Lahat ay nagsilabasan na, maliban sa ilang hindi ko pinaalis, kasama sina Professor Jed at Mr. Arellano. I seated on the swivel chair in front of them to start the second meeting.
"Ano pong pag-uusapan, Mr. Meneses?" tanong ng isang propesor na bumasag sa nabuong katahimikan.
"It's about Mr. Paolo Alarcon's incident. We'll talk about how he ended up deciding to take his own life. Gusto kong kumpirmahin mismo kung may kinalaman kayo rito. You only need to spill it, explain it to me..." seryosong pagpapaliwanag ko but after some minutes, no one answered. I took the folder and waved it at them.
"This folder contained the details about his cheating issue. Hindi pa napatutunayan 'yun, and this issue only came on me the day before the incident. Ang nangyareng 'to ay maaaring isang dahilan. He will lose his scholarship kung hindi mapapatunayan na hindi niya talaga iyun ginawa." I said and flip another page.
"This prior incident led him to fail his exam, lalo sa major units. Can't you see? For someone who maintained his high rank from the first year up until now, do you think he will do such a thing? Hindi naman yata yun makatotohanan..." then I look at them one by one.
"In this file stated that the department issued an expulsion without further investigation and without my consultations. Mr. Rodrigo, can you explain this?" I scratched my temple and waited for his explanations, which I didn't actually need.
"N-nakatago ng mabuti ang answer keys and test questionnaires kaya't paanong mapupunta sa kaniya yun? It's unless he took it. Isa pa, he's a former student assistant before in the department so I concluded that---"
"...just because of that basis? I didn't know that aside from being a professor, you have a background as a detective too? Hindi ba't may surveillance camera sa office of department? I heard no one ask the monitoring personnels about it. Hindi ba't isang pagpapabaya 'to sa trabaho?" Mababakasan ang galit sa tono ng pananalita ko, hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili kahit subukan ko pa mang kumalma.
"...and one thing Mr. Rodrigo, you mark as failed some students just because they submitted their research paper the day after the deadline even with a valid reason given to you days before the deadline. Even tore it apart in front of Mr. Alarcon, one of those students that you failed." My teeth gritted after I read it. Hindi na siya nakakibo pa, maging ang ilan na nagsiyuko na lamang, knowing that they're aware of what happened.
"I won't do this just because of Mr. Alarcon's case. As I've said, hindi ko kailangan ng mga kagaya niyo sa paaralan ko. I've decided for the sake of the school's reputation in the future and for the students as well. Now, I will order to fire Mr. Rodrigo, additionally, you will be banned from applying to other universities. For the other accounting department faculty, you will work without earning a salary for a month as a punishment. Meeting adjourned..." I ordered and stood up.
"Hindi pwede! Mr. Meneses!" He exclaimed. The other professors showed frustrations and disappointments. They should've known better.
"Mr. Meneses! I need this job! I dedicated my years for this profession! Please pakibawi ang desisyon mo... don't take it from me..." pagmamakaawa niya nang makahabol siya sa akin.
I felt a tap on my shoulder and it was Mr. Arellano with Professor Jed behind him.
"Hindi ba't masyadong mabigat naman iyun iho?" Kalmadong tanong niya. I rest my hands inside my pants pocket and look aside.
"Mukhang nakalimutan mo rin ang alituntunin ko, Mr. Arellano... They already knew it but they didn't take it seriously." I coldly reply then faced Mr. Rodrigo na halos pagbagsakan ng langit at lupa. I walk closer to him and whispered something on his ear.
"Balita ko, nasa ospital daw ang nanay mo. I wonder where will you get the money needed for her operation. Goodluck..." I whispered and tap his shoulder after, then I turned my back away from them. Lumabas na ako ng assembly hall at sumalubong sa akin ang tatlong lalaking estudyante na andito pa rin.
"Matatagalan pa ba si Sir Jed sa loob?" tanong ng isa sa kanila.
"Maya-maya lalabas na siya. Bakit kayo rito naghihintay? Dapat sa opisina niya kayo pumunta..." I said and walk pass from them.
Hindi pa man ako nakakalayo ay narinig ko ang pagtawag sa akin ni Professor Jed na kalalabas pa lang. Agad akong napatigil pero hindi siya hinarap pa.
"Trabaho o personal? Masyadong malupit ang pinataw mong parusa..." Aniya. Hindi na ako kumibo para sagutin ang bagay na 'yun at narinig ko na lamang siyang bumuntong hininga.
