Chapter 7
Proud
I thought Hiel would eventually tell me what it was. But it seems like it was something bigger than I thought because I haven't heard anything from Brylee later that day too.
Nag-away kaya sila? That sounds impossible. Una, hindi naman nakikipag-away si Hiel. Pangalawa, Brylee liked Hiel and I don't think Hiel will do something so upsetting for Brylee to distance herself from us.
Kaya nang makita ko si Brylee, I immediately tried to talk to her so I can help them fix whatever happened. After all, I was a sister to both of them.
Nasa isang tagong parte kami ng school malapit sa klase nila. Break time at sinadya kong puntahan s'ya nang hindi ipinapaalam kay Hiel. When I saw her earlier, she was alone and seems like she just took her lunch.
Nahihiyang iniwas ni Brylee ang tingin sa akin at hindi ko nakita ang usual na kinang ng mga mata n'ya sa tuwing nakikita ako. She's not even smiling.
"Nag-away ba kayo ni Hiel?" I asked her worriedly. "Did he do something that made you upset?"
Agad na umiling si Brylee at nakita ko ang pangingilid ng mga luha sa mga mata n'ya. She's fiddling her fingers, hesitant to tell me the real reason.
"I'll listen to whatever it is, Bry," I said, encouraging her. "You know that I care for you."
Nanginig ang pang-ibabang labi n Brylee at tuluyan na s'yang umiyak.
"Hiel doesn't like me," she cried, covering her eyes with her hands as she sobbed.
"What?" I asked, my eyes widening a bit. Why would Hiel hate her? "Hiel likes you, Brylee. You're his friend."
"Hindi, Ate," she shook her head and cried. "I told him I had a crush on him. Tapos. . .he told me that I wasn't his crush."
I gasped at what she said and I couldn't say anything. Dahil kung gano'n ang nangyari, I can't do anything about that.
"Do you hate him now? That's why you're avoiding him?" I asked Brylee and she immediately shook her head.
"When I cried, he tried to wipe my tears. How can I hate him after that?" Brylee said, crying and I couldn't help but smile because I thought that it was cute.
That sounds very much like Hiel. Although Hiel is aloof most of the time, he's caring and considerate. He wiped her tears for her? Hindi siguro alam ni Hiel na kapag ginawa n'ya 'yon, lalo lang s'yang magugustuhan ng babaeng nagtapat sa kan'ya.
"I liked him more," Brylee cried.
Naisip kong puwede ko s'yang tulungan. Mabait si Brylee. She's kind, cute, and bubbly. I like her. If there's anyone I'd want for Hiel, it's gonna be Brylee.
"Pansinin mo na si Hiel," I told Brylee once she's calmed down.
Pero kahit na hindi na umiiyak, dinig pa rin ang mga hikbi n'ya at halata pa rin sa namumugtong mga mata ang pag-iyak. Hindi n'ya maiangat ang tingin sa akin at nanatili pa ring nakayuko.
"Nahihiya ako, Ate," Brylee said and she bit her lip. "Now, he knows that I like him. I still want to be close to him but I feel like he'd hate me now," aniya at nanginig ulit ang boses.
Umiling ako kaagad at hinawakan ko ang kamay n'ya.
"You're his friend, Brylee," malambing kong sinabi at bumaba ang tingin ko sa lupa, remembering Hiel, and I couldn't help but smile. "You know that Hiel rarely makes friends but you're one of his. You think he'd hate you just because you told him you like him?"
Brylee sniffed and I raised my gaze back to her. Brylee nodded and she thanked me after telling me that she'll finally talk with Hiel.
Kaya naman nang mag-hapon at napagdesisyunan kong bumalik sa hallway nila para kumustahin sila at isama na rin sa isang kainan para ilibre silang dalawa, inaasahan ko na babalik na ulit sa normal ang lahat.
"Rinnah, mag-usap muna tayo," biglang sulpot ni Martin saktong paglabas ko ng klase nang mag-dismissal.
I was about to go straight to Hiel and Brylee's class pero mukhang mahuhuli ako sa pagpunta ro'n.
Hindi ko nire-reply-an ang mga text ni Martin mula kahapon dahil hindi ko nagustuhan ang naging sagot n'ya sa'kin nang magkasagutan kami. He's been apologizing since yesterday and I honestly am not concerned about our fight anymore.
I sighed and I glanced at my classmates who were looking at us curiously.
