Arraignment: A proceeding in which a criminal defendant is brought into court, told of the charges in an indictment or information, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.

I’ve come to a decision…

That following Dad’s foolish act is not beneficial and exceedingly complicated.

First, hindi naman ako marunong manligaw. Second, are we forgetting the thing about her ‘N’? She literally came home para lang makita siya so possibly tama nga si Lia… It’s her jowa.

Therefore, I have come to a conclusion that distracting her is the lamest thing a Karina Yu could do para lang ma keep ang place niya.

I will peacefully go on my way and continue playing fair with whatever is going on right now; the progressing competition between us.

Pagkadating na pagkadating ko, I went on my way to our council meeting. It was scheduled this monday morning kasi.

We are to plan and talk tungkol sa intramurals; anong magaganap sa sports, what kind of booths could pass the approvals, the Literary and Musical competition etc.

Sometimes, hanga rin ako sa sarili ko like, how could I juggle all of this considering na I’m a pre-law student? But again, it’s not an unanswered question naman, I owe it all to my determination and strategy sa time management.

Hindi naman na bago sa akin ang mag facilitate ng big events. Actually, kakatapos nga lang ng acquaintance last month. I didn’t even realize na tapos na kasi yung ilang weeks na preparations, parang dumaan lang na parang bula in a span of one day. I’m not complaining though.

Seeing the successful event and our vision about it becoming a reality – it all paid off the hard work.

Walking papapunta, dito ako dumaan sa hallway ng Nursing 1-B which is ang section nina Ning. Parang shortcut kasi ‘to papuntang council room.

“Ssob K, patulong!” I didn’t need to turn my head for me to know kung sino yung tumawag sa’kin. Gets ko na rin agad kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin.

“Did you forget to do your assignments nanaman, Ryu?” Lumingon ako and looked at her with a scolding stare.

“Ah… eh… oo eh.” She scratched her nape sabay yuko. Aba, nahiya pa?

“Okay, but I only have 20 minutes left before the meeting and I need to arrive there 10 minutes prior to it. Make sure na konti lang ‘yan. You know how much I hate being late.”

Ako palagi ang takbuhan nina Ryu kapag hindi nila mapilit si Ning na pakopyahin sila ng sagot. Ayaw kasi silang sanayin ni Ning na umasa lang sa kaniya kapag may gawain.

Im always willing to lend them a hand kasi hindi naman sila nuisance. What will I do doon sa council eh 20 minutes pa before the conference starts. Also, ang magtropang nursing students na ‘to are dear to me kahit na they’re sometimes a pain in the .

It’s not much of a big deal rin if I help them.

And what I mean by helping is, I’ll teach them to find the right answer, I will not just easily tell it to them. Edi wala silang natutunan kapag ganon.

After Ryu asked for help, I entered their room muna para makasagot ng maayos.

“Okay, so here. Why is carboxylic acid a stronger acid than alcohol?”

“Ay alam ko ‘to. Because yung anion ng carboxylic is more stable than the alcohol’s ion.”

“Which are named as?”

“Carboxylate anions and alkoxide ions.” She answered proudly.

“Correct. That’s what you’re missing in this part.” Shala, naging chemist tuloy ako. Ang layo layo ng mga topics nila sa amin pero sa akin pa talaga nagpapatulong ‘to.

She's so focused in wiriting na kunot na kunot yung noo niya tapos naka labas na yung dila niya... not until–

“Ssob K, alam mo ba? Medyo nagiging madaldal na si Winter kapag kausap siya namin.” I let Ryu call me ssob K kasi mapilit siya. Gusto niya raw ng unique. Yung siya lang yung tatawag kaya hinayaan ko na and… uhm.

What should I do with her given information about my seatmate?

Tumahimik na lang ako and let her talk.

“Ang problema nga lang ulit, hirap akong intindihin yung pananalita niya... Kanina nga, tinanong ko siya if may gusto siyang ipabili sa canteen tapos sabi niya, wora."

I’m all ears sa kaniya pero yung mga mata ko ay nasa sinusulat niya – mahirap na baka magkamali. Natatawa na nga ako kasi I can hear the distress sa tone niya.

“Eh nung pagbalik ko, nag expect siyang may iaabot ako… yung pagkakainitindi ko kasi sa sinabi niyang wora ay wala. Inisip ko nga baka half-japanese rin siguro siya at ganun yung pag pronounce niya nung wala. Pero ssob K!” She dramatically dropped the pen sa desk niya at humarap sa akin. I’m trying my best not to laugh sa expression of struggles niya ngayon.

“Yung wora pala… alam mo kung ano lang naman pala ssob K?!” Bumuntong hininga siya and frustratedly moved her hair na sagabal from her field of view.

