Hindi sinag ng araw, hindi tunog ng alarm clock, o ang matinis na boses ni Ate ang nakapag pagising saakin. It just happened. When I opened my eyes, a pair of eyes is staring intently at me.
"Good morning, Ma." I said in my raspy voice and immediately sat. There's only two reason why Mom is the first thing I've seen at the morning, first, it's urgent, second, it's bad.
"Henssy, get ready, we have something to talk about.
Iyon lang at nilisan n'ya ang kwarto.
Though I'm still half awake, cause it's literally 5:30, who's awake at this early in her uniform? Only mom. Even her so called son, Troy, doesn't wake this early. Ewan ko ba kay Mama, may issue ata na maunahan sa paggising.
Habang nag ma-mouth wash ay napaisip pa ako kung ano bang gusto n'yang pag usapan? What did I do again? Is this the vandal I made one week ago? Or my abscence this past few days? Or is it about my purchase of Nintendo Gravitational Controller? Pinag-ipunan ko naman yun ah!
Aaaaand, turns out it's both. Ano pa bang aasahan ko, kalahi ata ni Mama si Nostradamus.
"So you stole my prostethic, nagkalat ka sa mansion ng mga Federer, at ngayon ay tatlong araw kang absent? Excuse letter na ano? Na may sakit ka eh kahapon nga lang grabe pa ang pagtalon-talon mo sa badminton akala ko kung napano ka na!"
I pursed my lips in guilt... Napatingin ako sa plato ko na puno ng fried rice, na-guilty narin tuloy ako na kumuha ng ulam.
"Papasok naman na po ako ngayon, Ma."
"Dapat lang!" She told me. Kami lang ang nasa dining kaya't walang sumasabat sa usapan, which is si Dad, at walang kumakampi sa'kin which is si Ate.
"Siguraduhin mo, Henssy. Because from now on you are under the provision of 1-A section!"
My head flew at her. "What!"
"Yes. You. Heard. Me. Right."
"No, Mom! That's cheating!"
"Anak, come on. Mas magtitino ka sa 1-A. You won't slack off like this. I know you can do better but all you do is fail your test!" Pinanlakihan pa ako nito ng mata.
"Ma, pa'no sina Jean!"
"Eh di ililipat ko rin sila sa 1-A!"
"Stop using your prodigy privilage! Especially to me!"
Huminga ito ng malalim, stared at me intensely while sipping her tea and clearing her throat saka malakas na inilapag ang tasa sa lamesa at tinignan ulit ako ng matiim.
"The thing here, my child. Kapag nasa 1-A ka, mas marami ang opportunity na papasok sa'yo. Good quality rin yun sa future personal information mo. Idlanto University, 1-A graduate..." She reached my hand resting on the table. "I cannot just let you ruin your life because of your pet peeves with the prodigies. Sure, they can be annoying. But it's not enough for your life to just live in their shadow. I'm proud with your little achievements, anak. So please, don't try defaming the Federer again."
Napaisimid ako at sinubukang kainin ang nasa hapag. It's tasteless against my taste bud as I stared past at her back kung saan may isang malaking shelf na naglalaman ng mga awards at pictures n'ya, kasama si Troy, o mag isa. Katabi naman nito, palapit sa gitna ay mga awards naman ni Papa mula sa pagiging politician n'ya, sunod ay kahit hindi kasing rami ng mga awards nina Papa ay marami parin, mula naman sa mga writing contest na sinalihan ni Ate.
And beside those medals is my elementary graduated picture, and a medal for my perfect attendance.
You're proud of me, sure mom.
As you grow older, times suddenly crush your dreams. Mas lumilinaw lang sa'yo na napaka imposible ng mga pangarap mo. Before, I just want to be a prodigy. Then beat one of the prodigies, until the last man standing... Troy. Then I'll beat his ass until he can stand on the ground no more.
But I can't even master one single thing at pagkatapos ng una ay nagsasawa na ako. Sino ba kasing may gusto ng paulit ulit na ginagawa?
Tao pa ba sila?
Ah maybe. Cause they're all cheaters at mga may masahol na ugali but still shameless enough para mag yabang-yabangan akala mo naman pag mamay-ari buong planeta.
Dumiretso ako sa kwarto para magpalit ng uniform. Napansin na nakakalat parin ang mga pinag-aralan kong libro tungkol sa partikular na issue na hirap na hirap si Mom.
I quietly picked up the books and put it on a carton, then leave it under the bed.
Hindi man lang n'ya tinanong kung bakit ko ginustong mag absent, when in fact, I spend my time understanding what's her conflict at work cause I also want to help... And for her to be happy to have a child like me. A children like us. But maybe that's impossible as long as nakasipsip sakan'ya si Troy.
