gently like leaves

15

[ TWITTER ]

km🔒@kaelamarie
lit class na uli. sana chrue na inde pa magpapa recit si sir

[ INT. CLASSROOM - EVENING ]

REPORTER
By the way guys, I will be giving these marshmallows to everyone who will participate, okay?

JOVEN
Si Elementary naman.

CIA
Tumahimik ka nga. Masarap 'yang marshmallows.

JOVEN
Ah, talaga?

REPORTER
Okay, can anyone tell me, in your own opinion lang naman, what's the significance of letting a child read, training them to read, or even the simple effort to provide time, space, and resources for them to read?

Nagtaas ng kamay si Joven.

REPORTER
Yes, Joven?

JOVEN
I volunteer Cia, po.

CIA
Anong—

JOVEN
Sabi mo gusto mo no'ng marshmallow!

Hinampas ni Cia si Joven habang nagtawanan ang mga kaklase nila. Tumayo pa rin naman ito at sumagot. Pagkatapos, nagsimula na ang discussion.

CLIEF (pabulong)
Gusto mo rin ba no'ng marshmallows?

KAELA (pabulong)
Kapag vinolunteer mo ako, sasapakin kita.

CLIEF (pabulong)
Ano? Hindi.

Natawa nang mahina si Clief.

CLIEF (pabulong)
Trust issues mo. Oo o hindi lang ang sagot, eh.

KAELA (pabulong)
Bakit ba kasi? Nakikinig ako rito, chumichika ka na naman diyan.

CLIEF (pabulong)
Eh napapansin ko parang natatakam ka habang tinitignan si Cia na kumakain, eh.

KAELA (pabulong)
Ewan ko sa'yo. Tumahimik ka na diyan.

Nag-thumbs up lamang si Clief bilang sagot habang umaaktong zini-zip ang kaniyang bibig. Muli na silang nakinig sa kaklase nilang nagrereport sa harap.

REPORTER
Okay, a question for everyone again. What do you think is the significance of representation and diversity in children's literature? Like, how does the inclusion of diverse characters and perspectives impact young readers' understanding of the world around them?

Walang nagtaas ng kamay kaagad. Dumaan muna ang dalawang minutong pilitan kung sino ang sasagot bago nagtaas ng kamay si Clief.

REPORTER
Yes, Alforque.

Inilahad ni Clief ang kamay kay Kaela na tila inuudyok itong tumayo.

KAELA
Sapak? Isa.

CLIEF
Joke lang.

Tinawanan lamang siya ni Clief bago ito tumayo.

CLIEF
Diversity and representation in children's literature help the students develop understanding about the fact that people, countries, cultures, and other possible central topics are built differently and there's beauty in it. It will help them understand that it doesn't mean something is odd from their perspective, it is immediately bad or ugly. It helps them be understanding and welcoming of the differences. Aside from that, those who are the subject of being different, in comparison to the population in the classroom or in the society, will feel represented and understood. This helps lessen exclusivity and bullying and promotes inclusion and harmonious relationships within the classroom.

Nagpalakpakan ang mga kaklase nila pagkatapos sumagot ni Clief. Lumapit naman ang reporter dito upang ibigay ang marshmallows na reward niya. Umupo muli si Clief na nakangiti.

JOVEN
'Yan ang DL.

CIA (pabulong)
Iba ka talaga, Clief. Pahingi marshmallow.

Natatawang umiiling si Clief sa mga ito.

CLIEF (pabulong)
Bawal.

CIA (pabulong)
Damot, isa lang eh.

CLIEF (pabulong)
Shh. Makinig ka na.

Hindi mapigilang mapatingin ni Kaela sa mga marshmallows na hawak ni Clief kasi gumagawa ito ng kokonting ingay. Hindi niya rin napigilan ang gulat sa mga mata nang nilapag nito ang dalawang marshmallow sa arm rest niya. Nagtataka siyang tumingin kay Clief.

KAELA (pabulong)
Ano na naman 'yan?

CLIEF (pabulong)
Marshmallow. May chocolate filling 'yan. Masarap.

KAELA (pabulong)
Para saan na naman?

CLIEF (pabulong)
Para sa'yo. Tahimik na, nagdidiscuss o.

[ TWITTER ]

km🔒@kaelamarie
haynako

km🔒@kaelamarie
parang nahahalata ko na tlg ha

km🔒@kaelamarie
nanghingi din nmn c cia pero d nya binigyan. saken tlg.
┗ > kg @kyliegale
       uy what's that 👀

km🔒@kaelamarie
patay gutom yata tingin neto saken 😠 porket bumoses sikmura ko nong first day?!
┗ > kg @kyliegale
       what !!! that's it mag ggrocery tayo ng mga snacks mo 😤

⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚۰˚☽˚⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚۰˚☽˚⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚

a/n: i want to express my gratitude to everyone reading #gllclkb 💘

thank you for leaving comments, reactions, and pressing the vote button. i appreciate it so much. i hope you're enjoying them so far. 💘