Arid Trials

Chapter 5

Believe

I am still in shock while watching the bald trees outside, also the firefighters who are trying to calm down the fire. Kakabalik ko lang ng cellphone sa bulsa at nasa tabi ko pa si Katrina na katawagan na din ang sariling mga magulang. Some of the students who are in the library flocked together in this big glass wall to see what's happening outside. 

I don't know what to do. Or maybe I do, but I don't know where to start. This very moment is related to my father's findings in his lab in our home. He is studying about celestial objects, particularly the sun. He found out years ago how the distance of the planets within our solar system are slowly being pulled in by the gravity of the sun. Making its distance quite closer than its distance centuries ago. Natawa pa ako noon nang sinabi ni daddy 'yon sa'kin pero nang pinakitaan niya ako ng ebidensya, which is in his lab, I took all of it seriously. He tried discussing this upcoming disaster to his fellow scientists, but they only laughed at him saying that his theories are impossible. But seeing this now, I don't think it's a theory anymore.

"I need to go home kasi classes are on hold. Hindi alam ng school kung pano nakalbo yung mga puno sa labas. Did you already contact your father?"

Kinakabahan akong tumango kay Kat. She also doesn't know why is this happening. As I have said, kami lang ng tatay ko ang nakaka-alam, wala ng iba. She asked if I will go home but I said I will stay. Although dad wants me home now, I need to check things here first. Naunang umalis si Kat dahil may parehong insidente rin daw sa kanila. I watched her as she rushed to the elevator along with the other students.

"Maybe a prank?"

"A prank like this? No way, that's too much."

"I don't think it's a prank t'was really hot these days. I thought someone installed a big ass heater."

Rinig ko ang mga usap-usapan ng mga estudyante sa paligid. Sobrang kinakabahan pa ako kanina dahil akala ko mangyayari na, pero buti na lang eto pa lang mga puno ang napupulbo. Pero hindi parin magandang pangitain iyon. If dad's fellow scientists, or the government won't believe him, I will make the whole world itself believe. 

Huminga ako ng malalim at inalis na sa mga puno ang paningin. I need to talk to dad before performing my plans. Nagagalit pa naman 'yon sa padalos-dalos.

Me:

I'll come home later. I just need to talk to someone.

After I hit send, nag reply agad siya na umuwi ako agad. Nagalit pa nga. Binaliwala ko muna at napatingin sa lobby ng library.

Students who are inside the library went in the lobby to the elevator. Some made the scene outside like it was nothing and continued studying, while others take cautions and proceeds to the exit, probably to check the news outside or to go home. 

Sa kabila ng mga estudyante na nagsisilabasan sa transparent double-doors ng library, nakita ko pa si Vance na lumabas dala ang mga gamit niya. Kabababa niya lang cellphone siguro dahil may tinawagan. I remained my eyes on him while he's slowly walking towards where I am. Probably to look what's going on outside as well. He lifted his head from his phone at bumalik ang kaba ko kanina nang nagtama ang paningin naming dalawa. Nauna akong nag-iwas ng tingin. Nahihiya na pagkatapos kong landiin siya ay may ganitong ganap pala. Lagi na lang wrong timing ang mga pagpapa-pansin ko sa kaniya.