Just This Time

Chapter Seven

Stalls are everywhere. Cheery music can be heard across the campus. Some are rehearsing for their dance performances. Laughter and lively conversations are evident among the students and teachers.

Sta. Cornelia National High School is celebrating its Foundation Day today. Everybody is busy doing their own thing in preparation for the main program to happen this afternoon.

The Humanistas are assigned to set up the photo booth, alongside them is Marco, visibly fatigued from the recently held Division Sports Meet.

"‘Yung cameras natin, all set na ba? Wala nang malfunctions?" The class president of HUMSS—12 asked a student.

"Wala na po, ate."

"Sa tingin niyo ba mas maganda if may faint color 'yung backdrop natin?" She continued to ask.

"No, let it be. Mas maganda ang contrast ng colors sa ayos na 'yan," a deep sudden voice answered.

Some of the students tilted their heads to see who answered. Of course, it's Marco.

"Alam niyo bang sobrang sakit ng likod ko mula sa buong biyahe, tapos you all are having me hang these decors?" He audibly complained.

"Pagpasensyahan niyo na po siya ate, ganyan po siya talaga," Marco's classmate softly told the elderly Humanista.

"Oo, gets ko naman," she answered. "Tulungan niyo na kasi!"

The students chuckled and went to Marco's aide.

Therese's POV

Today's the day mga ines!!! Foundation Day na ng SCNHS!!! Excited ako kasi for this year, the STEM students are in charge of the jail booth!!! Hayst, ang saya-saya, kasi 'yung napagplanuhan naming piyansa para sa mga mahuhuli, eh solve for x. HAHAHAHA!

Halos half ng mga STEM today, naka-police uniform. 'Yung iba, undercover. Kaya hindi mo alam kung sino ang huhuli sa 'yo. Ang ate ninyo, tagapag-manage ng piyansa. Actually, if hindi keribels ng utak mo na magsolve for x, puwede ka na lang magpiyansa ng 20 Pesos. Oh, pak! Income-generating ang peg.

Pumasok ako sa loob ng jail booth para ibigay sa ka-finance ko 'yung nacollect na pera. In the process, may sumitsit sa akin.

"Pst! Miss!"

Napatingin ako sa tumawag.

Hey, familiar 'yung mukha.

"Remember me? That guy from the first day?"

I paused to stare at his face for a second. Ay, oo, the guy who pointed me the directions to our building.

"Oh, of course! Elijah, right?"

He nodded.

"So nahuli ka rin? HAHAHAHA!" I laughingly told him.

"Hey, miss, I know you got some sort of beef with Roy, pero please, can we set aside differences for a moment, kasi kanina pa ako nandito," he pleaded.

I raised an eyebrow. Huh, oo nga pala, kaya rin pala familiar kasi kaibigan pala siya ng impaktitong 'yun.

"Sorry, pero ano ulit kailangan mo?"

"Kahit tawagin mo na lang po si Roy para piyansahan niya ako, please!!! Naiihi na po ako dito!!!"

Nawalan na ba siya ng bait?

"Sorry, Mister Elijah, I thank you for helping me out back then, pero magdasal ka na lang muna na makalaya ka dito. Ika nga nila, good things come for those who wait," I told him with a mocking smile, while graciously exiting the booth.

"Tingnan natin kung maaasahan ba 'yang kaibigan mo," I told myself while smirking. "Actually, I'd rather be in the jail booth myself kaysa makipag-interact sa taong 'yun!"