KAZUMI
When we arrived to school, hindi na ako mapakali. I don't know why. If it's because of Lucas or that girl last night. I don't really know myself.
I sighed when we were outside our classroom. Kinakabahan ako, baka nasa loob na si Lucas. Maaga pa so pag nasa loob na siya ay posibleng mag-uusap kami. But maybe I'm just expecting too much, why would he talk to me, right?
I was relieved when I didn't see Lucas inside the room. Dumeretso ako sa upuan ko para ilagay ang mga gamit ko tapos ay pumunta sa likod kung saan sina Gia, Cleo, Anne, Elle, Kazz at Angel.
They all looked at me when I was approaching them. "Staring is rude," I jokingly said as they shifted their gaze with one another.
Tumikhim si Cleo. "So, you haven't told us about what happened yesterday."
I sat down beside Jazz, who was also waiting for my answer. "Nothing happened. Akira and I talked it out and we both made out." They all stared at me. If they're not conetented with what I said then there's nothing I can do. What I said was the truth, I just don't want to discuss it in details.
"Then are you okay?" Angel asked. I sighed as I nodded. "Why wouldn't I be?"
She shook her head. "Nevermind."
"So," panimula ko at now they're listening attentively. "I think I saw the girl who is threatening me, last night."
I saw their reactions and it was bad. They're exaggerating! Wala naman nangyari sa akin na masama. Anyways, I think the girl is really my enemy kasi naaalala ko last time when we were at the basement, it kind of resembles the girl in the picture. Well I can't say kasi ang layo niya sa akin kagabi.
"Saan mo nakita? Lumapit ba sa'yo? May tinangka ba siyang gawin sa'yo?" natatarantang tanong ni Elle. I understand her naman pero seriously, there's no need for them to be that worried about me.
Umiling ako.
"Umalis ka na naman ba ng bahay kagabi? Nilapitan ka ba ng babae?" tanong naman ni Anne.
"I didn't go out last night. I couldn't sleep well so I opened my window and stared outside and I saw here just outside our premises." I explained at parang nabunutan ng tinik ang dalawa 'kong kapatid.
"Paglalabas ka, you should always bring us with you," ani Anne na ikina-iling ko. "There's no need."
Bakas sa mukha nila ang pagtataka kaya natawa na lang ako sa naisip ko. "I have a bodyguard. Este, stalker pala," I jokingly said.
"Sino?" takang tanong ni Gia.
"Lucas," humina ang boses ko. I regret telling them that I have a stalker kahit na kakilala namin 'yong stalker na 'yon.
Nagulat sila at hindi na nakapag salita. "I-I mean, there's no need to worry, hindi na man ako lalabas ng bahay pag gabi. I'm too busy to stroll outside at night."
Parang may kung ano'ng pumasok sa isip ni Anne. "So no'ng nagabihan ka, nagkita kayo ni Lucas?" Nanlaki ang mata ko sa tanong niya.
Bullseye.
"Yes, b-but I didn't expect him to follow me that night," umiwas ako ng tingin, not that I'm guilty or something pero pakiramdam ko kasi pinaglalaruan lang ako ni Lucas. I don't trust him like I used to. I mean, it's pretty obvious that he has changed a lot.
"Ba't ka niya raw sinundan?" Angel asked.
"He said because he cared about me and that it was not good for me to go out alone at night... I didn't really believe that he cared though." I explained.
"Haynako, Kazumi! Gusto ka pa rin niyan, panigurado!" kinikilig na sabi ni Elle.
I disagree with her. Doesn't mean that he cares about me ay gusto niya na ako. Maybe he just cared because once upon a time I became part of his life, but I'll always be. Mag pinsan kami eh, but yeah, we're not related by blood. "I don't think so."
"We think so," ani Cleo at tumango silang lahat. Bumungisngis pa si Gia animo'y kinikilig talaga. Why can't they see it? Lucas has changed! Hindi na siya 'yong dating Lucas na minahal ako.
Natigilan sila habang nakatingin sa likod ko. I was curious so lumingon na rin ako. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang mapagtanto ko kung sino ang tinitignan nila.
"Excuse me," malamig na sabi ni Lucas nang nakatingin lang sa akin. Naguluhan pa ako no'ng una pero narealize ko rin. Nakaupo ako sa seat niya!
Tumayo na rin ako agad. "Sorry." Tumingin ako sa mga kaibigan ko. "I'm going back to my seat. Malapit na rin naman mag time. Hinayaan na lang nila ako, and thank God they did.