“WATER! As in w-a-t-e-r, water! Tubig, ssob! Sana sinabi niyang tubig na lang!” Mangiyak ngiyak na yung mukha niya na parang natatae. I quietly chuckled, baka kasi mas ma-offend pa kapag narinig akong humalakhak.

“Nakakahiya tuloy. Baka isipin niyang napaka-bobo ko naman na simpleng water hindi ko maintindihan.” She face-palmed herself and nakalimutan ata na may ginagawa siyang assignment.

Ang hirap magpigil ng tawa. Parang puputok na yung tiyan ko pero kasi… seyosong seryoso si ryu eh! Asarin ko na nga lang.

“Eto pa sso-“

“Ryu, ok lang naman na mag vent sa’kin pero diba may meeting ako? Bakit ba hindi ka sa jowa mong hilaw magpaturo? She won’t mind being late para sa’yo.” I said while smiling widely.

“Anong jowa? Sinong jowa?!” Nag maang-maangan pa nga.

“Ewan ko… Yung Hwang Yeji ba ‘yon?” Namula siya bigla at yumuko. Huli ka balbon! Gustong-gustong inaasar sa friend niya eh.

I was gonna tease the hell out of Ryujin pero mukhang may built-in megaphone ang bunganga ni Yuna. “Madammmmm! Bakit nandito ka sa kulto ng nursing?"

Binaling niya ang tingin niya sa katabi ko na biglang natahimik. "Oh, bakit mukhang sinampal na mansanas ka diyan Jin?”

I stood up and fixed my things dahil ilang minutes na lang ang natitira before my own-call-time. "Ryu, pakopyahin mo na lang si Yuna if hindi siya nakagawa which I’m sure na hindi talaga.” I looked at Yuna like how an older sister would look at her younger sibling kapag pinapangaralan niya ito.

“Uhhh, sorry po madam rep. Naaliw kakalaro eh.” She bowed her head, ashamed of her irresponsibleness.

“This will be the last time na tutulong ako sa inyo this month ha. Just like ning, ayokong isanay kayong umasa na lang palagi sa tumutulong sa inyo. You’re not in highschool anymore guys.” I admonished them softly but with conviction.

I purposely voiced a gentle tone because I don’t want them thinking na napilitan akong tumulong dahil close kami. Ano 'yon? After kong tumulong magagalit ako?

No, that is not my intention. I just want them to act like their age, try to make efforts, and set their minds when it comes to their studies.

Hayyy, lumalabas talaga ang mom of the group intincts ko kapag sila ang kasama and kaharap ko.

My level of kakulitan could not even reach half of theirs. Minsan, I’m only playful in my thoughts kasi my outer appearance says otherwise; another reason why I find it hard being oneself to other people. I need to read the room first and observe para malaman kung anong personality ang ilalabas ko. Chos!

“If may early bird talaga na award, I wouldn’t hesitate to give it to you Ms. Yu.” Amused na sabi ni pres.

“You know my reasons ate.” I closed the door and went straight sa couch para magpahinga ng konti to refresh my mind and energy para sa anticipated meeting.

As I was making myself comfortable, I couldn't help but feel sleepy with the vague sound of the air conditioner, the dim lights of the room, the calming scenery of the room decors and designs, the eye-pleasing set of plants; my kind of soltitude.

“Good morning, Pres Dahyun."

Huh? That’s a first. The council members arrive either 3 minutes before or exactly the announced time.

“Hi Win, come in!” Win?

I’m still closing my eyes kaya hindi ko pa rin alam kung sino ang pumasok… pero Win? What are the odds that the nickname leads to a certain smart-, deafeningly quiet, and short-haired girl?

Well, 75% because one, ilan lang naman ang may win sa pangalan in this big of a university at kasama na siya roon.

Two, it’s definitely not Winwin from criminology dahil knowing him, he does not fit the embodiment of a student council officer.

Three, she’s one of the few students na may ganoong klase ng pananalita and voice.

“You know, win... You and Rina are alike. Diba classmates kayo?” Lastly, nanggaling na sa bibig ni pres.

Bakit siya nandito? And alike? Madaldal kaya ako tapos mahaba naman buhok ko! The only thing that we have in common is our big brains! ‘Yun lang!

I decided to open my eyes, looking their way then I saw Ate Dubu checking her phone nung narinig niyang tumunog ito.

“Pasok na tayo sa meeting room. Papunta na raw yung iba.”

The council room is divided into two parts, separated by a door. It's like a room in a room style.

The first part is our chill area where the pantry, couch, and desks are located. Yung second part naman – the one that is separated by a door is where all the hard work happens; our