The Path Towards Greatness (Youth Series #2)

19

#TPTG19

"Kinakabahan na ko," nag-aalalang sabi ni Julia

"Me too."

Today is our revalida which is an oral examination at the end of an academic term. Our profs will ask us questions on the spot one by one and we have to answer it. Sort of like a thesis defense.

"Guys, goodluck sa'tin. Sana yung matanong sa inyo yung related sa case na binasa niyo," si Yuan

All of us as wearing corporate attire. My male classmates are wearing black suit and tie. I'm wearing a gray trousers and white longsleeves polo. Kanina ko pa pinupunasan ang palad ko sa pants ko dahil kanina pa ito pasmado.

"Shit, andyan na si Atty," wika ni Julia

Napatingin ako sa kanya. Huminga ako ng malalim nung nagsimula na siyang magtawag. It all came by so fast. I watch my classmates as they answer the questions. Habang tumatagal ay pahirap ng pahirap ang tanong. The cases were difficult as well.

I started to get worried. I was silently praying that I'll get called soon. I want to end this already. Parang gusto nang makawala ng puso ko sa dibdib ko.

"Guevarra," tawag niya

Natauhan ako. I stood up straight and made sure I have the proper posture.

"Define the principle of double criminality."

Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago sumagot. I repeated the question inside my head.

"Under the double criminality rule, the extraditable offense must be criminal under the laws of both the requesting and the requested states," I paused for a few seconds to calm my breathing. "This simply means that..."

Shit. I totally forgot what I was going to say. Na-mental block ako bigla.

I repeated the definition again. After a few moments, natapos na ako. May tinawag ulit sa'min.

I just fucked it up.

"Okay lang 'yan Fey. You did well. Makakahinga ka na ng maluwag," Agatha comforted me

I sighed. "I forgot some words. You know how crucial my situation is right now. Every recit matters to me."

I missed some of the terms during my recit. Malaking puntos din ang ibabawas doon. Alam ng prof namin kung sino iyong mga nag-aral at talagang nagbasa ng cases. They can easily spot it. Even in our body language, the way we speak, the clarity of our voice, our posture, everything, that's why you always have to be prepared.

"But you answered well," ulit niya

Maya-maya ay siya na ang sunod na tinawag. I wished her goodluck. She smiled and nodded.

Bumalik sa isip ko ang naging recit ko kanina. I felt like I could have done better. I always have this mindset of to do my best everytime. I'm a perfectionist. I'm an overachiever who has high standards for myself. I always aim for high grades. It's self-sabotage. It's unhealthy but I can't be chill all the time. Besides, kailangan ko talagang bumawi. I don't want to lose my scholarship.

Nakakapagod pero kailangan kong lumaban.

"Si Atty. Mendoza padin pa prof natin sa CivRev?"

"Oo, terror din yun eh. Literal na umiiyak students kapag hindi nakakasagot."

"Grabe, baka hindi ako maka-graduate. I mean, baka nga third year 'di ko maabot eh."

"Malapit nadin pala finals! Pagod na ko," reklamo ni Agatha

Maya-maya ay dumating na ang sundo ko.

"Oh, Fey, uuwi ka na?" tanong nila

Nilingon ko sila at tumango. "Yeah."