Classes at Dalisay High School started on June 13, 2017 for the School Year 2017-2018. Bobby went to school for the first time as a Grade 9 student, his new uniform still stiff and uncomfortable, feeling a mix of nervousness and fragile determination. He was resolved to make the best of his new situation, despite the lingering disappointment of being separated from his katropa–a separation that already felt like a wound that wouldn't stop bleeding.
The first day of school arrived before Bobby felt ready. He put on his new uniform, a fresh shirt and pants that still had that crisp, new-fabric smell. His mother had even prepared a special breakfast, though Bobby barely touched it. His stomach was tied in knots.
Walking through the gates of Dalisay High School felt different this time. The excitement and anticipation he'd felt during enrollment had curdled into something darker–a mixture of dread and defiant hope. He passed the 9-India classroom on his way to 9-Golf, and he could hear the chaos inside: laughter, loud voices, the sounds of reunion and excitement. His chest tightened as he quickened his pace.
Grade 9-Golf (40 students, 26 girls, 14 boys) is the Star Section (the section reserved for the highest academic achievers) of Grade 9, and it was bigger than 9-India (20 boys, 14 girls, 34 students), and as Bobby took his seat, he noticed that most of the faces were unfamiliar. There were a few students he recognized from other sections in Grade 8, but no one he considered close friends.
At the front of the room was Sir Eliott Benitez, their class adviser for 9-Golf and their English teacher, who greeted the students with a warm smile. "Welcome to Grade 9, everyone! I'm excited to get to know each of you and help you succeed this year," he said, his voice filled with enthusiasm.
Among the students, a familiar face caught his attention: Amelia Nicole Santos. Amelia was someone he vaguely recognized as Bobby's former classmate from Grade 7, known for her calm and cute voice and a friendly attitude.
Janelle Marie Reyes, their class president, managed the 9-Golf classroom with quiet confidence. Like Amelia, she was from Grade 8-Delta in the previous school year 2016-2017, and is alert of all the deadlines and has responsibilities of being a class president. She was approachable and always willing to help her classmates.
Initially, Bobby attempted to engage with his new classmates, hoping to forge new friendships. However, he found it difficult to connect with them on a deeper level. The conversations felt superficial, and Bobby often felt like he was on the outside looking in. The absence of his katropa's support made it challenging for him to navigate this new social landscape.
During the first recess, Bobby didn't hesitate. He made his way directly to the 9-India classroom, as Karina Mae had promised he could. He found them all gathered in a tight cluster near the back, their voices overlapping as they compared notes about their classes and teachers. When they spotted him, they erupted in greetings and teasing.
"Ayan na si Golf boy!" Marko called out, beckoning him over with a grin.
Bobby forced a smile and joined them, but he felt like an intruder somehow. They were already knitting themselves back together, reestablishing the chemistry that had been interrupted by summer. Bobby sat at the edge of their circle, listening more than talking, trying to convince himself that everything was still okay. Jerome kept pulling him into the conversation, including him in every joke, every plan. But Bobby noticed the difference. They had become a complete unit again–just without him. And now, he was a visitor in a world he once belonged to.
As the recess bell rang and Bobby made his way back to 9-Golf, Jerome called out to him. "Bobby, see you after school, okay? We'll head to the basketball court like old times!"
Bobby nodded, grateful for the gesture. But his heart was already beginning to ask a different question: How long could he keep doing this? How long before the visits became fewer, the inside jokes harder to understand, the friendship something that existed only in nostalgia?
That afternoon, as Bobby walked onto the basketball court with his katropa, he didn't know it yet, but this was the beginning of the end. Not the end of the friendship–not quite yet–but the beginning of a slow, imperceptible drift. Like water gradually separating from oil, the distance between him and his closest friends would grow with each passing day. And Bobby, sitting on the bench watching them play, would begin to understand that some separations could not be bridged, no matter how hard you tried.
Yet, he still visits the 9-India classroom during recess and lunch breaks, hoping to catch a glimpse of his old friends. Seeing them from afar, laughing and chatting together, only deepened his sense of isolation. Bobby longed to be part of that camaraderie once again, but the distance between them felt insurmountable.
However, their class president, Clarisse Mei Tan, noticed Bobby's frequent visits to 9-India. One day, she questioned him about it. "Hoy Bobby, bakit ka nandito?", she said to Bobby harshly. Bobby replied, "Wala lang, gusto ko lang makita yung mga katropa ko." Clarisse frowned and said, "Alam mo ba na bawal pumunta dito yung mga estudyante ng ibang section?" Bobby felt a pang of guilt and embarrassment. Despite Clarisse's stern words, Bobby ignored her warning and continued to visit 9-India, unable to resist the pull of his old friendships.
Weeks have passed by, until an incident occurred that would change everything. On July 5, 2017, a Wednesday morning, after their 2nd period class, recess time began. 9-Golf finished Araling Panlipunan, while 9-India finished Science. As Bobby was about to enter the 9-India classroom to see his katropa, he accidentally bumped into Clarisse Mei Tan, who was standing near the doorway. The collision caused Clarisse to drop her books, and a few papers scattered across the floor.
"Ay, sorry po Clarisse!" Bobby quickly apologized, bending down to help pick up the scattered papers.
But Clarisse's expression was one of anger and frustration. Maybe she was annoyed, or perhaps she saw this as an opportunity to assert her authority. "Nananadya ka na talaga! Sa susunod, huwag ka nang pumarito dito sa 9-India ha!" she snapped, her tone sharp and unforgiving.
Clarisse's words stung, and Bobby felt a surge of anger rising within him. He had only wanted to see his friends, and now he was being treated like an intruder. Now he accused Clarisse of embarrasing him in front of his katropa. He grabbed the collar of her uniform, causing a scene that drew the attention of nearby students and teachers. "Bakit mo ako ganyan tratuhin? Akala mo ba sino ka?" he shouted, his voice trembling with rage.
Clarisse struggled to break free from Bobby's grip, her eyes wide with fear and shock. "Pabayaan mo ako! Tatawagin ko ang guro!" she yelled, trying to push him away.
Then Bobby stepped back, realizing the gravity of his actions. His katropa stood frozen, not sure of how to react to the confrontation.
From this moment on, Bobby stopped visiting the 9-India classroom. The incident with Clarisse had created a rift that seemed impossible to mend. Bobby felt a mix of shame and regret, knowing that his actions had only pushed him further away from the friends he longed to reconnect with.
Now, Bobby started to turn his section, 9-Golf, as well as its students, into his enemy. He viewed them with suspicion and resentment, believing that they were all against him. The sense of isolation deepened, and Bobby found himself withdrawing even further from those around him.