I Could Fall

Chapter Seven

Hindi pa tapos ang lunch kaya pinagtitinginan kami ng lahat ng makakasalubong habang naglalakad patungo sa disciplinary office.

Balot na balot ko ng hiya at takot nang matagpuan kami ng custodian ng pool area. Pinaliwanag ng lalaki ang nangyari. Well, his side of the story. Ako ang sinasabi niyang may kasalanan kung bakit siya nalaglag sa pool. I can't argue with that. It wasn't intentional but it's true nevertheless.

I couldn't raise my head as we entered the office. Ito ang unang beses kong mapapadala sa disciplinary office. I already feel like a bad student. I'm not like my Ate Laurene who was a complete rebel in her highschool days.

It's cold inside. Hindi nakatulong na basang-basa ako mula ulo hanggang paa. Water was still dripping from my hair.

"What happened to you two?" bungad sa amin ni Mrs. Mendoza. Walang sumagot sa aming dalawa.

"Nakita ko sila sa pool area, Ma'am," sabi ng custodian.

"Anong ginagawa niyo doon?" medyo tumaray na ang boses ni Mrs. Mendoza. Hindi pa rin ako nakapagsalita. The guy didn't speak as well. "Ms. Serrano? Can you please explain?"

"I just wanted to see the changes in the pool facility and I saw him there alone. Nagulat po siya nung tinawag ko kaya bigla siyang nalaglag sa pool. I think he got cramps at hindi makalangoy kaya tumalon na rin po ako para tumulong," I dutifully explained.

Her face softened with understanding after hearing my explanation. Tumango siya at bumaling kay Atticus. "And what is your name, Mister?"

He didn't answer immediately. It's like he doesn't want to but he knows he doesn't have a choice. He lowly sighed. "Atticus Santiesteban."

My eyes widened upon hearing his name. He's the guy that was called earlier in my class but was not around. That means two things. He ditched classes and he's my classmate!

"Santiesteban. You must be Alister's brother then?" Mrs. Mendoza asked.

Ali's brother?

"Yes," he instantly replied.

Akala ko ay wala nang ilalaki pa ang mga mata ko. He's Ali's brother? No wonder he looks like a younger version of him!

"I see." She nodded. "Your brother was a good student during his stay here and I'm hoping that you will be, too?"

Hindi sumagot si Atticus dito. Abala naman ako sa pagtitig sa kanya. Now that I'm staring at him, I can really see the similarity. It's like looking at a different version of Ali's face.

I can't believe that Ali's brother is my classmate. I can still remember that Ali mentioned him to me once. Iyong kapatid niya na naglalaro ng Minecraft.

"Since it's just the first day of school, I'll call your guardians so they can pick you up. Palulusutin ko kayo sa pagkakataon na ito. We know accidents happen, but I hope this serves a lesson for you two to be more careful."

"Yes, Mrs. M-Mendoza," I answered, my voice slightly trembled. Hindi ko na napigilan ang pagnginig sa lamig.

"Can we wait outside? It's a bit cold in here," sabi ni Atticus.

"Go ahead." Tumango si Mrs. Mendoza.

Agad na tumalikod si Atticus. Nahuli ko pa ang pagsulyap sa akin bago derersong lumabas ng office.

Muli akong nakaramdam ng guilt. It's my fault that he fell in the pool and got soaked. Ngayon ay nanlalamig siya. I feel so responsible.

"Ma'am, where can I borrow a towel?"