The Brothers and I

Chapter 32: Just A Kiss

Simula noon nag-assume ng Office of the Chancellor si Chancellor Consunji, ang laki na ng pinagbago ng SPU. Naging tahimik ang SPU. Hindi na rin pinapayagan ang SPU Campus Radio na mag-broadcast ng mag-informal broadcast katulad ng dati nitong format.

Kagabi lang, inilabas sa SPU Website ang mga bagong rules and regulations. Isa sa mga highlights ng announcement ay patungkol sa dress code na ipapatupad next week. Ito rin ang announcement na binabasa ni DJ Rob sa SPU Campus Radio sa kasalukuyan.

"To maintain order within the SPU Campus, as well as to live up to this respectable institution's great name, the new administration, headed by the newly elected SPU Chancellor Midas Bryner Consunji, has come up with a new set of rules to implemented around the campus."

"Starting next week, proper dress code will strictly be implemented. Ladies must be dressed decently. Gentlemen, must dress dignified. The following are not allowed: short pants, slippers, revealing clothings ..."

Sumakit ang ulo ko sa haba ng listahan ng mga bawal isuot na iniisa-isang i-announce ni DJ Rob.

"Next, school properties such as the SPU Campus Radio, the SPU Website and all other SPU facilities shall be used only for official SPU engagements only."

"All activities within the campus shall all pass through the approval of the administration upon submission of whatever requirements the administration may provide. Certain social activities such as, concerts, parties, fashion shows, pagentries shall be allowed but only to a limited extent."

"Non-performing clubs ang organizations shall be dropped from the official list of SPU organizations. Nevertheless, no restrictions are imposed on student organizations provided that non-official clubs and organizations and their activities shall not be affiliated with the school. Official club activities are also to be limited in so far allowed by the administration."

Parang palasong tumutusok sa puso ang bawat rule na binabasa ni DJ Rob. Kahit siya, halatang-halata na hindi natututuwa sa mga binabasa niya.

"Are we in martial law now?" rinig kong bulalas ng isang Peterfolk.

"Chancellor LBG, bumalik ka naaaaaa..."

"I can't believe this. This is insane!"

We are all shocked.

Bago pa man ako makapasok sa building namin, hinila na ako ni Hannah. Nagkakagulo raw sa Student Council Office kaya nagmadali kaming pumunta roon.

Sa hallway pa lang, nagdidiskusyon na ang mga student leaders. Hanggang pagpasok namin ni Hannah sa mismong SC Office, damang-dama namin ang stress level. Nag-uusap-usap ang mga tao roon pero wala akong ma-intindihan dahil magkakasabay sila kung magsalita.

Sa tabi ng bintana ng SC office, tahimik na nakatayo ang Mahal na Hari habang tahimik na nagmamasid sa paligid. Kalmado siya, hindi tulad ng ibang student leaders. Nakuha pa niya akong ngitian at kawayan noong makita niya kami ni Hannah sa may pintuan. Katabi niya si Ate Margaux.

"Enrico! Bakit ba wala kang imik diyan? Ikaw ang Student Council President, do something about this!" sabi ng isang student leader kay Enrico.

"Guys, can you just calm down. Let's talk about this peacefully. Lahat naman tayo nagulat sa announcement na iyon, eh," sabi naman ni Ate Margaux.

"How did you not know about this? The SC President holds a vote in the Board Election, 'di ba?"

"Oo nga! Bakit wala man lang nag-timbre sa amin na may mga ganitong policies na ipapakalap. Pia, did the school paper not get hold of this news? Anong ginagawa ninyo!"