinunasan ko kaagad gamit yung kamay ko.

"Kung yan gusto mo ma, pag iisipan ko."

"Oh sha sha, tawagan mo ako mamaya pag naka uwi ka na ha?"

Pilit ko na namang ngumiti habang pinipigilan pagpatak ng luha ko. Hindi ko alam na may mas hihirap pa pala sa bar exam.

"Cge ma, ingat ka dyan." sabi ko tas inend call nya na.

I wiped my tears and composed myself before going back inside, inayos ko rin yung buhok ko tsaka tinignan ko sa salamin sarili ko. I am well aware na mabilis akong namumula sa tuwing umiiyak ako. And I can't just be so obvious to a stranger so I guess it would be better if I just go home.

"I'm sorry but I have to go." tinungga ko yung Espresso, nakita ko sa peripheral vision ko na mukhang may konting pag alinlang sya. Pero pasensya na talaga. Inayos ko na gamit ko at lumabas na sa cafe.

Naglakad lakad lang ako. Nag iisip whether should I be a medical lawyer.. Civil litigation lawyer.. I can't figure out what I really want. I don't really have interest in this thing. But since I'm here, I'm just gonna do it to the limit.

I still haven't forgotten what happened that day. Parang feeling ko kahapon lang nangyari yon and yet here I am. I really don't know ano sumagi sa utak ko at naglawyer ako when I know it ain't as powerful as the judge. I should've been a judge but baka magtaka sila.

She has always been consistent about becoming a lawyer. And here she is now, walking in Boston and have just finished her last day of Exam.

Di ko namalayang narating ko na pala yung apartment ko. Pumasok na ako at humiga sa higaan ko.

"Yow Attorney! How's the exammmmm???" napatingin ako sa babaeng kakalabas lang sa CR, nakabathrobe lang sya habang pinupunasan buhok nya.

She's my roommate. Also a harvard student. Harvard Med School to. She's still studying at napansin kong sobrang busy nya. May mga videos rin syang pinapakita sakin like nagdidisect ng human body. Napaka gross.

"Just fine." sagot ko.

"Oh no you don't give me that look young lady. Swear I know you're gonna pass this." she gave that determined look again. She's my motivator, she somewhat know everything in my life.

"How about you? Anything new?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"New korean drama release."

Nasapo ko noo ko. Nakaikot talaga mundo nya sa kdrama eh halos di nga nya matapos ang isang episode sa isang araw sa dami ng kailangan nyang gawin. Kahit ako, naiinfluence na rin. May minsan kasi pineplay nya sa tv tas nanunuod nalang din ako.

"What is it all about?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"High School twins. Ko Eun Byeol, Lee Eun Bi."

Ahhhh alam ko yan. Yung bago nga, who are you school 2015. Inaantay ko pa mag update, interesting yung first episode. Nakaka irita yung kontrabida, ang galing umarte. Nakaka ano lang panuorin kasi twins rin.

"I've seen that."

"It's also about twins."

"I know. Hey Doc McStuffin you busy?"

Pinangkitan nya ako ng mata. Ayaw nya tawagin ko sya ng Doc McStuffin. Eh yan naman talaga apelido nya, I like calling her that coz it reminds me of that doctor na gumagamot ng mga laruan sa disney.

"I'm never busy, are you finally going to ask if I wanna hang out with you on some bars?"

I shook my head. Marami pa syang pag aaralan. We never really went out on clubs during my 8 year stay here. She's always asking me but I always decline. Ayaw nya mag isa so nanatili rin sya dito. I know she has lots of things to do. She needs to study din. Maybe, I'll go get some drinks pero dito lang kami sa apartment iinom... Hmm

"Do you wanna drink?" tanong ko.

"Holy cow! Is this for real?"

Pinangkitan ko sya ng mata. Then ngumiti sya. "Of course. I've been waiting my whole life for this day to come."

Tumawa kaming dalawa. Ang OA pakinggan.

After buying some drinks, nanuod kami ng update ng who are you school 2015 habang umiinom at nagkwekwentuhan ng mga bagay.

After getting a bit tipsy, watching the drama made me miss my own twin sister.

Nang napansin kong nakatulog na si Doc McStuffin ay I went to see my twin sister's pictures with me. She's always so gentle. My total opposite.

I wonder how she is doing. I wonder if she's okay. Would she recognize me if we meet in heaven? I mean who wouldn't. We're identical twins after all.

"I will be you and you will be me.." was the statement I remember saying on that day.

And everything was bleary til it all became black. And next thing I knew, I just woke up the next day.