Melpomene

[10] The Lunatic, The Lover, & The Poet (Part 3)

GOD DEL VALLE
[10]

"We're here!" Gwendolyn enthusiastically said inside the library. Nasa harapan ulit kami ng fountain ng founder ng Melpomene. Dahil sa glass ceiling ng library, parang kumikinang ang golden statue na nakatayo sa may fountain. "Alam niyo ba na may mga accounts claiming na babae raw founder natin."

"Ganyan ka ba talaga ka-desperado magustuhan ng mga tao kaya nag-iimbento ka lang ng mga kwento?" Rose snapped back at her. To which Gwendolyn replied, "As part of the Magazine club, I have resources that could prove that what I'm saying is correct. As a matter of fact, I'm currently writing an article about the academy's founder. I bet I can receive additional 100 points for that."

Napansin kong naka-kuyom ang mga kamay ni Rose. She's wrong. She's like me, the old me, and that scares me the most. I thought to myself.

Tumingin ako kay Damian at parehas kaming nakikiramdam sa dalawang babaeng kasama namin. Any minute now, Rose and Gwendolyn could tear each other's throats!

"I think you should settle for minor roles, Gwendolyn. I mean, you are already part of 7 clubs. I'm sure mahihirapan kang i-juggle 'yon with the Showcase," Rose said. Before Gwendolyn could reply and the two be stuck in a heated argument, I butted in, "SO! Sa tingin niyo saan 'yung next station?"

'Di ko alam kung ngayon ba ang period ni Rose at naging sobrang pala-away siya today. I thought to myself. But then again, Damian is right. She is starting to sound like me.

"Museum," Rose answered. At the same time, Gwendolyn said, "Library."

Nagkatitigan ang dalawa sa isa't-isa at napa-face palm naman si Damian sa tabi ko. "Ikaw 'yung nagbasa ng clue, ikaw pa 'yung tanga? 'Where you started' nga 'di ba? So, malamang sa estatwa ni Sir Damocles!" sabi ni Rose.

"Ikaw pala 'yung mas tanga! Eh 'di kung andoon dapat may napansin na tayo kanina!" Gwendolyn answered. To which Rose replied, "Eh ano naman ibig-sabihin mo na nasa library? Gusto mo bang libutin natin buong building na 'to? Girl, we only have until 7:30!"

"Girls!" sabi ni Damian habang inihaba ang dalawa niyang kamay sa gitna nina Gwendolyn at Rose. Ramdam ko na tinititigan na kami ng mga estudyanted pumapasok sa library. Kapag talaga hapon, maraming estudyante ang pumupunta dito para mag-aral.

"Ganto ang gagawin natin. We split up, okay? Me and Gwendolyn will search the first floor for the third station while Rose and God will search upstairs in the Museum," Damian said, looking at me. I nodded and before the girls could even speak, we dragged each of their arms and proceeded to our assigned floors.

Umakyat na kami ni Rose the second floor ng library para libutin ang Museum kung andito nga ba talaga ang pangatlong station ng obstacle course namin. Dumaan ulit kami sa pasikot-sikot na Greek at Roman theatre history.