CHAPTER 3:FACING THE VERDICT
531 Words
The Dean’s office was cold.
Too cold.
The hum of the AC was the only sound, suffocating me.
Dean Apilado sat behind her oak desk, stacks of paperwork and bluebooks neatly arranged.
Her eyes over her reading glasses held nothing but disappointment.
“Malia,” she sighed, tapping my paper with her pen.
“I expected so much more from you. Top sophomore scholar ka noon. Ano nangyari? 5.00 sa Calculus, INC sa Physics? Alam mo ang retention policy. Revoked na ang scholarship mo.”
_In my first life, I broke down here._
I cried, apologized, walked out defeated.
I quit Engineering that day.
Not today.
I stood tall, meeting her gaze.
“I know, Dean Apilado. I messed up. I got complacent. But I’m not here to make excuses.”
I held my chin up. “I’m here to ask how I can retake my failed subjects, complete my INC, and stay—even if I have to pay as a working student.”
Dean Apilado blinked. Surprised.
“Malia, sure ka? Hindi madali ‘yan. Engineering ka. Five-unit Calculus alone will break you.”
I almost laughed.
Five units?
Nothing compared to years under Mark’s hands.
“I’m aware, Dean,” I said firmly. “I’m ready to do whatever it takes.”
She studied me.
Then she signed.
“You’ve changed,” she said, pulling out a green form. “Library needs an assistant. Better than janitorial work. I’ll adjust your schedule. But Malia—if you slip again, I can’t help you.”
“Thank you, Dean. Hindi ko na sasayangin ito.”
I stepped out clutching the form like a lifeline.
I was still an Engineering student.
I was going to survive.
But peace didn’t last.
Turning the corner to the pavilion, I saw them.
Jenny. Bryan. Chloe.
My former barkada.
The ones who dragged me into cutting classes and late-night parties.
“Oh, look who’s here!” Jenny sneered. “The fallen star of the department! Balita sa chika, tanggal ka na raw sa scholarship? Sabi ko na, pabebe ka kasi sa pag-aaral. Bagay ka talaga sa amin.”
Bryan laughed, eyeing the green paper in my hand.
“Ano ‘yan? Promissory note? Drop out ka na ba? Tara na lang, may inuman mamaya. Doon mo na lang iyak ‘yan.”
In my past life, I craved their approval.
Now?
They looked pathetic. Empty.
“I’m not dropping out,” I said, voice cold.
“Sa inyo laro ang pag-aaral. Sa akin hindi. Retaking my majors. Working in the library.”
Chloe scoffed. “Library assistant? Grabe, taga-ayos ng libro? Cheap mo naman, Malia! Mula scholar, naging katulong?”
I stepped closer.
Her bravado cracked.
“Mas nakakahiya ang pumasok sa uni para lang maging pabigat sa magulang,” I whispered.
“Kung tingin niyo cheap ang magtrabaho, tingnan natin kung saan kayo pupulutin sa board exams.
From now on, don’t talk to me. Don’t look at me. Stay out of my way.
Pagtutuunan ko ang Calculus—hindi na kayo.”
I brushed past Bryan’s shoulder and walked away.
They stood frozen behind me.
The toxic ties were cut.
Next target: Calculus.
- Writer
