Officially Meeting You

Chapter 27: Chant

Today is Tuesday and it's been two days ever since I met Winslet. Bumalik na ako sa trabaho kahapon pero nakipagpalit ako ng shift kay Ate Stella. Her shift is seven to twelve in the morning but because of some personal matters, kinailangan niyang magpalit ng shift but for a few days lang naman.

After I heard that, I volunteered to take her shift and gave her mine. Naging madali lang naman iyon dahil pumayag kaagad si Miss Dina.

Dalawang araw na din ang lumipas nang magsimula ang Foundation Day ng Rutherford at GCU. I chose not to attend since it's not a must to be present anyway.

They are all busy. I just sent my wish of luck to Zeus and Slade because I know that they'll compete against GCU. Then also to the girls because I'm sure they are managing their own booths.

On Friday, which is the last day of the school's anniversary, the debate will happen. Siguro naman ay kompleto na ang team nila.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako.

It's already nine in the morning and I continued serving for the next hours. Hindi kami masyadong close ng mga morning shifts but they are all nice to me.

But I admit, I prefer working with Ate Mitchie and the others. And speaking of Ate Mitchie, hindi ko pa pala siya nakakamusta tungkol sa bahay nila since hindi na ako pumasok pagkatapos ng araw na iyon.

After work, nagpalit ako kaagad. I wore a cap and walked toward the bus station near Rutherford.

Nakita kong maraming tao sa loob at medyo maingay din. I just shrugged. Hindi lang naman kasi Rutherford students ang meron kung hindi pati ilang estudyante ng iba't ibang school, especially GCU.

"Ate Cleo?"

Natigilan ako kaagad. I didn't thought someone will still recognize me.

I looked at the person who called me and almost sighed in relief when I saw Winslet. Mag-isa lang naman siya at napangiti siya kaagad nang malawak nang makita ako.

"Ate Cleo!"

She immediately hugged me with excitement. I smiled upon seeing her.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

"I'm here to watch Kuya Zeus. Mamayang one pm kasi ang laro nila," she said and that's when I realized that she's right. "Bakit nandito ka naman, Ate?"

I gulped. "Pauwi na kasi ako."

"Why? Hindi mo po ba papanoorin si Kuya Zeus?"

Hindi ako kaagad nakasagot at naiilang na napangiti. I was about to shook my head when she suddenly clung on my arm.

"Halika na, Ate. Baka magsimula na 'yung laro nila."

"Pero...t-teka..."

Hindi niya ako pinakinggan at hinila na ako papasok. Wala naman akong nagawa kung hindi yumuko na lang at sumunod sa kanya.

I'm wearing a cap, a t-shirt, and pants so I think no one will recognize me. But wait, why am I even acting like a hiding criminal? Wala naman akong ginawa ah.

I held my head high and just let myself get dragged by Winslet. Tumingin ako sa orasan ko at nakitang halos may forty minutes pa bago ala-una ng hapon.

"Did you eat na ba, Ate?"

I shook my head and smiled. "Hindi pa. Can we eat before the game?"

"Of course!"

And before I knew it, she was already dragging me toward a mini-restaurant being managed by HRM students. We ordered food and started eating.

"Bakit ka ba naka-cap, Ate? It's blocking your pretty face," she said after taking a sip in her juice. "And also your silky hair."