The Seer: Vindicata

Chapter 5 : Preparation

DOROTHY

“Class, listen. I am glad to tell you that we will have a campus activity next week. And this exciting school event will be called, the Harriers Week!”

My adviser, Miss Nympha Pedroso kicked the day off with a genuine smile and happy tune as she informed us about an event. Halatang-halata sa kanyang itsura ang excitement sa mga gaganapin next week. It seems like mayroong mangyayaring kaabang-abang. But by the way, what’s with this Harriers Week thingy?

“So probably majority of you are curious about what this event has in store for us. Dahil ipagdiriwang na next week ang ating foundation day, the school has decided to expand the celebration and make it as a week-long festival!”

The eyes of the people in my classroom went bright and smiles flashed on their faces. Ngayon ko nalang sila ulit nakita nang ganito. At sa loob ng mahabang panahon, ngayon ko nalang ulit naexperience ang ganitong environment. Good for us.

“So what does this event include? Dahil tinawag na Harriers Week ang event na ito, we will be commemorating the anniversary of our school and the school sports’ team’s foundation. Mayroong games intended for the students, may inter-school competitions  from different fields, interactions at mga booths. Mayroon pang mga rides, entertainment activities and many more. All for 4 days. Modification at expansion lang ito ng one-day fair ng school, but it sounds exciting, right?”

Ipinasa ng aming guro ang leaflets ng Harriers Week habang tuluy-tuloy na binabanggit ang mga inclusions ng event.  By the looks my classmates are showing, labis silang namangha rito. Even me. I found the event cool & interesting. Mayroon pang benefit concert na gaganapin sa last day, which grabbed my attention. Ang mga ganitong klase ng activities ang nakapagpapasaya kay ate. Sa amin.

I looked at Seth, who was happily perusing the details printed on the leaflets. Para siyang batang naeexcite buksan ang bagong laruan habang binabasa ang manual nito. I smiled a bit, slightly reminiscing the events that happened when we were still kids.

“Now, mayroong ibibigay na locations per class and per level. You are going to establish your own booth and gain profit out of it. Everything is up to you, so start na kayong magplan since this will be a joint project for some of your subjects this year. Ibibigay ko kay Trevor Montereal, ang president niyo, ang schedule and other information about the fair.  You have a week to prepare. Good bye, class.”

“Good bye and thank you, Miss Pedroso!”

And my teacher went away, leaving the whole class in joy and excitement. Kasunod niyang lumabas si Trevor na kakausapin niya sa corridor.

Bahagya akong napangiti. This is the first time the school will be holding a 4-day celebration with so many entertaining activities. Mabuti na rin siguro ito para makaiwas ako sa stress at hindi na bumalik sa mga alaala ko ang mga nangyari. Similar to that, sa tingin ko ay magiging maganda ito para sa aking mga kaklase, dahil kailangan na rin nila ng break from the endless and devilish cycle of stress and exhaustion.

Napuno ng murmurs ang buong room, definitely because they are all excited by the activities printed on the leaflets. My university doesn’t really focus on improving extracurricular and interdisciplinary activities. The last innovation that I can recall was the revamping of the organizations, pero other than that, wala na. Buti na lang at naisipan nila na gawin ang project na ito.

“Hey, Dorothy!”

I averted my gaze to Anitta after hearing her high-pitched voice calling my name. “Excited ka na ba sa gaganaping 4-day fair?”