Why Don't We - 8 letters
Kabanata 16
I celebrated Christmas and New Year in Batangas. I tried greeting Sath but apparently Iscalade still has his phone. Ayoko naman ma-stress kapag si Iscalade ang textmate ko.
Kaya naman nang magpasukan na ulit. I was excited to make preparations for our field demo. Tuwing may ganito kasi na event, 'yung mga gawain namin sa ibang subjects ay binibigyan ng mas mahabang deadline.
Sa library ay nagkaroon kami ng meeting para sa foundation week at sa field demo. Sinimulan ko ang paguusap tungkol sa mga balak ko para sa mismong field demo.
"Mira, nakuha na ba 'yung mga pera bawat section?" panimula ko. Agad namang tumango si Mira sa'kin. She's from ABM section 2. Siya ang naatasan sa treasury.
"Mamimili kami sa Divisoria na lang para mas mura. Pagkatapos naman kasi nito ay itatapon lang o kaya itatambak sa storage room 'yung props."
"Kailan?" tanong ko.
"Probably after class." She lifted the paperbag that contained the money she collected. Mukhang mabigat ito dahil may mga baryang tumutunog nang alugin niya ito.
"Sige, sasama ako para mas ma-budget natin 'yung pera." I told her as I nodded my head.
Lahat kasi kami ay pinagbayad para sa props ng field demo. Since it's for the strand, marami naman ang nalikom na pera para sa fund ng ABM.
I showed them the draft that the designer created for the background. Tumulong naman ako pero syempre mas may maalam sa akin pagdating sa pagguhit kaya naman pinaubaya ko na ito sa kanya.
Ang theme namin ay umiikot sa pera, business at ABM itself. The ABM coordinator agreed with my idea.
"Bibili tayo ng paper money tapos ididikit sa t-shirt," I instructed. "Sa backdraft naman, lalagyan natin ng mga building."
"Noted, Zafi!" Mira nodded and took down notes. Ngumiti naman ako sa kanya.
"Make sure every dancer have a corporate attire, ha. If wala, hiraman sa ibang section."
Most of the ABM leaders from each section agreed. There are 5 sections per strand. Wala naman masyadong naging pagbabago sa ginawa kong plano. I don't know if it is because we don't know each other that much, kaya nahihiya silang magbigay ng opinyon o talagang maganda na ang plano ko. I'm hoping for the latter.
Matapos ang meeting ay dumiretso na ako pabalik sa classroom. I was massaging my nape, nakakangalay pala ang posisyon ko kanina habang nasa meeting. Nakaramdam ako ng presensya sa likod ko.
"You're very hands on," lumapit sa'kin si Ade. "Pinupuri ka ng mga nasa ibang section. Pakiramdam din nila malakas ang laban natin kumpara sa ibang strand."
Ngumisi ako kay Ade. "Thanks!"
That brings warmth to my heart. Kahit naging busy ako habang nasa bakasyon ay talaga namang binigyan ko ng atensyon ang paggawa ng plano para sa field demo.
"Kaya pala siniseryoso ni Sarathiel itong field demo e." He chuckled.
Speaking of Sath, kailan kaya kami mag-uusap? Miss ko na 'yung crush ko. Pero tatalunin muna namin 'yung strand nila.
Ngumuso ako at lumingon kay Ade.
"Nakakausap mo si Sath?" I decided to ask Ade.
He shook his head. "Hindi, he's really busy these days. Iscalade also has his phone — and I don't want to talk to Iscalade."
It was my turn to laugh. "Same. Sumasakit ulo ko kapag kausap si Iscalade."
Gio was one of the dancer so we don't talk often. Melay and Bea are both propsmen too but since I'm the head, I mostly do the work with other leaders.
Nakabili naman na kami ng mga ibang materials na kailangan. Binuhat ko ang isang box na may lamang props. Mabigat pero wala naman akong ibang maaasahan dahil 'yung iba ay nasa backdraft na mas mabigat.
I was slightly falling while trying to walk. Nakaka-out of balance kasi 'yung bigat. Mabuti na lang at may nakasalo saakin sa likod ko.
I was stumbling even if I try to balance the pace of how I walk. Hanggang sa muntikan na akong matumba mabuti na lamang at may sumalo sa'kin.
"Thank you — Sath!" I beamed at him. Pero nang makita ko kung sino kasama niya, kaagad akong nagtaas ng kilay.
