Drowned by the Waves (Tagalog)

Chapter 1

“How’s school?” father asked while we were in the middle of our breakfast.

It’s my second day in first-year college now. So, nothing worthy happened.

“Just the same, father.” He nods.

We always use father and mother in calling our parents. I don’t know why pero, sinanay na nila kami. And strictly English speaking only, there’s always a punishment when they heard you speak tagalog.

Tumayo na ako pagkatapos kong kumain. I kissed their cheeks as a goodbye, wala pa ang mga kapatid ko. Probably busy with their own jobs kaya kaming tatlo lang ang kumain.

Mostly all the families that I now only eat when they are complete. But with us, it doesn’t matter. A single second that you’re late, you can’t eat with them.

Kailangan mo munang antayin silang matapos kumain, saka ka palang makakain. That sucks but, it’s my family’s rule. Can’t do anything about it.

The driver drove me to school, as usual. As I got out of the car, whispers surfaced the area. I hate it, but I can’t do anything about it. I can’t just scream here to stop them; father and mother will kill me for ruining my prim and proper image.

“Nandito na siya!”

“Ang ganda niya talaga. I heard galing all-girls school siya. At first time niya sa isang coed school.”

You heard it wrong, girl. I’ve been homeschooled ever since I was born.

Etiquette class, table manners, proper walk, right words to say, even my appropriate expression is lectured. It’s like I’m a robot but, everyone in our family experienced that.

Even my oh-so-perfect siblings trained to become a robot. Because one mistake can ruin everything, and my parents can’t risk that.

“Namimiss ko na makita yung mga kapatid niya. Lalo na yung kuya niya. I heard he’s a great lawyer now.”

“Oo girl. Ang galing daw talaga ng kuya niya. Prosecutor ang ate ko at nakalaban niya daw sa isang case ang kuya niya. As expected, talo si ate.”

“Really? Ang galing niya talaga. Pero mas bet ko ‘yung kapatid niyang businessman sis. Nakikita ko na siya noon sa coporate attire pero iba pa din siguro kapag nakikita ko siya sa office.”

“Kamusta naman ang ate niyang MED-TECH. Grabe, sobrang talino ng pamilya nila. I heard BS BIO ang kinuha niya. Mukhang may susunod na naman sa tapak ng pamilya nila.”

“Yeah right. Sana maging kaibigan ko siya,”

“Asa ka pa. May kakilala ako sa class niya. Sobrang tahimik daw, para kang nakakita ng real life barbie kasi sobrang ayos daw ng poise. Hindi man lang daw ngumiti pero ang ganda pa din daw.”

“Tsk. Lalaki ‘yan no? Halatang may crush sa kaniya. Well, hindi naman maitatanggi na maganda siya. The genes, sis. Kapag pumangit ‘yan, ampon siya panigurado.”

I didn’t bother to react to the things that they were saying. What’s the point of it? Wala naman akong mapapala.

I just walked ‘til I’m in front of our room. I opened it that makes them silent. Hindi ko naman sila pinansin at umupo na sa nakita kong bakanteng upuan.

I prefer to sit in front para walang distractions. Since, walang masyadong may gustong umupo doon madali akong nakahanap ng upuan.

Minutes later, the teacher arrived. She just gave us the syllabus and then some introductions on our topic until we heard the bell.

Nagsilabasan naman agad silang lahat. Samantalang ako ay nag-antay muna ng alis nila para hindi siksikan. Mahirap na, baka maipit pa nila ako.

“Hi,” I eyed the boy in front of me. He’s smiling widely at me.

“What do you need?” I asked. I don’t know him but, I at least need to be polite. Just like what they teach me.

“I saw you sitting alone. So, I approached you.” He said, still wearing a big smile.

“Rico, bakit ba ang tagal mo? Kanina pa kami naghihintay ni Eos,” I heard someone shout. Napalingon naman ‘yung lalaki sa harap ko doon sa may pinto.

I saw two men standing there. Mukhang inaantay nila itong nasa unahan ko.

“Please excuse me. I still need to go to my class,” I politely said then, slowly stood up.

I saw one of the men smirk while looking at me in the door. I eyed him suspiciously. What’s his problem?

“Wait! Sabay na tayong apat. Ganoon din naman,” he offered. I just smiled then walked. As I get near the door, the eyes of the man who smirk never leave me.

Hanggang sa nasa harap ko na siya. Hindi siya nag-abalang umalis para makadaan ako.

“Excuse me. I need to go, you’re blocking my way,” I politely said. Lalo namang lumawak ang ngisi niya dahil doon.

“So princess-like,” he uttered, then turned to the side.

I almost roll my eyes because of that. So, what if I am princess-like?

“What’s your next class?” he asked.

“Why?”

“Just tell me.”

“ENG 1,” he nodded. Then, he grabbed my hand. What the hell is wrong with this man?

“Let’s go,” he said then, dragged me.

I heard the boys laugh because of what he did.

“Easy, Eos.”

“Hey!” He just smirked and continued dragging me until we reached the room.

Hanggang sa papasok ng loob ng room ay hila hila niya ako. Samantalang, lahat naman ng tao sa room ay nakatingin sa amin. Particularly, sa kamay niya.

“Can you let go of me? I can sit,” I whispered to him. Their stares are freaking embarrassing me. Parang may mali akong ginawa.

“Sit,” he said then, dragged me to sit. Umupo naman siya sa tabi ko pagkatapos.

“Am I a dog to you?” I said, annoyed.

“Of course not. You’re too beautiful to be a dog.” He smirks. I rolled my eyes because of that. Wala na akong pake kung sino ang makakakita. I hate his guts.

“I hate you,” I said without eyeing him.

“Oh, please don’t, princess.” He chuckled.

Tumabi sa amin ang dalawang kasama niya kanina.

“Good morning class,” the teacher said that ended the whispers.