Chapter Text
Jhoanna had always believed that kindness never really disappeared.
It always came back.
Maybe not from the same person. Maybe not in the same way. But somehow, someday, babalik din.
She was one of the campus journalists at their university, but beyond writing articles and chasing deadlines, she spent most of her free time volunteering for community outreach programs organized by local youth organizations. Feeding drives, donation campaigns, relief operations—kung saan may nangangailangan, madalas nandoon din si Jhoanna.
Hindi mahalaga kung gaano kalaki ang naitutulong niya. Maliit o malaki, mayaman o hindi, as long as makatulong siya kahit saglit, masaya na siya.
People often called her a people pleaser. Mostly because she never knew how to say no.
Kahit gaano kaliit yung pabor, kapag tinawag ang pangalan niya, she would always answer.
"Jho, pwede magpatulong?"
"Jho, may pakiusap sana ako."
"Jho, ikaw na lang please."
Palagi niyang sagot?
"Sige."
Paulit-ulit na siyang pinagsasabihan ng mga kaibigan niya, pero lahat ng pagpigil nila, hindi nakalampas sa pagiging people pleaser niya. She's trying naman. Pero sa tuwing sinusubukan niyang tumanggi, lagi niyang naiisip—Paano kung kailangan talaga nila?
Kahit kailan hindi naging masama ang tingin ni Jhoanna sa pagtulong. Kasi para sa kanya, hindi naman masasayang ang kabutihan kasi may paraan ang buhay para ibalik iyon.
Tulad na lang ngayong umaga.
Tatlong piso.
Tatlong piso lang ang kulang niya para sa pamasahe.Pinagbibilang niya pa ang laman ng coin purse niya, umaasa na may maligaw na barya sa sulok.
Pero wala.
"Here." A voice beside her made her look up. "Three pesos na lang kulang mo, right?"
The girl sitting next to her gently placed three one-peso coins on her open palm while counting her own fare.
Jhoanna just stared at it. She never said anything, never nanghingi, but out of nowhere the girl still noticed.
"Thank you po." She accepted the coins with a small smile before raising her hand. "Bayad po! Isang Arellano, estudyante."
Then the jeepney continued moving through the morning traffic. She leaned back against the seat, grabbed her tumbler, and started chugging half of it in one go.
The weather is too hot. Hindi makatarungan yung suot niyang PE uniform sa init ng panahon. I mean, why does the school keep making PE uniforms with thick fabric in a tropical country?
A few seconds later, a cool breeze suddenly brushed against her neck.
Jhoanna frowned. She glanced at the girl beside her and saw a Jisulife fan pointed at her. And when she looked up a little, a pair of eyes was already locked onto hers.
They looked so peaceful that they should've been comforting. But instead, they only made her nervous.
Madalas naman siyang makipagtitigan sa tao kapag nakikipag-usap. Pero may kakaibang hila lang talaga yung mga mata ng babae sa tabi niya.
"Lakasan ko pa?" Her voice was soft, almost making the weather a little less hot.
"Ah okay lang. Itapat mo na lang sa'yo." Jhoanna answered almost too quickly, pilit na iniiwasan ang titig ng babae. But through her peripheral vision, she could still feel the girl's eyes locked on her.
And the fan? It was still pointed at her.
Jhoanna suddenly felt the weather turn colder. A cold sweat started forming on the back of her neck.
"You have a beautiful mole," the girl said, still looking at her. "Ang rare lang magkaroon ng nunal below the lips."
Jhoanna froze.
Nunal?
May nunal ba ako sa part na 'yon?
Teka... bakit siya nakatingin sa ilalim ng labi ko?
"Ah genes lang yan. Mana mana."
Jhoanna mentally slapped herself, cringing on what she just responded.
The girl smiled. "You know, there's this saying na kapag may nunal ka raw malapit sa labi, ibig sabihin madaldal ka."
Napakunot ang noo nito. "Hindi. Hindi ako madaldal."
Another mental slap. Ano ba'ng pinagsasasabi ko?
"Or…" the girl continued, a playful smile slowly forming on her lips, "maybe you're leaning more on the other saying."
Jhoanna looked at her.
"Kapag may nunal daw malapit sa labi, ibig sabihin magaling daw humalik." The girl said it nang walang kurap.
