4-Drake

The first day of the most fun Feb Fest was faster than the swift of the wind of January.

It was a day where all excited to go to School. I was one of those students. I came to School at 6:40 am. Hindi naman ako masyadong excited, no?

I helped my classmates hauled out a chair and table outside the classroom.

By around seven, my classmates were starting to arrive. Our class adviser was holding a paper with printed tables on it. I wondered why he had that problematic knot on his forehead.

"Ano 'yan, Sir?"

"Attendance." he tapped the edge of his ballpen on the table. "Dapat may naka-asign nito dahil may meeting kami para sa darating na Prom niyo. Tawagin mo nga si Mr. Ligaya."

Dumaan si Angel sa hallway kasama ang mga classmates niyang babae.

It was a free-uniform day. She was wearing a white pull over sweater, black jeans, and sneakers with heart-shaped small earrings. And man, her hair was perm attractively!

Napakagandang pagbati naman ng umaga!

"Ako na bahala sa attendance, Sir!"

Sa sobrang tuwa ko ay inangkin ko agad ang responsibilidad.

"Sure." Hindi siya makapaniwala. "May plus points ang present ngayon, Mr. Mathildo. Hanggang hapon 'yan. Ang hindi present throughout the day ay considered absent. Lahat ng Grade 11 HUMSS ay sayo magpapalista."

"Noted, Sir. No worries."

Tinignan niya ako na naniningkit ang mga mata. "Teka lang. These past few weeks you seemed to be excited going to School, Mr. Mathildo. I also heard some good feedbacks from your subject teachers."

"Tungod na ni Soledad, Sir!" Jordan piped in, languidly dangling his feet on the top of the chair.

"Sino sa dalawang Soledad?"

Tsimoso din itong guro namin.

"Si Angel Soledad, Sir! Sa kabilang section!" Nabuhayang sagot ni Scorpio.

"Iyong magandang makeup artist na friend ni Bonita at Kirsteen galing Humanist! Iyong mapayat na pang-girlfriend material na may kuyang sundalo na yummy! Ang alam ko may kapatid din siyang babae sa HUMSS 12 Vanguards! May mga haka-haka din akong narinig na matagal ng mag—jowa sina Jethro at Angel. Palagi kasi silang magkasama sa mga fiesta at ibang events dito sa ating lokalidad. Anyways, kung totoo man iyon, bagay silang dalawa." Jeaneth our classmate daily news reporter fed our adviser with all the information she heard.

"Hindi totoong may relasyon sila." I shook my head, violently. "Magkaibigan lang ang dalawa. Kasi kung mayroon man, bakit ako pinayagan ng kapatid kong turuan siya sa kanyang assignment? Sa katunayan, cellphone pa niya ang ginamit ko sa video-call naming dalawa." I revealed a factual point.

"Wow! Ang swerte mo naman, Drake! May closure ka na sa crush mo!"

Ang talas talaga ng boses ng babaeng 'to. Ang sarap lagyan ng duct tape ang bibig niya!

"Kaya ganadong-ganado itong si Mr. Mathildo. Keep it up!" He looked at his wristwatch. "Okay, guys! Alas otso na pala. Kayo na ang bahala dito. Please keep the classroom clean and neat as possible. Mr. Mathildo huwag na huwag kang umabsent ngayong araw dahil hawak mo ang attendance ng buong HUMSS 11." paalala ni Sir bago lumabas ng classroom.

Wala akong planong umabsent. Lalo na at Feb Fest. Maraming katuwaaan sa loob ng Campus. Marami din ang mga taga Notre Dame na kunwaring sumasabay sa mga barkada nila dito para makagala sa loob ng School. Wala namang problema ang mga guards dahil buwan daw ito ng mga puso. Basta't hindi lang sila gagawa ng kaguluhan.

May mga food booths ang ABM 11 at HUMSS 12. Ang mga Arts and designs students may pa on-the-spot couple portrait. Ang STEM 11 and HUMSS Humanist ay may pa-film viewing. Kami lang ata na section ang walang ganap.

Mula dito sa aming room ay rinig na rinig namin ang mga boses ng HUMSS Humanist.

