Chase and Courage (Youth Series #1)

03

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"Huy Talliah!"

Bumalik ang diwa at lumingon sa kaklase kong si Inna. Ngayon na ang araw kung saan magpepresent kaming mga classofficers by room. Siya ang nasa likod ko dahil siya naman ay nanalong Treasurer. Kanina ay naghihintay lang kami sa labas ng room habang hinihintay matapos ang

"Ano? Tatayo ka nalang ba diyan? Pasok na, tayo na sunod."

Ngayon ko lang napansin na nauna na palang pumasok ang mga kaklase kong nauna sa pila.

I swallowed hard and looked at my paper that I'm holding. I stayed up all night revising my script and practicing how to speak in front of everyone. Halos wala nga akong tulog dahil iniisip ko ang mangyayari ngayon. Kahit sa pagtulog ay pinapractice ko ang sasabihin ngayon. I don't know how's that even possible.

Ilang sandali ay pumasok na kaming lahat sa loob. Ang una naming pinasukan ay ang room ng first year. Nakita kong lahat sila ay nakatingin sa'min. Dumiretso na kami sa harap at hile-hilera kami ngayong lahat mula sa President hanggang Sergeant at arms. Sumulyap ako sa adviser nila at nakita kong nakatayo siya sa may pinto habang nakatingin sa'min.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako mas lalong kinabahan. Kahapon pa ako kinakabahan pero ngayon mas dumoble ang kaba ko. I looked at my classmates and saw how prepared and ready they are for today. I realized I was the one who's different because they already have experienced this before while me, this is my first time. Although we're the same level, I feel like an amateur surrounded by veterans.

"Goodmorning first year students and to your adviser, Ms. Reyes. We are the fourth year students from St. John and today I present to you my amazing classmates who are going to be the leaders this year. Today's year is special because we have three representative for President. Hindi ko na papahabain pa, let's start first with our President, I welcome you Francesca Ocampo!"

Did I mentioned that Mark became our Representative this year? I don't know how that happened but I guess our adviser herself, picked him to represent us.

We clapped our hands when she stepped forward. As I observed her, she looks excited yet calm. It's like she doesn't need to practice her lines because she already knows how this works. She radiates confidence and I can see that on her face and poise.

"Goodmorning students! I guess some of you already knows me but for some who don't, my name is Francesca Ocampo from grade ten St. John. It is both a privilege and honor to run for President twice in a row. I never thought I would have this opportunity again so that's why I would like to thank my classmates who still believed in me. Since this is my last year in my dear alam mater, I will do my very best to serve the school and my fellow schoolmates like what I did last year so I hope you can vote for me as your President. Thank you and God bless."

Nagpalakpakan lahat ang mga estudyante at mukhang lahat sila ay namangha sa sinabi ni Francesca.

I can't help but to feel in awe by her speech. So natural and effortless. No doubt, I can already tell that she's going to win. She's the pride of our section, well for some.

Hindi ko napansin na nasa tabi ko pala si Mark. "Nervous?" he asked

Hindi ako sumagot at tumungo. Halata naman siguro diba?

"Just be natural and be yourself, that's it."

I looked at him and saw him smiled at me. Hindi din iyon nagtagal dahil binalik ko ang tingin sa papel na hawak ko.

It's easy to say but hard to do.

How can I even act natural when I'm nervous as hell. Kahit na itago ko pa ay mahahalata sa mukha ko ang kaba.