Chapter 21
Tuesday came. Solo was sitting on her chair while looking at the paper she’s holding. Listahan iyon ng mga sports club na maaari niyang salihan sa sports fest. Hiningi niya ito kay Mr. Ocampo kanina lang umaga.
Nakakunot ang noo niya habang salubong din ang mga kilay na nakatingin sa papel na hawak. Ang isang kamay niya’y humihilot sa sentido niya habang ang isa naman ang siya’ng may hawak ng papel.
“Badminton, Soccer, Volleyball, Mix Martial Arts . . .” bumuntong hininga ito, saka marahas na pinakawalan ang hangin. “Board games.”
“Good morning!” pumasok sa classroom sina Gun at Asla na ngayon ay parehong nakangiti sa lahat.
“Hi, Solo!” Asla immediately rushed to the latter who’s still busy on her paper. “Wala ka pa ring napipiling club?”
“Oo nga, wala pa?” anang Gun na nakadungaw rin sa papel na hawak niya.
Tiningnan silang dalawa ni Solo, saka nito tinuro ang ‘board games.’
“Sa club ka nila magpapa-register?” May himig ng lungkot ang boses ni Asla nang itanong iyon.
“Hmn,” Solo nodded. “Dito lang kasi iyong alam kong pwede ako, eh. Tsaka isa pa, marunong naman akong maglaro ng chess.”
“Pero magagaling ang mga player nila roon. Kung doon ka maglalaro, paniguradong hindi ka makukuha sa sports fest.”
Napangiwi si Solo. “Wala naman akong problema roon, eh. Hindi naman kaso sa‘kin ang hindi makuha bilang representative. Ang importante ay may club akong sinalihan, may points kasi iyon sabi ni Sir, eh.”
Ang dalawa naman ngayon ang napangiwi sa sinagot ng kaibigan nila. Pumasok si Jade sa classroom.
“‘Diba, Jade?” Anang Gun kay Jade na ngayon ay nagtatakang nakatingin sa kaniya.
“Ha? Anong sinasabi mo riyan?”
“‘Diba magagaling ‘yong mga nasa club ng Kuya mo? Sa board games ba. Plano kasi ni Solo roon pero nag-aalala ako kasi baka hindi siya makuha bilang representative sa sport fest.”
Jade chuckled after hearing Gun’s explanation. Sa mukha kasi ng mga ito ay talagang nag-aalala nga ang sila.
“Why are you laughing?” he asked annoyingly.
“Minsan na niyang natalo sa chess ang Kuya ko.” Anito. “Right, Solo?”
“Yeah,”
“Ha? Talaga? Kailan? Saan kayo naglaro? Bakit hindi namin alam?” sunod-sunod na tanong ni Asla.
“Matagal na iyon, eh. Sa mall.”
“So,” umupo si Asla sa upuan niya, saka nakapa-ngalumbabang tumingin kay Solo. “Sigurado ka na talaga sa board games?”
Solo nodded, “hmn. Magpapa-register ako sa club nila mamayang roving.”
“Sige, good luck.”
Solo waited for nine to came. And when it does, pina-una niya muna sa pagro-roving sina Gun at Brandon dahil nagpa-register pa ito sa club na gusto niyang salihan.
Nang makarating doon ay kaagad siyang sinalubong ni Justine. “Magpapa-register ka?” Tinanguan iyon ni Solo. “I knew it!” He hissed and chuckled. “Come inside.”
Kaagad namang pumasok si Solo sa loob ng club room. Dalawa lang silang naroroon ng pumasok siya, marahil ay na sa klase pa ang iba.
Umupo si Justine roon sa may lamesa at kumuha ng isang registration form sa drawer nito. “Here, paki-fill up-an na lang.”
“Sige,” umupo si Solo roon sa upuan — sa mismong tapat ni Justine.
“Good morni — ohhh . . .”
Napatingin si Solo sa pintuan nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses na iyon. Si Dexi.
“You want to be part of us?” nakangising tanong nito sa kaniya.
Hindi niya ito sinagot. Nag-iwas lang siya ng tingin at nagpatuloy sa pagsusulat doon sa form niya.
