The Gap Between Us (SSG SERIES #1)

Chapter 2: The President

Being the class' representative isn't actually hard. Madaling pakiusapan ang mga kaklase ko. Nakikinig at sumusunod sila sa akin. Ang ayoko lang bilang representative ng klaseng ito ay ang palaging ako ang inuutusan ng mga prof.

"Santiago, pakisunod sa office." utos ng isa naming professor at tinapik ang mga worksheets na pinasa namin kanina. Tinanguan ko ito at inayos ang table ko.

"Looks like you also also forgot that being the teacher's pet is part of your work, huh?" nang-iiritang tanong ni Coleen.

"Oh please. I didn't signed up for this." I said and sighed.

Usually, Eliezer does this kind of work pero most of the time kasi, wala siya sa klase.

Nasa 2nd floor ang office na tinutukoy ng professor. Katabi nun ay ang kwarto kung saan madalas naroon ang grupo nila Eliezer. Just passing by the hallway infront of that room makes me want to take a peek.

I slowed down on purpose just to see if I can see what's going on inside. Baka sakaling makita ko siya.

Sige na naman, oh. Sulyap na nga lang ang kinukuha ko sakaniya, ipagkakait niyo pa ba?

"Can't you walk any faster?"

Isang malamig na boses na nanggaling sa likod ko. Napa-talon ako ng konti sa gulat at muntik nang mabitawan ang mga worksheets na hawak ko.

"Sor...ry.."

I stopped in the middle of apologizing. Dahil pag lingon ko, he was there. Coen was standing there. For the first time in my highschool life, I finally got the chance to stare at him this close.

"'Kay."

Nilagpasan niya ako at pumasok sa kwarto. I stood there for another minute, absorbing what actually happened. Yup. We had a conversation. We had a conversation?!

"Sachi, you stupid girl. You call that a conversation? He was annoyed, obviously." natatawang sambit ni Coleen nang ikwento ko ito sakaniya.

"Nakakainis ka. Can't you be supportive for once?" I pouted.

"Wait lang ha? I spent half of my life supporting you, anong sinasabi mo dyan?"

"Sabi ko nga."

I can't argue with that. Pero kahit na. Masaya ako. Even though he was cold. Even though he just said two words. Even though, I'm still far from getting close to him.

But I'll get there.

"Keep on trying. I believe in you."

Well, I believe in myself too.

I like you that much, Coen. I'll do everything I can to close this space between us.

"Next week na ang sports fest. What sport will you play?"

"Uh. Table tennis, maybe."

Rinig kong pag uusap ng dalawa kong kaklase. Oo nga pala. Next week na ang sports fest. I haven't given it any thought. I have no interest in sports, to be honest. I don't like the idea of spending too much energy.

"Ikaw, Sachi? What will you do on sports fest?" tanong ni Coleen.

I shrugged. "I won't join any, I think." sabi ko at napawi naman ang ngiti niya.

"So ano? Tatambay ka lang sa bleachers, manonood lang? Ganon?"

Tumango ako. It has been my yearly routine. I haven't join any event.

"Why not?"

Napalingon ako sa nagtanong. Si Eliezer na kakapasok lang. Late nanaman. Paano nangyaring hindi pa dropped 'to? Joke.

"Wala lang." simpleng sagot ko.

"Malas mo. Everyone should join this year. Sabi ni Kael 'yon." nakangising sambit nito at umupo sa tabi ko.

What? Then, he'll play too?

"Great! Now I can see Sachi play after 16 years of existing." sabi ni Coleen.

"Hoy. Nag badminton ako nung grade 5." pag tanggol ko sa sarili. She shrugged and continued whatever she's doing.

"So.. What will you join?" tanong ni Eliezer.

What will I join. That'll be the problem. I used to play badminton but that was years ago! Ni-hindi ko na nga ata alam kung paano humawak ng noon.

"Hindi ko pa alam eh.. Kailangan ba talaga?"

Tumango siya at umayos ng pagkakaupo.

"Grades daw sa PE."

Panira talaga ng reputasyon at dignidad 'yang subject na 'yan, eh. Pangarap mo maging engineer tas pag sasayawin ka ng wellness. Galing.

"S-si Coen ba? Ano ang sports niya?" mahinang tanong ko dito. Nag taas siya ng isang kilay at ngumisi. Tila alam na niya ang ibig sabihin.

"Nako. Si Kael pala eh." sabi nito at umiling iling pa. Sumenyas ako na hinaan niya ang boses niya.

"Curious lang." palusot ko.

He faced me with a playful smile on his face. Uh-oh. I shouldn't have asked this guy.

"He used to play volleyball." sabi niya.

Used to? Tumigil na sya? Was he injured?

"Ngayon?" I asked. Ba naman. Cliffhanger din eh.

"He won't be participating this year." sabi nito at bumuntong hininga.

"Bakit?"

Pa-isa isa naman 'to. Can't you just tell the whole story without stopping halfway—

"He can't." he briefly answered and shrugged.

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