"Okay," mahinang sagot ko kay Martin at naglakad kami papunta sa tahimik na parte ng hallway namin.
Nang makahanap kami ng pribadong lugar, Martin reached out for my hand and I saw how apologetic his expression was. Parang dinapuan naman ng kunsensya ang puso ko dahil do'n. Martin is kind and maybe he just did what he did yesterday because he likes me that much. Pero kailangan n'ya ring malaman na hindi dapat gano'n ang ginagawa n'ya.
"Sorry, Rinnah," he mumbled. "I didn't mean to raise my voice on you."
Tumango ako at bahagyang ngumuso, tinitingnan ang kamay kong hawak n'ya. Hindi na ako nakakaramdam ng inis, 'di tulad kahapon. I forgave him already but I'm glad that he's apologizing now.
"Hindi ko na uulitin," aniya.
"And you won't treat other boys poorly?" I asked and I looked straight into his eyes.
Nakita kong napalunok si Martin bago napilitang tumango.
"Okay," he said.
That was enough for me.
"Okay," I beamed at him and he looked at me again, relief visible in his expression. "I forgive you."
"Okay," he mumbled and a smile showed up on his lips. "Ililibre kita. Kain tayo?" He asked.
"Pupuntahan ko kasi sina Hiel ngayon," I said. "I plan to eat with him and his friend. You want to come?"
"Hiel," Martin mumbled and I didn't catch his expression but he nodded.
Kaya naman magkasama kaming naglakad no'n papunta sa kung nasaan ang klase nina Hiel. Magkatabi kaming naglalakad at panay ang kuwento n'ya sa mga nangyari sa klase nila ngayong araw.
But that afternoon felt different. Parang may pinagbubulungan ang mga estudyanteng nadadaanan namin at ang iba, parang nagmamadaling magtakbuhan papunta sa kung saan nandoon ang klase nina Hiel.
"May away!" One of them shouted and I frowned.
Nawala na ang atensyon ko sa pinag-uusapan naming dalawa ni Martin habang naglalakad kami papunta sa klase nina Hiel. Mukhang nawala na rin ang atensyon ni Martin sa'kin nang mapansin n'yang nasa iba na ang atensyon ko.
Pero nang makita ko si Brylee na tumatakbo papunta sa akin, her eyes full of tears, I immediately felt my heart racing with worry.
"What is it?" I immediately asked when Brylee grabbed my arm and tried to pull me with her.
"Ate, Hiel. Blood," she said and my eyes widened.
Her words are confusing because she was crying hard but the words Hiel and blood made me panic.
"What?" I stuttered and I immediately ran to where Hiel was.
Hinawi ko ang ilang mga nakiki-usyoso at agad na natigilan nang makita si Hiel na nakatayo sa harap ng isang estudyanteng lalaki na mukhang kaklase n'ya. I felt how my hands turned cold when I saw Hiel's nose bleeding.
May ilang pumipigil sa estudyanteng lalaking nakahawak sa bibig n'yang mukhang nagdudugo rin, mukhang gusto n'yang sugurin pa si Hiel. Hiel was just looking at him silently.
"Hiel!" I called and he looked at me.
I immediately went to him and held his face to look closely. He looks like he didn't expect to see me.
"Hiel, your nose," my voice shook and my tears pooled because of worry.
I cried and didn't know how the teachers ended up knowing. Siguro, nang lapitan ko na si Hiel, Martin immediately told the teachers that some kids are fighting in the hallway.
Tahimik si Hiel, hindi inaalis ang tingin sa akin habang nag-aalala ko s'yang tinanong kung may masakit ba sa kan'ya, kung ano ang nangyari, at kung bakit dumudugo ang ilong n'ya.
But Hiel didn't answer. He just stared at me and I saw in his eyes that he felt guilty.
Dinala sa clinic si Hiel at nando'n din ako para samahan s'ya. Ang sabi ng nurse no'n, dahil sinuntok ng kaklase n'ya si Hiel, nagdugo ang ilong ni Hiel. Bukod do'n, wala nang ibang galos sa kan'ya. Samantalang 'yong kaklase n'ya namang nasuntok din ni Hiel, natanggal daw ang isa sa mga ipin at 'yon ang dumudugo.
I was silent the whole time. I want to ask Hiel why he hit the kid and why he got hit too but because Hiel was silent the whole time, hindi ko na s'ya pinilit pa.
