Shelter in a Storm (Elyu Series #2)

Chapter 14

"Since we didn't have a JS Prom last year, we have to make this one special. After all, it's our last year here..." wika ng student council president namin. She reached for the marker and turned to the whiteboard. "So, okay na ang date natin. March 3 tayo..."

Nagtaas ng kamay si Lulu kaya napatingin kami sa kaniya.

"May I suggest the hotel? I've found a place where we could hold it!" Excited niyang wika.

"Sure, go ahead..."

"Aureo La Union is a great place for our JS Prom. It's spacious, luxurious, and it's also accessible for all of us. I was there last summer so I know that their function hall is big for all of us..."

"Thanks, Lulu, but ALU is too expensive for us."

A look of disappointment crossed Lulu's face. "Oh..."

"Hindi tayo pwedeng pumili ng mamahaling hotel dahil kapag mas tinaasan natin ang contribution, mas maraming hindi magpupunta sa prom."

Lulu nodded in understanding. Nang maupo siya sa tabi ko, binulungan ko siya.

"Nagpunta kayo sa ALU? Ba't di mo kami sinama? Palagi nalang tayo dun sa beach resort na sampung piso ang entrance fee, ah?" I joked to lighten up the mood.

Siniko ako ni Lulu. "Hindi naman ako ang nagbayad, 'no! Tsaka, hindi ko rin alam na mahal pala dun. My mom treats it like a local spot."

"Asus, yaman!"

Nagpatuloy ang meeting namin. Gumawa na din kami ng program at nag-assign ng color code para sa mga dadalo. Fourth year girls are required to wear red ball gowns or any formal evening attire while the third year students are assigned to wear blue. Kung ano ang kulay ng damit ng mga babae ay siyang im-match ng necktie ng mga lalaki.

"Excited ako!" Bulong ulit sa akin ni Lulu. "I already want to shop for dresses now!"

Nginitian ko lang ang kaibigan. Buti naman at hindi kalakihan ang contribution para sa JS Prom namin. Tita promised that I could go on my last year in high school. Buti nalang talaga at natuloy kundi ga-graduate ako nang hindi nakakaranas ng JS Prom.

After our meeting, I checked my phone. Enrique told me that he'll wait for my meeting to end if he finishes first. May practice lang sila para sa gagawing silent drill.

Pagkatapos ng suspension niya ay bumalik naman sa normal ang dati. Hindi naman niya sinasagot ang mga kaklase ko kaya akala pa rin ng karamihan ay talagang hazing ang nangyari. Only my friends know the truth and of course, those who were involved. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi man lang niya ipinagtanggol ang sariling pangalan.

I don't want to think about what Cris will do when he comes back to school again. I hope he won't spread lies, because if he will, I won't stand and do nothing about it! Kaming dalawa na ni Enrique ang inagrabyado niya kaya hindi na ako papayag na ituloy niya ang ginagawang pang-aabuso.

Ako ang nauna kaya ako na ang nagpunta sa field kung saan ang formation ng mga ROTC. Enrique is dismissing the officers, so I waited patiently. First in line is his best friend, Ramjay. Our eyes briefly met. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin alam kung bakit kasama niya si Cris nung araw na 'yun.

After they were done, the officers spread out to retrieve their bags and go home. Enrique walked to me while removing his white gloves.

"Sorry, natagalan kami. Kanina ka pa?"

Umiling kaagad ako at hinayaan siyang kunin ang dala kong libro. Hindi naman mabigat iyon pero alam kong hindi naman siya papayag na ako lang ang magdadala nun kapag kasama ko siya.

"Nag-meeting kami tungkol sa JS prom kanina..." excited kong balita sa kaniya.

"Mm-hmm." He picked up his own bag and slung it over his shoulder. "May assignment tayo sa Mathematics, diba?"