The Story of Juan Miguel - Part II (LESSONS NOT TAUGHT IN SCHOOL)

Two years later, he turned eighteen. He attended his first social nights. His classmates spend time on flirting to each other. Dancing and drinking wine. Where is Cristina? Of course, she is being escorted by a rich Chinese guy named Mark, Harry or Clark. I can't remember the name, for she often changed partners as often as she changed her underwear. And where is Miguel? There he is. Sitting on a chair and enjoying the beat of the drums while listening to the band. Unnoticing, in the midst of a raging noise, a girl from the other class approaches Miguel. She was Gerlyn. Miguel and Gerlyn talked for an hour or two. After drinking a couple glass of wine, Miguel started to regain his confidence. The confidence that once he felt when he first play guitar in a band. They talked about things, fiction and non- fiction. After a few minutes, Gerlyn asked Miguel's help in getting something in her car in the parking lot which is fifteen meters away from the hall. At the car, in span of second, Gerlyn grabbed Miguel and began kissing him. The scene last for a couple of minutes. This is Miguel's first kiss. A first kiss accompanied by a first trouble. A trouble intended to be his first lesson not written in a book nor taught in a classroom. Miguel was sleepless. Thinking of his first kiss. He asked "Will the feeling be much better if I'm doing it with Cristina?

The next day, the sun shines brighter. But Miguel's smile is brighter than the sun. He is walking in the streets while singing. He would even scream at top of his lungs. Not knowing what is waiting for him, the first trouble that he will encounter¦

A corridor, which is twenty meters away from the campus, was a group of gangsters waiting for Miguel. A group of juvenile who waste their time brawling and fighting without a cause. Jerome, Gerlyn ex-boyfriend, led the group. As he approaches the corridor, Jerome grabbed Miguel's collar and screamed at him "Stay away from Gerlyn or else I'll kill you! Miguel was frightened and instead of going to the school he turned back to his home. Again he told me, "I wish I had a gun. I asked him why and he replied¦ "So I could protect myself. Miguel as always would never tell anybody what happened, to his parents or to his friends. For he knew that his parents won't listen. And his parents never gave a time to talk to him with his problems. One more thing, Miguel is afraid of being blamed. Days go by, going to the school worrying about Jerome and how to get rid of Gerlyn; he was not able to concentrate with his studies. Thus, he carries more pressure in his shoulder. How to please his parents with higher grades while getting rid out of the trouble.

Graduation Day is nearly coming. Just a few months away, Miguel has the last chance to prove something. To defeat his greatest nemesis, Erwin. He studied hard. Sleeping only for two hours just studying. And when the day comes, he scored ninety nine out of one hundred items. He was so happy and the hardship pays. So he went home immediately to show his grade his parents. How about Erwin, did he score 100? Yes, indeed. Same reason why Miguel was never contented on what he had. He kept on studying different fields hoping that when the time he met Erwin for the third time, he will be in triumph.

TO BE CONTINUED...