Chapter 3: CHAPTER 1: THE NEW WORLD ORDER
BLAIR WADSON, CLASS 12-C
Nang buksan ko ang aking mga mata, napagtanto kong nasa ilalim ako ng tubig. I could barely see the light above. Unti-unti nang nauubos ang hangin sa katawan ko. Maybe in just a few seconds… I would die here.
Water crept up the fabric of my clothes, engulfing my skin with intense coldness. Pero may boses na nagsalita sa loob ng isip ko, Get your sister and your mother out first, anak. Susunod ako sa inyo…
It almost felt like a promise. Sobrang pamilyar ng boses ng nagsalita. And I realized that those were the last words my father had said to me before he was dragged down, trapped inside our car, deep in the dark water.
Nagpalinga-linga ako sa paligid. I was surrounded by darkness everywhere I looked. Yes, this was the same lake where my father had died. Pero paano ako nakarating dito? Sinubukan kong lumangoy pataas pero hindi ko magawa. It's as if my feet were bound by heavy shackles.
Dumako ang tingin ko sa ibaba. And there it was—our car—same as ever, maliban na lang sa mga visible na lumot na nakikita ko. Naramdaman ko ang pag-init sa gilid ng mga mata ko. But no single tear escaped.
I swam to shallower water, where the car was located, and I felt my feet touch the bottom of the lake. Hindi ko na namalayan ang kawalan ng oxygen sa aking katawan.. Napunta ang atensyon ko sa kotseng ito. I felt my heartbeat getting faster with every second.
Pumunta ako sa bintana na natatabunan ng lumot kaya kinailangan ko pang punasan iyon gamit ang aking kamay. Natulos ako sa kinatatayuan ko. Natutop ko ang aking bibig nang makitang naroon si Papa. Wala siyang pinagbago. Just like the last six years. And then he smiled at me.
Muli kong naramdaman ang naramdaman ko noong nasa loob ako ng kotse, anim na taon na ang nakalilipas. I need to get him out of there, I told myself.
Awtomatikong hinanap ng mga kamay ko ang lock ng kotse. Sinubukan ko iyong buksan pero para iyong bato. After a few minutes, I finally gave up. Nagtaas ako ng tingin at nakita kong umiling si Papa.
No… 'Pa, I'm sorry. I'm sorry! Gusto kong isigaw pero walang lumabas na salita sa aking mga labi. All I could do was stare at him.
Gusto ko siyang yakapin. Gusto kong humingi ng tawad sa kanya. But I couldn't do that. Of course. He's gone… kasi iniwan ko siya roon. It's my fault. It's all my fault…
At naramdaman ko na lang na tinatangay ako papalayo sa kotse hanggang sa unti-unti na iyong nawala sa aking paningin. Until the scene was swallowed by the darkness.
I tried to fight the force but I couldn't. And as I felt myself rise above the surface of the lake, I awoke to soft sheets, and the morning light trickled in through the blinds. It's the same dream again. I breathe in and out through my mouth na parang ilang oras talaga akong naroon sa ilalim ng tubig. I sat up, hugging my knees to my chest tightly. I wanted to cry, but just like in my dream, no tear escaped. I rested my chin to my knees and firmly closed my eyes.
It had been six years but that night still haunts me in my dreams. Pero may parte sa sarili ko na masaya dahil kahit sa panaginip lang ay nagagawa kong makita si Papa. As if he was really there. As if I was really there. Nahiling ko lang na sana ay nandito pa rin siya hanggang ngayon. I suddenly wished he was here. Papa always knew what to do to comfort me whenever I woke up from a nightmare when I was a kid.
And I found myself silently wishing that it would have been nicer to have him walk me up the stage when I'd finally graduate from high school this year. What I wouldn't give just to be inside his hug again, to see his smile, to hear his laughs and stories.
"I miss you, 'Pa," anas ko sa kawalan.
***
Nang matapos akong maligo at magbihis, isinukbit ko na ang leather bag ko sa aking braso at humarap sa salamin. Staring back at me was the girl that still hadn't overcome her regret, pain and sadness.
