Nagising akong nakapatong ang mga hita ni Charlotte sakin kaya pala nahihirapan akong gumalaw kasi ang bigat niya. Dahan-dahan akong gumalaw to ease her hand on her side. Umupo ako at nag-unat pagkakuway tiningnan sila na natutulog. It's just 5am in the morning at medyo madilim pa kaya napagdesisyonan kong lumabas muna.
Malamig na simoy ng hangin ang sumalubong sakin pagkabukas ko ng pintuan. I inhaled the air at ngumiti. Gusto kong maglakad-lakad muna. I descended the stairs instead of using the elevator, aiming to start the day with some early morning energy. Reaching the third floor, as I walked down the steps, I glimpsed a familiar figure moving swiftly, almost like a breeze. Nagulat ako at the same time ay nacurious.
Hindi ako nagkakamali. Si Ma'am Rhea talaga ʼyon.
Mabilis pero maingat ko siyang sinundan. She's walking so fast kaya patago-tago akong sumusunod sa kanya. Tumigil siya sa isang nakasaradong pintuan pero tumingin-tingin muna siya sa paligid. Agad akong nagtago nang mapadpad ang tingin niya sa pinagtataguan ko at buti nalang mabilis akong nakatago. She covertly unlocked the door, and from a distance, I observed her every action. Her movements appeared dubious, as if she was concealing something. I couldn't help but wonder whose room she was entering.
Mabilis at maingat siyang pumasok. Maagap ko rin siyang pinapanood. It's Ma'am Rhea. Hindi ako nagkakamali, siya talaga. Anong gagawin niya sa kwartong hindi sa kanya?
After waiting for a few minutes for her to emerge, she finally reappeared. She closed the door with caution and immediately left, her eyes scanning every corner. My curiosity intensified - kaninong kwarto and pinasok niya?
As I lingered, hoping to catch a glimpse of the room's occupant, no one came out. Could it be that there was no one inside? What had she done in there?
My attention was abruptly diverted as Sir Montejo stepped out of the elevator. Quickly, I concealed myself to avoid being seen.
"I'm following your instructions, Dad. No need to worry. Everything is secure and under control," Sir Montejo's voice reverberated down the hallway, his words reaching my ears distinctly.
Secure? What could he possibly be referring to?
Tumingin-tingin muna ito bago pumasok sa loob at kausap pa rin kung sino man ang kausap niya sa cellphone.
Hindi ako nakagalaw sa pinagtataguan ko. What is the meaning of this?
Ma'am Rhea's actions that caught me in puzzled. Sir Montejo's word while he's in line.
Lumabas ako sa pinagtataguan ko at nagulat nalang ako nang may boses na nagsalita sa likod ko.
"Frey? What are you doing here?" Ma'am Vivien's voice startled me.
"M-ma'am..." Kinakabahan kong sagot.
"Did I startled you? I'm sorry." She gently held my hand at pinisil.
"Medyo lang po...napadaan lang ako dito ma'am." I answered, not sure what to respond.
Tumingin siya sa likod ko, "Are you going to meet Professor Gab?" she asked.
"H-hindi po ma'am, naglakad lakad lang talaga ako." Pagrarason ko. Tsaka sinong engot ang lalabas nang ganitong oras para kausapin ang kumag na yon.
Ma'am Vivien nodded with a smile at bigla namang lumabas si Sir Montejo galing sa room niya. Nakangiti itong lumapit samin.
"Crixel and Miss Mercedez? Why are you present here at this early hour?" Sir Montejo inquired.
"I was actually heading down to prepare breakfast for the students, and I coincidentally met Frey here," she explained.
"Is that so?" Sir Montejo directed the question towards me.
"Yes sir." Tipid kong sagot sabay tumango.
Napansin ko ang pagtingin ni Sir Montejo kay Ma'am Vivien, their eyes seemingly engaged in a silent conversation that raised my suspicions. He then offered me a forced smile.
"Since the two of you are here, why not join me?" he suggested, his smile appearing insincere.
Ma'am Vivien reached out and gently took hold of my hand, guiding me forward. "Let's go."