I mean nakakahiya! Baka mag-assume si Lucas na sinadya kong umupo sa upuan niya! I sat there without even realizing the fact that it was his seat.
Everybody sat down when Miss entered the class, and thank God she did. Hindi sa pagmamayabang, but I can sense that most of my classmates were staring at me. It didn't matter naman din kasi sanay na rin akong pinagmamasdan at pinag-uusapan.
Miss clapped her hands so she caught all of our attention and of course, including mine. "First thing's first, I want everyone to promise me that no matter what I will announce after this ay hindi kayo magiingay dahil makaka abala tayo ng ibang klase," everybody agreed as she proceeded, "two weeks from now is your retreat as a class." She stopped talking nang mag-ingay ng slight ang mga kaklase ko.
I can't blame them for being excited because I was also looking forward for it.
My classmates settled down when they realized that Miss was really serious in front.
"As I was saying," umirap si Miss kaya 'di ko napigilan matawa, but I didn't make a sound ha, I don't want to be rude. I was just amuzed because still, bata pa rin naman si Miss and our age gap wasn't that far.
"We will stay there from Monday until Saturday. The activities will last for three days and two nights, the remaining days are for you to mingle with everyone as a class and on saturday morning, we will go back to the city. The principal decided that we should give you time dahil malapit na rin ang exams niyo at para naman mas lumalim ang bond niyo as a class. The retreat will be held in an island na pagmamay-ari ng school. Of course, we will contact all your parents or guardians to talk about this retreat and get everyone's consent. Tomorrow, I will give you guys the letter of aprroval for your parents. Isauli niyo na lang sa akin the next week but until wednesday lang ang deadline dahil iaayos pa namin ang booking and ioorganize rin ang kung saan tayo maninirahan. I know that in one room, pang dalawahan na ang tao. You can choose your own buddy whom you'll share your room at syempre, boys will be separated from girls," humugot ng hinga si Miss. Sa dami ba naman ng sinabi niya sino'ng hindi kakapusan ng hininga.
"That's all for today. Sa dinami-dami kong sinabi, I think wala naman na ang may tanong sa inyo, 'noh?" Natawa kami kay Miss, I don't think may magtatanong pa sa lahat ng sinabi ni Miss.
Tumango-tango siya habang nililigpit ang gamit niya. "Well then, if wala naman kayong tanong, tapos na rin ako rito. Kung may dagdag pa silang bilin ay sasabihin ko na lang at i-email kayo isa isa."
Nagpaalam na siya at umalis na, sakto, nag ring na rin ang bell.
"I'm so excited for the retreat!" tumatalon na sabi ni Cleo nang papunta na kaming canteen.
"Hindi rin ako makapaghintay! I don't know what happens in a retreat and I'm eager to experience it!" Jazz said as her eyes sparkled.
Oo nga pala, ang tagal niya sa states at bago lang nakarating ulit sa pinas, nalaman lang din namin ang tungkol sa retreat no'ng pumasok kami ng highschool and since then, we can't wait to experience it! Sana lang ay maging payapa kami roon.
"Hindi ka pa ba nakakapunta roon, Cleo? Akala ko sainyo 'tong school so I also think kayo ang may-ari ng islang pupuntahan natin, am I right?" singit ni Angel.
Umiling si Cleo sa kanya at umupo na kami at nag simulang kumain. "It's ours but I haven't gotten the chance to visit the island. I'm always so busy before kasi nga I try to compete with Kazumi for the top pero everytime rin naman na wala akong ginagawa, I still can't visit the island because its sole purpose is for retreats, not for vacation." Pagpapaliwanag niya na tinanguan lang ni Angel.
She seemed interested that's why she asked Cleo. Hindi siya 'yong tipong taong tanong ng tanong.
I also noticed Gia giggling while talking to Cleo and Elle. Hindi ko sila pinansin kasi hindi ko naman masyadong naririnig ang usapan nila.
Naramdaman kong nakatingin sa akin si Anne so I tilted my head to the side.
"Are you excited, Kazumi?" she was smiling. Seems like she's also looking forward for the retreat like we do.
I nodded as a response and she didn't ask me questions again.
Sa grupo namin ngayon, ako ata ang walang partner, I don't mind rin naman.
Si Gia at si Cleo ay close na sa isa't isa, they compliment each other though. I know they grew closer no'ng hindi na ako sumasama sa kanila. I'm not jealous ha, I'm actually happy for us.
