Those Memories

Forty-Eight - Play

The buzzing sounds of people filled the air by the time the Theater Rooms' big doors were opened. Each guest proceeded to their designated seats and was assisted by some students from Class 4-1.

"Woah. Ang daming tao!" Mia exclaimed.

"Nakakakaba! Waaaa~!" Angela added. Nilingon nito si Ali. "Anong gagawin natin, Pres?"

Nakakunot ang noo nito habang nakahawak sa batok. Malakas na buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan nito. Umiling muna ito ng ilang beses bago nagsalita.

"I don't know..." mahina nitong saad. "We have our last hope but he's nowhere to be found. We only have an hour left."

Tahimik lang si Carrie na nakaupo sa tabi. Maging siya ay hindi alam ang gagawin.

Inaayusan na siya kanina sa backstage nang biglang dumating ang iba nilang mga kaklase na sanay susundo kay Sky sa Emerald.

Napasugod si Ali sa boys' dorm at nakumpirma nitong nagka-asthma attack si Sky. Naroon ang mga magulang nito at ipinaliwanag kay Ali ang nangyari. Masyado raw itong nag-aalala kay Jennie. Nang suriin ito ni Doc G ay na-trigger daw ang asthma nito.

Bagsak ang mukha na bumalik si Ali sa Theater Room. Nagkagulo ang lahat nang ibalita nito na hindi makakasama si Sky sa play.

"Ang dami ng tao sa loob. Anong gagawin natin? Palalabasin na ba natin sila? How about our grades? Bagsak na ba tayo?" sunod-sunod na tanong ni Mia kay Ali.

"Let's just wait for Ms. Illaga to come here," Ali stated. Humakbang ito at tumabi sa kinauupuan ni Carrie. Inilagay nito ang ulo sa balikat niya at pumikit.

Ilang sandali pa ay lumapit sa kanila si Ms. Illaga at kinausap si Ali. Ipinaliwanag nito sa guro ang mga pangyayari.

"It's saddening but there's nothing we can do. I'll consider your section this time," pahayag ni Ms. Illaga. "I'll give you a week extension, but I'll have to deduct 10 points from your overall score so as to be fair with the other sections who performed on time."

"That's a lot..." mahinang usal ng isang kaklase nilang si Amber na nakatayo sa likuran ni Carrie.

Malungkot man ngunit sinimulan na ng buong klase ang pagliligpit ng kanilang mga props. Nagbihis na rin si Carrie upang tulungan ang kanyang mga kaklase.

Nagmumukmok si Mia sa tabi niya habang inaayos nila ang mga costume sa dressing room.

"Umuwi pa naman sina Kuya para makita yung performance natin," malungkot nitong sabi. "His family will already fly back to America on Monday."

"My parents don't usually support me. They're always busy with work even on no-work holidays like today. I'm beginning to think that they don't care about me at all. I finally persuaded them to be here... But now," Angela stated and sighed. "I'm sure they'll be frustrated and say that I just wasted their time."

Mia stepped beside Angela to comfort her. Silence enveloped them until they heard Ali's announcement.

"Good morning guests, students, faculty and staff," she started. "I am Class 4-1's President and I am here on behalf of our class. We know that you are here to witness our presentation. We... we are saddened to inform you that due to unforeseeable events, today's play is canceled."

Gasps and murmurs can be heard from the audiences. Ali continued.

"We sincerely apologize for the—"

Biglang naputol ang sanay sasabihin nito. Narinig nilang nagkagulo ang mga kaklase nila na nasa backstage. Lumabas sina Carrie at dalawa niyang kasama mula sa dressing room.