Nagpakuyog ako kay Ma'am Vivien pababa sa dining hall. Pagkababa namin nakita ko naman si Ma'am Rhea na nagulat rin. Hindi ko alam kung saan siya nagulat kung bakit kasama ko si Sir Montejo or kung bakit hawak-hawak ni Ma'am Vivien ang kamay ko.
Pumunta naman si Sir Montejo sa kanya. Parang may sinabi ang lalaki at tumango lang siya pero hindi niya inaalis ang titig niya sa kamay ni Ma'am Vivien na nakahawak sakin.
Tama ako.
Her eyebrows drew close together, and her intense gaze bore into me and Ma'am Vivien, leaving no room for ambiguity. I hesitantly smiled at her pero inalis niya agad ang titig niya sakin rason na sumikip ang dibdib ko.
She's gonna ignore me now because that guy is here.
Tumulong ako sa pag-prepare ng breakfast. We meticulously prepared a British breakfast for both GSU and SU students. Ma'am Vivien continued to assist and support me, while Ma'am Rhea's piercing gaze seemed to cast a shadow of unease over me. Her watchful eyes scrutinized every action I took with Ma'am Vivien, and her frequent eye rolls whenever I glanced her way only added to the discomfort I felt.
Alam kong galit pa siya sakin. Mamaya ko na siya kakausapin pag kami nalang dalawa ulit. Kulang lang ng lambing ʼyan.
A short while later, several students descended to the dining area to enjoy breakfast, and among them were my friends Raya, Charlotte, and Savannah. Savannah temporarily left our group to join Cat, while I took a seat at the table with Charlotte and Raya after assisting with the preparations. Wala akong dalang breakfast kasi nawalan ako ng gana.
Sino bang hindi mawawalan ng gana pag nakita mo silang dalawa na magkasamang kumain. Ngumingiti pa ang lalaki habang nakatingin sa kanya. I just rolled my eyes at them at pasimpleng pinagmamasdan sila.
"Hoy!" biglang tapik sakin ni Charlotte.
"Ano?"
"Baka matunaw sila," natatawang sabi nito.
"Kung may matunaw man sana si Sir Montejo nalang," pabiro kong sagot sa kanya. Sabay naman silang natawa pero pansin ko kay Raya na wala yata sa mood kasi pilit lang ang tawa niya. But I can empathize with her, it's only natural to feel sad when your girlfriend got pregnant by someone else. Hindi nalang namin siya ginulo ni Charlotte para may peace of mind na din siya.
"Your breakfast," bago pa man ako tumingin sa kung saan galing ang boses na yon ay alam ko ng si Ma'am Vivien. Inilapag niya ang isang tray na may nakalagay na pagkain.
"Ma'am, sana hindi na po kayo nag-abala." I said, ngumiti ako sa kanya.
"No, it's okay. Eat your breakfast and don't ever think about skipping your meal." She seriously said. Umupo siya at tumabi sakin at nakita ko ang pag-ngiti ni Charlotte.
"Why? Don't you want to eat this? May gusto ka bang kainin?" Ma'am Vivien inquired.
"Wala naman p-
"Ayon daw ma'am oh!" sabay turo ni Charlotte kung nasaan si Ma'am Rhea na agad ko namang tinampal ang kamay niya. Tumatawa itong binaba nang mabilis ang kamay.
"Huh, where?" napatingin naman agad si Ma'am Vivien pero hindi niya alam kung sino ang pinapahiwatig ni Charlotte.
"Wala yon ma'am, nagbibiro lang si Samonte." Pekeng tawa ko dito.
Charlotte secretly burst in laughter. Tumingin lang samin si Raya at ngumiti nang pilit.
"Miss Smith? Are you okay?" Ma'am Vivien asked. Siguro napansin niyang wala talaga sa mood si Raya.
Tumango lang si Raya at ngumiti. Ang snobber naman ng babaetang to.
"By 10am this morning, we'll begin packing up as our field trip comes to an end. We'll be heading back to SU, marking the conclusion of our three-day trip," Ma'am Vivien said.
"Ugh, I wish we could stay here longer!" Charlotte exclaimed with a hint of frustration.
