Unspoken Lament

Kabanata 6

                                                                     Kabanata 6

Nakatunganga lang ako sa white board ng kwarto namin, 4th time ko na actually. Hinihintay ang dean na maga-announce ng consequences, 4th time ko na actually ito. Naranasan ko na ang maglinis ng school grounds, mag-cheer every UAAP Finals at ang pinakaworst: ang magsulat sa index card ng mga libo-libong libro sa library.

"Okay, the consequences we have made are: making a documentary about indigenous people in Benguet, if you're going to ask me what's this for, wala. It's a consequence na walang sense that will surely waste you time," Dean Elizabeth smirked. "Or...you will join the upcoming 50th Foundation day Beauty Pageant."

I gasped. What? Ba't ang hirap ng mga consequences this year kumpara the other years?

Dean cleared her throat, "There's no choice as none, you need to choose between the two. That's all, the devil's going out," she muttered and went out of our room.

My classmates also have the same reactions as mine. Miss Elizabeth Taus is a smart woman, alam niyang paparating na ang finals kaya documentary ang pinili niya. She wants us to join the pageantry competition.

"So, ano ang pipiliin mo?" tanong ni Toni sa akin.

We're at the canteen, nagme-meryenda. Kagagaling niya sa orientation ng environmental club nila while Mona, ayun pa lang siya at papunta sa direksyon naming.

"I still don't know, Mona what do you think?" tanong ko sa kanya nang umupo siya.

Tumaas ang kilay niya. "What? About your look yesterday?" he smirked. "It was perfect mi amor!" aniya at parang may imaginary cloud sa ulo niya nang pumalakpak siya.

"I was asking about the consequences not the wedding," pag-aangal ko.

Toni interrupted, "Whose wedding?" tanong niya.

"Ysabelle Patino and Luke Moscoso," simpleng sagot niya.

Toni mouthed 'wow'. "Hindi na kase ako nag-a-IG eh,"

"What were you saying a while back Loraine?" tanong ni Mona.

"Si Dean Elizabeth kasi, the consequences ng mga walang club ngayon ay gumawa ng documentary within this week o sumali sa pageant this coming Wednesday which is also next week," I massaged my temples. "I don't know how to live already."

Ngumisi si Mona. "Edi join the pageant,"

My eyes widened in shock, "Ayoko. I never joined pageants,"

"Do the documentary then," simpleng sabi niya like I am left without a choice. "Finals pa naman next week," pananakot niya.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako habang tinitingnan ang papel na hawak ko. It contains the schedule of the program , the criteria for judging and the details of the pageant.

Yes, I'm joing the pageant. I don't want to sacrifice my grades, exams and time for the documentary. I heard, yung mga walang choice eh tatlong linggong detention ang bagsak nila.

I heard someone calling me pero di ko pinansin. Lutang na lutang kasi ako.

Pumunta agad akong gymnasium kasi doon mai-a-announce ang mga candidates sa pageant pero what shocks me is, hindi ko ine-expect na madaming tao ang dadalo ngayon.

"Miss Mallari." Pagtawag sa akn ng baklang instructor.

He gave me a shirt na may print na ako'y isang kandidata sa naturang pageant.

"Are you just going to look at it Miss Mallari?" mataray na tanong nito.

"Sir?" nakatangang tanong ko.