The Chosen

37: His Comeback

Seven's Point of View.

Us, Chiefs, have been exempted for the final leveling. We've been called again for a meeting regarding the ball that will be held tomorrow night. Habang isinasagawa ang final leveling ng limampung estudyante na nangunguna sa pataasan ng nakuhang puntos ay s'ya namang pagdaloy ng usapan namin hinggil sa gagawin bukas.

"Different personalities will be invited for the ball. Magmula sa mga opisyal ng kasuluk-sulokang bahagi ng Lanham ay makatatanggap ng imbitasyon para sa magaganap na kasiyahan. Not just for the 81st founding anniversary but also for them to see the new Hillsdale's products. Which means, kayo." Sir Vlad stopped from pacing in front of us and eyed every onr of us. Huminto s'ya sa pinakagitna ng whiteboard kung saan nakasulat ang iba't ibang pangalan ng mga taong maaaring dumalo sa selebrasyon bukad. He removed the cap of the marker that he has been holding and encircled the date and time. "Tomorrow, June 24 at exactly eighteen hundreds, the ball will be held at our very own ballroom. Expected na present ang buong miyembro ng Konseho, ang mga pinuno ng bawat bayan, maging ang iba't ibang alumni na makatatanggap ng imbitasyon. And I need you all to do one thing," he once again faced us, "usher them all."

I mentally whistled when I noticed the seriousness in everyone's aura. Hindi katulad noong mga nakaraang meeting na nakukuha pang magbiro ni Sir Vlad. Kung iisipin, para kaming sasabak sa isang giyera at si Sir Vlad ang tumatayong war strategist at si Sir Pete na nakaupo sa gilid ay combat instructor. Kami naman ang mga warriors.

"This will be a big party, I guess," I heard Wei muttered in between his breaths. Bagama't bulong, narinig pa rin naming lahat dahil sa katahimikan na kanina pa namumutawi sa pagitan naming lahat.

"Seems like so," sagot ni Xyken. "Sir, may I ask what's with the changes? Hindi naman ganito for the past years. Only the councils are expected. But now, halos lahat ng may katungkulan ay imbitado. Are we expecting something big to happen?"

Sir Vlad stepped away from the white board and went to his table in front of us. Ibinalik n'ya ang takip ng marker at maingat na inilagay sa mesa.

"This will also serve as the welcome party for our newly promoted council member, Honorable Stanley Evergreen."

Mabilis na nagpantig ang mga tenga ko nang marinig ang napakapamilyar na pangalang iyon. I even felt myself rose my from seat ngunit mabilis kong pinigilan ang sarili ko. Stanley Evergreen. If my memory serves right, he was one of the students who fought for the stability of Lanham. A very influencial man who was said to be long gone after winning the historical battle between foreign colonizers. Almeder's other half, another living legend.

"Batchmate s'ya ni Head Council Strauss, right? Where has he been all this time? Pa'no s'ya napabilang sa Council when he was gone for almost two decades?"

A short and awkward silence came to answer Erin's questions. Lahat kami napatingin sa kan'ya. Particularly, sa biglaang pagiging agresibo ng mga tanong n'ya.

"We still don't know anything about his sudden come back. But I hope, during the ball, an intended speech will be given for him. Set your curiosities aside. Malalaman rin naman nating lahat ang dapat nating malaman sa tamang panahon," salaysay ni Sir Vlad. "Sa ngayon, I want you to check the venue. Finalizations and such. Dapat handa na ang lahat bago pa man matapos ang araw na ito. Para bukas ay ihahanda n'yo na lamang ang mga sarili n'yo para i-usher ang mga bisita. Maliwanag?"

"Yes, Sir!"

"Good." Sir Vlad nodded at our response. "The theme will be a masquerade ball. But the special guests will be given the identification of gold star pins that will be attached on their chest. Iyon ang palatandaan ng mga taong dapat n'yong i-usher."