Hold You Accountable (Published) | ✓

Kabanata 10

"Go STEM, ampucha. Sabing go ABM e! Sinasabi ko na nga ba marupok kayong mga ABM!" Gio accused me.

Di ko na lang siya pinansin at nanood na lang ng opening program. The torch was lit by our PE teachers.

They proceeded on announcing the Mr. Intramurals and Ms. Intramurals. They had to walk and introduce themselves. I was laughing on the inside. Lalo na nung si Sarathiel na ang rarampa. Gusto ko ito kuhanan ng video kaso bawal 'yata maglabas ng cellphone sa loob ng gym.

Mukhang hindi aware si Sarathiel na kailangan 'yon dahil nakakunot ang noo niya. When it was his turn, hindi man lang siya nag-effort mag-lakad talaga. Sobrang monotone pa ng pagpapakilala niya.

I was laughing on the inside. This type of event does not suit him but it makes him look cute. I suppressed my smile because I didn't want anyone to notice it.

Nanalo si Adren at saka 'yung TVL girl na nakita ko kanina bilang Mr. and Ms. Intramurals — Adren looks flushed in red and the TVL girl was smirking, may binubulong siya kay Adren dahil nakikita kong gumagalaw ang labi niya.

"Congrats, Adren!" bati ko sa kanya nang makabalik siya sa amin. This is the 1st win for the ABM! Mukhang maganda ang magiging resulta ng Intrams sa amin.

"Thanks." He smiled but his gaze was somewhere else. Agad din siyang umalis.

Babalik na dapat ako sa pila nang mapansin ko ang tingin ng mga naka-red sa akin. I became conscious because of it.

Nakarinig ako ng mga tumatawa sa likod ko. Nilingon ko naman ito at nakitang ang mga tangkay pala.

"Bakit sila tumatawa?"

Some were shameless enough to point at me. Ghad, is this still about the wrong room? The Dora The Explorer? First Sem pa 'yon, ah?

Ganyan ba mga STEM? Hindi maka-move on?

I saw Sarathiel talking with his blockmates. I felt guilty— hindi ko rin naman siguro magugustuhan kung bigla na lang ako lalayuan ng isang tao. Pero ayoko kasi talaga maging awkward kami dahil kay Clary.

I was surprise when he look at my direction. He tilted his head and his jaw clenched.

I was about to go when he walk towards me. Nagulat ako sa biglaang pagtanggal niya ng ribbon sa noo ko.

"What was that for?!" I shrieked at him.

Anong problema niya?!

He smirked. "Since you're supporting our strand. I might as well support yours, don't you think?"

Tinali niya 'yung ribbon na blue sa braso niya. Umawang naman ang bibig ko dahil sa ginawa niya.

Isn't he aware that some people are watching him? Baka itakwil pa siya ng strand niya dahil sa ginawa niya! And also, kailan ko pa sinuportahan ang STEM? I am ABM all the way!

"Hibang ka ba? Kailan pa ako sumuporta sa STEM? I just said go STEM, it doesn't mean I fully support you! Syempre sa ABM ako!"

He licked his lower lip and grinned. "I didn't hear you say go STEM though. The support on your shirt says it all. I'm very touch, really. Nag-effort ka pa, Zafirah."

Unti-unting kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya, ilang beses pa akong kumurap dahil iniisip ko ang mga ginawa ko kanina. I don't remember doing anything for STEM.

He chuckled lightly as he pat me on the head. Agad akong umiwas at umismid sa kanya. May ngiting naglalaro sa kanyang labi.

"Nice shirt, Zafi. Hope you'll wear it until the end," he winked before slowly striding away from me.