So change of dreams. 'Wag na tayo sa mahirap. Let's just expose the prodigies, and get me out of the 1-A section. Like, mandiri kayo, mga star section, hindi kayo tumatanggap ng mas mataas sa 90 na general average ta's bigla n'yo ko papasukin d'yan? Di ba kayo nangingiri sa mga galamay na gumagalaw?
With my roller skates, which is I'm thankful na hindi sinubukang i-confiscate ni Mom. I rolled my way to the school. Nililipad ng hangin ang buhok ko, it tickles my nape, like waking me up so I won't get into an accident with my eyes so puffy. Thanks for the early wake up, Mom.
High buildings, stoned and beautiful cream colored, red roofed houses surrounds the Idlanto Royal Nabe, kung sa isang bansa, ito ang capital. And there, kahit malayo, kitang kita ang malaki at malawak na Idlanto University, it stands out with its international victorian style of era. Para akong nasa isang royalty movie kapag tinitignan ko ang school na'to.
Marami rin akong nakakasabayan na kapareho ko ng uniform and heads flew to stare at me. Yes. I'm the child of the famous Rosia Albiarro, opo.
"Hi Henssy!"
"Albiaro!"
"Ate Henssy!"
I smiled and rolled past them.
Sa tapat pa lang ng gate ay napakunot na ako ng noo. It's not unusual for students to be this many, but the gate is just eeringly crowded. What's happening?
I tried to squeeze myself amidst the crowds. Nasulyapan ko na ang pinagkakaguluhan, it's the technician, Troy Federer, with his usual messy hair na parang kakagaling palang sa kama at hindi pa nagmumumog, look at his greesy face! Eww.
May pinapalipad nanaman ito, of course his usual addiction with drone. Iyon lang naman ang ginagawa n'ya pero mapapansing maraming nakatayo na malapit sa direksyon para makita s'ya, may limang lalaki rin ang nakapalibot sakan'ya, kapwa estudyante na maiingay at halatang nagpapapansin sa mga tumitingin sila. Proud na proud na kaklase kayo ni Troy at kinakausap? Ugh, is that a prodigy fetish?
Tumingin tingin pa ako, the number of students here is not just the reason why it feels oddly weird. It's because it's not just students but also some guys in civilian with cameras, van, and mic. Ano, may napanalunan nanaman bang nobel prize ang kagalang galangang Troy Federer?
"Hey there, Henssy!"
Napalinga ako sa umakbay sa'kin. "Kuya Matt." I said and smile saka pasimpleng inalis ang kamay na nakapalibot sa balikat ko at matakting umatras ng isang hakbang. Close?
"Why is there cameras everywhere? May pumasok bang prodigy?" Agad kong tanong.
"Absent ka? Ilang araw?" Wow, kilalang kilala ako?
"Uhm, just three days."
"Ah kaya pala."
"Kaya pala, ano?"
His well defined jaw got more defined as he smiled charmingly at me and shook his head. Matthew Lewis Federer. One of the Federer clan, yes, but not a prodigy if you're wondering why I'm not murdering him with my eyes. Cause if circumstances allows him to be a prodigy, I doubt he'll be intolerable. Tamang gwapo, tamang basketball player lang s'ya. Tamang humble lang rin. So if he's one of the prodigy he'll probably the one I won't hate.
"So yeah, the thing is. There's a sophomore student sa Capernicus, she committed suicide three days ago."
"What?? Really? Sino?"
"Hmm, I forgot the name. Basta nagbigti daw habang nasusunog ang apartment na tinutuluyan. Hindi daw matukoy kung sinadyang masunog ang bahay noong estudyante, o aksidente."
"Really...?"
That's a hideous accident if ever...
"Hoy Federer!" Someone from the outside basketball field shouted.
"Oo papunta na! Sige little Hens, una na 'ko!" He said and tap my shoulder.
I just look at his running back while wondering why this case sounds odd to me. Suicide with some suspected arson that happened to a schoolmate is not an everyday thing. Who wouldn't be shock??
Papunta na sana ako sa room namin ng madaanan ko ang bulletin board na nasa katapat ng cashier. It was full of flowers, ribbons, and sticky notes for the girl named Lorena Alianza with a saying, you will be remembered.
Oh so she's the girl who committed suicide. My eyes scanned the picture that was attached... She looks lively, smiling happily and alive. It feels odd tho... cause it looks somewhat familiar... Wait, sobrang pamilyar. Saan ko ba s'ya nakita?
Well, schoolmate ko so of course it'll be familiar.
Napasimangot akong napapasulyap sa guro na nakakunot rin ang noo sa'kin, saka bumalik ang tingin ko sa ilang kaklase na inaabangan ang idudugtong ko sa sagot ko, ang iba naman ay abala rin sa pag-re-review at aligaga sa mga sinusulat.
