LORENZO ELRIC GARCHITORENA

MY LIFE is a series of total monotone. There's nothing way more interesting in it, except that I breathe and exist... Well, this what makes my life exciting: Magigising. Papasok sa school. Mag-aaral. Uuwi. Repeat! As you can see, I don't have time with other stuff because in the first, these people don't really have time for me. So, why bother?

At heto ngayon ako at nakalumbaba sa sulok para sa meeting naming members ng YoLO. A bi-weekly meeting is usually organized for us by the officers every Friday afternoon. Most members are already present inside the rented classroom. Present na rin naman ang officers kahit na 10 minutes na lang ang hihintayin, and they're busy arranging stuff for their presentation. Well, ganoon sila kaaga.

It's a total chore for me to attend these meetings. Like, puwede naman itong gawing online! Para saan pa ba ang mga group chat at mga conference call?

I was lost in thoughts on not giving a crap to other people's businesses. Tamang tunganga lang naman ako habang patuloy sa pakikipagkuwentuhan ang mga kasama ko sa harap. These two are from College of Engineering and College of Criminal Justice. And in the middle of their conversation, a guy suddenly sprouted.

"Ay, kay Ivana pa rin ako! Never kong ipagpapalit si Ivana my loves!" And Onemig intervened out of thin air between the two persons in front. Yes, the guy who keeps on bugging me in a row. He's a mushroom I need to cut because he's always sprouting around.

I didn't care to listen with their random conversations. Bahala silang pag-usapan ang isang vlogger sa YouTube na nagka-17 million views ang video na naglalaba siya. And that's because... assets, assets, and assets-- a total bandwagon effect that allures the people to watch more of her content online.

Then he averted my gaze to me, flashing his killer smile. Unfortunately, his radiant aura has no effect to me. Hindi ako matatablan sa pagiging positibo niya. He loves communicating with other people around the classroom as if he's close to these people. Daig pa niya ang nangangampanya sa ginagawa niya. Siya na kasi! Siya na ang Mr. Congeniality.

"Mehn, good afternoon! Kumusta araw natin?" He even lend his right hand para makipag-apir sa akin. But I just gave him a weak smack using my hand.

"Great...," I answered back with a cold stare in exchange of his warm greeting. Seems intimidated, he diverted his attention from me and continued talking with his comrades. Oh, well... Mas gugustuhin ko nang ganito.

Between their chit-chats, Denise coughed first before speaking in front and initiated the meeting. Nag-behave na rin ang tatlong nag-uusap, leaving me at peace.

"Okay, leaders, listen." His clear voice is like there's a radio commentator speaking in front. There's a clarity in his voice na walang-wala sa boses kong parang sinapian ng lasing. Napalumbaba na lang ako using my right hand. And my legs starts to gently fidget.

"Welcome again sa meeting natin. I'm so glad na makita kayong muli sa araw na ito. And for our newbies, we hope marami kayong matutunan sa mga ini-ready namin sa inyo." After his introduction, the club secretary, Tanya started to discuss about the importance of leadership and stuff. These things tend to bore me, making myself yawn every single minute. And... Bakit pa nga ako nandirito?

After the "lesson", Josiah, the VP came in front and announced something.

"Okay, to make everything exciting. At para mas magkaroon ng interaction sa inyong members, especially na galing kayo sa iba't ibang departments, may inihanda kaming activity para i-present ninyo for next meeting." 

He continued explaining some stuff while he started to use mannerisms like swaying his hands. "Simple lang naman ang magiging activity ninyo. Since, na-tackle naman kanina ang qualities of being a leader--the question is--ano ba ang qualities na dapat ninyong mas i-improve pa sa sarili ninyo?

"So, kailangan n'yong mag-provide ng isang box. Depende na lang sa inyo sa kung anong size. Then sa box na iyon, you need to fill it with the qualities you need to improve." He even air-quoted the word "qualities" using the two fingers from both hands.

"By qualities, I meant 'yong different items na puwedeng mag-represent dito. For example, a glass for transparency. At kayo nang bahala kung ilan ang ilalagay n'yo sa box. If you're trying to be more creative and innovative, much better."

The person speaking in front shifted to Denise. "So, igu-group namin kayo sa dalawa. These pairs are the ones who will gonna present for the next meeing." What? I would like to work alone rather than cooperating with someone. Pero... Bahala na nga!

Then, he grabbed the sheet of paper for attendance and started to announce the pair-ups.

"Malcolm and Shauna..." And he continued calling more names.

"...Lorenzo and Onemig." Wait, what? At nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa narinig ko. Ano, ka-partner ko si Onemig? Oh, for Pete's sake!

Napalingon pa si Onemig and gave me a vicious grin, as if he's trying to taunt me. But I tried not to be affected by that. No, hindi puwede ito! I have the sudden urge to protest kung puwedeng magpapalit na lang. But unfortunately speaking, inunahan na kami ng club president na walang swapping na magaganap. Oh, crap! I really need to deal with this annoying guy.

"Galingan natin, Lorenzo, ha?" said he with full enigma. And that's how things started to screw-up.

Hay... Bahala na nga!

---

After the club meeting at pagkalabas ng classroom ay tinapik ako sa balikat ni Onemig habang naglalakad sa corridor.

"Uy, Lorenzo! Pag-usapan natin 'yong sa ipe-present natin!"

"We have nothing to talk about," I answered with no eye contact to him. I have no time for this nonsense. Bahala siyang gumawa ng sarili niya.

"Naman, eh. Kailangan na nating pag-usapan at gawin 'yong project bukas. Kasi magiging busy na niyan kami for next week. Pretty please."

"Hmm... Okay?" I answered, but with hesitation. Hindi ako magpapadala sa paawa effect niya.

"Ayown!" He started to be cheerful. Seriously, what's with this guy?

"Don't worry, ako nang bahala sa box na gagamitin. And ako na rin sa designs. Dalhin mo na lang 'yong items mo bukas, ha?"

At mayroon pa siyang pahabol. "By the way, saan mo gustong magkita, sa Nepo Mall na lang? Mamimili rin kasi ako roon ng mga ilalagay sa box." He even scratched his head.

"Bahala ka," in a tight budget kong sagot.

"Noted! Nepo Mall? 10 AM?"

"Fine." I groaned, nang matigil na ang lalaking ito sa pangungulit sa akin.

"Okay! See you tomorrow! Pag-usapan na lang natin 'yong ibang details." He fixed his backpack, nagsimula nang maglakad, at nauna na sa akin.

Dang! How to endure this guy that keeps on bugging me for no reason?

I'm sorry to tell, but I can't assure him that there's no trace of Lorenzo that may appear tomorrow.

-30-