Chapter 5
Punishment
Kinuha ko na ang mga gamit ko at agad na umalis sa Gymnasium. Ako nalang kasi ang natitira sa bleachers na inuupuan namin dahil pumunta ang tatlo sa court para i-congratulate ang players namin. Plano 'din ni Liv na magpa-picture sa gwapong player sa kabilang team.
Nahirapan ako sa paglabas dahil sa dami ng tao. Girls were rushing down to the court para makapag-papicture. When I looked back, Deonell was crowded with girls wanting to have a picture with him. Feel na feel naman ng gago kaya pinaunlakan niya. Tss.
"Oh, Einra?"
Napatigil ako sa paglalakad nang may tumawag sa'kin. Nang lumingon ako ay si Clyde pala. Nasa labas na kami ng Gymnasium ngayon. Muntik ko nang makalimutan na may pag-uusapan pa pala kami ngayon.
"Hey, Clyde..." I timidly smiled.
He was wiping his sweats using a towel. Napagod ata siya kaka-distribute ng Gatorade para sa players namin. Hirap talaga pag President ng school.
"Tara na sa office?"
I nodded. Nakasunod lang ako sa kaniya. From what I've noticed, matatangkad talaga silang magpipinsan. Except Audy na halos ka-height ko lang. Si Suzy lang naman kasi ang matangkad sa amin. Magkasing-tangkad lang kaming tatlo. Another common denominator of them is their lean body and fair skin complexion.
"Here, sit down..." Clyde gestured something at pinaupo ako sa inupuan ko kaninang umaga na agad ko namang sinunod.
The cold air from the AC somehow lessens my uneasiness. I just hope that whatever his decision may be, sana hindi umabot kay Mom. Nagtataka nga ako kung bakit hindi Guidance Councilor ang kumausap sa'kin pero now's not the time to ask.
Argh! Kasalanan niya pala 'to! Binabawi ko na ang sinabi ko kanina. His apology is still not accepted and will never be accepted!
"Have you enjoyed watching the game?" he grinned kaya gumalaw ang suot niyang eyeglasses.
Umismid ako. "Enjoy? More like, bored. And wait a minute, ba't ba na'tin 'to pinaguusapan? Akala ko ba nandito ako to talk about what happened yesterday sa Cafeteria?"
Ayokong pag-usapan ang nangyari sa Gym! Tss. It's clear na tsamba lang talaga ang nangyari.
Tumawa nalang siya at umiling, hindi makapaniwala sa sagot ko. Hindi pa ba siya sanay sa'kin?
"He nagged the hell out of me pero na-bored ka lang pala."
"Excuse me? Anong binubulong mo?" kumunot ang noo ko. Hindi ko nakuha.
Mabilis siyang umiling at ngumisi, "Wala. Anyway, back to the topic. Maghintay lang muna tayo kay Miss Patriana. Siya ang magd-decide sa parusa."
Parusa? Atsaka si Miss Patriana? Ano naman ang gagawin ng History Teacher namin dito? Magle-lesson tungkol sa school rules at student's handbook?
"Why?" tanong ko para masagot ang mga katanungan sa isip ko.
"Oh! She's the Guidance Counselor."
Nagsimula na akong kabahan. Naman, e! Kahit annoying si Clyde pero mas gugustuhin ko pang siya nalang ang kumausap sa'kin sa halip ng Guidance Counselor.
"Is she menopausal?" tanong ko.
"Huh?" kumunot ang noo niya, "Why are you asking me that question? As if I would now."
I rolled my eyes. "Duh, slow! What I mean is, is she...you know, masungit?"
Humalakhak siya. Luh? Anong nakakatawa doon? Adik.
"Just brace yourself. Mainit ang ulo niya ngayon dahil maraming pasaway na studyanteng kagaya mo na lumabag sa school rules." pananakot niya.
Effective naman 'yon dahil talagang nagsisimula na akong matakot. I feel like anytime, tatawag na si Mom at papagalitan na ako. Ayoko pa naman siyang ma-disappoint.
Multiple beeps were heard from my phone kaya kinuha ko. It's a notification from our group chat. I tapped for it to open.