“First time na may sumaling student committee rito sa club natin, ah?” Tumingin ito kay Justine, “magaling ba maglaro ‘to?”
“Uhm,” tumango-tango si Justine. “Oo. Mas magaling pa sa‘yo.”
Tumango-tango rin si Dexi. “Talaga? Well, that’s good to hear tho.” Lumapit ito kay Solo saka umakbay. “Let’s play.”
Bumuntong-hininga si Solo saka inabot kay Justine ang form na tapos na niyang sulatan. “Here.”
“Hmn, salamat.”
“Salamat din.” Inalis ni Solo ang braso ni Dexi mula sa balikat niya, saka siya tumayo. “Mauuna na ako.”
Tumango na lamang si Justine at hinatid ito ng tingin habang lumalabas ito mula sa kwartong iyon.
“What the fuck?” Dexi murmured. “That bastard really got guts. She just ignored my whole existence.”
“At bakit ka naman niya papansinin?” Tanong ng isa sa mga kasama nila roon sa loob, si Patrick, dahilan para balingan siya ng isang masamang tingin ng huli. “Eh, hindi naman ikaw ‘yong sadya niya rito. And besides, she’s a student committee so you better know your place.”
“Are you taking her side?”
Umangat ang isang kilay ni Patrick, “do I?” He hissed. “I’m not taking any sides, Dexi. Sinasabi ko lang na tantanan mo na siya.”
“Wala naman akong ginagawa—”
“Wala pa.” Binigyan niya ito ng isang masamang tingin. “Sa ngayon, wala pa.”
“That’s enough.” Nananaway ang seryosong boses ni Justine. “Bumalik na lang tayo sa klase at baka ma-late pa tayo.” Oh yeah, they’re classmates.
Umismid si Dexi. “Bumalik ka roong mag-isa, baliw.” Nakuha pa nitong umirap bago lumabas ng classroom.
Napabuntong hininga na lang si Justine at napa-iling na lang din si Patrick.
“Siya kamo ang baliw.”
“Hayaan mo na lang siya.” Anang Justine sa kaibigan. Yes, they’re friends. “Tara na nga lang.”
“Hmn,”
*****
“How did it go?” kaagad na tanong ni Gun sa kaibigan nang maka-balik na ito sa classroom nila.
Tapos na kasi sila ni Brandon sa pagro-roving kaya nag-chat siya kay Solo sa gc nilang tatlo na dumiretso na lang kako ito sa classroom nila.
“It’s fine. I’m finally registered and already a member.” Saka ito pasalampak na naupo sa pwesto niya.
“What happened?” Alright, Gun actually sensed that she’s not in the freakin’ mood. Lumapit pa nga ito sa mesa ni Solo saka dumungaw.
“I’m just annoyed.”
“About what?” Alright, Gun was persistent to know. He’s really worried about her change of mood.
“Dexi just ruined my day.”
Kaagad na kumuyom ang mga kamao ni Gun nang marinig ang sagot nito. “Anong ginawa niya sa‘yo?” He should be sounds funny because of his accent but no, he sounded so scary with the filipino language.
“Nothing,” tiningnan nito ang nakakuyom na mga kamao ni Gun na ngayon ay nakapatong sa mesa niya. “Really, just calm down. She didn’t do anything. She just showed up and it turns out that we’re clubmates. I just hate her being around and her face was freaking annoying the hell out of me.”
“I’m relieved . . .” he looked at her like he just realize something. “T-that she d-din’t do a-anything to you.” Oh crap! Why the hell am I stuttering?! Fix yourself, Gun! You over react, stupid! He thought while on his way to his desk.
That’s when Mr. Ocampo entered their classroom. “Class, I’m here to discuss about the information that we had talked about during our meeting a while ago. It’s about the examination program next week.” Bumuntong hininga ito. “By the way, kompleto na ba ang lahat? Nakabalik na ba ang iba mula sa pagro-roving?”
“Yes, Sir. We’re now complete.”