Tapos sina Jazz at Angel naman. We were friends ever since kaya hindi na ako nagtataka na ang dali nilang naging close. Magkasama sila lagi kasi wala silang masyadong pinagkaka abalahan kundi ang pagiging gangster. Hindi na rin ako nagwoworry sa kanila dahil palaban naman ang mga 'yan.
Lastly, ang mag kambal. Well, do I have to explain why they're partners? It's obvoius naman din na kahit 'di pa sila pinanganak ay magkasama na sila. Like us ni Ate Kazami.
The problem is, wala na siya. 'Yon lang, but of course, I'm happy and contented na rin naman kahit wala siya because I know that she wants me to live the best life that I can.
I don't have any problems with them having closer to one another, they don't exclude me from the group and are always there when I need them. Siyempre, taga awat din ako minsan dahil laging nag-aaway sina Angel at Cleo because their attitude are both bitchy.
Tinapik ako ni Anne sa balikat at napansin kong ready na silang umalis. "Tara na, Kaz," aniya kaya tumayo na rin ako at sumunod sa kanila.
"We should plan what we should do for our free days!" I suggested when we were talking about the retreat.
"Ay grabe ka, Yumi! YOLO na lang tayo!" natatawang sabi ni Gia.
"Well, you have a point," pag sang-ayon ko naman.
"We should relax there, chill chill din," sabi naman ni Cleo.
"Let's do fun activities! Don't forget to bring many bikini's because I'd love us to go for a swim." Kumislap na naman ang mata ni Jazz habang nagk-kwento.
"I don't like that idea," sabi naman ni Anne sa proposal ni Jazz. Oo nga pala, may pagka conservative 'tong ate ko.
Kinulit naman siya ni Elle. "Ang KJ naman, sis! Tayo tayo lang din naman do'n!"
"Oo nga, Ate. YOLO nga raw, sabi ni Gia," nakisali pa ako sa pangungulit sa kanya.
"I'd rather read a book than go flaunt my body." Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. May balak atang mag madre forever ang kapatid ko.
"I'd also like to stay in the room and sleep all day," sabi naman ni Angel kaya binatukan siya ni Jazz na ikinatawa namin.
"You're no fun, Angel! Same lang kayo ni Anne, napaka conservative," Jazz said as she wringkled her nose.
"I am not! Like Anne, I don't like to flaunt my body." Angel rolled her eyes.
Sumingit naman si Cleo, "Ang sabihin mo, pinagbabawalan ka ng boyfriend mo!" bumelat pa kay Angel si Cleo.
Napakunot noo naman si Angel. "I have my own free will. I don't dress to impress."
"Neither do I! But you're boring so sige, sleep in your room when we get there at 'wag ka nang magising!" tumatawang sabi ni Cleo na ikina pikon ni Angel kaya hindi na nag salita.
Lumapit naman ako kay Anne. "You should loosen up, Ate. Let's try to enjoy our time there." I smiled.
Bumuntong hininga muna siya before she gave in. Nakipag apir naman sa akin si Elle.
"Buti't napilitan mo. Natatakot na nga ako diyan eh, baka tumandang dalaga!" Elle and I giggled to what she said, tinignan naman kami ng masama ni Anne as if she heard what Elle said.
Pagkabukas, binigay na nga ni Miss ang parents consent namin.
Nang umuwi sa bahay, nagulat kami dahil maagang umuwi sina mommy, and kuya was also there. I think alam ko na kung ano'ng nangyari. They were seating in the living room.
"Hi Mom," I said as I kissed her cheek. Her eyes hinted that she was tired, but she greeted me back.
I also went to that and gave him a kiss. Gano'n din ang ginawa ng mga kapatid ko.
Tiredness was also visible in his face. Ano na naman kaya ang ginawa na Kuya? Pinasadahan ko lang siya ng tingin but he couldn't even look at us.
Umupo kaming tatlo sa sofa. Tumabi ako kay Kuya because that was the only space left dahil inupuan na ang kabilang couch nina ate. I can feel the tension kahit walang nagsasalita.
I leaned towards him and whispered, "What did you do now, kuya?"
Napa-angat naman siya ng tingin, but he was avoiding eye contact.
The silence was too awkward until mom decided to break the ice.
"We're leaving for a month. Isasami namin kayo."
Nanlaki ang mata ko sa narinig. What about school? I was too shocked to even think of a word to say. Gano'n din sina Ate. I heard kuya sighed as if he knew this would happen.
Nobody dared to talk so Mommy spoke again, "We're leaving tomorrow. Mag papalamig muna tayo sa New York dahil ang dami nang ginawang kahihiyan ni Kazzary dito." Mom looked at me.