"Professor Alvarez will provide the final details later."
Once again, I glanced over to her, our eyes locking. Her gaze was icy, penetrating. Her intense stare felt like it was cutting through me. But I responded with a lifted eyebrow, causing her to roll her eyes and break the connection. Tumayo ang lalaki pagkatapos may binulong sa kanya and I saw how she nodded pagkakuway umalis na si Sir Montejo.
Umalis si Charlotte para puntahan si Samantha. Hindi talaga nakokompleto ang araw niya pag hindi nakita si Sam. Naiwan naman si Raya kasama ako at si Ma'am Vivien. Bigla akong tinawag ng kalikasan dahilan para iwan ko silang dalawa sa table. Lakad takbo ang ginagawa ko papunta ng CR.
I entered the restroom near the parking area and occupied a cubicle. After finishing, I washed my hands and prepared to leave when I overheard Sir Montejo's voice near his car. He was engaged in conversation, possibly with his father.
"I've told you countless times, Dad. I'm doing everything within my power," Sir Montejo whispered, glancing around cautiously.
"Yes, Dad. I understand. She doesn't suspect anything. I've ensured your safety just as you want me to do," he reassured.
Sigurado akong "Dad" ang narinig ko. It was his father he was speaking to.
I quickly positioned myself to avoid being seen. Confusion lingered as I strained to listen. He eventually entered his car and drove away, leaving me deep in thought.
Hindi ko maintindihan ang nangyayari. Sir Montejo is kinda suspicious. Ma'am Rhea's action and Ma'am Vivienʼs suspicious gaze at him. Throwing away my concern, naglakad ako papasok nang may kamay na humablot sakin at hinawakan ako sabay may itinutok sakin.
I'm sure this is not a man, a boy, and a guy. Dahan-dahan kong tiningnan kong ano ang itinutok sakin kasi nakatalikod lang ako preventing me to see who's this person.
"Stop. Don't move." The voice instructed.
Kilalang-kilala ko ang boses na yon. Isang pistol ang nakatutok sa ulo ko at dahan-dahan niyang ginalaw ang baril pababa sa leeg ko.
"Ma'am..." I nervously said.
"What are you up to?" she asked still pointing her gun at me. I can't see her face since I'm not facing her.
"W-wala po akong ginagawa. Gumamit lang ako ng CR." I answered, stammering.
Dahan-dahan niyang itinutok ulit ang baril sa ulo ko at napapikit nalang ako dahil sa takot.
"Womanizer.." she whispered in my ear.
Pilit kong ginalaw ang kamay ko, "Ma'am, may pangarap pa ako sa buhay, gusto pa kitang pakasalan." Nakapikit kong sabi.
Pagkarinig niya ay binitawan niya ang kamay ko at dahan-dahan akong humarap dito. It's her, no other than her.
Ma'am Rhea and she's holding a....gun.
"B-bakit may hawak kang baril, ma'am?" tanong ko dito.
Babarilin mo ba ako, Rhea?
"For my safety," she answered. Mabilis niya namang nilagay ang baril sa hips niya na may nakatagong lalagyan.
"Safety? Mukha ba akong kriminal?" I abruptly asked.
"Shut up!" she yelled, frustration evident in her voice as she massage her temple.
"Kung may balak ka na patayin ako sorry pero useless yan kasi matagal na akong patay na patay sayo."
Her eyes widened. Hindi yata nagustuhan ang sinabi ko.
"Stop telling jokes, Mercedez. As if you didn't let her yesterday!"
"Am I joking?"
"You are!"
"Why?"
"Because you told me that you like me all this time yet you're still lingering with her!" She yelled again. Her intense gaze bore on mine and it pierced through me.
"And what does it has to do with this?" I asked.
"You mean this?" kinuha niya ang baril at tinutok ulit sakin.
"Fvck, huwag mong itutok sakin yan!" sigaw ko. Nakataas ang kamay ko habang nakaharap sa kanya.
"If you're going to utter those words, back them up with your actions!" she shouted.
"I haven't done anything more than that," I retorted, raising my hands in a gesture of innocence.
