CN 34 Learning Outcome (I Have A Story To Tell)

in another world KRISTIANA LOURAINE F. MACASA

Photos used are neither owned nor made by me.

in another world



1 A beautiful canvas of the setting sun taking in the warm colours down with him as its opposing yet comforting shade of the night comes to stop by. Everything was silent, just the way everything should be. Only a frequent rustle was heard from the turning of pages. This serene moment was interrupted by a knock on the door. \"Come in!\" The creaking sound of the now half-opened door brightened the nearly dim atmosphere and the unknown guest peeped out the door, more likely waiting for another response. Knowing who it may as well be, curiously, Reiya looked up from her science book. It was, of course, her mother Linda, or whom she calls Mama. Closing her book with a thud and putting it aside, she watched her mother with wonder who was making her way to sit next to her at the edge of the bed. \"Anak, can we talk?\" Suddenly the room felt smaller than it already was. Most conversations starting with that particular question never ended well. The best she could hope for was to not be part of that majority. A slight nod in the head with a barely audible noise of affirmation, her mother stood up. Reiya followed behind her mother, putting on her slippers, and then closing the door.

2 Her mother’s steps led them to the living room, where her brother was holding the recent 5- month-old of the family. Keith, her father, was also there. His expression showed he was fine, not smiling, but fine. No signs of anticipation or discomfort, he appeared quite excited, which slightly relieved half of her possible worries. On the bad note, there’s still the other half. Going back, she embarrassingly sat down forgetting that she remained unseated, lost in her world of distress. A moment of silence before her mother and father held hands, insinuating for the worse. “We’ve decided it’s best to move to America...” She was eased. Eased that it wasn’t as bad as she thought it could’ve been. Not ecstatic, not exactly. America was a rich country, to give you that, but not the best reputation for its history. Issues and issues piling up, and America was in that circle. Take BLM for example. She was perplexed to be wrapped up in a similar situation, or even worse. But the youngest concerned her the most, and to raise her up in an unsafe environment. Conflicting thoughts worked their way in her mind. Every scenario terrified her. It all sounded exaggerated, but who can blame her? She was someone who had always been surrounded by Asians, only seeing about other nations through what impression they gave on the internet.

3 But then she recalled her studies. She had quizzes to be written and projects to be made, 2 of which were in groups. It was all too sudden. Too sudden that she blocked out the real world, too engrossed in her own. “.........Reiya? Are you listening?” Ah, her parents weren’t done with what they’re saying. She didn’t know how long she had been zoning out—which hopefully, wasn’t long enough to be concerning. An awkward small smile reached her face, reassuring that she was fine yet clueless. “We’re going to America because we thought this would be easier for us if we worked overseas” ‘The tickets,’ she pondered, ‘it’s too expensive. It’s not worth it.’ Her mother glanced at her, and as if she knew exactly what she was thinking about, “If it’s about the tickets, your Lolo and Lola from your Papa’s side are paying for it. We didn’t want them to, but they insisted” Gently grabbing her mother’s arm, she quizzed, “But Mama, what about my classes? I have work to do, and we’re still in our 2nd Quarter.” Placing a reassuring hand on her’s, “Don’t worry about it, this isn’t a decision we made overnight. We will leave in around a week. Just in time for August, where they start class in the US.”



4 The hand her mother placed wasn’t as assuring as it was before her statement. A fresh start, that’s good, but for the cost of starting school once more. Reiya would’ve complained, but it’s shameful to do so when everything has been planned out already. That’s what all got her into this mess. Towering over her was her new school, evidently larger than the one she previously attended to in the Philippines, and looked much neater. Mixed chattering from students to their friends about whatever was all around her. Reiya could see some people scrutinizing her, whispering to their friends. Despite the blaringly crowded environment, she felt isolated. Her friends were Asian. Her school is filled with Asians, with a few mixed. She is Asian, Asian-American. She grew up in an environment not exposed to other people with other cultures and racism. Racism. That’s what terrified her the most. It’s rude to insinuate that these people, whom she has never met before, were like that, but there are people out there fitting that description. Being Asian-American wasn’t ideal. Hate crimes rose, assault caused, this and that, it all frightened her. The loud ringing of the bell brought her back. She zoned out once more. But then again, who could blame her?

5 Panicking, she dashed through the entrance. There were clearly less people than there were before, worsening her pounding heart. She didn’t even know where her class was located. She didn’t even know where her class was located. All she knew was that she was in class 9-B. As if someone overheard and provided her prayers, a school map was present near the entrance. Seeing as to where her room was, quickly - but not running, she scurried. Unfortunately, she had to take the stairs to reach the second floor where the high school students resided. Although luckily for her, 9-B was right near the stairways. After quickly making her way upstairs - ensuring each step wouldn’t trip herself, she made it. If she remembered correctly, her homeroom was right around the corner. As she was about to enter, she came back to her senses. She had been focusing so much on getting to her designated room, that she ignored her sense of panic within her. The unsettling feeling of dread washed upon her consciousness. This would not end well. Taking a deep breath, the sound of the handle opening brought everyone’s attention directed at her. Every student was present, a Powerpoint presentation was projected, and the teacher had a marker on his hand which was about to make contact with the board. Shame and embarrassment flooded her mind, and a tint of red scattered around her cheeks. Being a new student and becoming late to class - not a good impression at all.

