A Time In This World [Dubredo]

Book 1: A Time To Be Happy

Chapter 2

The class prepared for a debate. The topic is about "what is more important: following the norm or finding alternatives?". The President of the class, Jun Evasco, stood up in front to facilitate the division of groups and assignment of first bloods – the head of each debate team.

“Okay guys, let us decide and vote for our first bloods for this debate session.”

“I volunteer Duterte!” Bingbong Medialdea said and the class concurred. “Ako nanaman -  give chance to others,” Rody replied. “Alam mo na yan topic na yan e, sure win tayo kaya ikaw na!” Jess encouraged him.

“Isa pa,” Jun Evasco said while writing Rody’s name on the board.

“I volunteer Leni!” Gina raised Leni’s hand which she immediately withdrew. “Hala! Hindi,” She said embarrassed. The class started to cheer her name. “Leni! Leni! Leni!”

“Okay. So it’s Rody and Leni.” Rody blushed as he heard the statement. “Since Leni’s a newbie, she gets to choose her argument and Rody will defend the remaining argument. The class will then split into two to support their heads. Leni? Ano gusto mong argument?”

Leni looked at the board and thought. “Yung finding alternatives nalang,”

“Okay, so Rody will argue on following the norm. Guys, find your side and start talking about it.”

Since Rody’s a repeater, he already know how things will work. He also knows almost all the arguments of both sides so he’s not worried. Most of their classmates side with him as they know he’s already knowledgeable about the topic and he’s a good debater. There were only 5 people in Leni’s team – Gina, her seatmate, Liling, their oldest female classmate, Sal, their richest classmate who has a crush on Leni, Jun Yasay, who usually sides with Rody but wanted to tease him of not being in the same team as Leni and Leni herself.

“Okay, Let us start,” Jun Evasco signaled and the class started to move some of the chairs to the side to leave a space in the middle of the room. Some sat on their desks, while others talked about their arguments. Leni’s group formed a small circle to discuss their arguments. There are 5 rounds of arguments and after that, Jun will decide the winner based on the following criteria: Content, Examples and Depth. The group with the most number of points on all arguments will win. Jun stood in the middle. “Rody, Leni,” The two stepped forward and shook hands.

Rody being Rody, he kissed Leni’s hand after he shook it. The class went wild and cheered for them.

“Relax ka lang ha. Don’t worry, I won’t go hard.” Rody teased Leni as she withdrew her hand from his grip. She smirked.

“Don’t worry, I can take hard. Don’t hold back,” She replied and the class went berserk. They started cheering, “Rody, Leni! Rody, Leni!”

“Mamaya na yang hard hard na yan, maaga pa,” Jun interrupted and everybody laughed. Let us start with the first argument from Rody’s team.”

Rody stood in the middle and put both of his hands in his pockets as the class went quite. “Following the norm is everything. The norm did not became the norm if it is not what should be followed. For example, when we are faced with a difficult decision, the first question we ask ourselves is, “What is the norm?” Following the norm is straightforward and is constant. It is always there. It will not fail you whatever situation you are in.” The class clapped their hands.

“Ginalingan ah,” Jun Yasay whispered to Sal Panelo while they clap their hands.

“Maganda eh,” Sal replied and they laugh between themselves.