"Mga langga! May pa film viewing kami!" Malakas na sigaw ng matabang classmate ni Angel na nakabangga sa kanya.

"Psst! Dito na kayo! Tag diyes na lang! Mga gwapa! Mga langga ko! Mura lang dito!" kaway niya sa grupo ng Junior Students na dumaan.

"Anong film, kuya?" May isang Junior student na nagtanong.

Kaunti palang ang pila sa labas ng classroom nila. Sana ay may pa free pop-corn sila para dumanak ang manonood.

"Hindi ko alam, langga. Basta film, may mga kalaban at bida!" he implied.

Baka may sira sa ulo o lasing lang siya at bakit hindi niya alam kung anong movie ang ipapalabas nila.

Baka ay hindi din siya nabigyan ng maagang abiso ng kanyang mga classmates.

"May pa-film viewing kayo, Kyle. Pero hindi mo naman alam kong anong film?" pang-uuyam ng isang senior student.

"Kaya nga kailangan niyong manuod para malaman niyo kong anong film ang ipapakita namin!" pasigaw niyang tugon na parang naghahamon ng away. Tila nakalunok siya ng granada dahil sa lakas ng boses.

Ang galing ng Marketing Skills ng HUMSS Humanist. Hands-down naman sa kanya ang mga classmates niya.

Hindi ako pwedeng gumala dahil hawak ko ang attendance sheet. Tumambay lang ako sa labas ng aming classroom kasama si Atlas. Subalit tutok naman sa kanyang cellphone na may malawak na ngiti.

Mabuti pa itong libro–ng–mga–mapa may masayang love-life. Pati sina Vlad, Malik, at Scorpio na ngayon ay nasa Gymnasium. Bumibili ng heart-shaped candies, flowers, at teddy bears.

Hindi pa lumipas ang isang oras ay bigla nalang akong nagutom. Marami naman akong kinain kanina.

"Atlas, canteen lang ako." paalam ko sa kanya.

Hindi ako narinig ng gago. He was engrossed in a conversation with someone in his Facebook messenger.

"Atlas..." tawag kong muli sa kanya.

He was typing his messages this time with the widest grin he ever draws on his face.

I rolled the attendance sheet and smacked him at the back of his head with it. And I was expecting a punch on my face in return. But the smile on his face did not rub off easily. It stayed like a stubborn stick-glue!

"Aray..."

He reacted so late.

"Kung may magpapa-attendance nasa canteen lang ako."

Tumango lang siya at bumaba na ako ng building.

Tumawid pa ako ng Gymnasium para makaabot sa Canteen. Marami ang umaaligid doon, nakikinig sa bumabasa ng love-letters galing sa mga anonymous writers' para sa kanilang mga crush. Ang mga Junior Students ang nakaassign nito.

"Dear, Miss. Cute and Sweet ng Grade 7 Agoncillo. Pwede manligaw? Heheh Palagi talaga tayo sa Mc Donalds kung papayagan mo ako. Love, tawagan mo ako, 0909*****"

Madiskarte ang isang 'to. Sinali pa ang phone number niya kaya maraming nag-ingay.

The reader signaled them to keep quiet. I waited for the next entry as I walked leisurely.

"Dear Maggielat, gusto ko lang malaman mo na ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit tatawa nalang ako ng bigla, at wala sa tamang panahon. Nagtataka si Mama baka daw hindi ako makakagraduate dahil sa kilig. Alam kong nasa talking stage palang tayo, pwede bang i-fast forward at maging tayo? Love, imong-silingan- na-sige nimo-ug-pangayoan-ug-kamunggay."

I slowed down my steps while listening.

I couldn't help laughing at the last part. There was the attention-drawing squeal, and scream of students from the open-windowed classrooms.

I was thinking what if I write a letter too? Huwag na. I didn't want her to worry either.

"Dear Khalid, President of SSG Club. I know that all girls have a crush on you because you're neat, gentle and intelligent. But for sure you will never like me back. Love, from Grade 8-Adamson."

Galing sa stage, kitang kita ko si Khalid na tinutukso ng mga members niya sa SSG Club at pati mga teachers.

Namumula ang kanyang mukha habang malikot ang mga daliri sa keyboard ng laptop.

