The Book in Disguise

4

Vina

"GOOD morning, fellow students!" nakangiting bati sa amin ng emcee na halatang Agnor student. Nakatayo siya sa stage sa harap ng gymnasium kasama ang iba pang mga estudyante na tumutulong at nag-o-operate.

Kasalukuyang nasa gymnasium kami ng URA kasama si Apollo at iba pang mga estudyanteng na-imbitahan, nakatayo kami sa mga monobloc chairs na inilagay ng mga Agnor students kanina. Kusa silang nag pro-provide kahit walang inutos sakanila.

What are we doing here? Well, welcoming. Yes, according to Apollo, whom I inquired with last night, the welcoming ceremony was originally scheduled for yesterday, but because many were still absent, they decided to postpone it. Apollo also mentioned that it's not the first time this has happened.

It's okay because they're waiting for everyone before starting, and since they moved it, those tired students from the journey were able to rest. It's not inviting if you make an invitation, and they feel like they're not included. Also, as I mentioned, traveling can be tiring, so it's okay that they moved the welcoming because, at least, some can rest before the activities.

"Vina," pagtawag sa'kin ni Apollo na katabi ko.

Liningon ko siya agad kahit na inaantok.

I'm just tired because my stupid roommate didn't let me sleep until four in the morning. He kept bugging me with his corny jokes and laughed alone like an idiot. He even tried to scare me by saying that there's a ghost beside me, but it was just a wall. Thanks to his laughs, I only got two hours of sleep.

It's okay though since I had a long sleep yesterday from dawn until afternoon. But what the fuck, people, I woke up feeling like a wilted vegetable.

Also, I'm probably hungry because I haven't had breakfast yet. Again, it's Apollo's fault. He's in such a rush, you'd think he's already late even though the gymnasium where we were lent a room is just nearby. He's worse than my mom when it comes to hurrying. Does this dumbass have a "flash" bloodline or something?

"Breakfast," maikling sagot niya dahil binato ko siya ng nagtatakang tingin. "Nag di-distribute sila ng breakfast, kinuhanan na kita." tuloy niya at iniabot sa'kin 'yong hawak niyang styrofoam food container.

Nagpasalamat ako at kinuha na ang hawak niya.

Nagdasal muna ako bago ko binuksan ang ibinigay niya. And just what I need, egg omelet, chicken and rice ang laman. That's enough as long as my stomach is full. I don't want to faint suddenly, it'll just grab attention.

Apollo and I were eating together while listening to the ongoing emceeing of a student named Gabby in front. She was also good, her aura was uplifting and even her speaking tone.

Before checking the attendance, she explained that Agnor lent the five earliest arriving schools a room, as some sort of reward for being early. Luckily, we were the fourth to arrive, so we didn't have to sleep outside.

Thanks to Apollo for waking me up yesterday at around 2 a.m.

"Kapag po natawag ang name ng school niyo, pakitaas nalang po ng mga kamay niyo," sabi ni Gabby matapos ibigay sakaniya ng isang student ang isang papel. If I have to guess, it's a list of the invited schools.

"Okay, let's start with, of course, URA!" Pagkasabi niya no'n, may dalawang babaeng student sa gilid na nagtaas ng kamay. Sa likuran ang upuan namin ni Apollo kaya kita namin kung sino ang magtataas ng kamay.

"Cydea Senior High," nagtaas ng kamay ang dalawang lalaki na kaharap namin ni Apollo. Steven and. . . Lucas, I knew it.

"Del Xuel Senior High," bigla naman akong nasamid nang marinig ko na ang pangalan ng school namin, nabigla, dahil may narinig akong ibinulong ni Apollo sa kawalan.