Wicked Wonders

CHAPTER 5 • Signature Hunt

CHAPTER V • Signature Hunt

PERMAHANAP, that's what the small greenish paper said in front. Sa ibaba nito ay may nakasulat na 'student's name,' 'strand' at 'section' sumunod naman ang mahabang underline. Sa loob ng Permahanap ay may mga pangalan ng mga estudyante. Katabi naman nito ay ang position nila sa Supreme Student Government. 

"Hindi ata na-explain sa atin ng mabuti kung paano ito gagawain. Sana inexplain ito noong orientation day natin, " kumento ni Jason habang hawak hawak ang Permahanap.

"Part 'to ng initiation, pre. Kailangan nating makolekta lahat ng perma ng mga estudyanteng nand'yan," paliwanag ni Gonzalo.

Halos magsalubong na ang mga kilay ni Jason habang binabasa ang mga pangalan. He looked back to Gonzalo who was now eating chocolate bars.

"Pero, paano natin gagawin 'to eh wala akong kakilala sa mga pangalang nandito, ni isa."

Bahagyang huminto si Gonzalo sa pagnguya at sinabing, "Nor do I."

Inubos niya muna ang natira sa chocolate bar bago nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita. "That's actually the challenge. Kailangan natin silang hanapin and convince them na permahan ang Permahanap natin.

"Sounds difficult," sabi ni Jason

"It's fun. I think," sagot na man ni Gonzalo.

•••

DAHIL KAILANGAN NILANG DALAWA na matapos ang Permahanap, Jason and Gonzalo spent the remaining vacant time in the afternoon roaming around corridors, asking fellow students if ever they know one or have collected a sign.

Papunta na sila sa lobby nang makasalubong nila si Lilianne, the girl Jason met during the enrolment. Gonzalo asked her about her progress, nagulat sila na may limang perma na siya. May sign na siya mula sa secretary at sa auditor.

Lilliane informed them that the auditor had just gone to the GG. Mabilis na Tinungo ni Jason at Gonzalo ang GG or the Galileo Galilee building. They went up on the marble staircase, almost running, and went striding on the deserted hallway then took a turn to the corridor which connects the AN building to the GG.

Nadatnan nila ang dalawang estudyante na tila nagkakaroon ng heated argument. As they came closer, they found out na si September at Crescent pala iyon. As if to avoid getting into trouble and to eavesdrop, Gonzalo's steps suddenly slowed down which made Jason do the same.

"This is none sense bullshit," sabi ni September habang pinupulot ang isang libro na nasa sahig, ngunit bago pa man niya iyon makuha ay tinapakan ito ni Crescent.

"Ano bang problema mo?" naiiritang tanong ni September.

"Problema ko?" tugon naman ni Crescent. There was a frown on his forehead "Ang problema ko, ikaw! Para ka kasing kabute na bigla nalang sumusulpot kung saan ako pumupunta," paliwanag niya.

Humarap ulit si September kay Crescent. "'Wag mo akong susubukan. Mapapahiya kalang sa dalawa nating audience."

Jason and Gonzalo froze on the spot. They were puzzled about what they should do.

Napatingin si Crescent sa direksyon nila Jason at Gonzalo.
"Ha! Mabuti at meron tayong audience. Masasaksihan nila ang pagbagsak mo Septic tank! You're full of shit!" Dinuroduro ni Crescent si September. His voice echoed on the corridor.

Biglang sumugod si September kay Crescent. His right fist was speeding towards Crescent's chest. Mukhang malakas-lakas rin ang suntok nayon dahil napaatras si Crescent. He nearly fell on the floor at muntik pa niyang matamaan ang trash bin sa tabi. Crescent went back to September with an impending upper cut ngunit mabilis na nakaiwas si September. Crescent lost his balance and was about to fall when he quickly moved his muscular arm to lever his body.