Tides of the Golden Sun
[ 94 or 84? ]
*The school bell rings shrilly. The afternoon sun rays through the glass of the Grade 11 building, the light shining across the dusty floor. It was that chaotic, post-class scramble that every student knew.*
Ms. Cath
That’s all for today, 3-A. Make sure you have your stories printed for tomorrow’s activity.
*Students quickly stuffed notebooks into their bags and rushed out.*
Elara
(standing on a table like a self-appointed general) Hey! Start cleaning! Anyone caught sneaking out of their cleaning duty gets fined tomorrow! No more excuses!
Nico
Fines again? Give it a rest, girl. You’re like a walking IRS agent.
Elara
I'm the treasurer so why not?! You can’t even handle a broom for five minutes, but you can handle an extra-large buffet every Friday?!
Nico
(mocking) Oh, please! You think I don’t know you guys spend the class budget on samgyup every week?! You’re all corrupt! Arrest her! Look at this—embezzlement in our own classroom! This is where the city’s tax money goes!
Elara
Nico Luis Mendoza, you better watch your back!
Rae
(leaning against the doorframe, amused) Here they go again. I wouldn't be surprised if you two ended up at the altar one day.
Nico
Pass! I know her secret—she’s the one who hoards all the free soup and chicken oil at the diner. You're part of the syndicate too, Rae!
Rae
Shut up, Nico! Karma’s coming for you!
*The classroom empties. It is hot and humid in the hallway as they leave the room*
Maxine
(approaching with a deep frown) Hey, you idiots! Seriously? I’ve been waiting downstairs forever!
Rae
Oh? Where’s the rest of your business-track circle?
Elara
(smiling while playfully flashing a middle finger) Walking home with us? Tsk, forget it! Just go out with your "true friends"!
Maxine
Whatever. We just finished the dance practice; the others are handling the props. By the way, where’s Siana?
Rae
I thought she was with you? She went downstairs earlier.
Maxine
Well, damn. Why are you asking me? You’re her classmates. Who knows what corner of the earth she’s wandered off to.
Nico
Hey, let's go!! Do you want me to actually starve to death?!
Nico
Oh, come on. Is the global girl group not complete without her? She’s probably stuck in the faculty room again!
Maxine
Again? your adviser giving her extra work?
Elara
Hmmm, I wouldn't mind being "overworked" if it was by Mr. Handsome~
Nico
You’re delusional. She probably just went to pick up her report card. Remember she missed the parent-teacher meeting last Saturday?
Rae
Right! Let’s head to the faculty room then. I need to drop off these quizzes anyway.
Maxine
Look at you being a teacher's pet! Let's go!
*Unlike the noisy halls, the faculty room was quiet. Diana stood nervously by her adviser’s desk.*
Mr. Atroso
Don't forget to submit your birth certificate, Siana. It’s a requirement for graduation. Here's your report card. Have your parents sign it, then return it to me tomorrow.
Siana
(staring at the paper) 94... That’s my average, Sir?
Mr. Atroso
Yes. Unfortunately, we couldn't push it any higher than that. I’m sorry, but I know you can do better next semester.
Mr. Atroso
Just make up for it then, kid.
Siana
(smiling genuinely) No! It’s okay—this is great, Sir! Thank you so much!!
*Siana left the room holding her report card tight. She felt the breeze and took a deep breath of relief.*
Elara
(screaming from across the yard) HEYYY!! SIANA, MY LOVE!!
Maxine
Did you get it???? What’s the result?? Let me see! Let me see!
Siana
Yep! I’m actually shocked—I did so well! It’s my first time hitting a 94.
Rae
I got a 94 too! Did you compute the decimals? Mine is a 94.2.
Siana
Not yet. Wait, it’s too windy here.
*The wind blows violently.*
Nico
Your card’s gonna fly away, man. Let’s just go to the cafe—
Elara
No, let's just stay in the shade!! I have a date with Yannie later! Come on, I want to see the grades already!
Siana
Stop being so dramatic! Just a second.
Rae
Max, you do the math. You’re the ABM student here!