"Balita ko, nagfile ka ng kaso. Hindi ba't sabi ko na ako na ang bahala doon?" Nawawalan ng pasensiyang saad niya.
"Anong gusto mong gawin ko? Tumunganga habang iba ang gumagawa ng magiging karma nila? I'd rather be the one who'll get the retribution they deserved..."
"Ano bang pinaplano mo?"
Kaagad ko siyang hinarap at tinuro ang tatlong lalaki na tahimik na nakikinig sa likuran. "Kausapin mo na sila. Mukhang importante ang pakay nila sa'yo..."
"Eve, kailangan natin mag-usap..." pigil niya sa'kin pero nagpatuloy na ako sa paglalakad. "Some other time."
Pagkatapos kong sabihin iyun ay umalis na ako. Wala akong balak pumasok sa klase ko at wala rin akong balak gawin, sa ngayon.
I was walking in the school corridor when my phone rang. I checked it and answered immediately nang makilala ang tumatawag. He reported about the work I assigned him to do and it is a good news. Everything is in good place.
"Siguraduhin niyo hong hindi siya kaagad makakalabas. I want her to be punished well." I said before hanging up the call. Money can make the world go running. It's better to make a good use to it. Ngayon ay mapapakinabangan ko ang halaga nito para gawin ang mga nararapat kong gawin.
After I keep the phone in my pocket, I saw Darlene staring at me from a distance. I can see the disappointment in her by the way she looked at me.
Days had passed at dumating na ang araw. Yesterday, his relatives transferred his remains in his hometown in the province. They would like to bury his body beside his father's grave na inilibing halos mag-iisang buwan na ang nakalilipas. Katabi rin nito ang libingan ng mama niya who past years ago.
Ang napili nilang lugar ay maganda. The cemetery is spacious and there's a good scenery. Napakapayapa ng lugar, a good place to have an eternal slumber.
Beside the family graveyard, there's a big acacia tree, shading the place with its vivid-coloured leaves from its gigantic branches.
Maganda ang panahon. The sun is ready to set at the horizon. The birds were chirping, following the melody of the whistling cold wind. However, even with the amazing view and atmosphere given by nature, the people who were around were filled with gloom, showing the dullness on their faces.
How are you feeling now? Are you with your parents? Are you happy there? Did you already have the peace? Good for you Paolo, but the people you left behind are in pain by your sudden passing. Iyun ang mga salitang nasa isip ko habang nakatitig lamang sa kalayuan.
I heave a deep sigh and unbutton the first button of my black polo. Mas pinili kong panoorin sila ng tahimik sa malayo habang inihahatid sa huli nitong hantungan si Paolo.
"Aren't you going? You won't set him off yourself?" Tanong ni Professor Jed na nasa tabi ko. Hindi ako sumagot kaya't tinapik niya na lamang ang likod ng batok ko bago umalis at pumunta sa libing.
I saw Darlene crying on a corner. Beside her, she's being comforted by that guy, Theo Rodriguez. I look away and erased what I saw. Wala akong oras para intindihin ang mga walang makabuluhang bagay.
After he was buried, one by one, the people left the graveyard. Nang mangilan-ngilan na lamang ang nandoon ay doon ko na plinanong lumapit. Kaagad akong sinalubong ni Darlene nang makita niya ako. Behind her, the guy followed.
"Where have you been?" Tanong niya ng may bahid ng pagkainis. Her eyes are a bit puff because of the tears she's been shedding.
I didn't reply and walk pass her pero pinigilan niya ako sa pamamagitan ng paghawak sa braso ko.
"I'm askin---" naputol ang sasabihin niya ng bawiin ko sa pagkakahawak niya ang braso ko.
"It's none of your business..." maikling tugon ko. I glared at her companion before leaving them dumb-founded.
I arrived and look at his tombstone. Hindi rumerehistro sa utak ko ang mga nangyayari sa mga sandaling ito. My mind is occupied of things, and thinking about it now is too overwhelming for me. I need to set aside some thoughts at unahing isipin ang mga pinaplano kong gawin.
"I'm taking something from them, just like how they took it away from you... It won't take any longer." I uttered at ipinatong sa puntod niya ang bigay ko sa kanyang bracelet.
"I know you're sleep-deprived, so have a good sleep Pao..." I said and a cold gentle wind passed through, seeming like a reply coming from him.
End of Chapter 26:
Shade of Cruelty 1