Liv Virtudazo:
Bruha @Einradelle Versozo asan ka? Bigla ka nalang nawala!
Quinn Audreanne Fuero:
Hey, i-seen mo.
Suzette Matrix Cañesarez:
Maybe she got bored? Or ayaw sumama sa'tin na makihalubilo sa ibang players dahil...you know. Audrey's cousin proved her wrong.
I bit my lower lip. Ganti ba 'to ni Suzy sa'kin? Ayaw ko na tuloy mag-reply dahil nahuli ako. Itatago ko na sana ang cellphone ko nang nag-beep muli ito.
"You're talking to your cousins?" tanong ni Clyde.
Nag-angat ako ng tingin bago tumango. Hindi na rin naman siya nagtanong afterwards kaya yumuko ulit ako at tinignan ang cellphone.
Quinn Audreanne Fuero:
Hey! Seener!
Suzette Matrix Cañesarez:
Are you home already?
Liv Virtudazo:
Bruha ka, hindi bagay sayo maging seener.
Umirap ako kahit hindi nila iyon kita. I typed for a reply.
Einradelle Versozo:
Send help. Kakausapin ako ng GuidCoun. Punishment is coming. Pakisampal ang pinsan mo @Quinn Audreanne Fuero para sa'kin. Sabihin mo isa siyang malaking "bad luck".
Hindi ko na nabasa ang sunod na chats dahil bumukas ang pinto. Mabilis kong tinago ang phone ko at umayos sa pagkakaupo. Tumikhim si Clyde at inayos ang suot na sunglasses.
Miss Patriana, on her uniform, stood in front of us. Nakakunot ang kaniyang noo at nakataas ang kilay. Ramdam ko na ang iritasyon niya ngayon.
"Einradelle Versozo. Grade 10. My student in history. Right?" sabi niya habang may tinitignan sa dala niyang clearbook.
Lumunok ako bago tumango at sumagot sa mahinahong boses. "Y-Yes po, M-Ma'am..."
Every passing seconds is a torture. Walang nagtangkang mag-ingay sa amin ni Clyde. Parang anytime kasi ay sasabog na si Miss Patriana.
She closed her clearbook in a loud manner, kaya nagulat ako. She was now glaring at me bago nameywang. Nagkatinginan kami ni Clyde. Ngumiwi siya at nagkibit-balikat. Lumunok ako at binalik ang tingin kay Miss Patriana.
"You're my favorite student dahil sobrang galing mo sa mga dates. Pero hindi ko naman pala alam na marunong kang gumawa ng gulo." she said icily.
Tinignan ako ni Clyde na parang nagaalala. Yumuko nalang ako.
"Three offenses in just one day? Such a disappointment."
I bit my lower lip and closed my eyes so firmly to prevent my tears from falling. I am so fragile when it comes to that word. Ayaw na ayaw kong makarinig ng ganiyan.
"Miss Patriana, I'm sure she has her reasons."
"Reasons?" she scoffed and scowled, "I'm sure they were petty."
I am already in the verge of crying. I feel so helpless that it annoys me. Kumuyom ang mga kamao ko at yumuko. Clyde's apologetic look and Miss Patriana's scowl lingered in my mind.
Napaangat lang ang tingin ko nang bumukas ang pinto. Kahit si Miss Patriana na sa'kin nakatingin kanina ay napatingin na rin kung sino ang pumasok.
Nalaglag ang panga at umurong ang mga luha ko. What is he doing here? Akala ko ba ako lang ang kakausapin ng Guidance Counselor?
He looks so fresh now and his hair is wet. He changed into some white t-shirt and black jersey shorts with a check on the side. A towel encircled around his neck, with both ends hanging on both of his shoulders.
"Who are you?" nangliit ang mga mata ni Miss Patriana.
It made me realized something. Hindi siya kilala ni Miss so hindi siya pinatawag dito.
I gritted my teeth. The audacity of this guy to just barged in! What is he doing here anyway?! Para makita kung paano ako parusahan?!
"He's my cousin, Miss. D, what are you doing here?" Clyde asked the question that lingered in my mind.