First morning after days of being absent is so hectic, why? Sir. Parco, our adviser got mad at us, thanks for some feeling cool group of boys here that pulled a prank in the teacher's lobby. Bakit kadamay kami? Ako? Well, because of the stupid reason that we didn't stopped them. Kahit absent ako. Aba, kontrolado ba namin ang desisyon nila sa buhay?
I maintained my poker face while catching a glimpse of him. "Answer my question, Albiarro."
Sir. Parco is a nice teacher, but annoying when mad. Katulad nito, kada may sasagot ako, magtatanong at magtatanong nanaman s'ya hanggang sa makadating na kami sa ibang topic ng lesson.
"Wala kang balak sagutin 'to?" Ulit n'ya ng tinignan ko lang s'ya. I furrowed my eyebrows and shook my head. I heard him scoffed a laugh, like amused or something.
"Pinapatawa mo 'ko, Albiarro. Go back to your seat. Next."
Bumalik ako sa upuan na tumatawa ang mga kaibigan ko mula sa malayong upuan. Idlanto University has a one seat one student only policy. Mahaba ang gray metallic and plastic desk nito na kasya ang tatlong tao. This is to prevent chatters during discussion, and also cheating. Kahit gaano ko talasan ang mata ko ay wala talaga akong makakapkap na sagot, ang lalayo ng matatalino sa pwesto ko, pati ng mga kaibigan ko.
So boring.
"Okay, class. Naturingan kayong senior na, kahit nasa Beta section kayo, matuto naman kayong mag tino. Ayusin n'yo pag-aaral n'yo at kailangan n'yo to sa pag tungtong n'yo ng grade eleven. Buti walang nasaktan sa frog prank n'yo at 'eto lang ang parusa na ginawad sainyo. Section two naman kayo, okay naman mga scores n'yo, ba't parang hawak ko ang lowest section sa asta n'yo ha?"
"Oh, kamusta yang vlog n'yo? Sumikat ba kayo? Proud na proud ba kayong maglilinis ng banyo? I-po-post n'yo rin ba yan?"
"Ayusin n'yo mga sarili n'yo. Within a month, pupunta ang supreme director ng school, at isa kayo, buong section sa mag-a-asikaso ng halloween party. Okay?"
Umugong ang mga reklamo sa apar na sulok ng room. We only have twenty students here, and unfortunately, all of them created ruckus. Marami ngang nagsasabi na napaka opposite ng Beta sa Alpha, kung kami ang pinakamagulo at mala-kriminal sila naman ang pinaka-organisado at mga tipong papangaralan mo ng nobel prize.
Psh, crazy.
Though totoo naman. Ewan ko ba at may mga sapak kami, kada month nalang siguro may isa na grupo saamin ang mapapatawag sa principal office. Buti ako, once in a two months lang. Minor disobedience lang naman nagagawa ko, hindi nga intentional yun eh.
Like roller skating in the hallway, roller skating inside the room, throwing trash somewhere, umaabot na mata sa two seats apart na papel, at kung ano ano pa na hindi naman na kailangang ipa-principal office unless ilang beses mong ginawa.
"Oh, notes ko for the past few days."
Yes!
I smiled as I got the nine notebooks on my desk. Akala ko pa naman ay kailangan ko pang ilabas ang puppy eyes ko at mag aegyo ng paulit ulit hanggang sa mairita sila at mapilitang ibigay sa'kin ang buong lesson plan nila. But they're so kind.
Ay, si Thalia lang pala.
"Thanks Thal, 'da best ka!"
"Wow, 'wag ka nalang um-absent ulit for some invalid reasons."
"Kaya ang lakas ng loob um-absent at kinukunsinti mo Thalia."
I poker my face at Aira who's doing her make up. The pink sponge carefully spreading the concealer on her face. Gusto ko nalang mangiwi. Hindi sakto yung kulay ng concealer, nagmuka tuloy s'yang crinkles at ngayon pinagtitinginan narin ng iba naming kaklase.
"Hayaan mo at makukuha n'yan ang hinahanap." Said Jean, nakatunghay ang muka nito sa desk habang nakaunat ang dalawang braso para mabasa ang libro ng maayos. Manga. Tsundere genre as usual.
Here's my bestfriends. Jean Marian Salonga, known for her athletic abilities, Aira Pileda, a daughter od a rich tycoon CEO, and Thalia Lemuel De Fuego, a heiress of a hundreds hectares of farm lands. I can't believe ipaglalaban ko na sa 1-B ako nararapat para lang sa tatlong 'to na walang utang na loob, lalo na 'tong dalawa!
On my long desk, lagi kaming nagsisiksikan kapag wala pa ang teacher.
