"Please, welcome! Our independent noble scientist, Claudia Beatrix Frotessa!"
A loud cheer and clap filled the whole studio as she walks in to the stage. Mabini ang kanyang ngiti at kumaway sa mga naroon.
This is not the first time she got invited in a TV show but the emotions she's been feeling right now feels like the first time. Masaya, nakakataba ng puso at nakakakaba.
"Wow, another achievement this year, Miss scientist!" Manghang sabi ni Maiden, na host ngayong gabi.
"Thank you, I was really lucky that my antidote is successful."
"Luck? Oh, come on. Everyone knows how genius you are and we're having a hard time believing it's just a luck. Imagine, a 20 year old student from Benjamin University is already a noble scientist. Wow, you're surely a Benjamin University's pride."
Natawa siya ng mahina at namula ang pisngi. She had received a lot of compliments but she still remained humble, she never bragged about her achievement, she's down to earth.
Tinanong siya ni Maiden kung tungkol saan ang antidote na nagawa niya. Masinsinan namn niyang pinaliwanag para maliwanagan ang manonood. She made an antidote tp cure virus, may lumaganap kasing virus sa bansa kaya mabilis siyang nagresearch para makahanap ng antidote.
"Impressive, you never really fail to make the country proud, Claudia. Last question, it's the same question last year, we're excited to hear if you still have the answer, so... Do you think love can change you as a strong independent woman?"
Ngumito siya kay Maiden bago bumaling sa camera.
"No. I may stay humble but I won't bend my principle and I won't change and do things just to please a man. Again, I am Claudia Beatrixx Fortessa, your strong independent woman noble scientist and no one can change that." Then, she smiled sweetly.
She have witness love affair, nabasa na rin niya sa mga artikulo and mostly she have read that love makes you bend your principles, may iba nga magpakatanga and she doesn't want it.
And that what she thought..
"Are you okay, Miss?" A baritone voice from unknown man asked her.
But she doesn't care about anything, halos manginig ang buong katawan niya sa kaba. Muntikan na siyang mapahamak kanina.
She was chased by group of boys, gusto siyang pagsamantalahan. She's not the athletic type that's why she's having a hard time running fast, dagdag pa na mahaba ang kanyang palda, halos umabot iyon sa talampakan.
"Hey, calm down. Pinatumba ko na sila." Pagpapakalma nito sabay hawak sa balikat niya.
Napaiktad siya sa gulat, nagulat rin ang lalaki sa reaksyon niya. But it was understandable, she was traumatized on what just happened a while ago.
"Miss scientist, can you talk?"
Hindi pa rin siya sumagot. Napayuko siya at napapikit. Takot na takot.
Hindi niya gusto na baybayin ang tahimik at madilim na daan na 'yun, pero iyon lang kasi ang shortcut papunta sa bus station. Wala kasing sumundo sa kanya dahil nasa business trip ang mga magulang.
Hindi niya lang inasahan na may biglang sumulpot na kalalakihan. Binabastos siya ng mga ito sa pananlita hangga't sa simulan na siyang lapitan kaya agad siyang tumakbo.
Sobrang lapit na ng mga lalaki sa kanya kanina kung hindi lang sumulpot itong estrangherong lalaki.
She felt a hand on her chin. Lihim siyang napasinghap ng iangat iyon ng lalaki kaya napaharap siya dito.
