That Thing Called Love (Cambridge Academy Series 1)

Chapter 6: Voting

Nang nakaupo si Mitchie, umakyat na ako sa stage at umupo sa tabi ni Ace.

"Tensed?" salubong niya agad.

Iirapan ko sana siya nang dugtungan niya iyon.

"Okay lang 'yan. Parehas tayo."

I looked at him intently at nagtaka sa sinabi niya. Kalmado kasi ang boses niya at hindi mapang-asar. "Bakit ka naman kakabahan?"

"I don't think if I can be an effective student leader. I'm suddenly having self-doubts," napangisi at napailing-iling siya. "Ngayon ko pa talaga naramdaman. Ang dami kasing umaasa na ako ang mananalo. Maybe, I'm kind of pressured, I don't know? Hindi ko alam kung magagampanan ko rin ba ng tama ang pwestong ito kung sakaling ako man ang mapili."

Hindi ko alam kung bakit napangiti ako sa tinuran niya. "Ganyan din ako noong una. Nervous and pressured. But, with Ma’am Guillermo’s help, I was able to do my duty. She will guide you as well, Ace. Maniwala ka lang sa kakayahan mo," pag encourage ko sa kanya.

Napawi ang ngiti sa mukha ko nang mapagtanto na naguusap kami nang hindi nagtatalo tungkol sa posisyon.

Before it gets too serious and awkward, the event started and Ma’am Guillermo stood in the stage, holding a microphone kaya napatigil na rin kami ni Ace sa paguusap.

Ang daming sinabi ni Ma'am Guillermo sa harap like open remarks at hindi ako nakikinig dahil lumilipad ang isip ko sa kung saan-saan. Pero ayos din dahil nawala ang kaba ko lalo na dahil sa naging paguusap namin ni Ace.

I realized that there is nothing I should be nervous of. If Ace may win, I’ll be happy for him. I learned that he is deserving for it.

"Today's the day to introduce our new sets of SSG officers and I am given the honour to lead these student leaders for the whole academic year."

Nakakatuwa dahil wala ng bigat sa puso ko. Bagkus, nakangiti pa ako. People may find it unusual but I have already let go of the bitterness inside me.

"Bridgers, who do you think will be the next president of Supreme Student Government?"

Bridgers ang tawag sa ‘ming mga nag-aaral sa Cambridge Academy.

Naghiyawan ang mga estudyante at ang daming sumigaw sa pangalan ni Ace. Kakaunti lamang ang mga narinig kong sumigaw ng pangalan ko pero natuwa ako dahil may mga sumusuporta at naniniwala pa rin.

Napangiti lalo ako at nagawa pang natawa nang mamataan ko si Mitchie na todo sigaw ng pangalan ko kasama ang mga "Team Kylie" daw kuno na na-recruit namin sa Grade 7 batch.

May banner pa pala silang ginawa, ang effort! Nakakataba ng puso.

At sa mga sandaling 'yon napagtanto ko na, I may lose this position but I will never lose the people that supports me.

"Let's give a round of applause to our new Supreme Student Government President, Mr. Ace Garcia!"

Hindi ko na masiyadong nabigyan pansin ang anunsyo ni Ma'am Guillermo dahil nakina Mitchie ang atensyon ko kaya nagulat ako nang nagtayuan at nagpalakpakan ang mga tao. Napatayo na din si Ace at yumuko sa kanilang lahat.

Napapalakpak na rin ako, wearing my proud and satisfied smile.

Hindi ko inaasahan na lilingunin ako ni Ace para yakapin kahit habang nakaupo pa. Dahil sa gulat, hindi ko agad nagawang tumayo at suklian ang yakap.

"Congrats, Kylie. You still did your best."

Nang nakabawi sa pagkagulat, tumayo ako at niyakap din siya ng marahan.

"Ano ka ba? Ikaw ang nanalo. Congrats too. I know you'll take care of my position as much as I did in the past years. Dahil kapag hindi, aagawin ko 'yan sa 'yo!" I chuckled.

Pagkatapos ng mahabang seremonya sa pagkapanalo ni Ace at nang ibang nailagay sa bagong officers ng SSG na hindi ko na napagtuunan ng pansin ay may sinabi pa muli si Ma'am Guillermo sa harap.

"Let's welcome the speech of the former President of Supreme Student Government, Ms. Kylie Gomez!"

Nagpalakpakan ang mga tao at nanatili lang akong nakaupo dito habang nanlalaki ang mga mata.

Ano 'to? Bakit hindi ako nainform sa bagay na 'to?

Tinawag muli ako ni Ma'am Guillermo kaya wala akong nagawa kundi tumayo na lang.

Binulungan niya ako bago nakalapit. "Just say your last words as the former president. I am proud of you, Kylie and you deserve to be given this spotlight."

I almost teared up and instead of doing so, I hugged her.

"Thank you, Ma'am. For guiding me as a president in this organization for years."

She hugged me back and we became emotional all of a sudden. "I'll miss my nags to you, Kylie. Just visit the SSG office to hear from me again," we both chuckled.

Naghiwalay kami sa yakap and we both smiled at each other before I stood infront of the crowd.

"Greetings, everyone! I am Kylie Gomez, the former President of Supreme Student Government for the past two years. Yesterday, I stood infront of you to convince all of you to vote me but today, I am standing here again but to say my last words before leaving the position. Does it ever drive you crazy just how fast the night changes?"

They all laughed as I chuckled as well.

I cleared my throat when the laugh subsided.

"Being the President of Supreme Student Government is the most stressful work as a student. But, with the help of our SSG adviser, Mrs. Guillermo, along with the other former officers of SSG, kahit papaano hindi ko naramdaman ang hirap bilang Presidente. I really enjoyed being in this position at ngayong taon na ito, you will have your new president which I think will give you the best academic year especially for the graduating students like me.

"I feel grateful to have been experienced to be the SSG President for years and to serve you. Thank you for entrusting me this position, Bridgers. And of course, teachers."

Nagpalakpakan ang lahat.

"I feel honored. I hope somehow you enjoyed my service. I am Kylie Gomez, officially signing off." I bowed.

Bumalik na ako sa pwesto ko habang nagpapalakpakan pa rin sila.

"I'm proud of you, bestfriend!" rinig ko pang hiyaw ni Mitchie sa crowd kaya tinawanan ko siya at binigyan ng finger heart.

After saying my speech ay tumayo ulit si Ma'am Guillermo sa harap.

"Thank you, Kylie. And, now, let's all welcome the speech of our new SSG president, Mr. Ace Garcia!"

Tumayo si Ace at pumunta sa harap. Nagpalakpakan ang lahat pati ako. Masuyo akong nakinig sa sasabihin niya.

"At first, I am having doubts if I can able to do well with my position as a president but after seeing your support and how much you have entrusted me this position, I am suddenly filled with confidence and courage. Thank you, Bridgers. I won't waste your trust.

"I am Ace Garcia, the new SSG president. Thank you for believing in what I am capable of doing. Let's make this academic year full of fun and I am hoping that may our new SSG officers will give you the best academic year. I am humbled and honour to be standing in front of you. Thank you and God bless us all."

The claps echoed in the whole quadrangle.

Nang makabalik na siya sa pwesto niya, I stared at him and when he caught me doing it, we both smiled at each other.

Iyong ngiti na parehas kaming masaya sa kinalabasan at parehas din kaming proud sa isa't-isa.