The Seat We Sit On (HFS #1)

seat #5

Matalim ang tingin ko kay Rico habang sinusundan ang bawat galaw niya. He did not accept the twenty pesos earlier which I still do not understand why. Gusto niya, mamaya na lang ako magbayad. Ano bang pinagkaiba?

Rico approaches me, smirking. "You have to go to the detention office later," he said.

I smell his perfume, a fresh mint and musk. Inirapan ko siya.

"Fine. It's better than listening to History class anyway."

Humalukipkip ako. I raise my eyebrow at him, as if challenging him, questioning if that's all he's got. His jaw clenches as the sun casts shadows on his face. A ghost of humor runs on his eyes as he stare at me. His long and curly lashes are almost fanning the upper part of his cheekbone.

Nagtagal ang tingin ko sa mukha niya. Kung tutuusin, hindi naman siya iyong tipong makalaglag panga. It's the little details on his features that are seem to be noticeable. I suddenly feel a bit uncomfortable so I lean back on my seat.

"Hindi ka tatambay lang sa detention room. Your task will be outdoor, sorry. Doon lang kayo i-memeeting para sa punishment niyo."

"At bakit naiba?" tanong ko.

"I suggested it."

I gritted my teeth. He . . . He always make things harder for me, even before, when I was still an obedient student that every parent expect their child to be! That even when we do, they won't give appreciation on the efforts we exert just to please them.

Matalim akong tumingin sa kaniya. Pigs can fly if it's just a coincidence. "Did you do that because it was me?"

"Hindi. I just realized that sending students in the detention room will do no good for both students and the school," he said in a careful tone.

"Ha! And you just realized it by now? Sige nga, explain mo!"

My fists are clenching. I know they are thirsty to punch Rico in the face. He is looking at me as if he did nothing wrong. Nakakairita ang pakikialam niya. Mas gugustuhin ko pa sa detention room. I can just stare at the boring white wall and do nothing! Why would he send me to do outdoor punishments?

Bumuntong-hininga siya. He kneels his one leg and put his elbow to the other that is just folded. My eyes grew wide at what he did.

"Anong ginagawa mo?" bulong ko. Ramdam ko na rin ang kuryusong mga tingin sa paligid ko.

"Listen, you're gonna waste your time inside that room. Resulta, hindi ka matututo. So, why not help the school improve through the punishments you get from your stubborn acts?"

"I'd rather learn nothing!" I shout.

Natigilan siya. I look away. Bakit parang lagi na lang siya ang tama?

Nope, he sounds like a trying hard school principal wannabe. Feelingero!

He stood up.

"Trust me, this is also for you. See you at four o'clock this afternoon. Kailangan mong gawin 'yon para makuha mo na ang ID mo," he says.

And with that, he walks away, I mean, from my seat. I just hear him bid goodbye few minutes later 'cause I never dare to look at his side again.

Pagka-dismissed, umuwi ako agad sa amin. The rusty metal gate creaks as I go inside. Payapa ang mga bonsai na halos maupos na ang mga dahon sa bawat gilid ko ngunit habang nasa pathway pa ako, may naulinagan agad akong sumilip sa bintana ng bahay namin, sa second floor. Sa kwarto ko iyon.

By the silhouette of large ribbon ponytail and soft waves of long hair at the stained glass window, I already knew that it was my Mom. Sumikdo ang kaba sa dibdib ko sa maaaring mangyari at dali-daling pumanhik sa kinaroroonan niya.