“Tangina.” Mahinang bulong ni Tuazon sa tabi ko saka napailing.
I couldn't help but to chuckled at his remark, but before I could let it out, a sudden burst of noise erupted in the classroom. The sound of their hands hitting their palms filled the air as everyone in the class began clapping their hands in chorus… Except Herrera.
Nagtama ang mga mata namin at nakatingin lamang sya sa gawi ko. Saktong paglingon ko sa gilid niya ay nagtama din ang paningin namin ni Madrigal.
I tried to read her reaction, but I couldn't quite understand it. She was just looking at me, so I did the same. Nakikipagsukatan ako ng tingin sa kanya at ganu'n din siya. Walang gustong unang magbawi ng tingin.
"Any other opinion from the class?" Hasik ng professor ngunit wala sa kanya ang atensyon ko dahil masyadong mataas ang pride ko at ayaw kong ako ang unang magbababa ng tingin.
Sa huli ay nanalo ako. Isang malapad na ngiti ang gumuhit sa labi ko ngunit mabilis din lang naglaho ng muling tawagin ni Sir si Madrigal.
"Yes, Madrigal again. Do you have something to say or add?" Muli ay tinapunan niya ako ng isang makahulugang tingin.
Tumikhim siya saka diretsong sinalubong ang tingin ni Sir. "I still disagree with monarchy, sir," she stated firmly. "... And I also disagree with you, Miss Rivera." She turned to face me and gave me a smile, as if to say, 'Back off, because I'm always right.'
"I will stick to my words that monarchy shouldn't be tolerated," she uttered. I could feel my own irritation building up inside me, causing my jawline to tighten in response.
“So, let me get this straight. You mentioned earlier that you understand my arguments against monarchy, but now you're agreeing with the concept of monarchy itself? That's quite a contradiction, don't you think?” She uttered, looking directly at me and locking eyes with me.
A smile formed on my lips as her eyes fixed on me. Trip ata ako ng tanginang 'to. Parang may sariling buhay ang leeg ko nang lingunin nito si Herrera.
Mas lalo lamang nagtagis ang bagang ko sa inis ng makitang marahan itong tumatango, tila ba sang-ayon sa sinabi ni Madrigal.
Ferrero started to mumbled something but my attention was not on him.
Tumikhim si Madrigal at tinawag ang atensyon ko dahilan upang mapatingin sa akin ang ilang kaklase namin.
"Rivera, look at me." Utos niya, puno ng otoridad ang tono. Para akong naestatwa dahil sa hindi ko inaasahan ang biglaang pag call out niya. Kinalaunan ay Mahina akong natawa dahil sa inis. Ginagago niya ba ako? Pinepersonal niya ba ang recitation na ‘to? Kung ganu'n pala, huwag na siyang mag enroll next semester! Kapag ba abogada na siya, aawayin niya ang judge kapag magkasalungat sila ng pinaniniwalaan?
Sa gigil ko ay isang ngiti lamang ang iginawad ko sa kanya habang siya ay seryoso akong tinititigan. I started spinning my pen between my fingers, with my eyes fixed on her.
'Do you really think you can intimidate me?' Nagsasalita na naman mag-isa ang utak ko. Gusto ko siyang lapitan sa unahan at sapakin.
She shifted her gaze towards the board as her eyes scanning the words written on it. With a purposeful gesture, she extended her arm and pointed directly at the content, drawing my attention to the information displayed. Afterward, she turned her attention towards me and her face now is directed in my direction. Tumikhim siya bago nagsalita.
“Just like what's written on the board, Miss Rivera, I think it's time to move away from such ‘outdated’ systems," she stated emphasizing the word ‘outdated’.
