SECTION 5: The Code Violet Class

Code Violet II. Challenger

“He could've reported it the authority o di kaya'y umalis na lang sila ng girlfriend niya. Also, holding a high position means bringing the school's name in vain. So, if it was me who holds the authority to judge, dapat patalsikin ko sa pwesto ang lalaking 'yon. Ipadadaan sa guidance counselor at saka papatawan ng parusang suspension. We don't destroy the future of other students so I'm not going to expel him. ”

Sinulyapan niya ako pagkatapos niyang sumagot at nakatanggap siya ng palakpak mula sa mga audience. Sinasabi ng mga mata niyang “what now, newbie?”. Bumalik siya sa pagkaupo saka tiningnan ako na parang nakuha na niya ang korona.

Lumingon ako kay Drayven at tumango siya, senyalis na ako naman ang magbigay ng opinyon ko pero ramdam ko ang kaba mula sa kanyang mga mata. Ayaw niyang mawala ang section 5. That's what it says kaya ngumiti ako saka tumayo na rin.

I cleared my throat and replaced my warm smile with a cold gaze. Nilibot ko ng paningin ang lahat ng naririto. I could draw fear from their stares. Matatalo na ako sa tingin ng lahat.

“Before I start, let me introduce myself to those who doesn't know me yet. My name is Lybralle Sphere Rondilla,” paisa-isa kong tiningnan sa mga mata ang mga nasa labas at nahagip ng paningin ko si Sir Abella na nag-aapoy ang mga titig. Sa lahat, siya lang yata ang sumusuporta sa 'kin. “Kishia's answers aren't wrong but that doesn't mean she's right. So, let me correct her—”

“What?! Who says pwede mong gawin 'yan?” I throw a glance on her at pulang-pula ang pisngi niya sa galit. It must be embarrassing for her. Pero hindi nga siya mali!

“It's not against the rules,” sagot ko at hinintay na sumagot ulit siya but she chose silence kaya nagpatuloy na ako. “Let me start, then. As a judge, it doesn't matter if we understand kung ano ang dahilan ng estudyanteng 'yon because we have to make fair judgement. In the student's case, he clearly violated Article X: Responsible Use of the School's Name, Section 3.2 of the Guidelines for Proper Use, that states ‘represent the school in a manner that aligns with its mission, vision, and values’, written in the Altersky's rules and regulation handbook.”

Dahil sa sobrang bored ko last week, paulit-ulit kong binasa ang handbook na natanggap ko kasama ng enrollment form. And this is the result. Na-memorize ko tuloy.

“Also, as mentioned, the student holds a high position in the campus. Kung ibang school 'yon, iisipin kong isang posisyon sa Student Council. But in Altersky, pwedeng sa overall ranking. Regardless, what the student did was a violation of oath. Pag may ranking or posisyon, of course there's an oath.

“I will uphold the principles and values of our school, act with integrity, and be a role model for my peers and fellows. 'yan ang nilabag niya. So, he clearly deserves a punishment according to the rule and severity level:

1. Submitting a formal written statement;
2. Suspension from his position;
3. A mandatory meeting with his parents to discuss the incident.

“But as stated, nangyari ang away sa labas ng campus. Meaning, it's not within the perimeter and didn't fall in any of the campus rules. It's up to him kung magre-report siya sa police but he can seek advice from anyone in the campus na may authority, one of that is the guidance counselor. Therefore, he will only be punished according to Article X. And about sa pagpapatalsik sa kanya, since nothing is reported na may nagka-severe injury he will be given the rights to appeal against the process of revocation according to Article XI: Security of Tenure for Ranking Positions.

That way, fair ang judgement na ipapataw sa kanya.”

Kahit natapos ko na ang mahaba kong speech, walang kahit sinong kumibo. Namayani lang ang katahimikan sa buong paligid. Halatang lahat sila nagulat sa mga pinagsasabi ko na ibig lang sabihin, masyadong nag-focus silang lahat sa acads kaya nakalimutan nila ang rules and regulations.

Halos mapatalon naman ako nang sumigaw si Kishia. “You only rephrased what I said!”

I faced her and gave her a friendly smile. Tanggapin na niya dapat na siya na mismo ang nagdala sa sarili niya sa sitwasyong 'to. “Correction, Miss Santa Ana. I corrected some of the statements unlike your accusations. Isa pa, sinabi ko naman na hindi ka mali. You're right in some aspects but the foundation is fragile.”

“I can't believe it. Na-memorize niya talaga lahat ng 'yon?”

“Miss Santa Ana's doomed now.”

“Halata naman kung sino ang panalo.”

“So, this what Code Violet means. . .”

Huminga ako ng malalim habang naririnig ang mga komento ng ilang mga estudyante. Hindi rin ako makapaniwala sa kanilang lahat. Kishia may look rude but she sympathizes. Arogante siya but she also gave her fair judgement.

Sa totoo lang, from the time I recognized her, the victory was already mine. Alam ko kung sa'n siya malakas at 'yon ang ganito, mga situational aspects. I've run a background check on every contestants kaya nalaman ko ang tungkol sa attitude niya. Ginamit ko lahat ng nalalaman ko kaya nanalo ako.

Just one of my schemes. And she fell for it like most.

Wala kasi silang alam na kahit Vice President ako, I was the one who was pulling the strings behind the President.

“We have a deal. You're not joining the contest anymore, Kishia,” sigaw ng isa sa mga kaklase ko.

Kishia didn't give any response and stormed out of the class. Sumunod naman sa kanya ang mga body guards niya na nag-iwan ng nakamamatay na titig sa 'kin.

“That's epic,” bulong ni Drayven kaya napalingon ako sa kanya.