Maxine
(grabbing a calculator) Fine! ...849.96 divided by nine...
Elara
(eyes widening in dramatic shock) NO WAY! SIANA! YOU WERE ONE DIGIT AWAY FROM THE HIGH HONORS!! OH MY GOD! SIANA!!! (she starts crying mock-tears).
Maxine
Shut up, that’s just a decimal point.
Siana
(laughing) So close!
Elara
It’s fine, Sia! You’ll kill it next semester!
Maxine
Hey Sia, you owe us a treat now! Come on!!
Nico
(groaning) Dammit, I’m gonna lose money again! I shouldn’t have made that bet with Lara!
Nico
That if my average grades were higher than yours—
Siana
Wait, what was your average?
Nico
I really played myself. Wow.
Maxine
Hahaha! Nice try, Nico!
Elara
You’re buying me that lipstick I wanted!
Rae
Let's go eat, guys! Nico’s treating! There’s a new street food stall by the corner!
Siana
Let's go. I'm exhausted. I’m heading straight home after we eat.
[ Binondo Date ]
[ At the Plaza of Binondo ]
*It began to rain as the group entered Binondo. The wet ground reflected the red lanterns and neon lights.*
Maxine
(shielding her head with her school bag) None of you brought an umbrella?!?!
Rae
(popping open her umbrella so massive it looked like it belonged on a Takoyaki stall) Look, it’s open!
Siana
(staring at the giant umbrella, her jaw dropping) Are you serious?
Maxine
THAT THING IS HUGE, RAE! HAHAHAHA! It fits three of us—Lara, you're on your own!
Elara
If I get a fever, I'm haunting all of you! (she has the weakest immune system in the circle.)
Siana
Nico has one, just go with him.
Elara
You jerk! You’re the gross one! A-achoo!!!
Siana
(suppressing a smile) Looks like someone's missing school tomorrow.
Nico
Fine! Get over here! (He grumbles, but pulls her roughly yet carefully under his small umbrella. Their shoulders touch, and for a second, the bickering stops as they walk through the puddles).
Rae
Look at them! How annoying!
Siana
(watching them with a smug) She’s definitely loving every second of it.!
*They walked through the crowd, smelling wet pavement and fried siopao. Siana stopped at a small stall.*
Siana
Wait, I need to buy some Tikoy cakes. How much are they?
Rae
There’s a box for 90 pesos over there.
Rae
Is that a gift for your parents?
Siana
(nodding quietly) Yeah, my Mom said she wanted to come here sometime.
Maxine
We’ll just chip in!
Elara
Yeah, Sia. Get the 190-peso box.
Nico
I’m only chipping in ten pesos, okay?
Siana
(she shakes her head) No, it’s fine—the 75-peso is enough.
Maxine
That’s only enough for two people, Sia. Come on.
Siana
It’s okay! Besides, I still owe Rae fifty pesos, remember?
Rae
(reaching out and gently covering Siana's hand with the miney) It’s fine, Sia. It’s not a loan. Just get the 190.
Elara
Yes! She's our walking bank account!
Siana
Fine, fine. I'll just share my mom's dishes with all of you tomorrow!
Nico
That's more like it! I miss Auntie Lyn's cooking!
*As Siana’s group walks into the rain, a sleek black SUV pulls up. A tall man steps out*
Gabriel
Ma'am, I'll take two of the large boxes—the 350-peso one.
Grandma
Make it three for 1,000, handsome. A special price just for you!
Gabriel
(offering a polite smile) Sure. Three, please.
Jaxon
(leaning out the window, squinting at the retreating crowd) Hey, do y'all know those girls who were just here?
Joseph
Probably Grade 11s. I see them around campus.
Ava
They are. One of them was the host during HUMSS week. I remember them. Sinna? Sasha…? Whatever, that's her.
Ava
Soooo guys, let’s go! It’s pouring! Can we just go to the mall?
Gabriel
(his phone vibrates in his palm as he goes back to the car) Hang on—Avi’s calling.
Aveline
📞: "Gab, where are you? Can you come over to the house?"
