XII
KAHIT ayoko, gumising ako ng maaga para pumasok. Hindi naman pwedeng madamay ang pag-aaral ko dahil lang sa mga gano'n. I know how to balance things.
That's why I'm going to Journalism Club's room right now. I'll pass the article and the interview from Raena and Harold. Sila na lang kasi 'yong na-interview ko.
Even though we're not in good terms, he's still the President when the topic is about Journalism. Magkaiba ang mundo ng club sa mundo kung sa'n iniwan niya 'ko sa ere para kay Cheena, na siya namang Vice President sa club.
What a small world you have there, Joshan!
I knocked the door before coming in, and there I saw Kriho and Cheena alone. It seemed like they were having a serious conversation, based on their facial expressions.
Ginawa kong blangko ang ekpresyon ko as much as possible habang naglalakad papunta kay Kriho. "This is the article. Nandiyan na rin 'yong interviews. Sorry pero dalawang tao lang ang na-interview ko." I stated with a soft voice because I'm too tired for an argument. I was about to go out when someone halted me by blocking my way.
I looked at Cheena and felt a glint of satisfaction when I realized that I'm taller than her. I can look down at her, and she'll be looking up at me. Sweet.
Kaagad akong nakonsesya sa naisip ko.
Bad girl!
"S-Sorry kahapon, Joshan." Kagat-labing sabi ni Cheena. "Hindi ko kasi alam na may date na pala si Kriho. Pinigilan ko sana si Mommy sa pagpilit sakaniyang ihatid ako. Sorry talaga."
Pinakiramdaman ko ang sarili ko bago ngumiti. "It's alright, Cheena. It's not a big deal. Um-attend lang naman ako para magawa 'yong naka-assign sa'kin for the club." Which is true, right?
"T-Talaga?" Masayang tanong niya at tumango naman ako. "Sorry ulit, ha?" Nginitian ko na lang siya. "P-Pero si Kriho, forgiven na rin ba siya?"
My smile faded and I didn't try to put it on again. "That's a different case." I tapped her shoulder. "I need to go, the class will start soon." I didn't wait for her response and walked away. I held myself from closing the door with a hard force.
She's forgiven, alright. Sydney said you should forgive the person who said sorry. And her offense is not a big deal. Nadamay lang siya. Wala siyang kasalanan.
I breathed deeply and smiled to myself. That's right, Joshan. She's an acquiantance. Be nice to her.
Naglakad na 'ko papuntang room at pagpasok ko, sinalubong kaagad ako ni Raena ng yakap. "Are you okay? Feeling better? Nag-away ba kayo no'ng pinasa mo? Anong sabi? Resbakan ko na ba?" She talked non-stop while we're walking towards our seats.
I shook my head and laughed. "Nothing happened, Rae. Pinasa ko lang 'yong article and interview, safe and sound. And yes, I'm okay." I showed her my sincere smile to assure her.
Tinitigan niya naman ako bago ngumiti. "A'right. Then, you're ready to hear my rants about my works on Student Council?"
I nodded. "Simulan mo na habang wala pang teacher. Mukhang mahaba-haba nanaman 'yan." Natatawang sabi ko.
She faked a cough and breathed. "First of all, what's wrong with them?! Hindi pa 'ko President ng club pero ang dami na nilang pinagagawa sa'kin! Oo, gano'n din do'n sa kalabang partido pero kahit na! Wala silang rights para utus-utusan kami dahil meron pang kasalukuyang President! At saka..." Nakangiti ko lang namang pinakinggan siya sa walang sawa niyang pagsasalita.
* * *
"Dahil hindi ko pa tapos 'yong activity niyo dapat ngayon, may gagawin na lang tayong iba." Sabi ni Sydney.
"Which is?" Tanong no'ng isa kong kaklase.
"Debate tayo." Ngiting-ngiting sagot niya at tumalikod para may isulat sa board.
"It's not the right thing if you're not happy." Raena read it like a kindergarten.
"This will be our topic for the debate. What do you think? Is it right? Or wrong?" Sydney asked amusingly.
Napaisip rin ako. A good topic, it is. Pero hindi naman siya tama para sa'kin.
"Who wants to go first?" Sydney asked the class.
Napalingon kaming lahat kay Cheena nang nagtaas siya. "Tama po."
My brows narrowed. Tama? "Supporting explanation?" Sydney asked and signaled Cheena to stand up.
She stood up confidently, which surprised me a little remembering our first encounter. "Kasi po kapag tama 'yong ginagawa mo, sasaya ka. Kapag mali naman po, hindi ka sasaya." Simpleng sagot niya at umupo na.
Tumango-tango naman si Sydney. "Anyone with an opposing opinion?" Napatingin siya sa'kin nang magtaas ako. "Oh, Joshan. What can you say about her statement?"
"I object, Your Honor." I joked before standing up and our classmates laughed. "Hindi naman por que masaya ka, tama na 'yong ginagawa mo. Minsan ang tama, hindi mo gusto. Pero dapat mong gawin, kasi kailangan, kasi tama. Sometimes you know you're doing the wrong thing, but you couldn't care less, because it makes you happy anyway." I explained with a serious face.
"Preach!" Sigaw ni Raena at nagsipalakpakan naman 'yong lahat.
Lumingon ako kay Cheena at nakitang namumula siya dahil sa hiya. Napakagat-labi naman ako at akmang magsasabi ng reverse explanation para masuportahan 'yong kaniya pero nagtaas ng kamay si Harold. "Oh, Harold? You'll say something?" He nodded. "Opposing who?"
"Kay Joshan, miss." My eyes widened. Against me? "Minsan kasi sa isang tao, kapag do'n siya masaya, para sakaniya 'yon ang tama. Kahit mali sa mata ng iba, sakaniya hindi. Example na lang po, ako, bawal na magkagusto sa isang babae. Pero do'n ako masaya. Kaya para po sa'kin, tama 'yon. Tingin ko rin po, agree sa'kin 'yong iba." Nakangiting sabi niya at nagpalakpakan naman 'yong lahat ng kaklase namin.
Tangina, wow.
I glanced at Cheena and she's still blushing. But now, she's smiling and her expression says that she's very proud because someone sided with her.
I felt that Raena tapped my shoulder but I didn't stop myself from glaring at Harold.
Relax, Joshan. Be sport. It was just a debate. Don't get mad. He's your best friend—
Bull. He's my best friend but he sided with her?
"Alright, let's end it here. You may take your break."
"Joshan—" Harold was about to approach me when Raena pulled me away from him and hid me at her back.
"Don't come near her, asshole." Kahit papaano'y gumaan 'yong pakiramdam ko nang gawin 'yon ni Raena. At least someone's siding with me.
"I'll just talk to her—"
"Like I care."
"Look, Raena. Let me talk to my best friend!" Naiinis na ring sabi ni Harold at nilibot ko 'yong tingin ko sa room. Napayuko ako nang wala palang lumabas at pinanonood nila kami.
I sighed. "Sige na, Rae. I'll talk to him—"
"Joshan." Napalingon kami kay Kriho na tinawag ako. "May emergency meeting tayo. Come with me."
"Ha?" Meron? Para sa'n? And can't he see that there's a building tension here? Talk about the timing.
"Right, baby Shan. Come with him. I'll take care of this unloyal jerk!" Nanggigigil na sabi ni Raena at ipinasa 'yong kamay kong hawak niya kay Kriho.
My body reacted weirdly with the touch. "Raena naman! You don't need to do that." Saway ko at akmang tatanggalin na nang hinigpitan ni Kriho ang hawak do'n at naglakad na kami palabas.
