Chapter Text
Valentina [8:43PM]
…Marami sa inyo ang bumabatikos sa mga kritisismo ko sa sistema ng ating eskwelahan, pero di ba dapat ang bulok na sistema nito ang dapat na mas pagtuunan natin ng pansin? Lumalala lang ang pagiging bulag-bulagan natin dahil sa mga taong nagpapakabayani at umaako sa responsibilidad ng iba. Oo, Darna, ikaw ang tinutukoy ko dito.
Narda read the end of Valentina’s latest post on her phone while she is sitting on her motorcycle waiting for the karinderiya lady to prepare her order for tonight’s delivery. She sighs and starts to think if she should respond to her. Narda created a blog, not so long ago, where she is known as Darna to help the situation of students in their school. She often starts fundraising events online and donates them to help organizations in school by buying them school equipment and materials.
That is why she kept wondering why Valentina kept bashing her actions when she only meant to help her fellow students.
“Tandaan mo Narda, ang pinakamalaking kasalanan ay kapag may kakayahan kang tumulong pero wala ka namang ginawa.”
She recalls what her mother told her the day before she dies. Like Valentina, she does not like the poor system of their school, and she believes that this is the only way she can help. However, she does not like to gain attention by being Darna which is why she kept her identity hidden. It is a good thing that students look up to her and use the funds she raised for the benefit of the school, except for one: Noah Vallesteros, the school president, and the son of their school principal. He only wanted the position due to the school's popularity. She doubts that he will use the funds for the benefit of the school.
“Narda, pasensya na natagalan. Eto na yung mga orders.” The karinderya lady says while handing her the orders that she will deliver.
“Nako, wala ho yun! Sige ho, mauna na ako.”
Narda starts her motorcycle and drives away with the orders.
“Narda!”
A voice called behind Narda while she is walking in the sea of students inside their school.
“Oh, Brian.” She greets her best friend as they started to walk together to class.
“Nakita mo ba yung nasa bulletin board? Grabe no, laki ng funds na nalikom ni Darna pang-renovate ng drinking fountain sa gym.” He says while grinning to himself.
“Ayan ka nanaman sa pagfafangirl mo kay Darna, tigilan mo nga yan, kakadiri muka mo.” Narda says while scrunching her face in disgust. It disgusts her that her best friend is showing interest in Darna, who is also her when they both know that she is an effin gay.
“Wow ha, kung maka-kadiri naman to. Bakit? Crush mo din ba si Darna ?”
She looks at him like he has grown another head. “Gag* kadiri ka lang talaga.”
He looks at her in disbelief and lightly hit her in the back of her head.
“Kadiri ka rin huy, pero mabuti yan, kasi sa tingin ko si Regina talaga si Darna eh.”
Narda retaliated by punching him lightly in his arm. “Regina ka nanaman. Alam mo, tigilan mo na yan kasi wala ka namang pag-asa doon. Ang panget mo kaya.”
“Hoy excuse me, ang pogi pogi ko kaya. Dami ngang girls diyan na nagkakandarapa sa akin.”
On cue, a random girl says hi to Brian while having a hint of kilig running on her face.
“Oh kitams?” Brian says then winked at Narda.
Narda gags at his action, “Kadiri ka talaga, Robles." Brian laughs as a response.
"Sabihin na natin na may mga nagpapabulag sa tulad mo, pero hinding hindi si Regina. Ang ganda ganda kaya ni Regina, matalino pa, mabait, sosyal at mayaman. Hinding-hindi yun papatol kung kani-kanino lang.” Narda teases as she sticks out her tongue mockingly at Brian.
“Lokong to…” Brian attempted to hit Narda again, but Narda quickly run away from him.
“Hoy! Halika dito!” He chases after Narda while she runs faster screaming “Panget!”
The two were unaware that Regina just entered the scene and heard the last bits of their conversation.
“Ang ganda ganda kaya ni Regina, matalino pa, mabait, sosyal at mayaman…”
Regina smiles as she started to walk toward their classroom.
“Apakagag* mo talaga, umagang umaga basa ako ng pawis. Paano na ako magpapa-impress kay Regina nyan.” Brian says while fixing his hair inside their classroom.
“Sus, kahit naman anong ilagay mo sa katawan mo mabantot ka pa rin.” Narda says while fanning her face using her hand.
“Ayaw mo pa rin talaga tumigil no-
Brian got interrupted when Regina enters the room. She quickly looks at them and subtly smiles at Narda. The smaller girl is surprised by the action and attempted to smile back, but it turns out awkwardly.
“Huy ano yun, bakit siya ngumiti sayo.” Brian whispers to Narda looking dumbfounded.
“Eh, ewan ko, nagulat din ako no.”
“May hindi ka sinasabi sa akin…”
“Gag* wala.”
“Panay ang sabi mo na hindi kami bagay, umamin ka nga, crush mo rin siya no?” Brian says suspiciously.
“W-wala. Alam mo namang wala akong panahon sa ganyan di ba ? At isa pa, alam kong baliw na baliw ka diyan, so bakit ko tataluhin?”
