All Up In My Head [Completed]

26 Time Flies

Time Flies

"Shane, kinakabahan ako," bulong niya habang mahigpit na hawak ang dalang script at copy ng kanyang paper.

Closed-door ang ginawang research defense. There were 4 panelists in front toasting a student on the podium. May mga estudyante ring nanunuod sa loob na hindi galing sa kanilang college. The flipping of pages and the slow murmurs of people were the only sound around the room. Idagdag pa ang ginaw mula sa aircon. Nasa dulo na talaga ng ulo niya ang tensyong nararamdaman.

"Sus, kaya mo 'yan. Uno ka nga palagi..." Shane said knowingly.

Umismid siya rito saka napatingin sa likurang bahagi ng room. There, she saw him reading her research study intently. She can't believe that he really sacrificed some of his time for her.

"Flat one sa reporting. Ikaw talaga, kung ano-ano nasa isip," Shane said and laughed a little.

Bumuntong-hininga siya. "Iba naman kasi 'to."

Ilang sandali lang ay nagtama ang mga mata nila. He suddenly slouch down and when he back up, may dala na itong placard saying, Go Lila! Go Lila! My lovely Lila! He waved it up and down like crazy. She signaled him to stop but he didn't.

She grinned and whispered, "Sira talaga..." Napailing na lamang siya sa asal nito.

Hindi nagtagal ay tinawag rin ang pangalan niya. She stood in front, her hands shaking, her mouth parched and her eyes quivering. Napalunok siya ng ilang beses at huminga nang malalim bago nagsalita. She smiled as she composed herself. Kaya mo 'to, Lila, sa isip niya.

"Good morning panelist, this is my paper entitled Indo-European Reduplicative System..."

Nawala ang kanyang kaba nang magsimula siyang magsalita. All of their eyes are on her. They were actually listening to what she speaks about as they nodded their heads in every point she makes. Lila thought that she can actually nail this. Matapos niyang ibagi ang kanyang research ay nagsimula naman ang mga tanong at clarifications. She doesn't know what the panelists were thinking but she did her best, nonetheless.

"I have a question!" someone said from the back.

It's Ewan. Nagtinginan ang lahat rito. He walked in front and borrowed a microphone. Hindi niya alam kung anong dapat na maramdaman. They talked about this last night. He even listened to her practice all night. Akala niya ay hindi ito nakikinig.

"Ms. Javier, how do you think about-" he asked something specific and vital to her study.

He winked at her after. He's crazy, she thought. But she wants to hug him right now. He really helped her build a stronger conclusion.

Lila pursed her lips as she answered confidently, "Well, as stated in chapter 2, page 15, 2nd paragraph-"

"Thank you," paalam niya sa mga panelists.

Malawak ang ngiti niya nang matapos ang lahat. All her worries and doubts were lifted. Agad siyang sinalubong ni Shane at ni Ewan. Lunch came and they ate out to celebrate. Ayaw niya pa sana dahil hindi pa naman tapos ang araw. But she thought they also deserved this after all the hardwork. Agad silang bumalik at naghintay na matapos ang lahat. Ewan went back to his class. Later in the aftertoon, almost 8PM, the awarding started.

"Honorable mention..." she said and looked down at the certificate she's holding.

She smiled bitterly. Maybe, she expected too much.

"What- that's great!" Ewan's eyes widened and pulled her for a hug.

Napawi lahat ng frustrations niya. Maybe, it's for the best. Masaya pa rin naman siya sa recognition na natanggap. Nagkaroon ng maliit na salo-salo sa kanila. She's grateful for everything she achieved this year. And she's thankful that she met Ewan. He's the best thing that has ever happened to her since the last year. He's everything she never hoped for. He's too much, she always thought. That's why she wants to do anything for him.