"Actions speak louder than words, Mercedez! Like when she applied lotion to your back yesterday, like when she held your hand earlier," her voice turned cold.
"That's not a problem!" I countered.
"But for me, it is!"
"Nagseselos ka ba? Are you jealous of Ma'am Vivien?" I abruptly asked.
"I am!" she groaned. "Is it not obvious?"
My heart raced uncontrollably as her words sank in. Which is why she's behaving this way... yet she's using her words to admonish me.
"Is that for real?" I inquired, feeling my cheeks flush.
"Shut up! Just forget what I mentioned," she replied, clearly reconsidering her statement.
"Ibaba mo ang baril baka may makakita sayo!" sigaw ko sa kanya. Pero hindi niya pa rin ako pinapakinggan.
"Ma'am!"
"What!?"
"I'm sorry, okay? I'm not gonna cling on her anymore, please..." I begged.
"Promise me that!" nakatutok pa rin ang baril niya sakin.
Bakit ba may baril ang isang to? May balak ba talaga siyang barilin ako?
I let out a sigh of resignation and allowed her to grasp my arms.
"I promise! I promise!" Takot kong sabi sa kanya nang hawakan niya ang kamay ko.
"Good," she calmly said. Madiin niyang hinawakan ang braso ko at kinuyog papasok sa elevator. Timing naman na walang tao so kami lang ang nasa loob. Nanginginig pa rin akong nagpahatak sa kanya. Nasa loob na kami at kita kong wala na ang hinawakan niyang baril and with that yumakap siya sakin nang mahigpit.
"I'm sorry. I was just checking on something but I didn't expect to see you there. Seeing you with her added fuel to my frustration." She said, embracing me.
"Hindi mo ako babarilin?" I asked.
"No."
"Then why do you have such a gun?"
"Don't ask."
"Gusto mo ba ako ma'am?"
"Do I have to repeat myself?"
"Wala ka namang sinabi," I said playfully.
"Not this time." She answered, her arms wrapping my body.
"Kailan?"
"If you will convince me to paint with you." She said.
"It's like you're asking me to court you." I answered. Nakayakap pa rin siya sakin na wala yatang balak na umalis.
Wala akong sagot na narinig mula sa kanya. Parang pinagsisihan niya pang tinutukan niya ako ng baril. Bakit niya naman ako tinutukan ng baril? At bakit siya may baril?
Rhea, gulo mo isip ko.
Nakarating kami sa fifth floor. Walang sino mang student ang makikita kaya pagkatapos niyang e-check ang hallway agad niya naman akong hinatak papunta sa room niya.
She ushered me quickly inside and locked the door, holding onto my arms with a firm grip.
"Ma'am, ano bang nangyayari?" I asked, puzzled by the sudden urgency. She faced me, her arms crossed in a defensive posture.
"In the future, don't eavesdrop on people's phone conversations. It's immature behavior," she scolded, raising an eyebrow at me.
"I didn't mean to," I sighed, feeling defeated.
"Regardless, it's not safe for you-no, it's not appropriate," she groaned, her expression changing abruptly.
"Are you alright?" her concern was evident as her demeanor softened.
"Yes, I'm fine. What's really happening?" I questioned, seeking clarity.
"What do-
I cut her off, "The three of you have been acting suspicious," I admitted.
Her eyes widened with surprise, fixed on me. "Three?"
"Yes. You, Gab, and-
Before I could finish my sentence, the doorbell rang, interrupting our conversation. Ma'am Rhea rolled her eyes in frustration, clearly wanting to know the identity of the third person, but our exchange was cut short by an unexpected interruption.
Heavy footsteps led her to the door, which she opened to find Ma'am Vivien standing outside with a smile.
"There you are, Frey." Ngiting sabi ni Ma'am Vivien nang napadpad ang tingin niya sakin, "Began packing things the bus are ready to go." She said.
I noticed Ma'am Rhea's eyebrows furrow once again, positioning herself between us. "She'll come with me, Vien," she stated.
"I came here to look for her. Frey will accompany me to the bus," Ma'am Vivien countered.