After getting treated, we went to the guidance office because the counselor said she wanted to talk to Hiel and his classmate.
Tiningnan ko ang kaklase ni Hiel na may hawak na bimpo para sa bibig n'yang mukhang tumigil na sa pagdurugo. Habang si Hiel naman, maayos na ang lagay at ang polo n'ya na lang ang may kaunting mantsa ng dugo.
"Hiel Lara Cervantes at Alvin Ventura," ani Mrs. Acosta, the guidance counselor for the elementary department said.
Kinagat ko ang labi ko at tiningnan 'yong Alvin. He looks mad at Hiel because he kept on glaring at him. Si Martin, nakatayo sa gilid ko at nakatingin din kay Alvin. I was sitting at the chair beside Hiel who was silent since earlier. He's sitting properly on his chair and he was staring at the floor.
"Hiel, what happened?" Agad na tanong ni Mrs. Acosta kay Hiel at napatingin ako sa kan'ya.
The counselor looked worried at Hiel and I remember how the teachers and school staff are so fond of him because he was a quiet, obedient, and smart kid. It must be really shocking for her to know that Hiel got involved in something like this.
Kahit ako, hindi ko inaasahan.
Pero kahit na tinanong si Hiel, hindi s'ya nagsalita.
"Tinulak n'ya po ako!" Alvin said, pointing at Hiel whose eyes still remained fixated on the floor. "Kaya sinuntok ko s'ya! Tapos sinuntok n'ya rin ako."
I worriedly looked at Hiel and I looked at his nose. It's not bleeding anymore but I can't help but still worry.
"Rinnah. Martin. Ano ba'ng nangyari?" Tanong ni Mrs. Acosta sa aming dalawa ni Martin.
"Pagdating po namin, nagkasakitan na po silang dalawa," sagot ni Martin sa tanong ni Mrs. Acosta. "I immediately reported it to a teacher."
Dismayadong tiningnan ni Mrs. Acosta si Alvin. I knew, with how she looked at him that she favors Hiel more. Maybe because Hiel's record was clean and he was known to be a model student. Hindi ko kilala ang kaklase ni Hiel na si Alvin kaya hindi ko alam kung maganda rin ba ang record n'ya. But based on Mrs. Acosta's expression, it seems like Alvin wasn't a good student.
"Alvin, baka naman may ginawa ka kaya ka itinulak ni Hiel? Mabait na bata si Hiel at alam n'yo 'yang mga kaklase n'ya," ani Mrs. Acosta at naaawa kong tiningnan si Alvin na mukhang naiiyak na nakatingin kay Mrs. Acosta. "Hindi ito ang unang beses na napunta ka rito. Si Hiel, ngayon lang, kaya imposible namang s'ya ang nagsimula."
I know that Hiel is a good kid. But we don't know the whole story yet. I don't like how Mrs. Acosta asked Alvin that question. Para kasing idinidiin kaagad si Alvin. Baka nga gano'n ang nangyari pero hindi pa naman kami sigurado. It must feel awful to be asked that kind of question. Especially that you're a kid.
Natigil ang usapan nang may kumatok sa pinto ng office. Napalingon ako sa pinto nang pumasok do'n ang isa sa mga teachers at kasama si Brylee na namumugto pa rin ang mga mata dahil sa pag-iyak. It must have been a shock for her to witness such violence.
The teacher told Ma'am Acosta that Brylee went to her because Brylee wants to say something about what happened. Naglakad papalapit si Brylee sa amin at umupo sa upuang katabi ni Alvin na masama rin ang tingin sa kan'ya.
"Brylee, ano 'yong sasabihin mo?" Mrs. Acosta asked.
Brylee raised her gaze to Hiel and her eyes welled up with tears.
"Si Alvin po kasi," her voice trembled. "He teased me because he heard that I like Hiel."
Kinagat ko ang labi ko at pinisil ko ang mga daliri ko. So that's how it started...
"Nagalit po ako sa kan'ya kaya nag-away po kaming dalawa ni Alvin. Tapos hinila po ni Alvin ang buhok ko," Brylee cried and I gasped at what she said.
Tiningnan ko si Alvin na mukhang may pag-alma sa sinabi ni Brylee.
"Sinungaling! Ikaw ang unang humablot sa buhok ko kaya kita ginantihan!" Alvin said and the counselor held her forehead because it seems like this is giving her a headache.
