"Jazzella Ramos, Grethel Rivera, and Rhea Perez?" tawag ng bagong dating na babaeng member ng student council at pumasok. "Miss Kazzi wants you to wait behind the curtains. She will call you soon." Sabi niya kaya tumingin sa amin ang iba naming kasama. Nagkatinginan kaming tatlo dahil hindi namin alam ang gagawin. Kalaunan ay tumayo kami nang tinawag niya ulit ang pangalan namin.
Nagpaalam muna ako kay Kelly at Mayka tsaka naunang lumabas. Pinagbuksan ko si Rhea ng pinto, which she thanked me afterward. At nang si Grethel na ang sumunuod ay kaagad kong sinara ito ng padabog. I heard her grumbled something under her breath nang nasa likod na namin siya pero hindi ko siya pinansin. Bahala siya doon, we're not friends.
Nang makarating kami sa likod ng stage ay sinabi ng isang babaeng member ng Student Council na magbibigay siya ng go signal kapag lalabas at magpakita sa mga tao. I wonder what their goal is.
"An hour ago, we asked some male students that, if given the chance to date some of the women from my club, who will they pick as their girlfriend. It means who among my students are the most girlfriend material. Of course all of them were picked, but only these three girls stand out."
I frowned. Three girls? Does that mean...
"Please welcome, Rhea El Perez, Jazzella Ramos, and Grethel Rivera."
Nagpanic ang mga tao dito sa likod ng stage.
"Go!" sigaw nung babae kanina sa amin. Hindi pa man kami maka-react ay biglang bumukas ang makapal na kurtinang nasa harap namin at halos mabulag kami dahil sa silaw ng liwanag gawa ng spotlight.
When I have finally adjusted from the ray of light, tumingin ako sa paligid. Lahat ng tao na nasa loob ng gym ay sa amin nakatuon ang atensyon, nagpapalakpakan at naghihiyawan.
I don't understand. Para saan ba to? Bakit kailangan pa nila akong damayin sa kaartehan nila? So what if we're picked as the most 'girlfriend material'?
Lumapit si Kazzi sa kinaroroonan namin na may ngiti sa mukha.
"People picked Rhea Perez because she has this innocent charm and aura that makes you want to protect her," she said kahit hindi pa kami naka-recover sa gulat. "While Grethel seems to have this sweet and delightful aura. And after the incident last year, gusto nilang i-comfort ang nasaktan na babae." Tss, saan ang sweet sa mukha niya? Mukha namang matabang.
I was stunned when teacher Kazzi came to hold me by my wrist. Okay, I am firmly convinced that I am bewitched. Why so sexy? Her long dress perfectly hugs her tall body, her lean legs are exposed. She looks like an international model, or maybe a celebrity.
"And as for Jazzella," patuloy niya which brought me back to reality. "Why do you think you were picked?"
Why am I picked? Because I'm a pretty btch? Because I'm smart? Because I have my own business? Why ask me? It's not like I picked myself.
"I don't know." Pagkibit balikat ko.
She smiled. "Well, there were many reasons. Mostly it's because you're sexy... or hot..." Aniya. I lour, seriously? "You know people nowadays. They prefer slinky than skinny woman." Aniya at kinindatan ako.
"Now, let's begin the human bidding!"
I glowered. Human bidding? They are going to sell me? Anong akala nila sa akin? Cheap? Walang pera? Bakit nila ako ibebenta? They didn't ask my permission!
"Is this some kind of auction?" tanong ko sa teacher namin. Malapit ako sa kanya kaya narinig ng lahat ang tanong ko dahil sa microphone na hawak niya.
"Yes, darling. They will vend us money in exchange for your night. Don't worry, it's only a date within the campus premises. Hindi ka nila dadalhin sa kung saan-saan. It will only take 3 hours, and after that, ikaw na ang bahala kung ano ang gagawin niyo. You may ask each other's phone number, or have another, ikaw ang bahala."
22: HUMAN AUCTION
Start from the beginning
