*SSC Supreme Student Council o di kaya'y Sabrina Sobrang Competitive?* part III

The prepping of school-wide assembly is finally done and during the ceremony ay e a-announce na ang mananalo.

But something unexpected happen.

Both the girls were called by Mrs. Augustine before the event will start.

Now both standing in front of the faculty is the two girls, one very confident and other one coolheaded.

"So... the both of you were called here because this is the very first historical moment sa university na 'to, based on the counting on the electoral votes..."

Sab was looking intensely, eager to her what's the next chosen words of Mrs. Augustine, Jo was showing an inscrutable face that reveals no hint of her thoughts or feelings.

"it was a tie"

Sab blinked twice, giving herself a moment to process what she just heard

"Po?"

Jo was impatient "so what should we do po?"

"About that, we're gonna talk to you, one by one and we'll see what will happen next.."

Sab wasn't feeling it but was up for it

Jo, raised her hand.

"Yes Miss Roble?"

"Can I excuse myself first Ma'am?" She looked at Sab, with eyes...empty? "Hey, pwede bang mauna ka na? Promise I'll be back"

Sab looked at her confused, but she noticed Jo earlier, she was quiet the whole time it was unusual for her, her fingers drumming against her legs, sometimes clenching her fist... She seems tense

"Yes, I don't mind." Sab answered shortly

Jo just gave her a small smile at agad lumabas.

....

Sab's

Jo is still not here. I'm sitting here parin sa office waiting for ma'am's cue.

Hindi ko mawala wala sa isip ko si Jo, mukhang balisa siya. I checked the time and it's almost 2 pm. We were called here right after lunch eh. Hindi ko rin maiwasang mabahala, it's been while since Jo was gone at hindi ko alam kung anong nasa isip nila Ma'am.

"Sab?"

Finally.

"Yes po, coming."

...

An hour later, I was announced as the new Supreme Student Council President.

And what took that long of me waiting, ay dahil kay Jo. Hindi siya sumipot.

So I won. Because of her absence.

After the event, agad akong sinalubong nina Wesley

He smiled genuinely "Congratulations president!"

I just smiled "thanks Wes"

"So ano na? Saan tayo later?" Wayne asked enthusiastically

"Later for what?" Tanong ko

"To celebrate!" Shiloh interrupted after taking candid pictures of me

Tumango lang ako at ngumiti, after that we planned to where we're gonna go. I tried to ignore why Gia and Jo is not here, and it seems like they don't want to talk about it too.

Nang nakauwi ako sa bahay I asked for permission na magdi-dinner ako with friends which Mom agreed to after congratulating me.

I attempted to text Jo. Attempted was the word.

Hinatid ako ni Mom sa Kbbq resto na suggestion ni Shiloh, they made a reservation earlier and I saw Wesley waiting for me outside

"Hey Sab, you look good" bati niya agad

I smiled at him "You're not so bad yourself Kuya Wesley"

After that he guided me inside, we booked for private dining. The private dining rooms are on the second floor to really separate it from the main dining area, when the elevator clicked, dali dali kaming naglakad patungo sa room namin at ewan ko ba something's bugging me eh, my heart is beating rapidly, and when Wesley opened the door for me, there she was—the reason why my heart is pounding like a drum.

Joan Roble was sitting and staring at the city lights, the room has this floor to ceiling glass windows, it was gorgeous.

gorgeous.

Nang napansin niyang may dumating, agad siyang tumingin sa direksyon namin, tumayo siya mula sa kina-uupuan niya and now I can clearly see what she's wearing

It's a sky blue button down collared long sleeve, it was unbuttoned so it reveals glimpses of her white tube top, it highlighted her slender frame and also emphasized her well-defined waistline and toned midsection (nag g-gym ba siya?) and she paired it with a brown carolina miniskirt

I can't help but glance at her delicate collarbones and shoulders.

Huminga ako ng malalim, Sometimes I forget how attractive Jo is.

Somehow, it comforts me na napili namin ang private dining, I'd hate it if I see guys darting their eyes at her.

"Hi Sab."  She greeted softly

I gulped bago patuloy na pumasok "hey" I responded, agad kong binaling ang attention ko kay Gia who's sitting next to her, we just exchanged nods of acknowledgement, at umupo na ako next to Shiloh.

We're sitting across each other, it was Wesley and Wayne, Gia and Shiloh lastly me and her.