"Kahit na! Bakit mo ako sasabunutan?" Brylee cried. "Kaya pinagtanggol po ako ni Hiel. Tinulak n'ya po si Alvin. Tapos sinuntok po ni Alvin si Hiel kaya po gumanti pabalik si Hiel."
"Alvin. Ang bait na bata nitong si Hiel kaya imposible talagang s'ya ang nauna. Bakit mo sinabunutan si Brylee? Babae s'ya kaya dapat hindi mo s'ya sinasaktan," ani counselor at nakita ko ang pag-angal sa ekspresyon ni Alvin pero hindi na nagsalita pa. "Ipinatawag ko ang mga parents n'yo. Hintayin natin ang pagdating nila para mapag-usapan ang nangyari sa inyo."
Just like what Mrs. Acosta said, their parents came after a while.
Ang mga magulang ni Alvin, panay ang hingi ng tawad kay Tita Stella para sa ginawa ng anak nila. Tita Stella was kind to tell them that she understands the situation and that it was a children's fight. Humingi rin s'ya ng tawad dahil sa pagsuntok ni Hiel sa anak nila.
Pagkatapos ma-areglo ng usapan, agad na pinagalitan ng mga magulang ni Alvin si Alvin at pinahingi ng tawad kay Hiel.
Hiel looked at Alvin as Alvin apologized to him. I don't know what Hiel was thinking but he hasn't said a word since earlier.
Si Alvin na nangingilid ang mga luha, hindi makatingin kay Hiel habang humihingi s'ya ng tawad.
"I'm sorry too."
Agad akong napatingin kay Hiel nang sabihin n'ya 'yon. Alvin looked at him with a frown. Nakita kong nagliwanag din ang mukha ng counselor dahil sa sinabi ni Hiel pati na rin ang mga magulang ni Alvin.
"For hitting you" dugtong ni Hiel at hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti dahil sa sinabi n'ya.
I suddenly felt proud of him because I knew he knows that he's done something bad too. And he apologized for it.
Nakita kong umiwas ng tingin si Alvin at hindi sumagot sa sinabi ni Hiel.
The adults continued talking about what happened. The counselor also apologized to Tita Stella. Pagkatapos, umulan na naman ng papuri para kay Hiel lalo pa't kusang humingi ng tawad si Hiel kay Alvin at hindi na kailangang pilitin pa.
Hiel was still silent and I can feel that he's still upset. Hindi ko tuloy maalis ang tingin sa kan'ya dahil sa pag-aalala. What is he thinking?
Nang iangat ni Hiel ang tingin sa akin at nakitang nakatingin ako sa kan'ya, he glanced away and I saw the guilt on his expression. Hindi s'ya makatingin sa akin.
Nang lumabas na kami ng office, agad akong pinasalamatan ni Tita Stella. Brylee, Alvin, and Alvin's parents already left. Nahuli lang kami sa paglabas sa office dahil tumagal nang kaunti ang pakikipag-usap ni Tita Stella sa counselor.
"Thank you for being there, Rinnah," Tita Stella said as she closed the door of the office behind her.
Tahimik na nakatayo si Hiel sa tabi ni Tita Stella. Si Martin, hindi pa umuuwi at nasa likuran ko, mukhang hinihintay kami.
"Tita, late na po akong dumating," nahihiyang sabi ko. "Kung maaga lang po sana akong pumunta baka--"
Tita Stella cut me off and held my shoulder.
"Still. If you didn't come, maybe something worse could've happened," she smiled at me and I smiled back at her. "I'm so glad that I made Hiel study here with you. May Ate s'yang puwedeng magbantay sa kan'ya."
Lalo akong napangiti sa sinabi ni Tita Stella at agad ko rin s'yang pinasalamatan. I'm glad that she made Hiel study at Torrero University too.
"Do you want to go to our house?" Aya ni Tita Stella at agad akong sumang-ayon.
'Yon nga lang, nalimutan ko na kakain nga pala dapat kami ni Martin ngayon sa labas. Habang hinahanap ni Tita Stella ang susi ng sasakyan n'ya, kina-usap ko muna si Martin tungkol sa usapan namin kanina.
"It's alright, Rin," ani Martin nang sabihin ko sa kan'yang sasabay na ako kina Tita Stella pauwi at hindi kami matutuloy sa pagkain sa labas. "Baka pagod ka na rin. Magte-text na lang tayong dalawa."
