Where The Magnolias Bloom [ONGOING]

Chapter 4

Expectations

I don't know why my eyes automatically rolled after seeing that. Hindi ko alam kung para saan 'yon. He doesn't know me and I don't know him either to exchange compliments. Siguro ay inaasahan nyang kikiligin ako sa ginawa nya, thinking that I'd react the same way as others.

No, I am not like the other girls. Madaling nauuto sa pasimpleng porma at anggas ng mga lalaking katulad nya.

We hid in the backstage for the walk. Habang nagsisimula nang maglakad ang ibang representatives ay nakasilip naman ako para matignan kung paano sila maglakad. They all look like they've been doing this thing for years. Samantalang ako ay kakatuntong pa lamang ng paa sa ganitong sapatos at stage.

I bit the sides of my mouth as I watch the other representatives introduce their names and course.

"Ruwena Santillan, 20. College of Tourism and Hospitality Management!"

Mahinang pinadyak-padyak ko ang paa ko para maalis ang kaba dahil kami na ni Russel ang susunod na lalabas. I saw how Russel gave me a thumbs up from the other side. Ngumiti ako. Nagpakawala ako ng mabigat na hininga bago confident na lumabas at ngumiti.

I saw how my classmates hysterically made noise from the bleachers when we got out. I don't know when and where they got all the plasctic bottles. Nagmistula tuloy rally ang side kung nasaan sila Marie at ang mga kaklase ko.

We made poses and confidently did our walk. My walk is very intricate and detailed. I even anticipated the movements of my hair and I would do little strokes that would make the crowd go wild.

"WOOOOOHHH!! GOO GOOO MAGGIE! GOO GOOO RUSSEL!!" They cheered.

When we finally got to the final part where we introduce our names, doon na ako nakaramdam ng kaba. I composed myself for a few seconds. Shit, patapos na yung lakad namin tapos ngayon pa ako naka-feel ng kaba.

The crowd started to cheer again. Si Russel naman ay panay cheer rin sa tabi ko. I smiled widely.

"I am Magnolia Zorillie Tatlonghari, 19! Representing the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management!" I confidently said. Halos mawalan ako ng hininga sa pinaka-dulo pero nairaos ko rin naman ang introduksiyon.

"Russel Angelo Bueno, 19! From the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management!" Pakilala ni Russel.

Sumunod ang sigawan naman ng mga kaklase ko, maging ang mga teachers namin ay nanonood rin pala, kasali na ro'n si Sir Rual. Lumunok ako.

We made our exit and another pair came out, it was Amanda and Grover. We walked passed them without looking. Ramdam ko rin sa peripheral vision ko ang paninintig ni Grover saamin. Hindi ko na rin pinansin 'yon nang makabalik kami sa likod. Huminga ako ng malalim. But it's not over yet, may question and answer pa.

Mas naging malakas pa ang sigawa ng mga tao nang marinig ko. Sinilip ko ulit ang harapan at nagulat sa nakita ko. More people are coming in, ang iba ay nasa court na. Marami na rin ang mga tao mula sa department namin. I chuckled when Marie and Reggie even convinced the engineering students sitting next to them to cheer for us. Grabe talaga sila.

Pinadapuan ko ng tingin ang lalaking kasalukuyang rumarampa sa entablado. The way he walks is immaculate. Animo'y professional model kung lumakad, effortless and smooth. Hindi ko rin masisisi kung maraming mababaliw sakanya mula sa mga manonood dahil sa paglalakad nya lang, malakas ang appeal at...guwapo rin. But not me, yung ibang babae siguro mababaliw sakanya. I was just praising him that's all.

I mean, it wouldn't hurt me to admit that he is indeed...handsome. Wait, how many times did I admit it to myself? Tama na!

"Amanda Beatrice Reymundo, 20! Proudly representing the College of Medicine." Confident na pakilala ni Amanda. It took a little moment before the crowd cheered for her. Most of them are guys from her department and mine. Ang ibang students rin galing sa ibang department ay walang reaksyon.  It does seem that a lot of students despise her.