Zuleen's POV
"Ayon si Zuleen oh!"
"'Di ba siya 'yon? The STEM girl who got sexually assaulted by her classmates last week?!"
"Akala ko fake news 'yon, beh!"
"Mukha mo peyk news! Totoo kaya 'yon!"
"Kaya pala muntik na siyang ma-rape dahil maganda siya."
"She still look brave and innocently beautiful despite the incident she gotten to. I wonder why she wanted to be a student president along with her charismatic appearance."
"Wow, really?! I will definitely doubt if she didn't step on that presidential position. She's a STEM student and for sure, matalino din siya at nakapasa sa high qualifications! Nakakainggit!"
"Mabait din kaya siya, mga beh! Don't you remember na binigyan niya tayo ng ayuda sa campaign niya before, biro mo 'yon?!"
"Wow, all in one si girl! She finally beaten up the boy's standard. Edi siya na!"
"Iboboto ko na talaga siya, beh! Ang lakas niyang maka-Mayora! Baka nga bigyan niya pa nga tayo nang marami kung siya na ang nakaluklok sa USG!"
"Excited na tuloy akong i-vote siya sa balota!"
While walking with Gelai on the pavements, I can't help myself but to be flattered at their audible murmurs. I secretly cherished their compliments towards my positive traits which seems that they are eagerly dedicated to vote for me in the presidential position. Kinawayan ko sila.
"HALAAA! Kinawayan niya tayo!"
"Zuleen our USG President!"
"Siya na ang magiging Suprema ko!"
"Crush ko na siya!"
"Wag mo 'kong agawan, boy!"
"Nahiya ang mukha ko sa ganda niya, beh! She's perfect in all aspect! Kaya pala mayroong nagtatangkang maka-score sa kaniya eh."
I bowed lightly at them as humbly respect while we walked passing by them. Gel and I moved our hips like a fashion models due to their gazes that make us more conscious on our walking pace. We wandered the entire school to get their attention. I wanted to let them recognize me and know my popularity without an extra effort. In short, I need to show myself to the student body to attain their general interest to vote for me in the upcoming election.
I held a microphone standing in front of a large crowd who attracted to my presence.
"My name is Zuleen and I am actively pursuing to the highest rank of USG. I will used my dedication to fulfill the prevention of all students on sexual abuse and bullying for peace and order in ZSU. As part of my efforts, I plan to create a program that will aid in eliminating student crimes and bringing justice to the youth. The experience that I suffered should not be passed to innocent people. Let my proclamation will not stay in mere words but into the bosom of my devoted service." Anunsyo ko sa lahat.
"Zuleen!" They verbalized.
Maraming sumalubong na mga tao sa akin at nagpa-fan sign at nagbigay ng gifts. Nagkagulo sila. I saw some students na nagpapansin sa akin sa second floor at ngumiti ako sa kanila. Napatili sila. All of them were actually my loyal supporters while raising their posters to show their public support on my upcoming election. I pressed firmly my chest as I thanked them. At the back of my mind and beautiful smile, sinasabi ng isip ko na nagbunga ang ginawa kong plano para utuin sila.
"I have a trivia on you, beshy." Sabi ni Gel.
"Spill it, beshy."
"Didn't you realize that you are so harmful to the environment?"
My face got taste something bitter as I glanced to my bestfriend. I hoped she's being sarcastic.
"Why?"
"Plastic ka eh." Buga niya sa mukha ko.
Pasimple kong kinurot ang tagiliran niya para tigilan niya akong asarin. Kanina pa niya ako inaasar na tila naging isang anghel kuno raw ako sa harap ng maraming tao.
"Umayos ka nga. Baka makahalata sila."
"Sorry, Zuleen. I can't help it. Hindi na kasi kita kilala sa paningin ko eh. I was like shocked na para bang ibang tao na ang kasama ko ngayon. Like, si Zuleen ba 'to?! Si Zuleen?! Oh my gosh! Dahil nakakagulat as in! Masyado ka kasing mapagpanggap babaita ka!" She said blasphemously.
I was about to shut her up by pinching her flanker again when some of my loyalist entertained me and they took a pic beside me. We gave them a sincere smile and warm hugs. Nang umalis na sila, sumabat ulit si Gel.
"Ang pangit mo pala maging mabait. I'm glad that you are a sheep in disguise."
I rolled my eyes in 180 degrees.
"Likewise, beshy."
