Paper Planes (Sandejas Siblings: Companion Book)

Kabanata 14

She asked me if I can take my exams and I smiled weakly and nodded a bit.

"Yes, Ma'am," I said.

"Okay, sige, Lena. Umupo ka muna d'yan, I'll get the test from the dean's office,"

I nodded a bit and smiled, nang mawala na siya sa harapan ko ay bumagsak ang balikat ko at pasimpleng pinunasan ang luha ko.

You can do it, Lena! You can do it!

"Lena!" Nag-angat ako ng tingin at naabutan ko si Cecille na mabilis na pumasok at may inabot sa aking papel.

My forehead creased at that.

"What's this?" I said weakly.

"It was Jer," she sighed. "Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari sa inyo but please...please talk to him. Pinabibigay niya."

"I-I can't take this," nanginig ang kamay ko at inabot sa kanya pabalik at papel pero umiling siya at inabot sa akin.

"Just read it, Lena. Please, naaawa rin ako kay Jer, read it and talk to him," aniya at nang mawala na siya sa tingin ko ay mariin akong napapikit at suminghap ng malalim.

I slowly opened the paper and my heart hurt when I read what was written on the piece of paper.

Goodluck to your exam, Lena. Can you spare some time for me to talk to you later? Please? I'm begging you. I will wait for you.

I love you.

Nangilid ang luha ko, sa muling pag-angat ko ng tingin ay kumalabog ang puso ko nang makita si Ejercito sa labas ng classroom at nakatingin lang sa akin.

His necktie was loosened up, magulo ang kanyang buhok pero puno ng pag-asa ang kanyang mga mata.

I let out an exasperated sigh. Nang ngumiti siya sa akin ay kaagad akong umiwas ng tingin.

"No, Lena. No." I stopped myself and even if my heart is breaking, I managed to crumple the paper with my hands.

I saw how Ejercito froze when he noticed what I did. I stood, walang reaksyon at hawak ang papel na nagtungo sa basuran bago itapon iyon.

His eyes flickered in pain. The smile he practiced so hard to do faded.

His mouth parted slightly. Akmang papasok para lumapit pero dumating ang professor kaya wala na siyang nagawa.

I looked away, mabilis ang paghinga ko habang pinipigilan ang sarili ko sa pagluha at pagbagsak sa sahig.

"Ayos ka lang, hija?" The professor took my arm when I somehow lost my balance.

"Y-Yes, Ma'am." I said a bit and looked away.

I am sorry, Jer... Forgive me, this is only for you.

I finished the exam with a heavy heart, I am not sure if I chose the right answers or just shaded any letters I can see.

Wala ako sa sarili at nang magpaalam sa professor ay diretso akong lumabas sa classroom.

I jumped in shock when I saw Ejercito, still standing on the hallway, nakasandal siya sa may pader pero kaagad na umayos nang makita ako.

My heart skipped painfully, kinagat ko ang labi ko at marahas na lumunok, nag-iisip ng paraan para makatakas pero sa paglapit pa lang niya ay halos manghina na ako.

"How's your exam?" he murmured softly.

"Ayos lang," I answered coldly and walked past him but he was too quick and walked with me.