Chapter 4

JAEL'S POINT OF VIEW

Abala ang lahat ng mga kaklase ko sa mangyayaring reporting ngayong araw. May report kase kami sa Earth Science at isang araw lang ang binigay saamin para makapag prepare. Tiningnan ko ang mga estudyanteng nasa silid na 'to at nag kibit-balikat. Buti nalang tapos na kami, inaaral nalang namin yung topic na dapat naming idiscuss. Buti nalang nalang kami yung pipili ng topic na related pa rin sa subject.

Mag kakatabi kami ng mga ka-grupo ko. Mabuti nalang din ay cooperative yung mga napunta saakim dahil hindi ako nahirapan iapproach sila.

"Diba si Ross yung leader ng Group 3? Bakit hindi sya sumasama doon sa mga ka-grupo nya?" Bulong saakin ni Kate. Isa sa mga group-mates ko. Napatingin naman ako kay Ross dahil sa sinabi nya. Natutulog na naman. "Sana nga habang buhay nalang syang naka pikit."

Kahit alam ko namang hindi nya makikita ang pag irap ko sakanya ay ginawa ko pa rin. Kotang-kota saakin ngayon si Ross, buong araw ako yung pinag titripan nya. Pakiramdam ko gumaganti sya dahil sa mga sinabi ko sa sasakyan nung nakaraang araw. Medyo mabait naman kase sya saakin bago nangyare 'yon, muntik ko na ngang maka limutan na bully sya dahil sa pagiging friendly nya saakin.

Kung na bibwisit sya, ako rin bwisit na bwisit na sakanya. Kaunti na nga lang mag rerequest na ako sa Adviser namin na mag palipat ng upuan na malayo sakanya. Napaka Antipatiko.

"Good Morning, class. Ready na ba ang lahat to present their reports?" Pag pasok palang ng ginang ay yon na ang binungad nito. Pumasok na ang guro sa silid pero hindi man lang nag abala si Ross na tumayo. Bahala s'ya dyan mapagalitan. Akala nya ba gigisingin ko sya ulit? Asa sya.

Nauna na mag report ang Group 1 kaya naman nag handa na kami dahil kami ang susunod. Geology ang topic nila. May kaba akong naramdaman nang halos gisahin sila ni Ma'am. Para na tuloy silang nag reresearch defend. Hindi natigil ang guro sa pag tatanong habang yung isang babae, si Eloise ata iyon. Hindi ko pa talaga kabisado ang mga pangalan at mukha nila. Halos mangilid na ang kanyang luha, sya lang kase ang sumasagot sakanila. Buti nalang may kumausap sakanya na isang guro na dahilan para paupuin nya na ang unang grupo.

Kaya siguro kami pina-report ng kahit anong topic namin dahil aminado sya sa sarili nya na hindi pa sya nag tuturo at para may i-compute syang grade namin kahit papaano pinagawa nya saamin ito. Sya raw kase ang bahala saamin kaya hindi pa sya nag sisimula mag turo.

"Group 1 your score is 93," ani ng guro matapos sya kausapin ng guro sa kabilang section. Isinulat nito ang score na 90 sa index card na ibinigay ng unang grupo. Bakit 93 lang? Ang ganda naman ng pag kakareport ng Group 1. "Group 2, the stage is yours."

We started our presentation with a brief introduction, followed by some facts and figures about the current situation of the environment in our country. We used a PowerPoint slide show to illustrate our points, and we spoke with clarity and enthusiasm. We explained how climate change was affecting the agriculture, biodiversity, health, and economy of the Philippines, and what actions we could take to mitigate its impact. We also discussed some of the challenges and opportunities that we faced as a nation in the face of this global crisis.

"That's very informative. Thank you for your presentation. But, How can we solve this problem?" Tanong nito.