We glared both each other and laughed mutually. At the moment, we got interrupted when the LSGU official members arrived on our place. Nakita nila kasing magulo ang mga tao sa lugar na ito nang dumating kami rito.
"Hello, LSGU!" Bati ko.
"Hello, mga tanod ng SHS!" Bating asar ni Gel.
"What the heck did you called us?!" Chief Executive Kelvino got offended. He's the assertive leader in LSGU.
"Oops, sorry! Hindi ba kayo mga tanod sa lagay ninyo? I thought they were just the same. Parang mga tambay lang kasi kayo na nagpapatrolya sa daan."
Muntik na akong matawa sa sinabi ni Gelai.
"Binabansagan ba nila tayo?!" Sambitla ni Riota. She is the deputy of Kelvino in LSGU.
I gracefully went in front of them and showed my sincerest tone.
"I want to apologize for the bad deeds of my bestfriend. She's just a negative integer to start with. Don't make too serious against her. She was like being transparent to everyone she encounter. I hope you won't multiply small things to turn into major-major. Just make basic factorial." I innocently acted.
"'Wag kang panggap, beh! Kilala ka namin." Sawata ni Riota sa arte ko. Muntik ko na siyang matampal sa inis but I withhold my temper and gave her a big smile.
Kelvino interrupted us.
"Anyway, we are hereby to notified that both of you are not following the regulation policy. You make the whole Academic Area gotten into a big mess! Just look at them. They are loud and not attending their classes!" Pinagalitan niya kami.
As much as I wanted to cuss the hell out of him, I tried to be reasonable.
"Why would you think that the two of us have caused these problems when in fact it unexpectedly happened that we're just walking alongside the buildings during our vacant time and get stumble upon by those lovely students? In a logical sense, they are the obvious ones who violated your regulations and not the both of us. If you think that we were violators, that would be seem unfair."
"Zuleen, I know you are aware that your popularity causes these problems about your infamous rape scandal. The same thing applies with Denver's case. He's a magnet that attracts both girls and chaos. Hence, the Campus Idol is unnecessarily to go anywhere unless he was obliged to. Otherwise, he will be receiving penalties similar as yours."
I asked myself. Nasaan ba si Denver? Pansin kong nawawala ang batang iyon sa puder namin. Baka naglakwatsa na rin tulad namin at kung saan-saan pa nagsisisuot. Maybe, I will punished that dick guy later when I about to see him.
Lumapit si Riota sa amin at humawak sa kaniyang balakang.
"I am not being sorry for making harsh to you, Zuleen, but you are now banned to go out here during your time of vacancy. You should limit yourself to go out at any places that may bring chaos and conflicts to our regulation." She gave me a pin of ban sign. "If not, you know the consequences."
I smiled at them.
LSGU will not expect what will I do next.
Lumuhod ako kay Kelvino at napahawak sa paanan niya. Napagitla siya.
"H-Hey! A-Anong ginagawa mo?!"
"Please, don't do this! I'm begging you! Please! Give us another chance, we will do everything to make everything's right! I will give anything just to please you!" Pagmamakaawa ko sa kaniya habang tumutulo ang luha sa aking mga mata.
Humagulgol ako.
I caught everyone's attention. They misinterpreted the scene in the way they naturally perceive it which I intend to do so. Those students came up into conclusion that these group of seniors were harassing me. Lumapit sila sa amin and they accused Kelvino and his official members as abusers. Pinagmumura at pinagbabato nila ang mga LSGU.
"Huwag niyong sasaktan si Zuleen namin!"
"Porket mataas ang katungkulan ninyo sa school ay may lakas na kayong abusuhin kami! Ang yayabang ninyo!"
"You all deserve to be dropout! Wala kayong ginawang tama kundi takutin kami at maghari-harian! Ang susuwapang ninyo!"
"QUIEEEETTT!" Pagpapatahimik ni Kelvino sa mga taong nakapalibot sa amin.
"Is there any faint commotion here, Mr. Kelvino?"
Natahimik kami at napatingin sa nagsalita. The atmosphere got heavy.
The queen is here.
"P-President Almira, y-your Grandeur!" He stuttered to greet the arrival of the USG President.
Napayuko ako sa aking pagkakaluhod para itago ang aking pagngisi.
USG President Almira is rare to be seen in action due to her workaholic nature. She always spends her time along with her secretaries to accomodate the student government program in the private administrative building. Bihira lang siyang lumabas sa lungga niya. She would likely choose to be busy on her desk than visiting the campus.
