That One Real Smile

Smile 5 - Locked

"For us dreamers to survive in reality like this." - April Avery

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Nox's POV

While walking in the hallway, someone grabbed my arm. "hey." I look at her with the same cold expression.

"What?" I asked.

"You're good in talking naman pala, why aren't you participating more often?" She said. Tuloy tuloy lang ako sa paglalakad na sinabayan naman nito.

"I don't want to speak up in class." I said.

"Then bakit ka sumali kanina sa debate?" Tanong nito.

Tinignan ko lamang sya sa mata at ngumiti. "H-hoy!" Ani to na parang nagulat. Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad hanggang sa makarating sa library. "Hanggang dito ba naman susundan mo ko?" I asked. Napansin ko kasing nasa likod ko pa rin sya.

"Gusto ko lang naman makipag kaibigan." She said.

"Well sorry to disappoint you, I don't need friends." I firmly said. I know she's hurt with what I said. The fuck, is she crying?

"O-oh, is that so? Sorry for bothering you." Aniya at dali-daling tumalikod. Sinundan lamang sya ng aking paningin. What the heck Eros? What have you done? I sighed with the thought, alright I feel guilty. I shouldn't have said that.

Even though I was eaten by guilt, I continued searching for a book to read. I don't participate in class but it doesn't mean that I don't study. I grabbed one book, it was a story published under the author's name, April Avery. I scanned the whole book, "Something spectacular" it says.

I was about to read it when someone called me. "Nox." I looked at her with no emotions, she's still cute even though she's angry. Wait, what am I saying? The heck.

"Yes?" I replied.

"Tsk. Tawag tayo ni Ma'am." Sabi nito pagakatapos ay umalis.

She didn't tell me kung sinong teacher, how would I know. Napapailing ngunit nakangiti ko na lamang syang sinundan.

Ilang sandali pa at nasa office na kami. Bago pa sya nakakatok sa pinto at dali dali na itong nagbukas. "Oh kayo na pala yan!" Ani ng guro.

"Ms. Ara, bakit po?" Tanong niya.

"Punta kayo sa dating faculty. Ginagamitan na yon as stock room pero kumpleto naman sa gamit at may proper ventilation." Ani to.

"Bakit po?" Kunot noong tanong ni Athenna.

"Usap usapan sa faculty ang debate sa klase nyo and they're impressed with your performance. So we decided na kayo ang ipanlaban sa gaganaping debate this coming Monday. Now you may go. Nandon yung mga sample written reports from the past debates, you can read those." Ani to.

Tumalima naman kami at agad na umalis. Tahimik lang ako habang naglalakad kami. Walang gusting magsalita, animo'y walang may balak na basagin ang katahimikan.

Nang makarating kami sa kwarto ay agad kong sinimulan ang paghahanap ng mga naturang dokumento. I've seen previous reports with different topics. Kinuha ko ito at dinala doon sa may mesa at umupo doon sa upuan.

Ganon din naman ang ginawa nya. After an hour of scanning, reading and absorbing what the documents has, we both decided to leave the room. It's almost 6:00 in the afternoon na rin. I was about to open the door but I can't open it. I tried it again but still, it doesn't open.

"Why? Anong problema?" Tanong nito.

"It's locked." I said.

"What?" She shouted.

"Hey, wag mo kong sigawan." ani ko habang sinusubukan paring buksan ang pinto. But no matter how hard I tried, still it won't open. I guess someone locked it outside.

Bumalik ako sa upuan at prenteng naupo nalang. Habang sya at pinipilit paring buksan ang pinto.

"Hindi mo mabubuksan yan." Ani ko.

"So uupo ka nalang dyan at walang gagawin? Come on help me here." She replied.

"Sa labas yan naka lock. Walang makakarinig sayo dyan dahil malayo tayo sa guard. Hindi naman sila nagra-rounds." Sabi ko.

Bagsak ang balikat na naupo rin ito. I looked at her, hindi ko inaalis ang tingin ko sa kanya until I feel like naiilang sya.

"H-hey, anong binabalak mo sa akin ha?" Utal nitong sabi.

I smiled because of what she have said. "Wala. I just wanna say sorry." Kunot noo naman sya. "I didn't mean to say those things to you." Dagdag ko pa.

Yumuko naman ito. "Bakit ba ayaw mo ng kaibigan?"

"Long story." I replied.

"We have all the time, as you see we're locked at mukhang bukas pa tayo makaka labas." Sambit into.

Still, I remained quiet. "Okay ako muna. After this you will tell me why." Masungit nitong ani.

Kinuwento nito ang kanyang buhay. Madalas daw at pakiramdam nya na lagi syang mag-isa, even tho she has a sibling. Somehow, I feel her pain. Because until now, I feel so alone. I feel empty. I'm not sad, nor depressed. It's just that, I feel like there's something missing.

"Oh ikaw naman. Nag kwento na ko!" Sabi nito. I just sighed and started talking.

"I love arts. That's why earlier, I participated tho that wasn't planned. But they're not supporting me. My parents doesn't support my dreams." I started. She quietly listened to my story.