#CAC09

"We are so happy to announce that the school has raised a total of almost ten thousand pesos for the fund donations!"

We were all gathered at the gym for announcement of the Student Council about their fund organization event. Lahat kami ay nakaupo sa monoblock chair habang nakatingin sa mga miyemobro ng Student Council sa stage.

"Unang una, nais po naming pasalamatan ang punong guro, Ms. Elena Concepcion and sa mga administrators ng paaralan. Thank you for supporting our first project."

Isaac Garcia is the one who's speaking in front as him being the President. I never thought he'd be a great speaker and I'm really impressed. He used to be a shy sometimes weird boy in class but seeing him now, he improved a lot.

"And most importantly, a big thank you to the students who participated and donated money for our organization. Malaki man o maliit, malaking tulong na iyon sa mga estudyante na nangangailangan ngayon."

Tumingin ako sa likod niya at nakita ko doon ang mga ibang Student Council. They were wearing a shirt and has the school logo on it together with their position.

"The main reason as to why we proposed this project is for the students who are in need. I always believe that education is not a privilege but a necessity. No student shall be left behind. They shouldn't be deprived of education."

He's right. Hindi lahat ng katulad namin ay nakakapag-aral. Some of us were born in a silver spoon. Kahit na hindi ako mayaman ay masasabi kong maswerte ako dahil nakakapag-aral ako sa magandang paaralan.

"As a student I must say that I'm priviledge as well all of us because we have access to education, nakakapag-aral pa tayo and that is already a priviledge considering that we also study in a private school."

Tumingin ako sa katabi ko at nakita kong may kinakain si Kurt. I stared at the bag of chips in his hands.

"Gust mo?" he offered.

I looked at him and shook my head. He just shrugged and continued to eat.

"Ang haba naman ng speech, nakakaantok," bigla niyang sabi.

"Oo nga pre, para tayong nasa simbahan."

Tumingin ako sa tabi niya at nakita kong si Ethan iyon.

Wait, bakit sila nanaman katabi ko? Seatmate ko na nga sila sa classroom, pati pa naman dito?

I don't even know how that happened.

I simply looked around and saw some of students are...sleeping? Nakapikit ang mata nila at nakayuko.

Paano sila nakakatulog sa ganoong posisiyon? Hindi ba yun masakit sa leeg?

Ang iba naman ay nagdadaldalan. Mangilan ilan lang ang mga nakikinig.

Narinig ko ang mahinang tawanan ng katabi ko kaya agad akong tumingin sa kanila.

They were laughing at something. Kumunot ang noo ko at tinignan kung saan sila nakatingin. I saw them looking at our classmate in front. Hindi sila direktang nakatingin sa kaniya, they were looking at his back pocket. Nakita kong nakalawit doon ang phone niya.

"Huy, anong balak niyo?" I asked

They were hiding their laughs and looked at me.

"Shhh," si Kurt habang natatawa habang si Ethan naman ay ganun din, sinasakayan ang trip ng kaibigan.

Nakita kong unti-unti nilang kinuha ang phone ng aming kaklase sa bulsa. Tumingin naman ako sa kaniya at nakita kong natutulog siya. Nakahalukipkip siya at nakayuko sa kaniyang upuan.

"Ang kulit niyo, makinig na nga lang kayo." sita ko pero hindi nila ako pinansin.

Hindi ko nalang sila pinansin at tinuon ang atensiyon sa harap. Patuloy padin na nagsasalita si Isaac pero hindi ko siya maintindihan dahil sa mahinang bulungan ng katabi ko.

I looked at them and looks like they succeeded in their plan. Nakuha nila ang cellphone at nakita kong panay ang tipa nila doon.

"Ibalik niyo nga 'yan. Hindi naman niyan inyo eh. Personal na gamit ang cellphone kaya hindi niyo basta basta kukunin nalang 'yan na walang consent nung tao," I firmly said.

Tumingin naman silang dalawa ni Ethan. "Chill Talliah. Hindi naman namin bubuksan yung phone, tsaka may password oh," sagot niya sabay pakita sa'kin nung phone.

"Magpipicture lang kami," dagdag niya at nagsimula na silang kumuha ng litrato ni Ethan.

Hindi ko inalis ang tingin sa kanila hanggang sa magsawa sila kakakuha ng litrato. Ilang sandali ay tumingin sila sa'kin at bumuntong hininga.

"Eto na nga, ibabalik na." si Kurt finally giving in.

"Kung makatingin ka naman Talliah, parang kakainin mo na kami ng buhay." si Ethan.

