Origins of the QED Club

Chapter 20: The Transferee

"Kami ba, hindi mo mami-miss?"

"Siyempre, kasama na kayo ro'n."

Sabay kaming natawa. This might be the one of the last few laughters that I would share with him in a while.

"I hope you don't mind if we've prepared a send-off party to you," Lionel said as he stood face to face with me. "Our classmates have already bade you their farewell. Magpapahuli ba ang student council? Of course not!"

Napakurap ako. The truth was, I was not expecting anything from anyone today. Okay na akong umalis sa school na ito nang wala masyadong drama. "Hindi n'yo na kailangang mag-abala pa. I'm already happy to see you and the others one last time before leaving the campus premises."

"But we must insist! You're an asset to the Bartholomean student body. You're a hero in your own way. And heroes like you deserve a proper send-off. We rented the entertainment room for one and a half hour and turned it into our despedida party venue."

My brows knitted. "Shouldn't you be using that for more important events?"

"Ano ka ba, Al?" He smirked. "You're speaking to the second highest ranking student leader in all of St. Bart's. I can do whatever I want—as long as the president allows it. Alam din niya kung gaano ka ka-active magmula last academic year sa pagtulong sa aming committee. He has no problem with it."

"But—"

"Today's your last day here, so technically, you're still a volunteer for the student council. Consider this as my final request to you."

I heaved a sigh of surrender. How could I refuse when he put it that way? "And I shall oblige."

He led the way to the student activity center which was some meters away from the high school building. Para hindi na masyadong lumayo ang mga estudyante sakaling gusto nilang gumimik, naisipan ng school admin na magpagawa ng entertainment room. They furnished it with appliances and equipment. Pwedeng manood ng series o movie mula sa iba't ibang streaming sites. Pwede ring maglaro ng iba't ibang video games.

Pop! Pop!

A bunch of confettis rained down on me as I entered the entertainment room. Four students who huddled together in one line greeted me as loudly as they could. Halos mabasag na nga ang eardrums ko sa sobrang lakas ng kanilang boses. Nginitian ko silang lahat.

"Sorry if we were late," Lionel greeted them. "I had to convince Al to join us for his despedida party."

"He didn't have to convince me that long," I chuckled. "It only took a minute to say yes."

"Mabuti nama't naabutan ka nitong si Lio!" Umakbay sa akin ang lalaki nagngangalang Rayver. Mas matangkad ako sa kanya kaya kinailangan niyang tumingkayad para maakbayan ako. "Kung hindi pala siya agad nag-abang sa headmaster's office, baka dumeretso ka nang umuwi!"

"Sayang naman 'tong p-in-repare namin para sa 'yo," nahihiyang bulong ng babaeng nakasalamin at naka-twintails. Parang namumula ang mga pisngi niya. "Alam mo bang galing sa council budget itong—"

"Antonina!" sigaw ng babaeng may kulot na buhok, ang pinakamatangkad sa kanila. Miley ang pangalan niya. "'Di na kailangang malaman ni Al kung saan galing ang pinambili natin. Baka ipasauli niya pa sa 'tin 'to kasi mali ang paggamit natin sa funds!"

"Ano ba kayo?" Napaturo sa akin si Rayver. Nangalay na yata siya kaya bumitiw na sa akin. "Hindi na tayo sisitahin ni Al! Last day na niya rito kaya siguradong pagbibigyan na niya tayo. 'Di ba, bestfriend Al?"

"Nabanggit kanina ni Lionel na estudyante pa rin ako ng St. Bart's sa mga sandaling 'to." Napakrus ang mga braso ko sabay sulyap sa kaibigan ko. "Pwede ko kayong i-report ngayon para sa misuse of student activity funds. Isama n'yo na rin ang paggamit sa entertainment room kahit walang formal reservation. Mako-consider 'yon na abuse of power, 'di ba?"