TURNOUT
Walang imik lang ang lahat habang pinagmamasdan si Mr. Principal na na sa may pinakadulo ng conference table at nakapukos lang sa pagbabasa ng isang kulay itim na forder na kaninang magalang na iniabot ni Prof.
"Hm," napatango-tango siya habang nananatili pa rin ang tingin sa black folder. Wala lang din akong imik dahil hindi ko rin naman alam kung ano iyong pinagkakaabalahan ng mga mata niya.
"Your a brilliant student Ms Del Rey. First quarter pa lang ay talagang competitive kana. From quizzes, tests, recitations, exams to projects even on taking notes — I don't know what to say! You really impressed me Ms. Del Rey!" Na sa 'kin ang masayang tingin nito, tumungo naman kaagad ako at magalang na nagpasalamat.
"I've told you Mr. Principal, I really think she's appropriate to be our choice to fulfill the lack of our HHU junior varsity representative."
"Based on this school records of Ms Del Rey, I don't have any reasons to disapprove your suggestion, Professor. I'm really impressed so yes, I'll approve you by this one. Let this bright student be part of our junior varsity representative for that upcoming NIO."
"Thank you Mr Principal. I believe in her brain abilities and you wouldn't regret it. You've just made a right decision and I'm really thankful for giving this opportunity to one of my students, also for me as her prospective coach," Prof.
Ngumiti si Mr. Principal at napakurap-kurap na lamang ako nang mamalayang na sa 'kin na bigla ang tingin nito.
"How about you Ms. Del Rey, any comments about this conversation?" Hindi ako makasagot. Nakakahiya man pero wala talaga akong maisip na komento sa sinasabi niyang usapan. Wala naman akong alam sa pinag-uusapan nila e.
"Uh..."
"It's okay hija, feel free to express your opinions because your a very essential part of this topic," tila hinihintay nito ang sagot ko pero bago pa man may lumabas na salita sa bibig ko ay mahinang tumikhim si Prof dahilan para maagaw nito ang atensiyon naming lahat, kasama na roon si Mr. Principal.
"I'm sorry Mr. Principal, but she doesn't know anything at the moment. She's just a newcomer at this University and exactly doesn't know anything about NIO, IIO, including NHO, MHO etc."
"It's okay, NIO will going to start on next month right?"
"Uhm, yes Mr. Principal."
"So she has enough time to know all of that, that she doesn't know and that are also needed to know before the forthcoming NIO will go to start. Nevertheless, Miss Hace, what are your thoughts about this preparation, any complications?"
Tanong niya sa babaeng naghatid sa 'kin kanina papunta rito. Maraming kung ano-anong mga dokumento sa harap nito ang pinagkakaabalahan ng mga mata nito, nagpapalipat-lipat ang mga iyon doon sa mga papel na nasa harap niya at sa laptop na na sa harapan din niya. Medyo haggard na rin ang maganda niyang mukha. Secretary yata siya ni Mr. Principal.
"NIO is a tremendous event that everyone's are waiting. And since, she's a newcomer I suggest for her someone proficient that is capable of training her for these remaining days before the NIO happen. That will definitely be a compelling help to lead her the way of winning the battlefield of Intelligence. Even she's that smart one, doesn't mean she doesn't need any help by someone.
Para niya akong tini-trace sa daan ng pagtingin niya sa aking mukha, nakakakaba.
"I have no doubt on her knowledge based on her school records, but at this very moment she knows nothing. Like when she disqualified and unable to play the game 'cause of her lack of information and understanding about the rules and regulations inside that competition. She really needs someone who can train her for that."
"Hm... those thoughts are absolutely great, Ms. Hace. I'll go along with that — well if you only don't mind," Prof.
"I feel that way too!"
"Yea, Ms. Hace is absolutely right."
"Exactly!" Aniya ng iba pang mga faculties.
"Uhm... sorry for interrupting everyone. If you don't mind, why don't we ask first if Ms. Del Rey agrees with it. We're already planning up to this point without asking first if she also has the same opinion about this, if she's agree with this? You're just disappointing yourself planning those... uh... no need to say that, without knowing that she doesn't have plans to take and accept this in an instance, right?"
May halong sarkasmong boses ni Laira. Marami ang nagulat sa sinabi niya pero mas piniling hindi na lamang magsalita. Takot lang siguro nila kay Laira.
"That's exactly what I'm thinking right now. Emerald Princess Laira is right, we aren't aware of Ms. Del Rey's opinion," Mr. Principal.
May pag-aalala sa mga mata akong binalingan ng tingin ni Esther, "are you okay?" Tanong nito at ngumiti naman ko para sagutin ito ng ayos lang ako.
"Yeri, do you want to be part of HHU's junior varsity representative?" Mahinahong tanong ni Raila.
