Chapter 09- Entrance Exam Part 2

After thinking of such scenarios, I have decided to fully-prepare myself.

Isinuot ko na ang converse ko, at nag-suklay ng buhok, itinaas ko muna ‘yung sleeves ng sweater para mas maayos ang pag-suklay ko.

I let my wavy white hair down and took a ponytail, mamaya nalang ako magtatali kapag tuyo na ang buhok ko.

I have a natural white hair, may pagka-silver siya. Hindi ko alam kanino ko namana dahil itim ang buhok ni papa, samantalang si mama naman ay kulay light brown. Ako lang talaga ang natatanging may puting buhok.

Bagay naman sa ‘kin, I guess. Basta, ‘di ako mukhang matanda dahil sa buhok ko.

After preparing myself, kinuha ko na ‘yung bag na ginawa para sa ‘kin ni mama.

Isinukbit ko na ito sa balikat ko. Hinawakan ko ‘yung strap nang mariin, “I can do this.”

--

Bumaba na ‘ko at nakitang hinihintay na ‘ko ni lolo. “Sorry po, Lo. Medyo natagalan.”

Nginitian lang niya ‘ko, “Ayos lang apo. Hindi ka pa naman late. May 20 minutes pa.”

“Oh, Vian. Dalhin mo ito, baka may break kayo mamaya. Kainin mo ito ha.” Binigyan ako ni lola ng isang lunchbox na kulay gray, tsaka isang water jug.

Lumapit ako sa kanya, niyakap at hinalikan siya sa pisngi, “Thank you po.”

“Ay, nga pala. Baka may gusto kang bilhin sa cafeteria doon o sa stalls. Ito oh.” Inabot ni lolo ang isang pouch ng silver. Hindi ko alam kung ilan ang nasa loob, pero alam kong marami ‘yon. “Nako, Lo. Bawasan niyo po ito. Hindi ko po magagastos ‘yan. At saka sobra-sobra po ang ibinigay niyo.”

Umiling siya sa ‘kin at inilagay sa bag ko ‘yung pouch.

Hihirit pa sana ‘ko nang sumabat bigla si lola, “Okay na ‘yan. Ipunin mo. Oh siya, alis na kayo, baka ma-late pa si Vian.”

Humalik si lolo kay lola, samantalang ako ay niyakap siya. “Bye, La!”

“Ingat!”

--

“Kinakabahan ka, Vian? Kaya mo ‘yun. Kaso nga lang, kada taon yata halos ¼ lang ang pumapasa sa entrance exam ng academy.” Tumingin si lolo sa rear view mirror.

Tumingin ako sa kaniya, “Lolo naman eh! Mas nadagdagan tuloy kaba ko!” Sabay simangot.

“Hahaha! Biro lang. Basta alam ko, kakayanin mo ‘yung exam.”

I looked out of the window and prayed na makapasa nga ako. “Ay lolo, hindi ko pa pala naitanong sa inyo. Paano po ‘yung reporters na humarang sa ‘kin sa hospital? Napanood po ba sa TV?”

I’m worried. Baka masira ang image ko, at maging isa ‘yon sa dahilan kung bakit hindi ako papasukin sa academy.

“I took care of it. Huwag kang mag-alala, at mag-focus ka sa sa entrance exam.” He confidently answered to my question. Hooo! The best ‘tong si lolo!

Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas at nakarating na kami sa paroroonan namin.

My heart started to pound so much that I literally can die from heart attack. Charot, ang OA.

We entered the gate.

I was filled with awe as soon as I saw the golden gates opening wide open as if it was welcoming us.

The Academy’s Logo was engraved on the top of the gate.

As we entered the academy’s premises. A huge fountain welcomed us. There was a dragon statue on it, kulay itim. Which was cool.

Pero nagtaka ako, bakit dumire-diretso si lolo, when he was supposed to be just drop me by the entrance.

“I work here.” He suddenly said, almost as if reading my mind.

Oh, that’s the reason.

I tightly grope the strap of my bag, I felt the nervousness again, making me feel more aggravated to what I’ve been feeling earlier.

“Go ahead, Vian. Good luck!”

I nervously smiled and took my way out of the car.

The first step I did was intense.

Madaming estudyante ang naglilibot sa academy. Some were probably up for the entrance, naka-civilian eh. While some were the official students of the academy—wearing their respective uniform. But what I’ve noticed was iba-iba ang kulay ng kanilang neck tie.

“Ah- I need to go first, Vian. I need to do something urgent.” He tapped my shoulder. Tumango nalang ako bilang sagot.

“AY, Lo, saan po ‘yung-“ When I turned back to see him, wala na siya.

Oh god, this is a problem. I don’t know kung saan pupunta!

First thing to do is to get out of this parking lot. I carefully made my way out of the parking lot.

I was overwhelmed to see how many people was out here. Andami! At lahat sila naka-civilian. Jusko! Ito ba mga makakatapat ko sa entrance exam?

Nakita kong naglalakad na sila patungo sa ewan ko kung saan. Naki-halubilo nalang ako sa kanila, mukhang sila rin naman ang mga makakasama ko, at mukhang alam nila saan gaganapin ‘yung exam.