One of the unique things I can say with Idlanto University that I can't see with others school is the one desk one student policy. The wooden desk and seat is like a long bench which can fit three people to avoid cheating and chatters during class hours. Which is I'm loving cause distance is privacy.
Pero pag ganito na walang teacher sikip na sikip ako at dito ang tambayan nilang tatlo.
"Oy pala. Anong ganap? Diba? Yung nag committ ng suicide? Si Lorraine ba yun?" I asked them. Aira stopped from pumping her face with her white powder and the two also halted from what they're doing as we exchanges look.
"Lorena yun bhie. Hay, tatlong araw narin ang nakalipas so the issue almost died and wala naman masyadong details." Jean said and closed the book saka nag unat unat, while Rijie place her make up inside her bag and Thalia moved her head to carefully look at us. It's chika time.
"Yeah, and hindi namin gaano napagtuonan ng pansin."
My head turns into a knot as she answered. "Weh? Kayo pa? Eh chatter girls kayo?"
"Kami lang? Pag nega, excluded ka?" Aira said.
"Course."
"Well, Aira and his boyfriend broke up." Sabi naman ni Jean atsaka sinulyapan si Aira na huminga ng malalim.
I can't help but raise my eyebrows and stared at her. Ah, kaya pala naka red matte lipstick at parang papasok sa isang model agency imbes sa school ang ayos.
"Anong bago?" I asked genuinely.
Jean burst into laughter with my remarks while Thalia also smiled and Aira, well of course, she'll be pouting.
I don't know why dating is a thing in our age and why is this girl taking her relationship so serious with the guy she's been seeing for just a month.
"Nakilala mo lang s'ya last last month, Aira. And with one month of friendship, then one month of relationship ugh, am I missing something here? Ah remember, walang week na hindi kayo nag away? He doesn't want the way you talk or the way you dress, or your make up. So...?" I hanged my words as she glared at me.
"So why are you looking stupid right now?" Tanong ko. Genuine question lang. Napabuntong hininga ako when it sounds suddenly wrong as I stared in her eyes covered in something like I betrayed her. Nag tubig pa ang mata.
Inakbayan ko nalang s'ya. "Come on, don't be sad! My point is just that he's the guy not worthy of your tears. Stop crying."
Ako lang ba hindi nakakagets kung ba't parang nasaktan s'ya ng sobra sa dalawang buwan n'ya palang naman na kakilala? Parang mas nasasaktan pa ko pag nakikita ko yung game over sa bagong dark dome na nilalaro ko eh.
"Ano ba kasi pinag-awayan n'yo?" Tanong naman ni Thalia habang inaabot ang likod nito.
"Oo nga, hindi mo sa'min kinuwento yung full details." Jean said while her face on the desk staring at the three of us.
"Ano... Nakita n'ya kasi na may tine-text akong ibang lalaki pero-"
And we all bursted in complains.
"Eh di kasalanan mo naman pala!"
"Gosh, akala ko naman- haist."
"Wow ah, ang judgemental n'yo! Kaibigan ko lang 'yon no!" She said after our complains.
Napahalakhak nalang ako at sakto namang naputol ang pag uusap namin ng mag simulang bumalik sa kani kanilang upuan ang mga kaklase ko and as we look back at the door, Sir. Parco is already entering the classroom with his pack of notebooks squeezed between his elbow. His eyes scanned the classroom. Malinis ang puti nitong t-shirt. Sir. Parco, the favorite teacher of all students.
"Good morning class! Balik na sa dating upuan."
I opened my bag and put out ny science notebook at the desk, at the same time my pen. It's just here at the pocket...
"Uhm. Albiarro."
Nag tama ang paningin namin ni Sir. Parco pagkatapos n'yang tawagin ang apelyido ko. Ako yun diba?
"Yes, sir?"
"You're supposed to be in 1-A."
I saw Aira mouthing at me an overactive 'What??' and Thalia's confused face. Hindi ko nakita ang kay Jean at nasa pinaka likod pa s'ya but I'm sure they're all pretty shock. Nakalimutan ko palang sabihin sakanila. Well, it's not my problem anymore. I settled it with myself, I don't want to do anything with the 1-A. Over my dead body.
"Pwede Sir, dito muna 'ko, sit in, like that?"
"Well, you have to. Someone will occupy your seat."
"What??"
"Sorry Henssy... A transferrer will be the one to occupy your seat. Say ba-bye to Henssy, class. The 1-A is waiting for you. "
Wala na akong magawa. Napaungot nalang ako at kinawayan ang tatlo na umaangal rin saka ang mga kaklase naming sabay sabay na umuusal ng 'Noooo!' But don't worry girls, I won't be long gone.
