The Enigma of Erald

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: Snap

           

ERALD

UNUSUAL ANG pagpapatawag ng general assembly sa kalagitnaan ng linggo, lalo na tuwing Huwebes. Most students do not know why we were gathered in the school gymnasium. But for me and the ad hoc members of the Student Grievance Committee, may ideya na kami kung bakit pinatawag ang mga estudyante rito.

It's been two days since we convened to determine whether the student council president and the vice president violated some provisions of the code of conduct. Dalawang araw mula nang ma-involve kami sa moro-morong pagdinig. The decision was already decided long before we met.

Maliban kay Torry ng K-OS Club, meron pa sigurong isang estudyante na masaya sa naging takbo ng mga pangyayari. My sister Madelaine's ambition to be the next leader of the student council was only a few steps away literally. Nasa steps kasi siya ng stage, ilang hakbang mula sa lectern na may logo ng student council.

"This is the end, I guess?" Clyde appeared behind me, his arms crossed over his chest. "Alam na natin kung ano ang magiging announcement ngayong umaga."

"Their resignation," I spat the word like poison. "Simula pa lang, 'yon na ang end game na gustong makuha ng K-OS Club."

"Have you talked to your sister about it?" he asked next.

I shook my head. I thought of confronting Maddie at home about her devious plan, but I figured nothing would change anyway. "She won this time."

"They can still reject the recommendation of the OSA," Clyde said. "After all, that office doesn't have to power to remove any student officer. Pwede lang silang mag-recommend."

"But public opinion is swaying against the student council," I argued. "Even if they cling to their positions, may iba pang technique ang mga mokong para patalsikin sila. Impeachment. The critics only have to launch a signature campaign and collect at least fifty percent of the total population. Kahit saan mo tingnan, checkmate na 'to."

"Indeed, perception is everything," Clyde nodded. "Kahit na hindi totoo, basta mukhang totoo, papaniwalaan na ng mga tao. I feel pity for Agnes and Bruce. They seem sincere in doing their jobs in the student council."

"Greed is a formidable enemy. In this case, greed for power," I commented. "I never imagined that my sister would play dirty just to get her hands on the throne."

"Pero wala pang assurance na siya ang papalit, 'di ba?" tanong ni Clyde. "If memory serves right, the secretary cannot assume the presidency or the vice presidency because the position is not stated in the line of succession."

"Clearly, no one thought of this scenario," sabi ko. "Walang nakaisip na posibleng mabakante ang dalawang pinakamataas na posisyon sa student council."

Humupa ang mga bulung-bulungan nang pumasok sina Agnes at Bruce. Parang aninong nakasunod sa kanila ang OSA director. I still can't forget the day she rejected my application for the Villains' Club.

May iilan pa ring nagtsitsismisan, pinag-uusapan ang narinig nilang audio recording. The two officers bowed their heads, tila nahihiyang humarap sa mga estudyanteng nanghusga na sa kanila. They went to the stage. On the steps, my sister greeted them with a frown and whispered treacherous words, probably.

Agnes stood before the lectern, gripping the edges. Bruce was behind her. She took a deep breath  before addressing the student body.

"Good morning, my fellow Clark students," she greeted, her voice was cracking. Kahit nasa malayo, kitang-kita ko ang panginginig ng kanyang mga kamay. "I am here to make an important announcement."