Light Up The Spark

Chapter 12

Hackathon

Maaga palang ay busy na halos ang lahat dahil nag-papack ng mga dadalhin para sa hackathon. We will spend the night at school kaya kailangan mag-dala ng mga essentials.

The main event finally starts today.

"Baka may inside knowledge ka dyan, Aly. Tell us some secret about the hackathon." Pabirong sabi ni Pete.

I chuckled and shook my head. "Wala, Pete. Hindi rin masyadong pinaalam sa organizers ang content ng hackathon. To make sure things like this will never happen."

His shoulders slouched. "Kinakabahan ako."

"Ako, excited na." Si Anthony.

"Tumigil ka nga, kunwari ka pa, acting all mighty." Sagot agad ni Pete.

"What? I'm not! I'm just thinking positively. Tingnan mo nga si Caden at Shelly, chill lang. Kayo lang ni Wally ang hindi mapakali dyan."

"Emotionless naman yan si Shelly at tahimik kaya si Caden kapag kinakabahan."

"Oh, tama na yan." Pigil ko sa dalawa. Baka mamaya ay mauwi pa sa away ang sagutan nila. "It's normal to get nervous and excited. It's a big day for you." I said to acknowledge both of their feelings.

"Tara na guys." Pag-aya ni Shelly dahil turn na nila para mag-register.

Sa auditorium parin magaganap ang hackathon at parehas parin ang mga table na naka-assign sa mga participants.

The organizers will be shuffled to different teams para mag-bantay at siguraduhing walang mandadaya.

"Aly, you're assigned to India team #3" Another organizer told me.

Hindi kasi pwedeng sa parehong team o sa same bus ang babantayan. I noted that and other more important information bago bumalik sa team Philippines para sa mga huling bilin.

Habang pabalik ay natanaw ko si Anthony na nag-papascan ng QR sa registration, sa likod niya, nakapila pa si Pete, Wally at ang buong team Syntax Mirage.

Nauna na akong pumasok ng auditorium para doon na silang hintayin. In a corner inside, I saw Caden and Shelly standing close together.

Medyo madilim sa banda nila pero kita parin naman ang mukha dahil sa reflection ng ilaw.

"My hand's shaking." I heard Caden said.

Pinanood kong marahan na hinawakan ni Shelly ang mga kamay niya. "You can do this." She cheered.

I realize that it was yet another situation that I shouldn't have seen. Hindi ganoon si Shelly sa maraming tao o kapag kasama ang iba pa nilang kaibigan. She may be showing this side of her only to Caden at nagkataon lang na nakita ko parehas.

Nevertheless, it was a bittersweet feeling for me because she's brave enough to show her feelings to him while me, I'm watching him from far away kahit na gusto ko rin siyang i-cheer.

I was shocked when he suddenly looked my way kaya napalakad tuloy ako at iba nalang muna ang pinuntahan.

"Great, nandito na kayong lahat." Maligaya kong sabi nang nakabalik sa team ko.

"First of all, I would like to wish you all a good luck." Panimula ko. "I hope you're all aware of the rules & regulations already but in case you need a recap, here's a copy." Sabi ko at pinamigay ang mga booklet na dala.

"Nandyan din sa booklet ang schedule, step by step directions, prizes at judging criteria. I-eexplain naman yan mamaya before the hackathon official starts, so just take note of it."