Chapter 6:
922 Words
Kahit na palagi akong binu-bully ng mga schoolmates ko, araw-araw pa rin akong pumapasok. I won't throw my chance to reach my goals just to avoid them. My dreams are bigger than their antics. I won't be shaken by their petty tricks.
Pinagpapasalamat ko nalang na hindi nakarating sa kompanya ang mga nangyayari. Kapag nawalan ako ng scholarship dahil sa mga nangyayari sa buhay ko ngayon, baka pumunta nalang ako ng probinsya para humanap ng mambabarang at ipapabarang ko si Hillary.
"Kim, sorry," Ryna said with head bowed down.
Nasa ilalim ako ng puno at kumakain ng baon ko. Nilapitan n'ya ako at umiyak sa harap ko.
"Girl, what's your problem ba?" nag-tatakang tanong ko sa kanya. Inabot ko na rin ang panyo ko sa kanya.
"It's my fault that they're all against you," she cried. "Dahil sakin ay inaaway ka na nila."
I sighed. "On the positive side, at least they left you alone," I smiled at her.
Dahil abala ang mga sosyalerang palaka sa pang-aapi sa 'pulubi' ay nilubayan na nila ang nerd na si Ryna.
She cried harder. "It's my fault."
I rubbed her back. I sighed once more. "They just placed me on my right position. I am just an ambitious pauper trying hard to blend-in with spoiled princesses. It has nothing to do with you. Sooner or later, they'll still spill my secrets, my true identity. Don't stress yourself too much," I sighed.
She suddenly pulled me for a tight hug. "I'm sorry."
I spent couple of minutes calming her down.
"Can we be friends?" she asked with hopeful eyes.
And who I am to decline her?
Mr. Delacroix seemed very pleased to learn that his daughter and I are friends. Ryna told him the story how we became friend, and he thanked me for protecting his daughter. He decided for Ryna and I to transfer to other school.
And because I don't have a choice, I agreed. And it's not a bad thing anyway. Hindi naman nakaka-enjoy ang araw-araw na ma-bully sa school. Maganda at pang-elite na university pa rin naman ang nilipatan namin.
"Ryna, don't be offended, but can you change your style? I mean, the way you dress. And please don't be so ma-kimi? You're beautiful, rich and you practically have everything I dream of, why you seem so ashamed?" I gently said while we're walking towards her car.
Kakatapos lang namin mag-enroll sa bagong university na papasukan namin for second semester. Mr. Delacroix was very satisfied with my performance. I ranked one in the Dean's list. Actually, the university I came from tried to convince me not to transfer. But it's not my decision to make.
She held my hands. "Can you help me, Kim?" she dramatically asked.
I smiled at her. "Of course!"
We went straight to the mall after that. With new university, Ryna wants to begin with her new self. A better version of her.
I helped her to choose new dresses. I encouraged her to buy few makeups and high-heeled shoes.
"I think short hair suits you. Medyo maliit kasi ang shape ng mukha mo. Then auburn will match your fair skin," I suggested when we walked passed through a salon.
Ryna accepted my idea. She treated me to hair treatment and mani-pedi.
"Wow! We look fabulous, sis!" Ryna enthusiastically said.
Pareho kaming natigilan sa tinuran n'ya.
"You're like a sister to me, Kim. And I see you as my best friend. Is it okay?" she shyly asked.
I sweetly smiled at her then I hugged her.
"Thanks for considering me as your sister, Ryna," I said.
She giggled. "You're the sister I always wished for," she held my hand then she pulled me. "Let's go to buy few more clothes!"
I enjoyed shopping all day. Who wouldn't when Ryna is buying me clothes as well. She even bought a matching phone for us.
For the remaining days before the semester begins, I taught her what she should do. I suggested to get a personality trainer for her. And she hired one. We both undergone a personality development training.
When the semester begun, there's a new Ryna and a better version of Kim.
And since the day I stepped into her life, I became Ryna's everything. I became the mother she lost, the sister she never had, the best buddy she can depend on anything, and the loyal servant she can ask anything from.
"Ms. Magno, I am expecting more from you. But you're giving me trash," Mr. Darsaga hissed before ripping my papers.
I just bowed my head. "I'm sorry, sir. I'll make a better one," I said in a small voice.
He tapped his fingers on his table, as if calming himself. "You're a scholar form V&V industries, right? With this kind of performance, I don't think you can reach the maintaining grades. You may go," he said with full of disappointment.
I want to cry as I left his office. But I know I can't.
Ryna is my block mate. May ibinigay na project samin last week. She didn't make it on time, and she's afraid to be a disappointment to her father. I gave my papers to her and tried to make a new one. Even how intelligent I am, with a limited time, I wasn't able to produce a good paper.
But thinking of all the good things Ryna did to me, I can't feel any regret. It's like paying all my debts to her.
Little did I know that it's just the beginning...
- Writer
