A/N: Thank you so much for your warm welcome to our cast! I enjoyed reading your comments and tweets last night.

CASTIEL

"EMERGENCY MEETING!"

Valeria slammed her right fist on the conference table as if she was pressing that red button in Among Us. Complete attendance kaming USC officers sa loob ng conference room, maliban kay Priam na naiwan sa cubicle niya. Meeting on a Wednesday was an unusual sight in this office, but we had to talk about an urgent matter. Hindi namin puwedeng ipagpaliban ito.

"Ipinatawag ko kayong lahat dahil may kailangan tayong pag-usapan," Val began. She stood at the end of the table, the place where Priam was usually seated. Kinuha niya ang copy ng The Herald sa mesa na inilabas nitong Lunes at ipinakita sa amin ang front page. Her finger pointed at the headline just below the banner story. "In their second opinion poll sa Herald, mas mababa ang nakuhang approval rating ni Priam. This is a matter of serious concern for us."

Calling for a meeting might have been my idea, but as the vice president, Val had to preside over in the absence of the president. Mabuti't pareho kaming concerned sa ipinakita niyang poll. If she did not care at all, she would not agree with me to hold this discussion.

"How the student body sees the president will affect on how they see us as the highest student organization in the university," she went on as she clutched on her chest. "Dahil mababa ang ratings ni Priam, we can assume na hindi rin gano'n kaganda ang tingin nila sa atin. That's why we have to do something about it! Puwede pa nating baligtarin ang sitwasyon!"

If this were a mobile online battle arena thing, we were still in the early game. There was still the mid-game and the late game. Puwede pa kaming mag-comeback sa public perception nightmare na ito. I was one hundred percent confident that we could. Otherwise, I would not have pushed for the plan.

"Cas here has devised a plan to fix this mess. Let's listen to him." Val turned to me and gave me a quick nod. That was my cue.

My left hand grabbed my walking cane and used it to prop me up. Pagkatayo ko, bumalik na si Val sa upuan para magbigay-daan sa akin. Ako naman ang tumayo sa dulo ng mesa para mag-present. Ibinaba ko ang projector screen na nasa whiteboard sa likuran ko at sumenyas sa mga kasama ko na patayin muna ang ilaw.

Click.

The conference room went dark, and only the light outside illuminated the aquarium.

"Thank you, Val. Before I start . . . Sabrina?" I called the secretary. Tumango sa akin ang babaeng may suot na salamin at naka-sweep sa isang side ang bangs. She pressed a button on the projector and made some clicks on the laptop in front of her. May lumitaw na image sa screen.

I could have discussed the plan by just talking, but I preferred to have a slideshow presentation. I might lose them half way, so it was best for them to have something that they could review later on.

"Please bear with me for a few minutes," I told them. "We know that Priam is a competent student leader. However, he lacks in some areas that people find necessary for someone in his position—being human. He's becoming more of an unpopular USC president in every poll. Like Val said, something must be done."

"But that's who he is, tama?" our treasurer Tabitha Rustan commented. Her arms folded across her chest. Her shaggy dark brown hair reached past her shoulders. Her earrings reflected some light from the projector. "You told him paulit-ulit no'ng campaign na maging mas likeable, pero see ano'ng nangyari? Wala pa rin siyang masyadong change. If he didn't nagawa it before, I doubt that we can make him gawa it now."

"We as the USC can fully accept Priam for who and what he is." Just like how we accepted that Tabitha would be conyo forever. "But the student body is already telling us that they want to see him change. The poll is already a strong suggestion of that. We can't just ignore them, can we?"

When Priam was planning to run for USC, I recommended Tabitha for treasurer. She's an Accountancy student, so her knowledge about numbers and finances could come into play. May pagka-rich kid din siya kaya we played the narrative that a rich student would not steal council funds because they had too much already. Sakaling ma-short kami o may kailangang bayaran, baka siya ang puwedeng mag-abono. And she's from the College of Business and Accountancy, one of the vote-rich colleges in the university. We needed her to win some votes there.

