"Vince Velasco for President." Shouted Andrew.
"Arvic Zamora for Vice President." Vince chimed.
"Ako as Secretary." Nico raised a hand.
Binatukan siya ni Patrick. "Siraulo!"
Nagtawanan ang lahat sa kanila. Napailing nalang ang dating president namin na nagsusulat sa board. "Class, seryoso na. Darating na prof."
Tumigil sila maglokohan and nominated a real candidate.
"I'm nominating Mandy Dominguez for Secretary!"
I shot Pepper a look. He beamed at me like it's the best thing that could ever happen to me. Tatlong taon na akong class secretary at wala akong balak maging class secretary sa huling taon ko sa college.
"I nominate Paul Rosales!" I raised my hand.
It was Pepper's turn to shot me a look. I grinned.
When we were voting, I see a lot of hands shot up for me. Mariin akong pumikit.
Nakita ko ang buong barkada nila Nico na nagtaas ng kamay para sa akin.
Nilingon ko si Nico hoping he could see that I don't want the position. Nginitian pa ako ni Nico nang nagtama ang paningin namin.
In the end I was the class secretary again.
Napapagod na akong gumawa ng seating arrangement lalo na pag may mga request pa ang mga classmates ko.
I received a text from Andrew saying wag siyang itabi kay Nico.
I received the same message from Vince. Actually halos lahat sila ganun ang request. Same request for three years. I could see why dahil maingay si Nico at makulit makatabi. Madadamay ka sa galit ng prof pag katabi siya.
"Ano 'yan?" Binuklat ni Pepper isa isa ang mga nakatuping papel.
"For seating arrangement. Para random." Sagot ko.
"Itabi mo naman ako kay Vince."
"Seriously? You were the one who put me in the position tapos may gana ka pang magrequest?"
"What's the point of nominating you then?" Ngisi niya.
Sinulat ko ang pangalan ni Pepper sa second row. Sinilip niya kung sino ang itatabi ko sa kanya. I wrote down Nico's name. Beside Nico I wrote down Andrew.
"You are the worst." Sabi ni Pepper nang pinakita ko sa kanya ang ginawa ko.
Umirap siya at tumayo. "Makaalis na nga. Nandyan na si lover boy."
Lumingin ako at nakita ko si Rei. He put a hand on my shoulder. "Inaasar mo nanaman si Pepper."
"Naku, pagsabihan mo 'yang girlfriend mo."
Tumawa lang si Rei tapos nilingon ako. "Tara na?"
"Tapusin ko lang 'to."
"Matagal pa ba? Kailangan ko kasi maagang makauwi. May gagawin pa ako." Sabi niya.
I saw Pepper's brow shot up. I ignored him and gathered my things. "Pwede ko naman sa bahay na gawin." I smiled.
He returned my smile and helped me with my things. Pepper left after seeing that. He was never a fan of Rei and I don't see why. Mabait naman si Rei at gentleman. Engineering ang kinuha niyang course and I understand na mas marami siyang ginagawa kaysa sa amin.
Bilang girlfriend niya I want to be understanding.
Pinuntahan agad ako ng mga kaklase ko pagdating ko para tignan kung sino ang mga katabi nila.
Patrick came to me first and shouted a loud yes upon seeing the arrangement. "The best ka talaga."
Nag apir si Andrew at Patrick. But Andrew grunted when he saw his seat.
"Mandy naman.. ano bang nagawa kong kasalanan sayo? Babawi ako palitan mo lang pwesto ko."
I shrugged. "Sorry, can't. Huling taon mo na makakatabi si Nico. I did you a favor. Enjoy!"
Tumawa at napailing nalang si Patrick. "She doesn't seem to like you bro."
Nico asked for his place and I pointed at the second row. "Sa tabi ka ni Paul."
Tinatawag ko lang Pepper si Pepper pag kaming dalawa lang but he is Paul in our classroom.
"Bakit naman ganon? Si Arvic katabi niya si Vince tapos si Patrick. Bakit ako si Paul at si Andrew?" Reklamo niya.
I shrugged. "It was random."
Arvic came behind him and patted his shoulder. "Suck it up, Nico." Tumatawa siya.
He then winked at me.
"Nagpapapansin ka nanaman kay Mandy." Narinig kong sabi ni Vince.
"What's wrong with trying?"
"May boyfriend na 'yung tao ginugulo mo pa rin."
Lumingon ako dahil ako ang pinaguusapan nila.
"Hindi ka type nun." Tawa ni Vince.
"Bakit? Crush ka ba ng crush mo?" Sabi ni Nico kay Vince.
Ngumisi si Vince pero hindi siya sumagot.
Nakita ni Arvic na nakatingin ako. Tumagilid ang ulo niya at ngumiti. "Don't worry, hindi ka na guguluhin nito."
"Kaming bahala sayo, secretary." Andrew nodded.
Napailing nalang ako. Si Nico nalang lagi ang pinagtritripan ng barkada nila and it's really fun watching them. Sila kasi ang nagpapasaya sa class.
I will never forget these idiots.