Hindi siya tinignan ni Deonell. Instead, he faced me. Now he has this look of pity on his face. Ano? Maaawa siya sa'kin? Hindi ba niya alam na nangyari lahat ng 'to dahil sa kaniya? Ano, pagtatawanan niya ako?
"What's her punishment, Miss?"
Kitang-kita ko ang pagkaka-alarma ni Clyde. Mas lalong nangliit ang mata ni Miss Patriana. He glanced at me for a bit, the reason why I didn't have the chance to glare at him, bago ibinalik ang tingin kay Miss na parang hinihintay niya ang sagot sa tanong.
What the freaking hell! Ang kapal talaga ng mukha! Sobrang kapal! I hate him so much! I will forever hate him! The nerve of this guy to barged in and asked for my punishment?!
Nakakuyom na ang mga kamao ko. Kung wala lang si Miss Patriana dito ay kanina ko pa ito sinagawan. Nanginginig na ang kamao ko dahil sa galit. If I could curse him now, I would. I really wish my glares will sentence him to death! You one hell of an annoying jerk!
"Wait..." there was a hint of recognition in Miss Patriana's voice, "...you're that student. 'Yong tinapunan ng pasta. Am I right?"
"D..." si Clyde nang makitang tumango siya sa sinabi ni Miss Patriana.
Now, I am even more annoyed!
"Hmm..." Miss Patriana paused, "No attending of Student's Night for you next week, Miss Versozo. I'm being kind enough to not let you do a community service since you're still on your first month here."
I was completely shock. I don't know what to feel. The Student's Night Party...umiling-iling ako. I couldn't take this information. Muling nangilid ang mga luha sa'king mata. Yes, this is better than doing a community service pero I can't miss this event. My Mom would be so angry if she'll find it all out.
Hindi ko matanggap na hindi ako makaka-attend. It bothers me so much...
"Miss, don't you think it's a little bit too much?" Clyde said, while eyeing me.
"Too much?" tumaas ang tono niya.
Naalarma na ako. Agad kong tinignan si Clyde at umiling. He doesn't have to defend me. This is my punishment. Wala na siyang magagawa.
I tried so hard not to let my tears fall, not in front of Deonell. The last thing that I want right now is for him to see me in this state. I had enough of him bugging me and bringing bad luck in my life.
But what made me shocked even more is his words.
"Punish me instead, Miss. I caused her to do it."
Halos mapatayo ako dahil sa gulat sa narinig. What? Is he trying to be a hero here?! Ano na naman ang nakain niya! Ginugulo niya ang isipan ko dahil sa lahat ng pinapakita niya sa akin!
"What did you do to her then?" Miss Patriana crossed her arms.
Nanatali akong tahimik at nakatingin lang sa kanilang dalawa. Deonell's eyes lingered on mine and answered Miss Patriana without breaking his vision on mine.
"I annoyed her..." he briefly answered.
Napayuko nalang ako. Ramdam ko na hindi pa rin ako tinantanan ng tingin niya. I wiped the tears that tried to escape from my eyelids. I sniffed dahil talagang naiiyak na ako. This is what I hate about myself. Ang tapang-tapang kong tignan but I am so vulnerable inside.
I know I said that I didn't regret throwing him a tray of food but right now...I'm swallowing my words. Is this the price that I'm going to pay for not having some self-control that time?
"Annoyed? You just annoyed her? Wow." Miss Patriana sarcastically said.
Umangat ang tingin ko. She was very disappointed now. My chest moved in a rapid up-and-down manner.
"That's not an appropriate reason. You're out of this, young man." binalingan niya si Deonell, "Now, if you'll excuse me. I still have a lot of things to take care of. Mr. President..." tumango siya kay Clyde.
"Thank you for your time, Miss..."
Kasabay ng pagbukas ng pinto ay ang pag-agos ng mga luha ko. I bit my lip para hindi ako humagulhol but my prevention is still unsuccessful. My grip on my skirt tightened.
"E-Einra..." Clyde immediately come to my aid.
Umiling nalang ako. I hate being like this. I hate people seeing me like this.
Tumayo ako.
"I'm sorry for the trouble, Clyde..." I grabbed my things and went outside.
