Chapter Thirteen: Homeroom Officers

Chrono

"It had been a month. Siguro naman ay kahit paano kilala niyo na ang isa't isa. It's time to make an election for the class officers," anunsyo ng aming adviser.

Election. Stupid. Papagurin ka lang ng mga teacher para ipasa ang kanilang responsibilidad sa'yo tapos sila sumasahod habang ikaw--wala. At kapag nagfailed pa ay todo sisi sa'yo. It's just a waste of time at iba ang nakikinabang sa pagod mo.

They said it's a pleasure to serve. You know why? Because they were all after the praises of teachers and students. They don't find pleasure in serving--but in recognition and self-exposure.

"Plus may upcoming event in this July which is the Nutrition Week. You need to decide what kind of booth you'll be establishing. It's a contest and must be related to the theme. Ang section na may pinakamaraming profit ang mananalo."

Almost all my classmates widened their eyes and formed a wow in their mouth. Napatingin ako kay Lalesca. That includes her. But she's still looks like an angel to me after I unmasked her identity. The way she moves gently, reacts with modesty, and speaks with angelic winter breeze voice, you'll question yourself if that Friday afternoon did really happened or it's just a dream last night.

Dinako ko naman ang tingin ko kay Raz. Nakapatong ang kaniyang batok sa mga palad niya habang nakapikit. He seldomly express himself. And when he does, it's like he thirsts in fun.

"Now get 1/4 sheet of paper," biglang singit ng teacher ko. Nagkagulo ang buong klase dahil sa isa niyang pangugusap.

"Hala may surprise quiz!"

"Pahinging papel, please!"

"May ballpen ka pa?"

Break time. Majority agreed to sacrifice their break time for this election.

"I respectfully nominate Chrono Qiel as Business Manager!"

I came back to the reality and zoomed out my vision in front of me where Lalesca is standing, together with a girl classmate who's currently writing my name on the blackboard. Nahagip din ng mata ko ang pangalan niya sa pisara kung saan siya ang nakalagay na president.

Napakunot ako ng noo. Ganu'n din naman ang naging reaction ng mga kaklase ko.

"Chrono's Dad is the one who donated this projector. . ." Turo niya sa kahong nakabubble wrap na nakalapag sa gilid na sahig. "So I just thought if Chrono is suitable as a business manager!" she said lively.

I ignored her. I won't get votes anyway. But no one spoke up after that and closed the nomination. Tsk. Stupid.

I need to go to the club as soon as possible but I'm Monday cleaners. Then the class officers meeting is inevitable. Tumulong na rin ang mga entitled officers sa paglilinis para maaga kami makapagmeeting. Umupo na kaming lahat habang si Lalesca lamang ang natirang nakatayo sa harapan namin.

Noong una ay nag-introduction sila at nag-thank you thank you sa kanilang nakuhang posisyon at nangakong gagawin ang makakaya para sa ikauunlad ng classroom. How they become grateful having additional responsibilities. Luckily, dalawa kaming Business Manager. So when our turn, siya na ang pinauna ko. Pagkatapos niya, sasabihin ko na lamang na

"Just like what he said," turo ko sa katabi ko at tumango. "That's it. His message is fruitful and composed all the elements that this position needs to say. It will be redundant and just converting his words into my own words if I will say something about this. Thank you."

After that, we came back to our sits. I looked at Lalesca. Do you think it's only you who's good in convincing people? The formula of my phrase is way too good which don't need to include hypocrite words such as promising and being grateful about the position. She responded with my stare and noticed the short and silent burst of laugh in her mouth then came back to the stage presence immediately to continue the meeting.

We started to talk about the rules and regulation of the room.

-P5 Late

-P10 Absent

-P1 Noisy

-P1 Standing

-P1 Lumalabas

-P5 Kumakain nang hindi recess

-P5 Every week for the school funds.

This is what they suggested and now written in the blackboard. How come no one objected about this?

"Taking advantage of the people's flaw to generate class fund, huh?" I said and they all gave their attention to me. "Plus forcing students to contribute money," dagdag ko, "Even the government never taxed its citizens who has no job."

I smirked. "How cruel."

All were speechless. Tanging si Lalesca lamang ang nakapaglakas loob magsalita sa kaniyang awkward polite version.

Nilaro niya ang kaniyang patilla at tumingin sa gilid. "P-pero Chrono, kailangan natin ng pondo sa mga school activities tulad ng booth para sa Nutrition week. Kailangan natin ng puhunan sa business." She then looked at me. "Feel free to suggest, Chrono. We value it!"

Muli akong napangisi dahil sa galing niyang maglaro ng mga salita. For the audience, it simply means "Nagrereklamo ka pero may maaambag ka bang ideya?" but Lalesca manage to tell it as if she has no intention in insulting me at all.

"The rule of this world, money is gained through hardworkship. It's either through service, product, or investment."

"So, what kind of business do you propose?" Lalesca contests.

I leaned lazily on my chair and raised my feet on top of the arm desk. Tapos ay nag salumbaba ako kung saan ang siko ko ay nakapatong sa arm rest.

"Very simple."

Pagkatapos ng meeting ay tatlo kami nina Lalesca at Cole, ang partner ko na business manager, ang pumuntang sentro. Hindi na namin nagawang bumisita sa club room pero may inutusan naman si Lalesca para ipaalam na hindi kami makakapunta. I envy that skills where she can effortlessly ask others for a favor FOR FREE especially to males. She just need to wear her cute face and seductive gestures. I wonder if her method can be use by a male. How will I look seductive so I can manipulate girls--including her?

Lumipas na ang araw. Ngayon naka-schedule ang mga quizes sa halos lahat ng subject. Naglalakad pa lamang ako sa hallway ay rinig na ang ingay ng aming classroom.

"Pahinging ballpen!"

"Kapal ah! Matapos mong ubusin tinta ng ballpen ko ngayon nanghihingi ka?"

"'Yun nga, eh, nauubos ko 'yung tinta kaya manghihingi na lang ako kaysa manghiram."

"Bakit hindi ka bumili! Ayan na iyong treasurer sa likod, oh, nagtitinda ng school supplies!"

"Pahingi ng pambili!"

"Jusqo six pesos lang 'yung tinda nila! Mas mura nga sa canteen ng two pesos, eh! Kaya saan ka pa? Bili na!"

"Endorser ka ba?"

Pagkapasok ko sa silid ay saglit akong napahinto nang makitang marami na ang nakapila sa Project Store Corner namin na nasa likod na sulok ng classroom. Ang mga tinda nito ay mga school supplies tulad ng ballpen, lapis, marker, papel, folder, index card at manila paper. Marami kasing mga hindi nagdadala ng papel dahil umaasang makakalibre sa mga kaklase kahit may pambili naman. Ganu'n din sa ballpen ay maraming burara at naaalala lamang kapag oras na ng klase kaya naman ay wala nang oras para pumuntang canteen upang mamili kaya nanghihiram na lamang sa katabi.

"Hoy! Ayusin ninyo ang pila!" sigaw ni Agnes na aming treasurer. Kahit wala pang election noon ay siya na palagi ang nagprepresentang maningil tulad ng sa abuloy. Kaya siya na rin ang binoto ng mga kaklase ko.

"Success ang ating project, Chrono!" ani Cole na nasa gitna ng aisle, naka-thumbs-up at kindat sa akin. Tinignan ko lamang siya at nagpatuloy maglakad papuntang upuan.

What's that weird reaction? This was just a simple suggestions yet he took it as a big deal. They will know about this anyway even without me.

-mvcabusas