Ang Multo sa Manhole - Under revision

Bogart says "30"

Eiji’s Point of view

When I came in to school at my usual pace, I did not go to my classroom but to the activity room that will act as our “faculty room” as evidenced by the bond paper taped on the door’s front. Jusko. Wala man lang nakaisip na ipa-print na lang yun. Hay.

At parang sa America’s Next Top Model, first come first serve kami sa mga tables na nakaprepare sa room. And of course, dun ako malapit sa tapat ng aircon kahit na kagagaling ko pa lang sa sipon. Carry lang. Ang dami namang mga co-student teachers ang maaari kong punasan once nagsimula na namang mag-emote ang aking ilong at may pa-cry, cry effect pang nalalaman.

Hindi ko naman masyadong dama ang pagiging S.T, diba? Hindi nga ako nagprepare ng name na usually makikita mo sa tables ng mga guro whenever you failed a quiz and the teacher will remark you, “See me at the faculty” e. Plus, hindi rin halata ang ka-orange-an ni Garlfield ko at ang ka-pink-an ni Pink Panther I placed at both table’s end. And as the “faculty room” began to be occupied, narealize ko na Maybe I’m over my head when I think of bringing my stuff toys to school. E pano ba naman, everytime na may pumapasok, they’re throwing me coy smirks while OTHERS *ahem* Buknoy…boisterously laughs, prolonging it pa, to make me grit my teeth as early as 6:30 in the morning.

“Good morning batang mahilig sa stuff toys!” he greeted while walking up to my table, not even bothering first to settle down with his own.

“Good morning din asong mahilig ngumisi! What do you want?” I said, returning the favor.

“Ah don’t ask me what I want – you.” Then there’s this short silence. Actually, tulog na mantika pa talaga ang utak ko ng mga oras na yun, failing myself to get what the guy was trying to signify. Tuloy, late reaction ang pagbu-blush ko. At dahil nga late reaction, I managed to control some of my skin pigment not to show abnormal redness.

“Ano nga kasing problema mo? Aga-aga nambuburyo a.” sabi ko while acting all busy which sad to say, isn’t working.

“Gusto kong malaman what is Pilot class’s behavior.”

“Aba, muma-Marian Rivera ka ha?” I exclaimed but he seemed unmoved. An attempt to be a joker.

“Di ko ma-gets.”

“Di ka kasi nakikinig ng mabuti sa mga chickaminutes ni Pia Guanio at Star Patrol ni Phomela Beranda. I think the latter was already replaced though.” I said, fixing my chair as this conversation invites the flowing of my once blocked circulation. “ Kasi ganito yun, a reporter asked Marian Rivera regarding what does she think of the new president Noynoy particularly on his IQ and on one of her statements she said, “A isa po akong psychology…” instead na psychologist.”

It shouldn’t be that big of a deal coz everyone is susceptible at making wrong utterances. Pero I think that was the time when her name was a buzz especially dun sa issue ng pagtataray. At alam nyo naman na kapag sikat, bawat galaw at salita, sinusubaybayan.

“A ganun ba? Hindi, kasi Pilot first class ko at medyo may kaba sa dibdib ko baka magback – out nga ako e.”

“Di yan! Actually nung nasabi ko nga sa kanila yesterday na ikaw ang S.T sa P.E aba’y they’re super excited and full of anticipation. Don’t worry much, maraming mga kaklase ko ang pinull out for the same reason. Pero instead of taking the role of the teachers, they’re taking the role of the admin. And Stephen took the role of the director.” I emphasized in case this what cause Buknoy’s knees to tremble. Si Stephen kasi is, like I said, my academic rival and if you imagine us being the judges of American Idol, Stephen would take the coldness of Simon Cowell while I’ll take the role of Paula Abdul. Terror yang si Stephen lalo na when he’s aware na ang magtuturo ay may Intelligence Qoutience na sobrang layo ng gap sa kanya.