Limits and Heartbeats

Kabanata V

Kaliwa't kanan ang preparasyon para sa gaganaping Charter Day celebration na magsisimula na next week. It was never a busy day for a part-time instructor like Drei, but for those faculty members who were part of the committee for the Charter Day, it was as if they were working two jobs at the same time. Well, student leaders from different organizations can relate. During the Charter Day celebration, there will also be an “org fair”.

May mga nagkakabit na ng banderitas at may nagbubuhat na rin ng canopies. Charter Day celebration is one of the most anticipated events in the institution. Bukod sa month long, ang daming events and booths that students can enjoy during the first which is the opening. Ang downside nga lang, na siyang pinoproblema ni Drei, made-delay ang lessons.

Drei is very much dedicated to his work. Though mostly of their topics will not be used in the field, malaking bagay na natututo at nae-enhance ang analyzing and problem solving skills ng mga estudyante.

Habang dala-dala ang kulay itim niyang folding na payong, nagmasid-masid si Drei sa ilang canopies na nailagay na sa mga puwesto. Dahil ngayon lang din nailagay ang mga iyon, wala ka talagang makikita. Pero may mga mesa na roon kung saan nakapatong ang ilang tela at mga materyales na gagamitin.

“Sir Andrei!”

Lumapit siya sa mga estudyanteng tumawag sa kaniya. Mga officer iyon ng organization na binubuo ng industrial engineering students. Nakasuot pa ang mga iyon ng white polo na may green design, ang kanilang organization shirt.

He raised his brows in a nice way. “Bakit?”

Itinuro ng isa sa mga officer ang walang kalaman-laman na canopy. “Puwede niyo ba kaming tulungan sa design?”

Napaatras si Drei habang natatawa. “Oh, that's my weakness.”

The students gazed at him with their knitted face, as if Drei just said the most ridiculous and confusing confession.

“Pero I can give you an advice.” Parang may anghel na bumaba sa lupa at hinawakan ang ulo ng mga estudyante dahil nakahinga sila nang maluwag. Their eyes glinted. “Create a design committee and one of your member who is well versed in designing will be given the chairmanship. Hindi niyo lang ito magagamit for this event kung hindi para rin sa future activities niyo.”

Drei didn't lie when he said that designing was his weakness. Kapag may subject sila na kailangan nilang mag-drawing, he always seek help from Ralf.

“Thank you, Sir. Magme-meeting na lang ulit kami,” saad pa ng isa na siyang president ng organization.

Napapailing si Drei habang naglalakad palayo sa mga estudyante. It's not that he's judging the leadership skill of those students, but the situation needed an urgent decision. Tapos ngayon, magme-meeting pa lang sila. The fact that they have never thought about the “chairmanship” technique just convinced Drei how inevitable lapses were.

Dumiretso na siya papunta sa College of Engineering building. Habang naglalakad sa hagdan ay napatingin siya sa kaniyang relo. He still has thirty minutes before the clock strikes for their schedule.

Naestatuwa siya nang pagkabukas niya ng pinto ay nakatingin sa kaniya ang ilang mga lalaking katrabaho niya, kabilang na si Ralf. Nakatayo ang mga iyon malapit sa mesa ni Ralf at mukhang may importante silang pinag-uusapan.

Drei felt the masculine urge to just ignore them and proceed to his table, but his body betrayed him. Hindi siya makakilos.

“I think we finally found the missing piece,” saad ni Sir Ngalot na nakangiti pa. Isa sa mga matagal nang instructors si Sir Ngalot.

Ralf glanced at Drei with a fire in his eyes. Katulad ni Sir Ngalot, wala nang ilalapad pa ang ngiti sa mukha ni Ralf. The butterflies in his stomach just went crazy, hitting every thin wall as they tried to escape.