"STUDENTS, GO BACK TO YOUR ROOMS! NOW!" Utos ni Almira na may lakas ng awtoridad kaya napatakbo paalis ang mga tao rito.
Almira faced us. She looked down at me as if she was disgusted to see me again.
"Hello, Almira, our modest batchmate! 'Di ka pa rin nagbabago, ang ganda mo pa rin...!" Plastik na bati ni Gelai at bumulong. "Patayin."
Napabaling si Almira kay Kelvino.
"Could you explain this, Mr. Kelvino? You know, I don't have enough time for your insufficient service and useless government unit."
Nasaktan si Kelvino sa masakit na salitang winika ni Almira.
"T-These two were violating our regulation policy amended in Regulation No. 64. As written that we shall not distract nor interfere on-going classes. Under its enumerated policies, we prohibit students to form any gatherings that may disrupt students on attending class meetings at their designated classrooms." Depensa ni Kelvino.
Nayamot ako. Saulo talaga ng gago ang ginawa niyang polisiya na animo'y dinaig pa ang saligang batas ng Pilipinas.
"Mr. Kelvino, aren't you at least informed on the upcoming event at the mid of this current semester?" Almira doesn't seem convinced to his lawful reason.
"Is it the visitation of the government officials?"
"Idiot."
Tila pinagbagsakan ng lupa si Kelvino sa tinugon nito.
"M-My apologies, your Grandeur. C-Could you please enlighten me?"
"The calendar had already set the mark. The student election will come soon once the mid-term examination is consummated. Therefore, in my Executive Order, I will let all the candidacies accomplished their political agendas within these days because no campaign or any propagations that shall allow during the voting process of the election."
Her under secretaries got busy typing her executive order on verbatim to their laptops beforehand as they sent the memo to their school pages. Her Executive Order will spread out to the public to give awareness to all civilized students. Sa ordinance na iyon, lahat ng mga candidates ay malayang manghikayat ng mga estudyante at magpalinis ng pangalan bago sumapit ang tinakdang eleksyon.
"That would be mean-?" Hinuhang tanong ni Kelvino na naputol.
"Allow her to proceed on her campaign." Almira concluded to him.
"B-But, your Majesty, she wasn't campaigning at all, she's only making a catastrophic assembly in this area and violating our-"
"Are you overlaying my highest order to your minor regulation, Mr. Kelvino?! Your being too rational and dependent upon your policies. That's the reason why all students did not vote on you to be a USG President last school year. Masyado kang pabibo." Real-talk ni Almira.
We covered our gaping mouth. That's too harsh.
Gusto naming matawa ni Gel sa kalagayan ni Kelvino dahil pinagwiwikaan siya nito and at the same time nilalait. Nagmukha tuloy siyang basang-sisiw. Natalo kasi ni Almira si Kelvino noong halalan kaya may lakas itong ungkatin ang nakaraan para hamakin ang serbisyo ni Kelvino pati na ang kaniyang sinasakupan. President Almira knows how to be contemptuous at this little situation inspite of her demanding formal presence.
Lumapit ako kay President Almira habang nasa sahig. Hinawakan ko ang red cloak niya at inamoy at hinalikan.
"I can't express my gratitude towards your meritful kindness, President Almira. I wished I can repay you throughout the given effortless aid you did to us and-"
"Drop the act, Zuleen. 'Di mo bagay ang magbait-baitan."
Nangibabaw ang bugak na tawa ni Gelai. Napakamot tuloy ako sa ulo na wala sa oras at natawa rin sa kagaguhang inaasta ko. Tinalikuran niya na kami dahil mukha kaming mga bobo at baliw sa harapan niya. Ayaw niya sa mga katulad naming mga hangal at talunan.
Tumayo ako at inilabas ang totoo kong anyo.
"Drop the act, President Almira. You're only losing your time to hold that valor. Don't let yourself be a square root of negative one."
Gelai gasped as she understood it and covered her mouth. The phrase I uttered means she's not being real to herself like a real number.
Napatigil siya at mabagal siyang napalingon sa akin.
"You probably think that I am afraid of your lame calculations. Your credibility doesn't give me an inch of terror." Almira detested.
"Who says I am trying to scare you? Got scared of calculus, baby?" I teased her.
She chuckled.