And for one terrifying second, Jhoanna's brain completely shut down. The cold sweat on her nape seemed to freeze with her. Yung mga ingay sa paligid unti-unting humihina.
Kapangyarihan ba ‘to o epekto ng kulang sa tulog? She thought. Because at that moment, the only thing she could feel was her heart beating so hard against her ribs that she was convinced the girl could hear it.
"Pfft." A laugh escaped her lips. "I'm just joking." Her eyes slowly disappeared into little crescents, and the corners of her eyes crinkled habang unti unting lumalakas ang bungisngis nito.
Sa totoo lang, naiirita siya sa tono ng tawa nito.
But it was unfair.
Because Jhoanna thought that she still looked pretty kahit nakakairita yung tawa nito.
"Grabe naman yung reaction mo," she continued, still giggling. "Parang ngayon ka lang nakarinig ng salitang halik."
“Alam ko yun ‘no!” pagdebate niya.
She watched the girl continue her laugh. And for some reason, she found herself smiling too. Jhoanna finally let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding.
Later on, the jeepney gradually slowed down.
"Arellano!" Sigaw ng driver.
Jhoanna stood up, adjusted the strap of her bag over her shoulder, and stepped off the jeep the moment it came to a stop in front of Arellano.
She had barely taken a few steps when she instinctively glanced over her shoulder. When the girl caught her looking, she walked a little closer.
"Hi again!" nakangiting banggit nya.
Jhoanna looked at her. "Ate, ayoko na ng trip mo. Kailangan ko nang pumasok."
The girl giggled. "No, nag-aaral ako dito."
Jhoanna looked at her from head to toe.
No ID.
Small bag.
Even her hair had a hint of orange under the morning sun.
"Bagong student ka ba?" she asked.
The girl shook her head. "Dating student na. Ngayon lang ulit ako pumasok."
"Ha?" Jhoanna frowned. "Sa kalagitnaan ng midterms?"
"Yeah,” she nodded. “Wait. Midterm pa lang?" The girl looked genuinely confused. "Akala ko pre-final na."
Jhoanna just stared at her.
Teka, ibig sabihin simula pasukan, ngayon lang siya papasok?
Buong pag-aaral niya hindi pa siya nakaka pagliban ng klase kahit may sakit. Parang ang illogical daw kasi na, binigyan ka na nga ng privilege na makapag-aral, pero hindi mo naman seseryosohin yung pag-aaral mo.
"Alam ko na yang iniisip mo."
Jhoanna snapped out of her thoughts.
"Ano?" Jhoanna asked.
"Gusto mo mag skip ng class, 'no?" The girl grinned as if she'd just guessed the biggest secret in the world.
Jhoanna blinked. Ha? Mukha ba akong nagrerebelde? Jhoanna thought.
She closed her eyes for a second. She couldn't believe how oddly weird this girl was. Para siyang NPC na bigla na lang sumusulpot para magbigay ng side quest.
“Ano? Skip class tayo?” the girl asked again.
"Pumasok ka na lang sa klase mo, ate. Sayang naman yung pamasahe na ginastos mo papunta rito." Jhoanna said, trying to end whatever conversation it is.
"It's Aiah." The girl smiled. "My name is Aiah."
Aiah.
The name echoed inside Jhoanna's head.
"Okay, Aiah. Pumasok ka na sa klase mo."
Aiah stood still. "Sure ka ayaw mo mag cutting?"
"No. Never."
Aiah giggled again at how quickly Jhoanna answered. "Okay." She shrugged. "Your loss."
She turned around and started walking away, but Jhoanna's eyes unconsciously followed her.
"Hoy, teka!"
Aiah stopped and turned around. "Hm?"
"Hindi ka talaga papasok?" There was genuine concern in Jhoanna's voice.
"Nope."
Aiah casually adjusted the strap of her bag. "Midterm pa lang naman. Sa pre-final na lang ako babawi."
Jhoanna stared at her.
May ganitong mindset pala talagang nag-eexist? She thought.
She tried to ignore the urge to help the girl. I mean.. Aiah didn't look like someone who needed help. She carried herself like someone who had already figured life out before everyone else.
But Jhoanna couldn't ignore the fact that the same girl who quietly handed her three pesos inside the jeep was now casually talking about failing another term.
She watched Aiah cross the street.
"Teka." She followed her.
"Woah." Aiah laughed nang nakita niya si Jhoanna. "Have you finally decided to cut class with me?"