“Okay, kung ganon edi tulungan mo na lang akong manligaw sa kanya.”
It’s Narda’s turn to look dumbfounded.
“Anong sinasabi mo diyan? Wag mo nga akong gawing sidekick, lalong lalo na sa panliligaw mo! Wala akong panahon diyan. Lalo na alam kong wala ka namang pag-asa.”
“Oh kita mo na, tumatanggi ka nanaman, ang sus mo na talaga.”
Narda sighs and rolls her eyes at him. “Alam mo Robles, kung gusto mo talaga siyang ligawan, ikaw ang gumawa ng aksyon, hindi yung gagamit ka pa ng tulay.”
“Eh..” Brian scoots his chair closer to Narda, “Balak ko sana magpasok ng mga love letters or gifts sa locker nya kaso ang mga locker dito nasa dressing room sa gym, oh paano naman ako makakapasok don.”
“Love letters sa locker? Ang corny mo Robles, kaya alam ko na mababasted ka talaga.”
“Sige na best friend, libre ko na lunch mo every day simula ngayon. Oh malaking katipiran yon sayo. Hindi ka na mammroblema sa pambaon nyo ni Ding tapos magiging girlfriend ko na crush ko, win-win situation.”
Narda looks at Brian like she’s about to consider his offer since her part-time as a delivery girl is not enough for her and Ding. The delivery service is getting slower these days and the gas price is getting higher. She needs something to save money.
She sighs and nods slowly at him.
“Ano oo ka na?” Brian says while grinning widely.
“Oo na nga, pasalamat ka gipit ako.”
“Yes! Salamat best friend! Lab na lab mo talaga ako e.” Brian says teasingly while hugging Narda.
“Ew kadiri! Wag mo akong hawakan!” Narda screams as she struggles to get out of Brian’s embrace. Brian just laughs while chanting “Magkaka-gf na ako!”
At the back of the room, Regina silently looks at them while holding a small book in her hand. She couldn’t hear what they are talking about earlier, but they sure looks cozy together.
“Umupo ka na nga sa upuan mo ! Epal mong Robles ka !” Narda yells as she throws his bag into his chair.
“Huy gag*, baka may mabasag sa loob!”
Narda grins while looking at the panicking Brian, then her gaze shifts to the girl who is holding a small book. Narda thought that she looks unbothered by their noise since she kept her nose in the book. Little does she knows, Regina can feel her gaze towards her.
Brian and Narda are sitting together on the small table on their quad as they eat their lunch together.
“Hindi ba sasabay sa atin si Ding ?” Brian asks while getting a pen and a paper out of his bag.
“Hayaan mo na yun, may sariling kaibigan yun e.” Narda answers while looking at the pen and paper that Brian is preparing. “Para saan yan?”
“Magsisimula na akong magsulat ng love letter, tutal nasimulan naman na kitang ilibre e.”
“Magsisimula na rin pala trabaho ko ngayon.” Narda says as she took a bite of her food.
Brian looks up to think about what he is going to write for Regina but is unable to come up with words. He scratches the back of his head. “Ano bang magandang isulat?”
“Luh, bakit ako tinatanong mo? Malay ko sayo, di yan parte ng usapan.”
“Hindi ako marunong sa mga ganito kasi e.”
“Edi tigilan mo na yan. Hindi ka naman pala marunong manligaw e.”
“Hoy nagkasundo na tayo, tutulungan mo ako di ba?” Brian says while looking at Narda intensely.
Narda sighs. She puts her utensils down and grabs the paper and pen in Brian’s hand. The boy grins widely.
“Magandang magsimula sa mga small notes kesa sa isang buong letter para mag-build up ng excitement sa part niya.” Narda says as she writes a short phrase on the paper.
“Effective yan ha”
“Oo, babae pa rin ako kaya alam ko yan.” Narda says looking irritated.
“Oh bakit mainit agad ulo mo? Eto naman.”
“Sakit mo kasi sa bangs.” Narda says as she continues writing. When she is finally done, she handed it to Brian. “Ayan na po boss-abos.”
Brian read the small note excitedly, then ask “Okay na ba to?”
Narda takes a sip of her juice and gives him a thumbs-up.
Brian grins at the small note and hands it into Narda. “Okay, okay salamat talaga. Seryoso.”
“I got you, bro.” Brian smiles and they continue to eat.
Narda hurries to the locker room so that she can go there before Regina does. Her small figure allows her to be faster than everyone else since she can get easily to the crowd. When she got to the locker room, she immediately looks for Regina’s locker.
“Eto ata yun.” She says to herself unsure if she’s standing in front of the right locker.
“Ah bahala na!” She says then slips the note inside the locker. When she hears noises coming in, she immediately goes to her locker, and just in time, Regina appears.
“Sana tama, sana tama” Narda chants in her mind.
Luckily, Regina opens the right locker and Narda finally releases the breath that she’s been holding. She watches Regina as she unfolds the small note. Regina reads it, looks around, reads it again, and finally, she smiles. Narda doesn’t know why, but it made her smile too. “Cute naman.”
