Chapter 13
"Si Chinggay iboto nating president, ha? Matalino 'yan saka ilang beses na nag-president sa klase."
Second week na ng klase at sinabihan kami ngayon ng aming adviser na pumili na ng magiging class officers. I know no one of them personally so I don't know who I am gonna choose to fill in the position for class officers. Naisip ko nga na makikitaas na lang ako ng kamay sa kung kanino ang may maraming nagtaas ng kamay.
"She was also the Vice President of the SSG in our junior high school last school year. Kaya iboto natin, ha?" pabulong na pangungumbinsi pa ni Eris.
The nomination for the President is still open. Tatlo na nga ang nominated. Hindi ko pa nakakausap kahit isang beses 'yong dalawa at kung karapat-dapat ba silang maging presidente. Undecided pa ang utak ko kanina pero dahil kay Eris, mukhang si Chinggay na nga lang ang piliin ko.
She probably has better credentials than the others and all the experience for that position so I think it is better to choose her. Gusto ko na nga lang na matapos ito, e. My poor stomach's already growling and I need to feed myself as soon as possible.
Bahagya akong humarap sa kaniya. "Classmate po ba kayo before? Sige po. Siya na lang iboboto ko."
"Siyempre! Pero 'di kami ganoon ka-close. Nonetheless, I know her capabilities to lead."
"Wow! Buti pa po kayo, may naging classmate na rito!"
Ngumisi siya. "Sama ka kasi sa amin mag-lunch. Lagi kang mag-isa umaalis, e. Saan ka nagpupunta?"
"Sa floor po ng STEM students. Nandoon po si Kuya Lair."
"And who's that?"
"Bo-" Natigilan ako at napakurap. "Boy friend ko po."
Her eyes rounded. "What the ef? May boyfriend ka na?"
Confused, tumango ako. Nilagay niya ang daliri sa bibig at hindi makapaniwalang tumingin sa akin habang sumasandal sa kaniyang upuan. Binalik ko ang tingin sa harapan kung saan katatapos lang i-nominate ang isa ko pang kaklase... na katabi ko lang din!
My head snapped to my seatmate on my left. Para akong bungi sa pagngiti sa kaniya dahil sa hiya nang naabutan siyang tinutusok na ako ng matalim na tingin. Why did I even do to him? Umabot kaya sa pandinig niya ang pinag-uusapan namin ni Eris?
"G-good luck po! Sana manalo ka!" sabi ko sa takot na baka kaltukan niya ako.
Ganoon tumingin si Kuya Lair sa akin kapag may ginawa akong hindi niya nagustuhan, e. Might as well be on their good side to keep myself safe from harm. Lalo na't matatalo rin naman ako kapag nakipag-argue pa ako.
I jolted in my seat when Eris slapped the back of my shoulder. Nilingon ko siya habang hinihimas ang likod. Siya naman ngayon ang masama ang tingin sa akin.
"Shuta ka, 'te. Ano ka ba? Ba't gusto mo siyang manalo? Chinggay for class president tayo!"
"Ay, oo nga po pala. Sorry..."
I pouted when she rolled her eyes.
"I move to close the nomination for President!" someone from the class shouted, standing up with hand raised in the process after our adviser asked for a motion to close nominations when he noticed that no one was planning to add another nominee.
"I second the motion!"
The candidates were called in front of the class to speak. Cristella, or Chinggay, mentioned her past experiences of being a leader with humility.
"I can not promise to be the best class president, but I will do my best to lead and bring this class together as one, take the initiative, accepts responsibility for my actions, and be accountable for the outcome."
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