After The Fall (THE PRESTIGE 4)

05

Calm

"How about the representatives from Grade 10 Rizal? " Henry asked during our meeting in the council.

Nakailang meeting na kami nitong nakaraan para sa darating na sportfest. Kami ni Henry ang nakipag-usap sa ibang department at humanap ng sponsors at ilang speakers para sa darating na event. At ang mga performers ay nilalatag na rin namin ngayon.

"Here are the complete list of names of our participants."

Henry get the folder from Astrid's hand. He survey each of it.

"So, your players for soccer is two girls?"

Astrid shrugged confidently. "Why not?"

Henry didn't talk. He is still reviewing it along with other set of representatives from other sections. Nagbaba naman ako ng tingin sa mga letters na naaprubahan sa office regarding pa rin sa event.

"You have a problem with girls playing soccers, Hendrix?"

"No. Not at all. " Sagot ni Henry, hindi man lang tinignan si Astrid.

"Sino ang maglalaro sa inyo, Astrid?"

Astrid leaned on her seat. "Denise and Natasha."

"And who the hell is Natasha?" Tanong ng isang lalaki from Grade 8 representative.

"Hey! It's my classmate."

"Does she know how to play it?"

Naningkit ang mata nung Espinoza. "Of course! Bakit siya sasali kung hindi naman pala?"

Nagbaba ako ng tingin sa listahan ng participants namin para sa Grade 9. Hindi pa kumpleto iyon. Well, isang spot na lang ang wala. Spot para sa chess.

I've been looking for Lorenzo for the past two weeks. But he always decline. Well, not directly. He always ignore me! After our one-on-one recitation on board, he became distant. I find it too childish. Doesn't he know how to accept defeat? I know it hurts in pride because I've been there but I accepted it and did my best to get through it. Bumawi ako. It should be that way. Not like this. He got mad because of that?

"Siguradong ayos lang kayo, Astrid?" Natatawang tanong ng isa pang representative from Grade 8.

Each year has two representatives from Grade 7 to Grade 8. The spot for Vice President is only open for Grade 9 students while the head of the student council should be picked from Grade 10. That's how it works here.

"What do you mean?" Nakataas na ang kilay ni Astrid.

Gio leaned on his seat. "Henry will lead the team play for Grade 10."

Astrid is too stunned to speak. I glanced at Henry who is still busy on his papers.

Oh. I never see him play soccer since seventh grade. He stopped playing it because he became too occupied with the council. Naging representative na kasi ito nang tumuntong ng Grade 8 at mula noon, nanatili siyang parte ng council. Maybe that was the reason why no one fought against him for being the President.

"No, you're not." Astrid said, with an unbashed of uneasiness.

Henry closed the folders. "This is approved, Astrid. Gio?"

"Here, Pres!"

Si Gio naman ang nag-abot ng listahan nila kay Henry. He is smirking at Astrid who is now frowning so bad.

"Hala, lagot ka. Approved na."

"So?" Iritado na si Astrid.

"Hindi ka na pwedeng umatras. Lampaso kayo niyan, naku po!" Natatawang sagot ni Gio.