After ordering ay agad kong kinausap si Shiloh

"Shi. Hoy kausapin mo nga ako" irita kong sabi dahil focus na focus ang ate gurl mo sa phone niya "ikaw napapansin na kita ah, halos hindi mo na ako kinakausap!" I maintained my voice low

"Aba ang observant mo naman"  ika niya

sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at agad niyang ibinaba ang cellphone niya at tumingin sa akin "sorry po, may inaasikaso lang eh"

"Ano ka business woman eh first year ka palang, feeling"

"Nag chat lang ako kay dad wag kang epal"

"ay oo nga pala, sa Korea pa sila until next week diba? Sabihan mo pasalubong ko ha" I said with my pabebe voice

"Kapal" she sticked her tongue out at tumawa

"Shut up, hindi kita ipapasabay kay manong later to drive you home"

"Oh edi huwag, kaya ko naman" pagtataray niya

"So mag co-commute ka? don't tell me nag commute ka papunta dito?"

Shiloh smiled widely "nope"

"Ha? e wala nga si tito para ihatid ka diba so pano lumipad ka, itigil mo na 'yang pagka manananggal mo na yan, masama sa family image niyo"

"Gago" she suddenly covered her mouth "ay sorry"

I made face "ano ka bait baitan ang talas niyang dila mo kaya nga niyang maputol ang leeg ng kaharap mo ih.." I glanced at Gia who's sitting across her and I was taken aback when I saw her already looking at our direction specifically at Shiloh

My brow furrowed slightly, my eyes shifting back and forth between them, I was gazing at them inquisitively trying to piece a puzzle

And when realization hit, my expression transitions from confusion to my eyes widening "don't tell me.." Shiloh covered my mouth with her hand hastily

"Oo sinundo ako ni Gia!" She said unnecessarily loud before getting her hands off my mouth

"I was gonna say Gia hates bad words but..yes, okay?"

The silence was too loud, but then I heard Jo snort at napuno na nga ng tawa ang room.

The waiter served our drinks first at ito namang si Wesley ang extra extra

Wesley: A toast for our new President!

He faced me and winked

Wesley: Congratulations, Sabrina

Kahit ang loko loko niya, I can see his genuineness, he apologized narin about sa photo, siya pala talaga kasi ang gumawa nun, it was so childish of me to accused someone, to accused Jo. Nag sorry narin ako sa kanila. And even if they dismissed what happened so easily, I just can't forgive myself for hurting Jo.

Tinanguan ko siya bilang pasasalamat at ngumiti

Wayne: Sab congratulations! So the dinner's on you tonight?

Pabiro siyang binatukan ni Wesley "Huwag mo nang pansinin tong kapatid ko Sab"

Nagtawanan kami sa kulitan ng dalawa.

Gia: Congratulations Sab. I think you deserve it.

I was a bit surprised, Gia finally said a complete sentence, kung anong ikinaingay ni Shiloh ay yun namang ikinatahimik niya, but I can see how she's enjoying just being there.

I was about to respond when Shiloh hugged me, mahigpit na mahigpit te

Shi: Congratulations Sabby! Deserving ka talaga so serve us our food kasi I'm very gutom na!

Me: Gaga ginawa pa akong waitress

They all greeted me, except to that one person

Who I wished would you know, jumped on the bandwagon and greet me with a full smile, but how could I be so selfish? Jo was the one I'm running against, kaya ang sama ko namang tao kung manghihingi pa ako ng acknowledgement sa kaniya.

It became quiet, alam kong tinitingnan nila kami, I know they're waiting expectantly for the interaction between us.

Our eyes met, I gulped, I was a bit hoping—expecting, anticipating, looking forward to, name it all, she was about to talk when

Shiloh: The food arrived!

Great timing, very great.

So we went on to our dinner, the food was delicious, the service was great, the resto's ambiance was also good. But still, something's missing. It was like I have to steal glimpses of Jo the whole night—and glimpses wasn't enough, she was near yet so far.

Maybe that's what's keeping my dessert, unappetizing tonight.

The fact that I'd like to look at her, not the fact that I used to not to. It was killing me.

Jo and the guys are having a conversation after the meal, minsan sumasabay ako but I just can't brush off the gap building between me and Jo. It was a bit distracting, I admit.

After a moment, nag request si Wayne ng picture kaya naman we took some. The waitress volunteered to capture our photo, the Apiñosa brothers are standing behind us who's sitting, I was on the middle kaya naman I can feel Jo's arms pressing against mine, it made me shiver for unknown reasons.