Maingat nilang binalik ang phone sa bulsa ng aming kaklase at buti nalang hindi siya nagising. The situation could have been worse if that happened.

Binalik ko nalang ang tingin ko sa harap at mukhang tumahimik nalang din sila.

"Lastly, I would like to thank my fellow members of the Student Council. Of course, all of this wouldn't be possible without the help of them. I am truly grateful and lucky to be surrounded by amazing people. Each of us has influenced one another and I'm glad that everything paid off."

Tumingin siya sa likod at nagpasalamat. Nginitian naman siya ng kaniyang mga kasama. ILang sandali ay nagpalakpakan kami noong natapos ang kaniyang speech. Our principal went next to the stage for the closing remarks.

Looking at the Student Council officers, I wish I was one of them. Minsan iniisip ko na baka hindi ako napabilang ay hindi naman talaga kasi ako magaling. I had doubts and I'm sure I won't fit like them.

****

The days went by in a blink of an eye. My routine was pretty much the same. I woke up, go to school, go straight home. Hindi nadin ako masyadong gumagala dahil malapit na nga ang exam namin. I was serious with my studies unlike before. I told to myself that I have to graduate. Magdamag lang ako sa kwarto ko buong linggo at walang ginawa kundi mag-aral.

And the day finally came.

Kinuha ko ang papel na pinasa sa'kin ng kaklase ko. I wrote my name on the top page and flipped it on the second page. The first day subjects were majors. Unang tanong palang ay mahirap na. I tapped on my pencil while answering. I glanced at our adviser who's sitting at her desk in front. She was reading something but I was aware that she's also watching us.

Pasimple akong tumingin sa harap at naningkit ang mata ko sa nakita. Some of my classmates were passing notes during exam. We have folders to avoid copying from our seatmates but it was never a problem to some. Tumingin naman ako sa kanan ko at nakitang seryoso naman na nagsasagot ang iba.

I heard some whispers from the back and I guess they're exchanging answers. I don't even know where they get the courage to cheat. I mean hindi ba nila nakikita na may teacher sa harap? Whatever their reasons are, I should just mind my own business.

Hindi ko nalang sila pinansin at pinagpatuloy ang pagsasagot.

"Nakikita ko kung sino yung mga nangongopya diyan," bigla na lamang sabi ng aming adviser.

Tumingin ulit ako sa paligid at nakita kong umayos ng upo ang mga kaklase ko. They were now faced on their test papers.

"Kung ipagpapatuloy niyo 'yan, mageexam talaga kayo sa gym sinasabi ko sa inyo."

I suddenly remember a memory about a year ago. Ang huling batch bago kami. May nahuli kasing isang estudyante na nagcheat at dahil doon ay nadamay ang buong section kaya sa huli ay nagexam silang lahat sa gym.

I don't want that to happen to us. Ayoko din na may madamay na iba dahil lang ang isa sa'min ay nangopya o nagcheat.

I'd rather fail than cheat.

After a few hours, the exam finally ended.

"Hay salamat, natapos din!" inat ni Inna.

Niligpit ko naman agad ang gamit ko at sinuot ang backpack sa likod ko. Half day lang kami kaya maaga ang uwian.

"Kamusta? Nasagutan mo ba lahat?" tanong niya

Err, I guess? I mean it's hard because we only have limited time when answering but I think I did well.

I slowly nodded and smiled.

"Wow, sana all." sambit niya

I was about to stand up but she suddenly held my wrist.

"Yes?" I said

"Since tapos na exams, want to hang out?" she said sweetly

I was a bit stunned by her question. To be honest, I just want to lay in bed and rest. My mind is drained and I just want to sleep for a week.

"Uhm, kasi ano eh-"

"Please? Let's celebrate dahil tapos na exams!" she smiled widely

"Sige na, ngayon lang naman bago magsembreak. Tsaka last year na natin ito, I just want to spend my time with my classmates and you know, get to know everyone before we drift away...to a new school I mean," she chuckled

I don't remember being this close with Inna. Bigla ko tuloy naisip kung bakit ako ang niyaya niya eh marami naman kaming girls. I realized that I wasn't really close with any of them even if we were together for the past four years. I guess I just find it difficult socializing with everyone.

I do speak when someone is talking to me but I'm not the one who starts or initiates the conversation. Parang kung sino yung kumakausap sa'kin ay iyon lang din yung kakausapin ko. I don't knwo but it just takes a long time when I get comfortable with someone.