Si Czanne.
She looked as picture perfect as before. Bagsak na bagsak ang kanyang buhok at halatang walang gusot at palaging plantsado ang damit. She was really that neat. Isa talaga siyang role model bilang representative sa SSG. Binigyan niya lang ako ng tipid na ngiti nang mapansin na nakatingin ako sa kanya.
"Do you need help?" Czanne said and pointed the box that I was holding.
"Hindi na—"
Nagulat ako nang biglang hinawakan ni Sath 'yung box na hawak ko. Kinuha niya ito sa'kin. Medyo nahiya naman ako dahil baka naging istorbo pa ako kung sakali man na may gagawin din sila para sa field demo.
"Saan ka ba pupunta?" he asked.
"ABM building, Sath. Baka di ka papasukin doon." Halakhak ko. I appreciate his help but I know this will be an issue.
Wala siyang sinabi at naglakad lang sa direksyon ng ABM building. Czanne was left there, speechless.
"I'm sorry, I'll talk to Sath —" lumingon ako kay Czanne. She immediately shook her head.
"No, it's okay! He helped you because he's such a gentleman. I hope you don't take it in a wrong way," she smiled.
Agad din siyang umalis nang sabihin niya 'yon. I decided to follow Sath in our building. Pinagtitinginan siya pero hindi niya ito pinapansin.
"Thanks, Sath." I told him. I'm trying to catch up with his pace but damn those legs!
Ako lang ba talaga 'yung maliit sa kanila? Ang bibilis kasi nila maglakad.
"Oh! Sarathiel, ABM ka na pala." Ade laughed when he saw Sath.
Sath brought the box down near the other ABM students assigned for the props. May ilang mga ABM students na napalingon din kay Sath.
"You have to go, baka isipin pa nila espiya ka." I told Sath. He was looking at me oddly.
Ang tagal niya akong tinitigan.
"Sath?" I tried calling for his attention. I even waved my hand in front of him.
"I'm trying to memorize your face," he scowls as he remove my hand in front of his face.
My eyes widened. "Bakit?"
"It's going to be two weeks more before I see you again," he pouts.
I laughed and tried to hide my blushing face by looking around.
"Umalis ka na! Sendan na lang kita ng pictures ko para nakakatulog ka sa gabi." I joked.
His lips parted, unti-unti na naman siyang ngumuso. Para siyang tuta na hindi pinagbigyan umihi sa isang gulong.
"Iscalade has my phone!"
I stick out my tongue.
"Edi si Iscalade makakakita ng pagmumukha ko!"
"That's so unfair," he was like a kid who didn't get his candy.
"Life's never fair. Tsupi na, tangkay!" I slightly pushed him.
He groaned before walking away and leaving our sight. I can't stop myself from smiling.
How cute.
Tumikhim ang mga kaibigan ko na gumagawa ng props. Umakto naman ako na parang wala lang.
"So masaya ka naman? Di pa kayo niyan? Sa harap pa namin kayo nag-landian 'no?" sumulpot si Melay na nakapameywang sa gilid ko.
I pushed my cheeks using both of my hands to stop myself from smiling again.
"Tara na nga! Tapusin na natin 'yung sa props," I dismissed her question and dragged her to the props area.
『••✎••』
2 weeks passed and I was so confident that we would win. I know our props were better from the other strands since I saw snippets of their performance. Kahit naman sila at ini-expect na mananalo ang ABM dahil sa dry run namin.
Nasa ugali ko na 'yata talaga ang pagkakaroon ng tiwala na magaling ako. It is a good thing since I tend to want just the best.
The day has come and we were trying to chill since it's the last day of our foundation and it's the day of the field demonstration.
"I'm so excited! Next year, tayo naman ang magbebenta," Melay was hopping.
The ABM and TVL strand are required to sell food or offer different services during our Foundation. Hindi ko pa alam kung para saan na subject ito. Pero ang sabi sa'min, mas marami na kaming business related subjects next school year.
Nasa Bonanza Area kami, it was crowded and packed with people. Nandito kasi 'yung mga stalls ng ABM at TVL.
Bumili kami ng mga shake, finger food at minsan ay naghahati kami para sa mga rice meal dahil ayaw namin mabusog agad. Honestly, mas masarap pa ang mga tinitinda ng mga estudyante ngayon kumpara sa pagkain sa canteen. Hindi pa ito sobrang mahal, hindi ako magtataka kung kikita ang mga stalls ngayon.