Nag tinginan kami ng mga ka-grupo ko. Inaantay ko sila dahil baka may gustong sumagot. Nag thumbs-up sila sinyales na ako na ang sumagot ng tanong. Tumikhim ako. "The solutions to climate change require both mitigation and adaptation strategies. Mitigation means reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change, while adaptation means adjusting to the effects of climate change that are already happening or expected to happen. Some of the mitigation measures that we can take are using renewable energy sources, planting more trees, practicing sustainable agriculture, promoting green transportation, and implementing carbon taxes and incentives. Some of the adaptation measures that we can take are building resilient infrastructure, conserving water resources, diversifying crops and livelihoods, enhancing disaster preparedness and response, and raising awareness and education."

Napangiti ang guro sa naging sagot ko kaya pati ako ay napangiti na rin. Feeling ko na satisfied namin si Ma'am.

"Your group did a very good job explaining n.he topic and providing relevant examples and evidence. I'm impressed." mas lumawak ang naging ngiti nito. "Do you have any questions or comments, class?" She asked. "None? Okay. You may now take your seat."

"Sure, Ma'am. Thank you."

I was about to return to my seat, when I saw a hand raised in the back of the class. It was Ross. Naka-ngisi ito habang naka taas ang kanyang kaliwang kamay. "Me, i have a question for Ms. Travieso only." Ani nito nang may diin pa sa salitang only. Gusto ko tuloy biglang kalbuhin si Ross. Sinasabutahe ako ng taong to.

I smiled. "Sure, what is your question?" Lihim akong napa-irap. I wondered what he was up to and why he was suddenly interested in our presentation. Kanina lamang ay natutulog sya, wala nga syang pake sa paligid nya kanina.

He cleared his throat and asked, "So, what do you think of the Paris Agreement? Do you think it's fair and effective? And what about the Green New Deal? Do you support it or not? And how do you feel about nuclear energy? Is it a viable option for the Philippines?"

I was stunned by his barrage of questions. Pota. Anong connect 'non sa topic namin? They were all about global politics and policies which we had not discussed at all. I felt a flash of anger and irritation. Halos isumpa ko na si Ross dahil sa naging tanong nya pero pinanatili ko pa rin sa labi ko ang ngiti.

I decided to answer his questions, but with a tone of annoyance and sarcasm. "Well, Ross, those are very interesting and relevant questions, but they are not related to our presentation. We focused on the effects of climate change on the Philippines, not on the international agreements and initiatives. But since you asked, I'll give you my opinion. The Paris Agreement is a good start, but it's not enough. It needs to be more ambitious and binding, and it needs to hold the developed countries accountable for their emissions. The Green New Deal is a bold and visionary proposal, but it's not realistic or feasible. It would require a massive overhaul of the economy and the society, and it would face a lot of opposition and resistance from the fossil fuel industry and the conservative politicians. Nuclear energy is a controversial and complex issue, but I think it's not a viable option for the Philippines. It's too expensive, too risky, and too dependent on foreign technology and expertise. It would also create a lot of environmental and security problems, such as radioactive waste and nuclear proliferation."

"Nice one, Pres!"

"Bff namin 'yan!"

I hoped that my answers would satisfy him and make him stop asking questions, but I was wrong. He smirked and said, "You're so smart and well-informed. You must have read a lot of books and articles on these topics. Tell me, do you have any original thoughts or ideas of your own, or do you just repeat what you hear and read from others?"

I felt my face turn red with anger and embarrassment. He was mocking me and challenging me and I couldn't stand it. I glared at him. "Of course I have my own thoughts and ideas, Ross. Unlike you, I actually care about the world and the future, and I do my research and analysis. I don't just make fun of others and make a jokes all day. Maybe you should try to do the same, instead of wasting your time and bothering me with your stupid and irrelevant questions." Hindi ko na naigilan ang sarili mag timpi pa sakanya.

Nag sigawan ang mga kaklase namin ngunit sya ay tumawa lang. Nakakainis talaga! Gusto ko dagdagan yung mga pasa nya sa mukha.

"Oh, come on, don't be so serious and uptight. I'm just trying to have some fun and spice things up a bit. You're like a robot, programmed to do and say the right things. Don't you ever wonder what it's like to be free and spontaneous, to do something unexpected and exciting, to live a little?"