"But can't we just not pansin them?" Tabitha asked, her right hand making a dismissive gesture. "Basta we're doing our trabaho, there's no problema in it, right? Kaya nga nila in-elect si Priam kasi they want him to lead us. They didn't vote for him para magpa-cute at magpapogi sa kanila."

"You're right. We can ignore everyone's opinion about him. Why should we care on what they have to say, right?" I replied with a shrug. "But . . . Priam intends to run for reelection. He may retain some of us in his council. If we want to serve the student body until next academic year, we need to make sure that he will win. And for him to win, we need the student body to like not necessarily him, but his image."

"Cas is right, you know?" our public relations officer Rowan Oronce seconded. His hairstyle was wavy quiff with tapered sides and faded temples. Kasing puti ng complexion niya ang kanyang mga ngipin. "Perception is key pagdating sa business at politics. Kung pareho pa rin ang numbers ng approval ratings ni President months before the next election, paniguradong matatalo siya ng magtsa-challenge sa kanya. Kapag nangyari 'yon, we'll be kicked out of this office!"

Of all the people in this room, I expected Rowan to agree with me. He's a Communication Arts student who got a Public Relations subject. Kung nakikinig siya sa kanyang prof at seryosong pinag-aaralan ang kanilang lessons, makatutulong 'yon sa trabaho niya sa council. Puwede siyang pagkamalang model dahil sa mukha at ayos niya. And that was exactly why I recommended him to Priam. He was not just going to be the voice of the USC. He was also going to be its face.

"Also, I can't use the same spin sa campus journos na nagtatanong sa akin tuwing may opinion poll na ida-drop ang Herald," he added. "I've already told them twice na 'the president is more focused on his duties than his appearance in the eyes of the student body, but we take note of their opinion.' Kailangang magkaroon ng character development sa part niya. Otherwise, he's going to be a one-term president, and we'll only serve one year."

"Character development." I pointed my forefinger at him. He took the words right out of my mouth. "That's the phrase I'm looking for. We need to show that Priam is capable of changing. If he can't change himself for the better, how can they expect him to change this university? Dito papasok ang cliche na kailangang magsimula sa ating sarili ang pagbabago."

"If he can improve sa mga bagay na kulang siya, magiging magandang story 'yon," dagdag ni Rowan na tinanguhan ko. "A good leader is inspiring. Sa ngayon, walang makikitang ka-inspire-inspire ang mga estudyante sa kanya. Being workaholic is far from inspiring. Some may see it as a toxic trait. Most people don't like toxicity in their lives."

"That's why this has to be a team effort." I laid my right palm flat on the table and glanced at every one of them. "He's the captain of our ship. If he sinks, we sink with him. Dapat natin siyang tulungan dahil maaapektuhan tayo. Enter my plan."

Tumango ako kay Sabrina bilang senyales na ilipat na niya ang slide.

"I call this plan the Presidential Image Rehabilitation Operation." I stood aside so they could see the title on the projector screen. "Or as how I'd like to call it . . ." I nodded at the secretary, and the slide changed. "Oplan First Lady."

"F-First Lady?"

I told only Priam and Val about the summary of this plan. Hindi ko pa ipinaalam sa ibang officers dahil gusto kong makuha muna ang approval ng president. This might sound absurd and laughable, but they should trust me on this one.

"The position of First Lady isn't in the Constitution and By-laws," Val clarified. "Don't worry, hindi tayo gagawa ng bagong position sa council para doon. It's going to be an unofficial and ceremonial role."

The slide changed instantly after I gave a nod at Sabrina. "The goal is to show the human side of the president and make him more relatable to the student body. The more relatable he becomes, the more likely that his approval rating will rise. Next."

Nagbago na ang slide na naka-project sa screen. May complex diagram na may kasamang text at arrows. It basically showed the step-by-step process on how we could achieve it. Naningkit ang mga mata at kumunot ang mga noo nila. Ganyan ako ka-detailed at kaseryoso sa operation na ito.