Since we were just propsmen, I made sure that we will finish our props early so we can enjoy our Foundation week. Kahit isang araw lang sana na wala kaming gagawin related sa field demo.
"Naka-ready na damit ng dancers 'di ba? The props are also in their respective places?" tanong ko kay Bea.
Bea nodded her head, she seems lost in her thoughts though. My forehead creased and decided to ask Melay, mas may alam kasi si Melay sa mga ganap.
"Away sila ni HUMSS guy," Melay giggled.
Oh, Bea did have someone from the HUMSS strand. Sumulpot si Gio sa gitna naming dalawa ni Melay. Ang dami niyang hawak na pagkain. He even offered some to us, mukhang free samples ang mga binigay sa kanya. Alam ko naman kung bakit, Gio is a living marketing material.
"Dapat di ka nakikipagsagutan doon, maga-abogado 'yon e." Gio muttered while biting on his sandwich.
"Gio! Baka gusto mo ng panulak!" sigaw nung isang lalaki sa isang booth, offering a calamansi juice to Gio.
Gio laughed and nodded his head to his upperclassman.
"Sige, pabili ako! Utang muna!"
The guy grimace and shouted back.
"Kuripot mo, San Pedro! Pareho namang CPA lawyer mga magulang mo!"
Gio was dragged by the grade twelve students from ABM. Mukhang gagawin pa 'yata siyang promoter ng product nila.
Umiling na lang ako habang nakangiti. Aalis na dapat kami sa Bonanza Area dahil tapos naman na kami bumili ng pagkain. I just stopped from my track when I saw something.
I saw a booth of TVL that sells pastries. May nakita akong blueberry cheesecake na nag-iisa na lang. Naka-tupperware ito. Agad kong hinatak si Melay para tingnan ito. Nakalagay ito sa isang dome glass container kaya lalong nagmukhang masarap.
"Grabe 500 na 'yan?" gulat na sabi ni Melay nang makita kung saan ako nakatingin.
"Mahal naman kasi talaga 'yung mga 'ganyang klaseng cake. Madali lang sigurong naubos kasi kaunti lang binenta nila." Bea stated.
Tiningnan ko ang wallet ko at nakitang dala ko ang ipon ko ngayon.
"Wait lang, bibilhin ko lang 'yon." Paalam ko sa kanila. Both of their jaws were dropped. Kumunot ang noo ko dahil inalog-alog pa ni Melay si Bea habang ang mga panga nila ay nanatiling nakalaglag.
"Sampalin nga kita, Bea. Baka nananaginip ako. Si Zafirah gagastos? Totoo ba?" Melay says, even pretending that she's shock.
"Hoy, gumagastos naman ako!" I defended myself.
"Hala ka, girl? Sinapian ka ba? Ikaw ba talaga si Zafirah? Super tipid mo kaya!"
Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin at pumunta na sa mismong cashier ng booth para bumili. The girl in charge asked if I wanted it to be wrap with their fancy boxes and I agreed. Nilagay niya ito sa isang paperbag na may ribbon pa.
Bumalik ako sa kanila at nakitang nakabalik na si Gio na mas marami pang dalang pagkain ngayon.he was surprised to see me and pointed towards the blueberry cheesecake.
"Zafirah, patikim niyan!"
"Para kay Sath 'to!" tinago ko sa kanyang paningin ang box na dala ko.
Gio wiggled his eyebrows at me, a hint of teasing smile on his face. Agad naman akong namula dahil napagtantuan ko na nahuli niya ako sa akto. Alam na rin siguro ni Gio.
Mamayang 5pm pa ang start ng mismong field demo para sa SHS kaya tambay-tambay muna kami at nanonood ng field demo ng mga JHS. Hindi pa namin nakakasalubong si Sath, busy siguro sa preparations.
When it was announced that the field demo is starting for SHS. Nagsuot kami ng mga ribbon na kulay blue. I decided to tie the ribbon on my hair.
"ABM! GO ABM!" sigaw ko nang makitang nagaayos na ang mga dancers. Si Gio ay pinagt-tripan 'yung make up artist na inaayusan siya.
"Umayos ka aahitin ko lahat ng kilay mo!" banta sa kanya nung make up artist.