I was speechless. I didn't know how to respond to his taunts and provocations. He was getting under my skin, and I hated him for it. He didn't stop asking questions until Ma'am Ruiz intervened.

"Okay, that's enough, Ross. You've had your turn. Let's give someone else a chance to ask a question. And please, keep it relevant and respectful. This is not a comedy show or a debate club. This is a serious and important topic. Anyone? Do you still have question for the Group 2?" Tanong nito.

"None? Alright. Your group did a great job. You deserve a big round of applause. 96 for Group 2."

She clapped her hands, and the rest of the class followed. I smiled weakly, and thanked her. I returned to my seat, feeling a mix of emotions. I was happy that we had done well on our presentation, but I was also angry and frustrated that Ross had tried to ruin it.

Pag upo ko, rinig ko ang mahinang hagikgik ni Ross. Anong nakakatawa? Marahas kong tinanggal ang kamay nyang naka patong sa desk ko na ikinareklamo nya. Deserve.

"Hey, are you mad?. I was just kidding," ani nito habang sinusundot-sundot ang pisngi ko na agad ko namang tinaboy. "Ang cute mo pala pag nagagalit." namula ako.

"Lul!" Humarap ako kay Ivy na busy sa pakikipag usap sa grupo nito.

Hindi na natapos ang reporting dahil ipinatawag Ma'am Ruiz sa department kaya bukas nalang raw itutuloy ang iba pang grupo. I smirked. Umaayon sa'kin ang mundo. Lumapit ako sa isa sa mga kagrupo ni Ross at tinanong kung ano ang topic nila para mapag aralan ko mamaya. Mabuti nalang day off ko ngayon kaya marami akong time. Aaralin ko yung topic nila para ako naman ang mang gisa sakanya bukas. Lintik lang ang walang ganti.

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"Tara, tusok-tusok!" Aya saamin ni Ivy. Sinilip ko ang wallet ko. May extra pa naman ako kaya pumayag na ko.

"Let's go!" Dali-dali kaming bumaba ng building pero bago pa man kami maka labas ng school naka salubong namin yung apat, kasama na nila yung antipatikong si Ross.

"Cypress! Saan kayo punta?" Bishop asked.

"Sa lugar kung saan wala kayo."

"I'm just asking, Theodora Cypress." May awtoridad nitong sabi habang naka tingin pa rin sa librong binabasa. Kahit saan talaga mag punta ang isang 'to laging may dalang libro. Sobrang iba sa mga kaibigan nya, lalo na si Ross. Ba't pa kaya nya kina-ibigan mga kumag na 'to.

Nabanggit na saakin ni Cypress ang tungkol kay Bishop. Anak raw sya sa labas at ayaw ipaalam ng tunay na asawa ng Papa nya na isa syang Lucenzo kaya naman apelyido ng tunay nyang Ina ang gamit nito. Ang sabi saakin ni Cypress, tanggap naman daw nilang pamilya at mag pipinsan si Bishop kaso nga lang ang pamilya mismo ni Bishop ang hindi sya matanggap. Abogado daw kase ang Papa ni Bishop kaya hindi nila matanggap na ang isang abogado ay mayroong anak sa labas. Kumbaga pati mismo tatay nya hindi sya tanggap.

"Whatever, Bishop Grey. Punta lang kami dyan and yes, bawal kayo sumama." Hinila kami ni Cypress palabas ng school.

"Bilisan natin, baka sumunod satin mga 'yon."

We were chatting and laughing, enjoying the cool breeze and the warm sun. As we approached the stalls, I saw a familiar figures in the distance. It was Ross again surrounded by his friends.

"Uy, Cy. Yung mga kumag papunta rito. Bibili rin ba sila?" Tanong ni Ivy kay Cypress.

"Baka si Bishop bibili, 'di ko lang alam sa tatlo." Sagot nito habang busy busy sa pag tutusok.

I shook my head. "Hindi yan. Sa mukha palang parang hindi na kumakain ng ganitong mga pagkain."

"Hindi mo sure. Too early to judge."

To my surprise, Ross and and his friends stoppes at the stalls and started to order some food. They seemes to know what they wanted to eat.