This is one of the things I liked about him. He's considerate too.
"Okay!" Masayang sabi ko. "Thank you," I sincerely told him.
Sinamahan na lang kami ni Martin papunta sa sasakyan nina Tita Stella para ihatid ako. When we reached Tita Stella's car, nagpaalam na rin naman si Martin at pinaalalahanan ulit ako na ite-text n'ya ako mamaya.
Kotse ang dala ni Tita Stella at s'ya ang nag-drive para sa sarili n'ya ngayong araw. I sat at the front seat while Hiel sat at the back. Nag-aayos na ako ng seatbelt nang tawagin ni Tita Stella ang pangalan ko.
"Is that your boyfriend?" She asked, pertaining to Martin.
Agad akong nagulat at napatingin ako kay Hiel na naka-upo sa backseat ng kotse. Nakita kong nakatingin s'ya sa Mommy n'ya. Nahihiya kong ibinalik ang tingin kay Tita Stella. Is it alright for Hiel to hear this?
"Opo," nahihiyang sagot ko.
"Wow!" Mangha at natutuwang sabi ni Tita Stella. "Ang guwapong bata. Hindi na kataka-taka. You're so pretty, Rinnah. Magtataka ako kung hanggang ngayon, wala pang nanliligaw sa'yo," she chuckled.
Tumawa ako at nahihiyang umiling.
"Is he half? His eyes are Asian. Chinese?" She asked.
"Opo, Tita," I said. "Martin Liao po."
Lalong natuwa si Tita Stella dahil kilala n'ya pala ang mga magulang ni Martin--she told me that their family was rich and respectable. 'Yon ang naging laman ng usapan namin hanggang sa makarating kami sa bahay nila.
Agad kaming pumasok sa loob ng bahay nang makarating at nakita kong tahimik pa rin si Hiel. Tahimik naman talaga s'ya. It's just that, his quitness today is different from usual.
Agad kaming naupo sa sofa sa tanggapan ng bahay nila habang hinihintay namin ang hinahandang pagkain sa hapag nila. Tita Stella went to the kitchen to help with the preparation of the food.
Hiel is still silent. His polo's collar is still stained with a little bit of blood. Bumalik ang imahe n'ya kanina sa isipan ko at ang matinding pag-aalalang naramdaman ko.
"Okay ka na ba?" I asked.
Hiel looked at me and our eyes met. He glanced away and nodded.
"Magpalit ka muna ng damit. Your polo. . .it's stained with blood."
Tiningnan ni Hiel ang polo n'ya at mukhang no'n n'ya lang napansin na may dugo pala ang polo n'ya.
Natahimik s'ya. Akala ko, susundin n'ya kaagad ang sinabi ko pero hindi 'yon nangyari.
"Sorry, Rinnah," biglang sabi n'ya at tumitig sa sahig ng sala nila. "I shouldn't have hit him."
He sounded disappointed. Bakit s'ya nagso-sorry sa'kin?
"Ayaw mo ng away," he mumbled.
Agad akong napangiti sa sinabi ni Hiel at hinintay s'yang matapos sa sinasabi n'ya.
"Sorry," ulit n'ya at mas napayuko.
He looks so guilty. 'Yan ba ang iniisip n'ya magmula kanina? Kaya sobrang tahimik n'ya?
"'Wag mo nang uulitin, okay?" I asked him.
Hiel looked at me and his eyes glistened a little bit. He nodded twice and he brought his eyes back on the floor.
"Pero tama na ipinagtanggol mo si Brylee. Alvin was wrong too," I said and Hiel nodded again. "Pero sa susunod, 'wag ka nang mananakit, okay?"
"Okay..." he mumbled.
"Are you upset because you thought I was mad at you?"
Hiel looked at me and our yes met. He looked sad.
"Yes," he mumbled before he looked down again.
"I'm not mad at you," I said. "I'm proud of you because you stood up for your friend and you apologized to Alvin."
"You're not mad..." he mumbled and I wasn't sure if it was a question.
"No," I chuckled and went near him.
Bahagya kong ibinangga ang balikat ko sa mga balikat n'ya at hinuli ko ang mga tingin n'ya. Hiel smiled because of that but he didn't look at me.
"'Wag ka nang sad," I playfully told him and he nodded.
How can I get mad at him? Hiel is such an innocent boy. I know that he cares for everyone and that he has always meant good. Rather than mad, I am proud of him.