Chapter 8


Weekend had passed at halos buong Sunday ay nagchat si Colin sa akin. Hindi naman ako madalas mag-online kaya madalas ay late ang replies ko sa kanya. Nagsend pa siyang script na gagamitin niya sa senior high para sa ngayong linggo. Pati mga yell ng partylist nila ay tinanong niya kung ayos lang ba sa akin or kung may gusto ba raw akong baguhin. Magaganda naman iyong mga kanta na ginawa nila at dahil wala rin naman akong alam masyado sa ganoong bagay ay sinang-ayunan ko na lang ang mga pinakita niya. Dagdag pa na halos puro videos iyon nila ni Carlo. Parang silang nasa isang kwarto habang silang dalawa ay nakanta ng campaign songs nila. Kadalasan pa nga ay nag-aaway sila sa maling tono or wordings na nagamit pero hindi niya pinutol sa video iyon. Kaya bukod sa nalaman ko ang mga songs nila ay halos mautas din ako sa kakatawa.



Colin Ymier: Last day ng campaign baka sa hapon kami makapunta sa room nyo wish me luck! (please)



I read his message. Kanina pang madaling araw iyon. I was thinking kung natulog pa ba siya kakaprepare sa mangyayari mamaya. Actually, senior high students are more knowledgeable than junior high students in terms of electing officers. They are what they call the "critics" since they have more experience than the younger ones. They can choose a great leader that can be beneficial for both junior high and senior high students.



Unlike junior high students, I can say that they are personality based. Especially those on the lower levels of high school. Minsan nananalo ang isang tao dahil sikat. And high school politics is the face of our politics in the country. Karamihan sa mga tao na bumoboto, personality based lang din. They didn't even know if that politician's intent could totally help the country. Basta sikat binoboto na. Thus, the results made everyone suffer. This is not the ideal way of voting. A voter should be critical enough to choose a better politician that can lead the country. The future of the younger ones are in the hands of those who have the chance to choose a leader. Kaya gamitin sana sa tamang paraan.



I replied a "goodluck message" to him since iyon naman ang hiningi niya. Lunch na ngayon kaya nasa cafeteria kami. Wala kasi kaming baon na meal kaya rito kami dumiretso.



"Handa na ba kayo?" Nagulat ang lahat sa biglang pagsigaw ni Carlo. Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ba ako ngayon. Their expressions are far from what I saw on the videos. Halatang pinaghandaan nila ang kampanya sa SHS students. Isa isa nang nagpakilala ang mga candidates at ang pinaka huli ay si Colin.



The way he said his achievements for the past years, his accomplishments, his goals for this year as a president, and his dedication made me believe that this man isn't just a man na palaging galit at seryoso. He's way more different than everyones thought he is. This man had so much to do in this school. He has a bright future in leadership. The way he stands in front of people screams so much compassion and dedication. He didn't just want to be a president. He wanted to be the president. The way he talked, his serious voice persuaded everyone to vote for him. Who would think that this man will lose in this election?



Even me, can proudly say that he can win the presidential race.



The day from now will be the election. Miting de Avance will be held tomorrow at the campus gymnasium. That would be the highlight of this election since the candidates will be challenged through debate.



Colin Ymier: will you watch tomorrow?



That was the first message I received when I got home. He messaged me before that he can't accompany me since they have to prepare for tomorrow. Wala namang kaso sa akin iyon. Mas mahalagang handa sila bukas. I typed my reply.



Stella: required



I don't have anything to say since it is required to watch. The students will spend their whole morning watching the Miting de Avance. After that, preparation for the elections.



Colin Ymier: Did you get home? What time ka papasok bukas? Can I see you before the program starts?


Stella: yeah. I don't know.



Why is he asking me that? He should be prepared for tomorrow. Spending time with me can lessen his time for preparation.


