This Is Not Strange

Chapter Ten

Bridgette

Tatlong buwan na ang nakaraan pero parang kahapon kakauwi ko lang from prescon. I've been busy with school works and responsibilities ko as part of the student council. Me and Ella still talk through chats, but we haven't hang out pa dahil hindi kami makalugar. Club meets are done for today and sa end of November pa ulit babalik.

  It's Thursday afternoon and I'm walking alone papunta sa gate. It's almost six na kasi and I lost track of time kanina habang gumagawa ng papers. I was about to turn on the way towards our canteen when I saw a familiar figure crouching under the window of Miss Rev's classroom. Hindi ko naman mapigilan na lapitan siya kaya pati ako ay napatago na rin.

  “Hey, ” mahina kong bulong na ikinasigaw niya. Agad naman niyang narealize ang ginawa kaya agad niya akong hinila at tumakbo papuntang canteen. Natigil lang kami nang makarating kami sa labas.

  Hingal ito na tumigil, hawak-hawak pa ang kanyang dibdib. “Bridgette! Bakit ka ba nanggugulat? Alam mo naman na may ginawa ang tao, bigla kang sumusulpot. Paano kung nahuli tayo? Edi patay?”

  What is she doing there ba? She looks like she's in a mission to investigate over someone.

  “I didn't know na you'd scream. Bakit ka ba kasi nakikinig sakanila? It's invading of privacy.”

  Tinignan niya muna ang paligid namin bago nagsalita. “Pauwi na kasi ako kaninang mga five, tapos bigla kong nakita si Sir Bob na naglalakad papuntang room ni Ma'am Rev. Ilang araw ko na kasi napapansin na pumupunta siya roon, kaya ngayon sinundan ko.”

  My eyes grew wide as saucer. She's stalking them? What is she up to?

  “What?! Are you for real?” hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko.

  Tumango siya at kinuha ang cellphone niya sa bulsa. She pressed something before putting it back in her bag.

  “Nag record ako. Magugulat ka talaga sa maririnig mo.”

  Me and Ella jump in surprise when a car pulled up in front of us. It was Sir Bob. He is our principal for almost four years now. I don't really know much about him, narinig ko lang na happily married daw ito at may tatlong anak.

  “Hello, students.”

  “Sir!” I can feel Ella's nervousness, so I took her hand and smiled at Sir Bob.

  “Hey, sir. Pauwi na po kami. Ella helped me do some paperworks at the council's office po.”

  “That's nice. Keep up the good work at the council. I'm glad other students are willing to help. May tanong lang ako.”

   Ella's hand were sweaty but I didn't let go of it. She's really nervous.

  Nagpanggap akong interesado. “Yes po?”

  “May napansin ba kayong mga students na tumatakbo kanina?”

  Oh, shoot. Kaya pala he looks suspicious.

  “Wala po. Actually, kanina pa kami nakalabas ni Ella. We stopped over a stall sa labas para mag snack. Baka ang mga bata lang po 'yun na naglalaro minsan sa loob,” mabilis kong alibi.