"Long story short: We need to find a girlfriend for Priam," I summarized the entire slide in just one sentence.

Natawa si Tabitha, dahilan para mapatingin kaming lahat sa kanya. "Do you think na the president is into having a jowa? We sometimes make biro here na robot siya at walang puso, right? So how can someone gaya niya find love?"

"He doesn't have to like or love his First Lady," I answered. "He just needs to make it look like he does."

"Can the same be said for the First Lady?" Rowan asked next after raising a hand. "I mean, hindi niya kailangang magustuhan si president?"

I nodded. "Emotional or romantic attachment isn't a requisite in this operation. Ang mahalaga'y makita sila in public at magpakita ng signs na ine-enjoy nila ang company ng isa't isa."

"In other words . . . a pretend relationship, huh?" Rowan reclined on his seat, nodding. "A cliche but clever plan. But won't the students see it as a stunt to fix the president's image?"

"Siyempre, hindi siya mangyayari overnight," paliwanag ko. "Like a carefully planned novel, we need to build up the characters and establish the setting before we reach the point where we will make the relationship official. Here's how it will go. We will look for a candidate. We will make her and Priam meet. We will ask them to appear in public repeatedly. Then we will let everyone find out about their blossoming relationship and spread the news about it."

"Then that's it? We won't say anything?" Val asked.

"We can't issue a press release saying that the 'President has found his First Lady.' Magiging obvious na gimik lang natin 'to," Rowan said. "Kailangang ang mga tsismoso't tsismosang writer mismo ang makapansin. They will surely ask me during my press briefings kung in a relationship na ba si president. Ako na no'n ang bahalang mag-spin sa narrative!"

"Every step of this plan needs to appear natural," I emphasized. "If not, they will see through this act."

"Question?" Val raised her right hand. "How long will this pretend relationship last?"

"For as long as needed," I answered. "Pinakamahaba na siguro hanggang sa election day next year."

"T-That's seven to eight na buwan!" Tabitha exclaimed. Salamat sa mabilis niyang pag-compute. "Do you think may girl na nasa matinong mindset na papayag mag-play na First Lady ng president for that long?"

"Diyan papasok ang qualifications para sa hahanapin nating candidate." Sumenyas ako kay Sabrina na ilipat ang slide. "It can't be just anyone interested in playing the role. Kailangang strategic ang pagpili natin sa kanya."

Itinuro ko ang mga bullet point sa slide:

• Must be a total outsider
• Must have charisma
• Must endear herself to the student body
• Must put up with Priam's attitude
• Must be willing to stay in a relationship for 7–8 months

"The candidate must have all of the following." I turned from the screen to them. "Kapag may kulang na isa rito, automatic na eliminated na siya."

Itinaas ni Rowan ang kamay niya. "Magpapa-audition ba tayo? Gaya ng ginagawa ng repertory theater para sa modern Romeo and Juliet play?"

Mariin akong umiling. "Hindi natin ito puwedeng gawing public. Hindi rin natin puwedeng ipagsabi kahit kanino na may ganito tayong pakulo. If the operation becomes a success and someone finds out the truth about it—that we're deceiving the student body to gain their approval and win reelection—it's a game over for all of us. Can I trust that everyone here will be discreet about this operation?"

Isa-isa ko silang tiningnan sa mata. Isa-isa rin silang tumango sa akin.

"Good. This shall remain our secret until the end of our term as USC, whether this academic year or next academic year. Sisiguruhin ko rin na hindi ipagkakalat ng candidate ang plano natin. Maybe I should ask her to sign a nondisclosure agreement."

"Hey, that's sobra na yata! May pa-NDA-NDA ka pang nalalaman!"

"I'm just kidding! Hindi naman kayo mabiro," agad kong kambiyo. But I was serious about the NDA. I did not want to put this operation at risk of being irresponsibly exposed. "Any questions on the qualifications?"

