Takipsilim

Chapter 4: The Good and The Bad

Fast forward towards the end of Third Year College.

"Congratulations, Yael and Cedric. For the fifth time, both of you took the top spot in the dean's list, with a general weighted average of 1.00" Bati ng kanilang dean sa magkaklaseng Yael at Cedric.

"Thank you, Dean Marcelo." Tipid na sabi ni Cedric.

"Salamat, Dean." Nakangiting sabi ni Yael sa nakatatandang babae.

"You are both excelling here in the university. Ikaw, Cedric, kahit third year ka pa lang, ikaw na ang napiling captain ng soccer varsity team ng MU." Ngumiti ang kanilang dean sa dalawa. "At ikaw naman Yael, you're already President of the Association of Civil Engineering Students. Balita ko rin ay maraming nanliligaw sa inyong dalawa para tumakbo sa Engineering Student Council Elections next year. I'm sure it would be a very interesting election kapag kasama kayong dalawa."

Ngumiti ang dalawang binata. "Sa ngayon po, Dean, ay wala pa sa isip ko yan. Ang gusto ko lang po talaga ngayon ay makapag-aral ng mabuti at mapaglingkuran ang mga kapwa ko CE students." Yael said this sincerely.

"Wala pa rin sa isip ko yan, Dean. My only goals now are to learn as much as I can in my chosen field and to bring honor to our university in getting the championship in the soccer games in the inter-university athletics league..." Cedric answered. "..but maybe, my ultimate goal is to be the best and to take over the world." Nagkatinginan si Yael at Cedric. Kinutuban ang sugong Ahren sapagkat parang may laman ang sinabi ng kaklase.

Tumawa ng bahagya si Cedric. "I'm just kidding, Yael. You looked so serious there." Tumingin itong muli sa kaklase.

"O siya, you may go now. Ipinatawag ko lang kayong dalawa para i-congratulate. I hope you both continue to excel and be good examples to your peers." Sambit ni Dean Marcelo. "And also, there's no competition here, okay?"

"Of course, Ma'am." Sabay na sagot ng dalawa.

Lumabas sa pintuan ng Dean's Office ang dalawang binata na hindi nag-uusap ngunit binasag ni Cedric ang katahimikan.

"Congratulations, Yael. As usual, we're both the best in our class." Nakangising sabi nito.

"Thanks, Cedric. Congratulations din."

"But I guess, there can only be one." Nakangisi pa rin si Cedric. Tumalikod ito at nagsimulang umalis palayo sa kamag-aral.

-----

"Ang yabang talaga ng lalaking yan. Upakan ko yan e." Nilapitan ni Sam ang matalik na kaibigan. Narinig nito ang usapan ni Cedric at Yael sapagkat malapit lamang ito sa kanila.

"Hayaan mo na, maliit na bagay. Wala naman siyang ginagawang kahit ano." Ngumiti ang sugong Ahren sa kaibigan. "Tara nang umuwi, may group assignment pa tayo na due next week."

"Next week pa naman yun e!" Nagreklamo si Sam sa kaibigan pero sumunod din naman ito kay Yael na naglalakad na patungo sa parking lot ng unibersidad.

They are already in their third year of college now. Yael and Cedric took the university by storm - consistent ang pagiging tie ng dalawa sa top spot ng dean's list ng kanilang departamento at nag-eexcel din ang dalawa respectively sa school politics at sports. Hindi rin maikakaila na maraming babae ang nagkakandarapa sa dalawa sapagkat hindi lamang sila matatalino at malalakas, magagandang lalaki din sila.

While both are intelligent and handsome, magkaibang magkaiba ang personalidad ng dalawa.

Yael is known to be friendly and endearing to his classmates. Always a good guy, he is helpful and protective to those in need. Ang mga babaeng nahuhumaling sa kanya ay binansagan siyang 'Prince Charming' sapagkat tila isa itong gwapong knight in shining armour na handa kang tulungan at protektahan sa lahat ng oras. He is charming but is still a mystery to his peers.