"Apat na stick po neto," kinuha ni Roscoe ang apat na stick ng dugo at binihay sa lalaking nag papaypay ng barbecue. "Eto rin, saka eto... yan lang po lahat." Magalang na sabi ng lalaki. Sinilip ko kung ano yung mga inorder nila. Isaw, dugo at paa ng manok.

"Ate, padagdagan po ng suka ah, salamat po. Eto po yung bayad," nag abot ng isang libong piso si Ross. "keep the change na po." Ang generous naman pala. Hindi halata sa mukha.

"Hala, kumakain ka nga sila ng street foods, akala ko namamalikmata lang ako." Ani ni Ivy.

Paalis na sana kami dahil naka bili na kami ng fishball at kwekwek, bigla kaming tinawag ni Ross. They smiled and waved at us. Lumapit sila saamin dala-dala ang isang plastic ng mga inorder nila.

"Do you mind if we come with you?" Ross asked.

"No."

"Yes." Napa-tingin ako kina Ivy at Cypress na humindi. Naka peace sign silang dalawa. Nag papaawa pa ang mukha ni Ivy habang nag sasalitan ang kanyang mata mula saakin at kay Roscoe.

"Sige na nga. They don't mind naman eh."

"Great."

Sinundan nila kami pumunta sa Park na gilid lang ng school. We sat on a bench and started to eat.

Nag kwentuhan kami sa kung ano-anong bagay. Nagulat ako na friendly naman pala sila at madaldal. Ang intimidating kase nila tingnan at ang sama pa ng naging unang interaction namin. Bumalim na naman tuloy sa isip ko yung pag rant ko sakanila tungkol kay Ross.

"Hindi talaga ako maka paniwala kay Jael. Hanggang ngayon sa tuwing iniisip ko kung paano nya i-bash si Ross, natatawa pa rin ako." Tuwang sabi ni Kai habang naka hawak sa kanyang tiyan. Kanina pa kase ito tawa nang tawa.

Napa-iling ako, kahit ako natatawa pero mas nangingibabaw ang hiya. Nag paalam si Ross para mag banyo. Sinundan ko sya ng tingin paalis para mag hanap ng cr.

"Kidding aside, did you know that Ross is a genius?" Roscoe said.

"Oh? Di naman halata. Lagi nga lang natutulog sa klase," sumubo ako ng fishball. "Di rin nakikipag cooperate."

Nag tinginan silang tatlo. "Ganyan talaga sya. Kaya nga kailangan ng mahabang pasensya sakanya eh," huminga ng malalim ang lalaki. "Pero kahit ganyan-ganyan lang yan si Ross, kahit lapitin ng gulo sobrang bait n'yan. Sya yung pinaka-mabait na nakilala ko," dagdag nito. "Kaya nga naaabuso eh." humina ang boses nito.

"Huh?"

"Wala." Natawa ang lalaki at umiwas ng tingin habang kumakain ng isaw.

"Musician din 'yan si Ross." Si Kai naman ang nag salita. "He can play the guitar, the piano and drum. He also write his own songs."

Namangha ako sa mga narinig. Hindi ko naman alam na ganito pala ka-talented si Ross.

"Kung ganon, bakit tinatago nya?"

"He used to. We used to show it to everyone."

"We? Kasama kayo?" Takhang tanong ko.

"Yes. Nasa iisang banda lang kaming apat." Napa takip ako ng bibig sa nalaman. "That was before though, nahinto na kami for about 2 years already."

"Bakit?" Tanong ko. "If pwede malaman."

"Something unexpected happened." Kai answered. Mag tatanong pa sana ako pero biglang umiling si Kai at itinuro ang lalaking palapit saamin.

"Why are you looking at me? You're backstabbing me?" He jokingly said.

"Panget mo raw kase."

"Wow." Hindi ito maka paniwala sa sinabi ko. "Lagi mo nalang pinupuna mukha ko. Baka crush mo na ako?"

"Napaka kapal ng mukha, Ross. Kasing kapal ng encyclopedia."