Ethereal Haven

26

"Good morning, from what school po?" tanong sa'kin ng nasa registration table

"University of St. Louise" i said, she smiled before handing the registration paper together with a pen, i wrote my name but i didn't wrote my number, ayaw ko na kasing makatanggap ng weird messages. It happens all the time.

"may event ka po bang sinalihan?" tanong ulit ng babaeng nasa registration table

"virtual tour guiding" maikli kong sagot, she handed a paper again, i get it and called for Marice, my partner for the said event then we signed our names before handing it back to her.

"good morning" an officer greeted us, we just smiled then looked for our designated place. Palakad-lakad ang mga officer para mag-assist ng mga participants

we are here at St. Paul University Philippines for their Skills Olympics, they invited our school to participate in their annual event, always present ang school namin pero ngayon lang ako naki-participate. Last two years kasi ay ipinadala ako sa Manila to join a contest.

"i'm really sorry for the inconvenience" napatingin ako sa babaeng nagsalita, she's wearing their grey club polo shirt and tucked it in her midnight blue slacks. She looks apologetic as she bowed a little to a student from UPHS.

"okay lang po, thank you ulit" sagot nung estudyante sakanya, napatingin ako sa ID niya 'Alazne' i don't know how to pronounce her name, it's so unique

"just ask me if you need anything, okay?" she said as she smiled sweetly

"Alazne!" someone called, she looked at her co-officer then she excused herself before running to their table. So it's Alaznie not Alazneh. I unconsciously watched her as she do her work, she just keeps on smiling.

"Zach, pwede na yatang maki-connect ng phone" bulong ni Marice sa'kin, kakatapos ng Quiz Bee at event na namin ang susunod, nakita ko si Alazne na binubura ang scoreboard.

"uhm, excuse me" i said, nagulat ko yata dahil napahawak siya sa dibdib niya, i pursed my lips to suppress my laughter

"yes po?" she answered after redeeming herself

"can i ask if i can connect my phone to the speaker? we will be needing the sound for our performance" i said, medyo napatitig siya sakin, siguro iniisip niya kung bakit sakanya pa ako nagtanong. Actually, pwede namang dumeretso na ako sa technical's table to ask, pero i wanna talk to her.

she smiled before gesturing me to follow her, so i did. Inabot niya sakin ang connector, balak kong hawakan ang kamay niya pero mabilis niyang tinanggal ang hawak niya sa connector nang mahawakan ko ito. Maya-maya pa ay bumalik na siya sa pagbubura  sa scoreboard

dahan-dahan kong tinapik ang balikat niya, lumingon naman agad siya at saka ngumiti na para bang nagtatanong kung ano pang kailangan ko

"Thanks, Alazne" i said before walking away, kinuha ko ang script ko at nagfocus na sa pagbabasa, kailangan kong magpakitang gilas.