"Henssy, paki kumusta nalang ako kay Chase."
"Manok, good luck."
"Ma-mimiss ka namin, pero mas naiinggit talaga ako eh."
"Bye, crush...!"
I just scoffed at them. What's so good at 1-A? The prodigies? Na bihira lang naman makita at pumasok sa school at kabi-kabila ang mga ganap.
Marahan kong tinahak ang hallway at nilagpasan ang 1-A. Wala akong balak pumasok d'yan. Sagad sa buto ang pagkadisgusto ko kaya kung hindi ko mapipilit si Mama na ilipat ako sa 1-A then I'll do some stuff to force them.
Syempre hindi naman ako masamang tao, I won't set the school on fire, or bully some guys like what I'm currently doing on GTA.
Well, when Mom sets her ideas on something, she'll be sticking in that decision. Unfortunately, I inherited it. So when we clash, we're both a pain in an ass for each other.
Pumunta muna ako sa café ng school, ordered some Okinawa and one slice of pizza, at ang pinaka matinong gawin para mag isip isip. Mag laro.
I tried playing CoD but it lags due to this non-USA problem, internet connection. Bwesit. Kailan ba so-solusyonan ng Pilipinas ang internet connection na 'to? What if yan nalang kaya ang gawin kong negosyo pag laki? Offer some really cool network that is actually deserving of what you pay for?
Inis kong nilisan ang app at kinain nalang ang natirang slice ng pizza.
Hmm, I can't be like this forever. I should think of something to provoke the higher authority to put me where I really belong. And 1-A is not the freaking place. It's unfair that people literally study hard to be in 1-A pero dahil lang sa anak ako ng isang alumni na prodigy ay pwede na akong isalang kahit 88 ang general average ko? Isa pa, we can't switch sections at the middle of the second quarter! Masyado nilang pinapahalata ang unfair system ng paaralan!
"Ginagawa mo dito, manok? Hoy!"
I snorted as I heard the voice. "Stop calling me manok inside here, Ate."
Ngumiti lang s'ya ng nang-aasar.
"And what are you doing here?" I asked, not irritable, just little.
"I passed a minute late article. Eh ikaw?"
The audacity as she even sat at the seat in front, napasimangot tuloy ako. Someone's ruining my alone time.
"Ano, napagalitan ka ni Mama ano?"
"Ikaw ba nag sumbong?"
"Huh, diba may rules tayo, walang sumbungan o lalayas ka ng bahay? Pero kasalanan mo rin naman. Napaka impulsive mo kasi. Ba't mo naman naisip na hindi ka mahuhuli nina Mama? But don't worry, pag eighteen mo naman hahayaan ka na n'yan sa kung anong gusto mong gawin sa mundo."
"18 na ako."
"Ay oo?? Huh? Liit mo eh."
I made a face na ikinatawa n'ya. "Nah, I'm just baby face. Unlike you, you look stress."
Sumimangot ito saakin at humigop sa milktea ko, paulit ulit pang pinatunog ang mga dila na parang ninanamnam ang pera at ang binili ko. This thickened face.
"Stress lang naman ako dahil sa issue noong nag suicide na estudyante. Rami tuloy issue sa Opus."
I stopped wiping the straw and looked at her. Oo nga pala! Ate's the editorial chief on the campus article which called Idlanto's Opus, so clearly, she knows a lot of this crime that I'm curious about.
"So, what's that case about?"
Kaya pala hindi n'ya ko binuwesit sa tatlong araw na hindi ako pumasok at busy s'ya dito.
"Oo pala. Hindi mo alam, yan, super mario pa."
"How many times should I tell you that video games isn't just Super Mario? And it's cool."
She just smiled tauntly and crossed her arms and looked at me. "This case is the first ever suicide case of an Idlanto student. I mean, syempre may mga nag suicide na rin naman na dating nag aral sa Idlanto, pero hindi ganito na habang mag-aaral pa s'ya. You know, what could an 18 years old probably suffer for her to commit suicide? Especially, Idlanto. Halos lahat ng nakakapasok dito talagang loaded ang bulsa ng pera, well off ang family..."
"You wouldn't know. Rich people isn't equal with smart people and with people who live happily." Like the prodigies.
"Yun na nga. Her house was found on fire during her suicide. Naka bitay ang leeg sa dingding at unfortunately, inabot ang katawan n'ya ng sunog. Halos hindi na ma-autopsy."
"What's the cause of the fire?"
"It's a broken LPG tank, a candle holder was seen on the kitchen so it was concluded that because it's blackout in that moment, the candle is the cause for the LPG to blow up."
My forehead knotted, sip some more, and let it play in my head as if I'm playing a third person 2D simulator. "But... If she was suicidal, and was about to decide to die, why would she bother a candle?"
