8. Student Council President
1324 Words
“CARLA and Luis are quite the same in attitude,” pahayag ni Lance.
Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Suzie. Hindi siya sumasang-ayon sa sinabing iyon ng binata.
“They’re both the silent type,” nangingiting sabi ni Lance nang makita nito ang reaksyon niya sa sinabi nito.
“I don’t think so,” pagtutol niya sa unang sinabi nito. “So, how’s this Charmien enter the story?”
Hindi niya mapigilan ang tanong na iyon dahil sa masamang tingin na ibinigay sa kanya ng babae kanina. Hindi siya komportable rito, at ayaw din niya ng gulo habang nag-aaral siya.
“She’s your president, Suzie. Student council president ng high school.”
Trouble ang aabutin niya kapag nagtagpo ulit ang landas nila. Halata kasing hindi siya gusto ng babae, well, hindi rin naman niya ito gusto. Kaya the feeling is mutual.
“You better stay away from her,”
She sipped her coffee. “Better said stay away from Luis before she gets jealous.”
“Are you a psycho or something?”
Nagkibit-balikat siya.
“Dave and Cris are nice. You can count on them. Just don’t cross paths with Keith if you love your life. And Vergel, you don’t want to get involved in s*x scandal.”
Napalabi siya sa sinabi nito. Obviously, kailangan niyang iwasan ang buong student council. “And you?”
Ngumiti ito. “Of course you can count on me. I’m a good guy.”
“But not with girls, I think.”
He arched a brow at her in question.
“I heard it from my classmates.”
Tumawa ito. “Definitely. I’m the playboy here, you know but I stopped playing when I was in first year college.”
She doubted that, but he looked sincere so she let it go.
“How did President Luis set eyes on you?”
Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga. “I saw Vergel…umm…having you know and he asked me if I would like to join them,” napangiwi siya sa naalalang iyon. “I’m pissed off and ran away when I bumped into Alvarez and accused him of having…sex at the museum.”
“Oh, my god!”
“What?” she asked nervously, grabe naman kasi ito kung makapag-react.
“You really should apologize to him before the day ends. He’s been receiving insults from everyone. They thought he was his twin.”
Napakurap siya.
“Luis isn’t that kind of person. But when he gets pissed…”
Namutla si Suzie sa hindi maituloy na pangungusap ni Lance.
* * * * *
NAKAYUKO lang si Suzie. Kanina pa nakaalis si Lance dahil tinawagan ito ni Carla. Nanatili lang siya sa rooftop. Nag-aalala kasi siya sa pang-iinsultong ginawa niya kay Luis. Unang araw pa nga lang niya sa eskuwelahang iyon ay may naapakan na kaagad siya.
“Are you alright?” asked an angelic voice.
She raised her head to look at who it was. She blinked several times. Namamalik mata ba siya? She looked at the girl standing before her, she had an angelic face. She’s tall and all beautiful from head to toe.
“H-Ha?”
The girl smiled and she felt heaven. “Are you alright?”
She unhurriedly nodded. “Yeah, I think so.”
“Good. Just don’t mind them. Wala namang seryoso sa mga iyon eh.”
Hindi kaagad niya naintindihan ang sinabi nito. “What do you mean?”
The girl bit her lip. “I saw you at the garden talking to the student council.”
“You’re a college student?”
“Oh no. Fourth year high school.”
She nodded. Mukhang kilala rin nito ang mga student council sa college dahil binalaan na kaagad siya nito. Napakabait naman nito para isipin pa siya at ang kapakanan ng magiging future niya sa eskwelahang iyon.
“Where’s your classroom? I can accompany you there.”
She smiled shyly. “Thank you. I really appreciate your offer but I can manage myself.”
Hindi na rin naman siya pinilit nito. “Okay. I’ll just see you around.”
Inihatid na lang niya ito ng tingin. “Ang ganda niya. Phil-Am siguro iyon.”
Mukhang napaka-perfect nito. Maganda, matangkad, mabait. Kung sana ganoon lahat ng tao. Umiling siya. Tama na nga itong mga iniisip niya, oras na para bumalik sa kanyang silid-aralan.
Pumunta na rin siya sa kanyang silid-aralan dahil baka mahuli pa siya sa unang klase niya sa hapon. Nang pumasok siya sa loob ay nakita niya ang babaeng kausap niya kani-kanina lang sa rooftop coffee shop.
When the girl saw her, she smiled and waved her hands at her.
Lumapit naman siya rito at ngumiti. “We’re classmates.”
“Yeah. Friends?”
Nang iabot nito ang kamay para sa isang handshake ay kaagad niyang kinuha iyon at nginitian ito.
“Friends.”
She sat at the chair in front of her new friend dahil doon naman talaga siya nakaupo kaninang umaga.
“Bakit hindi kita nakita kaninang umaga?” tanong niya.
“I was absent due to important matters at home.”
Tumango lang siya. “Anyway, may I know your name?”
“Angela. Angela Garciano.”
“I’m Suzie Cruz.”
“Nice to meet you, Suzie.”
“Your name is like you.”
Bahagya itong natigilan sa sinabi niya pero nakabawi rin kaagad. “Thank you,” she said politely. “Someone told me that same word back then when I was new here.”
Kaya siguro ito natigilan. Na-curious tuloy siya. Lover niya kaya?
Bago pa siya nakapagtanong ay tumunog na ang bell at pumasok na ang guro nila.
She enjoyed listening to the teacher’s discussion not until Luis’s memories came over and invaded her mind.
“How will I apologize to him?” she whispered.
*****
AFTER class, she roamed around and entered an old gate with irons on it. Naiintriga kasi siya kung ano ang nasa kabila niyon.
“Off limits, high school students.”
She knew that voice very well. That voice belongs to the SCC-President. She faced him with chin up and she bravely met his gaze.
“I’ll leave then,” she said.
Kailangan niyang dumaan sa gilid nito para makabalik sa High school building. She’s holding her breath as her feet draw close to him. She walked past him with trembling knees. She was five meters away from the Iron Gate when she turned to Luis and saw him walking back to the college building.
“Luis!”
He stopped and turned to her.
“I’m sorry!”
“Apology accepted.”
“Huh?” How can he forgive her easily? He’s supposed to be angry at her.
“You may come in, Ms. Cruz.”
Pumasok siya sa Iron Gate. He offered her a seat. He was just standing in front of her.
“Look, I’m sorry. I’m pissed off with my brother’s doing. I shouldn’t have treated a lady like that.”
She smiled. “So you are a gentleman now.”
He smiled. “Am I forgiven?”
“Yes, you are.”
“As a thank you gift, I’ll offer myself to be your tour guide in this university.”
“B-But…no need Mr. President. Thank you for your offer but I know you are a busy person.”
“You hurt me.”
“What?” she looked up at him.
“No one ever refuses my offer.”
She shrugged. “In our life, there are always first times.”
“I guess you are right.” He said smiling to himself. “But I like you so it’s my pleasure to tour you to our university, Miss Cruz.”
She felt the heat crept on her cheeks. How red could she get before she burst into flames?
“Whether you like it or not, I’ll tour you around. See you tomorrow, Ms. Cruz.”
When she blinked, he was gone.
- Writer