"Huwag! Kilay is life ako!"
Lumabas na kami para mag-stand by. Mauuna kasi ang HUMSS, TVL, GAS bago ang ABM. Panghuli ang STEM sa bunutan.
Pumunta sa pangalawang palapag ng Main Building para mapanood ang mga performance. Magaling ang HUMSS sa ginawa nilang twist ng performance nila. Ang creative ng GAS sa mga props na ginamit nila. TVL also made a good performance to watch.
When the GAS finished their performance. Lumabas na ang ABM kaya todo cheer ako. Tumitili si Bea at Melanie para sa strand namin.
I was anxious as I watch them preparing themselves for the performance. Randam ko ang kaba ng bawat dancer at mga propsmen.
I know we have the chance to win. Nakita ko ang pagod at dedikasyon ng strand namin.
Umuuwi na kami ng sobrang late para lang masiguradong maganda ang props.
Umaga hanggang hapon ang practice ng mga dancer, pagod na sila pero nakangiti pa rin sila para lang hindi maramdam na pagod na sila.
I want this to be worth it.
"Let's all welcome! Grade 11 ABM!" sigaw nung Emcee. Lalong lumakas ang tilian. I could feel the love and support for my strand.
I'm so proud of my strand. I'll never regret being in ABM.
Nagkaroon lang ng katahimikan dahil ang tagal mag-start ng music. May lumapit sa Emcee. Umakyat ang kaba sa puso ko.
"ABM, wala pa raw 'yung music niyo."
Nalaglag ang panga ko. Everyone was quiet. I knew we were doomed. I saw the horror in their faces and the hope slowly leaving their souls. Miski naman ako ay unti-unting nawalan ng gana nang marinig 'yon.
Wala na. Talo na kami.
Ang laking minus kapag wala pa 'yung music bago 'yung performance.
I clenched my fists.
Lahat ng pagod namin...Hindi na naman nasuklian.
May nag-abot ng isang flashdrive sa Emcee. Kaya naman nakapagsimula na rin. Pero ang tagal bago makapag-perform ang ABM.
The deafening silence from the crowd made my eyes welled up with tears.
Hindi mapalitan ng masayang tugtog ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. My heart was being eaten by my own sadness. We were there — I knew we had the chance to win. Pinilit ko manood pero hindi ko magawang sumigaw para sa kanila. It shattered my heart knowing that they were dancing even if winning is not even possible now...
"Zafi..." Melay offered a kind smile. "Okay lang 'yon."
Tumingin ako sa kanya, nangingilid ang mga luha.
Naiiyak na naman ako. Ang babaw talaga ng luha ko pagdating sa school. This was my life. It was the only good thing about myself.
Kung hindi rito ay wala namang espesyal sa akin. I'm only known because of my grades or my standing when it comes to academics and school related activities.
Bakit parang nawawala na 'yon sa akin?
"Go ABM! Ang galing niyo!"
The voice made me struck me like lightning. Sa katahimikan ng mga tao ay akala ko hindi ako makakarinig ng kahit anong cheer mula sa kanila.
I searched for the person who shouted those words. I saw Sarathiel who was cheering from afar.
He was the only one cheering for us.
He was clapping and whistling. Even nudging some of his classmates to cheer for us.
Lalo lang akong naiyak. When people weren't there for me - he's always there. He would always be there during the darkest times of my life. He was simply my light.
How couldn't I fall for that?
"Go mga mukhang pera! Lampasuhin niyo na kami!" another one shouted. I saw that it was Ms. Intramurals who was also cheering for us.
"Go ABM!" even the soft spoken Philomena Gracia was cheering.
Sunud-sunod na ang pagc-cheer ng iba't-ibang strand sa strand namin.
Pinunasan ko agad ang mga nagbabadyang luha at nag-cheer na lang din sa ABM.
That's right.
If I let this feeling overcome me, hindi ko na maipapakita ang suporta ko para sa strand ko. They deserve this and I should yell how proud I am. They are performing with everything they've got.
All the loneliness I feel immediately faded and was replaced with joy.
When our performance finished. The crowd went wild and a series of applause was given to our strand.
Pumalakpak ako nang pumalakpak, my palms are almost red because of how much I have clapped. Still, I'm so proud of them.
I was right. We did win - we won the hearts of many and that would suffice for now.
『••✎••』
"Sath," I called him as I approach. "Congratulations."
