Break Fresh Ground

5: JUICE

The room was a cacophony of sounds - feet stomping, laughter, chair squeaks, rulers falling to the ground. My blockmates and I were all busy working on our design plates, despite the fact that the due date wasn't for another week. But, as the saying goes, it's better to be early than late.

"Grabe talaga! Grabe 'yong ngiti niya, tapos 'take care' sabi pa niya!" I heard Susan speak. Her friends squeal.

Then the scene last day came back to me.

"Lovely meeting you, Scarlett."

She spoke my name and it was like music to my ears. It may sound over the top, but that's how it felt to me. Her pronunciation of my name was like a melody that I couldn't get enough of. I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was about her, but I loved hearing my name from her rosy lips.

Her smile was like a ray of sunshine, bright and warm, illuminating everything around her. It was a reminder that even on the darkest of days, there was always something to be hopeful for. The dimple on her cheek was like a secret little treasure, something that made me want to explore and discover more. Her smile was genuine, real and captivating, and it had me feeling like I was the only person in the room when she smiled at me.

"Talaga? Edi, kilig na kilig na naman ang pempem mo?" Yuri teased. Some of my block mates laugh.

"Hoy! Hindi naman... slight lang." Kinagat nito ang pang-ibabang labi at hinawi ang buhok papunta sa likod ng tenga niya.

"Pero grabe 'yong kagwaphuan ni Jafar, ano? Handa akong maging genie niya, sismars, promise!" Iya spoke. We looked at her with questioning eyes.

Jafar really has the looks. He also looks athletic because of his built. Halos lahat ng babae and some guys are admiring him. I don't know him that much but he looks like a care-free person and almost a clown.

"Alam niyo 'yong kanta ni Christina Aguilera na Genie in a Bottle?"

"Ah, oo! Ganito ba 'yon?" Yuri faked a cough then sing, "I'm a genie in a bottle, baby. Gotta rub me the right way, honey. I'm a genie in a bottle, baby. Come come, come on and let me out."

I couldn't help but chuckle as Yuri belted out her rendition of the song. Her pitch was all over the place and it was clear that she had no sense of rhythm. But the way she sang, it was like she was trying to seduce the microphone. Everyone was trying their best to stifle their laughter, some even covering their mouths to mask their amusement.

"Bebs! Ibang rub ata at come 'yan!" Sigaw ng isa naming kaklaseng lalaki.

"Tama ka na, beh, maawa ka sa mga tenga naming. Magstay ka na lang sa pagddrawing, wala kang future with rhythm and melody," someone quipped, causing the room to erupt in laughter.

Si Prof. Villegas rin ang naghahandle sa amin sa major subject na ito. She was summoned in the Dean's office because of an unknown reason. Iniwan niya lang sa amin 'yong pinapagawa niya saka siya umalis.

Nagtatanungan lang ang mga kaklase ko kung anong gagawin nila, although, may instructions namang iniwan si Miss. 'Yong mga vellum board nila, naka-ready na, 'yong kasipagan na lang ang kulang.

France joined them talking about some things. Panay sila tawanan at kwentuhan. I'll also laugh with them but I am trying my best to focus on my plate.

The door had flung open, Professor Villegas returned to the room. But something was different about her. Her aura was dark and ominous, casting a shadow over the once vibrant classroom. Like a pack of frightened mice, my classmates scurried back to their seats, and the room fell into an eerie hush. The lively chatter and laughter of just moments ago now felt like a distant memory, replaced by a sense of foreboding that hung heavy in the air.