FABIENNE
PRIAM'S ANNOUNCEMENT of Castiel being his vice presidential pick would have upset me. Dapat pinarurusahan ang lalaking 'yon, 'di binibigyan ng reward o promotion. Pero bakit 'di ako nainis, nagalit, o nagtampo? Because I saw it coming. In fact, alam kong siya ang pipiliin ni Priam bago pa ang press briefing niya no'ng isang araw.
How? Let's just say I was witness to it.
"Sorry for being late," Priam greeted me at the campus park. He told me na male-late siya nang kaunti dahil kinausap niya muna ang chairperson ng CAMP college student council. What's her name again? April, Avril, or something.
"Don't worry, I didn't wait that long." Tumayo ako para salubungin siya at makipagbeso sa kaniya. May ibang estudyante sa paligid namin kaya dapat in character pa rin ako bilang First Lady ng USC President. They might find it weird kung magbabatian kami, 'tapos 'yon na 'yon. I would have gone for a hug, but that might be too much. Public display of affection was highly discouraged on campus, pero wala namang malisya kung makipag-cheeks to cheeks ako sa kaniya. Both female and male students had been doing it all the time. "So what's up?"
"I asked to meet you because of two reasons," tugon niya. "First, I want you to be a witness. Second, I feel like I owe you the need to be informed about something important."
"Ano 'yon?" Kumunot ang noo ko. Ang seryoso ng tono niya, ah? Inalala ko kung may atraso ba siya sa 'kin, pero parang wala naman. Naayos na namin ang gusot dati. How about the witness thingy? Saan ako tetestigo?
"Do you mind if we go somewhere else?" tanong niya bago tumango sa malayo. "Just a few minutes walk from here?"
"Sure!" game na game kong sagot. Mamaya pang hapon ang rehearsal namin kaya free ako ngayong umaga. I could come with him wherever he wanted.
Nagsimula kaming maglakad patungo sa greener area ng campus. Saan ba kami papunta? Teka, papuntang golf course 'to ah? Mabuti't may dala siyang payong kaya 'di kami masyadong nainitan. I locked my left arm with his right para feel na feel ko ang pagiging First Lady. May mga nakasunod kasing tingin sa 'min at kumukuha pa ng pictures.
Doon ko muling napansin kung gaano siya katangkad kaysa sa 'kin. Lagpas six feet ang height niya habang ako'y nasa five feet and eight inches. Ibinaba niya nang kaunti ang kaniyang hawak sa payong para siguradong 'di ako tamaan ng araw.
"You've read or heard about the search for the next USC vice president?" Sumulyap siya sa 'kin. Ramdam kong maingat niyang ino-open ang topic. "Some call it veepstake, an portmanteau of veep which is short for vice president, and stake because of the high stake."
"Yeah." Mariin akong tumango bago halos tumingala sa kaniya. "Meron ka na bang napili?"
"I already have someone in mind."
"May I know who?" I sensed the need to ask permission dahil ang mga gano'ng bagay ay posibleng confidential at exclusively para sa kaalaman ng USC members. I didn't wanna cross the line.
"Well . . ." Priam looked down for a few seconds. Parang nahihiya siyang sabihin sa 'kin, ah? O baka nagdadalawang-isip siya kasi ayaw niyang i-spoil sa 'kin? Patuloy niyang iniwas ang kaniyang tingin. "I want to let you know first before I make the announcement later. I also want to get your opinion."
"Ano ba? You don't have to run through your decisions with me." Marahan ko siyang hinampas sa braso. I was probably one of the few people who could do that to him. Or maybe I was the only one? I don't know. "Pero lalo tuloy akong na-curious. Sino ba'ng napili mo?"
Huminga muna siya nang malalim na parang sobrang hirap ng tanong ko. All he had to do was say the name. Puwede naman niyang 'di sabihin kung ayaw niyang magbigay ng spoiler sa 'kin.
"Castiel."
Bigla akong nahinto sa paglalakad. Agad din siyang napatigil dahil naka-lock ang braso ko sa kaniya. Lumingon siya sa 'kin. Anumang ngiti na nakakurba sa labi ko, anumang liwanag na nakapinta sa mukha ko, nawala nang parang bula. Ang ganda-ganda ng araw ko, 'tapos gano'n ang malalaman ko?