I contemplated and before I realized it, I already agreed. "Sige."

Pumayag ako dahil gusto ko din matuto na makipag socialize even if it's a challenge for me. I just want to be someone who's approachable.

"Thanks!" she squealed and stood up.

Kinuha niya nadin ang bag niya at sabay kaming lumabas ng classroom. Pagkalabas namin ay madaming estudyante na nakakalat sa hallway. We excused ourselves and made our way to the crowd.

"Saan mo gusto pumunta?" she asked

"Kahit saan," I smiled

Ilang sandali ay huminto kami noong may narinig kami na tumawag sa'min sa likod.

"Hoy! Saan punta niyo?"

Sabay kaming lumingon ni Inna at nakita ang boys naming kaklase. Si Mark ang tumawag at nasa likod naman niya ang iba tulad nila Kurt, Francis, at si Terrence. Ilang sandali ay naglakas sila palapit sa'min.

"None of your business," Inna said

"Luh, eto namang treasurer namin ang sungit." si Mark with his brows furrowed

Nakita kong hinawakan naman siya sa balikat ni Kurt. "Hindi ka pa daw kasi nagbabayad ng ambag mo, tsk."

With that, Mark's expression changed. His lips parted and slowly nodded at Kurt. "Ahh oo nga pala! Buti pinaalala mo pre."

May dinukot naman siya sa kaniyang bulsa at nakita ko ang isang wallet. Maliit lang iyon na parang barya lang ang laman. Binuksan niya iyon at kumuha ng fifty pesos.

"Oh eto, ambag ko sa walis natin. Sensiya na nakalimutan ko." sambit niya at binigay kay Inna ang pera.

Tinignan naman iyon ni Inna at mabilis na kinuha sa kamay ni Mark. "May interes na ito. Kung di mo lang sinira yung walis eh."

"Hindi naman kasi talaga ako ang nakasira eh, eto oh!" sambit niya at hinila si Francis na kanina lang ay nakikipag-usap kay Terrence.

"Aba, pinapasa mo talaga lagi sa'kin yung kasalanan mo eh?" si Francis

Mark clicked his tongue and sighed. "Oo na kasalanan ko na. Kasalanan ko na mahina na yung kahoy at naputol. Kasalanan ko din na kalbo nadin yung walis kaya hindi na nakakawalis."

"Kasalanan mo naman talaga pre," singit ni Terrence

Mark looked at him who seemed betrayed by his friend. "Salamat nalang sa lahat."

"Reklamo ka diyan ng reklamo. Ikaw kaya bumili tapos ang ibibigay mo sa'kin singkwenta pesos lang?!" si Inna

Kumunot ulit ang noo ni Mark at umiwas ng tingin. I saw how his jaw clenched and his adam's apple moved.

Mukhang napikon na siya.

Ilang sandali ay tahimik siyang dumukot sa wallet niya. Kumuha siya ulit ng fifty pesos at binigay kay Inna.

"Oh ayan na! Additional fifty, siguro naman may dustpan na 'yan na kasama," he said

Napatampal naman sa noo si Inna at umiling. Kinuha niya nalang ulit ang fifty kay Mark.

"So saan nga kayo?" tanong ni Kurt

Bigla na lamang humupa ang tensiyon na namamagitan kay Mark at Inna.

"Ahh hindi ko pa alam kay Inna eh," sagot ko at tumingin sa katabi ko.

Nakita kong nag-isip naman ang boys. "Alam ko na! Punta tayong EK!" si Terrence

Binatukan naman siya ni Mark. "Tanga! Wala na akong budget. EK ka mag-isa."

Sumimangot si Terrence at hinimas ang batok. "Eh di huwag kang sumama! Oh sino dito gusto mag EK taas ang kamay!" he exclaimed and raised his hand.

Tumingin ako sa bawat isa at nakitang wala sa amin ang nagtaas kundi siya lang. Wala din naman akong sapat na pera para mag EK.

"Suggest suggest ka pa, ikaw lang naman may gusto." sabat ni Mark

Ilang sandali ay nag-isip ulit sila. Mukhang seryoso sila dahil nagbubulungan pa.

"Teka nga, pumayag na ba ako na sumama kayo?" biglang sambit ni Inna

Lahat sila ay tumingin kay Inna at sa'kin. "Pumayag si Talliah," si Kurt

Magsasalita na sana si Inna pero hinawakan ko ang braso niya. Tinignan ko siya at tipid na ngumit.