"Amp, kasi kailangan n'yang makakita?"
"Saan ba nakita ang candle holder? "
"Hindi ko rin alam. Hindi naman sa'min sinabi lahat noong in-interview naming pulis."
"Hmm... but the moment she light up the candle wouldn't the house be on fire already before she can hang herself?"
Ate copied my reaction and somehow exaggerated it. Until something seems to light her brain up. "Oo nga pala! Isa pa 'to sa strange case, it seems that the girl intentionally burn the house before hanging herself. Pero hindi na namin ito nilagay sa article kasi hindi rin naman sinabi saamin ng polices, I just eavesdropped on a conversation and happened to heard it kaya wala naman akong concrete evidence."
"Why would she intentionally burn her house before killing herself?"
She sips my drink again and leaned on a little. "Maybe... You're just playing too much mystery video games?"
Napasimangot ako, I can't help as she's seems not bothered by these supposed to be big controversy. Why is the people in Idlanto not curious enough? Lalo na ang mga nasa 1-A in general grade levels? Aren't they supposed to be high intelligent person? Can't they be curious with this case? Aren't they intrigued? Ano, sa papel lang ba sila matalino?
"Isipin mo kasi, Ate."
"There's a lot of possibilities. What if, she lighted up the candle before masira yung LPG tank n'ya? And then casually kills herself then boogsh, fire came across."
"Yeah that can be..."
"Kung meron mang frame up na naganap, I'm sure the police will notice it. Kalma ka lang d'yan."
I just can't help but to overthink, that's my forte you know. "Too much trust on the authorities are dangerous."
"Isa ba yan sa line ng babae na sumisigaw ng 'Your enemy has been slain' sa ML?"
Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko at umiling. "I don't play the mainstream."
"Lowkey yarn?"
"Pero Ate," I said still not leaving the conversation about the incident. "Wala namang blackout sa Royal Nabe. As far as I can remember. How come brownout sa bahay n'ya?"
"Ahh, oo nga pala. She doesn't live in the Royal Nabe."
"Huh, eh di sa'n?"
"District 2. She also came from a not financially well family."
"Eh?" Tumango naman ito sa paniniguro ko. "Pa'no s'ya dito nakapasok?"
"Scholarship. Duh."
"So she's a... let's say. Commoner?"
Marahan itong tumango tango pero kalaunan ay sumimangot. "Sosyal mo naman sa commoner."
Is that why people is not interested enough? I can't see the amount of curiosity that I was expecting...
"Oh, una na 'ko, qouta na rest time. At ikaw naman, bumalik ka na rin sa klase."
"No, thanks."
Nagsimula na s'yang tumayo at naglakad paalis sa canteen, leaving me alone while wondering why hindi ito pinag-uusapan, kahit pa sabihing tatlong araw na ang nakalipas, hindi parin iyon sapat para maka move on ang mga estudyante dito sa campus. It's a freaking suicide case, from their schoolmate, something that doesn't happen every day. Masyadong cool ang mga estudyante about this issue.
Something just ticked my curiousity with this case. Hmm, Lorena... Alianza.
Huminga muna ako ng ilang beses, kanina pa ko paulit ulit na nag lalakad sa tapat ng pinto ng Principal office. Okay, I'm maybe a bad student but not that bad na iba-black mail ko ang Principal namin dahil lang sa isang simple na isyu.
Pero hindi.
This will be a mission accomplish!
Sinalakay ko ang loob and found Mrs. Leonor Ocampo, sitting on her table while her eyes are close and arms crossed, her side view facing me. The whole office is cream, gold and black, na parang inihango sa mga awards at medalya n'yang nakasabit sa dingding.
Mukang narinig n'ya ang pag langitngit ng pinto, kung kaya't napalingon ito saakin.
Her thick black eyebrows creased as she look at me. "Ms. Albiarro... What brings you here?"
"Take a seat." Iminuwestra n'ya saakin ang dalawang silya sa tapat ng desk n'ya, umalis na s'ya sa pag kakaupo sa table at bumalik ang pormal na tindig, at pumuwesto ss harap ko matapos kong umupo. I cleared my throat and tried to smile.
"Are you in trouble again?"
"No po."
"Ohh, nice to see you here in my office without bringing any trouble."
I'm just about to.
"Ma'am, papaikliin ko lang po 'to. Please remove me to 1-A class."
Her red almost black lips, pasted a smile, ni hindi nagulat sa weird kong request. She's the kind of principal who knows her student well. Afterall, she was a teacher for 15 years first before reaching this spot.
She clicked her tounge and look at the ceiling for a second, her eyes then lay back at me. As if scanning what's on my mind.
"What's wrong with the section Ms. Albiarro? Present me some valid reason."