"And I also know about your death threats, Kazumi so let's stay there for a little while. The house that we bought there ay natapos nang gawin so we could stay there for as long as we like." Tumikhim si Mommy. I wasn't surprised she knew.
Ever since the incident, they were always updated as to what's happening to us.
"But in two weeks, we'll have a retreat then after that exams na namin," I said, trying to stay calm. I was so looking forward to the retreat. Nilabas ko pa ang consent at binigay 'yon kay Mom, sumilip naman si Dad na nasa side niya.
She looked at me with a stiff face pero agad din nag bago as she realized I was in the verge of crying.
"Sorry," I heard Kuya whispered. I wonder what he did, though?
Suminghap si Mommy. Ang kambal ay hindi nag sasalita, I think they're still processing what mom said.
"Well then, I will talk to your principal regarding the exam. You should start taking it next week. Then for you retreat, I will let you go," she also looked at the twins, "as I trust you. But I will stay with you there and I'll also talk about that to your principal."
I was shocked to what she said.
"Pero Mom! It's a retreat, why would you go with us?"
"No but's Kazumi. I will not meddle with you there, I'll just make sure you girls are safe. Don't even think that I'm there, I just want to protect my princesses," she said at tumingin kay Dad na ngayon ay yinayakap na siya. My God, my parents! Parang teenagers!
"So, mauuna na si Dad and Kazzary sa New York while sasabay tayong girls two weeks from now. Is that a deal?"
Wala na kaming nagawa sa sinabi ni Mom. One's she made up her mind, wala na, final na.
She told us to start studying and we did. After our talk, ang dami niya nang tinawagan and I think one of them was our principal at pumayag din ito sa sinabi ni Mom. Dad also started to take calls kaya nag paalam na kaming aakyat na.
No'ng gabi, we stayed in my room habang pinag-uusapan yo'ng nangyari kanina.
"Grabe! 'Di ako maka react kanina!" natatawang sabi ni Elle habang kumakain kami ng pop corn. Nanonood kaming dalawa ng movie habang si Anne naman ay nag simula nang mag-aral.
"Hoy ang aga pa para mag-aral! KJ ka talaga!" tinapunan ng throw pillow ni Elle si Anne pero sinamaan lang siya ng tingin.
"Hayaan na natin si Ate. Masyadong maka-diyos!" sabi ko at tumawa kami kahit wala namang connect 'yon sa binabasa ni Anne.
Buong weekend ay wala na kaming ginawa kung hindi ay mag aral. Sabay kaming tatlo na nag-araral to share our notes with each other but when we started studying, no one dared to talk.
May mga snacks kame pero whole day ay nandoon lang kami sa kwarto ko.
Humikab ako habang tinitignan ang oras. It's almost seven pm. I looked outside the window and I saw the sun setting kasabay no'n ay ang pagkalam ng sikmura ko. Napansin ko ring binaba ng dalawa ang mga papel na binabasa nila.
Nag stretch lang ako. I don't like to study anymore.
"Kain muna tayo," yaya ko sakanila at sumang-ayon naman sila.
The whole week, nasa library lang kami para mag take ng exams.
Friday ay wala na kaming gagawin kaya pumasok na kami sa class. Lalapit na sana ang girls sa amin ng mag ring ang bell so no choice sila kung hindi ay mag hintay.
No'ng lunch time na, sabay naming napag decide na kumain ulit sa labas sa may field dahil mahangin na naman at hindi masakit sa balat ang araw.
"Pashare naman ng answers diyan!" sabi ni Gia pero bigla ring ngumuso nang binatukan siya ni Cleo.
"Gaga ka talaga! Walang hiya! Nag-aral sila, 'wag mong sayangin efforts nila do'n," sabi ni Cleo na parang nanay na ni Gia. Tumawa na lang kami sa dalawa.
Nasabi na rin namin kung ba't nawala kami at aalis kami after retreat. Sila lang ang pinag sabihan namin kaya curious ang ibang classmates namin kung ba't bigla kaming nawala simula no'ng monday hanggang kahapon. Most of them wanted to ask us things but we weren't close so they chose not to.
Habang papasok ng classroom, I saw Lucas staring at me as if he was longing for me. I also so a hint of curiousity in his face while Kyle was talking beside him.
Maybe he doesn't know anything. Sinabi kasi namin na 'wag sasabihin kahit kanina so I take that Gia didn't tell Kyle about what was going on and I was relieved.
Ayaw 'kong ginugulo ni Lucas ang isip ko.
He drives me crazy.