He sighed and hung his head low again. "I kinda expected that reaction."
Kaya pala maingat niyang bini-bring up ang topic na 'yon! Alam niyang posibleng mawala ako sa mood o masira ang araw ko. No matter how he approached the subject, the mere mention of Castiel's name was enough to upset me. Lalo pa ngayong binabalak niyang i-appoint ang lalaking 'yon bilang VP niya. Of all people, why him?
"Are you feeling well, Yam?" Sinubukan kong maging kalmado. Ayaw kong gumawa ng iskandalo na ikapapangit din ng araw niya. "Nakalimutan mo na ba kung ano'ng ginawa niya? Nakalimutan mo na bang siya ang dahilan kung bakit kayo sinubukang ipa-impeach? By appointing him to the second highest position—not just any position, ha?—you're giving him more power and more influence! God knows kung paano niya gagamitin ang authority niya!"
Inalis ko na ang braso ko sa pagkaka-lock sa kaniya at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad para mabawasan ang pagkainis ko. I didn't care kung mainitan ako dahil wala na ako sa silong ng payong niya. Paulit-ulit akong napabuga ng hangin. Malapit nang mag-lunchtime, pero mukhang mawawalan ako ng ganang kumain. The mere thought of Vice President Castiel Seville was enough to rile me up. Naninindig nga ang mga balahibo ko!
"Can you hear me out? Please?" Sumunod si Priam sa 'kin, sinubukan akong payungan pero 'di ko siya nilingon. I was walking faster than usual, and he was keeping up with my pace. "Let me explain my decision."
He didn't have to, but fine. "Why him, of all people?" tanong ko nang 'di pa rin siya nililingon.
"I want him to take Val's place since she took his by resigning from the council." Pinantayan na niya ang bilis ng lakad ko. "Gusto ko ring maging visible siya para madali siyang gawing accountable sa mga susunod niyang desisyon. Being my chief-of-staff has rendered him invisible as he pulls the strings behind the scenes. But this time, he won't be able to hide anymore. He has to be careful with his next move."
Muli akong napahinto sa paglalakad, pero 'di ko pa rin siya hinaharap. Nabawasan nang kaunti ang pagkayamot ko at medyo na-gets ko ang ipinupunto niya. "So you're not rewarding him through this appointment?"
"I do not intend to," sagot ni Priam na huminto sa tabi ko. "I have also figured that it might be best for him to face Alaric head on in the LEXECOM if he were to become the VP and its presiding officer."
Napatanaw ako sa malayo, sa malawak na luntian na pinatitingkad ng mga puno, hedge, at lawn. Kung iisipin, ang puno't dulo ng lahat nito—mula sa offer na magpanggap ako bilang First Lady maging ang paninira sa 'kin hanggang sa pamba-blackmail sa CSC chairperson na naging mitsa ng impeachment—ay dahil sa beef ni Castiel kay Alaric. Sukdulan ang pagkamuhi niya sa lalaking 'yon na umabot sa pagkadamay namin sa kanilang issue. If we would take one or two steps backwards, lahat nito ay nangyari dahil kay Alaric. He's the one to be ultimately blamed.
"I'm also hoping that this new position will teach him a thing or two," dugtong ni Priam nang 'di ako kumibo. Sorry, pino-process ko pa kasi ang info. "Not only as a USC officer, but also as a person. Bilang kaibigan niya, hindi ko siya puwedeng hayaan na mabulag sa paghihiganti niya at pabayaan sa tendency niyang maging reckless."
"You're so into the idea na kaya pa niyang magbago?" Nagawa ko nang lumingon sa kaniya. "Naisip mo pang gawing rehabilitation center ang vice presidency at ang USC."
"I believe that he can change. I know that he will," may paninindigan niyang sagot.
Oh, well. Deep inside, umaasa rin akong magbabago si Castiel. But someone like him? Parang malabong magbago siya sa loob ng ilang araw o linggo. It might take months. Or even years. Priam was holding on to that possibility. Kung ako ang nasa posisyon niya, 'di ako masyadong aasa.