--

I didn’t expect na ganoon kalayo ang lalakarin namin. Panay inom ako sa tubig dahil sa uhaw. Ilang kilometro ba nilakad namin papunta dito sa parang auditorium?!

Dapat pala hindi ako nag-sweater. Damn. Ang init-init! Finold ko ‘yung sleeves para maging three-fourth ang haba. Grabe, pawis na ata ang kili-kili ko.

I was currently tying my hair up into a ponytail when someone bumped into me, a girl. She has a light purple hair, and silver eyes, maputi, medyo kinulang sa height, pero ang ganda niya.

“Hi! Sorry, ‘di ko sadya huhu.” Paumanhin niya.

I didn’t respond. She’s a complete stranger, so why would I talk to her?

I looked at her, “Oh my gosh. Mama ko, anong klaseng nilalang ka? What the heck, bakit ganiyan itsura mo, oh my gosh.” She took another glance on my face, “Ay grabe talaga!”

“Ha?” I confusedly uttered. Is there something wrong with my face? Hinawakan ko ang mukha ko, wala namang dumi?

“S-Sabi ko ang ganda mo, please lang nakakasilaw ka. Grabe ang attractive mo! Shet, tomboy na ba ‘ko?”

Naw-wirduhan ako sa kaniya, “Thanks..?”

I continued to tie my hair. May nalaglag na mga baby hairs sa mukha ko, which is annoying. Kaso wala akong dalang bobby pins. “So.. What’s your name?”

I took a sip from my jug, nauhaw ako ulit, “Vexyiana.”

She looks okay. So I guess it’s not a problem to talk to her. “Nice to meet you...?”

“Axie. Nice to meet you din Vexyiana! Grabe, pati name ang ganda. Saan ka ba pinaglihi?”

Our conversation was cut off when someone spoke, loudly. “Good morning, everyone.You are all here for the chance to be a student here in Quire Academy. To be qualified as our student, You must pass our 2-level entrance exam. The level 1 is a written exam. While the level 2, malalaman ninyo ‘yan mamaya. For now, let’s proceed sa level 1. Q Students, please assist them for their respective rooms to participate sa level 1. Thank you.”

Sa tantya ko, nasa 100 ata kaming nandito.

May mga lumapit na students sa amin. Nagulat ako nang bigla akong mag-teleport sa unahan, kasama ang iba pang nag-aapply. Teleportation ability?

May isang naka-uniform sa harap ko. I looked back sa iba pang applicants, we were divided into 4.

‘Please follow me in order to go sa inyong rooms where you’ll take the exam.’

May biglang nakipag-usap sa ‘kin sa isip ko. Woah, this is cool.

The student in front of me began to walk. I immediately catched up.

Mabuti nalang at kaunting steps lang ang ginawa naming at nasa tapat na kami ng isang room.

The door of the room looked elegant. It has gold frames. Tapos kulay brown siya and may nakalagay na ‘Room 6-A’ sa itaas.

The door opened, a sign na pumasok na kami. I entered the room. And it was overwhelmingly fragrant, malamig din sa loob, pero wala akong nakikitang aircon or electric fan. The room was filled with bookshelves, paintings, sculptures. Probably an art room.

There was a professor, I suppose, inside. Probably to supervise us.

I sat at the back.

As soon as I placed my butt on the chair, a paper popped at my desk.

‘Cool!’ I thought to myself.

Inilabas ko na ang ballpen ko. Since ballpen daw ang need to answer.

First question:

What was the Academy’s original name?

    A. Vikore              C. Ghenis

    B. Lietr                 D. Hurille

Oh- about its history?

Buti nalang I read the academy’s history, hehe. I encircled letter A.

Next, 

Who was the academy’s founder?

    A. Leo Hellion       C. Vivian Moriana

    B. Ivory Gale        D. Seir O’de

Easy, it’s obvious na letter C ang sagot. Mystery pa rin sa ‘kin ang identity niyan ni Vivian, ewan ko, pinagulo niya isip ko.

Sinagutan ko ang iba pang mga tanong hanggang sa umabot ako sa essay part.

Can a person be considered a hero if they applied for the role kahit na nakakulong siya or they had a criminal record?

Hmm.. The question was interesting.

From my own experience, I would answer this question with a yes. People tend to think na ‘yung mga taong nakakulong or nakulong ay guilty na, but no. I have been imprisoned for a false case. I wasn’t guilty, but nakulong ako. So would I still be considered a hero? Yes, because I saved 2 kids that day. Kahit na nakulong ako, I still felt like a hero from saving them. We shouldn’t assume na lahat ng taong nasa kulungan ay may sala, ‘yung iba inosente pero pinapalabas ng ibang pulis na guilty sila from their imperfect evidences.

I confidently answered the question and stood up to pass my paper. I took almost 25 minutes to answer the written examination.

Pinalabas na ako ng professor para sa 1-hour break bago mag-simula ‘yung 2^nd level ng entrance exam. Confident akong napasa ko ‘yung 1^st level since na-aral ko ‘yung mga tanong. Let’s hope the same confidence and result sa 2^nd level.