Patricia
“Miss Berdenio, who tells you that you can sleep during my discussion?” mataray na tanong ng Philosophy teacher namin.
“None,” I said while convincing myself not to close my eyes again. I noticed my classmates' stares but I chose not to mind it. I was just too sleepy– really tired.
“Then how dare you sleep during my time?” galit na nitong tanong. Napikon 'ata.
I didn't answer. What should I answer, anyway? I guess none.
Some of my classmates laughed for no reason or I just don't know the reason or they might just wanted to insult me. Which is which? I just shrugged my shoulders.
Pagkatapos niya akong pagsalitaan ng kung anu-ano– like she's not professional, laki kung pasasalamat ng biglang nag-bell.
Everyone was excited to take their recess. Nag-unahan pa silang makalabas ng silid. Parang walang lakas ang mga binti ko para tumayo sa kina-uupuan ko. Foods were nothing to me then. My sleepy eyes were already shouting. I was about to sleep again when my phone rang.
I answered it without knowing the caller. I closed my eyes while waiting for the caller to speak.
“Patricia,” said by the caller.
I didn't speak again.
“I need you here,” mahina na nagmamaka-awa nitong sabi. Kaagada akong napatayo at dali-daling lumabas ng silid.
It's Patrick who's calling. And I know he won't call if it's not really needed.
While walking fastly, Mr. Erick tried to blocked my way. I stared him blankly.
“Patricia,”
Why does everyone's calling my name? I know, Patricia's my effin' name.
“Not now, Mr. Villan,” I coldly said and walked to other way but he kept on blocking it.
“Where are you going?” kunot noo niyang tanong.
“It's not of your business,” sabi ko at binangga siya sa balikat para makaraan ako. Napangiwi ako sa sakit na naramdaman ko sa aking mga balikat.
“It's my business, Ms. Berdenio. You are my business,” he said, emphasizing the word 'you'.
“Who are you?” I coldy asked and left him.
These fast few days, my whole body aches. I can't have enough sleep due to many problems. But, yeah, I'm fine.
Sumasakit na ang ulo ko kina Hex at Zenela, dumagdag pa itong si Mr. Erick.
Since akala nilang dalawa na nag-aaral pa si Patrick, tuwing umaga, nagsusuot ng uniform si Patrick pero sa Hospital dumiretso. Tuwing uwian, pumupunta akong hospital para isabay si Patrick sa pag-uwi ng bahay nang hindi magtaka sina Hex at Zenela. Pagkatapos ko siyang maihatid sa bahay, aalis naman ako para sa trabaho at uuwi ng bahay ng bantang alas dyes. Nagtatanong silang dalawa about sa pag-alis ko ng bahay at pag-uwi ng gabi, at palagi ko lang sinasabi ay tungkol ito sa school. I don't know if they believe it or not. I don't care. As long as hindi ako mahuhuli na nagtatrabaho pala ako. Hindi ko alam kung anong pinaggagawa nilang dalawa tuwing may klase ako. At wala na rin akong paki.
My mind is very preoccupied to think. Kaunti nalang, magiging buto na ako na naglalakad. Well, who cares.
As fast as I can do, lumabas ako ng paaralan at kaagad nagpara ng taxi.
Nang makarating ako sa hospital, dali-dali akong pumunta sa silid ni Patrick.
And I saw him. He's fine– physically fine.
No blood that scattered.
I just saw two people aside from Patrick. And looked very serious.
“She can explain,”
Napataas ang isang kilay ko sa sinabi ni Patrick. Zenela and Hex' attention was on me.
“Explain what?” I boredly asked. I already know what they are talking. I just wanted to ask.
“Liars!” biglang sigaw ni Zenela.
Lumapit sa akin si Zenela at saka ako sinampal. Siya itong nanampal at siya pa talaga ang umiyak. Ang pinagtataka ko lang, bakit ako lang ang nasampal? Paano si Patrick? Oh, I already forgot, people are really unfair.
“What's the purpose of hiding it to us?” malamig na tanong ni Hex.
Again, walang nagsalita.
“Bro? Tricia?”
He's not putting baby on my name, he must be serious.
“Care to explain kung bakit ka nandito sa hospital?” tanong ni Hex at tumingin kay Patrick.
Walang imik na napayuko si Patrick. Walang buhay akong napa-iling. Why so weak, bro?
“He has disease,” I said straightly. What do they think? Na nandito si Patrick sa hospital kasi nakipaglaro lang siya sa mga pasyente rito? Oh, heck!
“Why do you need to lie?” naluluhang tanong ni Zenela. Wait, why are they so dramatic? What's the matter?
“Akala ko ba magkaibigan tayong lahat? Bakit n'yo naman tinago ang sakit mo Patrick? What do you think of us? Na iiwan ka namin kapag nalaman naming may sakit ka? Bro, I thought we're brothers? Bakit kailangang maglihim?”
“Wala ba kayong tiwala sa amin?”
Walang sumagot sa tanong ni Zenela. Doon na siya tuluyang humagulgol. “Kaibigan n'yo ba talaga kami?”
“I'm sorry,” nauutal na sagot ni Patrick.
“Sorry for what? Sorry for not trusting us? Sorry for not treating us as your real friends? Oh c'mon! Come here, let me punch you!” galit na sigaw ni Hex.
“No... It's just that... ”
Can't find a word, bro?
“Whose idea is this?” Hex asked coldly.
Kaagad napatingin sa akin si Patrick. Nagtitigan lang kami hanggang sumigaw ulit si Hex.
“I-it's Patricia's idea,”
Woa. That was hard, brother. Why me? I thought, my name is Patricia not Patrick.
“Pinilit niya lang ako magsinungaling sa inyo,” sabi niya at umiwas ng tingin sa akin.
And in just two seconds, I received another slap again, coming from Zenela.
I saw guilt in Patrick's eyes. Oh, why so weak?
“I hate you, Patricia! I thought you're a real friend. I thought we can be friends, but you're the real monster! A cold-hearted monster!” she angrily said to my face and left us.
“I'm very disappointed to you, Tricia,” Hex bitterly said and followed Zenela.
No need to say that, Hex. I'm disappointed to myself too.
A tear fell on the floor.
“I'm s-sorry, Tricia. I'm really sorry,”
I just stared him blankly.
Why so cruel, brother?