Sandali kong ipinikit ang aking mga mata at paulit-ulit na huminga nang malalim. Nagiging clouded ang judgment ko sa tuwing name-mention si Castiel. I needed to chill. I needed to accept the fact that this was beyond my control. Ang tanging magagawa ko ay tanggapin 'to.
"Kung 'yan ang desisyon mo at siya ang napili mo, wala naman akong magagawa." Pilit kong ini-stretch ang labi ko para ngumiti sa kaniya. "You're the USC president and I'm just a student here like everyone else. At the end of the day, ikaw pa rin ang masusunod."
"Are you disappointed?" agad niyang tanong. "Do you think my decision is bad?"
"I'd be lying if I say that I'm not disappointed. But just a bit. Or maybe, a little more," prangkahan kong sagot. "Naiintindihan ko ang reasoning mo. Medyo risky, pero kung 'yon ang sa tingin mo'y best para sa 'yo at sa USC, as your First Lady, I will support your decision. Basta aware ka sa consequences, ha?"
"Thank you," Priam said before heaving a sigh. "This is the reason why I want to tell you first, given your history with Castiel."
"Ano'ng sabi ng ibang officers mo?" Curious ako kung sa tingin nila'y good idea bang i-appoint ang taong dahilan ng muntik nang pagpapatalsik sa kanila. If I were one of them, tututol ako.
"I haven't told them yet." Mabagal siyang umiling. "You're the very first person to know who's going to be my VP pick. But I can sense that their consensus will be a yes, but with some reservation."
Wow. Wala sa itsura at character ni Priam ang mambola kaya masasabi kong legit na ako nga ang una niyang sinabihan. He was always straightforward. In a way, I was happy and honored to know that he informed me first before everyone else.
"I appreciate you telling me about it." I looked straight into his eyes. "You didn't have to, but you did anyway."
"I owe it to you to let you know," he replied. "Thank you for understanding."
"So pagka-announce mo mamayang lunchtime, Vice President Castiel Seville na siya?" Muli na namang nanindig ang mga balahibo ko. Parang gusto ko ring masuka.
"No, he has to secure the nod of the LEXECOM first."
"LEXECOM?" Napatingala ako sa maaliwalas na kalangitan. The skies above were clear, but Castiel's path to approval? Parang 'di gano'n ka-clear. "Do you think i-a-approve ni Alaric ang appointment niya? You know their history. Baka personalin siya."
"That's what I need to resolve this morning." Bumuntonghininga si Priam. "And that's why we're here."
'Di namin namalayan na nakarating na pala kami sa golf course. Masyadong malawak ang lupain na pinagtayuan ng Elysian University—maliban sa maraming buildings, meron din kaming garden, man-made lake, at iba pa—kaya may ganitong amenity sa campus. Sa estimate ko, kakaunti ang mga pumupunta rito. Not everyone was into golf anyway.
We were not members of the golf club. May five-digit membership fee na kailangang bayaran para mapasama. But thanks to Priam's authority as USC president, 'di kami hinarang ng guard sa entrance. Nilakad namin ang golf course lawn hanggang sa matanaw namin ang isang lalaking nakasuot ng puting polo shirt at shorts. Sa tabi niya ay isang babaeng caddie na pinapayungan siya. Halos natatakpan ng visor ang mukha niya, pero nang napansin ko ang blonde niyang buhok, na-recognize ko na agad siya.
"Alaric," I muttered bago humarap kay Priam."Makikipag-meet ka sa kaniya?"
"Tayo," pagtatama niya. "I can meet with him myself, but I figured that it's better to bring a witness with me. You're the first person to come to mind."
Witness? Parang may balak siyang gawing krimen, ah?
Huminto kami sa parteng nasisilungan ng puno, ilang metro ang layo kay Alaric. Napalingon sa 'min ang kasama niyang caddie. He swung his club, hitting the white dimpled ball and making it fly. Bumagsak 'yon malapit sa butas sa malayo.
Lumapit ang babaeng caddie kay Alaric, bumulong, at napaturo sa amin.
"Priam!" tawag ni Alaric bago niya iabot sa caddie ang hawak na club. Naglakad siya papunta sa 'min habang pinapayungan. "And Fabienne also? I didn't expect to see you two here."