Naka-pony tail ang hanggang balikat kong buhok. My once black hair now had silver streaks on them. This was the only thing that I had gotten from my Father's genes. At nakuha ko naman ang kulay kahel na mga mata ni Mama.
Black ang kulay ng blazer namin, white ang blouse at checkered na black, red at white naman ang skirt namin na hindi umaabot sa aming tuhod.
Bumuga ako ng hangin. "Today will be different, Blair," I said to myself for how many times now. Maingat kong hinawakan ang 'Class President' na badge na naka-pin sa blazer ko. "… it has to be."
With one last glance in the mirror, I went downstairs when I heard the sound of a car honking continuously outside. I was already sure it was none other than Celaena Edwards, my one and only gal pal ever since we moved here in Ellis Island.
Napadaan ako sa kusina at nabungaran si Mama na nagluluto, her wavy dark hair tied into a messy bun. May nakalatag na dalawang lunch box sa kitchen benchtop. Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti habang pinapanood si Mama na maingat na inilalagay ang putaheng niluto niya sa lunch box. Nang bahagya akong dumungaw para tingnan kung ano iyon, isa iyong vegetable dish—chop suey.
Napansin niya akong nakatayo sa hamba ng kitchen.
"There you are," ani Mama at inilapag ang kawali. "Sit and eat your breakfast muna. 'Wag mong sabihin sa 'kin na hindi ka na naman kakain. Naku, mukha ka ng tingting—"
I quickly cut her off mid-sentence. "'Ma, naghihintay na po sa labas si Celaena. Kailangan po naming pumasok nang maaga kasi…" I dug deep into my brain looking for some believable lies I could possibly tell her. "… si Sir Denver, may iniutos sa amin."
Mr Denver is our class adviser.
Mabilis na nalukot ang ekspresyon ng mukha ni Mama. I suddenly felt bad for having to lie to her. Truth is, wala talaga akong ganang kumain ngayong umaga sa hindi ko malamang dahilan.
I apologetically smiled at her.
"Gano'n ba? Tapos na 'tong packed lunch mo. Kahit baunin mo na lang 'to," giit niya. She took out an empty paper bag from one of the cabinets atop the kitchen sink and put one of the lunch box inside it. "Hindi maganda ang walang laman ang tiyan. Remember what your Lola used to tell you?"
Mukhang napansin niya ang reaksyon sa mukha ko. "'Wag sayangin ang grasya," I said, almost a whisper.
"Good. At isa pa, maaga akong nagising just to prepare this for you and your brother," aniya at lumapit sa 'kin.
Dito magaling si Mama, ang mangumbinsi sa paraan ng pagpapaawa. And I always consider myself as a victim of her tactics.
Nginitian ko lang siya at tumango. "Opo, I'll take it na," saad ko.
I took the paper bag and was about to go outside when she quickly added, "Mag-iingat. And tell Celaena to come by some time. Miss ko na rin kamo siya," sabi niya. She kissed me on the forehead and gently brushed my hair. "Your Father would have been so proud to see you, anak."
Malungkot na ngumiti si Mama sa 'kin. I could see it in her eyes that she still thinks of him. After a year of my Father's death, nag-desisyon si Mama na lumipat kami dito sa lugar na ito. I could still remember her exact words, "Ito ang isla na gustong-gusto naming puntahan dati ng Papa mo."
She cupped my cheeks and said, "Sige na. Mag-iingat. Don't go home late, okay?"
Muli akong tumango at naglakad na palabas ng bahay. Naka-park sa harap ng bahay namin ang isang Audi A5. Binuksan ni Celaena ang pinto ng passenger seat.
"Hurry up, bitch!" sigaw niya. Muli siyang bumusina ng tuloy-tuloy.
I hastily glanced sideways before running towards her car.
"Girl, what took you so long? Ilang oras na akong naghintay dito, ha. Maganda ka na niyan?" bungad ni Celaena sa 'kin.
Natatawang bumaling ako sa kanya. White blonde hair, dark skin tone, skinny legend and a pretty face. Ito ang best friend ko ever since we were in first year high school—Celaena Edwards. She had always been my princess in shining armor—well, kind of. Simula nang makilala ko at maging kaibigan si Celaena, no one dared to bully me again. Siya rin kasi ang head ng Student Council ng Ellis High, kung saan kami nag-aaral.