Sa loob ng ilang segundo ay tumango ako. Kita ko ang malapad na ngiting gumuhit sa mga labi ni Prof at masaya akong napangiti ko siya ng gano'n. Minsan lang siyang makitang ngumiti at masaya akong isa ako sa mga taong naging dahilan niyon.
"Good, can we now close this topic since Ms. Del Rey already agreed and now proceed to the next matter to discuss with, Mr. Principal?" Miss Hace.
"Okay, proceed Miss Hace," Mr. Principal pagkatapos malalim na bumuntong hininga.
"Apparently, Emerald Princess Raila will not go to the NIO."
"What?!"
"Why?!"
"Her absence for being our representative can lead to something inconvenience!"
"How can we now win our school when one of our great competitors is leaving?"
At marami pa ngang mga bulong-bulungan ang pumuno rito sa loob ng ACR.
"Silent everyone! Don't you know how to hear her out first before exaggerating like that! She's the Emerald Princess, the Grand daughter of my bestfriend and your all being ill-mannered!" Bakas ang galit sa boses ni Mr. Principal na nagpabalot ng katahimikan sa buong silid. "Continue Miss Hace."
Parang awkward na nag-angat naman ng tingin si Miss Hace at malalim munang humugot ng hininga bago ulit magsalita. "She has her own reasons everyone, respect the Emerald Princess and let us hear her countercause," ani Miss Hace at binalingan ng tingin si Raila, gano'n na rin ako at ang iba pa.
"Uhm, I'm sorry everyone but even I don't want to, I don't have a choice. I'm going to China with Grandpa to deal with some important matters. Laira should definitely be with us, but we are also concerned about our University to win the General Triumph Trophy so she's staying here and go play the NIO competition. I'm really sorry-"
"It's okay, hija. You don't have to be sorry. Your Grandpa and I talked about that and I understand. About your grades, uhm... I'll talk to your Professor to be responsible for sending some activities, quizzes, tests, examinations, etc. while your outfield. That would be your temporary basis that will also help your grades unaffected even when your away."
"Thank you Mr. Principal," nakangiting wika ni Raila, nginitian naman siya ni Mr. Principal pabalik.
"Ms. Hace, are the numbers of our junior varsity representatives still the same as last year?"
"Apparently, yes Mr. Principal. We really need enough numbers of students to represent our University. But since Emerald Princess Raila wouldn't go to join there, we also need someone capable on replacing her particular position."
Napabuntong-hininga siya.
"And that's the problem. We need to get the list now of our representatives before this day ends so that we can pass this to the NIO Admins on time. We haven't found someone that we're going to replace her yet. Any recommendations about this everyone?"
Nag-unahang magsasalita ang iba para magrekomenda ng maudlot it bigla.
"A student who also has higher IQ, same or even more than the Emerald Princess Raila are the only qualified. A student that has a good class record having the necessary abilities and knowledge to be worthy on this making decision."
Tila lahat ay tumiklop sa tinuran nito. Parang lahat umayaw na.
"There's a lot of bright student's inside this University, but only student's that are in here including Miss Del Rey are the only exemptions for this kind of competition. They are the only kids with the higher IQ. Is it okay Miss Hace if we don't have a representative for SignificantScience Olympiad?"
"I'm sorry Mr. Principal, but we cannot play the whole NIO competition for lacking even only one representative per NIO games."
"Then who will going to replace the Emerald Princess Raila's position?" Medyo nai-stress na si Mr. Principal.
Wala namang imik ang lahat, pati na rin ako. Napapaisip pa rin talaga ako, ang dami-daming estudyante sa Unibersidad na ito pero nagkukulang pa sila sa isang representative. Mukhang matindi talaga ang NIO na 'yon at pinag-iisipan nilang lahat ng mabuti.
"We need to decide now before this meeting ends, I also want to remind all of you that higher IQ is the only required to get the replacing happen."
"But as what Mr. Principal said, these are the only students of HHU that has a qualified higher IQ?"
"What are we gonna do now?"
"We can't lose that NIO!"
Marami ang mga hindi nakapagpigil sa kanilang emosyon. Hindi ko rin naman sila masisisi, hindi naman kasi puwedeng hindi matuloy ang NIO na 'yon dahil lang sa mababawasan ng isa ang mga representatives. Binalingan ko ng tingin si Raila at kita kong malungkot ang mukha nito. Kung hindi lang kasi siya Prinsesa ng Emerald Kingdom ay hindi naman siguro siya aalis dito.
"I'm sorry Emerald Princess Raila, but is there anything you can do to postpone or re-sched your flight to China? It's only one week right?" Miss Hace kay Raila.
"I'm sorry Miss Hace, but we can't postpone our flight to China. I'm not leaving this country and my studies here just for nothing. Some of our major businesses in there are in trouble and it's necessary for me to be there," mahinahong paliwanag ni Raila.
