Running After The Dusk

06

Halt

"Do you think there will be an unequal treatment if the government prioritise the higher class than the lower class?"

20 minutes before lunch time. hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi inabot ng isang oras ang report ko sa UCSP, pinahaba ko na lahat ng terms at lahat pero kulang pa din sa loob ng isang oras. Now I have to answer a lot of questions from our teacher. Palihim kong kinamot ang ulo ko at nag martsa ng mahina bago ako sumagot, di ko ba kasi maintindihan dito sa teacher namin, napakaraming tanong, bakit kaya di niya itry i google lahat ng katanungan niya.

"Of course Ma'am." I answered confidently, trying to maintain my voice as respectful as possible. "It will always be unfair for the lower class if the higher ones are on the first line. Why would you prioritise the privileged when the lower classes needs more? Common Sense."

"Great answer Ms. Garcia." She clapped her hand slowly. "Do you want to represent the school for the debate?"

Natigilan ako bago bumalik sa katinuan. I can't even remember how many times did she ask me that question but end up with nothing. Umiling na lamang ako bago ngumiti ng hilaw. "It would be a pleasure."

Sinundan ko siya ng tingin habang inaayos ang mga gamit. She didn't bother asking further questions about my report which is a good thing. Pinasadahan niya ko ng isang ngiti bago tumayo at igala ang tingin sa buong klase

"Get ready for the next reporter, Mr.Yap."

Palihim naman akong natawa nang mahagip ng mga mata ko ang reaksiyon ni Cyrus, mukha siyang kakagising lang at hindi alam ang nangyayari. I find it a bit offending knowing that I stayed up all night to finish my report pero tutulugan lang pala ang discussion ko at the same time it's partly okay because I do that sometimes, sleeping during class.

"Dismissed."

My classmates let out a silent chuckle when our teacher left. Bahagya rin akong nakahinga habang isa isang pinapanood ang mga kaklase kong nagsisksikan sa pintuan para makalabas. I shook my head before putting my laptop back to its case.

"Uy." Napalingon ako nang may maramdaman akong kumalabit sakin. My smile suddenly faded when I saw Cyrus scrubbing the back of his neck while awkwardly lifting the sides of his mouth.

"What do you need?" Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa mga gamit ko. Palihim rin akong nagpasalamat na nagcutting class si Miguel at Andrei ngayon dahil kung hindi paniguradong sirang sira na naman ang araw ko. What do I expect from them, the day won't be complete if they won't see me bulge my eyes and see my nose smoking.

"Ganda mo talaga Halt tapos ang sexy mo pa tapo-"

Iritado ko siyang tignan. "What the hell do you need?"

Tumigil siya bago ngumiti uli. "Report ko, gawan mo ko." 

"Gusto mo?"

He smiled again– but this time it was the kind of a mission accomplished smile. "Ano ba namang tanong yan! Syem-"

"Sumabog nguso mo?"

His face switched into a poker one. Nagpatuloy ako sa pagligpit ng gamit ko at hindi nalang siya pinansin. "Wow! Matapos kang dalhan ni Vino ng milktea kagabi?"