Colin Ymier: wanna see you before the program starts :(

Colin Ymier: please be early at school tomorrow. I'll wait for you in elems dept :)



I don't have any idea why he's requesting to see me but, here I am walking early towards the elementary department, sa may kubo. Wala pang gasinong tao dahil mamaya pa ang start ng program. Sabagy, sino ba namang papasok ng 7AM kung ang start ng program ay 9AM pa. If this isn't just for him. Baka late na rin ako pumasok. I just wanted to do this dahil... baka dahil madalas n'ya na rin akong ihatid. Dahil lang doon.



I saw him sitting at the kubo while reading something on his phone. I walked quietly towards the kubo. He looked serious and busy.



"Goodmorning!" I greeted him. He averted his gaze on me and smiled widely. The serious face he had earlier faded.



"Hi! Akala ko hindi ka darating." He pouted and I arched my brow. "Do you think gagawin ko iyon?" I asked him. "Hindi ko alam. Baka ayaw mo akong makita e'." Dipensa n'ya kaya napatawa ako. "Gusto mo e'. Pumunta ako." He chuckled. "Talaga? Susuportahan mo na ako mamaya?" Tanong pa niya. "Lahat kayo. Hindi naman pwedeng ikaw lang." Lalo siyang tumawa sa sinabi ko kaya kumunot ang noo ko.



"Kung tatawa ka rin lang. Uuwi na'ko!" Sabi ko sa kanya. Akmang tatayo na'ko nang hinawakan niya ang braso ko. "Sorry na. I'm just happy." I looked at him at nakangiti pa rin siya. "You know, I'm just happy that you're going to support me." Pahabol pa niya. I could hear the loud beat of my heart. I don't know what to say. His eyes glistened brightly. Like he's really happy to see me. I looked at his phone when it rang. He answered the call on a loudspeaker.



"Hoy! Tangina nasaan ka na, pre?! Ikaw na lang inaantay rito sa quarters! Gago ka ba Mr. President?!" I heard Carlo's frustrated voice. "Kapag hindi ka pa dumating pupuntahan kita d'yan!" Pahabol pa ni Carlo. "Papunta na! Napakaarte mo akala mo naman talaga!" Sagot naman ni Colin na ngayon ay nakabusangot. "Talagang malilintikan ka sa akin!" Sigaw pabalik ni Carlo. Magsasalita pa sana si Colin when I interrupted their conversation. "Mukhang galit na 'yan. Pumunta ka na." Sabi ko sa kaniya. "Pero-" Naputol ang sasabihin niya nang biglang sumagot si Carlo.



"Sinasabi ko na nga ba! Lumandi ka pang bwisit ka! Ayan ba isasagot mo mamaya-" Pinutol na niya ang tawag bago tumayo. "Come with me. Sa headquarters tayo." Pagyaya niya sa akin. "No. I shouldn't be there." I refused him. "I can't let you be alone here. Maaga pa. Wala kang makakasama." Sabi niya. Kaya ending sumama na lang ako.



"Tangina buti dumating ka rin- huy! Stella! Hi!" From the stressed face Carlo had earlier, It was replaced by a bright smile. "Hi!" I greeted him. I thought it was just the three of us but when we entered their quarters, the whole team was there! Nanlaki ang mata ko sa gulat kaya tiningnan ko si Colin na nasa likod ko.



"Everyone, this is Stella." Pagpapakilala niya sa akin. "Your?" Their vice president asked. "H'wag mo nang tanungin, bebe ko. Magseselos ka lang." Pang-aasar naman ni Carlo kaya inirapan siya ng babae. Nagsimula namang mag-asaran ang mga kasama nila kaya tuwang tuwa si Carlo dahil nakabusangot na ang babae.



Iginiya ako ni Colin sa isang table. May swivel chair doon at pinaupo niya ako. Sa lamesa naman siya umupo at nakatagilid ang tayo saakin. "Once that our partylist called, all of us will shout our yells. Carlo will introduce us. Then you will be given enough time to tell the projects you're going to propose. Remember, even if we didn't win tomorrow, we will still push our projects. This isn't just about the position. Our proposals are more important than the position we're running for." Colin stated.



