Haunted

sixteen

The final bell rings and I'm so happy that the day has come to a close. Gather my things and walk out of Literature class to my freedom.

I cross the hallway and walking towards my car, when someone grabs my hand dragging me around the side of the building.

"Aray!" Binawi ko agad ang braso ko at napatingin sa lalaking humila sakin.

Nagulat ako sa nakita ko. "Benjamin??"

He stands back, crosses his arms with a wide smile on his face. His brownish hair is brushed to the side and his eyes looking straight to me.

"Hi Glaiza" he says, his hands at his back.

"Uhm.. Hi." Ano naman kayang kailangan neto sakin?

"Hindi na ko magpapaligoy ligoy pa.. Anong narinig mo?" He asked straight to the point

"Huh? Anong pinagsasabi mo?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about."

Oh.. Naalala ko na, narinig ko nga pala yung paguusap nila ni Denise last week

"Wala kong alam sa sinasabi mo Benjamin." I denied

"Glaiza" his voice sounded threatening, he walks more forward to me and I walk backwards

It's no use of telling a lie, so I might tell the truth as well.. Baka makakuha pa ko ng information sa kanya.. Pero diba nagsinungaling na siya noong una palang..

"Okay fine.. I heard you talk about.."

"About?"

"Rhian"

His facial expression does not change "Ano pa?"

"Why does it matter?" I asked

"Hindi ka dapat nakikinig sa usapan ng iba." Biglang naging seryoso yung tono ng boses niya

Hindi ko inaalis sa isip ko na baka itong kausap ko ngayon ang dahilan ng pagkawala ni Rhian.

"You were in an empty hallway, anyone could've heard.. Natyempohan ko lang kayo.."

"Apparently. Sana lumayo ka na agad.."

Ang sabi mo sakin noon, hindi ka sigurado sa pagkamatay ni Rhian pero base sa narinig ko mukhang alam na alam mo kung paano..

"Ano pang alam mo kay Rhian?" I asked straightly

"Something tells me that you already know.."

I lift a shoulder "Ano naman?"

"Ganito nalang. Kung ano man yung narinig mo na napagusapan namin ni Denise, kalimutan mo na lang.. Wala lang naman yun. Sige mauuna na ko." He says and brushes past me.

Mababaliw na ata ako kakaisip kung ba talagang nangyari. Napakailap ng mga impormasyon tungkol kay Rhian.
.
.
.
.
.
"Mom!" I grab my car key and put my sling bag on my shoulder.

Finally natapos narin yung pagiging grounded ko, kaya naman naisipan kong mag mall. Isang linggo rin akong bahay school lang pinupuntahan.

"Dad! Aalis na ko ha? Saglit lang po ako!"

"Ingat anak!"

Simula ng lumipat kami dito sa bahay, lagi na kaming nagsisigawan dahil sa laki ng bahay na to..

I walk to my car and I'm excited to see the mall again and maybe shop a little..

"Oh shit!!" Syempre andito nanaman si Rhian sa passenger seat ng kotse.

"Yes! Akala ko hindi ka nanaman magugulat eh hahaha" tawang tawa siya sa ginawa niya sakin.

"Bakit ba hindi pa ko nasasanay? Hahaha"