To weather the storm

Chapter 3

Today is no other than the miting de avance. Kinakabahan ako, talo nga ako sa oral recitation, paano pa kaya rito?

"Ang exciting naman!" mahinang bulong ni Paopao. Magkasalungat talaga kami.

He is fixing his hair in front of the mirror, he's wearing his clean uniform but paired it with his nike sneakers. Nandito kami ngayon sa Office ni Miss Tine, she is reminding us all the rules in answering in every question.

That guy..Cohen? he was just napping in the corner, a small towel covering his eyes, hands crossed against his chest with his heavy breathing. Parang pagod na pagod siya.

"He has trouble falling asleep during the night," Yameia, who's also looking at him spoke. Napatango ako. "He has an ex."

Napalingon ako sa kaniya nang sabihin niya iyon. As much as I want to know more about the ex she's talking about, I remained silent, but to my surprise, she talks again.

"His very first love. I don't like that girl from the very beginning, my guts are telling me that something is off about her and then boom, she's the one who had been stealing jewelries from Cohen's mom, it' more sad that Cohen was the one who caught her."

Napalunok ako. She shouldn't be saying this to me. Baka ano pang sabihin ni Cohen, I am not interested in anybody's life but his story have piqued my interest.

"H-hindi ba siya galit sa ex niya?" I ask, looking away.

Hindi ako sanay mangialam sa buhay ng iba because I believe, other people's life should never be our business. Ngayon, parang nagu-guilty akong magtanong, but I did it anyway.

"Nope, they are actually childhood sweethearts. She met that girl in his previous school and continued their love story till highschool. Actually, recently lang sila nag break. His mom was just so angry because she trusted that girl yet she broke it."

Napatango ako. He has a traumatic experience of love, huh? napakatraumatic naman talaga ng ganiyan, but I wouldn't judge the girl, she better have an acceptable reason for doing that!

"Pero, he has a soft spot for her. Never siyang nagalit. He even told his mom that he'll pay for everything that his ex have stolen."

Napailing ako. Pakiramdam ko hindi ko dapat marinig o malaman lahat ng 'to.

"Why are you telling me this?" I genuinely ask.

Tinignan niya ako at ngumiti, there is something in her eyes that I couldn't fathom. Hindi siya nagsalita at umalis, leaving me with lots of thought.

Hindi ko mapigilang maisip ang ex ko. He was the very first guy I fell into, we were grade 10 at that time. We parted ways without proper closure. It lasted for almost 7 months, I was the one who initiated the break up but he did not want us to break. He was abusive and I could never handle any abuse anymore. Nasuntok pa siya ni Paopao. I did not see him for awhile now, I hope he's fine and I wish him well.

"Let us all gather at the covered court, guys. The activity will start now."

Agad naman kaming lumabas sa office ni Miss Tine at sabay sabay na naglakad patungo sa covered court, other students are also gathered there, some even bought a banner featuring synchia's face, some also have a banner for Cohen. I was shock to see my face on a banner, and if I am not mistaken, it's from the grade 7 students!