Marami ang nasa STEM ngayon. The confetti were being thrown around on their area and the students were having their victory party. Maingay ang bawat sulok ng kanilang building at buhay na buhay pa ang mga ilaw kahit halos gabi na.
STEM was hailed as the champion. HUMSS came in as 1st place and TVL for the 2nd place.
Agad na nagpaalam si Sath sa mga kaklase niya. Tumango naman mga ito at tuluyan nang lumapit s'ya sa'kin.
"Hey," he was peeking over my face. Kumuha siya ng panyo sa bulsa niya at pinunasan 'yung gilid ng mga mata ko.
He looked worried as he scanned my face. Hinawakan niya ang pisngi ko at agad na pinunasan ang ilang bakas ng luha na hindi ko natanggal kanina. I gently remove his hand and offered a smile.
"Did you cry?"
"Tears of joy, tapos na rin kasi lahat. Makakapagpahinga na rin." I said, smiling.
I would lie if I didn't say that I was bitter but I was really happy for those who won. Deserve naman kasi nila talaga.
I just had to accept things. Nakita ko ang mga pagod sa mukha nila kanina pero nagawa pa rin naman nilang maging masaya. I apologized for not making sure that the song was already given on the technical staff but they told me it wasn't my fault. Huwag ko raw isisi ang lahat sa sarili ko.
Even if I knew I could have done better for them. I bitterly thought of that.
"May next year pa," he tried to comfort me.
Bumuntonghininga ako at umangat ang tingin sa kanya.
"Yeah, sana manalo 'yung grade 11 ABM next year."
"Mananalo sila kasi grade 12 na ako no'n," he said, casually.
I scowled. "Yabang mo, ulol."
He laughed and ruffled my hair. Nainis ako kasi parang tanga lang naka-ponytail ako, lalong gugulo buhok ko!
"What's that?" turo niya sa bitbit kong paperbag.
I showed him what the paperbag has inside of it. He looked so cute when his eyes almost twinkled when he saw the blueberry cheesecake. Agad siyang tumikhim at umiwas ng tingin dahil nahiya siguro sa kanyang reaksyon.
"Blueberry cheesecake! Tara kainin natin habang nanonood ng fireworks," I beamed at him.
Hinatak ko siya papunta malapit sa fireworks display. Umupo kami sa isang bakanteng bench sa Bonanza Area. Nagliligpit na kasi 'yung mga booths ng ABM at TVL.
The lights were already dimmed. The grade twelve students were packing already, kaya naman rinig na rinig pagpapatong nila ng mga gamit at ang paghugas ng mga ginamit na kitchenware sa lababo na malapit sa aming pwesto.
It made me anticipate for next year. Sa susunod ay babawi ako! I want to be the one who sold the most for our next foundation week.
"Zafi?" Sath called for my attention. I giggled because he was really into the food. Ang worth it naman ng limang daan kung ganito ang reaksyon ni Sath.
Nilabas ko 'yung tupperware at binuksan ito. I gave him a spoon.
We were eating while waiting for the fireworks. Ito na lang din kasi ang hinihintay ng halos lahat bago umuwi.
"Baka maubos ko," Sarathiel was biting his lower lip, snifling a smile.
"Sa'yo naman talaga 'yan. Nakikisaling kitkit lang ako." I told him. I really did buy that for him. Di naman ako mahilig sa ganyan.
A familiar song was playing in the near stereo. Nagpapatugtog 'yung isa pang nagliligpit na booth. It was 8 letters by Why Don't We.
The fireworks was starting and my heart was beating as loud as the fireworks in the sky.
This wasn't new to me. Every new year, there will always be fireworks display. Pero iba ngayon ang dala ng bawat bigay ng iba't ibang kulay sa itim na kalangitan sa gabing ito.
It was because Sarathiel was looking at me intently. I decided to look at him too, my mouth felt dry as his brown eyes were staring right into my soul.
He knows.
"Do you think saying the eight letters is hard?" he asked, out of the blue.
"Eight letters?"
He smiled.
"I like you."
My lips parted. The fireworks didn't even matter anymore. All I could hear was my heartbeats. I was hyperventilating.
He smirked.
"See? It wasn't so hard at all. Don't you think, Zafi?"
Yeah. It wasn't so hard for you to make me fall just by using those eight letters.
❛ ━━━━━━･❪✎❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