ONLY GIRL IN THE CAMPUS

[39] Vandals

"Uy hinihintay ako nila Gino. Bye na," sabi ko kay Jek sabay bitbit ng bag at tayo. Hinabol nya ako at sinabayang maglakad.

"Mr. Hernandez! Blazer please!" May teacher na pumuna kay Jek nung nasa may cafeteria na kami. Lagi yang pinagsasabihan kasi lagi nyang hinuhubad blazer nya, ewan ko ba dyan.

Naghiwalay na kami ni Jek kasi may staircase na malapit dun. Tumakbo na ako papunta sa swimming area. Nandun sila, nagyoyosi na naman. Hinablot ko ang yosi ni Marvin at nakihithit sabay balik sa kanya.

"Ano na?" I said while removing my shoes and socks. Nakababad yung paa nila Apreng sa pool eh, gusto ko makigaya. I sat down beside Gerald na busy maglaro ng Adorable Home.

"Bakit ang tagal mo? San ka galing?" Tanong ni Marvin. Lumapit na sila samin kasi tapos na silang magyosi. Nag-alcohol sila at breath spray.

"Dyan lang," sagot ko naman habang naglalagay si Gino ng pagkain sa tabi ko. Lagi syang ganyan, laging may dalang breakfast for me. Magagalit pa yan kapag di ko kinain. Ang food na dala nya ngayon ay french toast at bacon and eggs. I said my thanks and started to eat.

"Can I see the note?" Hinanap ko sa bag ko ang note at ibinigay kay Reymart.

"Bat ka may spray paint?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Gerald.

"Wala lang," I said, looking anywhere but his eyes.

"It says here that you should be ready when he or she strikes. What do you think it could mean?" Napaisip ako sa tanong ni Reymart.

"It couldn't be something physical. Lakas-lakas nyan eh, tampal lang sa kanya ang suntok ko," sabi naman ni Jazael.

"What do you think, bb?" Tanong sakin ni Gino.

"I don't know. I mean, I'm not worried. I survived Marion, at sya lang naman ang legit na threat. Whoever is sending me notes is just playing me, trying to scare me." Napag-isipan ko na to nung mga nakaraang araw. Maybe the reason my grandfather is not emailing me back is because he thinks this is nothing.

"We have to at least find out who that person is." Napatango ang lahat sa sinabi ni Reymart. Of course. "I'll have them checked for fingerprints," Reymart said as he kept the notes in his bag pocket.

Tumambay pa kami sa swimming area hanggang marinig namin ang bell -- morning break is over. Physics na ang subject. Pumunta na kami sa room. Nadaanan namin ang soccer field at napansin namin na may ginagawa. "Anong meron?" Tanong ko kay Marvin.

"Di ba dapat ikaw tinatanong namin nyan miss untouchable owner of the school?" Natawa kaming lahat sa sinabi ni Jazael. Siraulo. Di ko na lang pinansin at tumuloy na kami paakyat ng room.

"Mr. Hernandez please wear your blazer," rinig kong bungad ni Kuya Inigo pagpasok nya ng room. Nagmamadaling isinuot ni Jek and blazer nya. "Good morning, Class Fire." Tumahimik ng kaunti ang klase. "Since none of you attends the flag ceremony, i-aannounce ko na lang dito. May tinatayong temporary carnival sa soccer field ngayon. May event sa Friday, celebration lang kasi under na ng new management ang school. Per section ang suot. Marvin take charge."