When Love and Hate Collide [Completed]

Epilogue

ARANYA

Lahat kami ngayon ay nagchichismisan habang hindi pa tumutunog ang bell. Tulad ng dating gawi ay sila Rupert pa rin ang maingay habang walang ibang ginagawa si Seth kundi ang tanungin ako kung kamusta ang tulog ko.

We are loud and freaky before a teacher came in and smiled at us as he puts his lesson plan on the table, "Congratulations to the remaining 12 students of this class."

After the High School building was set on fire, we were relocated to another building in Harman. It was supposed to be for the elementary students but since we don't have place yet, dito na muna raw kami sabi ng principal.

Almost half of the Harman students population was wiped out. Ayon sa imbestigasyon ni Seth ay ang canister na nakaharang sa entrada ay inipon mismo ng isang seksyon mismo para sunugin talaga ang building kapag nakatakas na ang buong klase nila. Unfortunately, we were the ones who used it so the class who prepared it barely survived. Marami rin ang wala pa noon sa High School building nang mangyari ang sunog pero hindi maikakaila ang bilang ng mga namatay.

In our class however, kaming dose na lamang ang natitirang buhay. Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay kami na ang nagmamay-ari ng buong room.

"Pero kahit dose na lang kayo, magtuturo pa rin ako. That was just the first period so there will still be three more to complete your 2 semesters." He said before he takes out his laptop and opens it and then he started writing some words in the blackboard.

Lahat kami ay seryosong nakikinig nang biglang may kumatok sa pintuan. The door slowly opened as the principal pops out of the doorway who's standing while staring directly to me.

"Good morning sir." Bati ng teacher na hindi man lang tinapunan ng tingin ni sir Del Fierro.

"I'd like you to excuse the only lady in this class to come with me to the office." Diretso niyang utos habang hinihintay ako na sumunod.

All the boys started whispering to ask me if I know the reason why he called but I replied by shaking my head. Tumayo na lamang ako at naglakad palapit sa principal na ngayon ay nauna nang naglakad. I turned to Seth who's mouthing it's okay before I smiled and then I finally followed the principal without any hesitation.

***

"Congratulations for keeping yourself alive Ara. I want you to know that my wife is very happy." Pagbati niya sa akin nang makaupo na sa kaniyang swivel chair at isinandal ang mga siko sa lamesa habang nakasuporta ang mga palad sa baba niya.

"Thank you sir." I tried to give a half smile and I lowered my head a little to show my respect.

"Now, I called you here because I have been reconsidering your case." He said as he pulls out a paper from the cabinet in his desk and then he puts it in the table, "Will you please read it out loud."

Kinuha ko ang papel at saka sinimulang basahin ang bawat salita rito. Ayon sa documento sa taas, sa itong letter of consent na nakatalaga ang pangalan ko as the addresser.

"Dear Ms. Zaragosa, In behalf of Harman University faculties, we formally announce that your case has been reopened and your punishment was receded." Hindi ko mapigilan ang mapiyok nang mabasa ko ang huling salita, "Y-You will no longer take a full school year and your stay for the first period is enough as a punishment for trespassing. It was proven that you were a victim of a conspiracy and you are therefore proven not guilty of any accusations."

I cried. It was like I was innocently convicted and I was later proven innocent. Para akong kriminal na napatunayang walang sala at puwede nang umuwi pagkatapos makulong ng matagal na panahon. Para akong natanggalan ng tinik sa dibdib at hindi ko napigilan ang humagulgol sa tuwa.

"You are no longer obligated to stay here in the campus. You will be considered as a visitor and not a former student and you will go back in peace to your former school. You are completely free and you shall never return again in Harman University."

I thought it will take me a very long time but, I think he realized that I am not meant to stay here. Siguro ay iniisip niyang masyadong malaking kaparusahan ang pag-graduate dito at maranasan ang lahat ng krimen ng Harman dahil lang nagpumilit akong pumasok. Looks like I will no longer be a student here. Tuluyan na nga talaga akong aalis.

***

Habang nag-iimpake ako ay nanonood ang buong gang at lahat sila ay walang kibo. Tinulungan din naman nila ako pero ni isang salita ay wala silang masabi.

"Tapos na ako." Pag-anunsyo ko pero wala pa rin silang kibo. Tinulungan lang nila akong buhatin ang mga inimpake kong gamit hanggang sa makalabas kaming lahat ng dorm.

They all silently went with me as they carry the bag of all my things. Natatawa ako kasi lahat ng mga gamit ko ay gastos ni Seth pero ipinilit niyang ipadala ang lahat sa akin. He brought it for me sabi niya kaya dapat lang daw na iuwi ko iyon.

I will miss them. I will miss every single one of them so much. I know hindi pa ito ang huling pagkikita namin pero iba pa rin ang saya kapag lagi kaming magkakasama sa klase.

Narating na namin ang main gate at doon ako nagulat nang biglang nagkumpulan sa akin ang lahat at yumakap ang buong gang. Well except for Seth who was just staring at his friends ridiculously.

"We will miss you ma'am!"

"Kami na lang po ang pupunta sa inyo ma'am!"

"Madam, magkacutting niyan palagi si Boss!"

Halo ang tawa at iyak ko habang namamaalam sila. Dinadaan man nila sa biro pero aaminin kong ramdam ko ang lungkot nila. But I was sadder than them. Mas naiiyak akong isipin na malalayo na ako sa mga taong pinoprotektahan ako.

"That's enough. You're suffocating her." Sabay-sabay na napabitaw ang lahat bago nilingon ng lahat si Seth at inabangan itong maglakad palapit sa akin.

Seth was now staring at me and I can feel all the guys looking. Para tuloy akong sasabog sa hiya pero mukhang walang pakialam si Seth.

"I miss you already." Tipid niyang sabi sa akin bago hinawakan ang dalawa kong pisngi, "I don't want you to go. But I know you don't belong here so its better for you to leave."

"I want to stay too Seth. I badly want to." I admitted to him as I gave him a warm smile before cupping his cheeks while directly looking straight to his tantalizing eyes.

"I love you Ara. I love you more than my life." For the very first time, I heard him say that. He finally admitted his feelings to me.

It felt warm and good. Parang nayapos ang puso ko sa sobrang tuwa at hindi ko mapigilan ang mapangiti nang malapad.

"I love you too Seth."

He pulled me close as he crash his lips onto mine. I heard the boys whistled and some are even cheering but I did not mind anymore. I just keep kissing Seth back until both of our hearts were contented and as my last day in Harman University ends. Now I have to leave the school who taught me not just how to be tough woman to defend myself from the cruel world, but also the lesson that love will always conquer hatred in people's hearts.

***