Jhoanna shook her head. "Hindi. I'm here to convince you to attend your class hangga't hindi pa huli ang lahat."
"Oh, don't worry about me. Kaya kong humabol.” Aiah continued walking.
"Paano kung hindi ka makahabol?" Jhoanna asked as she kept following her.
She didn't even know why she was still doing this.
"Edi summer class." Aiah answered without hesitation.
Jhoanna was speechless.
How could a girl with such a nice smile and walk like a model think like this? I mean about the walk thing, ngayon niya lang napansin. But that's beside the concern she's facing right now.
"Summer class? Hindi ka ba nanghihinayang sa ilang buwan?"
"Nope."
A few students passed by them. Some were already running across the campus trying to make it before their professors arrived. Jhoanna glanced toward their building worried na baka mahuli siya sa klase.
She stopped walking, and Aiah noticed almost immediately. She turned around and looked at her.
"I told you na kaya kong humabol." She gave her a small smile. "Don't worry about me. I’ve been doing this since first year."
Those weren't the words Jhoanna wanted to hear. But the way Aiah said them felt reassuring. She didn't want to give up. She wanted to keep convincing her kasi nanghihinayang siya.
But she couldn't.
Because the girl standing in front of her clearly didn't need saving. And maybe Jhoanna shouldn't be forcing help on someone who never asked for it in the first place.
Jhoanna let out a quiet sigh.
"Jhoanna."
Aiah stared at her for a second.
"Ako si Jhoanna."
Aiah then smiled, finally understanding what she meant.
Jhoanna quickly looked away. "If you ever need help, hanapin mo lang ako sa newsroom. Doon ako madalas."
"Hm okay!" Aiah answered, her voice as soft as ever. "See you sa campus, Jhoanna."
—
Their encounter ended there.
Almost a month passed.
At sa dami ng ganap sa buhay ni Jhoanna, hindi pa rin mawala sa isip niya ang mga araw na ‘yon.
Hindi siya nagmamake sense eh. She barely knew the girl. She didn't even know if Aiah actually started attending her classes after that day. But somehow, every now and then, she'd remember her. And sometimes, whenever she heard someone with a similar voice around the campus, automatic na siyang lilingon at madidisappoint kapag hindi siya ‘yon.
"Hulaan ko." Maloi's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "Babae iniisip mo, 'no?"
"Ha?" Jhoanna looked up from the journal she was writing on. "Baliw. Hindi." She lowered her head and continued writing.
Maloi rested her chin on Jhoanna's shoulder, trying to peek at what she was doing. "Alam mo mas bagay ka sa babae, Jho."
Jhoanna continues writing. "Bakit naman?"
"Kasi feeling ko, hindi ka talaga kayang patiklupin ng lalaki."
Jhoanna laughed. "Anong pinagsasasabi mo? Hindi naman ako bading."
"Sus, pudpud na ‘yang linyahan na yan. Eh hindi mo naman masasabi na hindi ka bading hangga't hindi mo pa sinusubukan."
Jhoanna simply rolled her eyes.
"Alam mo iba kasi yung tama kapag babae eh." Maloi smiled to herself, her eyes drifting upward as if she's replaying a memory only she could see.
"Alam mo yung bigla ka na lang pagpapawisan ng malamig kapag nakita mo siya?"
Jhoanna's pen stopped.
"Yung parang tatahimik yung paligid kapag nagsalita siya." Maloi let out a quiet breath before smiling to herself again.
"Tapos kapag tinitigan ka niya..." she chuckled. "Ay jusko. Mapapadasal ka na lang ng Hail Mary para hindi magkasala.” She looked at Jhoanna with a grin. "Mage-gets mo rin ako kapag may nakita kang sobrang gandang babae. Promise mapapa-wow ka talaga."
Jhoanna didn't say anything. She simply listened. Well, she listened a little too well.
She had gotten so lost in Maloi's words that the only thing echoing inside her head was everything Maloi had just said.
Bigla ka na lang pagpapawisan ng malamig.
Parang tatahimik yung paligid.
Yung mga tingin niya.
Hindi naman mahirap intindihin yung mga sinabi ni Maloi. Sa totoo lang unang sentence pa lang, gets na gets na ni Jhoanna. Pero hindi siguro ‘yun sapat para sabihing nagkakagusto siya sa babae. Pwede din kasing simpleng paghanga lang ‘yon, napabilib ganon.
