7

"Two days absent without valid reason," pahayag ni Mrs. Evangelista habang nakatingin kay Canary. "Actually, without reason at all."

Canary crossed her arms. Parehas kaming nakaupo sa harapan ng table ng guidance counselor. Nakatungo ako at siya naman ay nakatingin dito. Hindi pa nababanggit kung ano ang violation ko. Pero nagdadasal akong hindi iyon makaapekto sa scholarship ko.

Bakit kaya siya absent? Ibig sabihin, pagkatapos ng insidente kay Lake ay hindi siya pumasok? Lalo akong nilamig dahil sa mababang temperatura ng aircon dito.

"Tell me the reason so we can proceed with another issue submitted to me," kalmadong patuloy ni Mrs. Evangelista. "Canary Morales, please answer. We will give you possible considerations for valid reasons."

"I'll just accept whatever the punishment will be," Canary answered. "I don't have any valid reasons, Ma'am."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Hindi man lang talaga siya magpapaliwanag? O mag-sorry man lang para hindi siya masistensyahan. Sinipa ko siya nang mahina. Saglit siyang napalingon sa akin pero agad din siyang humarap kay Mrs. Evangelista.

"Your name will be removed from the scholarship program."

Nagulat ako at agad akong nag-angat ng tingin. Hindi siya puwedeng mawalan ng scholarship. Mukhang masama ang ugali niya pero ramdam ko ang pangangailangan niya para makatapos ng college. "Ma'am, can you split her punishment to the two of us? But not the scholarship. Please?"

"What are you saying?" tila naiinis na tanong ni Canary. Ngayon ko lang nakitang nanlaki ang mga mata niya. Tila gusto na niya akong sakmalin.

Mrs. Evangelista chuckled sarcastically. "Split? You have your own problem, Ms. Dominguez."

Napalunok ako. "We will do everything, Ma'am. Huwag ninyo lang po kaming alisin sa scholarship program," pakiusap ko.

"Alam mo ba kung bakit kita ipinatawag? A complaint regarding the free pass for parking lot in the university arrived this morning. And you were mentioned in the letter. He said you interviewed him and you promised to talk to the management yesterday. Does the scenario ring a bell?"

Nanghina ang mga tuhod ko sa narinig kong iyon. Napakapit ako nang mahigpit sa mga hita ko. Akala ko ay hindi na 'yon makakarating sa management. Akala ko ay ligtas na ako doon.

"Then you can just erase our names in the program," sabat ni Canary at tumingin siya sa akin. "It is later than expected."

Ilang beses akong napakurap. Ano ba ang sinasabi ng babaeng 'to? "Mrs. Evangelista, please believe me po that happened for a good reason. Sorry po. Please forgive us," paumanhin ko. Alangan namang ikuwento ko sa kanya ang nangyari kay Lake.

"Why are you saying sorry? You're making her feel guilty," pahayag ni Canary.

Sinipa ko ang binti ni Canary. Teka. . . si Via. Sabi ni Via tawagan ko lang siya.

"Ma'am, you can ask Via Lopez if you want to know the whole story. Please, Ma'am. Hear our side," muli kong pakiusap.

Mrs. Evangelista paused a little. Tiningnan niya lang kami as if she is waiting for us to talk again.

"My problem is different from her. Hers is considerable. I did know the rules and I am willing to accept whatever the punishment will be. . . even it means my removal in the scholarship program," muling pahayag ni Canary.

Why can't she just say sorry and ask for second chance?! Bakit hindi na lang niya aminin bakit siya absent ng dalawang araw?!

The guidance counselor stood up and left. Naiwan kami ni Canary na parehas tahimik. Ramdam ko ang inis na presensya niya. Hindi ko rin naman magawang magsalita.

Minutes later, Via entered the room, smiling from ear to ear.

---

"So, may utang ka ngayon sa akin," Via said to Canary as soon as we exited the guidance room.

Canary smirked. "I didn't ask for help. You did it yourself."

Napabuga ng hangin si Via. Namumula na naman ang mga tainga niya. "You really did not know how to be grateful."

"Look who's talking," Canary answered. "It is not you who saved us but the counselor's poor judgement. What should I expect? She is willing to listen and believe only if I am a daughter of a well-known governor."

"Canary," tawag ko sa kanya para tumigil na siya. "Let's just be thankful na hindi tayo natanggal sa scholarship program."

"I am not scared to lose anything related to this university. I am just here to earn money. If they want to kick me out, I can find myself another place to earn more."

"You know what, mabuti nga ang sanction ninyo lang ay mag-serve sa mga athletes during game time. May I just mentioned that the guidance counselor wanted you to clean the lobby thrice a week?" naiinis na wika ni Via. "I told her that you were absent because you were kinda traumatized with what happened to the incident relating to my cousin. I told her you saved him."

Napatango ako. Hindi matalino si Via sa academics pero maaasahan naman pala ang reasoning niya sa mga importanteng bagay. "Thank you, Via."

Canary did not say a word and just starting walking away from us when her phone rang. Nang makita niya kung sino ang tumatawag ay halos nanginginig siyang sinagot iyon. Tila nagulo nito ang sistema niya.

"Y-yes. . . p-papunta na po ako," aniya sa nauutal na boses. Nagmamadali siyang umalis na halos takbuhin ang direksyon palabas ng gate.

"Alice, sundan natin siya. I have my car. Baka kailangan niya ng sasakyan?" Via said.