Regina suddenly looks up and their eyes meet. To Narda’s surprise, she smiles awkwardly at her and suddenly says “Hi.”
Regina stares at her for a while then finally greets her back. “Hello.”
“H-huy love letter ah. Naks.” Narda teases. Regina lets out a small laugh.
“Oh, it’s nothing. Whoever this is, I’ll say na ang duwag niya.” Regina says as she starts to get her things out of her locker.
“Duwag? Eh nakita ko nga kinilig ka.”
"N-no, I'm not.” Regina says shyly.
"Huyyyy" Narda teases.
"H-how did you know? Tumitingin ka sa akin no."
Narda caught up guard and Regina starts to smirk. “H-hindi ah! Napansin ko lang na ngumiti ka kanina, e kasi naman, madalang ka ngumiti e.”
“Why? Is it weird?”
“Hindi naman. Nasasayangan lang ako kasi maganda ka lalo kapag nakangiti e.” Narda says while smiling that reaches her eyes.
Regina stares at her for a minute and says, “Really?”
Then Narda suddenly realizes what she just said and unconsciously bites her lips.
“A-ah oo hehe.” she answers while avoiding her gaze. “S-sige na nga magpapalit na ako, bye!” Then she runs to the bathroom.
Regina giggled at the gesture. “What a cutie.”
After school, Narda and Brian wait for Ding at the school gate.
“Oh, ano success ba ang unang misyon mo?” Brian asks Narda as she is preparing her motorcycle.
“Oo mukang successful naman.” Narda answers, but she is paying more attention to her motorcycle.
“Bakit muka lang? Kinilig ba sya or ano?”
Narda stops what she is doing and Regina’s smile suddenly flashes in her mind.
“Mhm.” She answers gently while still thinking about the smile.
“Talaga? Ayos galing mo talaga!” Brian says then he suddenly wraps his arm in her shoulder.
“Wag ka nga! Ayan ka nanaman e.” Narda says annoyingly.
“Huy ang sweet.” Ding suddenly appears in the scene.
“Hoy isa ka pa, kadiri ah.” Narda says as she hands one of the helmet to Ding.
“Kayo kasi dito pa sa daan naglalandian.”
“Yang bibig mo Ding ha.” Narda warns him and the two boys laugh at her.
Ding’s phone suddenly lights up as he got a notification. He checks it and scrunches his face at what he sees.
“Nag-post nanaman si Valentina.”
Narda perks up and she immediately checks her phone too.
Valentina [5:10 PM]
Hanggang kailan ka ba magpapanggap sa pagiging bayani mo dito Darna? Kung gusto mong tumulong sa ating eskwelahan, turuan mo ang mga tao na tulungan ang kanilang mga sarili. Hindi itong tumutulong ka para lang sambahin ka ng mga tao…
Narda read the first few sentences of Valentina’s blog and knows that it’s all about her all over again.
“Eto talagang Valentina na to, inggit nanaman kay Darna, palibhasa kasi wala pa siyang nagagawa tapos si Darna marami na.” Ding says then he shoves his phone in his pocket.
“Ganyan talaga, hindi kasi siya marunong pumikit e.” Brian says smugly.
Narda only looks at the two while still holding her phone. She is thinking if Valentina really does envy her or if it’s something else? She sighs and shoves her phone into her bag pack.
“Halika na Ding, umuwi na tayo.”
“Sigurado ba kayong ayaw niyong sumabay sa akin?” Brian offers.
“Siraulo ka ba? Paano tong motor ko ?” Narda says and Ding only laughs on the side.
“Ako na magmamaneho, baka maaksidente pa kayo.”
“Lumayo ka sa motor ko Robles, at tsaka kaya na namin mga sarili namin. Alam mo namang bihasa na ako sa pagmomotor eh.” Narda says as she gets on her motorcycle.
“Sigurado ha.”
“Oo na nga, umuwi ka na.” Narda says annoyingly. “Bilis Ding sakay na.” and when Ding gets on, she immediately drives her motorcycle away.
“INGAT!” Brian shouted.
Narda only rolls her eyes and Ding laughs as a reaction. “Para kayong mag-jowa e.”
“Alam mo ba Ding, konti ka na lang talaga sa akin.”
“Eto namang si ate, biro lang naman.” Ding says as he tightens his hands on Narda’s shoulder since the motorcycle is getting faster.
“Biruin mo pa ako ng ganon, ihahagis kita dito.”
“Grabe ka naman ate, parang hindi ako love.” Ding says as he hugs Narda from behind. Narda only smiles at the gesture as they drive their way in the traffic.
When they get home, Narda stares longingly at Valentina’s blog, still thinking if she should respond. She sighs. She started to type away her thoughts and the first thing that come to mind is her mother’s philosophy.
“Okay na siguro ito.” She says to herself then she posted her blog post as Darna.
Then she looks at the picture of her mother in their living room and smiles. “Thank you, Nay. Hanggang ngayon talaga na-iinspire ako sayo.” Narda says before she gets ready for her part-time job tonight.