"Zuleen, I know you're not here to reenroll as your only objective. You're just here to get a revenge on me for the school year you had lost last year. Once you get my position, you will used the supreme power against me. I-da-dropout mo rin ako as I did to you the last time. I am not an idiot for not figuring out kung ano mang pumapasok sa kukute mo. Baka hindi mo alam, hindi lang ikaw ang matalinong estudyante rito. I have the greatest IQ than all STEMs. The gap between our intelligence is over five standard deviation." Pagbibida niya.
"But if I became the President, I won't eliminate you away like that so easily. You're seems a scratch paper full of calculated answers to be in a trash bin. I have some great formulas ahead that I am readying for you." I said.
"Do you think I will lose all the benefits of my current title? For your information, I still have my hidden alas card. I think you missed that given variable on your problem."
"Don't worry I have my own formulas. Anything you address on my problem will ended up on getting the exact answer that I needed. And that is my X."
"Is that so?" Tugon ni Almira na nagkaroon ng interest.
Tumabi si Gelai sa'kin at naintriga sa sinabi ko. "You always mentioning your X?! Is it really your ex or just a value of X? What's that mysterious variable you secretly have?! You never tell me the exact answer as if I wasn't your bestfriend at all! I bet your X must be a hot guy that you were keeping inside your basement!"
"I don't share ex variables, beshy." Sabat ko sa kaniya.
Gusto rin sanang sumali ni Kelvino sa usapan subalit hindi niya naiintindihan ang bawat binibigkas namin, he is just a typical illiterate HUMSS student in Math subject.
Almira faced me.
"Zuleen, you're tempting me to be on-guarded. What if I told you I have also a variable which is equals to Y?"
Gelai and I was amused by hearing that. Mayroon siyang Y samantalang may X ako. If ever na malaman ko ang value ng Y niya, everything will be according as it follows to my X. How exciting!
"I had an existing partylist in my hand, does it make you more problematic to grab my presidential position?" Pag-aalipusta ni Almira sa akin.
"Even you have backups, I don't see any qualifying students who will overrun my preceding status. Ako lamang ang nag-iisang namamayaning candidates na may hawak ng interest sa lahat ng student body. I have their hearts which is uncountable." Dipensa ko.
"BWHAHAHAHA!"
For the first time in decades, we heard the USG President's crazy laugh. Mas buang pa siya kung tumawa kaysa sa akin. Iba na yata ang sumapi sa babaing ito. Natakot at napaatras ang mga LSGU lalong lalo na si Kelvino.
"You really have the courage to tell your oblivious discernment..." She paused to ease her enthusiasm. "But not until you see my alliance."
My eyebrows met.
Marahang lumapit ang isang lalake mula sa likod ng mga sekretarya ni Almira. He was taller than Almira and he had that little mustache on his face. And what's creepy was that...
...he wears a red cloak.
"I want you to meet, Garren. My elder step brother."
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. He removed the hood upon his head making his hair disheveled. Nasilayan namin ang maamo at nakakabighani niyang mukha.
Nagulat rin si Gelai at sumabat siya.
"This is ridiculous! How could Garren place his feet in this campus if he was the only one who got the worst dropout ever in history?! 'Di ba mahaba ang ipinataw sa kaniya na taon para makabalik siya rito sa school at makapag-aral? Kulang na lang ay ma-e-expulsion na siya. Tumanda na nga iyan at tinubuan pa ng bigote at hindi maka-graduate sa senior high dahil sa nagawa niyang nakakadiring krimen."
I can't get off my eyes at Garren.
Nakayuko lang ito.
Warren was rumored to be a psychopath who eats student's flesh. Kumakain siya ng tao. They cannot deny the fact in accordance by the hearsay which he allegedly injected his guiltiness regarding on the issue in the trial court. Kaya walang nagawa ang judge kundi hatulan siya ng mabigat na kaparusahan.
I laughed hard to caught their attention.
"My dear president. You might know that your alliance slash step brother is a living criminal. Alam mo bang hindi siya iboboto ng mga nakakarami? Ayaw ng mga civilized students ipagkatiwala ang gobyerno sa mga masasamang taong katulad niya. Kaya imposibleng mangyari ang ninanais mong isali siya sa USG bilang isang tinitingalang presidente."
"As long as I have the ultimate power, I can do all my own will. The influential name of Dolores will be remain in the student government and to all organizations. Once you heard our surname, dapat lumuhod ka na." Pananakot ni Almira at nilisan kami.
I clenched my fist to release my anger. Hindi ko matansya ang kayabangan ng babaing ito.
"Let just see then. Let the highest probability rest in your shoulders 'coz my formulas won't be easy on you for only using a single scratch paper."