Napalunok ako ng laway at kinalma ang kamay ko na nanlalamig. "First po, second quarter na. Naka adjust na po ako sa section ko, second, masyado pong unfair kasi we all know na may qualification sa 1-A bago makapasok, and it requires a 90 general average pataas. 88 lang po ang grades ko."
"Well, napataas mo na ang grades mo sa first quarter, calculated na mismo ng school ang grades mo, isa pa, hindi maganda sa reputasyon ni Ma'am Rosia na nasa 1-B ang anak n'yang bunso."
If I just didn't helped it, I would have already rolled my eyes.
"Ma'am, naka fix na po ang mga quizzes and records ko sa 1-B, ayoko na pong malipat, hassle po ma'am."
Her eyes pierced again as if telling me 'That's not valid enough', so I stared back. Nag sukatan kami ng tingin like also saying, 'Weh?' And with that, I didn't won.
What's with that eyes, parang may imaginary string at hindi pumipikit.
"Enjoy at 1-A, Albiarro. Mababait naman ang mga bata doon."
Yeah right. Alpha and 1-A, fooled everyone.
Wala akong magawa kundi ang bumusangot, kumunot ang noo. Tambak pa naman ang assignments namin at may inaasikaso pa kaming research. Tapos out of nowhere, bigla nalang malilipat sa isang bagong surroundings? With new schedules, new setbacks, and new backlogs??
Fuck. What is this life. Kailangan ko pa talagang ma hassle para sa mga 'image' n'yo??
Okay, busted ako for today's mission na hindi ko din naman pinag handaan.
What if i-publicize ko nalang kaya 'to? Syempre marami ding magrereklamong mga citizens diba? Ikaw ba naman, gagamit ng cheat code sa loob mismo ng isang tinaguriang prestihiyosong paaralan? Joke ba ang mundo?
Kahit nga Pokemon, never in the world kong pag che-cheat-an, tapos ito-
Napahinto ako ng binuksan ko ang pinto, paalis na sana ako ng Principal Office but a girl is standing at the doorway. Her famous bob cut and green eyes. Ah, Julia Olaciman. Anak ng actress. Hindi naman na bago saakin makakita ng maganda o ng sikat. But what makes me stop, is the tears in her eyes and her shivering hands. Nakahawak ang isang kamay n'ya sa kanyang labi, walang suot na make-up, which is unusual given the fact that, well, she's really obsessed with making her appearance look better, and she better hides that big dark skin on her undereye cause it looks, well, creepy.
Ba't ganyan itsura n'yan? Ganyan s'ya katakot kay Mrs. Ocampo?
Tumabi muna ako ng kaunti upang makapasok s'ya, marahan naman s'yang naglakad papasok and it was now my cue to get out. That's none of my business now.
Well, for today, gusto ko muna mag absent. My life bar's exhausted. I need time to process this. So with a sigh, I got home.
Napahiga ako sa kama, tumatama ang mabibigat kong likod sa malambot na matres while my head falls on the stiff hard pillow. Sabay ay binuksan ko ang touch lamp na nakapatong sa desk ko na katabi lang naman ng kama. I still have my uniform and my bag at the side. Makalat pa ang buong kwarto since it's been three days of lockdown here. Ngayon nalang nga pumasok, ililipat pa. Sa tingin ba talaga ni Mama magtitino ako pag nasa 1-A na 'ko?
Ha, let's see.
Sa surroundings palang ayoko na agad.
Mayayabang. Mayayaman. Magaganda. Mga gwapo... Talentado. Matatalino. Nakakainis lang diba?
Sinipa sipa ko ang binti ko sa hangin, kunyari s'ya kaaway ko. Para hindi lumalaban. Kung alam ko lang na ganito pala ang magiging kalalabasan ng ginawa ko sa wall ng mga Federer hindi ko nalang sana ginawa! Okay, now I'm regretting!
Well. Bakit ko nga ba ginawa yun?
Napaupo ako sa kama, touched the lamp for two times to lighten it more and opened the drawer just beside my bed too.
From the deepest part of the cubic, saka ko nakapa ang hinahanap ko. A notebook, the cover was plain orange-purple with a black handwritten calligraphy titled...
The Prodigies of Idlanto
With the pictures of the seven prodigy as the first page. And yes, this notebook belongs to me.
The reason why I hate them the most is because I'm the one who admired them the most. The one who expected the most. Hindi ko naman alam, that the perks of being close to their league will lead me to know their secrets one by one. That they're a fraud. And they abused their privilege. So much, that people should shut up when they intend to report them.
My eyes stared at them from afar before, I still remember the sting in my eyes as I saw their shadows up in the hills where the Federer's mansion lays. Sa taas ng mga damo, hindi mo sila makikita. But up here, in the trees of mango, I can clearly see how disgusting they are.
