Just as they were about entering the gathering room, they heard voices calling out to them from the parking log, which made both of them stop by the entrance to have a look at who was calling them.
"Officers! officers!! officers wait please." two grown men called out to them from the crowd they were coming with. One in a military uniform and the other in a political suit, holding a brief case.
With them were some ladies and young men, all dressed up nicely in uniforms of their respective service they are to represent, walking behind them in a respectful way.
"Yes sir, good morning, please can we help you in any way?" Knowing she doesn't like talking a lot, much less to strangers, Gasper chose to be the one to answer as he walked back to the newcomers, while the lady with him stayed still.
"Yes! we are all here for the program and we'll like to know where the gathering place is, if you can help." The man with brief case said as he stretches his neck to see the lady standing behind Gasper with her hands at her back and her head bow, with her back turn on them.
"This way sir, we were just heading there, it just here after this entrance" Gasper said, trying to divert the man's attention from where he was looking, and he got it right. This made the lady behind him turn to have a look at who he was addressing as sir.
"Abigail! you are here too, how come." The man in military uniform called out to the lady behind Gasper, making him angry a bit but he couldn't show it on his face. He thought he'll be the only one she'll know at this program.
"Yes...si... sir" , Abigail was shock to see her formal trainer right in front of her and that too fully dress in a military uniform." What are you doing here Lion, I mean sir.
"No need for formalities here. You can call me as you always do, it okay with me, since am not part of your group but just here to watch." Lion, the man in military uniform replied.
"Okay sir.. eerrm Lion."Abigail stammered to say his name,
"This is Abigail, one of the students who train under me. she's really good at what she does" Lion said, introducing Abigail to the man with brief case.
"And who said I don't know her? She's also the best in drills in the whole region, and the first in her... oh no, our district. " The man reply proudly. Only then did Abigail look at him properly.
"Oh! I didn't see you, good to meet you again Mr... Abigail tried to call him with his name formally, but he stopped her before she finished.
" Oh please stop the formalities, you know you can call me with my nik, and you also know I like it more than my real name. Poposteno, remember? or steno as you always call me." He said and handed his brief case to her, making everyone gasp in surprised at his actions.
He's been strict and distance from them all the way here, so why was he all of a sudden being nice to this girl? He even gave her his bag, when he didn't let go of it when anyone tries to get it way from him, did he not trust them but her? most of the people around them wondered.
Most of the ladies were looking at her with eye full of hate and envy, some even chuckling at her and others doing what they know how to do best, gossiping. Especially the ones who were crushing on the gentleman in suit.
.......Abigail's POV.......
I was surprised when he gave me his bag, non the less, I took the bag from him as respect for him, not because I want to. I looked at Lion and Gasper and both were looking at us with shock in their eyes. I took a look at the people around and shock was written on all their faces, some even with hate and envy.
"What did I do wrong to get all this kind of eye on me?" I asked myself inwardly with a cling fist.
I turned to leave but I felt a hand held mine, then it came to my shoulders. Hah did he just rapped his hand around my shoulder even though am in uniform. Out of respect and not to disgrace him, I took my berret off, since I can't just push his hand off my shoulder in front of everyone.
"Am here as your coordinator as you already know, and I'll expect you to do your best in the sensitization program, hope you understand me." He said with his head close to my ear as he was putting his hand on my shoulder
All I could do was to nob my head in response as we started walking to the gathering room for the start of the program, since everyone was already going that way.
Since I don't like sitting at the front nor the back, I looked for a seat in the middle, but I regret doing so. Immediately I took the seat, I felt many cold eyes looking at me, with surprise, anger, envy, wonder name it. each with their own thoughts.
The chiefs and kings of the Capital arrived at the gathering and not long, the program started. Thank God it didn't take long, after just two hours of sitting the program was over, but wait, another problem just appeared from nowhere, and it fell heavily on me.