Fragmented Rhapsody

Fragment 25

25
Cold

My days seem to be really fleeting when I have numerous things to do.

It's so ironic that it frustrates me to some extent, properly knowing that I needed time more than ever. Kung kailan dapat magkaroon ng mahabang oras para tapusin lahat ng trabaho ay doon naman parang nagagahol at nagkukulang sa panahon.

SLU's intramurals is fast approaching, and I don't think we can pull everything off, just like how we planned things to be. Pakiramdam ko hindi lahat maisisingit sa schedule dahil kaming mga seniors ay huli na rin nang makatulong sa mga freshmen at sophomore ng student council.

Even Felicia was completely apologizing for being absent during few of our meet-ups because of her busy schedules. Ayos lang naman sa amin 'yun kasi walang-wala 'yun sa laki ng naging ambag niya sa council dahil siya ang president nito.

You can't always be 100% ready every time; there'll be days you'll lack something else.

Tumayo ako mula sa pagkaka-squat at pinulot ang mga rolyo ng tarpaulin na para sa bulletin boards ng engineering building. Ako kasi ang naatasan na magpasimuno ng pagkakabit nito dahil ako naman ang third year representative kung tutuusin, making it justified for me to do so.

Well, this is way better than visiting almost every building to check if each department and college has already prepared their cheers and intermission numbers. Ito na lang ang gagawin ko kaysa makasalamuha pa ang ibang tao. Talking is a tiresome activity especially when you're not doing it wholeheartedly.

I was picking up some materials when a guy showed up on my side, "Tulungan na kita, Ms. Dela Merced."

I looked at his direction because of his formality and I recognized him quickly. He's the student council's secretary – Chasterion, but everyone calls him Chase.

Umiling ako bago ngumiti nang maliit. "Thank you...but I can manage."

He chuckled and shook his head, amused. "I know but I want to help you still."

"Save it for anything else, I can do this."

His lips parted for a moment, clearly not expecting my answer. "You're really this stern – just like how everyone else says, huh?"

I knotted my eyebrows, slightly offended because I don't know what that meant.

"Then congratulations for the confirmation." Iyon ang aking sinagot bago ngumiti nang bahagya at nag-paalam na para mag-lakad papalayo.

Rinig ko naman ang kaniyang manghang tawa mula sa aking likod pero hindi na rin siya nangulit. I didn't mean to be rude, but I just hate being forced or annoyed after I said no.

People should sometimes realize the essence of no. Kung sinabing hindi, hindi na dapat. There should no longer be buts and what ifs.

Nakarating ako sa kabilang dulo ng conference room kung saan nagkukumpulan ang ilang mga first year at second year. Agad silang tumahimik sa pag-iingay nang may sumenyas sa aking presensiya. I pursed my lips and sighed – I really hate talking in front of people although I've been doing it my whole life.

Hindi lang ako sanay na mga ka-edad ko o mas bata sa akin ang kinakausap ko. Because of Papa's business and politics, I've been more exposed in joining conferences and talks with adults or with investors that were beyond my age.

"Marami pang tarp ang natira sa kabila. I want you to gather whatever you can hold – tapes, scissors, board pins, paste – then we'll walk into the engineering building. You already saw which floor you're designated, right? In our group chat?"