One girl laughed. Followed by another. Four were quiet, sitting at the dust between the soil and the grass. Two guys beat up the guy that was supposedly report them, the one who'm I sent to verify it. And my eyes betrayed me.
Naririnig ko ang bawat sipa, suntok, tadyak at iyak ng lalaking gumagapang na at umalmang lalayo na.
I sighed. I can still remember that scene.
The first page stuck in my fingers, I can still see the marks of my excitement as I name them with my pink point pen besides their photos and their basic facts. Then the next page. The guy... Through all the fish in the seas, his pale skin, lazy eyes, wild and crazy long curly hair captured me since we were a kid.
But sadly, kahit gaano ko kuskusin ang mata ko noong mga panahon na iyon. I can still clearly see the one who have the upper hand. Among those two boys who's manically laughing while spitting at the guy, he was one of them.
Troy Federer.
Simula noon, nagulo na lahat. I hated myself, but now, I hate them more. And that's why... Hindi ko na alam kung anong gagawin para makapalipat pa sa 1-B. Whenever I see Troy, para akong nasu-suffocate at naiirita n'ya buong pagkatao ko at the same time ina-admire ko parin s'ya? I think I have some bugs somewhere, I'm completely malfuntioning.
The unusual alarmed clock rang. Ah, hindi pala alarm clock. Pupungas pungas ang mata ko at malabo pa leading me to bat it multiple times before I realized that it wasn't my alarm clock making the sound but my phone.
Ate Lubog calling...
Naningkit pa ang mata ko sa oras. Wtf? It's just 5 in the morning at nasa iisang bahay lang kami, ba't to tumatawag?
"What??" I said as I answered the phone.
"Hay salamat nagising din!"
"Bakit??" Iritado ko paring tugon. Buti nalang hindi ako nag puyat sa pag le-level-up sa Final Fantasy at mapapalayas ko talaga 'to sa bahay.
"May papakuha ako sa'yo. Naiwan ko yung registration form sa table study ko, dalhin mo dito. ASAP!"
"Can't you see what time is it??"
"Ang rami mong reklamo. Dali na at aalis na yung mga banda, tapos na rin make-up-an yung mga majorrettes at kapag hindi ko yan napasa hindi ako makakasama! Bilisan mo!"
"Wow, for someone who woke up a student at 5:30 in the morning and disturb their peaceful sleep, you're pretty demanding and always annoying." I said as I yawned at papunta na ng kwarto n'ya para kunin ito.
Mabilis akong nag ayos at nag palit na din sa school uniform ko kahit 6 palang naman ng maaga. Doon na ako mag be-break fast at ang hassle naman kung babalik pa ko ng bahay. Isa pa, nag tatampo ako kay Mom.
I silently left the house with my bag, rolling skates and uniform.
The dark and blue scenery suddenly gets me as the wind touches the unusual spot at the back and at the side of my neck. Always tingling with its cool sense. Haist, this is Idlanto pala in the morning and slightly dark.
Just after a few minutes, I've arrived at the campus and saw packed of students on their band costumet on the way to our school bus habang dala dala ng iba ang mga instrumento at nasa taas naman ang ilan. Naabutan kong pasakay na ang mga estudyante at ang kinakabahang muka at luminga lingang ulo ng ate ko. Her face lighted when she saw me and waved her hands.
"Thank you! May tatlong zip mawt ka sa'kin." She said with a smile and what she means by that is I have a free ticket of doing ridiculous things that she'll keep from our parents and even cover it up when necesarry.
Buti naman at meron at kaya lang naman ako pumunta para doon.
She waved at me as the bus moved at ako naman ay pumasok na ng gate na nag mistulang horror school sa biglang pagkawala ng mga tao at tanging guard house lang ang nag iingay.
My head seems so light as I walked towards the ground and felt its wet edges touches my black leather shoes. May kaunti na ding mga estudyante ang nag sisipasok sa gate, probably a student council cause why tf would a normal student come this early?
Unti unti naring sumisikat ang araw. It made me pause for a moment at the side of our pavillion to take a time lapse with my phone capturing the sunrise. The sky was just so... amazing-
Thud
I knotted my forehead at the sound, it was at my back little to the side...
Nilingon ko ng mabilis but it made my wholeness stunned as I registered what I just witness...
Blood splatter from her head completely shrunk from the standing statue of Mr. Nuevo. The apparel of the word "Idlanto University" became covered of a red liquid from a body I never expected that I would see in this state.
Her eyes didn't respond from any sign of life.
It was the only thing registered in my mind... of what's happening.
May nahulog sa building. It's right infront of me.
It was Julia Olaciman.