"You barged in while we were having a conversation. Are you not even familiar with basic manners, Vien?" Ma'am Rhea's tone grew intense once more.
"Rhea, she'll go with me." Ma'am Vivien conceded, her gaze briefly shifting towards me.
"Lalabas po ako," putol ko sa dalawa. Mabilis silang tumingin sakin at napayuko naman ako nang tamaan ako ng mga tingin niya.
I exited the room, feeling her intense gaze on me. My intention was to prevent any suspicion between Ma'am Vivien and Ma'am Rhea, to make sure she don't think we're up to anything questionable. I hope she understands my motive.
"Why did you go to her room, Frey?" Ma'am Vivien questioned as we walked towards my room, where she would see me off.
"Tinanong ko lang siya ma'am kung anong oras tayo aalis," I fabricated, not telling the whole truth.
"Didn't I already inform you?" she inquired. Tumigil kami sa harap ng door ng room.
"Yes, ma'am, but I forgot," I replied.
"Alright, be ready, and I'll wait for you outside," she said with a smile.
With a swift motion, mabilis akong pumasok only to find lots of baggage - probably kina Charlotte ito. After packing things up, pumasok naman si Charlotte na may dalang kalalakihan para kunin ang mga bags.
"Tara na, Frey." Sabi nito habang hinihintay ako sa labas ng pintuan.
"I will miss this place," I sighed.
"Ako rin. Dami nating memories dito. I hope in the future makakabalik tayo dito sa Grand Cosmo." She said, smiling.
Yes we have memories here, hindi masyadong marami but our shared laugher and moments deserves to treasure forever. Yet, my present circumstances and the ongoing events continued to bewilder me. The sudden changes in their behavior, the presence of a firearm, the nonverbal exchanges that hinted at concealed secrets, and the suspicion I harbored towards Sir Montejo - all of these elements contributed to my state of perplexity.
However, the questions lingered. Why did he make that statement? Who was the subject of his words?
Amidst the swirling chaos of my thoughts, I goes down to the ground with my bags in tow. Navigating through the parking lot, I joined a group of students making their way to the bus.
As I spotted the familiar bus that would take us back, a sudden pang of pain gripped my chest, causing my knees to wobble under the weight of my bag.
"Ah..." I whispered in agony, clutching my chest. Struggling silently, I attempted to alert someone, but before I could, she was at my side, swiftly assisting me and guiding me, possibly to her car.
"Jael," she said with concern as I settled into the vehicle. She stashed my belongings in the backseat and took charge of the situation.
I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by the chest pain, rendering me unable to speak. The pain was so intense that I feared losing consciousness.
"Jael, stay with me," she reassured me as she drove. The agony persisted, and I could only groan, a tear slipping down my cheek.
"I'll take you home. Just hold on, Jael," her voice was filled with urgency and care. My vision blurred as I clutched my chest, my grip growing weaker.
Before I knew it, I was back in the ocean, surrounded by vastness.
I cried out for assistance, my pleas echoing without response. I attempted to swim, but an invisible force tugged me down into the depths.
In the midst of my struggle, a human-like shadow emerged, its presence imposing. I tried to push it away, but it eluded my grasp, an insubstantial entity. As I fought to resurface, the relentless force dragged me deeper, leaving me with no choice but to confront my impending fate beneath the waves.
"This is not yours," the shadow's voice resonated. I watched in shock as it extended a hand towards my chest, near my heart.
"It's not yours," the shadow's message reverberated through the depths, a cryptic puzzle that refused to yield its meaning.
Gradually, the amorphous shadow began to transform, taking on the vague shape of a human face. My eyes widened in recognition, a sense of familiarity washing over me even as I struggled to catch my breath. The features remained blurry, refusing to fully resolve, like a puzzle missing critical pieces.
I've seen that face somewhere. I'm sure of it.
As I fought to breathe, the figure became more tangible, and a realization began to dawn on me. I felt a pang of connection, as if I had encountered this figure before.
However, before I could fully comprehend its identity, my strength waned, and I succumbed to the overwhelming darkness that enveloped me, losing consciousness once more in the depths.