Epiphany (Un/Requited Series #1)

Chapter Three

"PUT IT right here."

Kasalukuyang inaayos ng aming klase ang mga pagkaing dinala ng bawat isa sa araw ng aming swimming. It was finally our turn to dive into the university's pool. It turned out that every section in all grade levels will have a designated day to bond through swimming; it sounded like an acquaintance party to me. My previous school used to hold that kind of event. The only difference is that we get to party with the whole high school department.

I volunteered to bring the softdrinks. Inunahan ko sila ro'n dahil 'yon ang pinakamadaling mahanap at bitbitin. Others brought pasta, donuts, snacks and any other munchables.

I was tempted to get a plate and serve myself a scoop of the foods prepared on the table, but it wasn't the time to eat yet. Inabala ko muna ang aking sarili sa paglangoy kasama ang aking mga kaklase't kaibigan.

"Iraen!" Aki called out my name. She was on the very edge of the pool. "Picture-an mo ako!"

Natawa ako ng mahina. "Sure."

We friends have always been like this. Parang hindi yata nawawala ang aming phone for documentary sa bawat espesyal na okasyon sa 'min. They don't post the pictures, though. Privacy was the reason for that, they say. Ako lang ang nagpo-post dahil gusto kong i-save sa online account ko ang memories sa halip na sa phone; madalas kasing nag-i-iba ang aking device.

"Harap ka rito banda." I motioned Aki to the right. She did what I said. Doon ako nakakuha ng magandang anggulo mula sa kanyang mukha.

"Me next!" Yrishi shouted right after she saw us checking Aki's pictures.

Pumwesto rin siya sa dulo ng pool. She fiercely posed for the picture. If people would ask who's the most photogenic in our group, it would be Yrishi. She has the most confidence amidst us when it comes to pictures.

Sumunod naman ako pagkatapos niya. I'm grateful to have this kind of friendship: wherein even if we know someone's superior to another in one aspect, we will not step on them. We humbly help and support each other to become better in one aspect of their hobbies or personality.

"Who brought this pasta?" tanong ko habang puno ang bibig ng pagkain. Unkempt, I know. But this seriously tastes good! No kidding.

"Rayden," answered Leia. "He brings that every year. Mama niya ang nagluto niyan."

I nodded in awe. Gano'n din ang reaksyon ng dalawa kong kaibigan matapos itong matikman. So, this is a specialty. I could have this everyday!

Napatingin ako sa dulo ng pool kung saan may pabirong nagbubuno. Rayden and Ander were there, leading the boys' thing. Si Ellison ang biktima nila. Sumunod doon ang iba ko pang mga kaklaseng babae na sina Jazlynn at Carissa. We laughed as we watched the big man be forced to dive into the pool by our average-sized classmates.

Pagkalapag na pagkalapag ni Ellison sa tubig, they tried to bury the latter's head into it. It was a losing game for my other classmates since he has his advantage in his height. Nagawa niyang makatakas mula sa pool at pumunta sa slide. Doon niya binawian ang mga ito sa pamamagitan ng pagsaboy ng tubig sa kanila mula sa kanyang paglapag. Namura tuloy siya ng mga lalaki. Napuno ng tawanan ang klase.

LUMIPAS NANG mabilis ang pagdiriwang na 'yon at agad na nanumbalik ang klase. As usual, tinatamad akong makinig sa mga klaseng hindi ko naman magagamit. Though 21st century literature truly is important as a citizen, it's still... Well, I can't think of any excuse to deny its worth. Baka sadyang tamad lang talaga ako.

Kaya siguro ako agad na nasumpa ng aking guro sa pamamagitan ng pagtawag ng aking apilyedo bilang leader sa unang grupong magpre-present ng subtopic ng aming lesson. Hindi ko naman ito pwedeng tanggihan, kaya't ano pang magagawa ko maliban sa um-oo?