6 Four — Friends

Kahit ilang buwan na si Carrie na tumutulong sa Student Council ay hindi pa rin siya sanay kapag kinakausap siya ni Kyle. Bigla na lang siyang natutulala kapag nagsasalita ito. Mabuti na lang at nandiyan palagi si Ali para pukawin siya mula sa paglipad ng isip niya sa kalawakan.

Tulad ngayon, speechless pa rin siya kahit na kinakausap siya nito.

'Totoo ba 'to? Pinagtanggol niya 'ko? Totoo ba? Hindi ba ako nananaginip?' paulit-ulit na tanong niya sa isip.

Nakabalik siya sa tamang katinuan nang may maramdaman siyang masakit sa braso niya. Pinisil siya ni Ali.

"Carrie?" tanong ulit ni Kyle sa kanya.

"H-ha?"

"I said, are you okay?"

Tumango siya. Pagkatapos ay kinuha ang libro mula sa kamay nito.

"Thank you dito, Kyle," pagpapasalamat niya.

Sandali itong natigilan. "No worries. We're friends, right? And friends help each other," sabi nito sa kanya at ngumiti.

'Friends? OMG. Totoo ba? Magkaibigan na kami?!'

Gusto niyang tumalon sa tuwa dahil sa narinig. Pero nabato ulit siya nang ma-realize na nginitian pala siya nito.

"Pres," baling nito kay Ali. "May naisip na pala ako tungkol sa pinag-usapan natin kanina for the School Festival."

"Okay. Let's talk about it with the others later after class," Ali replied.

"Sige. I'll go ahead. Hinihintay pa 'ko ng mga kaibigan ko. See you later. And you too, Carrie," pagkatapos ay tinapik siya nito sa balikat bago umalis.

Maghapon na nakalutang ang isip ni Carrie. Hindi na kasi siya makapag-isip ng maayos mula nang mangyari ang insidente kanina sa cafeteria.

Kanina nga nang magsimula ang first subject nila sa hapon ay nagmumukhang tanga si Ali sa kakakausap sa kanya pero hindi niya ito naririnig. Namulat siya nang maramdaman ang pagyuyugyog nito sa balikat niya.

"Rii! Ms. Rodriguez is asking you a question."

Nasa huling subject na sila ng araw na 'yon, Physics.

"H-ha?" agad siyang napatayo. Narinig niya ang mahinang pagtawa ng mga kaklase. "Yes, Ma'am."

"Is there a problem, Ms. Mendoza? You seem to be spacing out," tanong sa kanya ng guro.

"No, Ma'am."

"All right. I was asking you to define 'coulomb'." pagkatapos ay itinuro nito ang salita na nakasulat sa blackboard.

"Ma'am, Coulomb is the practical meter-kilogram-second unit of electric charge equal to the quantity of electricity transferred by a current of one ampere in one second, or simply saying, it is the quantity of electricity equal to the charge on 6.25 x 10^18 electrons."

"Very good, Ms. Mendoza," sabi ng guro at pinaupo na siya.

Narinig naman niya ang mahinang bulungan ng mga tao sa likod nila ni Ali.

"Sana ganyan din ako katalino kahit na nagse-space out."

"As expected from a Top 3 student."

"Those three must be eating their books. How come they can give those definitions like that straight."

"They not humans."

Nagkatinginan lang sila ni Ali at nginitian ang isa't isa.

"Thank you," she thanked her.

"Stop spacing out, okay?"

She gave her friend a thumbs up and winked at her.

When their class ended, they immediately went to the SC conference room. Everyone was already there, except for the three of them.

When they entered the room, Kyle gave his friends high fives, which, like her, were also members of the SCVA: Ken, Erick, Mike, Jack, and Chris. Mga roommates ito ni Kyle sa Emerald Hall.

Dati na itong mga members ng VAs. Sumali sila dito nang imbitahin ni Kyle noong mga second years pa sila. He's the previous leader of the VAs bago ito naging officer ng SC on his third year.

Nang makapasok si Carrie sa grupo noong summer ay agad siyang ini-nominate ni Ken bilang leader ng Volunteer Aides. Unanimous ang decision ng lima na iluklok siya sa pwesto.