"I get why we need the First Lady to have charisma," Val spoke with squinted eyes. "But why does she have to be an outsider? In this context, what does being an outsider mean?"

"Dapat hindi siya gaya ni Priam na student leader," sagot ko. "That means . . . hindi siya puwedeng officer ng USC, ng College Student Councils, at ng iba pang student organizations sa campus. Mahirap na, baka mahaluan ng pulitika ang relasyon nila. That stain won't be easy to remove."

"Less baggage!" Rowan added. "Kung galing sa CSC ang First Lady natin, baka isipin ng iba na iniimpluwensiya si President para mas paboran ang isang college. That's not a favorable image for us."

"Pero bakit dapat hindi siya part ng USC?" sunod na tanong ni Val.

"Gusto mo bang mag-apply?" balik kong tanong.

Her cheeks turned red like tomatoes. "H-Hindi, ah! Gusto ko lang maintindihan ang reasoning sa requirement na 'yan."

"Pangit sa image ng USC kung ang dalawang officers nito ay lovey-dovey," tugon ko. "Totoo man o pretend relationship, hindi tayo magbe-benefit sa gano'ng scenario. Gagamitin pang bala 'yan ng mga critic natin kapag may slip-ups tayo. They may say na inuuna natin ang landian kaysa magserbisyo."

"Gets, gets," patango-tangong sabi niya. Wala na siyang follow-up question. Mukhang satisfied na siya sa sagot ko.

"How about the third one?" Napaturo sa screen si Rowan. "Bakit kailangang ma-endear niya ang kanyang sarili sa student body? Hindi ba enough na maipakitang close or in a relationship sila ni President?"

"Para ma-balance out ang First couple natin. Right now, Priam is a walking ball of negativity. He needs someone who radiates positivity para mabawasan ang pagiging negative niya. Kapag maganda ang impression ng students kay First Lady, posibleng mai-share niya 'yon kay Priam. That will pull his approval ratings up."

"How about the huling item?" turo ni Tabitha. "Where can we hanap someone na willing mag-stay sa isang fake relationship for a mahabang panahon? Halos isang academic year na 'yon."

"I expect that the services of the First Lady won't be free. No one's stupid enough to agree to our terms without anything in return—"

"Wait a minute!" She cut my words short. "Don't tell me na you plan to gamit our funds to pay for the First Lady? As the treasurer, hindi ko ire-recommend o i-a-approve 'yan!"

I considered that thought for a second when I was devising this plan, but it was unwise and risky. She also would surely object to the idea.

"Using the council funds is out of the question," I assured her. "Baka ma-impeach tayong lahat kapag may nakaalam."

"Then how?" Val looked at me. "I can't think of anything na puwede nating i-offer para ma-compensate ang efforts ng First Lady."

Diyan siya nagkakamali. We got something that we could offer to the lucky girl.

"Wala bang may crush kay president?" hirit ni Rowan. "Wala ba siyang classmate na may gusto sa kanya? Baka puwede nating i-take advantage ang feelings ng babaeng 'yon. Then we can hire her for free!"

"Do you think may magkakamaling magka-like sa kanya?" buwelta ni Tabitha. "Sa ugali pa lang niya—"

"That's harsh, Tabby!" Val interjected.

"Sorry, I was just telling the katotohanan."

Sa ugali ni Priam na hindi gano'n ka-approachable, duda rin akong may magkakagusto sa kanya. Baka merong ilan, kaso na-turn off nang malaman ang serious attitude niya.

Oh, wait. There was at least one person who liked him despite his flaws.

"May crush siya noon, kaso lumipat na ng university," kuwento ko. They all looked at me as if I said something unbelievable. "He may not show it most of the time, but he's still human. He can feel what we feel."

"Dahil walang may crush sa kanya, how can we find someone willing to pretend to be in a relationship with him for eight months?" Rowan looked around. "What can we do to make the First Lady stay that long?"

