"When one door closes, another yet opens."
~•~
Athenna's POV
Tss. Anong problema non? Napaka bipolar tsk, tatawa tapos magsusungit. Wait, did he really laugh?
"Hoy Athenna!" Rinig kong sigaw ng kung sino man. Nag palinga linga ako para sana hanapin yung sumigaw pero biglang may kumalabit sa akin na siya namang ikinagulat ko.
"Oh my God, Samantha!" Ani ko na ikinatawa nila.
"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Tanong ni kairon.
"Ahh, nag basa lang ako." Sabi ko sabay taas ng libro na hiniram ko sa library.
"Kasama si Nox?" Nakangiting sabi ni Sam. Nagtataka naman akong napatingin sa kanila. Paano nila nalaman?
"So kasama mo nga? Ayiee ikaw ah!" Mapang asar na sambit naman ni Kairon. "Naka salubong namin siya, nakita pa namin ngumiti."
"H-hoy nagbasa lang naman ako. T-teka, so nakita nyo din syang ngumiti?" Tanong ko.
"Oo, kanina rin sa room." Ani naman ni Nico na kasama rin pala nila.
"Bakit kaya nangiti yon?" Tanong ko naman.
"He's looking at you kanina sa room, and he didn't know na he was smiling. May gusto ata sayo." Natatawang sabi ni Nico.
"Imposible." Sagot ko.
"Hindi imposible yon, magkasama nga kayo kanina eh." Sabi ni Kairon..
"Natutulog kasi sya, walang kasama kaya nagstay ako. Kayo talaga. Halika na nga." Tumayo na ano at naglakad papalabas sa garden.
Minutes later, I found myself thinking about his laugh earlier. "Athenna, you're spacing out."
"H-huh? Sorry may iniisip lang ako."
"Iniisip mo si Nox no?" Pang asar ni Samantha.
"Baliw. Mag tigil ka dyan." Sabi ko. We're here inside our classroom, waiting for the next teacher to appear and she's ten minutes late already. And yes, finally, our teacher came in.
"Good Afternoon 1A. May I have your attention please?" Lahat naman kami ay tumahimik at tumingin sa kanya. "I'll give you a group project. Each group should have five members, kayo nalang ang pumili sa mga mahiging ka-grupo nyo. Submission will be on Monday."
"Ang gagawin nyo lang is to make an Article about any topic and publish it to our University Page." Ani nya. "Okay, let's have an open debate. The topic for the debate is What is more higher? National Artist Title or the National Living Treasure? Anyone can talk and share their stands with regards to the topic. Let's start, any volunteer to open the debate?" She asked.
I raised my hand, oh shoot I'm nervous. Our professor called my name telling me to stand up so I did.
"As for me, National Living Treasure is much higher than the National Artist. For it is awarded to those who promote the cultural or traditional art." I said. My classmates looked pleased with my answer, so as our teacher.
"Oh class sagot." Natatawang sambit ng among guro.
"How come?" Someone asked. We're all shocked because it is Nox who ask that question. Samantalang naka ngiti naman ang aming guro.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked.
"Your statement confused me. If it promotes the cultural heritage art, how come na it is much higher than the other title?" He said.
"Well, it covers unique artworks from the country only, and it reached high level of artistic excellence and still practiced and known by current generation. If it wasn't because of those who promotes and preserved the traditional art even up to this day, paniguradong nakalimutan na to ng lahat." Napatango naman ang mga classmates ko.
"Good point." He stand up. Samantalang palipat-lipat naman ng tingin ang mga kaklase ko sa aming dalawa. I can see the shock and amusement in their eyes dahil ngayon lang nila nakitang magsalita si Nox.
"However, The Order of the National Artist were given to those who significantly made a huge contribution in the development of Philippine Art. Not just promoting but...they helped in the development." Ani nito. Halatang halata na ang amusement sa mukha nila.
'Wow, he's smart!'
'Ang galing niya.'
'Di ko inexpect na magaling pala siya.'
Bulungan ng iilan, samantalang ang guro naman ay tahimik lang na nakangiti at nanonood.
"Your statement is making a good point, but...in contrary, if we are to use the power of the law, this title is also presidentially proclaimed. A Presidential Proclamation is much higher than a republic act right? National Living Treasure Awards are inducted by Legislative Authorities while National Artists were inducted by the President itself." He said while still his eyes are locked to mine.
"Okay time is up!" Our teacher said kaya dali-dali akong umiwas ng tingin at tahimik na umupo. I never thought na he's good at this. Never kasi siyang nagparticipate sa klase.
"I enjoyed the debate. Both of you did a really good job. Mr. Cervamontes and Ms. Smith, meet me at the office after class. 1A, dismissed." She said then took all of her things then left.
Usap-usapan naman sa kwarto ang naganap na debate sa pagitan namin. We are all surprised.
BINABASA MO ANG
That One Real Smile
RandomA story about friendship, bravery, courage, dreams, hope and life. Desperate for his father's attention and support, Nox blamed his father for what happened to him. Until he met a girl named Athenna who taught him how to forgive and how to love. He...
