Only You (EDITING)

Chapter 19

WHILE WE WERE HAVING DINNER, Mama asked me about my plans regarding the upcoming Student Council election. She rarely gets outdated tungkol sa kaganapan sa school. All thanks to Tita Evelyn, by the way.

"Yes, Ma. I'm... planning to run."

Am I up for the challenge? No.

Am I ready for public speaking? No.

Am I ready to hear the comments and opinions from other students? No.

But I always remember what Andrei said about having to do something for myself. Not overly caring about the opinion of others and not letting them affect my decision as long as I know na wala akong tinatapakang ibang tao.

Surely a lot would gossip kung bakit mas mababa ang posisyon na tatakbuhin ko in comparison to Sabrina. Yes, I'm aiming for Secretary. It's what I'm familiar with. Writings and lots of writings.

I hate to admit it kasi kinain ko lang din ang sinabi ko but I'd like to give myself a chance. I was convinced that I would never associate myself with the organization but suddenly everyone's encouraging me to go for it.

Teacher Lyka got me to reconsider my decision. Nabudol pa ako sa pa-salestalk niya. But Andrei was the one that got me into action. And I think it's time to try something new. Something out of my comfort zone. Something I have potential with... like what Teacher Lyka mentioned.

"That's good. You finally did something right. I assume you'd aim for Governor since I heard from Evelyn that Sabrina's eyeing for that position."

"No. Henry is."

Natigil siya sa pag kain.

"I want to aim at something I'm good at, and it was the Secretary. If I compete with Sab, I might not win given her experience last school year. And I want to secure my win." Every word coming out of my mouth feels surreal to hear that I'm deciding on my own. It was my own choice to pass an application form. Though I'm mostly influenced by others, the final decision would still be on me.

I was expecting a positive noise like a clap or a sincere 'congratulations' but all I heard was a more aggressive clink of utensils. "Kaya nga dapat sinunod mo yung sinabi ko na tumakbo ka last school year. Tigas kasi ng ulo."

I thought she'd be happy to know I was finally venturing out. She was. Not until she starts asking about other people's progress just to measure mine.

~♥~♥~♥~♥~

FRIDAY NOONG PINATAWAG ni Sir Franko ang mga nakapasa sa application. Everyone gathered inside the room exclusive only to the Student Council officers. It was smaller than the usual size of a classroom, just enough for the members of the organization.

I was fortunate to pass the screening so here I am... My chest was pounding while listening to the agenda and the things we're about to do for the nearing elections because it solidified the fact that I'm really doing this.

"We'll finalize the party list today. And then magsisimula na ang room-to-room campaign niyo. There's no exact date yet but expect it to be sooner."

After thirty minutes of meeting, everyone was in a hurry to go home. Not even a minute had passed and the room was almost empty.

As slow as a sloth, I picked up my bag. Napapadalas na ang pagtagal ko ng uwi and I know Mama had noticed it but she kept mum because she thinks I'm busy preparing for the upcoming election. Which I am, technically.

Maliliit ang mga hakbang ko papunta sa pinto nang biglang lumitaw si Andrei at akmang papasok sa loob. I moved to the right to make a way but he also moved to his left. I moved to the opposite side but we both slid to the same direction kaya mukha kaming nagpa-patintero.