"Alam ko na." Maloi suddenly clapped her hands together, making Jhoanna flinch. "May ipapakilala ako sa'yo."
Jhoanna looked at her. "No."
"Subukan mo lang naman."
"Ayoko."
"Kahit isang beses?"
"Hindi."
"Diba people pleaser ka naman?" Maloi rested her chin on her palm. "Mag yes ka na sakin oh. Promise Jho sagot ko lunch mo kapag di nag work.”
Jhoanna couldn't help but smile. She knew how convincing Maloi could be kahit sa pinakamaliit na bagay.
Pero hindi dito.
She couldn't imagine herself being in a relationship with a girl. Celebrity crushes pwede pa. Pero iyong makipag-date sa babae tapos pagpaplanuhan niyo yung kasal along the way? Never ito pumasok sa isip niya.
—
"Si Aiah."
Jhoanna instinctively turned her head after hearing a familiar name somewhere in the crowd.
She was standing near the photo booth, a camera hanging around her neck, covering the annual Art Exhibit as one of the publication's photojournalists.
Her eyes immediately scanned the crowd. Someone definitely called her name. She looked around, hoping a familiar face would finally appear.
"Huy!" Maloi tapped her shoulder, making her flinch. "Tawag ka ni Miss Castro."
Jhoanna placed a hand on her chest. "Bakit daw?"
"Magpapatulong daw sa listahan ng mga awardees. Kailangan ng complete record bago mag-awarding."
"Recognition saan?"
"Dito sa exhibit."
"Ah."
Jhoanna removed the camera from around her neck and handed it to Maloi. "Oh ayusin mo ah. Ilalagay natin yan sa event coverage."
Maloi smile. "Oo, ako pa ba?"
She immediately disappeared into the crowd, already looking for another shot.
Jhoanna walked through the busy hallway and entered the Journalism room. Inside, Ms. Castro was surrounded by folders, certificates, and stacks of papers.
"Miss, hanap niyo po ako?"
"Ah, yes, Jhoanna."
Ms. Castro handed her a pen and a blank sheet of paper. "Paki-list down nga yung mga winners. Para may copy rin tayo sa publication."
"Okay po."
"Start tayo sa Art Panel."
Jhoanna prepared her paper and pen.
"Second Runner-up… Manalo, Alejandro."
Jhoanna wrote it down.
"First Runner-up… Valejo, John Michael."
She continued writing.
"And the Art Panel Champion..."
Ms. Castro smiled.
"Ricalde, Mary Loi Yves."
A small smile escaped Jhoanna's lips.
Kaya pala ako ang pinagsusulat.
"Next."
"Photography Division."
Jhoanna nodded. Ms. Castro continued reading.
Third place.
Second place.
First place.
"And the Photography Division Champion… Arceta, Maraiah Queen."
Jhoanna's pen stopped.
"Wait po." She slowly looked up. "Sino po?"
"Arceta, Maraiah Queen."
She knew that name.
No.
She knew that name.
The same name she'd secretly searched for countless times in the university's student directory. She had gone through hundreds of names, ibang courses, year levels, different sections, just for that name.
A knock interrupted them.
"Miss Castro." Maloi peeked through the half-open door. "Awarding na po."
"Ah, oo."
Ms. Castro gathered the certificates and fixed the lipstick she'd hurriedly applied earlier. Then she looked at Jhoanna. "Sunod ka ha."
"Po?"
"Ikaw mag-aannounce ng winners."
Jhoanna blinked. Her grip on the paper tightened.
So hindi niya lang pala makikita si Aiah ngayon. Siya pa mismo ang tatawag sa pangalan nito sa awarding. And for some reason, that thought made her nervous.
—
Jhoanna walked through the hallway leading to the stage where hundreds of students had already gathered.
From the side, she caught a glimpse of Maloi, still holding the camera, already snapping pictures of her as she walked up the stairs.
Halos lahat ng estudyante kilala si Jhoanna. Whether it was from hosting school events, reading announcements, or representing the publication, people recognized her voice almost as much as they recognized her face.
She had always been comfortable standing in front of a crowd. Pero ngayon, out of everyone waiting below the stage, there was only one person she was looking for.
And for the first time in a long while, she found herself hoping she'd get someone's name right—not because she doubted her pronunciation, but because she wanted it to sound… right.