“Good. Okay, let’s start.” Umayos ito ng tayo sa podium. “Alam niyo naman na siguro na malapit na rin ang sports fest, the Dean wants the examination program na mapa-aga. So instead of friday ito gaganapin ay nilipat namin ng lunes. And this time, by pair na ng mga student committee ang magbabantay sa mga examinee’s— don’t worry dahil may mga school staffs din naman kayong makakasama. May mga staffs na ring naka-assigned para sa mga snacks ng mga magte-take ng exam — yes, meron na, dahil na Dean want’s what’s best for them. And don’t worry dahil kasali na rin kayo sa budget. All you have to do is be attentive when guarding them while they’re busy doing their exams.”
“And to avoid any delimmas, kindly confiscate their bags — and leave only their pens with them. Make sure they don’t cling cellphones, calculators or any devices around them. And please, make sure they don’t cheat the exam. As long as possible, be strict as you can.” Tiningnan sila ito isa-isa.
“Sir, can we choose our partn—”
“No, I’ll be responsible in terms of paring you. I actually have the list here already.” Anito saka nilabas sa bulsa ng jeans niya ang isang sticky note. “Luna will be paired with Brandon. Newt and Ada, Jade and Rin.” Tumingin ito sa mga estudyante niyang tahimik na nakikinig. “Asla and Minrod, Gun and Techno, while—”
“What?!” gagad ni Meen na ngayon ay malalaki ang mga matang nakatingin sa adviser nila. “I’m paired with Severino?!”
Mr. Ocampo nodded, “precisely.”
“What the fuck?! Hell, no!”
Sinamaan siya ng tingin ng guro nila, “language, Villamora. I told you not to cuss in my class. Don’t make me reach my limits.”
“Well, oh yeah. But no — not with Severino, Sir. Not with her! You can pair me with anyone you like but not her!”
“Well,” nagkibit-balikat ang guro nila. “I like you being paired with her so yeah, I did.”
“Sir, you can’t—”
“I just did, Villamora.” Their teacher answered her with a deadpan looked.
Gun frowned, “what’s the big deal being paired with Solo, by the way? If you don’t like her being your partner, let’s exchange then—”
“Cut the buzz, Wansathorn. You can’t. I’m the one who made the pairing and don’t try to defy my decision and choices. I’m your class adviser so please, respect my decisions.”
“Yes, Sir. Khor tod khrap.” I’m sorry. “But she’s so choosy.” He even pouted his lips.
Napabuntong-hininga na lang si Mr. Ocampo dahil sa mga estudyante niya. Hindi niya alam kung mga estudyante ba niya ang mga ito o tropa. Ang hilig talaga ng mga itong pasakitin ang ulo niya.
Bumaling ito kay Solo na ngayon ay tahimik lang at nakatitig sa kawalan. “Severino, are you okay with it tho?”
“You leave me without any choices, Sir. And then you’ll asked me that? Seriously? What do you think?” seryosong tanong ni Solo na halatang hindi inaasahan ng guro nila.
Nang hindi sumagot ang huli ay nag-iwas na lang siya ng tingin at muling tumunganga.
“You see, Mr. Ocampo? Even her dislike the idea of being paired with me. So if I were you, I would paired me with someone immediately.”
“But sadly, you’re not me and I’m weren’t you either so no, I won’t change my decision. And now, if you two can’t hang along together before the examination program, then that’s not my problem anymore.” Sumeryoso ang mukha nito, “And if I were you, I would remember our schools motto, bastard.” After saying that, he left the classroom.
The moment the door was closed, Meen blinked. Not even once, or twice, but thrice! That was hella unexpected! Mr. Ocampo just called her bastard! A damn bastard! This is her problem, she likes cussing at everyone but when it backfired, it rebuke her like she was humilated.
“What the fuck was wrong with him?” anang Meen saka pasalampak na naupo sa upuan niya. “Ahhh!” she screamed. “I hate you, Severino! I fucking hate you!”
Solo leaned on her chair and crossed her arms across her chest. “Okay, go hate me to death. I won’t give you any violent reactions. But let me remind you that you just clap your fucking ears after hearing me cussing our schoolmates yesterday. And let me also remind you that your eyes just turned hearts the moment I insult them and cussed at them. Didn’t you say you love the way I’m doing it?” doon na niya ito nilingon, saka siya ngumisi ng tipid. “Tell me I didn’t heard you and kiss my ass goodbye, dimwit.”