Gabriel
(sighing, his gaze onto the wet street packed in traffic) I’m in Manila. What’s wrong?
Aveline
📞: "Just come here quick! It’s really important!"
Gabriel
I’ll be there, but traffic might be bad.
Aveline
📞: "That’s okay! Just come!"
Gabriel
I have to go first. She said it’s important.
Jaxon
But weren't you supposed to visit the hospital later?
Gabriel
(checking his watch, his expression unreadable) Yeah. Maybe later tonight
Ava
I’m coming too! I miss Avi. Also, Gab, you can carry my bags.
Jaxon
Why? Going back to Melbourne again? Just stay here!
Ava
I can't. My aunt has been begging me to visit for two weeks because she just got her third divorce.
Gabriel
Are you coming or not? *Gabriel opens the door and waits for Ava*
Ava
Yes! Just let me use the restroom. Can’t you wait, Mr. Loverboy?
Gabriel
I’m not—just hurry up or I’m leaving you with these two.
Ava
What?! No! Wait! I'm going to tell mom about this! You always bully me!
[ Blue Hour ]
*Siana entered her dark, quiet home. A cold blue light from the window hit the old furniture. The room smelled of her father's gin and cigarettes.*
Siana
(voice low and quiet) Mom, I’m home...
Jocelyn
(shadowed on the sofa) Clean up the living room first, dear. Your father’s friend just left. They were drinking again.
Siana
(setting her bag down heavily) Who was here?...
Jocelyn
Your Uncle Bong. He left a hundred pesos for you on the table. That’s your allowance for tomorrow.
Siana
(picking up the crumpled bill) Thanks. Mom, I brought some Tikoy. W- We had some at school...
Siana
(she looks at the floor, the lie resting on her tongue) Yeah... my teacher gave them to us. There were leftovers from an event, so they let me take some home.
Jocelyn
That’s generous of them. What were you doing? Was it for a school club?
Siana
Just an event we were planning.
Jocelyn
Alright. I’ll go call your sister.
Siana
I’ll go ahead and cook this.
Shanaija
(running in, eyes bright) This is delicious, Sis! Did you buy this?
Siana
Stop it—it was just a gift!
Shanaija
I joined your old club, by the way—the Interact Club!
Shanaija
It’s okay! The teachers and officers are nice.
Siana
What’s your position?
Shanaija
I’m on the editing committee! I want to do design work. It’s my favorite!
Shanaija
What about you? What was your position back then?
Siana
(Turning back to the stove) Uh, I don't know. I forgot.
Shanaija
Whatever! I’ll just ask Mrs. Abdullah.
Siana
No, don't! The teachers probably don't even remember me.
Shanaija
Are you kidding? They always call me by your name! They can’t even remember mine!
Shanaija
Yeah! They were asking why you never visit anymore.
Siana
Rules are stricter now. You said I need a letter and my old ID just to get past the guard. Plus, I’ve been busy.
Shanaija
Then you should pick up my report card next week! You just need your ID and Mom's. That way the teachers can see you again!
Shanaija
Saturday, 9 to 10 AM.!
Siana
Fine, I’ll do it. Now, finish the food, but leave some for Dad.
Lola Mila
Oh, you’re back.
Siana
(taking her grandmother's hand for a respectful bless) Yes, Grandma. I brought some food, if you want some.
Lola Mila
No, thanks. I already ate. Why are you home so late anyway?
Siana
Just a school event. It ran over.
Lola Mila
Always about that school. What are you taking in college? Nursing? Pre-med?...
Siana
(softly) I’m not sure yet...
Lola Mila
Just don’t become a teacher. They don’t make anything. Don’t be a lawyer either, someone might kill you. And don’t you dare go into those "arts" I see on TV. It’s useless. Just a bunch of superficial people acting like they're special.
Siana
Y- Yes, Grandma... I’m going to bed now.
*Siana retreated to her room and locked the door. She collapsed onto her bed, eyes glancing to the desk where a lot of half-finished sketch of dresses and gowns lay hidden under a Biology textbook.*
Siana
(whispering to the empty room) What a mess...
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