"Sige na, sumama na kayo." I said

The boys did not seem surprised at all. Nakipag apir sila sa isa't isa at may ngiting tagumpay.

"Basta sagot niyo pamasahe namin ni Lia pauwi," si Inna at tumalikod na

Nagsimula siyang maglakad habang naiwan kaming boys dito.

"Treasurer tapos walang pera?" si Francis

"Pre, nakita mo namang binigay ko na sana yung pamasahe ko ngayon. Sagot mo na ako ah," bulong ni Mark kay Kurt sabay tapik sa braso.

Umiling nalang ako at tumalikod nadin. Hinabol ko si Inna at hindi nagtagal ay naramdaman ko nalang sila sa likod namin habang naglalakad.

****

We decided to go the mall instead. The usual tambayan place of students kapag tapos na ang exams o kung gusto lang gumala. Mukhang lahat naman kami ay budgeted lang ang pera maliban kay Terrence na siyang may pera sa'min.

"Guys, gusto niyo manood ng sine?" si Terrence

"Oh sige basta sagot mo kami lahat," sagot naman ni Kurt

Binalik ko nalang ang tingin sa pagkain sa harap ko. Kanina pa kami palakad lakad lang sa mall. We already went to the arcade and played some games. Sa huli ay naubusan na kami ng pera kabibili nung tokens pero marami naman kaming nakuhang tickets.

Kasalukuyan kaming kumakain ngayon sa KFC at para nadin magpahinga. I'm already tired but I had fun. I didn't expect I'd get comfortable around them.

"Ang tagal naman ni Mark," si Kurt

Tumingin ako sa paligid at nakitang nakapila si Mark sa counter. I saw him asking for something and after a few minutes, the woman on the cashier fave him a plate.

Binalik ko nalang ang tingin sa aking plato at nagsimulang kumain. Katabi ko si Inna at katabi naman niya si Francis. Kaharap naming tatlo ay sina Mark, Kurt, at Terrence.

We all ordered the same meal, one piece chicken. Ang pagkakaiba lang ay yung side dishes namin. Both Inna and I have mashed potatoes while the boys have corn.

Ilang sandali ay nakita kong papalapit na si Mark sa'min bitbit ang isang plato.

"Anak ng tinola. Mark, sawsawan ang gravy, bakit mo ginawang sabaw?" si Kurt.

Hindi niya pinansin ang sinabi ng kaibigan at masayang umupo at pinatong ang plato sa tabi niya.

"Usog ka nga, walang space." si Mark

Nasa iisang lamesa lang kasi kami kaya medyo masikip.

"Huy, Francis. Lipat ka dun sa kabilang lamesa," si Kurt

Tumingin ako kay Francis na tahimik na kumakain sa tabi ni Inna.

"Luh, ginagawa ko sayo?" sambit niya.

Hindi ko nalang sila pinansin at uminom nalang ng coke.

"This is the reason why I don't want them to come," mahinang bulong ni Inna sa'kin.

Ngumiti ako at binaba ang inumin.

Even if they act like a child sometimes, I'm glad they came with us. Imagine kung kaming dalawa lang ni Inna, it would have been awkward 'cause I don't know how to start a conversation with her. The boys made things lighter for us even if Inna is ashamed to be with them.

"Guys, ano balak niyo sa sembreak?" biglang tanong ni Mark.

Bumuntong hininga ako at nag-isip. Do I even have plans? I mean kapag sembreak ay nagpapahinga lang ako sa bahay. Sometimes catching up with my favorite shows but most of the time, I sleep.

"Wala, tambay." si Kurt

Napansin kong tapos na siya kumain at simot ang plato niya.

"Kayo?" tanong niya sa'min ni Inna.

"Maybe visit our farmland or stay in our resthouse sa province, it depends o my parents," sagot ni Inna.

"Wow yaman," sagot niya

Tumingin naman siya sa'kin. "Ikaw Talliah?"

"Bahay lang," tipid kong sagot.

"Same," sambit niya at tinapat ang kamao niya sa'kin.

I looked at his fist and back to his face. I guess he wanted to have a fist bump.

Tinapat ko nalang ang kamao ko sa kaniya hanggang sa nagtama iyon.

Ngumiti siya at bumalik sa pag kain. "Oh kamusta naman kayo? Anong balak?"

"Wala, sa bahay lang din." sagot ni Francis

Magsasalita na sana si Terrence pero naunahan na siya ni Mark.

