["PLAY THE KING" IS ACT TWO OF THE "PLAY" SERIES. PLEASE READ "PLAY THE QUEEN" FIRST.]
It's been four months since Priam Torres, the once unpopular president of the Elysian University Student Council, assumed office. Thanks to his chief-of-staff Cas...
Oops! Ang larawang ito ay hindi sumusunod sa aming mga alituntunin sa nilalaman. Upang magpatuloy sa pag-publish, subukan itong alisin o mag-upload ng bago.
REYNARD
CASTIEL DISAPPEARED once again. It felt like déjà vu. Pagkatapos ng interrupted presser niya, bigla siyang tumakbo palabas nang hindi man nag-e-excuse o tinatapos 'yon. It was so abrupt that my colleagues were stunned and speechless in the press room. Curious reporters turned to Rowan Oronce, our inside source at the USC, but he remained tight-lipped. Some even staked out the office and admin building, hoping to catch a glimpse of the acting president or his shadow.
Kung anuman ang narinig niya sa phone call, 'yon ang nagpabalisa at nagpatakbo sa kaniya. He ran the same way a person who had seen a white lady would run. Baka minumulto siya ng nakaraan o ng kasalukuyan.
The good news? Priam is already awake! Rowan confirmed it in the afternoon. Most discussions on SchoolBuzz shifted to the USC president. Natabunan na nga ang biglaang pag-walkout ni Castiel. The king would return to his rightful throne soon, and a few cared about the interim leader.
Unfortunately, Priam would need some weeks to recover fully before reassuming the presidency. His vice president, Castiel, was nowhere to be found—not even in the university apartment. So that means...
"Please raise your right hand and repeat after me."
This morning, reporters witnessed the oath-taking of the new acting president. Castiel's thrilling reign was short-lived and ended on a cliffhanger. Apparently, he took a leave of absence following his sister's death. May she rest in peace, by the way. He would need some time to grieve. Ang behavior niya no'ng press briefing ay proof na hindi pa siya mentally and emotionally ready para i-lead ang student government.
So the responsibility fell to the next person in the line of succession: Alaric Esteban. Nakatuntong siya sa podium, nakaharap kay USC Chief-of-Staff Lavinia Esquivel na siyang nag-a-administer ng kaniyang oath, at nakataas ang kanang kamay. He got a smug look on his face as if he had already won the game before it even started.
"I, state your name, do solemnly swear..."
"I, Alaric Esteban, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully fulfill my duties as Acting President of the University Student Council until the duly elected President reassumes the powers and duties of his office."
"I will, to the best of my ability..."
"I will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and By-Laws of the Student Government of Elysian University."
"So help me God."
"So help me God."
"Congratulations, Mr. Acting President." Lavinia extended her hand to him, and they posed for our cameras. Alaric beamed with confidence, while Lavinia looked slightly uneasy in his presence.
I had to hand it to the USC. Despite their reservations about him, they chose to swallow their pride and do the right thing. Denying Alaric the presidency— even temporarily—would have sparked controversy, something they desperately needed to avoid.
