Who Would Hate A Goddess?

Who Would Hate A Goddess?

Aphrodite—the goddess of conyo

Samantha and I went out of the car, we're in school now and this crazy crowd in front of us is making us crazy. Everyday na lang ganito, I'm not even a star not even Samantha. We're just pretty, not actresses. What even?

We were like walking in a red carpet. Chin up while walking in posture and grace. Nagsisitabihan ang lahat, giving us the wide space going to our building. Oh crap! I really don't know what to say with this bunch of people.

"Hi Aphrodite..."

"You're so beautiful naman, Aphro."

"Hi, can we be friends?"

"Aw. I love your beauty, Aphrodite."

"You look like Zeus... diba kambal mo siya? Ang ganda ng lahi ninyo."

All of them love me for I am a goddess. I was named into a goddess and it is true daw, they can see it into my face, the Goddess of beauty, love and the attractiveness of the world, Aphrodite. I don't get these people. Why do they like me? Well, I know that I am pretty, yeah, no arrogance. Aside from that, I know nothing.

I don't know why I am popular. I didn't do something naman. Kidding there! I knew it! I'm not from ancient time for not knowing it. My brother, Zeus, is a heartthrob in our school that's why they all want to be friends with me so they can be closer to him. It's like I am the passcode to that god named Zeus.

I was in my 1st grade when I was taught to speak Tagalog. Though it's still konti and it's kind of mahirap, so I have to try harder. Although it looks like nakakatawa but Zeus and my amazing best friend Samantha helped me a lot. I do have the confidence that later on I can do it. I can speak purely and natural. I have hopes for that.

"Look at them, Sam. They look like uh... kakainin nila ako. Look at those mga mata na nakatingin sa akin," I said to Samantha.

Nag-roll ng eyes sa akin si Samantha. She's like iritado sa akin. "Alam mo Aphro kung hindi kaya... pwede straight English nalang? Para ka kasing trying hard s***h member ng Mean Girls! I hate your conyo accent," She complained.

I make roll my eyes din sa kaniya. Minsan talaga she's not with me. Well, she's still pretty though. I like her candidly.

"Mommy told me that I should learn. We're in the Philippines," I said with a matter-of-fact tone.

"Whatever, Aphrodite," she teased, "The goddess of beauty, love... and wealth!" Tumawa si Samantha as she look around and like lahat sila ay nakatingin sa akin.

Binilisan nalang namin ni Samantha ang palalakad para makalayo sa kanila. It's still early but I love seeing my arm chair. I also don't want more attentions.

Now, I'm in my 7th grade. I was born in London, pero dito na ako lumaki sa Philippines. My family had been living here for years already but I'm still not used sa mga bagay dahil it's hard for me. There were other people help me a lot dahil sila ang gumagawa ng ibang things for me, so I'm thankful. That's why 'yon ang nagpapahirap sa akin... mas nahihirapan ako sa pag-a-adjust because sila ang gumawa ng mga things na dapat ako ang gumagawa for me to improve.

Nang kami ay near na sa aming classroom ay biglang tumigil si Samantha kaya I also stop walking like she did.

"What's wrong Sam?" I asked her.

She looked shocked. Parang nakakita ng isang ghost or something.

"W-wala..." Umiling siya at nagpatuloy na naglakad.

From afar, I saw my dear lil brother. May kausap siyang mga girls and they are flirting. It's so nakakaasar because he's a playboy and by the way he's my twin brother. Nasa 1st section siya and I'm in the second with my best friend. Okay, whatever! He waved his hand to us—but this crazy girl named Samantha entered our room so she didn't saw that. Kumaway nalang din ako sa kaniya bago siya pumasok sa classroom nila with his girls.

Papasok na rin sana ako pero may naramdaman akong tao sa likod ko at bigla itong nagsalita, "Pwede ba! Huwag kang paharang-harang sa dinadaanan ko!" malamig nitong utas.

Napatalon ako sa voice na 'yon. I was scared like hell. I think I can speak straight Tagalog now, kidding. Lumingon ako para makita kong sino ang naroroon.

And look who I found? "Z-Zachary..."

"Sabi ko wag kang paharang-harang sa dinadaanan ko. Hindi ko sinabing ibigkas mo ang pangalan ko," nakakunot ang kaniyang two eyebrows.

I raise my eyebrow. It's not masikip or something naman. Ako? Like, paharang-harang? Oh crap! Me? The Aphrodite Helena Durano?

"The space is like maluwang. Can't you see?" I spread my arms wide.

But he didn't have any reaction to it instead nagalit pa ito sa akin. "Gusto kong dumaan... tumabi ka," Binangga niya ako at nilagpasan.

Zachary Villa Rama. Villa Rama. What even?