Point of Safe Return (Crossroads Series #1)

Kabanata 16

After what happened last school year with the club issue between me and Raja, I never really had another encounter with him. His family still sponsored the dinner and snacks of the dancers for the festival dance last summer, pero hindi na s'ya madalas tumutulong at tumatambay sa rehearsals. Nagpupunta lang s'ya kapag nandoon sina Luis para manood. But he never really went alone to watch and hangout with us, like how he did on that certain summer.

Sumali ulit sila sa battle of the bands pero katulad namin sa festival dance, hindi rin sila nananalo. It was fine though. We enjoyed our roadtrip that night. I can say that we are civil, hindi ko rin naman kinimkim ang galit sa kan'ya at tinatanguan ko s'ya minsan kapag binabati.

Just like what I expected, pasok ako sa screening. Naglalakad pa lang ako palapit sa bulletin board ay nagsigawan na ang mga kaklase ko nang matanaw nila ako. I jumped and shouted with them.

"Congrats, Faerie! Road to talent portion ka!" My classmates cheered for me.

Maingay kaming naglalakad papasok nang classroom. Roxanne was already there with her friends, nang makita kaming pumasok ay padabog s'yang naupo. Ipinagkibit balikat ko iyon. I'm too happy, really. Even if she sulk here all day, I won't mind.

We had a quiz in Araling Panlipunan at tahimik akong nagsasagot nang matanaw ko si Marvi na kumakaway.

"Anong number?" I mouthed.

Nilingon ko pa sandali ang teacher bago muling bumaling sa kan'ya. Sinensyasan n'ya ako ng number at agad ko ring sinenyas pabalik ang sagot.

Well, we're not saints. And it's not like she copies the whole exam from me. Madalas lang namang nagtatanong si Marvi kapag may nakalimutan s'ya o may parteng hindi naaral.

I remember being asked how I manage my studies. Truth is, I just take classes seriously. Kapag sineryoso kasi ang discussions, kaunting review nalang ang kailangan. Hindi na kailangang magpuyat o magsunog ng kilay. That's why during our lectures, I try so hard to focus and understand the lesson. I always take notes. Lalo na iyong mga bagay na wala sa visual aids at sinasabi lang ng teacher sa discussions.

"Tangina akala ko puro definition of terms. Hindi ko masyadong inaral 'yong history ng ekonomiks." Marvi cursed as we head our way to the Canteen.

"Tss. Nagreview ka pero hindi mo sinimulan sa history? Tanga mo."

"Wow? Sorry, ha? Pwede po bumawi next time? Punyeta ka." Pikon n'yang sagot. I laughed at her and she just rolled her eyes.

Pagpasok ng canteen ay sina Luis agad ang nakasalubong namin. I tried to ignore him. Isa pa 'tong alaskador eh.

Just like what I was talking, bago pa namin sila malagpasan ay tinawag n'ya na ako.

"Uy, Faerie!"

"Ano?" Kunot noo ko s'yang nilingon.

"Si Rael nga pala." Tinuro n'ya ang lalaking kasama pagkatapos ay nagtawanan sila. Nilingon ko si Raja at hindi napigilang magtaas ng kilay dahil namumula s'ya.

Pero sa halip na patulan pa si Luis ay inirapan ko lang s'ya at tumuloy na sa canteen.

They are in Senior High School now, still in charge of the music club. Hindi na rin ako naging interesado sa club nila mula nang magkainitan kami. My parents sent me a drum pad, at sa bahay nalang ako nag-aaral. Iyon naman talaga ang dahilan kung bakit gusto ko sanang sumali, para magpaturo. But I know how to play beat box kaya naging madali nalang iyon sa akin, YouTube was helpful too.

"Wala pang naging girlfriend si Rael mula no'ng nag high school tayo, 'di ba?" Marvi opened up the topic. Nag-isip ako habang inaayos ang pagkain sa pwesto namin.