The afternoon wind blows, changing the sultry atmosphere a while ago. The CAT officers are then given a three-minute break. Naaninag ko kaagad ang bulto ng papalapit na si Rico. Behind him is the setting sun.
"Why are you here? Hinintay mo na lang sana ako sa detention room," he said, gasping a little from the practice. The comforting fragrance mixed with his sweat and natural scent registers on my senses.
My cheeks heated because of the embarrassment. Oo nga, bakit ba ako nandito e tirik ang sikat ng araw kanina?
I look at him. "Because you said, my punishment will be outdoors."
Tumango siya. "Right. I thought you were waiting for me," bulong-bulong niya.
"Pardon?"
"Wala," he smiled.
Kumunot ang noo ko. Naglabas naman siya ng puting bimpo na ipinangpunas niya agad sa mukhang pawisan. His defined skin tone is being directly hit by the sunlight. Golden hues seem to kiss the natural brown skin of him. His eyebrows turned darker. Kahit ang mga anino ng pilikmata niya ay tumatakip sa itaas na bahagi ng pisngi.
I am well aware that compared to the city boys and mainstream standard of visual appearance here in the Philippines, he is just perceived as an average. More so, a typical province boy. Kung hindi kasi Western features ang hanap para masabing guwapo, mas nag-rerely minsan ang masa sa Eastern Asian look. If being a Filipino means average-looking for those unattainable standards, then I strongly believe that gem can also be found in mediocrity!
At first glance, he seemed to be basic but when I glue my eyes longer at his features, I can say that he is God gifted. In the small town of Oakvine, in this province that seemed to avoid industrial changes and preserved history and customs, he is indeed an apple of the eye. I cannot deny that because even when I am not in good terms with him, I am not blind from the unending admirations he receives from many students here at Collins High. Suddenly, he caught me staring at him!
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
I got startled. Like what?
He raised an eyebrow, as if I am a prisoner escaping from the cell. I swallowed, thinking of an alibi. Kaso, wala akong mahanap na rason kung bakit ako tumitig nang ganoon sa kaniya.
He flicked his fingers at me. "Uy."
Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. The mood between us is suddenly awkward. Ilang minuto ang lumipas, ni walang nagtangkang bumasag ng katahimikan. Unti-unti, lumingon ako sa banda niya. My eyes grew wide when I met his. Again, I glanced away. Shuta ka, Rico!
"Ano ba!" sigaw ko.
"Tss. Go ahead to the detention room. Wait for me there. Huwag ka dito, mainit pa rin."
"Bakit ba? I'm fine here." I glance at him.
Rico looked around. I did too. My chest leaped a beat when I saw some of his classmates looking at me weirdly, as if it's a miracle or a strange sight for me and Rico to be in one place, especially the girls who are sharply looking at me.
Bumukas ang mga labi ko sa napagtanto. Oo nga pala! His classmates were also my classmates before. Majority knows what happened between us! They might be thinking that we're having a truce or something.
Rico licked his bottom lip and said, "You're exposed to the sun for so long. Ma-dehydrate ka riyan, sige," sabi niya.
Naglabas siya ng isang bote ng mineral water. Inabot niya iyon sa akin. I glance at it with confusion. "E 'di paano ka niyan? You're tired from the training."
From the almost stoic expression, his eyes glowed. He bit his lips, obviously refraining from smiling but I can see the appearance of his dimples on his cheeks.
My eyes grew wider when he opened the lids of the bottle and directly drank a little. Maybe one-fourth of it. I felt the heat on my cheeks when he returned the bottle to me.
"Thanks," he chuckled. Then, he ran away from me.
I am dumbfounded while facing his back. Why did he do that?!
The officers in the CAT training are reassembling on the quadrangle. My eyes found his.
He mouthed, "Go!"
And so I did. But did he expect me to drink the remaining water? Yuck! I can buy my own.
A room painted in all white greets my sight. From the walls, the benches, and the desks, the place gives me a renowned hospital vibe. Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na napunta ako rito. Detentions and guidance office aren't even new to me. But it is something I am certainly not proud of. I just lost the passion to study so I chase for the thrill to bring it back. It felt like drowning when you lost the intense desire to do something you used to enjoy. Napapagod rin ako.
Pabagsak akong umupo sa silya at agad iginala ang paningin sa loob. Including me, there are only three students here and it's a shame that the two boy students are just sophomores. There's even a trace of tears on the cheeks of the other one.
But whew, I'm not in a sardine situation today! Of course, Rico the President is very strict that almost no one dares to disobey. There are some, but those usually just seek attention.
Wait.
Am I also an attention seeker?
Ha, nakalimutan ko lang labhan ang uniform ko! May kasambahay na kami pero taga-bantay lang yata ni Mama, knowing Tita Dahlia. I do a lot of household chores so it's just a coincidence. Ni ayaw ko na nga sana siyang makita, kung tutuusin. Iyon 'yon!
The door creaks open, and the low steps thereon. My eyes instantly fly to the familiar man with stern face. Earlier, he was smiling at me. Now, back to his strict gaze. Pansin ko ring nagpalit na siya ng damit. Isang plain na grey shirt ang suot niya.
"Good afternoon," he greets in a low and quite baritone voice. "I already informed the higher officers about your punishments. You need to paint and cover up the huge graffiti on the back walls."
Graffiti?
The balls of my eyes almost popped out from their sockets. Malakas ang mga kabog sa dibdib ko. So...nakita na nila? Nalaman ba nilang ako ang may gawa? Anong gagawin sa akin? Masu-suspend? Baka naman i-eexpel ba agad ako? I swallowed hard. Sweats formed on my temple even if it's cold here. My fingers are shaking on my lap.
Please, calm down!
Bumigat ang aking paghinga habang tinitignan ang kunot niyang noo. What if they find out that it was me all along?
Ay, shuta!
This was what I want from the start for I know, I will be suspended or else, be expelled. Because while I was craving for freedom, my soul has already been committed to the intangible ones cannot be found inside the academe.
I still cannot name what I yearn for but it is comparable to the spirit felt by churches, the highlights of a game, or the vibes in the street. Nonetheless, I didn't know that I am going to be this nervous!
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mary mnemosynth
BINABASA MO ANG
The Seat We Sit On (HFS #1)
Fiksi RemajaFreesia Mandeville has a habit of writing and doodling anywhere in Collins High School. May it be on the walls, chairs, and even on the comfort room's newly painted doors; even on the seat she's sitting on in their classroom as a silent rebellion ag...