"You know what, just drive, bitch," I replied, imitating the way she always speak the word—bitch.
Sinimulan nang paandarin ni Celaena ang kotse sa kahabaan ng main road. Nalagpasan namin ang mga kakabukas lang na palengke, mga tindahan at ilang mga pamilihan ng damit. Malaki ang isla ng Ellis. Pinamamahayan ito ng higit-kumulang 50,000 na mamamayan.
Lumipat kami rito para makapagsimula ng bagong buhay. We didn't know anyone here when we first moved in. But my family managed to get along with our new neighbors. Mabilis din kasing pakisamahan si Mama dahil mabait siya.
"What're you thinking? Mukhang malalim, ha," untag ni Celaena.
I chuckled softly at her remark. "Just enjoying the view," I simply answered.
"Do you miss him?" Napabaling ako sa Celaena.
She knew about my dad. About the accident that killed him. She's the only person I trusted the most here in Ellis. Sure, I've made some friends before we moved here—back in the city—but Celaena was different. Siya lang ang nanatili sa tabi ko through my ups and downs. She's the person I always go to when I need someone. She's always there for me when I think I have no one to talk to. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko siya pasasalamatan na dumating siya sa buhay ko. This bitch literally lifted me up from my dark times. And I don't think I'll be able to thank her enough for that.
"Always," sabi ko.
Malungkot siyang ngumiti sa 'kin. "I wish I met him. How awesome would it be kaya, 'no? Sa tingin ko, he would've been the cool kind of dad."
"Yeah, he was," pagsang-ayon ko sa sinabi niya.
It took us half an hour before we saw the looming structure of Ellis High. Next thing we knew, nasa malaking gate na kami. Ito iyong klase ng unibersidad na magbibigay sa 'yo ng modern slash old vibes. I know it's weird. But that's exactly what I felt the first time we enrolled here.
We went through the wrought iron gates and headed for the parking lot. Medyo nahirapan kaming maghanap ng mapagpa-parking-an. And when we finally found one, nasa bandang dulo na.
Celaena turned the engine off. Huminga muna siya nang malalim bago nagsalita. "So, Blair, I received a text from Maru this morning. And guess what?" nakatingin lang ako sa kanya at hinintay na magpatuloy siya. She rolled her eyes. "It's his best buddy's birthday tomorrow. Well, in-invite lang naman tayo ni Maru na sumama bukas. So, I would very much like it if you can come with me." Nag-puppy eyes pa siya sa 'kin. "Please?" she added.
Ano ba ang magagawa ko? I wasn't really the party kind of girl. I really hate crowded places. Mas prefer kong magbasa ng libro na lang buong araw sa loob ng kuwarto ko than having to dress up, go to someone's place just to drink alcohol, which will eventually affect your organs, which can lead to various types of diseases. But, knowing Celaena, I will just eat my words.
It was my turn to roll my eyes at her. "Okay, okay, I will think about it," kunwa'y exasperated na pahayag ko.
Nagliwanag bigla ang mukha niya, hindi makapaniwala sa tinuran ko. "Really? You will?"
Tumango-tango ako. "Oo na, ano pa ba ang magagawa ko?"
She screamed excitedly. "Yay! You're the best!"
Celaena leaned in and was about to kiss me on my cheek when I quickly put my fingers on her lips. "Not today, Lilith," I told her, referring to Satan's wife.
Bumaba na kami ng sasakyan. We headed for the third building which was located at the farthest right. May tatlong building ang Ellis High. The first one was for grade school levels. Ang nasa gitna naman ay exclusively for members of the faculty and offices and such.
At ang huli naman ay para sa mga high school levels. Ang building namin ang pinakamalaki sa tatlo dahil mas madami ang umo-okupa kaysa sa naunang dalawa. And then, there's the gymnasium, na ginagamit mostly for events, na nasa pinakalikod na bahagi ng school at katabi niyon ang cafeteria.