I excused myself para pumunta sa comfort room, Shiloh volunteered to come with me pero hindi na ako pumayag since she's already enjoying the topic.

After leaving hindi ako dumeritso sa CR, hindi naman ako naiihi, I was just making an excuse to leave. I went straight to the resto's balcony, timing ako lang mag isa dito, agad kong binuksan ang bag ko at akmang kukunin na ang sigarilyo—charot, I just thought ang cool ng vibes pero ayaw ko sa pulmonya kaya naman I just took my foundation out at nag retouch ng sandali.

I was just there staring at the city lights, hindi naman ako naa-out of place, I like them enough na kahit pa hindi ako kasama sa topic I feel belong, I shook my head, finally my own circle.

I'm good at socializing but not really good when it comes to making friends, I hate pleasing people, kaya siguro wala akong barkadang pangmatagalan, only Shiloh.

I don't like people treating me like a trophy, or using me.

Bigla kong naalala ang nangyari kanina, I won but I don't feel like a winner. It's ironic how I don't like being treated like a trophy, but always competing for one.

I was staying here for a bit long na I'm already shivering slightly, I'm wearing a sando gray top and a black tiered mini skirt kaya naman the coldness is getting me. I wrapped my arms around my body, I frown due to the chilly temperature but the mesmerizing city lights didn't fail to captivate me. "Beautiful"

"Yes it is"

I turned around and there she was, Jo behind me.

Isinuot niya ang dala niyang jacket sa akin na ikinagulat ko, her scent— it smells of roses and vanilla, it smells so nice na para ba akong hinihila papalapit sa kaniya.

"Jo"

"Sab"

"You didn't have to.."

"I want to"

"But who's jacket is this?"

"I brought an extra, you know...in case" she smiled sweetly

I just nodded, I didn't think asking more questions is necessary, I'm just grateful "Thanks, Jo"

"Hm, I kinda like it.."

"What?"

"My name. When you say it."

I was taken aback, my cheeks getting hot, mabuti nalang at malamig because I know it would be too obvious if she sees my face flushed

"Pft, what are you saying" I faced her

She's now leaning on the railing, and gazing at the city lights, she let out a breath of relief, I understand her, I mean seeing this view that exudes a sense of contemplation and tranquility, sometimes it's this simple to feel alive.

Without knowing, my eyes scanned her, the soft glow of the city lights illuminates her features, it was like looking at a serene and picturesque scene, she was really pretty.

"The view of cityscape is very peaceful amidst the urban hustle and bustle. Perhaps, it's the reason why you seem to appear so lost in your thoughts?"

She faced me and our eyes locked, and I felt this feeling I've never felt before..

What is this?

I can't seem to figure out.

I'm a smart person. I'm sure I can name things so easily but why can't I figure out my own feelings?

this feeling.

"a-ah yeah, but..."

"Hm?"

"why did you left?"

"Sab I.."

"You made me look like an idiot"

"Sab"

I breathe in, calming my self down "pinagmukha mo'kong timang kanina Jo, I won because you weren't there, I won because...I was the only option"

"And I'm not sorry. I'm not sorry that I left because I don't want to apologize for something you truly deserve, I know you love what you do, I never competed with you from the beginning Sab, I'm not fit for that role, I'm not a good leader, and you're wrong"  she took my hand at hinawakan ako ng mahigpit "you are not the only option but the only right choice"

My heart is beating fast...so fast I feel like dying

What's going on with me?

Suddenly I felt a combination of wetness and warmth running down my cheeks.

"Sab, you're crying"

Agad akong lumingon sa kabilang banda, subtly wiping my tears even if it was too obvious

"gaga hahah hindi no, na puwing lang" sagot ko

"Sab, are you okay?"

"Oo naman" paninindigan ko

"Ganun ba, so you're up to going somewhere?"

"What?"

She grabbed my hand at tumakbo, she was grasping for air so was I, we stopped in front of our room, and when she recovered she opened the door and shouted— "Guys! Mauna na kayong umuwi! Sab and I are going somewhere! Bye!"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko "Jo what are you doing?!" I saw the gang in slow motion bago niya ako muling hinila, I had five seconds to ask for help, that short length of time, but was enough for me to decline, or to just let go of her, but I didn't

I didn't, because maybe I could spare five seconds of my sanity for her