Bago ako lumabas ay narinig ko pa siyang tinatawag ako pero hindi ko na 'yon pinansin. Gustong-gusto ko nang makalabas.
The corridor is lonely now since it's almost 6 PM. Pabor sa'kin 'yon para walang makakita sa'kin na umiiyak. That would be too embarrassing on my part.
Never in my life did I ever experience being talked like that by someone older than me. Dad and Mom might be busy and lacks time for me, never did I experienced being talked like that. The only thing that they want is for me to be successful someday and to not disappoint them in the process. And I promised myself to never let them down. Kahit pa may issues ako dahil sa pagiging broken family namin.
That's why I am always meticulous in my deeds, afraid that I might disappoint them or...it could be anyone.
And the fact that for the first time in my life, someone was gravely disappointed at me...is heartbreaking.
Napahagulgol na ako but I immediately covered it with my mouth. Lumalabo na ang paningin ko dahil sa mga luhang umaagos mula sa mata ko. I heard footsteps just behind me kaya agad-agad kong pinunasan ang luha ko dahil ayokong may makakita sa'kin na umiiyak na ibang tao.
A hand suddenly made me stopped from walking and made me turn and face...him.
My jaw dropped. "H-Hey!"
My eyes dropped on his hand on my arm. Binalik ko naman kaagad ang mga mata ko sa kaniya. Frustrations and annoyance driven my thoughts when I saw how sympathy was written all over his face.
My chest hammered when he suddenly caressed my arm with his thumb in a gentle manner. I gasped.
"What are you doing?!" iwinaksi ko ang braso kong hawak niya.
Nagulat siya sa biglaang pagsigaw ko. I saw how his adam's apple move when he gulped. He slowly put his hand down and placed it inside his pocket.
"Are you okay?" he sounded so concern.
I scoffed at the mere sound of his tone.
"Stop faking your concern towards me. I don't need it." I glared at him.
He sighed and closed his eyes firmly and bit his lips for a moment. When he opened his eyes, namumungay na ito.
"Einra, I am sorry—"
"Shut up!" I cut him off.
He recoiled. But that was not enough for me to stop shouting at him.
"You know what?! I hate you! I hate you so damn much and I will never, ever like you as a person!"
For a brief moment, I think I saw pain in his eyes. Pero nang nakita niya na tumulo na naman ang luha ko ay nag-aalala na siya. He took a step forward, pero umatras ako.
"Don't you dare," I warned him with gritted teeth, "At pwede ba?! Stop bugging me! Ayaw kong lumalapit ka sa'kin!"
"Then what am I gonna do then?" his voice was monotone.
I hold on tight on the hem of my uniform. I might regret saying this sooner or later but I am so clouded with anger right now. All I want is to blame him for messing with me. He alone is the sole reason why someone just got disappointed at me for the first time.
"Kung wala kang magawa, tantanan mo ako! You don't know how frustrated you made me feel! You accused me of something during our first interaction, then you're being cocky and then you're being an annoying jerk and now?! You're being concerned. Ano ba talaga?!"
"I'm so—"
"I said stop saying sorry! It will not change everything!" my voice echoed in the lonely corridor.
He tried to reached out to me by touching my forearm but I took a step back and glared at him.
Hindi ko na napigilan ang pag-agos ng mga luha ko. Tuloy-tuloy na ito.
"Einra? D-D?" I heard Audy's voice on the background.
Hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip pa. I immediately turned my back against him and ran towards her direction. Kasama niya ang dalawa.
Suzy was the one who hugged me first. Hindi ko na napigilan ang paghagulhol ko sa balikat niya. I am crying so hard.
I felt Liv's presence beside me and she's gently touching my shoulders.
"Shh...tahan na bunso..." she consoled me.
"What happened?" Suzy asked.
Umiling nalang ako at mas lalong napahagulhol.
"Okay, okay...I won't ask...Shh..."
"Audreanne, I need to talk to her." I heard him just around my back.
I tugged on Suzy's on uniform at umiling-iling, while my face is still pressed on her shoulders. I don't want to talk to him!
"Audy..." I felt Suzy gestured something.
"Not now, D..." si Audy.
I heard a heavy and loud sigh.
"Okay..."
***
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