Marami ang mga estudyanteng nagkalat. Some were still in the school grounds, talking. At ang iba naman ay nakatambay lang sa hallway.
Ang unang kong nakita ay ang grupo ng mga second years na nakaupo sa sahig at nagtatawanan. Halos nasakop na nila ang espasyo ng pasilyo. Nang magtaas sila ng tingin sa amin ni Celaena, awtomatikong dumako ang tingin nila sa badge na nasa blazer ko.
The good thing about being a class president? Aakalain nilang mataray at istrikto ka. Kaya nang makita ng grupong iyon ang badge sa blazer ko, mabilis silang nagsipagbalikan sa kanilang classroom.
Sumipol si Celaena. "The power you got, girl!" natatawang sambit niya.
"Oh please," I waved my hand jokingly. "Seventh floor 'yong Literature class natin, right?" she nodded.
Sumakay na kami ng elevator na nasa pinakadulo ng unang palapag.
"Oh, God, si Mr Lim pala ang first class natin," iritadong sabi ni Celaena nang makasampa kami sa loob ng elevator.
I used my ID to push the 7th floor button. Bumaling ako sa kanya. "You're too harsh kay Mr Lim. Mabait naman siya, ha?" sabi ko.
"Girl, hindi mo na ba naaalala kung paano niya tayo pinahirapan last school year? Three consecutive projects in one week only for his minor subject. I still can't believe na we managed to do that despite the final exams."
Hindi ko mapigilang matawa nang may maalala ako. "I clearly remember, Celaena," I said, looking at her. "I clearly, clearly remember that night we went to your house right after nating ipasa ang last project kay Mr. Lim. You almost called his number to rant pero mabuti na lang at nandoon ako. Dahil kung hindi, ite-take siguro ulit natin ang subject niya— Aray!"
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Celaena nang bigla niyang maalala ang sinasabi ko. Mabilis niya akong kinurot sa tagiliran. Natatawa pa rin ako habang hawak-hawak ang tagiliran ko.
After a few seconds, narating na namin ang 7th floor. Nang bumukas ang elevator, bumungad sa amin ang ingay ng mga tawanan. Dumeretso kami ni Celaena sa Room 507, ang classroom namin. She opened the door and I went in after her. Ilan pa lang ang mga kaklase naming nasa loob ng silid. I guess we were too early.
Bumaling ako sa grupo ng mga babaeng nasa unahan. They were sitting at the desk in front, talking in hushed voices. Ito ang grupo ni Evangelyn Forbes. Sila ang tinatawag na "Mean Girls" version ng Ellis High. And of course, si Evangelyn ang leader ng grupo. Kabilang sa grupo niya ay sina Stacey Jones, Eyrene Madrigal and Bridget Torres. Kagaya ng mga rumor na kumakalat sa unibersidad, they are not the group you want to mess with.
Their parents are the benefactors to our university. Kaya naman ang bait ng mga professor namin sa kanila, maging ang aming Principal. Almost all the girls in our university wants to join their group, even the guys.
"Good morning, Miss President," nakangiting bati ni Evangelyn sa 'kin.
She twirled a strand of her auburn hair using her fingers and looked up to me. Evangelyn is also the Captain ng cheerleading squad ng school namin. She has this pretty, innocent face that always gets her off detention.
Miss President is the nickname she gave me. And this was supposed to annoy me in which it clearly did its job. Mabilis na kumalat at naging popular ang pangalan na 'yon sa school.
Evangelyn was bitter when I became the President of our class. I didn't know na gano'n pala ka-big deal sa kanya ang makuha ang posisyon ng class president. Every one of us knows how much she wanted to have this position. To make her parents proud, I guess. Pero ibinigay sa 'kin ang posisyon na 'to and I couldn't just throw it away.
This position comes with great responsibility. At makakatulong ito kapag nag-apply ako sa mga unibersidad na gusto kong pasukan. It will add up to my achievements that will give me an advantage. Kaya naman I accepted the position right away. And Evangelyn had been angry at me about it since then.