Umugong na naman bigla ang bulong-bulungan. Ano ba naman sila, katulad ko ba sila na baguhan lang rin rito? Parang hindi nila kilala ang Emerald Princess at walang mga respeto. Napakurap-kurap ako nang sa gitna ng bulungan ay inis na tumayo bigla si Laira.
"Can you just shut up everyone! Don't you know why she's going to China? Its not for any other personal reasons, because its actually for the University's benefits. That's Mr. Principal and our Grandpa's main project of this year. Not renovating that out-of-date building-"
Itinuro niya ang lumang building na makikita sa labas ng bintana rito at sumunod naman ng lingon ang lahat.
"-but demolish that and build a new fashionable, substantial and durable one. Grandpa can't go alone and only Raila is capable of accompanying him to China since I'm staying here."
Nahuli ko ang pag-ikot ng kaniyang dalawang mata, halatang dismayado ang ekspresyon ng malditang mukha.
"They are only going there to assist our staff to bring here the strong materials and other stuffs that are needed to build the planned building."
Katulad ng inaasahan, halata ang sarkasmo sa tono ng pananalita nito.
"Y'all should be grateful and we are helping to give this University a good future! Coz is also being fair, even it's for the sake of the improvement of this University, she will still answer the tests, quizzes, exams etc. even she's out of the country just to make everything fair and now your talking nonsense on her without knowing she's doing something that can help the University better than that stupid-"
Hindi natuloy ang galit na pagsigaw nito nang biglang tumayo si Cai. Naagaw nito ang atensiyon naming lahat lalo na si Laira. Tinaasan lang siya nito ng kilay.
"What?" Mababakas pa rin ang galit sa tono ni Laira pero mas nangingibabaw pa rin talaga roon ang kamalditahan ng kaniyang pananalita.
"She's right everyone," ani Cai at mabilis na naupo ulit sa kaniyang silya. Natawa nalang tuloy ako sa kaniya.
Sinulyapan ko si Raila at nalungkot ako bigla sa ayos ng kaniyang mukha. Ngayon ko lang siya nakitang ganito kalungkot. Alam ko namang hindi lang 'yon ang dahilan niya para gustuhing pumunta ro'n, nakasisiguro akong may mas mabigat at malalim siyang dahilan. Sa tingin ko ay alam ko na kung ano 'yon at naiintindihan ko siya.
"It's okay everyone, I'm not going there if-" pinutol ko na ang sasabihin nito sa aking pagtayo dahilan para maagaw ko ang atensiyon ng lahat ng naririto.
"Uhm, kung inyo pong mamarapatin... ako na lamang po ang papalit kay Raila," marami ang nagulat sa sinabi ko, maging si Raila ay gano'n din. "Hayaan na lang po natin siyang lumabas ng bansa, para rin naman po 'yon sa ikagaganda at ikauunlad ng University."
"Are you sure, Miss Del Rey?" Gulat at hindi makapaniwalang tanong ng isa sa mga respectable teachers na naririto.
"Payag naman po ako, pero na sa inyo pa rin po ang disesyon," nahihiyang tugon ko.
"We all know your smart, Miss Del Rey. But your making helter-skelter decision, this is not a joke?" Miss Hace.
"Sorry po, pero hindi po ako nagbibiro. Gusto ko lang pong tumulong," nakatungong paliwanag ko.
"Are you-"
"Miss Hace, can you set aside your anger for once! That doesn't give any help to deal with this problem," saway ni Mr. Principal, napatikhim na lamang si Miss Hace sabay tungo.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Principal."
"Miss Del Rey, I just want to remind you that you're already a junior varsity representative. Especially now that your just a newcomer, you don't have any idea how this all can be so difficult. You have a lot of consequences to deal with when you don't have won at least one," ani Mr. Principal.
"Ayos lang po sa 'kin. Tatanggapin ko po ang magiging kapalit kung mangyari 'yon, kung bibigyan niyo lang po ako ng pagkakataon-"
"You don't have to do this Yeri," Raila
"But we doesn't have any other choice!"
"Yea, it may be better if we give her a chance right everyone?"
"I agree, mabuti nga at may nagvo-volunteer tayong estudyante."
"Yea, it's actually good rather than backing out to play the NIO competition."
"I can't really say no, 'cause we badly need someone to take the replacement by the Emerald Princess Raila. Besides, I think there's no other options here. But are you really sure about this, hija?" Mahinahong tanong ni Mr. Evilord.
Bago pa man sumagot ay nilingon ko muna si Raila at bakas ngayon sa kaniyang mukha ang pag-aalala.