Their meeting lasted about minutes then they proceeded on practicing their yells and speech. You can sense the dedication and passion that every candidate has. I can even see that the seniors are helping the young ones in their speech. Colin never let the young candidates have a hard time, especially those grade 7 and 8 candidates. He's always checking on me and asking if I'm okay during their meeting. He didn't let the pressure corrupt the mind of his team. He reminded them that they can overcome everything that will happen later and tomorrow.



"Gutom ka na?" Tanong niya pagkatapos ng meeting nila. Pasado 8AM na at kakatapos lang ng practice nila. "Hindi naman masyado." Sagot ko sa kaniya. He chuckled and sat on the table in front of me. "Parating na yung breakfast natin. Nagpadeliver si Carlo." He said while looking at me. Nakakahiya talaga kapag nakatingin siya sa akin. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko kaya nag-iwas na lang ako ng tingin. I looked around their quarters kahit kanina ko pa pinagmamasdan ang paligid.



"Sawang sawa na sa mukha mo si Stella, Pre. Tingnan mo ayaw nang tumingin sa'yo." Pang-aasar ni Carlo nang dumating siya dala ang box ng pagkain. Buti na lang at nandito na siya dahil kanina ko pa nararamdamang nakatingin siya saakin.



Tumayo si Colin at nilapitan si Carlo at narinig ko pa ang pagpalo ni Colin sa balikat ni Carlo. Inasar lalo siya tuloy ni Carlo. I'm not that stupid para hindi maramdaman ang mga signs na binibigay ni Colin. I just don't want to assume things. Lalo pa at may kumakalat siyang balita na girlfriend niya si Trixie.



He handed me a Jollibee meal. Kumuha siya ng isang upuan at umupo sa tabi ko. Sabay kaming kumain habang ang mga kasama namin ay panay ang pang-aasar sa kaniya. Pinangunahan pa talaga ni Carlo ang asaran kaya nakabusangot si Colin buong oras na kumakain kami. Natatawa naman ako kapag sinasagot niya si Carlo. Inabutan niya ako ng bottled water. He even opened it for me.



I bid my goodbyes to them and tell them goodluck before leaving the quarters. Colin wants me to join them but I refused since I have to be with my classmates.



The program starts and you can feel the tension between the candidates. Lalo na sa mga nasa higher positions. Both parties are eager to win tomorrow. They stated their sides in a way wherein they can persuade students to vote for them. Colin stated his ideas confidently. He looks unbothered on how the other party stated their goals. He stands in front of us confident and dedicated to what he is running for. Indeed a better leader.



"Angas ng sagutan tangina naglalamunan ng mga salita." Paghanga ni Lie sa mga kandidato. After ng program ay dismissal na kaya naglunch muna kami bago naghiwahiwalay. Malapit lang din naman ito sa school dahil babalik pa kami roon after kumain.



We were waiting for their drivers at the front gate. Since I know how to commute naman, I don't bother my parents to pick me up. I just wanna make sure that both of my friends are safe before I leave. We were talking about something regarding our subjects when I saw Colin walking towards us. It's almost 3PM in the afternoon and I guess they are done with their meeting he told me on the phone earlier.



"Uuwi ka na?" He asked as long as he approached us. Silence enveloped us. Kahit ang usapan kanina nina Shee at Lie ay natahimik. I just nodded to him. He took my bag as a sign that we're going to get home together.



"Close kayo?" Shee asked while looking at him beside me. "We're friends." I simply answered. I looked at Shee and Lie. I can see the confusion on their faces. It seems that they don't believe my answer. "What? That's real!" I defended myself. I looked at the man beside me smiling from ear to ear while looking at me. Hindi pa nagsisimula ang botohan pero mukhang nanalo na siya.



"Don't worry, guys. Friends lang muna ngayon pero you know, I want more than that." And that confirms the confusing thoughts in my mind. 


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Tags: #romance