6 Putting down his marker aside, the unnamed teacher placed his focus on her. “You’re the new student, aren’t you?” Looking down at the desk, most probably reading a note. He quizzed, “Reiya Gomez-Valrey?” All she could do was nod, still feeling her discomfort and predicted embarrassment with all eyes on her. “You’re late. My name is Javier Culliver and I am both your homeroom and history teacher, you will address me Sir Culliver. You may take a seat” Turning his attention back to the board, continuing onto his lesson. Though her teacher had his focus on the board, her classmates’ were still on her. Noticing a vacant seat, she looked down and made her way to her spot. The seat was cold from its previous unoccupied state, and so now were her fingers - but from the overwhelming anxiety that had been there ever since what got her to this predicament. Finding a way to distract herself from everything that had been going on, she paved mind to the board - where Sir Culliver was done writing. The Boxer Rebellion, it reads. A bundle of snickers from some of her classmates. She had never heard of it before, but all she could tell is that it obviously was concerned with the US. Sir Culliver faced his class and leaned against the desk, pointing at the board. ”Today’s topic is about the Boxer Rebellion and the Involvement of the US.”

7 Moving onto the next slide with a click on his mouse, “Now, the Boxer Rebellion is an uprising against foreigners that was staged in Imperial China up until the end of the Qing Dynasty. Now...” Reiya didn’t mean to do so, but she started zoning out the lesson. A small nudge stopped her from fully doing so. The girl on her right - still staring at the board, whispered, “Where are you from?” She couldn’t just ignore her classmates forever. Fiddling with her fingers, doing whatever she can to avoid contact, she muttered, “Philippines. Filipino-American” A small note was passed to her, assuming it came from the same person. ‘You speak good English’ The note meant no harm, she hoped so, but it did sound slightly wrong. It did make it sound patronizing in a way. What was good English meant to sound like? As time goes by, the school day comes to an end. Reiya picked up her bag, and went out the door - feeling the weight of the world off her shoulders. She sighed, knowing she had to come back for tomorrow and for the next few months. Going down stairs and back to the school entrance, waiting for her grandparents’ car to stop and pick her up. A few minutes passed by, and a familiar blue car came into view. Reiya walked straight towards the vehicle and closed the door right after entering. She took her mother’s hand and pressed it to her forehead. It wasn’t necessary for her to do it to her father, but she does it anyway.

8 The engines start and so they start their journey back to her grandparents’ house, where they will be temporarily staying for the meantime. “How’s school? Anything to do?” A simple response of “It’s fine” and a “No” received a hum from her father. Her mother passed a folded piece of paper over to her. “Good that you’re not busy, we’re going to buy groceries from this list your Lola gave me.” The list contained basic items of food such as eggs and of needs such as toilet paper. Since we moved to America, more supplies are definitely needed to provide for all 7 of us. Silence was present all throughout the ride; it wasn’t until they reached the nearest market that it broke. Going through the automatic doors, a long line of aisles with various assortment of products to be lost in. Looking back at the list, she wandered around hoping to find whatever needs to be found. Noticing a few stares from other people in the store, she continued making her way to the toilet paper section, seeing as it’s the nearest. A mother who had her toddler trailing behind her. It reminded her of a baby duckling following their’s, making Reiya smile. The toddler glanced at her, and she responded with a small wave. The mother - who had a pack of toilet paper on her hand, became aware of the interaction between Reiya and the little one.

9 Grabbing her child closer to her, she glared at Reiya, then walked off to another aisle. She huffed, grabbing her cart tightly, ‘Rude, I meant no harm.’ Offended - she took a couple packs of toilet paper as well, placed it in the cart and moved on to what’s next on the list. Taking the last needed item, she met up with only her dad near the line she was currently in, carrying a few of his own goods and placing it in the trolley. A recognizable tiny giggle was heard, making Reiya turn to see the same toddler from the toilet paper aisle. She was glad, but it also meant the mother was also there, which wasn’t a pleasant surprise. The mother observed her child’s change of focus, and was met with a face she was no stranger to. The lady rolled her eyes, and faced in front as it was her turn to pay. She placed each item carefully on the checkout desk, as if she was purposely taking in as much time as she wanted. She clutched her purse tightly, narrowing her eyes right at Reiya’s. The exchange ended when she was finally done and was about to leave, but not before checking her wallet once more then looking at her again. Luckily for the lady, her mother just arrived after she left and her father was busy looking at the impulse goods with scrutiny - specifically a pack of mint-flavoured gum, before placing it in the checkout.