I was about to answer when Celaena chimed in. Ipinatong niya ang dalawang kamay sa desk at isa-isang tiningnan ang grupo ni Evangelyn. "Kiss my ass, Forbes," nakangiting sabi niya kay Evangelyn saka ako hinila papunta sa upuan namin.
Hindi ko mapigilang hindi matawa sa remark ni Celaena. This witty bitch.
Ang classroom namin ay parang hagdan na pataas. Sa bawat hagdan ay may hanay ng mga mesa at upuan. The kind of classroom you'll always see in a law school.
Umakyat kami papunta sa bandang itaas. Inilapag ko ang bag ko sa mesa at umupo. Napakislot ako nang biglang may umupo sa tabi ko. A small blonde girl was beaming at me. Maamo ang kanyang mukha. Bumuga siya ng hangin saka bumaling sa 'min ni Celaena.
"Hi," bati niya. She waved her one hand in front of us. "I'm Brooke Esguerra. Your new classmate. I transferred here just yesterday and I was told that I could start attending my classes today. I mean, can you believe it?" sinabi niya ito nang mabilis. "You both look so pretty, by the way."
Tumango-tango ako. Our school year had already started two weeks ago. Siguro ay tumatanggap pa ng mga new student ang school namin.
"I'm Blair," sabi ko sa kanya. "We weren't informed that we'll have a new classmate today."
This was true. Sir Denver would've already emailed me her full name para maidagdag ko sa Class List and Attendance. Or maybe he just forgot to tell me about it.
"Nice to meet you," nakangiting sabi niya. "About that, I already talked to Sir Denver na 'wag munang sabihin sa inyo na may transferee na papasok ngayong araw. For a bit of surprise, I guess? I don't know."
Sumingit si Celaena. "Celaena Edwards," she said and took Brooke's hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you, bitch."
Saglit na nagulat si Brooke sa tinawag sa kanya ni Celaena. And then suddenly she laughed. "You're a funny girl," aniya kay Celaena. "So anong oras magsisimula ang first class natin?"
"8:00 AM," sagot ko.
Mayamaya pa ay marahas na bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa niyon si Maru Raul Alegria. Nasa likod niya ang mga teammates niya sa basketball. Nagtatawanan sila at mukhang nagtulakan dahil ang isa sa kanila ay nadapa sa sahig. Dumaan muna si Maru sa mesa kung saan naroon sila Evangelyn. He gave her a kiss on her cheek.
Napatigil si Maru nang bumaling sa gawi namin. "Hi, girls!" bati niya at sumenyas pa ng salute sign sa aming tatlo. "See you at the party tomorrow."
Si Celaena ang kumaway pabalik sa kanya. Nang makaupo na sila sa bandang unahan ng silid, biglang bumulong si Celaena. "Hey, Brooke, take note of what I'm about to say," sabi niya. "That guy who just said hi to us, is the King of Ellis High."
Tama si Celaena, or so most of the students here says. Si Maru ang renowned king of Ellis High. Tito niya ang may-ari ng school kaya naman respetado siya rito. He's also the Captain of the Basketball team ng school. Siya rin ang kasalukuyang boyfriend ni Evangelyn.
"Hot captain, right?" untag ni Celaena.
Napaismid ako sa sinabi niya. Truth is, Maru and I never got along well. May pagka-mayabang kasi ang herodes na 'yan. Scratch that, mayabang talaga. Whenever we have a reporting or even research to do, at kabilang si Maru sa sa grupo ko, he never helps. He never does. Palagi siyang nasa practice.
My eyes landed on the guy who came in next. He almost looked bored. Marahas niyang binagsak ang bag niya sa tabing upuan ni Maru.
"Now, that is H.O.T," narinig kong komento ni Brooke sa tabi ko. "What's his name?"
Si Celaena ang sumagot. "John Emmanuel Caliente," aniya. "But we call him Jem for short."
Tumango-tango si Brooke sa tabi ko, may kinikilig na ngiti pa rin sa kanyang labi.
Meet John Emmanuel Caliente—he's like the opposite of Maru, as my classmates usually describe him. Siya ang best buddy ni Maru at kabilang din siya sa basketball team. Unlike Maru, tahimik lang madalas si John. He's pretty nice and decent. And he's the kind of guy who doesn't have a single care in this world. Literal na walang pakialam sa mga nangyayari sa paligid niya.