"Good morning, everyone!"
The chatter around the venue slowly died down. Jhoanna smiled as she adjusted the microphone.
"On behalf of the University Publication, magandang umaga sa ating lahat."
A few students greeted her back.
"First of all, congratulations to every student who participated in this year's Art Exhibit. Whether you're taking home an award today or not, every artwork displayed here tells a story worth sharing. Thank you for sharing your creativity, your time, and a part of yourselves with all of us."
She paused just long enough for the applause to settle.
"So let's give one more round of applause to all of our artists and photographers!"
The crowd erupted into cheers. A small smile escaped Jhoanna's lips. She had everyone's attention.
"Now..." She looked down at the paper in her hand. "I'll be announcing this year's awardees."
She started with the Art Panel category. Every name was met with applause as students walked onto the stage one by one.
"And finally..." She smiled at the audience. "The Art Panel Champion for this year's Art Exhibit is..."
The sound system played a drum roll. Students started cheering before the name was even announced.
"Ricalde, Mary Loi Yves!"
The venue erupted.
“Ha? Ako daw?” Maloi nearly dropped the camera hanging around her neck. She looked around as if waiting for someone to tell her it was a joke before finally running toward the stage, laughing through the tears already forming in her eyes.
Jhoanna couldn't help but laugh too. As she handed over the medal, she leaned in just enough to whisper, "Congrats, Loi."
Maloi looked at her with wide eyes. "OMG ka! Hindi mo man lang sinabi!"
Jhoanna only grinned. Eh paano ko sasabihin? Ngayon ko lang din nalaman.
After a few photos with the faculty members and event organizers, Maloi finally stepped down from the stage.
Jhoanna continued announcing the remaining awards one after another. Until she finally reached the last category.
Photography.
Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the paper. Even though she already knew whose name was written there, she still looked at it one more time just to make sure she couldn't mess this up.
"And finally..." The drum roll echoed across the venue once again. "The Photography Division Champion for this year's Art Exhibit is..."
Jhoanna slowly lifted her eyes from the paper. She began searching the crowd again. Looking for someone.
"Arceta, Maraiah Queen."
The audience burst into applause. Jhoanna's eyes continue scanning the crowd.
Left.
Right.
Front row.
Back row.
Until someone walked onto the stage.
But it wasn't her.
The girl stopped in front of Jhoanna with an apologetic smile.
"Hello. Sorry, wala po si Aiah ngayon. Ako na lang daw po yung tatanggap."
"Ah." Jhoanna forced herself to smile. "Sige."
She handed her the medal. The girl accepted it with both hands before giving a small bow toward the audience.
She looked effortlessly charming with her chinita eyes, pointed nose, and naturally full lips that curved into an easy smile. There was a certain confidence in the way she carried herself, like someone who was already familiar with standing in front of a crowd.
"Nice one, Colet!" sigaw ng mga estudyante.
Colet?
Before she could think any further. Another pair of footsteps echoed across the stage.
Jhoanna turned.
A girl with bright red hair confidently walked toward them. And then she stopped right in front of Colet. "I'll take that from you."
Agad na iniwas ni Colet ang medal. "No."
"I'm the one who should be receiving that."
"Says who?” Mariin na banggit nito. "Sakin niya inutos 'to, okay?"
The red-haired girl let out a short laugh. "I'm the one who's supposed to be in the picture holding that."
"Girls." Ms. Castro immediately stepped between them before the audience could fully catch on. "Can we not argue on stage? This is still a formal event."
Sandali pa silang nagtitigan bago sila nag-step back sa isa't isa.
“Fine.” Ani ni Colet.
The red-haired girl reluctantly nodded.
“And I’ll be holding that, thank you.” Ms. Castro took the medal from Colet.
The two walked off the stage together, still glaring at each other. Meanwhile, Jhoanna remained standing behind the microphone. Her eyes unconsciously followed the two until they disappeared behind the curtains.
Ano 'yon?
—
Students slowly left the venue, some carrying certificates, others taking pictures beside their artworks before the exhibit officially ended.
Everything went back to normal. Except Jhoanna whose mind kept going back to the stage. She handed the microphone back to the emcee before making her way toward the Journalism room.
As she reached the hallway, loud voices echoed from inside.
"Bakit ba lagi ka na lang umeepal, Mikha Lim?"
