Hold You Accountable (Published) | ✓

Kabanata 13

"Anong meron sa amin?" I was confused.

Malalim na napabuntong hininga si Melay. She looked at me, disbelief written all over her face.

"Since you're not from STEM and you're not interested in their strand. I'll fill in some details, okay? Sobrang ilap ni Sarathiel sa tao. Ikaw nga lang 'yata tinatabihan no'n e."

She continued. "That's why some STEM students has their eyes on you. You're like taking away their king. Aware ka naman na si Sarathiel ang pride ng STEM 1 pagdating sa academics, 'di ba?"

I nodded. That's true, Sarathiel established his name as the genius of the STEM strand. Siya kasi palagi ang nangunguna sa mga announcement ng awards.

"Some says Sarathiel likes you," Melay trailed on.

Napatigil ako sa pagkuha ng mga thesis sa bookshelves. I could hear the loud beating of my heart.

"Some also says Sarathiel sees you as a challenge since you're the highest achiever of ABM. I think it's the latter though- "

Natigilan si Melay at nanglaki ang mga mata niya.

"Bakit?" tanong ko. My heart almost stopped beating when I heard a familiar tone. Ang kalabog nito ay unti-unting humina.

"I heard my name, are you talking about me?"

Sarathiel was peeking over my face. I craned my neck to his direction and our faces were an inch apart.

My heart started palpitating. Para bang binawi niya ang ilang segundong katahimikan na ginawa niya kanina.

Sarathiel didn't even shifted his gaze at me.

I was scared that he might hear the loud beating of my heart.

Hinampas ko tuloy 'yung thesis na hawak ko sa noo niya.

"Tsismoso ka 'no," I sneered at him.

"I'm just curious if you're badmouthing me." He said as he was caressing his forehead.

"Ay hindi ah. Puring-puri ka nga e," tumawa si Melay.

Gusto ko siyang kurutin para manahimik! Ngayon lang ako kinabahan nang ganito. Hindi ako makatingin nang diretso kay Sarathiel.

"Sasali ka sa field demo?" I asked, trying to change the topic.

He furrowed his eyebrows which made his forehead creased.

"Lahat naman 'yata kasali?"

"I mean dancer ka ganun?"

Since all of the sections of one strand are considered as one. Hinahati ito sa dalawang grupo, those who will do the props and those who will dance. Strands na naman kasi ang labanan dito.

"Baka hindi, I was appointed to be the head of props." He pouted which made him look like a kid. How cute.

"Wow, isipin mo 'yun? Head of props ka tapos di ka naman artistic." Halakhak ko.

Duh, sobrang dull kaya ng mga designs ng notebook niya. Alam ko kasi suki ako ng paghiram ng notes niya sa core subjects.

"They say I'll be a good leader, so I hope I won't disappoint them." He sighed, exasperatedly.

"I'm eyeing for the head of props too." Ngumisi ako.

Wala pa namang announcement pero pwede naman akong mag-volunteer o kaya 'yung coordinator ng strand namin mismo mamimili.

He smirked at me. "Is this a declaration of war?"

I smiled at him. "I mean, nakita mo naman siguro mga notebook ko kumpara sa notebook mo 'di ba?"