Serving Into Your Heart

Chapter 3

"Dawn, my top 1, tell me honestly, was the exam on physical science easy or it will make me dizzy. Huhuness." Ayon ang naabutan kong tanong ni Jelena kay Dawn pagkaupo ko sa chair namin. Bale, ako yung gitna. Wow, ako siguro unang mamamatay? Charot.

Pagpasok ng teacher namin sa physical science dahil siya ang unang subject namin which took 2 hours of our time, pinapunta niya muna si Dawn sa faculty sa table ni Miss Denise para mag-exam. Dawn and I waved her off with a quick "Good luck!" so she just gave us a flying kiss.

Hayst, completion week means sayang lang sa oras dahil wala naman na talagang gagawin kaya maraming absent pag ganito.

"Upon receiving your scores, dalawa lang ang pumasa. Wala ba kayong naintindihan sa akin or are you all just not interested in Chemistry?" Sir Gil's voice cut through the usual hum of the classroom, his tone disappointed.

"Sir, mali kasi yung mga tanong eh." Sigaw ng isa kong kaklase sa likod na ikinatawa ng lahat.

"So sinisisi niyo nga ako?" Shot back ni Sir Gil.

"Sir, stop putting words in our mouths." came another quip, which only made Sir Gil smirk. He expected nothing less from us, a class full of HUMSS students and debaters, quick with comebacks and never shy about defending ourselves.

"Nasaan ang secretary ninyo? How many are absent today?" Sir Gil asked, scanning the room for Gustav, who immediately raised his hand. It was almost a miracle that Jelena and Gustav didn't tear each other apart during the class election. Si Gustav kasi ang nanalo sa pagandahan ng sulat. Kawawa talaga ang bestie ko pagdating sa ganiyan kasi para siyang doktor kung magsulat.

"Twelve, sir." Gustav answered that make Sir Gil sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose in frustration. I had to admit, Sir has sharp features and big biceps that can make you say 'Smash'. De. don't worry, Sir, I get you kasi kahit ang class president namin na si Rhona at ang kaniyang Vice President, Tim, were nowhere to be found.

"35 kayong lahat dito tapos halos kalahati wala? Fine. Lahat ng pumasok ngayon may plus five sa exam. Gustav, make sure I get that attendance sheet later, alright?" Sir Gil instructed, gesturing towards Gustav, who nodded in agreement.

"Oh, perfect na pala si Amelie." Nagpalakpakan tuloy silang lahat, except kay Dawn na nakayuko sa chair.

"Lakas talaga, Amelie!"

"Pabasbas naman, Master!"

"Congrats, bebs!"

I couldn't help but hide my face at the outpouring of praise, feeling a little embarrassed but flattered. I smiled, saying after a simple, "Thanks, everyone."

***

Andito na kami sa gymnasium ng school, at may two hours lang kami for practice kasi magte-training din yung Senior High varsity boys' volleyball team for a game in a nearby school.

This school had once been an all-boys institution, so it was mostly the guys that received the attention and funding for competitions. Everwood College was the seventh biggest school here in Pasig City. Maalaga mga teachers at admins pero kulang din sa funds for equipments and facilities.

Monday ang nabunot namin na training for intrams, Tuesday ang GAS volleyball players, Wednesday ang STEM, Thursday ang ABM, at Friday ang Arts & Design. Hindi naman talaga kailangan ng training pag intrams pero completion week naman lagi before intrams kaya parang nakagawian na lang din namin.

Since our captain, Rhona, was absent; Jelena, our Vice Captain and a spiker, took charge of the training. Dawn is a middle blocker, while I am a libero. Of course, no warm-up would be complete without a three-minute plank—ang pinakamatagal na oras sa buong buhay ko. Lastly, we did twenty dives to polish our reactions, which made knee pads a lifesaver here.