"Hoy," His gaze met theirs, "Ano nanamang kalokohan yan, Valdez?" I could only step back as I heard him speak. His voice sounded stern - almost terrifying. 

I watched as he walked past me, his eyes emanating terror. Slowly he came face to face with the man who held my bag - unfazed.

"Umagang-umaga kung ano-ano nanaman ginagawa niyo ah," He abrasively pulled the bag from the man's grip, his gaze towards him unaltered. Napalunok nalang ako sa nasasaksihang kaganapan. I'm not sure if I should feel awkward, or afraid. Somehow, I feel that there's a mix of both?

Hindi nagtagal nang makita kong umatras ang mga lalake. Kitang-kita ko sa muka nila yung pagka-insulto. Mabuti nalang at hindi pumatol. Thank God! Jusme, ayokong maka-kita ng gulo unang-una sa umaga!

One by one they began to walk away, and with this, he turned around. As much as I tried, I couldn't seem to utter a word.

You should at least thank the man, Grace! I heard my mind beckon.

I took in a breath, my mind arranging the words when instead I saw him bend down, picking something from the ground.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Oh no, not that ! Dali dali akong tumakbo at hinablot ang sanitary pad mula sa kamay niya. My cheeck burned.

Swiftly he stood up and peered down at me, his eyes empty of all emotion. With a shove he returned the bag to me, handing it towards me abrasively just as how he took it from the man earlier.

Talaga nga naman.

Napabuntong-hininga nalang ako. Dibale na. Pasalamat ka nga't tinulungan ka pa, Grace. 

I shook my head and gazed down at my watch. Crap! I frantically gathered my things from the ground and zipped my bag in haste, sprinting off as I stood.

Magaling, Grace! So far, it's the second day and you've got yourself a tardy record!

"Halika na, Grace!" Tawag ni Rhoe sabay taas ng bag sa kanyang balikat. Dali dali kong inayos ang gamit ko at sinundan siya.

"Saan ba tayo kakain?"

"Doon sa school park." Agad niyang sagot, "Mas fresh ang hangin don at maganda tambayan. Ando'n din sila Layla at Faye."

"Ah," I replied with a nod. Lumipas ang ilang minuto at narating rin namin and parke. Tama siya, ang ganda nga dito. Bright green grasses cloaked the ground, and students sat in groups around the wide clearing.

"Hi!" Bati ng isang babae, her bright teeth coming to view as she grinned. Lumapit kami at umupo sa tabi niya.

"Hi Layla," Sagot ni Rhoe, "Nga pala, ito si Grace, bago naming kaklase,"

Muling ngumiti ang babae at kumaway saakin, "Hi Grace! Ako nga pala si Layla."

"Hi," I smiled, "It's nice to meet you, Layla."

"Oh, eh nasaan si Faye?" Tanong ni Rhoe.

Nagkibit balikat si Layla at muling nagsalita. "Ayon, may short meeting daw sila. Alam mo naman Student Government Official."

"Ah, ganon ba? Bakit anong meron?" binuksan ni Rhoe ang kaniyang baunan at nagsimulang kumain.

"Diba kasi, Foundation Day na natin this Friday?"

"Ah, oo nga pala," Rhoe remarked, "Sigurado meron nanamang Foundation Day service no?"

My eyes shot open as I heard her words.

"Ano pa nga ba? Syempre meron! Alam mo namang relihiyosong matanda yung principal natin."

Woah,

"Hay, pambihira. Minsan nakaka-waste of time lang 'yong ganong part ng program. Wala rin namang nakikinig! Kung nagpa-concert nalang sila or something baka mas marami pang maging interesado sa kung anong ganap."

Natigilan ako sa pagkain nang marinig ang mga sinambit ni Rhoe. A sad reality, I must say.

Gusto kong magsalita, gusto kong sabihin na hindi naman waste of time ang pakikinig sa Salita ng Diyos. Pero... bakit ganon? Tuwing ibubuka ko ang bibig ko, parang nawawalan ako ng lakas? Maging kaibigan pa kaya nila ako kapag nagsalita ako?

I lowered the lunchbox I held and gazed afar. Lord, paano? Gustong-gusto Kitang ibahagi sa iba. Pero bakit ganto?

I bit my lip at the thought, a heaviness weighing in my heart.

Lord...

Please, please give me strength. I want, truly want, to make You known pero parang... hindi ko kaya.

"Ha?" Taka akong tumayo kasabay ng ibang mga studyante. "Anong gagawin natin? Anong practice 'yon?"

"Tayo kasi ang mag peperform ng Cultural Dance sa Foundation Day," Paliwanag ni Rhoe, "Kaya kailangan nating magpractice. Dibale, mga 5:00PM matatapos din tayo. Bakit may cerfew ka ba?"

Umiling ako, "Ah, wala naman. Pero bakit tayo? Wala bang Cultural Dance Club itong school?"

"Meron naman," Sagot niya, "Pero kasi halos lahat ng members ng Cultural Dance Club ay nandito kaya naman parang considered nang tayo as a class yung club. Ka-foform lang kasi ng club na ito eh."

"Ah ganon ba?" I nodded in percipience, "Bakit ilan ba sa klase ang natin ang members?"

"Mga aabot 70 percent siguro? Tapos andito rin kasi 'yong Club President." Sagot niya.

"Talaga?" Inilibot ko ang paningin, "Sino ba ang Club President dito sa klase?"

"Si Gabriel," Bahagya akong natigilan sa nasabi niya. Wow, naman. Pati extracurricular active ah.

"Ay oh? Kaya naman pala."

Hindi nagtagal at natanaw na namin and closed court ng school. Pagkapasok ko palang, agad ko nang nakita ang mga mag-aaral na nag eensayo sa kani-kanilang mga sport. Napakalawak dito.

"Alright, students!"  A man in sports attire emerged from the stage. Ito siguro ang Club Adviser.

"Gong players, please take hold of you instruments. Simulan na natin ang practice para hindi kayo gabihin!"

At his word, few of the men from the class stepped forward and took their gongs in their hands - Gabriel among them. At first a few sounds, until finally I heard a melody ringing all over the court.

Almost immediately, I felt as though my blood came alive. The gongs - the melody of my homeland. I respired in awe. Suddenly, I felt somehow homesick. Grabe, ang galing nila!

"Ladies!" I jolted upright as I heard the teacher speak, "Meron ba sainyong alam sumayaw ng Dinuy-ya?" Inilibot ko ang paningin saaming mga naka-upo.

"Taga-Ifugao ka diba?" Narinig kong bulong ni Rhoe sa tabi ko. Lumingon ako at tinitigan sya.

"Oo, bakit?"

"Sayaw ng Ifugao ang Dinuy-ya eh. Sigurado namang alam mo yon."

"Ha！？ Hindi, hind-"

"Si Grace!" A silent gasp escaped my lips, astonished as I heard her shout my name. Napalunok ako, the sudden silence dominating my ears.

"Very well, Miss Ngatiyon, halika na." For a moment I couldn't move. They can't be serious.

"Miss Ngatiyon?” Ibinawing ko ang tingin sa guro.

"S-sir,”

"Yes? Is there a concern?"

"Ah, ano po-"

"You know this dance, right?"

"O-opo, pero-”

"Good“ The teacher smiled, “Gabriel needs a partner for this dance."

My eyes widened as I heard the name, halting my feet before it could take another step. Sino!? I probed the court with my gaze, and soon enough, intense set of eyes met mine from among the crowd.

Oh no.