10 Wrapping up the day with the last item, and exiting the door with all the needed supplies. With a relieved sigh, she sat down and slumped on her seat. The suggestive exchanges between her and the lady from the store dampened her mood, and she didn’t want her parents to be as well if they ever caught the news. Soon enough, they reach the comfort of their new home and are greeted by her grandparents - to whom she brings each of one of their hands to her forehead, it was just a matter of habit. Her new room was her aunt’s old bed room, and is now inhabited by Reiya and her younger brother Antonio. Pearly white curtains framed the window near the nightstand, where the night sky emphasized the bright city lights and pale crescent moon aglow. The clock hanging on the wall revealed the time it was now; 6:53pm. It was too early to be sleeping at this time, but that was all she wanted to do right now. All her worries brought her dozing off to sleep and the light of the dawn poured its rays through the window, eager for the next day to come - but can’t say the same as Reiya. Begrudgingly, she stood up - raising her hand shielding her face from the gleaming rays of the just-risen sun. The lady was still lingering in her mind, and genuinely took a toll on her mood. But it wasn’t the time and reason to back out of school. Quickly preparing all that is needed so as to not repeat the same mistakes she made the previous morning.

11 She took a deep breath, and gripped on her backpack. She held it like that up until she reached her room where instead of last time, only a small group of people were huddled up in a corner whispering. She sat down on the same spot she claimed yesterday. Anxiously waiting as the time passed by and more people came in to take a seat, she felt like the group was watching her. Glad that she placed her bag behind her, she turned around and took a quick glance at them. She was right. Almost right. The whole day became much more stressful out of that. This was what she was worried of. By the time it was dismissal time, she was the first to leave the class. It wasn’t a good idea now that she was thinking about it, it probably drew more attention to her. She wasn’t planning on waiting for the car first - even if it was there, they would’ve called her. She dashed straight to the bathroom and locked herself in a stall. It may have been the homesickness that drove her insane. Adding to that was the continuous indirect gestures of racism. She knew the girl from History class didn’t mean it (hopefully), but the lady and the others most definitely did. A long period of silence gave Reiya time to recollect herself and her senses, before the door suddenly opened and she was intruded with a bundle from the loquacious group. She wasn’t planning on eavesdropping, but then her name came up.

12 “Who’s that Asian kid again?” The sound of the water pouring helped her visualize what it was like outside the stall. Another voice responded. “Her name was like Lalya-” “It’s Reiya, she’s half Filipino-half American.” One more joined, who interrupted. A brief pause of silence came, assuming the first voice rolled her eyes and was doing something else as the water stopped. “She’s..interesting to say the least. Nothing else to talk about but how poor she is. Asian-Americans, right?” Unisons of agreement and gossiping flooded the bathroom. As expected, they would be talking about her in a not so positive manner. But there was one that didn’t. “That’s pretty racist, don’t you think?” The girl scoffed, Reiya envisioned her hand on her chest in mocking offence, “I’m not being racist, mind you Alyssa, I have Black and Asian friends as well.” That might’ve been the worst excuse - Ring ring. She froze, and no one was talking anymore. She slowly took out her phone and placed her volume to its lowest. Quickly, she ran out of the bathroom, but slowed down as she went straight to the car.

13 With the same questions and same answers, she figured that her parents thought she was exhausted and did not interrogate her further. She dashed her way to her room and buried her face on her pillow. Great, now they know I was listening. Not to mention I’ll have to see their faces for the rest of the days, weeks, and months to come. At this rate, she humiliated herself far too long that she didn’t expect a better day to come. Sleeping through it all would clear her thoughts and forget about it if she could. The dawn was crisp and refreshed Reiya’s mind. She still could recall the events that took place, but it didn’t matter. She already accepted that the day would start and end horribly. Arriving at school and making her way up to her homeroom, she was welcomed with, surprisingly, no crowd but the girl from History class. Waving at her direction, she looked behind her to check if it was actually meant for her and not to someone else. She ecstatically patted the seat next to her, eager for her to sit down. Not wanting to be rude, she sat down. The rest of the time she had in school was filled with laughter and excessive babbling, mostly coming from the girl from History class whose name is known to be Alyssa - the same girl from the bathroom. Alyssa briefly explained that she felt bad about how her supposed friends were picking on the new kid, but knew it’s best to end it off there.

14 The day, surprisingly sadly, came to a halt. They shared their bids of farewell and the car was only waiting for Reiya’s entry. There was finally something to look forward to, and her stay in America might not be so bad after all, if the right kind of people were found. “So, how’s school?” A small smile was plastered on her face. “Much, much better.”