Chapter 2
"I want to renounce as the president, Miss." Hinabol ko talaga si Miss Tan pagkatapos ng klase at sumabay ng lakad.
"Bakit naman hija?" napatigil siya at nilingon ako. "Lahat ng gurong nagdaan sa klase niyo ay sinasabing maaasahan ka."
I look down for a moment, then sigh. It's fluttering to hear that from a teacher but I really have something more important in my pocket right now.
"May gagawin po kasi ako parati pagkatapos ng klase... hindi ko po iyon kayang ipagsabay sa duty ko as president."
You're wrong when you thought that being the president in class starts and ends in the classroom. There's more to it than you know. It's very exhausting, to be engaged to the entire school every damn time.
"At ano naman ang pinagkakaabalahan mo pagkatapos ng klase hija?" I sighed again. Should I tell her the truth?
"Nagtatrabaho po ako..."
Hindi ko kinakahiya kailan man ang bagay na ito. It's just that I was never really open to someone, nobody knew my real life. Nakakapanibago lang, sharing a part from me.
"Ano? Sa ganiyang edad ay nagtatrabaho ka na? How about your parents? Paano nama—" She's agitated with what I said, I can tell. But sadly, not everyone is privileged.
"I'm a scholar here in the university kaya po ako nakapag-aral dito. Hindi po ako mayaman gaya ng halos lahat ng estudyante rito." I paused. "Kaya kailangan ko po talagang ayawan ang posisyon na 'yun dahil nakakapagod po para sa'kin."
She smiled at me with her usual warm smile. "Okay, sige. Naiintindihan ko, Guevarra."
"Thank you po talaga, Miss Tan!" I cheerfully acknowledge. Then I remembered something, "And don't worry about the vacancy Miss, Elior Bonaventura will take my place."
Nagtaka naman siya sa sinabi ko. "Si Bonaventura? Sa pagkakaalam ko ay hindi siya masyadong aktibo hija. Napapayag mo 'yun?"
I cheekily smiled at her. "I think it's time to add some changes in his life, Miss."
Nagpaalam na ako kay Miss Tan at sumakay ng jeep papunta sa pagtatrabahoan ko. I signal the jeep to stop when I reach the familiar intersection. I took a little walk and the wide entrance greeted me.
"Good afternoon po, Kuya Nando!" bati ko sa guard na nagbabasa ng dyaryo sa guardhouse ng subdivision.
Napahawak naman ito sa dibdib at gulat itong napatingin sa'kin dahil sa lakas ng pagbati ko. Napatawa ako ng bahagya.
"Diyos kong bata ka. Ikaw pala 'yan, Anala."
I took the path on the pavement, avoiding some cars that might run me over.
"Naghihintay na raw si Mrs. Solon sa'yo, hija," Kuya Nando said. I gave him a thumbs up and continue walking.
When I reached the familiar gate, I rang the doorbell. Rinig ko mula rito ang tunog ng nagmamadaling mga paa. Napailing na lang ako.
"ATE ANALA!!" matinis ang boses nito na animo'y babae. I laugh hard when he throws his self to me and gave me a tight hug. I hug him in return and also to support him since karga ko na siya. "I MISS YOU!!"
"Nandito ako kahapon, Frode," natatawa kong paalala sa kaniya.
"I know! But because of an ugly creature that came this morning, my entire day felt so long!" he pouted.
