Those Memories

Forty-Five - Jealousy

"Again!" Ali shouted. She rolled the script she's holding and pointed it at Sky and Jennie on the stage. "It's wrong! Everything's wrong!"

Namumula na ito at alam ni Carrie na kanina pa nito pinipigilan ang galit. "Ang tagal na nating pinaghandaan 'to. It seems like no one is doing their part," namaywang ito at itinuro ulit ang dalawa sa stage. "And you! You're the main characters! Act like one!"

"But Pres, nahihirapan talaga akong mag-memorize ng lines," sambit ni Jennie.

"Me, too," Sky added.

Namaywang si Ali. "It has been two weeks guys. Two weeks! Bakit hindi niyo pa rin magawa?!"

Tahimik lang ang dalawa sa stage.

"You both said that you can portray the roles. You were really confident. What happened?!"

"Pres, we've been really busy these past few days with all those school projects we need to comply by the end of the month. Our hands are full," sagot ni Sky.

"And you want ME to accept that as a reason for YOU not to perform well?! We all have the same requirements. My hands are full as well but I'm not complaining," Ali replied with her arms crossed.

"But you're an exception! You can do things as easy as breathing!" pasigaw na saad ni Sky.

"Sky! Stop it!" saway ni Jennie dito. Pinigilan din siya ng iba nilang mga kaklase.

"No! I've had enough. Look, while we are all struggling with lots and lots of things to do, those three at the top were acting like all-is-well. No matter how many tasks are being given, it's as if they are not affected. Kyle's not even here. Carrie's just sitting over there and watching us. Both of them finished a long script in merely two weeks AND while on a vacation! You all can do things with just one wave of your hands! Compared to us, you're getting things done with less effort."

Napansin ni Carrie ang pagyuko ni Ali. Naikuyom nito ang mga kamay.

"So, you're saying that we don't put any effort into things as much as you do. Is that it, Mr. Montemayor?"

Katahimikan ang bumalot sa buong Theater Room. Walang nagsasalita. Tila pinigilan ng lahat ang paghinga.

"From your perspective, you may see that we do things effortlessly," Ali said to break the silence. "But, the truth is, we do not. Nahihirapan din kami. Nape-pressure. It's just that we handle it differently. We always see to it that we do our best. So, don't use us to justify your lack of confidence in yourself, Sky."

Tumalikod ito at naglakad palabas. Sinundan naman ito ni Carrie.

Naabutan niya itong nakaupo sa isang bench sa gilid ng covered walkway. Nakalagay ang dalawang kamay nito sa mukha. Tinabihan niya ito.

"Rii..." mahinang usal nito sa pagitan ng pagsinghot. "Am I not a good leader? Are my efforts not enough? Or, maybe, Sky's right. I don't put any effort into anything at all..."

"Ali, ikaw ang pinakamagaling na leader na nakilala ko. Ginagawa mo ang sa tingin mo ay makabubuti sa lahat. You won't be the Class President or an SC Officer for 4 consecutive years if everyone doesn't see your capabilities."

"Pero bakit gano'n? Mali ba ang ginawa ko? I just want to encourage participation. I don't want others to just sit and watch, then getting grades without doing anything."

Carrie shook her head. "You did the right thing, Ali. Maybe they just failed to notice your efforts. But, don't worry. Siguro nabibigatan lang ang lahat sa sunod-sunod na requirements."

Nakayuko pa rin si Ali sa tabi niya.

"Cheer up," Carrie said and smiled. "Everything is going to be fine."