Hold You Accountable (Published) | ✓

Kabanata 19

Kabanata 19

It was the day of our final defense. Natapos na namin ang sa Feasibility Study at Business Proposal.

"Halos araw-araw na lang kitang nakikitang naka-corporate attire," pinuna ni Sarathiel ang damit ko.

He was leaning against the fence, nakasandal ang mga siko niya rito habang masinsin ang pagkilatis niya sa aking suot.

I was wearing my formal attire. When I say formal, what I really meant was something that is considered as presentable. Black blazers, white blouse underneath and black dress pants. Isa sa mga binanggit ng Professor namin sa Principles of Marketing, if you want them to take you seriously then dress professionally.

Wala man sa damit ang grades niyo, makikita naman nila kung seryoso kayo sa presentation sa maayos niyong pananamit. It is, after all, a presentation. You are presenting yourself and your idea to them.

I snorted. "Uniform ng ABM."

That was also the truth for most strands though. Halos maubos na nga ang mga damit ko dahil sa dami ng mga activities na kailangan naming mag-comply sa dress code, lalo na pagdating sa practical research.

He slowly nodded his head and lazily gave a small smile. "You look pretty when you're serious."

"Tumigil ka nga, lalo akong kinakabahan e."

Hindi ko alam bakit hinihintay pa niya ako. Kanina pa tapos ang klase nila, kami naman ay hinihintay matapos ang naunang group na mag-defense.

I was fanning myself since I was sweating and my legs are acting like a pair of jelly-ace. Nanginginig ako kahit wala pa nga sa harap ng mga panel. This is probably because of how many coffee I took before this event.

Sarathiel decided to help me calm myself. Kinuha niya saakin ang research paper ng grupo ko para makapag-ayos at maging kalmado na ako.

"You're sure with your paper?" Sarathiel was scanning our research paper.

I turned to him, not hiding the fact that I can really feel the pressure even before the presentation.

"Bakit? May mali ba?" I asked, anxiously.

I was always confident with my work in school. Pero iba ang practical research, you'll never be sure until the defense for it ends. Kahit talaga anong gawin mo, magkakaroon pa rin ito ng butas.

Kumunot ang noo niya, unti-unti niyang tiningnan ang bawat pahina. He suddenly widened his eyes and pointed towards the introduction.

"May typo—"

"Saan?!" I panicked causing my face to be inches apart from his.

Oh dear, no! Nandito na ako malapit sa AVR! I can't believe that there's a typo! I was biting my nails as I groaned in frustration. Nilayo ko ang mukha ko kay Sarathiel.

"I w-was kidding," Sarathiel looked away. Inagaw ko sa kanya ang papel namin.

"Loko ka! Kinabahan ako sa'yo," napahawak ako sa dibdib ko.

Halos mabulag na nga ako kaka-revised sa papel namin tapos may typo pang makakalusot? Ang sakit sa ulo kung ipapa-print pa namin ulit.

He heartily chortled before reaching for my head.

"Goodluck. Walang iiyak, ha?" he ruffled my hair. Hinawi ko naman kaagad ang kamay niya.

My cheeks immediately went red. Nakakahiya! No way, I won't cry over this anymore! Kapag bumagsak kami sa defense dahil sa mga kagrupo ko, I would rather do this by myself than force them to help me. Basta ba ay saakin lang din ang grade!