Every Flight Counts

Kabanata 4

Kahit wag na

"Grabe naman yon Ellie, mamaw!"

Nanlalaki ang mata ng katabi kong si Yael habang nakasilip sa quiz ko na kakabalik lang samin ngayon.

Siniko ko siya nang pabiro. "Tsamba lang 'to kasi gets ko pa yung lesson! Tignan mo pag-mahirap na yung lessons, naku!"

Lumukot ang mukha niya. "Hindi pa pala mahirap 'to? Siguro nung high school ka mina-mani mo lang lahat ng subjects no?"

I made a face. "Hindi no! Hindi talaga ko achiever nung high school, as in! Sa college lang naman ako nagsimulang maging masipag mag-aral." I shrugged. "Siguro ganun lang talaga pag-gusto mo yung ginagawa mo, kusa kang mag-eexcel.."

Ngumisi siya. "Naks naman!"

I just jokingly winked at him before we laughed in unison.

"AAA scholar ka ba?" tanong niya.

"Oo,"

Nanlaki ang mata niya. "Malaki raw bigayan dun ah?"

"20k stipend per month tas bukod pa yung book and uniform allowance,"

Nalaglag ang panga niya. "Grabe! Tas free tuition ka na rito so wala ka nang school fee na binabayaran?!"

Natatawang tumango ako sa gulat na reaksyon niya.

Sa totoo lang ay napakalaki nga ng nahahawakan kong pera dahil sa pagpasa sa special scholarship for student pilots ng isang sikat na institution. Sinabihan ko nun sila Uncle na babahagian ko sila mula roon ngunit sabi niya'y huwag na raw. Gamitin ko na lang daw iyon sa lahat ng pangangailangan ko rito.

Napabuntong-hininga ako nang maalala si Uncle. Tanda ko pa kung paano niya ako kinausap nang masinsinan noong gabi bago ang araw ng enrollment ko rito sa PCAST. Humingi siya ng tawad sa mga nasabi niya. Simula noon ay binigay niya na ang buong suporta niya sa akin. Sa lahat ng kinailangang asikasuhin sa pagkokolehiyo ko ay nandyan siya para samahan at tulungan ako.

"I have an important announcement to make, class."

Napatingin kaming lahat sa harap dahil sa biglaang pagpasok at pagsasalita ni Mr. Gallego na AS supervisor.

"The All Asia Aviation Academy will be conducting a special Future Pilot Forum next week. I'm pleased to announce that the faculty's chosen delegate is from this section,"

The class let out their amusement in chorus. I suddenly felt edgy though.

Mr. Gallego smiled.

"It's none other than, Mr. Spencer Donovan Montero." he said as he turned his head to where Spencer is seating.

My jaw dropped. Everyone clapped their hands. I looked at Spencer for a brief second and saw his expressionless face. I returned my gaze to Mr. Gallego when he started talking again.

"Just meet me in my office for the memo and the further details, Mr. Montero." he said while smiling and took some step backward as if he was about to leave.

"Sir," I raised my hand.

Mr. Gallego halted on his step. Everyone turned their heads on me.

"Yes, Ms. Faustino?" he asked with a small smile.

I swallowed before standing up.

"Pwede ko po bang malaman kung anong naging grounds sa pagpili?" tanong ko habang pinipisil ang daliri.

He looks taken aback.

Everyone in the class looks quite stunned too.

"Palaban talaga si ate mo girl.." I heared one of my classmates murmuring.

From my peripheral vision, someone straitening his back on his seat caught my attention. I saw Zaid crossing his arms in front of his chest. An amused grin was plastered on his face.

Mr. Gallego sighed which made me look back in front. He forced a smile.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Faustino. We actually based it on the admission rankings but the faculty decided to settle for a male representative.."

My mouth widely opened.

"Pardon? What kind of basis is that? What's wrong with having a female delegate?" I appallingly asked with a calm voice.

"Oo nga po, Sir.." Zaid suddenly butted in wih his annoying and seemingly sarcastic tone.

I glared at his irritating face. He just raised both his brows at me.

Mr. Gallego cleared his throat. "I understand where you are coming from, Ms. Faustino. Don't get us wrong. It's just that majority of the participants that attend the anual forum are actually male..."

"Then maybe it's time for a change, Sir." I said while shifting on my feet. "I think it's time for you to finally send a female representative. I'm sorry but if you're saying that your grounds for choosing is the ranking, then I'll have to fight for my right."

"Tama, tama.." Zaiden threw another shameless remark.

I gave him a sharp gaze for his nonsense and unsolicited interjections. He's obviously just mocking me. His tone reeks of sarcasm.

Mr. Gallego sighed. It made me turn to him.

"Well then, I guess we'll see about that... Anyway.." he cleared his throat. "Mr. Montero, in any case..would you be willing to give up the slot?"

My head automatically turned to Spencer. He lazily faced Mr. Gallego.

He looked at me for a brief moment with his blank expression, before returning his gaze in front. My nerves almost quivered at that split second.

"No." he sternly said.

My jaw dropped.

I saw Zaid playfully shaking his head. "Basta ako, kay Ellie ako. Kay Ellie ako, Sir. Kay Ellie tayo, guys."

The bastard is obviously making fun of the situation.

I clenched my jaw while staring at his annoying face. He looks so punchable right now.

Mr. Gallego cleared his throat, probably feeling the tension.

"I'll just... do something about this. I will contact the organizers and try to convince them if we can... send two students," he reluctantly stated as he fixed his things and get ready to leave.

"Kahit wag na, Sir. Kaya na ni Ellie mag-isa yun," pahabol na panunuya pa ni Zaiden.

Sinamaan ko lang ulit ng tingin ang nakangising mukha niya.

Gago talaga amputa.