"Hi," matamlay kong bati sa kaniya. Wala ba siyang morning classes kaya nagagawa niyang magpalipas ng oras dito? He must have a lot of free time in his hands.
"Sorry to interrupt your morning golf," bati ni Priam sa kaniya. "I hope this is a good time."
"Sorry for asking you to meet me here." Nakapamaywang na humarap sa 'min si Alaric. Pinunasan muna niya ng towel ang kaniyang mukha. "Your message sounded so urgent, so I fit it in my schedule as soon as possible. This happened to be my free time. So how may I help you?"
"I won't keep you long," panimula ni Priam. "I'm here to discuss the vice presidential nomination."
"You're not offering it to me, are you?"
"No, not in a million years."
Tinakpan ko ang bibig ko at bumaling ang ulo para pigilan ang aking tawa. Alaric probably wasn't expecting himself to be seriously considered, pero nakatatawa pa ring marinig kung paano siya tinurn down.
"I'm nominating Castiel, and I'm announcing it later," sabi ni Priam.
"Castiel?" Nanliit ang mga mata ni Alaric, parang 'di makapaniwala. "Castiel Seville? Your chief-of-staff?"
"Yes, the one and only."
'Di nag-joke ang kasama ko, pero biglang napahalakhak si Alaric. Sandali niyang iniwas ang kaniyang mukha sa 'min. Priam and I only stared at him hanggang sa kumalma na siya.
"That's a very interesting choice." Malawak ang ngiting nakapinta sa kaniyang labi na parang nang-aasar. "But I don't see why I need to be informed of this news. Malalaman ko rin mamaya kapag ina-anounce mo na. There's no need to give me a heads up."
"I want you to confirm his appointment in the LEXECOM," walang paligoy-ligoy na sabi ni Priam. Whoa! Napaka-bold ni Yam ngayon, ah?
"Confirm him?" ulit ni Alaric. "You do know that Castiel is quite a controversial pick. He was involved in coercing Chevy to vote in favor of one of your motions. Even if Valeria took responsibility for that incident, Castiel was equally guilty. What will the student body say of the committee if we approve someone who has stain in his reputation?"
"Approve his appointment out of courtesy to the USC," the president insisted. Talagang pursigido siyang ipaglaban ang lalaking 'yon. "It's going to be a win-win situation for you anyway."
"Win-win? In what way?"
"If Castiel performs well as VP, then you will share the credit for giving him the chance. If he fails, then you will have an ammunition that you can use against us."
"But the second scenario will hurt us as well. It's a double-edged sword, if you think about it. Tatanungin kami kung bakit namin cinonfirm ang isang controversial appointee kahit aware kami sa background niya."
"It will hurt me and the USC more than it will hurt you," paliwanag ni Priam. "Ako ang nag-appoint sa kaniya kaya kung may dapat nag-exercise ng better judgment, ako 'yon. If worse comes to worst, you can pin the blame on me, on us."
Nagkrus ang mga braso ni Alaric habang nakatanaw sa malayo. Nagkaroon ng sandaling katahimikan. Bumugso ang malakas na hangin galing kanluran. Sumunod sa sayaw ng mga sanga ng puno sa paligid ang buhok ko. Hinawi ko ang ilang hairstrand para 'di matakpan ang aking mukha.
"That's an interesting proposition." Muling humarap sa 'min si Alaric, inalis na sa pagkakakrus ang mga braso niya. He pocketed his hands. "But let me remind you that it's going to be your funeral."
"I know." Inalok ni Priam ang kamay niya. "Do we have a deal?"
Tinitigan muna 'yon ni Alaric bago tinanggap. "Deal. You have my word."
"Yen here shall be the witness of our gentleman's agreement."
"Make sure na tutupad ka, ah?" paalala ko.
"My word is my bond."
And that's how I knew in advance about Castiel's appointment—ilang oras bago officially in-announce ni Priam. Sana nga'y maging mas maingat na ang lalaking 'yon sa mga galaw niya. Kahit paano'y nagtitiwala ako sa sinabi ni Priam na may chance pa siyang magbago.
I pray that Yam made the right decision.
♕
NEXT UPDATE: Castiel officially discharges the duties of the vice presidency.