Nagiging mahiyain ang kapatid ko kapag may umaamin sa kanya. Kimi na ngiti lang ang kanyang tugon.

My eardrums were near to destruction when all girls both from Junior and Senior students, screamed at the top of their lungs when he smiled after few seconds.

That was effective, bro! There's no single doubt that a Mathildo could make girls crazy like shaking nuts!

May umagaw ng microphone galing sa kamay ng reader at walang hiya itong nanawagan, "Mahal kong Annabelle at Chuckie ng Grade 9- Aikin! Palihog kog bayad sa inyong mga utang! Halos isang taon na ang nakalipas at hindi niyo parin ako binabayaran! Kahit konting—" the mic was snatched from her instantly.

The commotion at the stage ensued.

They stopped reading love letters for a second. She might be reprimanded by the teachers. I did not wait for the next entry and headed to the canteen. Nang makita ang walang laman na tupperware ng bibingka sa counter ay hinanap ng mga mata ko si Anghel.

"Hala, wala ng bibingka, Angel." pahayag ng tindera. Alam na alam ang paborito niya.

"Nah..Ang malas naman."

Her downcast face and slumped shoulders made my heart sink. I bit my lower lip in contemplation.

What should I do? Should I buy her candies instead?

"Baka mamayang hapon may bagong luto na, ganda."

"Sige ate, pa-reserve nalang ng lima."

Her dull eyes pushed me to find ways. I couldn't look at her unhappy face. It was occupying a space of negligence in me.

Dahil ubos na ang bibingka. Pretzel, at siopao na lamang ang kanyang binili. She was munching her food as though they're tasteless.

Sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon ay nakita ko si Jordan na lima ang bitbit na bibingka. Ang takaw talaga ng gagong 'to!

"Jordan..." I called him in a whisper. He approached me with a questioning brow. "Ibigay mo kay Angel Soledad ang dalawa."

Naalarma ang mukha niya. "Binili ko 'to, Drake. Nauna ako." Itinago niya pa ang mga bibingka sa kanyang bulsa.

I rolled down the attendance sheet and showed it to him in a threatening manner. "Just to remind you, Jordan. Ako ang may hawak ng attendance. May plus points pa naman ito. Diba zero ka sa quiz ni Sir Cadavos kahapon?"

He slowed down his chewing.

"Gusto mo bang markahan kita ng absent? Nasa dulo ng ballpen ko nakasalalay ang buhay mo. I have the power to erase your name here. Ngayon, ibibigay mo ba o hindi?"

"Demonyo jud ka, Drake." he denoted his annoyance by swallowing down the remaining bibingka he was chewing.

"Babayaran naman kita." Dalawampu ang inabot ko sa kanya.

Wala siyang nagawa at kinuha ang bayad. He did not have any choice. Hindi fair ang mundo, Jordan.

"Goodboy..." Tinapik-tapik ko ang kanyang mukha.

Angel was sitting on a table with her girlfriends when someone announced her name from the speakers, "Angel of HUMSS Humanist! Magsisimula na ang makeup contest!"

It was my brother, Jethro. They were really friends. Ang supportive ng kapatid ko sa kanya.

"Goodluck, Angel!" encouraged by Bonita with shiny red lips.

"Galingan mo, Anghel." sabi ng isa niyang kaibigang naka-cap. Sa pagkakaalam ko Kirsteen ang pangalan niya.

They group hugged as if she was going somewhere far. Actually, that was sweet for a good-luck-gesture.

Tatakbo na sana si Anghel sa dakong – function hall ng Senior High Building nang binigyan ko ng hudyat si Jordan.

"Angel! May dalawa pa akong bibingka! Gusto mo sayo nalang? Baka hindi ko maubos at masayang lang!"

Nag u-turn kaagad siya ng takbo. Natawa ang mga kaibigan niya. She was pretty amusing. Doon ko lang napagtanto ang matinding pag-ibig niya sa bibingka.

Tumalikod ako nang nakalapit na siya.

"Magkano lahat?" she asked. Her voice was a bit chipper.

Napakamot pa sa ulo si Jordan. "Naku, bayad na iyan."

Nahiya pa ang loko. Pinakita ko ulit kay Jordan ang Attendance Sheet para ipaalala sa kanya ang aming kasunduan.