"H-ha? Bago pa lang ako. Bakit ako? How about you?" sabi niya sa mga ito na naguguluhan. Tumawa lang ang mga ito.

"Bakit ikaw?" sabi ni Jack. "First, dahil ikaw ang pinakamatalino sa ating lahat dito."

"Second," sabat ni Erick, "because you're the only girl here."

"Third, because you are Pres' friend," dagdag ni Mike.

Wait. Anong kinalaman ng mga pinagsasasabi nila sa pagiging isang leader? And wait, Pres' friend? naguguluhang sabi niya sa sarili.

"Hindi niyo 'ko kailangang gawing leader dahil lang sa kaibigan ako ni Ali," sabi niya sa mga ito.

"Hindi naman sa ganoon. Gusto lang talagang magpalakas ni Ken kay Pres, eh," sabi ni Chris.

Binatukan ito ni Ken. "Ano ka ba? Ba't mo sinabi?"

Oh. May secret admirer pala si Ali na Volunteer Aide.

"Sorry na," sabi ni Chris habang hinihimas ang ulo. "Nadulas lang."

"At saka may isang reason pa kami kung bakit ka namin gustong maging leader," baling ni Ken sa kanya. "Because our dear friend Ky— Aray! Ang sakit no'n ah!"

Naputol ang gusto nitong sabihin nang biglang tinamaan ito ng marker sa ulo. Binato ito ni Kyle na kapapasok pa lang ng SC room.

"Don't scare her. Baka magback-out 'yan, lagot kayo kay Pres," he said to his friends.

Hindi niya sinabi kay Ali ang nalaman niya. Pero, naging leader talaga siya ng VAs simula ng araw na 'yon. Sabi kasi ng lima na ayaw nilang maging leader kasi hindi sila "responsible citizens of the Philippines". Natatawa na lang siya kapag naaalala ang pangyayaring naganap noong summer.

Usually, they have 15 members but currently, they only have 10 members all in all. The other new recruits aside from Carrie are Sheenna, first year; Drew, second year; and the twins Kierra and King, third years. Mga bagong recruits ito nang magsimula ang school year.

Matapos makipag-high five si Kyle sa mga kaibigan niya ay si Carrie naman ang pinansin ng mga ito.

"Our beloved leader. Welcome, Your Highness," sabay-sabay na sabi ng mga ito at nag-bow pa.

Iginiya siya ng mga ito sa isang upuan sa conference room at pagkatapos umupo sa magkakabilang upuan sa tabi niya. Nasa gitna siya ng mga ito.

"So, I suppose everyone is already here," pagsisimula ni Ali. Nakaupo ito sa pinakadulo ng long table. "Let's start with the meeting. I was told by Kyle that he had something in mind for the upcoming School Festival. Let's hear about it."

Kyle started talking about his ideas for the upcoming festival. It will be held more than a month from now in celebration of the school's 50th Foundation Day on the first day of August.

"So, you're saying that each section should have its own attraction for the festival. I think masyadong madami kung ganoon. Compared to other schools, mas maliit ang population natin. The attractions may be too much for us. We can do it like last year na by year level," said Karl, their PIO, in response to Kyle's suggestion.

"I don't think so. Mas marami, mas maganda. I already talked with Pres about this matter earlier this morning. The School's President informed me that the school is welcoming outsiders for the incoming Foundation Day," paliwanag ni Kyle dito.

"Outsiders? We are inviting non-GWFS community members?" manghang sabi ni Grace, the Secretary. "That's great. 'Yan ang totoong festival. Right, guys?"

Sumang-ayon ang lahat dito. Ngayon lang kasi magiging matao ang school festival. Sila-sila lang kasi ang nagse-celebrate nito taon-taon kaya excited silang makakita ng mga bagong mukha.

Carrie raised her hand. Kyle noticed her.

"Yes, Ms. Mendoza. Do you have any suggestions?"