Jhoanna stopped. The door wasn't completely closed. She could hear them.
"Ako na nga yung nandoon, eeksena ka pa."
"How come that I'm the unnecessary one?" the other girl shot back. "Eh Ikaw nga yung umakyat sa stage ng wala naman talagang permission niya."
"Just admit na epal ka lang talaga." Colet's voice stayed firm.
Ano ‘to away bata? Jhoanna thought.
"Wala ka rin namang permission niya. Umeeksena ka lang kasi ayaw mong makita ng lahat na parte pa rin ako ng buhay niya."
"Because you are! You no longer exist in her life, Colet. Tanggapin mo na lang kasi."
Jhoanna froze outside the room.
What in a teleserye universe is happening here? Scripted ba ‘to? Social Experiment? Bakit tunog prime time teleserye na mga linyahan nila?
"Oh, Jho. Pumasok ka na. Ano pang ginagawa mo dyan?" It’s Ms. Castro.
Jhoanna awkwardly pointed inside. "Ah Miss, may nag-uusap pa po kasi."
Ms. Castro looked toward the two girls. One stood with her hands on her waist. The other had her arms crossed, refusing to look away.
"Ah." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Kayo na naman."
The room fell silent.
"Pang-limang beses niyo na 'to ngayong linggo."
Jhoanna blinked. Lima?
"Jhoanna."
"Yes, Miss?"
Ms. Castro looked at the two before turning back to Jhoanna. Ms. Castro gestured toward the two girls. "Kilala mo sila?"
Jhoanna shook her head. "No, Miss."
Ms. Castro looked at the two before turning back to Jhoanna. "You should." She crossed her arms. "Because starting today, these two will be working alongside you."
"Po?" Sabay-sabay na napatingin sa kaniya ang tatlo.
"Teka lang, Ms. Castro." Colet was the first to object. "Wala po akong balak sumali sa Journalism."
"I'm already a varsity. Hindi na ako puwedeng sumali sa ibang organization, It will ruin my time sa practice." Mikha was next.
"No." Ms. Castro cut them off before either of them could continue. "Hindi kayo sasali sa Journalism." She leaned back against her chair. "Both of you will be working with Jhoanna as volunteer workers sa labas ng university."
The two stayed quiet.
"You two already have too many records sa Guidance Office." She looked at the two. "Isang maling galaw nyo pa, pwede na kayong umabot sa disciplinary committee."
Sabay na yumuko ang dalawa.
"And if gusto niyong makakita pa ng another school year sa school na 'to," she continued. "...I suggest you say yes to this."
The room suddenly fell silent. Alam na alam ni Jhoanna ang tono na 'yon. Kapag ganyan magsalita si Ms. Castro, alam mong wala nang atrasan.
"Yes, Miss."
Ms. Castro nodded before turning to Jhoanna.
"Jhoanna."
"Yes, Miss?"
"I already added their names to your volunteer list. Alam kong nahihirapan kang maghanap ng volunteers lalo na ngayong mas dumadami na yung club sa campus. This is the least I can do to help you.”
Napangiti lang si Jhoanna. "Thank you po, Miss."
Totoo naman. Ang hirap makahanap ng mga taong willing tumulong at maglaan ng oras para sa mga ganitong projects. It sometimes took her months para makahanap ng mga tutulong sa kanya.
"Kayo, pwede na kayong umalis."
Tahimik na lumabas sina Colet at Mikha. Nang tuluyang sumara ang pinto, Ms. Castro opened one of her cabinet drawers and pulled out another folder.
"Oh, right." She looked back at Jhoanna. "May dinagdag din pala akong isa. In case kailangan niyo pa ng isang tao from the creatives."
"Pwede ko po bang makita yung portfolio niya?" Jhoanna asked as she stood from her chair. "Medyo strict po kasi kami pagdating sa documentary team."
"Of course." Ms. Castro handed her the folder. "Here."
Jhoanna opened it. The moment her eyes landed on the first page, she almost let out a curse.
She looked at the student name once. Then twice. Just to make sure she wasn't reading the wrong name.
Ms. Castro smiled. "I already mentioned her to you kanina while we were listing the winners." She tapped the folder with one finger. "She'll be handling the Photography of the documentary."
Jhoanna didn't answer. Eyes still busy staring at the name written on the paper.
“Her name's Maraiah Queen Arceta, for short…”
“Aiah.”