Becoming The Man (COMPLETED)

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

"Ano ba kasi ang suot mo noong party, hija?" was the first thing the principal asked.

I looked down and held my trembling hands. Sabi ko, I won't cry because I didn't do anything wrong naman that night... but I can feel the paninikip in my chest.

"A cocktail dress po..." I answered. I searched for a photo from that night and handed the phone to the principal. "Here po."

She looked disappointed. "Nako, hija... Kitang-kita naman kasi ang dibdib mo dito. Kung ganyan ka ba naman manamit—parang nang-aakit—aba'y di talaga malayong ma-bastos ka."

My lips parted. So now, it's my fault?

"It wasn't my intention naman po," I defended myself.

"Still. Babae ka, Debbie," she said. "This should serve as a lesson for you. Next time, mabuti nang mag-ingat. Hindi mo alam kung kailan ka mababastos."

"But, Ma'am—"

"Papasukin mo na sina Mrs. Inocencio," she told her secretary.

Ugh, nakakainis!

Not only because this is coming from one of Mommy's amigas but because gosh, babae rin siya! The least she could've done was to side with me—not put the blame on me.

Diba mas lalong it's not my fault nga? The way I dress shouldn't be the basis of how people would treat me. Kahit balot pa ako from head to toe or naka-swimsuit man ako for contest, nasa tao pa rin kung babastusin ako o hindi.

Kung manyak—manyak! Period!

"Mrs. Domingo," Tita Rima called. "Hindi naman po siguro masu-suspend ang anak namin, diba?"

Mommy, please come...

"Per school guidelines, ang penalty sa offense ng anak ninyo ay 2 weeks of suspension at community service."

"Unfair naman yata?" Tita asked. "I mean, biktima rin yung anak ko. Basag ang ilong niya, Madam Principal!"

"E gago naman po kasi 'yang anak niyo," Bailey interjected.

"Mr. President!" the principal said, her eyes widened.

"Totoo naman po, Ma'am. Kinu-kunsinte pa po ng magulang," he said.

Tita's eyes widened, too. "Anong klaseng SSG President ba ang meron kayo, Ma'am?! Mali pa rin pong binugbog nalang siya nang ganun! Nakaka-awa yung anak ko, Ma'am..."

The principal massaged her temple and removed her glasses. Don't tell me ico-consider talaga niya si Joaquin...

Pina-labas muna kami so the adults could talk. Mommy didn't come. But it's okay. Si Bailey rin naman walang parent. Paglabas namin ng principal's office, I saw Joaquin. Look at him. He waited outside.

He had the balls to harass me but not the balls to face the consequences.

"Debbie, sorry talaga—"

"Subukan mo lang," I warned nung lalapit sana siya.

In the end, Joaquin ended up having 2 weeks of community service—no suspension. Bailey naman has a week of community service.

I kept my fiery eyes on Joaquin as I walked away. I tried to keep my composure and even waved and said Hi sa mga nakaka-salubong ko but I just saw Nate in front of me, may inaabot na panyo.

"Umiiyak ka," he said.

"What?"

Napa-hawak ako sa cheeks ko and dun ko lang na-notice na may luha nga. I didn't notice... Alam ko lang, I was shaking.