AUTHOR's POV
Kinaumagahan ay nag dala nga ng ulam si Nicko sa bahay nina Ajax. Doon narin kumain si Nicko at sasabay daw siya sa dalawa patungong school dahil tinatamad daw siyang magdrive.
Tulad nanaman ng nakagawian. Kinuha ni Ajax ang bag ni Yasmin at naglakad na sila palabas ng bahay.
Pinagbuksan niya nanaman si Yasmin sa shotgun seat at kusa nang pumasok si Nicko sa back seat.
---
Bumaba silang tatlo sa kotse at nag lakad papasok sa University.
Sinalubong naman agad sila ng mga bulungan at hagikhikan.
"Kyaah! Who's that new cutie?!"
"Nicko my loves!"
"Nicko ang name? Nice!"
"Yes! HRM ang kinuha niya. And specifically, CHEF!"
"Masarap siguro siya mag luto!"
"Sikat ka pala Nicko." Sabi ni Yasmin sakanya at umiling na lamang si Nicko. May lumapit na isang lalake kay Ajax.
"Pinatatawag ka ni Dean." Sabi nito at napatingin si Ajax kay Yasmin.
"Ngayon na ba?" Ajax asked and tumango ang lalake.
"Hayss. Sabihin mo uwian nalang, ihahatid ko pa si Yasmin oh." Ajax said and umiling ang lalake.
"Importante daw. Kailangan ngayon na. Baka magalit si Dean, punta ka na." Sabi ng lalake at napa iling si Yasmin.
"Pumunta ka na. Kaya ko ang sarili ko. Besides kasama ko si Nicko papasok sa building. Kaso magkaiba na ang direksyon namin." Yasmin said and naka busangot na si Ajax.
"Sure ka ha?" Tanong pa ni Ajax at tumango si Yasmin.
"Mabait si Dean, don't worry. Hindi yun basta basta naga galit." Yasmin said and kinuha ang bag kay Ajax.
"Ingat. See you later." Sabi ni Ajax at lumisan na.
Naglakad sila ni Nicko. Nang makarating sila sa Main building ay tumigil silang dalawa at nagharap.
"Sige Nicko. Salamat." Sabi ni Yasmin at tatalikod na sana kaso biglang hinawakan ni Nicko ang wrist niya.
"Pwede naman kitang ihatid. Mamaya pa naman ang klase ko." He said and umiling si Yasmin.
"Kaya ko na. Sige na." Sabi ni Yasmin at tinanggal ang pagkakahawak ni Nicko sakanya.
Naglakad na si Yasmin patungo sa classroom niya.
"GIRLS! Did you hear the news?!"
"What news?!"
"Gosh! You are always not updated!"
"What is it?"
"Yves and Yasmin will be dating each other on Acquaintance Party!"
"REALLY?!"
"Yes! And look! Look at their bracelets! Gosh! It's gold!"
"Yah! That's unfair! Porket anak ng Dean ay gold na ang ibibigay niyang bracelet?!"
"Yeah right."
Napatingin si Yasmin doon. Tinaasan niya ng kilay ang mga naguusap.
"Will you please stop? Yves bought me this and hindi ito galing sa Dad niya."
"Ahh. Sorry. We didn't mean to--"
"Of course you didn't." Naka ngiting sabi ni Yasmin.
Napa ngiti na lamang si Yves sa narinig niya. Kanina pa siya nasa likod ni Yasmin at mukhang hindi siya napansin nito.
Ngumisi si Yves sa mga babae kaya nagsialisan ang mga ito.
YASMIN's POV
"Good Morning class. Let's have a review." Mr. Ren said. Tumahimik ang klase at may kumatok sa pinto.
Iniluwa nito si Ajax.
"Sorry Prof I'm late." Pagpapa umanhin ni Ajax.
"And why are you late?" Tanong ni Prof.
"The Dean called me." He said and sinenyasan siya ni Prof na umupo na.
"Okay. Who can give me the definition of Osmosis?" He asked. Base sa tanong ni Prof. May pagkastrikto at terror siya.
Walang nagrace ng hand Kaya napatingin sa akin si Prof.
"Ms. Brooklyn. Give me the definition of Osmosis." He said kaya tumayo ako.
"Osmosis is the result of diffusion across a semipermeable membrane. Osmosis is also the spontaneous net movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from a region of low solute concentration to a more concentrated solution, up a concentration gradient. This equalizes concentrations on both sides of the membrane." Sagot ko at napangiti siya.
Hindi pa siya nagsabing umupo ako kaya hindi muna ako umupo.
"And the process of Osmosis is?" Pangalawang tanong niya. Sumandal siya sa mesa habang nakataas pa ang hawak na white board marker.
"If two solutions of different concentration are separated by a semipermeable membrane, then the solvent will tend to diffuse across the membrane from the less concentrated to the more concentrated solution. This process is called osmosis." Mas lumawak ang ngiti niya at sinenyasan akong umupo.
Umupo na ako.
