THE DESIGNER'S PRESCRIPTION

CHAPTER 1.3

"Okay everyone, Professor Mark, the head department, informed me na dapat kayong maghanap ng dalawang tao para maging model ninyo sa inyong design," anunsyo ng prof namin pagpasok na pagpasok pa lang niya.

Napanganga ako sa gulat dahil sa narinig ko mula sa kaniya. What? Wala pa naman akong ka-close masyado dito sa school dahil sa sobrang pagkamahiyain ko! I started to feel a bit of panic rising inside my chest while thinking of someone I could ask.

"And bawal ang kaklase," dagdag pa niya na lalong nagpatahimik sa amin.

That word shocked the entire room and everyone started whispering to each other. Halos lahat kami ay nagkatinginan dahil mahirap maghanap ng model sa labas ng aming department. My heart was racing as I tried to scan my contact list for anyone who might fit the criteria.

"Sir, paano kung wala kaming mahanap?" tanong ng isa kong kaklase mula sa likuran.

The professor just shrugged his shoulders and looked at us with a serious expression. "You have to find a way because it is part of your professional training as future designers," sagot niya bago siya nagsimulang mag-ayos ng mga papel sa desk niya.

I leaned my head against the table and closed my eyes for a second. Kailangan ko ng dalawang tao na may confidence at tamang build para madala nang maayos ang mga disenyo ko. I couldn't possibly ask my father because I knew he would just reject me again.

"Bading, sino nang kukunin mo?" bulong ni Fraizer sa tabi ko na mukhang problemado rin.

I just shook my head because I really had no idea what to do at that moment. This project was getting more complicated than I initially expected. I need to step out of my comfort zone if I want to pass this major subject and graduate on time.

Lumapit sa amin sina Zara at Xynon na halatang problemado rin sa bagong announcement. I could see the frustration on their faces because this task was truly unexpected for all of us.

"Nakakainis naman, bakit kasi kailangan pang mag-model," naiinis na sagot ni Zara habang nakapamaywang.

She crossed her arms and leaned against the wall with a heavy sigh. Ramdam ko ang inis niya dahil katulad ko ay mas gusto niya ring nakatutok lang sa pagtatahi kaysa makipag-usap sa ibang tao. Finding a model is a lot of work since you have to consider their height and body measurements too.

"Gusto niyo bang maghanap sa engineering department?" tanong ni Xynon habang tinitignan kami isa-isa.

Agad akong napailing sa suhestiyon niya dahil alam kong malabo ang iniisip niya. Ang mga engineering students ay laging busy sa kanilang mga plates at laboratory works kaya impossible na may mahanap kami doon. They barely have time to sleep so I doubt they would agree to stand for hours just to fit our clothes.

"Mahirap doon," sabat ko habang inaayos ang mga gamit ko sa bag.

I looked at them with a worried expression because we were running out of options. Bukod sa busy sila ay sobrang layo rin ng building nila mula sa amin. We needed someone who was accessible and willing to commit to our schedule for the rehearsals.

"Baka mapagalitan lang tayo ng mga 'yon kapag inabala natin sila sa gitna ng exams nila," dagdag pa ni Zara na sang-ayon sa sinabi ko.

Xynon just shrugged his shoulders and sighed in defeat. We all stood there in silence for a few minutes while trying to brainstorm for other possible candidates. My mind was racing through the faces of my old friends from high school but most of them were studying in different cities.

"Kailangan nating makahanap bago matapos ang linggong ito," paalala ni Fraizer na kanina pa nakikinig sa usapan.

"What if sa nursing department?!" gulat na sambit ni Zara habang nanlalaki ang kaniyang mga mata.

Napatingin kaming lahat sa kaniya dahil parang nakahanap siya ng ginto sa gitna ng kawalan. The idea actually sounded plausible compared to the engineering department. "3rd year college sila tapos balita ko, hindi na sila gaanong busy," dagdag pa niya para kumbinsihin kami.

I tapped my chin while thinking about the possibility of finding models from that side of the campus. I remember seeing some of the nursing students near the canteen and they definitely have the height and the poise. Malinis silang tignan at siguradong babagay sa kanila ang mga disenyo namin, lalo na ang minimalist cardigan ko.

"Sigurado ka ba na hindi sila busy? Baka mamaya ay puro duty sila sa hospital," tanong ni Xynon na tila nag-aalinlangan pa rin.

I heard from my cousin na tapos na ang major exams nila for this month," mabilis na sagot ni Zara para pawiin ang kaba namin.

That sounded like a ray of hope for all of us. Nursing students are known for being disciplined and professional so they might actually take this seriously. Ang kailangan lang naming gawin ay lakasan ang loob namin na lumapit at makiusap sa kanila.

"Pero sino ang kakausap sa kanila?" tanong ko habang nararamdaman ang muling pag-atake ng pagkamahiyain ko.

The thought of walking into another department to talk to strangers made my stomach turn. I am the type of person who stays in the corner of the room just to avoid unnecessary attention.

Nagkatinginan silang tatlo at alam ko na agad kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng mga ngiti nila.

"Huwag niyo akong tignan nang ganyan," mabilis kong pagtanggi bago pa sila makapagsalita.

"Bading, ikaw na ang kumausap dahil ikaw ang may pinakamagandang vision para sa projects natin," biro ni Fraizer habang tinutulak ako nang bahagya.

I just rolled my eyes because they always use that excuse whenever they want me to do something social. We decided to walk towards the nursing building to see if we could spot someone who fits our requirements.

The hallway was filled with students in white uniforms and I felt like a complete outsider in my artsy outfit.

"Huminga ka nang malalim, okay? We just need to ask nicely," bulong ni Zara sa tabi ko.

I adjusted my glasses and clutched my sketchbook tightly against my chest.

"G-good morning po," I awkwardly greeted them habang pilit na nagtatago sa likod nina Zara. Gusto ko na lang talagang magpalamon sa lupa dahil sa sobrang hiya!

Sabay-sabay silang napatingin sa amin kaya lalo akong nanliit sa kinatatayuan ko. The atmosphere in their hallway was so different from our building. Everyone here looked so professional and prim in their white uniforms.

"What is it?" tanong ng isang lalaki na nakaupo sa gitna ng bench.

He had this intense gaze that made me want to run away immediately. Nakakatakot siya dahil mukhang wala siyang balak makipag-biruan sa amin. I clutched my sketchbook tighter until my knuckles turned white.

"Uhmm, may favor lang po sana kami, is someone here wants to be a model for our project po?" sagot ko habang pinipilit na hindi mautal.

I looked at him with hopeful eyes, praying that at least one of them would say yes. We really needed someone today or else we would be behind schedule for the fitting.

"None, go away," he coldly said without even looking at our faces.