MASKARA

Chapter 26: Problem Child

Chapter 26: Problem Child

Isang araw sa principal's office ninenerbyos si Lawrence. "Will you calm down" sabi ni Venancio. Pumasok ang isang matandang babae saka agad naupo, "Good afternoon" bati niya. "Please tell me what is wrong? Napaaway ba si Miggy?" tanong agad ni Venancio.

"Oh no, this is another issue. We are just worried because Miggy is giving Iah roses daily" sabi ng principal. "And what is the issue there?" tanong ni Venancio sa madiin na boses. "Judge please, they are too young" sagot ng principal.

"Miggy is still number one in the classroom am I right?" tanong ni Venancio. "Yes sir, he has really good grades" sabi ng principal. "Iah is also doing well, if I am not wrong she is ranked number three in their class" hirit ni Venancio.

"Yes sir but..." sagot ng principal. "Then please tell me where the issue is?" sabi ng ex judge kaya napalunok yung principal. "Kasi sir it is starting a trend in this school. Biglang dumami ang nagliligawan. Elementary palang sila" sabi ng principal.

"Then the problem is not with Miggy. The problem is with your teachers. Guide them! Ano ba problema sa ligawan? We are aware of what Miggy is doing, we are guiding him and talking to him everyday. Ano ba problema?"

"Masama agad iniisip niyo kasi. So ano ginagawa niyo? Guide them! Why do you want to stop something good. Ano gusto niyo umuso dito sa school na ito? Culture of violence like in other schools kung saan madami nang gangs? Elementary palang gang member na o basag ulo. Yan ba gusto niyo mangyari?" banat ni Venancio.

"Hindi naman po ganon sir, we are just worried that..." sabi ng principal. "Did you even bother asking why Miggy is giving Iah roses everyday? Did you? Before calling us here did you? Well let me tell you the reason, Iah loves roses, Miggy gives her roses because it cheers up her friend"

"As simple as that, so ano papasukan niyo ng malisya yan? Ang simple ng sagot, to make Iah happy. My goodness grade two palang sila, do you really think their minds are already that polluted? Baka dahil sa paghihigpit niyo saka sila magsasaliksik ng rason, baka doon pa sila matuto" sabi ni Venancio.

Ilang minuto lumipas sinundo ni Lawrence si Miggy sa playground. "Papa papagalitan mo ba ako?" tanong ng bata. "No anak, wala na problema anak inayos na ni lolo mo" sagot ni Lawrence. "Nasan na si lolo?" tanong ng bata. "Nandon pa sa faculty room, sumisipsip yung ibang teachers niyo" bulong ni Lawrence.

"What is sipsip papa?" tanong ni Miggy. "Ah? Ah I meant he is just socializing with them. Lets go, mauna na daw tayo umuwi" sabi ni Lawrence. "Magsipsip din kami ni Iah" sabi ng bata. "No! Anak" bigkas ni Lawrence. "But lola said socialize is talking and making friends" sabi ni Miggy.

"Ah yes, but do not use the term sipsip. Its bad" sabi ng matanda. "Then why did you use it? Ayan papa natuto ako, pag nalaman ni lola papagalitan ka" sabi ni Miggy. "Hahaha anak you like ice cream?" landi ni Lawrence. "Yes papa, para hindi kita isumbong kay mama at lola" sabi ni Miggy kaya laugh trip si Lawrence.

Sa bahay pagkagaling kina Althea napatigil si Miggy nang dumaan si Chester na naglalakad. "Kuya wala car mo?" tanong ng bata. "Wala, nabili na yon" sabi ng binata. "Wala ka na car?" tanong ni Miggy. "Bibili ako ng mas bago, yung tahimik" sagot ni Chester.

"Good boy kuya, alam mo kuya ang mga good boy nabibigyan ng reward" sabi ng bata. "Sana nga, sana sagutin na ako ng nililigawan ko" sabi ni Chester. "Ano name niya kuya? Maganda ba siya? Patingin nga picture" sabi ng bata kaya natawa si Chester.

"Mary Ann is her name and yes she is pretty" sagot ng binata. "Ikaw pwede na kasi matanda ka na e. Ako hindi pa pwede kasi bata pa ako" sabi ni Miggy. "Tama, wag ka magmamadali. You are still young" sabi ni Chester. "Kuya bakit ba kasi pag bata?" tanong ni Miggy.