Chapter 13
"We can't believe we finally convinced you to join the org!" Masayang sabi sa akin ni Larah. She used to be my classmate in Bio but she shifted, kaya kilala niya ako and also knows I'm into music. I looked around the small resto and saw some people looking at us.
Tama bang sumali ako dito?
Tipid akong ngumiti sa mga members ng org. They organized a dinner for the members and new members. Kind of a welcoming gathering. It's already Wednesday at medyo busy ang ilan but everyone still managed to attend.
Hindi naman talaga dapat ako sasali eh. Bigla na lang akong nainggit sa mga kapatid ko kasi may mga orgs silang sinalihan. Faith has the org for math majors while Love has her dance group. Kaya I took all my courage and signed up for the the music org that is composed of students who performs whenever there's a program in school. They already oriented the new members about the rules and other stuff about the org. Every member will form groups with two to five members each group. 'Yong groups na 'yon ay magpe-perform as duo or as a band.
When I signed up, I was asked about what I do best in music. Ayaw kong kumanta sa harap ng maraming tao so I just chose guitar and keyboards. Larah even pouted at me. Alam niya kasing kumakanta ako. Pero kasi I'm still not that confident to sing in front of a lot of people. Tumugtog, kaya ko pa.
"Next next week, freshmen night na ah! Bukas I'll ask na kung sinong gustong mag-team up so we can start practicing," said Ate Madonna, the org president. Naghiyawan ang ilang members. They seemed so happy. They're also so energetic. Napangiti na lang ako. Maybe joining isn't a bad thing after all.
•●•
It's Thursday. Lab time with Sir Troy. Unlike before, I don't feel uneasy. Talking to him really helped me. Hindi na ako natatakot na maunang pumunta sa klase. We're friends now, he said.
When I reached the classroom ay sinilip ko muna 'yon and found no one inside kaya pumasok na agad ako and looked for a nice seat. I chose the seat near the aisle, second row from the front. Naupo agad ako and took out my notes to review. Kailangan eh. I don't want Sir to think I'm taking it easy just because we can call each other friends now. At saka, gusto ko rin namang makakuha ng nice grades.
"Wala pa sila?"
"Ay palaka!" Iyong kamay ko nasa dibdib ko na. Masyado kasi akong focused sa pagbabasa ng references that I didn't noticed Sir Troy entering the classroom.
"Sorry," he said, chuckling. "Ikaw pa lang?" He asked. I looked around and smiled then nodded.
May nakikita ba siyang ibang tao dito? Of course ako pa lang!
"Ang tagal naman nila," he murmured as he sat on his chair in front, nakatingin pa sa relo. "Lapit na 10 eh."
"They're always like that," I replied. "Ako lang talaga early bird sa klase na 'to," I added. He chuckled again at pailing-iling pa. He looks extra happy now.
"I see you didn't bring your ukulele again," he mumbled. Napasimangot ako sa sinabi niya. Mukhang may plano pa talagang tuksuhin ako. "Ah, right!" he suddenly exclaimed. "I heard you finally joined the music org? Ang tagal ka daw nilang pinipilit dun?"
Hala, paano niya nalaman?
"Yeah. I just signed up last Tuesday. I figured I should do something fun."
"So kakanta ka?" He asked. Nakapangalumbaba na siya ngayon at nakaharap sa akin, looking so interested while talking to me. Medyo nangingiti ako sa posisyon niya but I tried to suppress it. Mukha kasi siyang bata. Lalo na sa outfit niya ngayon. He looks cute in his gray sweatshirt.
