Why Can't We?

         I was awakened by the continuous ringing of my alarm clock at my bedside table. I opened my right eye to look for the time. Its short hand points at four and the longer one at exactly twelve.           Agad akong tumayo, tumungo sa banyo upang mag-toothbrush at maligo. Pagkatapos ay isinuot ang white sando, ang aking black pants at nagtungo sa kusina. Nagsaing ako ng bigas, nagluto ng bacon at hotdogs para sa almusal. Hinanda ko na rin ang mga ito sa mesa at tinakpan.            I went back inside my room and changed my sando with the white polo shirt na may logo ng coffee shop na pinagtatrabahuhan ko. Nagsuot na din ako ng white shoes na bigay pa ng namayapa kong ina since sira na ang black shoes ko.             I get my things ready, combed my elbow-length straight hair, put a little lip and cheek tint, and I’m

Wala akong tulog, wala din akong nakain. Pumasok ako sa trabaho na parang lutang at wala sa mood. Mabuti nalang at mabait si kuya Ian kaya sa kusina niya ako in-assign kahit server dapat ako ngayon. Maliban kasi sa pagiging bartender, siya din ang manager namin.   He gave me again my usual order at iyon na ang almusal ko. Hanggang lunch narin siguro 'to dahil ayoko nang kumain sa canteen. Papakiusapan ko nalang si Aesther.   Pagkatapos kong kumain ay nagsimula na akong magtrabaho. I am washing the dishes when Charryn entered. She's the supposed to be dishwasher today pero dahil lutang ako at ayaw kong mapahiya, nag-swap kami ng trabaho.    "Hoy mare, may gwapo doon sa labas!" impit na sigaw niya sabay tili. Hahampasin pa sana niya ako pero mabilis kong naiharang ang kawali.   "Lahat naman ata gwapo para sayo eh," sabi ko sabay tawa.   "Oo nga mare, pero 'yong nasa labas kasi

The next day is dangerously quiet. I finished my shift at the coffee shop with ease, and two subjects have passed without any conflicts. I've passed two quizzes, and we're down to the last one this afternoon.  Our teacher just dismissed us and we're waiting for the next one, then it's lunch time. I was just looking at the window and watching the football tryouts in the field.  Iyong classroom kasi namin ay nasa second floor at nakaharap sa oval kung saan ginaganap ang mga field sports. Nakatunganga lang ako doon nang tinawag ako ni Aesther. "Kae, I'm going to the CR," paalam niya sakin. "Samahan kita?" tanong ko naman sa kanya. "Yeah, sure," sagot niya. Umalis kami papuntang CR. Ang girl's CR sa school ay may limang cubicle at may tatlong lababo na nakaharap sa isang malapad na salamin. Pumasok si Aesther sa isang cubicle at nag

The whole week was a roller coaster ride for me. I was challenged by bullying, was slapped and pushed, locked in a cubicle, and treated as a slave. This is one messy ride that if given a chance, I would not dare experience it again. Today is Saturday and that means grocery day. I will spend my morning buying stuff needed in the house and needed by my aunt and sisters. Ako lang yata at ang tito ko ang hindi maarte sa gamit at hindi bili ng bili.  I went to the nearest supermarket and got a cart to fill in with my supplies. I first went to the kitchen stuff, the ones needed for cooking. Oil, vinegar, soy sauce, spices, meat, milk, beverages, snacks, and many more. I actually have a long list of all the things I needed to buy that's written on my phone. I took my time inspecting the goodness of every product. From the expiry date, the nutritional facts, up to its usage and directions. Iniisa-isa ko talaga ang mga ito.

Classes resumed by monday and we're back to the same stress and frustration we felt on the first week of school. Days really fly fast. I couldn't even imagine myself still existing despite of those unimaginable happenings in my life the past week. I was walking through the corridors and went to the locker area. The bell hasn't rung yet so the masters had their dose of works for me to do this early. When I entered the school gates, I was surprised that they were also there, only for me to know that they purposely waited for me to arrive just to carry their bags. Nang mahatid ko sila sa kanilang classroom, heto ako't naglalakad patungong locker area to switch the things in their bags. Turns out they brought different books today, which I believe they planned to do. And now, they asked me to switch things in their respective lockers. Binigay naman nila sakin 'yong susi. When I arrived at the leader's locker, whose name I fo