Midnight's Sunshine (GxG)

Chapter Three

"Let's move on to feature writing," said Sir Von, a professional English literature teacher.

Siya ang isa pa naming guest speaker. Actually, natapos naman na ni Kuya Josiah ipaliwanag lahat sa amin. But madami pa kasing oras kaya nag-lecture na rin si Sir Von sa amin.

"Sino naman sainyo ang magaling sumulat gamit ang mga mabulaklak na salita?" Nakangiti niyang sambit.

My eyes landed on Ma'am Tine; she proudly raised her hand and pointed to Ligaya.

Nakita kong hindi alam ni Ligaya kung saan niya ibabaling ang tingin niya dahil napalingon sakaniya lahat. She just awkwardly smiled.

I took a heavy sigh and looked away when she glanced at me. Nahihiya parin talaga ako sa ginawa ko kahapon; feel ko namumukhaan niya ako.

Napailing ako onti at tumingin ulit kay Sir Von. It's our last day today, and bukas i a-announce kung sino-sino ang mga may award.

I am not expecting to get any awards; I am okay with having the opportunity to learn about writing. Bonus pa na nandito 'yung taong hinahangaan ko. Panalo na ako doon pa lang.

"In feature, dapat tittle pa lang nang-iindak na." Panimula ni Sir Von, while he was explaining about the structure of feature writing and the qualities of a feature writer. I felt a soft hand tap my shoulder.

Napalunok ako nang makita ko siya. Si Ligaya na nasa likod ko, ngumiti siya sa akin at bumulong.

"Hi, can I sit here? Bakante ba 'to?" Malumanay niyang tanong sabay turo sa isang monoblock na nasa tabi ko.

"Sure. Wala naman pong nakaupo diyan."

"Thank you," ngumiti ulit siya sa'kin at naupo sa tabi ko.

I wanted to talk to her, to say sorry about yesterday, pero nadadaga na naman ako.

I squished my hands. 'Tsaka ko sinubukang makinig sa discussion.

"Feature writers have more freedom to use their own voice and incorporate their own personal experiences. They can also include more sources, background, and context."

Pasimple ko siyang ninakawan ng tingin. She's taking down notes; sa ilang araw na discussion, ay ngayon ko lang siya nakitang nagseryosong makinig.

Yukong-yuko siya habang nagsusulat, natatakpan din ng bangs niya ang mata niya. She tied her shoulder-length hair into two cute pigtails; hindi siya mukhang mas matanda sa akin ng dalawang taon.

She looks younger than her age.

I can't barely focus on the discussion. Though medyo madami naman akong napulot na aral, hirap na hirap parin akong magpigil ng ngiti. Hindi ko puwedeng ilaglag ang sarili ko, mamaya makita pa niya ako baka sabihin pa niya na may tama ako sa utak o hindi naman, isipin niyang pinagtatawanan ko siya. May atraso pa naman ako sakaniya.

Sir Von's was about to end, but he still want us to write a feature article about our province's famous and breath-taking Santa Maria Bridge.

Napakunot tuloy ako ng noo. I don't know any facts about it; all I know is that it has an aesthetic design and is a new bridge that is seen as helping boost tourism in our province.

Never mind, kaya ko naman siguro.

Lumingon ako kay Ligaya nang tumayo siya at kinuha ang bag niya. Tinignan niya muna ako bago siya nag-paalam.

"Balik na ako sa table namin." She smiled, and I was caught off guard.

Ito minsan ang kinaiinisan ko sa sarili ko, ang dami-dami kong puwedeng isagot o gustong sabihin sakaniya, but I can't put it into words. Kapag nandiyan na siya, blanko na ulit 'yung utak ko.