KABANATA 24 — Rehearsal
I became even more busier in the days that followed. The fact that we only had a few months before graduation made everything even harder for the students. I also had to apply for a work immersion by the end of the month so that after Christmas break, I would be able to start with it. Dahil sa susunod na buwan ay uumpisahan na ito, puspusan kaming mga estudyante. Basically, it would be the final requirement that we had to accomplish before graduation.
"Work immersion will exposed you to work-related environment. You should be familiar with what you are about to do in the future as early as today so it wouldn't be hard for you to recognize it once you enter the field," our teacher in agriculture told us as he explained the importance of work immersion.
Nakatungo ako sa aking notebook. Ang dami ko pang dapat asikasuhin. Last week, I went to Manila with Tita Monica for the first fitting of my gown. Ngayong linggo naman ay ang praktis namin para sa magaganap na program sa aking debut. We had two days to practice. That would happen in the weekends so everyone should be free. Alam ko naman kung gaano kami kaabala sa eskwela ngunit kahit na ito ang sitwasyon, lahat ng mga dadalo na kaklase ko ay hindi na makapaghintay tulad ko.
Naibigay ko na ang mga imbitasyon at nasabihan ko na rin ang mga kaibigan kong magiging parte ng program. I was really grateful that I was able to create friendship between me and my classmates because if not, I wouldn't have them as part of my special day. Hindi ko rin ito naisip noon. Kaya naman talagang nagpapasalamat ako ngayon.
"Tired?" I heard a teasing voice beside me.
Si Lukas iyon na tinabihan na pala ako. Our adviser left us after discussing the important matters about our work immersion. He gave the rest of the period to us as free time to decide what and where we're going to do the immersion.
Simpleng ngiti ang ibinigay ko kay Lukas. Minerva who was also sitting beside me was busy with her phone. Kanina pa niya sikretong tine-text si Bernardo kahit na may guro kami. Ngayon ay nakasandal na siya sa kaniyang upuan at lantarang nilabas ang phone kahit na bawal ito.
"Nag-iisip lang. Pero oo, pagod din dahil ang daming dapat gawin," pag-amin ko sa kaniya.
Ngumisi siya at pumangalumbaba habang pinapanood ako.
Lukas didn't change at all. He was still the same person as before. The only thing that changed was that he wasn't courting me anymore. Ngunit ang mga kilos niya at kung paano niya ako kausapin, ganoon pa rin tulad ng dati.
His friends, though, didn't tease us anymore. Siguro ay nasabihan na niya ang mga ito. Minerva also stopped with her annoying comments every time she would see us. Batid niyang hindi na namin kailangan iyon dahil naging malinaw na sa amin ang isa't isa.
Instead of a suitor, I considered him as my male best friend. He was the guy version of Minerva. Mahigit-kumulang isang buwan na rin mula nang mag-usap kaming dalawa tungkol sa estado ng aming relasyon.
"Where would you apply for work immersion?" tanong sa akin ni Lukas.
Sa wakas ay nakisama na si Minerva. Before answering Lukas, I heard Minerva's low squeal as she put her phone in her bag.
"Uuwi si Bernardo sa birthday mo," masiglang sambit niya.
My brows raised at what she said. I didn't invite Bernardo but I told Minerva that she could bring him if ever he would come home on my birthday. Siguro ay parehas ang petsa ng bakasyon nila sa amin kaya may oras siya upang umuwi.
"Really! That's good. Edi masaya ka na?" mapanuya kong kumento sa kaniya.
She didn't even hesitate. She smiled widely while looking elsewhere like she was day dreaming.