"Mr. Ramirez." Sinenyasan niya si Ajax na tumayo.
"What is Semipermeable membrane?" Prof asked and napa lunok si Ajax.
"Semipermeable membranes are very thin layers of material that allow small molecules, like oxygen, water, carbon dioxide, ammonia, glucose, amino-acids, etc., to pass through. However, they do not allow larger molecules, like sucrose, protein, etc., to pass through."
"Sit down." Sabi nito na iginala pa ang mata na tila naghahanap ng makakain.
"Oh! Mr. Emmanuelle!" Sabi nito at tumayo na agad si Yves.
"What is Diffusion?" Prof asked.
"Diffusion is a spontaneous movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration."
"Give me an example."
"Example is, Tea flavoring moving from an area of high to low concentration in hot water." Napangiti nanaman si Sir.
"What is the difference between Diffusion and Osmosis?" Tanong nanaman nito.
"Diffusion mainly occurs in gaseous state or within gas molecules and liquid molecules while Osmosis occurs when the medium surrounding the cell has a higher water concentration than the cell. The cell gains water along with important molecules and particles for growth. It also occurs when water and particles move from one cell to another."
"Very good! This class is interesting. Well, let's see kung makakasagot ang iba." Sabi niya at tumingin kay Michael.
Yung iba naming kaklase ay nagtatago nalang para hindi makita.
"Uhmm? Mr. Mercado! Stand up!" Sabi ni Sir and Michael sighed.
"Importance of Diffusion and Osmosis?" Naglakad siya papalapit kay Michael.
"Diffusion creates energy, it helps in exchange of gases during respiration, photosynthesis and transpiration while osmosis influences the distribution of nutrients and the release of metabolic waste products. In plants, osmosis is partially responsible for the absorption of soil water and for the elevation of the liquid to the leaves of the plant."
Pumalakpak si Sir ng tatlong beses.
"It needs water for movement while the other one doesn't need water for movement." Sabi ni Prof na parang nagsa sabing sagutan namin iyon.
Tumayo ako.
"Osmosis needs water while Diffusion doesn't." Umupo na ako. Tumango si Sir.
"Give me the two types of Osmosis!" Sabi ni Sir. Napa kamot ng ulo si Ajax at tumayo.
"Reverse and Forward Osmosis, Prof." Sabi niya at tumango si Prof.
"I'll call." Sabi nito at iginala nanaman ang paningin. Nakita ko pa ang nahihirapang paglunok ng iba.
"Ms. De Guzman!" Tumayo naman si Michelle.
Hindi pa ba tapos ang pagta tanong ni Prof? Sabagay.
"Types of Diffusion!" Napa kagat sa labi si Michelle.
"Surface diffusion, Brownian motion, Collective diffusion, Effusion, Electron diffusion, Facilitated diffusion, Gaseous diffusion, Knudsen diffusion, Momentum diffusion, Photon diffusion, Reverse Diffusion, and Self- diffusion, Prof." Mahabang sabi ni Michelle.
"You forgot one." Seryosong sabi ni Sir at napa-isip naman si Michelle.
"Osmosis." Sagot ni Michelle at tumango si Sir.
"I'll call another one." Sabi niya at iginala nanaman ang paningin.
"Hmm. Mr. Garcia!" Tawag niya kay Skyler. Patay!
"Last question. Kapag hindi mo nasagot. We will be having our first quiz tomorrow."
"Ha?!"
"Prof naman!"
"Why?!"
"Skyler! Sagot!"
"Ayusin mo!"
"QUIET!" Tumahimik ang klase at seryoso ang mukha ni Sir.
"What is my complete name?" He asked. Nanlaki ang mata ko.
Ren. Ren lang ang sinabi niya noong first day!
"Mr. Ren Garcia, Prof." Sagot ni Skyler. Ka-ano-ano kaya ni Skyler si Prof Ren?
"Nice. No quiz 'for' tomorrow. Dismissed!" Sabi niya at lumabas ng classroom. Napahinga ng maluwag ang mga kaklase namin.
"Wahh! Yasmin! Ang terror!" Sabi ni Ajax sa akin at tumawa na lamang ako.
---
Pumasok na ang susunod naming guro at ang subject ay History.
"Good Morning. Let's have a review. Don't worry, all of the teachers entering your class will ask some questions about your topic before graduating in High School." Naka ngiting sabi niya dahilan para kabahan kami.
Nakakapudpod naman ng utak to! Ang hirap! First day of lecturing palang ha!
"Lahat kayo ay tatawagin ko. We will be starting at the back. Please stand up, Mr. Emmanuelle." Sabi niya kaya tumayo si Yves.
"We all know that Philippines is a Southeast Asian Country in the western pacific. Right?!" Tanong ni Ma'am at nag 'Yes' ang lahat.
"How many islands are there in the Phillippines?" She asked Yves.
"More than 7,000 islands, Miss." Ngumiti si Ma'am at itinuro si Michael na siya namang tumayo agad.
"When did the Philippine- American War happened?"
