You Captured Me

Chapter 5

"Ms. Galauran," tinawag ako ni Mr. Lazaro, our teacher in fine arts photography.

"Sir," lumapit ako sa kanya, dala dala na ang aking bag. Huling klase na kasi namin si Mr. Lazaro. Paunti-unti na ring umaalis ang mga kaklase ko. I glanced at Gideon who is about to go outside.

"Mauuna na ako," he mouthed. I nodded and waved goodbye.

"Ms. Galauran, Tabula Rasa requested one photographer in our class and I want you to be a part of it. Kailangan pa raw nila ng extra photojournalist para raw sa interview event session nila. Isusubmit mo rin sa akin yung mga nakuha mo pictures para documentation na rin natin."

Tabula Rasa was the official newspaper organization of the campus, which is headed by Bethany and a few other students from different courses.

"Ok po sir. Kelan po yung interview?"

"Bukas. Sa social hall yung venue."

"Sige po," I nodded in acceptance.

I arrived at the social hall early. Nakikita kong nagseset-up pa lang sila ng mga kailangan para sa interview. They have different lighting equipments fit for a photography studio, a solid white background that stood a single chair in front of it. How I wish to have my own studio someday. I saw one student adjusting a camera that is focused on the chair. Siya ata yung magvivideo sa interviewees. Among the busy students, my eyes are wandering trying to find Bethany. When I finally found her talking to some members of the org, I went up to her.

"Bethany."

She looked over at me then raised her eyebrows. The ones talking to her looked at me from head to toe and then they slowly left. I adjusted the strap of my camera on my neck, feeling awkward. I don't even know if she recognized me as the girl from the library talking to Aiden. Maybe not, because she only saw me for a few seconds.

"Yes?"

"Ako yung pinadala ni Mr. Lazaro para sa pagdocument ng gagawin niyo."

She furrowed her brows.

"Ganun ba? Hindi ba available si Apollo?"

Naguluhan ako. He is one of my blockmates who is very popular here in school. Almost everyone knows him because of his name. His family is influential in the entertainment industry. Si Apollo ba dapat yung pupunta rito? Pero ako lang naman yung sinabihan ni Sir. Maybe he got the directions wrong.

"Ako kasi yung sinabihan, pero kung si Apollo pala, tatawagin ko nalang."

"'Wag na. Magsisimula na rin naman. Tayo ka roon sa gilid tapos ikaw na bahala kung pano mo sila kukuhanan ha," she pointed at the direction behind me.

I nodded. I walked up to where she wanted me to stand. When I stood on the spot, I noticed my distance from the place where the interview will be held. Teka, ba't parang ang layo naman ng pwesto ko? Mga ilang metro ang layo ko sa mismong set-up na ginawa nila. Paano ko makukuhanan ang mga iinterbyuhin? Lumapit ulit sa akin si Bethany.

"Dyan ka na lang ah. Ayoko kasing mabother ang mga students habang nagsasagot sila. Lalapit ka lang talaga kapag tapos na yung interview ng bawat student para sa photo op, but not too close."

"Bethany, uhm masyado naman atang malayo ang distansya ko," I said politely.

She groaned. "You're a photographer right? You have much more skill than our photojournalists so bakit ka nagrereklamo? Just do what you are told ok?"

"P-pero-"

"Oh, and please don't interact with anyone here, including those that will be interviewed."