"Uhmm, I would like to propose an idea. Since marami pala ang tao sa festival this year, why don't we put up a stage to showcase our school's talented students? Of course, we do it every year pero sa loob lang ng Ruby Hall theater which is too confined kung may aasahan tayong mas maraming visitors. Compared if we do it outside, like in the soccer field, maybe, mas marami ang makakapanood at mas madami ang pwede nating mai-showcase na talents kasi 'di na kailangang ulitin ang mga performances because everyone can watch it at walang limit sa seats unlike in the theater room."

"But what if it rains? We can't predict the weather on that day," said Cindy, SC Treasurer.

"I think it's a really good idea," said Ali. "And as for our treasurer's concern, I think we can do something about it. Right, Kyle?"

"Yes. If we push through with the SCVA's idea, then we are in luck. Kabibili pa lang ng school ng new set of mechanical roof for the Crystal Hall's rooftop. We can request na 'wag muna itong i-install para magamit natin sa festival."

"That's great," nakangiting sabi ni Gretel, the Third Year Representative. "Maganda siguro kung ang Theater Club na lang ang gumamit ng theater room. At least mas marami kaming performances na maibibigay. Plus, we can't do our performances outside kasi may certain props kami na for dim light." Ito din kasi ang President ng Theater Club.

"We can also do that. The other clubs can perform outside. I think mas masaya kung ganoon," dagdag ni Ali.

"I think our club will agree to that. I'll tell our President about this," Cyrille said, the Auditor. She's a member of the school's Glee Club.

"So, are we pushing through with Kyle and Carrie's ideas? Let's cast our votes," Ali said.

Everybody in the room agreed.

"Since we all agreed, unahin muna natin ang tungkol sa per section attractions," pagpapatuloy ni Ali. "Year Representatives, please coordinate with the Volunteer Aides to brief all Class Presidents. Gather all their proposed attractions and assess them. Dapat may at least three proposals per section para mas marami ang options and to avoid similarities."

"Yes, Pres," sabay-sabay na sagot ng mga ito.

"Para naman sa mga stage performances, Karl, can you please gather all the Club Presidents here tomorrow after class? And please include na din pala ang mga sports club. I wanted to confirm kung matutuloy ba ang proposed activity nila sa festival. They said kasi na they will be having it at the Sports Corner."

"Noted, Pres."

"Grace, Cindy and Cyrille, kayo na ang bahala sa pag-itemize ng lahat ng mga kakailanganing supplies for the festival. Give us your final report on or before the second week of July."

"Got it," sabay na sagot ng tatlo.

"Kyle and I will take care sa mga permissions na kailangan natin from the administration at sa mga bagay na kailangan nating hiramin. And, ah. I almost forgot. Year Representatives, please submit your final report regarding the proposals on or before this month ends for final approval at para makumpleto ang report nina Grace. Then please have the Class Presidents gather here when you submit your report for their final deliberation."

Tumango ang mga ito.

"The final deliberation will be done by me and Kyle, and... Carrie? Can you join us? We need some non-officers for opinions."

Carrie gave her a thumbs up.

"And please select one from your team to join you."

Nilingon ni Carrie ang mga kasama. Lahat ito ay nakaturo kay Ken. Napangiti siya.

"Okay, Ken, Assistant Leader. Sama ka."

Nagpalakpakan ang lahat ng VAs.

Nakatingin lang sa kanila ang mga officers na halatang walang nalalaman sa mga iniisip nila, maliban kay Kyle.

"Ken, seryoso 'to, ha? Bawal ang pagiging makulit mo dito sa task na 'to," paalala ni Kyle sa kaibigan.

"Ako pa. Yakang-yaka 'yan," Ken replied.

"And, one last thing. About sa bonfire and the fireworks, the Administration will take care of it. Questions, anyone?" tanong ni Ali sa lahat.

Nang masagot na ang lahat ng mga tanong ay bumaling siya kay Grace.

"Have you taken note of all our discussions here today, Grace?"

"Copied lahat, Pres."

"I think that's all for today, everyone. We'll just have another meeting maybe next week. Just keep updated. Meeting adjourned."

Pagkatapos ay nagsi-alisan na ang lahat sa conference room maliban kina Ali, Kyle, Carrie at ang mga VAs.

~~O~~

Chapter Four — Friends Credits:

"Coulomb" Definition

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