Chapter 36

CHAPTER 36

A fter Ephemere, the rest of the days passed so quickly. Rushing through academic requirements and exams made time go so much faster, and I nearly forgot to schedule my visa appointment for the Seoul trip. I cut it way too close by doing the appointment only a week and a half before the flight date, but I could only hope for the best and take my chances.

Before we knew it, we were already on our last day of term. Scheduled that day was an Accounting Exam in the afternoon and at 5 p.m., we were going to know the results of the club elections.

Gian and Cholo were both running for the highest club positions. They were both so nervous about today’s results, but as far as I was concerned, they were sure wins. I was also waiting for the result of my internship interviews as well as my visa application result for the Seoul trip tomorrow.

Who knew one could squeeze in so much stress in one day?

I finished the accounting exam early, seeing no point in prolonging my agony after I had answered all the questions. As soon as I got out of the exam area, I got my phone off my bag and turned it on.

No notifications.

I sighed and looked up at the sky, because, God, why?

“I know, ang hirap, noh?” someone said behind me.

Gian’s hair was down and he had huge bags under his eyes too. I guess he did not have enough sleep either, if at all.

“Okay lang. Last question was a bit tricky, I went around in circles solving it but I eventually remembered that other trick they discussed in the refresher. I did that, hoped for the best, and ran off. I couldn’t stand being in there anymore.”

Gian laughed.

“That’s correct, I used that solution for the last question, too. You should be fine.”

“Thanks. I don’t know why but I’m pretty nervous about the club elections too. But I’m sure you got it. Cholo, too.”

“You should probably be on his side right now. Have you made up yet?”

“I can’t be at his side right now. He’s not done with his accounting exam.”

“Pilosopo.”

My phone pinged and I could not unlock it any faster.

DRESDEN MAIL

Pastor and Gibble Recruitment: Internship Offer – EXCONDE, LAVINIA

“Oh my god,” I said, eyes widening. “I got the internship!”

Gian’s eyes widened and he looked just as happy for me. He pushed me towards the direction of the stairs.

“Go tell Miss Co! She required you to pass that, right?” he said and I nodded. “Tell her na agad! Then I’ll meet you guys in the club room.”

“Okay!” I said.

I almost flew to the second floor to deliver the good news. Miss Co was there, checking papers, and she looked happy about the news.

“Well, I was hoping you would,” she said, raising a piece of paper. It had my name on it, and a red mark that said 90%. “Imagine if I had to sign off on your disciplinary case being recorded permanently and fail you after you got a 90% on the final exam!”

“Grabe ka, Miss Co. I know you were trying to help, but your tasks were so difficult!”

“You knew you could do it all, Lavinia, but you were letting your temper get the best of you. As your teacher, that was infuriating to watch. Whether we admit it or not, you needed that lesson.”

I had to take a seat to breathe.

“Thank you, Miss Co. Sobrang thank you,” I said to her. “I learned a lot this term because of you.”

“Part of the job. Teka, is Cholo talking to you again?”

“Yeah. He hasn’t formally asked for a breakup yet so I’m taking my chances.”

Miss Co laughed at me, shaking her head and muttering ‘children.’ She looked at her watch and raised an eyebrow.

“Election results at five. Akyat na. You’d have less chances if you’re not there once Cholo’s announced club president.”

I obediently ran off upstairs. The election committee set up a huge projector in the club room and there were already people waiting. My eyes roved around the place, searching?—

“Hey, am I late?” said Cholo, who just walked in the door.

I looked at him and took his hand, pulling him towards me. “You made it just in time.”

He weaved our fingers together and joined me in the corner of the room. Some people turned around to look at us and then focused their eyes back on the projector.

“You got this in the bag,” I told him.

“We don’t know that.”

“I do.”

Cholo tightened his hold on me. We watched the clock count down. More people entered the room and everyone was holding their breath.

PRESIDENT

VALIENTE, Charles Paolo – 90%

LIMJOCO, Pamela – 8%

Abstain – 2%

“I won,” Cholo said, jaw dropping and facing me. “I WON!”

He swooped down and took me in his arms and we all got swallowed by a massive group hug by those around us.

“Never doubted you for a second,” I told him, letting him go for a moment as our orgmates swarmed and congratulated him.

“Iba siyaaa, landslide,” I teased Gian as he descended the stairs. Gian also won by a huge margin over the other guy who ran against him.

“Hello, First Lady.”

“Shut up,” I scoffed. “Congratulations, Gian.”

“I’m meeting Liana in Makati to celebrate. Kayo ni Chucky? Any plans?”

“Hey,” Cholo said, looking like he wanted to react to being called Chucky and deciding against it. “Thanks for waiting for me.”

“There’s going to be more of that this coming year so I’m practicing already,” I told him. Gian chose that moment bid us goodbye and ran off. “You’ll be going to Ortigas later?”

“Yeah. Easier for us to go to the airport from one place para sure that no one will be late. I can drop you off at Quezon Avenue or North Mall, if that’s okay?”

“No need. Don’t go to EDSA when C-5’s right there.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“I am! Have you told your kuyas about your win?”

“I have. Kuya Chip made a reservation at this buffet near the condo. If you’re not busy, do you want to come with us?”

“It’s okay. You guys go. I haven’t properly packed yet and I’m waiting for my visa.”

Cholo looked worried. I shook my head and put my hands on his shoulders.

“Our flight’s tomorrow.”

“I know. I’m being ready either way. You go have a good dinner with your kuyas. You’ve earned it.”

He looked conflicted.

“I was hoping we could celebrate in Seoul together,” he told me. “And you know. Talk.”

“Well, if the visa doesn’t arrive in time, I can always book another flight. The accommodations are booked for a week, anyway,” I told him. “It’s my fault for applying for the visa too close to the flight date. Life and acads happened. But don’t worry about it. Today’s your day. You’ve been preparing for this since last year. Don’t let my woes bother you.”

Cholo frowned.

“Thank you for booking the passes in. I know you made a lot of effort and spent a lot on that. I’m looking forward to it too,” I added.

He looked at me for a long while and then pulled me close towards him.

“Then here’s to praying we get that visa grant overnight,” he said. I hugged him back as tightly as I could.

“You should go. Don’t keep the kuyas waiting. You know Metro Manila rush hour traffic.”

“More than anyone,” he groaned. “Okay then. Text me when you get home.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

Well, I’ll be damned.

My phone beeped at six the next morning. I picked it up half asleep, prepared to curse whoever had sent a message at this ungodly hour but I bolted out of bed upon seeing what it was—an SMS from the Visa Application Centre asking me to pick up my passport. That meant my visa had been granted!

I looked at my suitcase, which was only half-heartedly packed because I really thought I was not going to get the visa in time.

“Ang galing-galing mo talaga, universe!” I said, now panicking as I opened the suitcase again to stuff more things in it.

My family helped me pack more things but we all ended up in stitches in the living room because of the suddenness of it all. We had to go backwards to estimate how much time I would need because I still needed to pick up my passport before I could go to the airport.

Cholo had texted me as well as Ate Ania and Asher on our group chat asking for updates.