Love Charade

Chapter 27: Toxic

WARNING: explicit words ahead

Hindi maiwaglit ang isang matamis na ngiti sa labi ko habang tinatahak ang daan pabalik sa classroom ng HUMSS.

Pinatawag ako kanina sa sa principal's office. Kinabahan pa ako dahil baka kung ano na namang kasalanan ang nagawa ko. Pero kasalungat ng inaakala ko ang natanggap kong balita mula sa aming principal.

I was beyond ecstatic when I received his message. Yes, it was good news.

"Kaia, I have something to discuss with you." The principal smiled at me and motioned the chair in front of his table.

I greeted him good morning and just sit there silently, thinking of the things I did for the last week. I couldn't put a specific encounter in mind except for punching Archie at the gymnasium. Kaya ba ako pinatawag? Will I face another suspension again? Papatapos na ang school year! Damn!

"Congratulations! You are qualified to join the international dance competition in Singapore!" puno ng excitement na bulalas ng principal. I wanted to take this as a joke but the glimmer in his eyes told me otherwise.

"P-po?" Tama ba ang narinig ko? Bakit ako?

"You heard it right, Kaia! A scout was invited to witness the annual Philautia at Isla Jalandoni and you were chosen to represent our country."

"T-teka lang po. Sigurado po kayo, sir? Hindi po kasi ako ang champion sa Philautia."

"Well, technically, Kirsty will be the reasonable candidate but she refused and recommended you." Nanlaki ang mga matang napatitig ako sa aming principal. Bakit iyon ginawa ni Kirsty?

I was in the middle of processing everything so I was unable to speak.

"I won't take no for an answer, Kaia. Your sister must be very happy to know this good news! You have three weeks to prepare, Kaia. You'll be flying to Singapore next month."

"Sir, am I favored dahil magkaibigan kayo ni Ate?" hindi pa rin makapaniwalang tanong ko. They're basically best friends since high school.

"Of course not! our friendship has nothing to do with this success, Kaia. You are a talented kid. Besides, ang scout mismo ang pumili sa'yo," nakangiti at puno ng katotohanang sambit ni Sir Helios.

Tumango lang ako dahil parang nasa alapaap pa rin ang pakiramdam ko. Nakalabas na ako sa principal office, pero hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa nabalitaan ko.

"Kirby!" Napabalik ako sa kasalukuyan at napalingon sa pinanggalingan ng boses. Mahina akong natawa bago kumaway sa gawi nila ni Kevin.

It's been a while since I heard someone calling me 'Kirby'. To tell the truth, it was a little bit awkward now.

"Tol! 'lika ka muna!" Kinawayan ako ni Paul na kasama rin ni Kevin na nakatambay sa bench, ang usual tambayan ng STEM students. Bakit kasi kailangan ko pang dumaan sa STEM Building eh!

Wala akong nagawa kundi ang lapitan ang mga ito. Kakamiss rin pala mga dati kong tropa lalo na ang mga asaran namin noon.

"Di ka na sumasargo 'tol, ah!" Naki-high five agad si Paul nang makalapit na ako sa kanila.Ngumisi lang ako bilang sagot. May isa pa silang kasamang tumutogtog ng gitara. Sarap ng buhay ng senior high ngayon. Halos lahat kasi naghihintay na lang ng final exams at nagko-comply ng requirements.

"Nagbago na kasi, 'tol!" makahulugang komento ni Kevin at ngumisi sa akin.

"Nag hair clip pa nga!" natatwang puna ni Paul at tinuro ang pearl hairpin na naka-ipit sa buhok ko. Wala sa sariling napahawak ako roon.