"Jordan Sirabia at your service!" he saluted instead, put on his classic aviator and winked at her. "Enjoy your bibingka, Cutie pie!"

Aba ang gago!

"Salamat dito!" pahabol niya.

Angel ticked in pink as she started eating her comfort food.

And just like that, she painted the whole town in rainbows and sunshine.

"Kay Drake ka magpasalamat!"

I reckoned if she heard Jordan. She didn't even look over her shoulder just like the usual.

Why were you behaving differently, Drake? Since when I began hoping for someone's attention?

I shook my head. I bought some snacks and get back to do my task.

***

It was eleven in the morning. When she was walking back to the third floor with her friends.

"Soledad! Magpa-attendance ka dito!" Scorpio summoned her to our table before they could enter their classroom.

May binulong si Kirsteen sa kanya at nauna na silang pumasok. Dahil si Bonita ay naiinitan na sa panahon.

Angel headed to our table with a makeup kit in her hand. I could not help the urge to regard my eyes to her angelic form. She had a slim body, small face, full lips, big doe eyes, and doubled eyelids.

"Ang ganda mo talaga, Angel." Vlad and Scorpio complimented her when she got closer.

"Thank you..." she smiled at them radiantly. She gently put down her makeup kit on the table.

Remember jackass, you had no right to sulk over that.

"Dapat ba may perma at kung anong oras ka nagpa-attendance?" she inquired.

"Pwede ring wala, ganda. Basta ikaw sabi ni Drake." sagot ni Vlad.

Hinalungkat niya ang kanyang makeup kit. Puro iyon laman ng mga brush, lipstick, pangkulay sa mata at iba pa. Hinahanap siguro niya ang kanyang ballpen.

"May ballpen kami." pahayag ni Atlas.

The wind was strong unexpectedly in few seconds. She got the few strands of hair out of her face and grinned for no reason. Maybe it tickled her skin or somehow, she remembered something that made her smile.

There might be a tiny possibility that she's smiling because of me too. That simple reaction softened my heart.

"Drake, saan mo nilagay ang ballpen?" Atlas gave me a shove with his elbow.

My mouth was zipped. I was blatantly gazing at her calm composure.

I could not answer him nor make a word as if someone choke me again! Somebody helped me!

"Drake, baka matunaw." Malik figured out the reason behind my gawking face.

They were observing me. She was also watching my stupid face! Ano kaya ang iniisip niya!?

I shut my eyes for a second and blinked away. "Ang ganda-ganda mo... Ang lakas ng tama." napakanta nalang ako ng wala sa tono.

"Hoy, saan na ang ballpen? Hindi ko sinabing kumanta ka," ani Atlas.

I grabbed the ballpen from my pocket.

"Name?" I looked at the attendance sheet.

"Angel Faye Soledad." Her voice was even sweeter when she pronounced her name!

She gestured her hand to get the ballpen but I handed it to Scorpio.

"Isulat mo, Scorpio." I commanded my friend and pushed the paper and ballpen to him.

I had a dubious feeling I wouldn't be able to hold the ballpen without shaking. She was just standing there. How could she be looking pretty without being phased of how brisk of beats she makes me?

Sinulat ni Scorpio ang pangalan niya. He wrote her surname incorrectly. It should be Soledad not Solidad.

"Wrong spelling iyong surname niya. Ako na nga magsulat." My mouth revved up.

Kinuha ko nalang ang ballpen sa kanya at sinulat ng tama ang buo niyang pangalan sa attendance sheet. Mabuti nalang hindi nanginig ang kamay ko!

"Alam na alam talaga ang spelling ng surname..." sabad ni Vlad at Malik.

"Iba talaga ang tama pag may nagpapailaw ng buhay mo. Ako kasi christmas lights lang." Atlas interposed out of nowhere.

"Magagalit ba ang socoteco kung libre nalang ang nagpapakuti-kutitap ng buhay ko?" Scorpio inserted his silly words.

"Puryagaba. Ang corny ng mga banat niyo. Tumahimik na kayo,"

Sumulyap si Angel sa akin na may matamis na ngiti sa kanyang labi. Kalaunan ay nawala din.

PERIEDOT