"Alam ko na sasabihin mo. Pupunta kang Europe para bumili ng lata ng sardinas."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. I looked at Inna and she seems confused too. Tumingin naman ako sa boys at mukhang nagets nila ang sinabi ni Mark. I guess Inna and I are the only one's who didn't get the joke.

Hindi nalang ako nagsalita at pinunasan ang bibig ko gamit ang tissue. Tumahimik naman sila hanggang sa lahat kami ay tapos na kumain.

Ilang sandali ay nagsalita si Terrence. "Guys, what course would you take in college?"

Medyo hindi ko inaasahan ang tanong niya sa amin. Mukhang nagseryoso naman sila at nag-isip.

"Hmmm, siguro accountancy akin." si Kurt.

"Ako gusto ko seaman!" si Francis

"I think I would take law," sagot ni Mark.

"Ikaw?" tanong ni Kurt kay Terrence.

"Pinagiisipan ko kung civil engineer or mechanical engineer, basta kahit alin dun."

Mukhang lahat kami ay namangha sa sagot niya. Engineering is hard. Kailangan magaling ka sa math.

"Kahit alin naman dun, siguro makakayanan mo naman. Matalino ka eh," si Kurt.

"Thanks but we don't know the future yet," sagot ni Terrence.

"Ikaw Inna?"

Tumingin kaming lahat kay Inna at mukhang alam niya na agad ang gusto niyang course.

"Corporate management," she simply said with confidence.

"Wow," he paused still in awe. "Ano yun?" he awkwardly laughed and scratched his head.

"Hindi mo alam yung corporate? From the word itself, Corporate. Eh basta google mo nalang. Katamad magexplain," sabat ni Mark.

I saw Inna rolled her eyes. "The role of a corporate management is to direct, plan, or implement policies, or activities of organizations to maximize or to increase productivity of the company."

Binalot kami ng katahimikan pagkatapos sabihin yun ni Inna. She smiled sweetly and drank from her glass.

Umawang naman ang labi ni Kurt at Mark habang nakatingin lang si Terrence at Francis sa kaniya.

"Ahhh..." he paused and looked at Kurt. "Ano gets mo na?"

Kurt slowly nodded. "Oo, basta yung nagtatrabaho sa isang kompanya."

Umiling nalang si Inna at mahinang tumawa. Ilang sandali ay ako naman ang tinanong ni Kurt.

"How about you Lia? Anong kukunin mo?"

I was a bit stunned for a moment. I knew he was going to ask me the same question. I was expecting but wasn't ready.

Bumagsak ang mata ko sa lamesa. I gulped and licked my lips. "U-undecided pa eh."

Tumango naman sila at hindi na nagtanong pa. I was releived for a moment 'cause I thought I'd be bombarded with questions.

"Huy, ano na gagawin natin pagkatapos?" tanong ni Mark sa'min.

Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag noong umiba ang usapan. I was a bit tensed at first but now I felt calm.

Tumingin siya sa'min lahat maliban kay Terrence. Nagkatinginan naman silang tatlo nina Mark, Kurt at Francis at mukhang parehas silang tatlo ng iniisip.

"What are they up to?" Inna whisphered.

Nagkibit balikat lang ako at binalik ang tingin sa kanila. Nakita ko nalang silang tatlo ay nakatingin kay Terrence. Tuimingin naman kami kay Terrence at mukhang hindi niya alam ang nangyayari. He looks so confused right now.

Kagat-kagat niya ang straw ng kaniyang inumin habang nakatingin sa mga kaibigan. They look really weird right now. Ngayon, inaamin ko na nakakahiya sila minsan kasama.

Ilang sandali ay pumikit ng mariin si Terrence at binaba ang baso. He clicked his tongue and sighed.

"Oo na, sagot ko na sine niyo."

Bigla nalang nagpalakpakan at nagtawanan sina Mark at Kurt habang si Francis ay pinipigilan lang ang ngiti sa labi.

So that's why they keep staring at each other for the whole minute.

"Next time, huwag na natin sila isama."

I looked at Inna who's now embarassed by the situation.

I hide the smile that's forming on my lips. I never thought I'd have fun today. Bihira lang kasi akong gumala at maslalo na iba ang kasama ko ngayon. I was just used to having Sabrina as my company all the time but right now, I'm happy that I get to know them and I want more moments like this with my classmates.

I realized that my sister is right. I should enjoy my highschool and teenage life. At first I thought it was a corny and cliche thing to do but I realized I wanted to spend more time with them before we go our separate ways. I don't know when will this moment will happen again but I just want to cherish it. This is my our last year, and I want it to be the best.