Hindi ko mapigilang humanga sa ganda at laki ng kwartong ito. Yes, I'm at Dean's office. Parang pang CEO ng malaking kumpanya ang opisinang ito. Now I can totally see how privileged this University is!
I saw the Dean seriously reading some papers in his table. Dr. Theodore Middleton, PhD - ang nakasulat na pangalan sa table nito. I cleared my throat to get his attention.
"Good afternoon, Sir. I'm Gabriela Mendez. You sent someone to see me." Wika ko. I saw him lifted his gaze to me. Nakakunot ang noo nito. Mukha atang hindi maganda ang mood nito base sa expression ng mukha niya.
"Ah, Ms. Mendez." Seryoso nitong tugon. Tumayo ito at umalis sa kanyang lamesa. "Come here. Please take a seat." He led me to the guest lounge right in the middle of his office and we sat there. Sa tingin ko kailangan ko ng ihanda ang sarili ko sa sasabihin ng Dean na ito. Is he gonna suspend me? For how long? 1 week? Two? Or maybe worse like giving me a community service punishment.
"Ms. Mendez, what kind of University you think Riverwoods is?" Biglang kumunot ang noo ko sa tanong nito. I tried to read this old man's face pero wala akong mabasa. Seryoso lang ang mukha nito at nakatingin ito ng diretso sa akin. What kind of question is that?
"People say it's the school for the elites." I answered. I really don't know what to answer kaya bumase nalang ako kung ano ang naririnig ko sa ibang tao. What he's up to by the way?
"Right. It's indeed a school for only elites." Saad nito. I saw him smirked a little pero agad ding nawala iyon. "Do you even know how you were able to get in here?" Dagdag nito.
Okay. So what's happening now? This old man in front of me is asking how did I make it here? Of course my brother enrolled me here. What kind of dumb question is that? Hindi ko magawang sumagot sa tanong niya. Mas minabuti kong tumahimik.
"I know that you were a delinquent student in your past schools. You're grades were not that high too. Your records were unpleasant so how can I even accept you as a Scholar?"
Biglang nagpanting ang tenga ko sa narinig ko. Naikuyom ko ang aking kamao sa inis. Ano ba ang gustong ipakahulugan ng matandang 'to? Me, a delinquent student? What a heavy word. Yes, I kicked people's ass but it's because they did something wrong. I'm not that person who lashes out with no reason, like duh. And again, I'm not a believer of grades. Why would I let myself be defined by mere numbers? Masyadong magulo ang sinasabi niya. And why bothered himself about me to be a Scholar?
"Hindi ko maintindihan." Naguguluhang sagot ko. Nakakunot narin ang noo ko sa inis.
"Just a month ago your brother talked to me about enrolling you in this University. That time, the enrollment has been ended for one week already. Nakiusap siya na ipasok ka dito kahit na wala pa siyang pambayad ng buo para sa tuition fee mo. Riverwoods never allowed installment payments on tuition fees. Once you enrolled, you have to pay for the whole amount upright."
And my brother never even shared this to me? Nagtataka naman na ako noon kung paano niya ako naipasok dito to think na masyadong malaki ang tuition but I chose not to ask. Our parents bank account were frozen too.
BINABASA MO ANG
Riverwoods University
Fiksi UmumGabriela Mendez was transferred to Riverwoods University by his older brother after the death of their parents. Desire for new start and peaceful life will be shaken when Gabriela meets unwanted people in the University. Secrets of the past will unr...