Ang sunod na pumasok ay ang tinatawag naming "Brains" ng Ellis High. Si Kaleon Yang ang leader ng kanilang grupo. They excel academically and takes a lot of advanced classes. Mahaba ang buhok ni Kaleon na naka-ponytail. May suot din siyang antipara sa kanyang mga mata. They sat at the other side of the room, away from us.
Kagaya ng mga tipikal na university, may "modern high school hierarchy" din dito sa Ellis High. I'm kind of in the middle and it's all because of Celaena. She's all the way up in the pyramid.
Sunod-sunod na nagpasukan ang iba pa naming mga kaklase.
Pumasok na si Mr Lim, ang literature professor namin. May hawak siyang isang libro sa kanyang kamay at isang stick naman sa kabila. Ibinaba niya ang kanyang stick sa podium at ipinatong ang siko sa ibabaw niyon. Tumikhim muna siya bago nagsalita.
"Before we start with our lesson today, I was informed that we would have a transferee today," Mr Lim began. "I would like to call on Ms Brooke Esguerra, your new classmate."
"I'm freaking out right now," bulong ni Brooke sa tabi ko.
Bumaling ang lahat ng mga kaklase namin sa likuran. Brooke stood up and walked down in front of the podium.
"Ïntroduce yourself, hija," ani Mr Lim sa kanya.
Huminga nang malalim si Brooke bago nagsalita. "Hi, guys. As Mr Lim already said, my name is Brooke. My family and I just recently moved here in Ellis. And then I got transferred here in Ellis High," pahayag niya. "I hope we'll all get along well."
Pumito si Ryan, isa sa mga ka-team ni Maru. "Ryan nga pala," he stood from his seat. "Can I get your number?"
Nagpakawala ng tawanan ang mga kaklase namin.
"What a dick," anas ni Celaena sa tabi ko.
Nahihiyang tumawa lang si Brooke saka bumaling kay Mr Lim na tinanguan lang siya. Then Brooke walked back up to her chair and sat beside me.
"Mr Ryan Jasper Gomez," baling ni Mr Lim kay Ryan. "'Wag nating ipakita sa transferee ang napakaganda nating ugali. Do you want another detention, perhaps? I can teach you proper manners."
Muling nagtawanan ang mga kaklase ko.
*****
When the bell rang, we quickly stood up from our seats and gathered our things. Lumabas na rin si Mr Lim ng silid. Nagyaya si Brooke na kumain kami sa cafeteria. Celaena and I asked her if she would like a quick tour first pero gutom na raw siya. Kaya naman plano naming dumeretso sa cafeteria ngayon.
"Napakadami talagang magbigay ng homework nyan ni Mr Lim," iritadong pahayag ni Celaena. "Akala mo wala ng bukas."
The door of our room suddenly opened. Iniluwa niyon si Ms Penelope na habol habol ang hininga. "Where's Wadson?" narinig kong tanong niya sa papalabas na mga kaklase namin. The girl, Lianne, was the one she asked and the latter pointed at my direction.
Mabilis akong nagtaas ng kamay at naglakad palapit kay Ms Penelope. "Ano po iyon, Ms Pen?"
She's a new teacher here at Ellis High. At siya rin ang Professor namin sa next class, which is Biology.
When we first met her, she already informed us na ayaw niyang tawagin siya sa buo niyang pangalan. Ang sabi niya ay mas maganda kung 'Ms Pen' na lang.
Iniayos niya ang eyeglasses niya. "I need you to get my attendance sheet sa faculty room. Can you do that?"
Puno ng hesitasyon, tumango pa rin ako. "Opo. Can I bring—"
She quickly cut me off. "No need, Ms Wadson. I'm pretty sure you will not be needing someone with you. Sa pagkakaalam ko, nasa third floor lang ang faculty room at hindi mo kailangan nang aalalay sa 'yo dahil—" she handed me a piece of paper "—gagamit ka naman ng elevator. Kailangan na kailangan ko na iyon ngayon. Kaya please, go."