“Argh! Ugh!” she annoyingly hissed. “I really hate you, Severino! I fucking hate you and I would hate you to death!”
“Yeah, whatever. Bastard.” She mocked the latter who’s now looking at her deadly.
Hindi alam ni Solo kung bakit ayaw na ayaw ni Meen sa kaniya— eh, wala naman siyang ginawa rito. But instead of dealing with her, why not let the karma do it. Karma hits hard, they say.
Noong lunch time naman ay wala rin siyang planong kumain. Yes, she’s still not in the mood. That family thingy Hunter had mentioned just bothers her. And her entire week will probably ruin.
She was alone at their classroom, leaning on her chair and staring on the ceiling — while she was thinking deeply about something. Gano’n ang posisyon niya nang bigla ay tumunog ang cellphone niya. And she was too lazy while checking it.
And she literally rolled her eyes when she finds out that it was a text message from her dear friend slash enemy, Hunter Tejero.
[ From: Hunter ]
Good afternoon, Solo! Kumain ka na ba ng lunch? By the way, nandito ako sa batibot ng school niyo. (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧
Napabuntong-hininga siya saka napairap. Hindi niya alam kung nanadya ba ang pagkakataon sa kaniya. At hindi rin niya maintindihan kung bakit hindi makaintindi itong si Hunter. Sinabi na niya ritong huwag itong pumunta rito pero hindi pa rin ito nakinig.
“Bakit ba kasi ang tigas ng ulo mo?!” irita niyang sabi sa loob ng classroom nila. “Tapos hindi ka pa makaramdam! Eh, halata namang wala ako sa mood um-entertain ng mga tao, eh. Tsk.”
Her phone beeped again. She just recieved another text message from Hunter.
[ From: Hunter ]
Mind if you’ll come over? People here are so weird. They keep on glancing at me and others are glaring. Hey.
Napabuntong hininga na lang siya saka iritableng tumayo at dumiretso ng elevator. Wala siyang choice kun‘di ang puntahan ito. Baka mapaano pa ito roon, siya pa ang mananagot.
Hunter busied himself by playing on his phone while he was waiting for Solo to come over. To be honest, he was quite bothered by the eyes around him but he tried his best to ignore them. He didn’t know why but they looked so creepy on his eyes.
Others probably talked about him, and he doesn’t know why. Those glares, those eyes, those random gestures — fear the hell out of him.
“Hey, you’re not a student her right? You’re wearing civillian.” A group of boys approach him, they’re four.
He put his phone inside his jeans pocket and looked at them. He even gulped and cleared his throat. “Yeah, I’m not.”
Tiningnan siya ng lalaki, na para bang sinusuri siya nito. “That armani t-shirt and gucci jeans, your wrist watch, and your perfume. They probably costs a lot of money.”
He was right. And how this man knows about his stuffs, he don’t have any idea.
“Yeah,” nasabi niya na lang. “My Dad bought them all for me.”
“You’re a spoiled brat?” The man with brown bag asked.
He immediately shooked his head. Disliking the idea of being called ‘spoiled brat’ because he know that it’s inappropriate of him being called like that — knowing that he’s not even one.
“No, I didn’t asked my Dad to buy me all these stuffs. He just bought them all by himself. Not because I asked for it, but because he wanted me to have them.”
“That’s so genuine of him.”
“Thanks.”
“About your Mom. Does she buy you the same cool stuffs just like your Dad?”
He was taken aback by that question. He was stilled and lost for words — clearly umcomfortable with that question from a ‘random group of people’ inside the damn campus.
Do they even feel that he’s not comfortable with that damn question?!
“Can we not talk about that—”
“Bakit naman—”
“Because that just so rude of you to asked him that question.”
Kaagad silang napatingin sa taong kakarating lang — it was violence committee Solo Elis Severino. Tumigil ito sa gilid ng nakaupong si Hunter, saka ito tumingin sa mga lalaki.
“For a stranger like you, how do get the guts to asked him that question? Are you clearly unaware that he’s not comfortable with the conversation you guys started?” Solo calmly muttered.
