Returning the Favor

1 - Giving the Favor

Umuulan na naman.

Lately, the weather has been nothing but angry. The rain is non stop and the sun would only peek for a little while and then would take its slumber.

It is such a hassle for high schoolers like me. Sa dinami-dami ng libro na dadalhin ko, kelangan ko pang magbaon ng payong, botas at kapote.

"Andrea! Ano na to? Makakaabot pa ba tayo sa deadline?" My teammate Carla bugged me. She handed me the unfinished manuscript of our Science investigatory project (SIP). "Bakit kasi sa pito tayo ay tatlo lang tayong gumagawa?" She added whining.

Napatawa nalang si Andrew Spencer na nasa gilid ko. Kinuha niya ang laptop na hawak ko at nagsimulang magtipa ng kung anu-ano.

"Kalma ka lang kasi Carla," sagot ni Andrew na natatawa. He directed his gaze to me and with a frown asked, "Okay ka lang Drey?"

That woke me up from my reverie. "Huh?"

"You have that distant look again. Are you okay?" Andrew supplied.

I washed away whatever look he means. Replacing it with a smile which I hoped is not fake, I shook my head and looked over the things that he is typing.

"I think it is time for us to go home. Lampas 5PM na. At nakachapter 3 na naman tayo. Besides baka mas lumakas pa ang ulan," I told both of them.

Andrew stopped typing and Carla bounced standing. She fixed her things and plasted a happy but worried smile.

"Tama ka Drey. Pero baka hindi tayo makahabol niyan. Alam mo namang delikado na ang status ko at dito sa SIP nakasalalay ang pananatili ko dito sa STE Class," Carla went to me and held my hand firmly. "Please help me Andrea ha."

"Yan ka na naman Carla. Si Andrea pinipressure mo eh."

"Hindi ah! I am just stating my dire need."

"Pero hindi mo dapat i-pressure si Drey. She also has a lot in her jar!"

"Paanong pinipressure, Andrew? Sabihin mo--"

"Hey, hey guys! Tama na uy!" Tumayo ako para awatin ang dalawa kong kagrupo. If I don't know them better, I would compare them to a cat and a dog fighting at every move. "Kaya natin 'to. Next week pa naman 'to pinapapasa ni Mam Legaspi eh."

"Kung bakit kasi tayong tatlo lang ang gumagawa. Paayusin mo naman mga kagrupo natin Drey!" Carla demanded from me.

I know that I am not a good leader. I told them that but they still elected me. I'd rather do things on my own. Kung meron lang sana akong laptop eh ako nalang ang gagawa ng research namin. But I need Andrew's gadgets and Carla's ideas. The others, well, okay na yung financial support nila for the printing and procuring of the research materials. And I can't force them to spend more time with us when they don't like our company.

My strategy may suck but I have to use their strengths for mine and the group's advantage. The rest of our groupmates are what you would call mga pasaway. Mam Legaspi grouped them with me because she thought I could influence them all. But what can a mere person do para hatakin silang lahat na maging okay? Kung hindi nga kaya ng mga teachers namin, ako pa kaya?

But, oh well, as the top student of the Grade 9 STE Class, I cannot complain. Even though I am tired of the responsibilities they gave me, I cannot say no. I love the challenge. I love the prize it would give me. Besides, a financially challenged student aspiring for the top do not have the luxury.

"Don't worry, Carla. I have it under control. May mga tasks naman tayo each. Relax lang, please?" I kindly told her.

"Hmph! Pero unfair parin!"