Ang Multo sa Manhole - Under revision

Bogart says "22"

Eiji’s Point of View

Makulimlim na ang kalangitan nang makapasok na kami sa loob ng refectory. Mahamog na nga sa labas, airconditioned pa ang room. Buti na lang naisipan kong mag doble or else mag-eemboss ang nipples ko sa lamig. So much for my nipples, we took a seat dun sa nakabilog na monoblocks as instructed by Bro. Dale (sayang, gwapo pa naman. lol). Actually hindi sya nakabilog; nakasquare. Square kasi ang room at nakasagad sa four corners ang mga chairs. Eiji, sometimes you need not to tell the obvious.

“So good evening Pilot class!” he greeted us in a cheerful tone.

“Good Evening din po!” we sang in chorus. Nag-introduce muna sya ng kanyang life na pang Maala-ala Mo Kaya. Then, pinakilala nya yung mga sisters whose presence were on the stage. Bali mga thirteen lang naman sila. Tapos, hindi pa dun natigil; minention nya rin yung mga sisters na hindi nila kasama since yung iba busy daw sa “pagpatay” at yung iba busy sa “pagkatay”. Bigla naman akong kinilabutan sa mga choice of words ni Bro. Dale. What he only meant by that, as he later explain, na nagpre-prepare sila for our dinner. Pero what if may mga nuns ngang ganun no!? Scary!

Introduction pa lang yan ha and yet yung kumag na Mike which happens to be sitting across me, define makahilik. Hinambalos tuloy sya ni Ma’am. Good ma’am! Iganti mo ako sa impaktong yan for taking my bed and also for making a sick joke.

Bro. Dale started the first activity nonetheless. We were asked to say our name out loud and act the things we enjoy doing. Once done introducing yung person naman on the right uulitin yung name at activity na in-act ng nauna then it’s their turn hanggang sa makaabot sa pinakalast person. The idea was actually fun for we can learn new things about each other. Unfortunately, to my right was Katrin and to my left was Lyndsay. So kung anumang ia-act ni Katrin, ia-act ko rin. And whatever I act, Lyndsay will act. Neutral lang. If Katrin wishes to embarrass me I can pass the bucket to Lyndsay.

Sobrang natatawa kami sa isa’t-isa but when Katrin’s turn came, I think I just shit bricks. Nagulo ang pagkakaayos ng upuan, cleared her throat and flip her hair backwards.

“Hi my name is Maria Katrin Grace Valencia De los Reyes and I like to dougie.”

Oh hell no!  Long names nga nagangarag na, magdougie pa kaya!? Taena you Katrin! May makita lang akong gunting dito, kalbo ka sakin depungal ka! Hinihintay na nila akong tumayo para i-repeat yung kagagahan ni Katrin.

“Hoy! Tayo na!” tapik sakin ni Katrin. Tinignan ko muna sya ng masama at nagclear ng throat.

“For short, you can just call her Katrin who likes to dougie.” I tried to imitate how she dougie but I just failed, gaining laughs from my classmates but the nuns were the ones who laugh hard. Ano na lang kaya malaman kong kayhuhusay pala ng mga madre magdougie!? Talk about SWAG! Ahaha!

So after kong inintroduce si Katrin, it’s my turn for introduction.

“I’m Eiji and I like Buknoy. No-no I mean…uhmm…” I repeatedly snap my fingers to come up with an excuse for my careless statement. Shortly after,  Aha! Brain blast! “I-I like Book keeping! Yeah! Book keeping.” Just as I finished saying and acting that (which I did literally – me imagining there are couple of books scattered on the table and virtually keeping it.), I helped myself took a seat. Well, to be exact, shame pulled me back to my seat.

I just learned how stupid I looked when Lyndsay to my left, stood up (No. Stood down. XD), and did an exaggerated imitation of me. Bakit ba kasi bigla biglang naiisip ko na lang yung impaktong yun!? Yan tuloy! And I’m pretty sure he would laugh at my recklessness if he’s ever here. Di kaya namiss ko lang sya? Palong-palo ka teh! It’s only been ten good hours since you see each other. And besides,  if you ever feel missing him, you could always open your wallet and stare at his heart pumping photo. Wag na wag nyong ipagkakalat na nagdownload ako ng pics ni Buknoy ha!? Ipapakaladkad ko kayo sa jeep na patok! No, seriously. Wag.