Muli akong tumango at lumabas ng room. Pero sumilip muna ako sa pinto ng silid namin at bumaling kay Brooke at Celaena. I mouthed sorry to them. They simply waved their hands in the air and motioned for me to go.
Tinext ko na lang si Celaena na hahabol ako. Then I ran down the hallway and quickly got in the elevator. Punindot ko ang first floor button at lumipas ang ilang segundo, nasa unang palapag na ako ng highschool building.
Saka ko lang napansin na umuulan pala.
I walked out of the building and entered the building beside it—Faculty. Binigay ko sa guwardiya ang piraso ng papel na ibinigay sa 'kin ni Ms Pen, which is my pass, at dumeretso sa elevator. Mayamaya pa ay nasa third floor na ako. Tahimik ang pasilyo pero kagaya sa high school building, nakabukas ang ilaw at nakasara ang mga bintana. Mas lalong lumakas ang buhos ng ulan sa labas.
Ang mga new teacher ay may isang silid lamang. Pero ang mga head ng bawat department ay mayroong kanya-kanyang silid. Kumaliwa ako at nakita ko ang silid ng mga bagong professor ng unibersidad. Nakapatay ang ilaw and no one was around. I went inside and quickly headed to Ms Penelope's desk. I looked for her attendance sheet.
Nang mahanap ko na iyon, agad akong lumabas ng silid. I closed the door behind me. Nagsimula na akong maglakad nang may narinig akong mga boses. Nanggagaling iyon sa Principal's Office.
I walked closer to the door. They're arguing about something.
Boses ni Mrs Martha Chua—principal ng Ellis High—ang una kong narinig. "…no, no, please. You have to listen to me. Malapit na ang Retreat nilang mga seniors. I want them to at least be happy about something. And after that, I will let you do what you want to do with them."
Mababa ang boses ng nagsalita, almost like the voice was coming from a machine. "Mrs Chua, you've already seen what the President can do, right? Sigurado akong hindi siya matutuwa kapag hinatid ko ang balitang tumanggi ka na naman. And you know what happens when his order gets rejected."
I should not be here. Hindi ko dapat ito naririnig. I was about to walk away when the man added, "Don't make your school more important than the others. At sigurado akong alam mo na ang mga dapat gawin kapag natupad na ang New World Order."
New World Order? What the hell is that?
Tumingin muna ako sa likod ko bago humakbang paatras.
"I'm sorry, Mrs Chua, but it's already been decided by the officials. You've rejected us once. Whether you want it or not, it will happen on the—"
Naputol ang dapat ay sasabihin niya nang biglang tumunog ang phone sa bulsa ko. Natutop ko ang bibig ko at mabilis iyong kinuha.
It was Celaena.
Lumikha iyon ng ingay na sapat para malaman nilang may nakikinig sa kanilang usapan. Nanigas ang buo kong katawan. I should run now. Pero hindi ko magawa. I heard their steps coming towards the door. Kailangan ko nang tumakbo.
Tila ba bumalik lahat ng dugo sa katawan ko at nagawa kong dumeretso ng tayo at tumakbo palayo sa Principal's office.
I quickly got in the elevator and pressed a random button. Nanginginig ang buo kong katawan.
Just as the door closed, narinig ko ang galit na boses ni Mrs Chua at ang mga yabag nila. There's a moment of silence before the doors finally slid shut. Nakita ko ang lalaki. Nakasuot siya ng itim na roba at puting maskara—it was the face of a cat. Masyado siyang matangkad. Maybe he saw my face, I wasn't sure.
At mula sa puwesto ko, may nakitang akong kakaibang bagay na nakakabit sa bandang dibdib ng robang suot niya. Kahit na bahagya lang iyong natatabunan ng ilaw, isa iyong pin. It was a silver eye and a ring was attached around it. The eye was connected to the ring only by its tips.
And then the elevator finally closed and started to descend. Saka lang ako nakahinga nang maluwag.
Bakit ako tumakbo? I could've just made a lame excuse.
But something tells me that their conversation was supposed to be a confidential one. At narinig ko iyon kahit na hindi buo.
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