One Day, Suddenly

Chapter 6

"Lanah, huwag magbibigay ng additional questions ha?"

"Oo nga eh," ulit ko na naman. Pinipilit nila ako na huwag nang magtanong sa presentation nila. Ngayon ang defense namin kaya naka-formal attire kaming lahat.

"Ikaw, Zacharias?"

"Ano?" inis na tanong ni Zach. Nire-review niya kasi yung presentation nila dahil hindi niya nagawa kagabi.

"Kalma," ani Randen. "Basta walang follow-up ha?"

Hinila ko na siya dahil naiistorbo si Zach. Hindi ko naman siya matutulungan kasi wala akong alam sa research nila.

"Gelo, notebook nga na black sa bag ko," rinig kong utos niya pero wala si Gelo kaya ako na ang kumuha.

I gave it to him. "Salamat." Tumango na lang ako kahit hindi siya nakatingin.

Mamaya pa naman kami kasi yung kabilang section pa ang nagpre-present. Baka nga after lunch na kami magsimula. Most of us were nervous kasi ito na lang talaga eh, last na. Tapos naman na namin ang work immersion last November kaya konting kembot na lang. I can feel nervousness too because I'm not that good public speaker. Baka nga mautal pa ako mamaya.

Time passes by, at tama nga ang hinala ko, after lunch kami magsisimula. Tapos naman na ni Zach i-polish ang presentation nila kaya naka-chill na rin siya. Paulit-ulit pa
nilang sinasabi na dapat huwag na kaming mag-follow up question. 

"Kinakabahan ako," Gelo suddenly said. Madaldal nga siya pero syempre iba pa rin ang pagseseryoso.

"Come on, Einstein! Kaya natin to!" Biglang sigaw ni Des na tahimik. Iba talaga ang nagagawa ng nerbiyos.

"Einstein, maghanda na raw kayo. Dapat before one nasa presentation room na kayo," one student from the other section informed us.

Lunch pa naman kaya nagla-lunch pa siguro ang mga judges.

"Gather na guys."

We gathered together and formed a circle. Itchelle lead the prayer for guidance during the presentation. We went all silent and serious until the end.

"Go Einstein!"

"Power!"

Sinigaw namin lahat ng motivational words. Napapatingin lahat ng dumadaan sa harap ng room namin kaya natatawa ako. Pumunta kami sa presentation room at nag-prepare. Nakabunot na kami kung pang-ilan kami sa magpre-present. We came third from the last.

After few minutes, the defense started. Kapag nagtatanong ang judges kung may additional questions hinahayaan ko na lang kahit na may nakikita akong super questionable.

We finished the defense smoothly. Nakakagaan sa pakiramdam. May culminating activity na magaganap. There will be awards to be given like 'Best Research', 'Best Presenter' and more. I'm not expecting anything, but a good grade. Kung manalo, bonus na iyon.

"Thank you, Einstein. You did great."

We all said our thank you, then silently walk out the door.

"Oh my God! Naiiyak ako."

Akala ko nagbibiro lang si Lyre, but when I looked at her, she was really crying!

"Ano ba? Nahahawa ako," sunod-sunod na angal nila.

The guys covered them until we entered the room. They started crying and hugging each other. I was just standing there being happy because we really went through a lot because of the research. I remembered that time when they went to our house and asked my help. They cried telling me na nahihirapan na sila, at hindi nila alam ang gagawin. I told them that I'll just finish our research, then help them. Gladly, natapos namin ng maaga.