I sucked in a breath before telling them my idea. "I propose to use one of the things that the USC can exclusively offer."

"'Di ba I've already told you na hindi ko i-a-approve ang pag-use sa funds natin—"

"I'm not talking about funds," I cut Tabitha's words short. "I'm talking about the USC scholarship grant. We can offer this to anyone who's interested in playing the role of First Lady."

Thanks to the large collection of USC fee every semester, we have the budget to sponsor the education of ten college students. The program started three years ago and was continued by the succeeding councils. Dahil kami mismo ang nag-o-offer nito, nasa amin kung ano ang qualifications para matanggap sa program ang isang applicant.

I deliberately took a pause as I observed silence in the conference room. I waited for Tabitha to raise any objections, but thankfully, she did not.

"Sabrina, how many slots do we still have for the scholarship program?" tanong ko sa secretary namin.

"Just a minute." Sunod-sunod ang mabibilis na click ng mouse niya. "Based on our records, we have three slots available. Kapag hindi pa na-fill ang mga 'to before prelims, mapo-forfeit na."

"What do you think, Val?" I regarded the vice president on my right. "Is it advisable to use one of those soon-to-be forfeited slots for our Oplan First Lady?"

"I have no objections dahil sayang kung hindi mapupunan ang slots," she answered. "But we need to follow the process. Kailangang unanimous ang consensus ng USC sa isang application. Everyone needs to agree, including Priam. Kung may hindi magsa-sign, the application will be automatically denied."

"Ako na'ng bahala kay Priam sakaling alanganin siyang pumirma," sabi ko bago nagbato ng tingin sa iba naming kasama. "At alam ko namang makaaasa ako sa inyo na pipirmahan n'yo ang application form. Ang dapat nating problemahin muna ay ang paghahanap ng candidate na magpi-fill out n'on."

"Saan tayo puwedeng makahanap ng estudyanteng interested na maging First Lady at maging scholar natin?" tanong ni Rowan.

'Yon din ang iniisip ko magmula pa kanina. Hindi kami puwedeng mag-post publicly na naghahanap kami ng scholar dahil paniguradong mahaba ang pila sa labas ng office namin. We also could not reveal the conditions of our secret operation to every applicant. That would be too risky.

"Office of Student Affairs," Sabrina muttered. Napatingin kaming lahat sa kanya. The stares were enough to compel her to elaborate. "Nang pumunta ako sa OSA kanina, may mga nakita akong rejected application for scholarship."

"Great idea!" I exclaimed. "Can you request those rejected applications from OSA? 'Yon na automatically ang gagamitin nating shortlist. Anyone who's looking for a scholarship will surely do everything to maintain it. Kung sino man sa kanila ang mapili natin, wala siyang choice kundi sundin ang hihingin natin sa kanya."

"Puwede akong pumunta ng OSA after ng meeting natin. Bukas pa naman ang kanilang office hanggang six o'clock."

Tumingin ako sa oras. "It's already five-thirty. Hindi na importante ang mga susunod na slide. Maybe we can adjourn the meeting para makuha na natin ang mga application form. Val?"

Bumalik na ako sa aking upuan at ini-stretch ang kaliwa kong binti. Tumayo ulit si Val at nag-take over sa meeting.

"May tanong pa ba kayo tungkol sa Oplan First Lady? Kung wala na, this meeting is hereby adjourned." She made a firm knock on the table, mimicking the sound of a gavel.

Nagsitayo na kaming lahat at bumalik sa kani-kaniyang cubicle. Nagpaalam na si Sabrina sa akin na pupunta sa OSA.

With this move, we would hit two birds with one stone: We would find a First Lady for Priam, and we would give the lucky student a scholarship that would greatly help her.

I could not help but feel excited and wonder who our First Lady was going to be.

★ ★ ★

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Special thanks to raze_dali and imthecentralorgan for the illustrations!