“But he flow with the convers—”
“He just respect you. It’s clear that he was uncomfortable having conversations with you— given the fact that you were all strangers to him. But he still flow with the conversation because that just so rude of him to ignore you.”
Hindi umimik ang kabilang panig kaya nagpatuloy siya sa pagsasalita.
“And please, stop asking personal questions to him because that no longer concerned you. Don’t just go around and asked him some random question because it’ll scared the fuck out of him.” Tinitigan niya ito ng mariin. “What I’m trying to say is that, don’t cross the walls around him and always know your limits. Respect his privacy.”
Yumuko iyong dalawang nagsalita kanina, sabay sabi’ng, “we’re sorry to disrespect your privacy.”
Nag-angat ng tingin iyong isa, iyong pumuna sa mga suot niya kanina. “I’m sorry. I was just amazed by the brands of your outfit since I’m a fan of them. And I’m sorry for crossing the borders.”
“That’s fine.” Tipid na ngumiti si Hunter, saka niya tinanggal ang relos niya at inabot iyon sa lalaki. “Here, you can have it.”
“H-ha? Hindi na, nakakahiya naman.” Anito saka umiling-iling na umatras. “I know how expensive that watch is so no, I can’t have it. I’m sorry.”
“I’m serious. You can really have it. Here,” mas lalo pa niya itong inabot sa lalaki pero umiling lang ang huli.
“Pasensiya ka na pero hindi ko talaga matatanggap ang relong ‘yan. Isn’t it better if you keep that watch instead since your Dad gave it to you?”
That made Hunter smile. He was actually waiting for him to asked him that. And now, he can say that he can trust this guy.
Muli niyang sinuot ang relo niya. “You’re right, tho. I should keep and treasure this one because Dad gave this to me.”
The guy nodded. “That’s good to hear.” Bumaling ito kay Solo, saka bahagya ring yumuko. “I’m sorry for roaming around, Ms. Student Committee. And for scaring your friend. I’ll avoid this thing to ever happen again.”
Solo nodded, “Mabuti naman kung gano’n.”
“Uhm, mauuna na kami sa inyong dalawa.” Muli itong bumaling kay Hunter. “Pasensiya na ulit. See you around.” Saka na ito umalis kasama ang mga kaibigan.
Nakasunod lang ang tingin ni Hunter sa apat habang naglalakad ang mga ito papalayo sa kanila. He even plastered a brief smile on his lips.
“Why are you smiling?” iritableng tanong ni Solo na ngayon ay nakaupo na sa tapat niya.
Nilingon siya ni Hunter. “I’m just amazed. Sa paraan ng pagtanggi niya kanina, halatang ayaw niya talagang tanggapin ‘yong relo ko.”
Solo frowned. “Why would you gave it to him by the way? Tsk.”
“I don’t have any plans to give it to him in the first place. I was just testing him because I was stunned the moment he say that he’s a fan of these brands.”
“What if he accepted that watch without any glimpse of hesitation?” Solo asked her while directly looking on his face.
He shrugged his shoulders. “I wouldn’t lend this to him if I didn’t see that coming.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Matik na tumalim ang mga mata nito. “Why did you come over? Didn’t I tell you not to?” She was trying her best not to cut the strings of her own patience and tried her best not to scold the latter.
Hunter sighed, “I’m sorry for defying you again. Naexcite lang kasi akong turuan mo, eh. You know, I’m very eager to pass the upcoming exam.”
Napabuntong hininga na lang si Solo. Hindi niya rin naman kasi masisisi si Hunter kung bakit sobrang nae-excite ito. Naalala pa nga niya iyong huling usapan nila. Aminado siyang nalulungkot siya kay Hunter nang sinabi nitong naiinggit iyon sa kaniya. Kaya naman iyong mga masasamang nangyari sa kaniya ang binanggit niya para mabawasan ang inggit nito.
Though, may mga magagandang nangyari rin naman sa kaniya rito sa loob ng campus. And meeting her friends — Asla, Gun, and Techno are one of those reasons. Those three are just so amazing that she will protect them at all costs — just like what she did to Techno.
© r r r r r y l l e i s m