"February 4, 1899 to July 2, 1902." Tumango ulit si Ma'am at tinawag si Michelle.
"Who is the first President of the Philippines?"
"Emilio Aguinaldo."
Pinatayo niya ang susunod.
"Birth date and place of Emilio Aguinaldo?"
"March 22, 1869 in Kawit Cavite."
Pinatayo niya nanaman ang susunod.
"Who declared Martial Law?"
"Ferdinand Marcos."
Pinatayo niya ang katabi nito.
"When?"
"Martial Law was approved and signed on September 21, 1972 and came into force on September 22."
Tumango siya at pinatayo si Ajax. Ako na susunod.
"Where did the name Malacanang came from?"
"May Lakan Diyan." Sagot ni Ajax at tumayo ako agad. The Prof smirked at me.
"Capital City of Philippines?"
"Manila."
"Most popular city in Metro Manila?" Ako parin ang tinatanong.
"Quezon City."
"Philippines is prone to what?" Ako parin.
"Philippines is prone to earthquakes and typhoons, but also endows it with abundant natural resources and some of the world's greatest biodiversity."
Unfair!
"Ok. That's all for now. Let's continue tomorrow." She said and lumabas ng classroom.
"Hayss. Mag-iisip ka nga naman talaga oh." Ajax said and I laughed.
Lumabas kami ng classroom para mag break. Nagugutom ako dahil sa recitation na nagaganap at mayroon pang mga subjects mamaya.
---
"Anong next subject?" Ajax asked.
"English." I answered.
Napabuga siya ng hangin.
Kinain ko na ang sandwich ko at ininom ang gatas.
"Tara na sa classroom." I said and tumayo.
"Ha? Wag na! Escape tayo. Nakaka-ano naman sa utak eh!" Reklamo niya na ikinailing ko.
"Kung ayaw mo, umuwi ka na. Dito lang ako." I said and naglakad na palabas ng cafeteria at mabilis naman siyang nakasunod.
---
"Good Morning Class. This is English Class. So speak in English." Sabi niya kaya tumango kaming lahat.
Well, she looks young. Mga 22 or 23 years old. Tas maganda rin siya.
"Okay. I guess, they've already told you that we will be having a review for now?" Nag 'yes' kaming lahat at ngumiti siya.
"All of you! Stand! Those students who cannot answer my questions will remain standing! Are we clear?!" She said so we immediately stood up.
"Okay. First question, what is a verb?" She asked.
"A verb is a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence, and forming the main part of the predicate of a sentence, such as hear, become, happen." Sagot ng isa naming kaklase.
"Good. Sit." She said.
"What is Annotation?"
"Annotation is a note of explanation or comment added to a text or diagram." Sinenyasan niyang umupo yung sumagot tumingin kay Ajax.
"Oh! Mr. Ramirez! Nice to see you here in my class! I hope you'll pass my subject." Nakangising sabi ni Prof.
Magkakilala sila?
"Mr. Ramirez! What is the difference between extemporaneous and impromptu speech?!"
"Extemporaneous speech is done without being planned, organized, or rehearsed."
Baliktad Ajax! Tiningnan ko siya.
"Wrong!"
"Eh Ate-- I mean Miss naman!" Ate?! Ate niya si Miss?!
"Baliktad." I whispered.
"Oh bakit? My God Mr. Ramirez! This is a Grade 10 lesson! And didn't I told you to speak in English?"
"I know. Kaya nga nakalimutan ko na eh. Grade 10 pa yun." Bulong ni Ajax.
"Ehem. Extemporaneous speech is spoken or done without preparation while Impromptu is done without being planned, organized, or rehearsed." Sagot niya at sinenyasan siyang umupo.
"Ms. Brooklyn. What is persuasive text?"
"Persuasive writing is a type of non-fiction writing used to convince the reader to agree with the author about an issue. The author will rely heavily on facts to express their opinion and use them in an argumentative type of writing style."
"Sit down. All of you!" She said and umupo na kaming lahat.
"My name is Arya Ramirez. Your English Professor." Napalunok ako. Ate niya nga!
"I'll be giving your syllabus tomorrow. Read page 1 and 2. We will be having a quiz on Friday." Huling katagang sinabi niya bago nilisan ang room namin.
"Grabe naman!"
"Kapatid kaya ni Ajax si Miss Arya?"
"Oo siguro."
"Ajax called Miss Arya, ate."
"Kapatid mo nga ba?" I asked Ajax and tumango siya.
Oh! Ngayon ko lang alam na may kapatid pala siya.
"Matagal na siyang nagtuturo dito sa University, kaya nga gusto ko mag aral dito para kahit minsan ay makasama ko siya. Hinsi siya nakatira sa bahay kasi she's with our family." Sabi niya.
"How about you?" I asked and ngumiti na lamang siya.
"Nakakadalaw naman ako sakanila minsan pero hindi sapat. Mga isang oras lang siguro ako doon tapos aalis na ako." He said and ngumiti ako.
"Cheer up! Aja!" I said and ngumiti narin siya.