"Sigurado po ako na pumalit kay Raila at huwag na rin po kayong mag-alala. Gagawin ko po ang lahat ng makakaya ko sa competition na 'yon at tatanggapin ko rin po ang sinasabi niyong consequences kapag wala akong maipanalo kahit isa,"
Sabi ko at pagkatapos niyon ay wala ng kahit isa sa kanila ang nagsalita pa habang nananatili lang ang mga matang nakatitig sa 'kin. Malungkot na napatungo na lamang ako sa kawalan ng tugon sa mga tao rito.
"Sorry po... gusto ko lang-"
"No, don't be sorry Miss Del Rey!"
"Yea, you're actually a blessing!"
"And we are thankful that you just saved not only the problem NIO, but the whole University."
Naramdamang hinawakan ni Raila ang kamay ko. Nang sulyapan ko ito ay may masaya at pasasalamat itong nakatingin sa 'kin.
"Thanks," tanging sambit nito at napangiti naman ako. Ewan ko ba, pero kakaibang saya ang naramdaman ko. Hindi ko rin maintindihan kung bakit, gustong-gusto ko siyang tulungang makapuntang China.
"If you really made up your decision, then I'll gladly give you my permission to be the replacement of the Emerald Princess Raila. As what they're all stated, you really help us on this one."
"Maraming salamat po."
"No need to thank you hija. I'm not gonna wish you a good luck, but may the God bless you at that forthcoming Competition." Tinanguan ko naman kaagad ito tanda ng pagpapasalamat.
"Okay everyone, since we've already done with this, I'm now going to make the lists of our representatives and their positions to make it pass to the NIO Admins," marami na ang umayos ang mga upo at nag-abang sa susunod pang sasabihin ni Miss Hace.
"Okay, spit it out Miss Hace," taas-noo namang tumayo si Miss Hace.
"The National Intelligence Olympiad is parceled out into many academical branches of knowledge for this competition and of course the representatives. I'm going to state first the expected representatives of HHU. Don't hesitate to correct me if I'm wrong teachers and students, 'cause that is actually the main purpose here."
Kinuha nito ang nasabing listahan ng mga expected ng representatives.
"As expected, the Inheritor, Miss Charity Esther Amethyst Leigh is the one holding the Music and Arts Olympiad segment. The Emerald Princess Laira is focused on the English Major Olympiad, while Mr. Chad Riel Arevallo is responsible for taking the Computer Sciences, Computer Basics and the Information Technology Branches of Knowledge."
Bahagya siyang mapalingon sa direksyon ni Cai.
"Whereas, Mr. Cairo Avila Cuesta is under the preservation of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Session. On the other hand, Mr. Zach Ecleo Evilord is the one in charge for the Math Collision Olympiad and also the other companion of the SignificantScience Olympiad."
Ngayon naman ay sa 'kin ito sunod na lumingon.
"Now for Miss Yeri Miel Del Rey, your position is going to be focused on non-other than the last branch of knowledge, the Humanities Olympiad. On behalf of that, like what you have just said, your taking the replacement of the Emerald Princess Raila, so in addition, you'll be Mr. Evilord's companion... or let's just say it... partner for the SignificantScience-"
Literal na napaubo ako sa gitna ng pagsasalita ni Miss Hace ng marinig ko ang huling mga sinabi nito.
Ano raw?
Mr. Evilord?
Companion?
Partner?
Nag-angat ako ng tingin, hindi nagtagal ay nabalik ako sa huwisyo. Pero halos mapatungo na lamang ako ng makita ko silang lahat na na sa 'kin ang mga mata. Pati na ang na sa harap kong si Zach na nakataas lang ang kilay habang nakatingin sa 'kin.
"Any other problem, Miss Del Rey?" Hindi ko alam kung ako lang ba ang nakakapansin, pero may halo talagang sarkasmo ang bawat salitang lumalabas sa kaniya kapag ako ang kausap.
"Sorry po, tanging tugon ko na halos nakatungo na.
"Being Mr. Evilord's partner of the SignificanScience Olympiad is the Emerald Princess Raila's position. So any other problems about that?" Sarkatiko na naman nitong tanong.
"Wala po, Miss-"
"Good! That's your choice kaya panindigan mo," sabat kaagad ni Miss Hace.
"Also, as her replacement, you're the one who's gonna be in charge on taking the NIO General Competition for individual students or representative by each schools. In total of the NIO branches of knowledge, you're under the three main game. Are you really sure you have this-what-they-call assurance that you can cope on this?"
Hindi ako nakasagot, hindi rin naman ako sigurado kung kaya ko ba. Pero nang tingnan ko si Raila ay awtomatikong napatango ako.
"Kaya ko po," sagot ko.
"Just make it sure Miss Del Rey, consequences is just a word, but here in HHU, it's too risky to deal with," may ngiting nakakalokong sambit ni Miss Hace.