Genius in Distress

Connections

“What are you doing inside my class, Miss Trinidad? Didn’t I tell you I’d only let you attend this class in uniform? Now, get out!” Her Professor motioned her to the door.

Aia stood up from her chair and walked toward her teacher. She stopped a few inches in front of her, didn’t say a thing as she handed her a letter.

“What’s this all about?”

Aia shrugged. It was for her to find out.

Her Professor opened it and read the letter silently. Paiba-iba ang expression ng mukha nito habang binabasa ang nakasulat doon. When she was done reading, she handed her back the letter.

“Well, since you have a letter from the president of this University himself, who am I to disobey? Sige na, go back to your seat.”

Aia returned to her chair.  Parang may nag iba sa boses ng professor nila. Bumait ito bigla sa kanya.

Aia’s classmates were amazed on how she did that. “Close ka sa President?”

“Nope,” she said a matter of fact. Aia talked to the General last night. Ito ang gumawa ng paraan para ma exempt siya sa uniform policy. He called the President who happened to be his friend kaya madali siyang nabigyan ng passes.  Tandang-tanda pa niya kung ano ang na pag usapan nila kagabi.

“Why do you still wear your vest?” the General asked her. Tinanong kasi siya nito kung ano ang rason niya kung bakit ayaw niyang magsuot ng uniporme. Sinabi niya dito na dahil sa bullet proof vest niya. “Isn’t that uncomfortable? Gusto mo dagdagan ko ang security mo para ma feel mong safe ka?”

“Don’t do that,” she hastily said. She was having a hard time already with Lt. Castellejos. Baka kung ano na naman ang sasabihin nito sa kanya pag may naabala na naman siyang sundalo para sa kapritso niya. “Ayoko na hong makaabala. Tsaka ho, I feel totally safe pag may vest ako kaya sinusuot ko araw-araw.”

“Up to you. But I tell you, Lt. Castellejos is the best one to protect you.”

Of course she knew it. He ain’t freakin’ Airborne for nothing! At iyon ang problema. Aia cleared her throat. “And I am about to talk to you about him,” she said.

He frowned. “Spill.”                                             

“Well, for starter, he’s a member of the SPECIAL FORCES, one of the best special operators in the Armed Forces. I was just wondering why he was the one assigned to me. Apparently, the military needs him.”

“We already talked about that right? I told you we have the best people to protect you. And Lt. Castellejos happens to be  one of the best.”

Aia nodded. “But I want a replacement.”

“No, Atlantis. And that is final.” Alam niyang seryoso ito dahil tinawag na siya nito sa totoo niyang pangalan. Wala naman siyang magawa.

Naalala niya si Lt. Castellejos. Wala silang imikan kanina habang nasa byahe papunta sa University. Hindi pa rin nawawala ang sama ng loob niya dito. Buti na lang sumabay si Alex sa kanila. Meron siyang nakausap kahit papa’no.

“I’m sorry, Lt Castellejos. We are stuck with each other.”

“Miss Trinidad!”

“Huh?” Napatayo siya bigla sa pagkagulat. Nagtawanan naman ang mga kaklase niya.

“Dahil nakatayo ka na rin lang, please repeat all the pointers for the exam.”

“Pointers?” Nagbigay ba ito ng Pointers? Kailan? “Uhm, you want me to recite all the pointers for the exam?”

“Kakasabi ko lang Miss Trinidad.”

“Uhm, alphabetically or numerically?”

“What?”

“Randomly or from start to finish?”

“What are you saying Miss Trinidad?” She waved his hand dismissively. “Never mind. Sumasakit ang ulo ko sa’yo. Class you’re dismissed.”

Aia smiled inwardly. That was how geniuses get away once caught not paying attention. Wicked!

Aia sat in a bench near the open field when break time came. She decided to hang in there than inside the cafeteria. Doon siguro hindi na siya abot ng CCTV. Napaparanoid na siya. She couldn’t act normal dahil alam niyang may mga matang laging nakabantay sa kanya. Aia saw two little kids playing on the field. Nilapitan niya ang mga ito.

“Hey, little minions.”

The two kids stopped playing and twirled to face her. “Hello po,” the two greeted her.

“Sino ang kasama niyo dito?”

“Our Mom,” said the little boy. “Nagtatrabaho po siya sa canteen.”

“Really? So wala pa lang nagbabantay sa inyo?”

Umiling ang batang babae, “Wala po. ‘Lika ate laro tayo.” She dragged her to the open field. Nag pahila naman siya. “Habulan tayo, ikaw ang taya.”

Habulan? Shoot! Napasubo yata siya. “Uh... okay.”

Tumakbo na palayo sa kanya ang mga bata. Hinabol niya ang mga ito. They were running in circles, laughing, rolling, laughing. Napakasaya maging bata. Exhausted and panting Aia lay down in the grass, looking at the heavens with arms wide open. The two kids followed her. They lied down there for a while until she heard Lt. Castellejos’ voice calling her. She ubruptly sat up and looked around. She saw no one until she heard the voice spoke again.

“Are you okay, Miss Trinidad?” Lt. Castellejos asked her without a trace of concern in his voice. Asa ka pa! You are just a mere ‘assignment’ to him,” she reminded herself.

Aia was astonished. It came from the speaker. Dinig sa buong campus ang boses nito. So kahit pala dito sa field nakikita siya nito? “What the heck!” Tumayo na siya at inalalayan ang dalawang bata para bumangon. Pagkatapos ay inihatid niya ang dalawa sa nanay ng mga ito sa cafeteria.