One of the Boys 1 & 2 (Published by Pop Fiction)

Chapter Five

Thank God it's Friday! Sa wakas, makakatakas na rin ako kila Apa. Don't get me wrong, masaya silang kasama lahat, pero kasi si Apa, binibridge pa rin ako kay Briones. Ilang beses ko na bang sinasabi sa matigas niyang bungo na ayoko?!

Kahapon nga, sinama niya ako sa cafe na puro pang lovers tapos iniwan niya kami ni Briones. Naging close kami ni Briones, oo, pero sana hanggang friends lang. 

"Ridiculous," Sabi ng katabi ko. Oo, si ice cream cone. 

"I know, right?!" I whispered. Nagrarant kasi yung prof namin. Kasalanan daw kasi ng mga babae kung bakit sila narerape. Kung hindi daw sila nagsusuot ng maiksing damit, hindi naman maaakit yung lalaki. Nature na raw ng lalaki 'yun.

"Kupal naman," Narinig kong bulong ni Briones. 

"Diba?!" I sighed. Hindi na ako nakatiis kaya tinaas ko na kamay ko. 

"Yes, Ms. Recto?" Seryosong tanong niya.

Kinabahan ako bigla. Ba't ba ako nagtaas ng kamay?! Hay nako, Agatha. Bakit ba hindi ka nagiisip? Grabe, di ko pa man nagagawa, pinagsisisihan ko na yung gagawin ko. Grades ko rin nakasalalay dito! 

"Ms. Recto?" He repeated.

I cleared my throat and sat properly, "Sir, no offense ha, but I don't think it's women's fault why men rape women. Can't men control themselves? Can't they control their sorry-for-the-word fcking hormones? I do believe they can. Not all men rape women, not all men like having s*x with women they don't know. Sir..." 

"Continue," He said.

I sighed again, "You told us it's women's fault, because we disrespect ourselves so if we want to be respected, we should respect ourselves first. I agree with that, sir, but just because women dress the way they want to doesn't mean we want to get laid. So-"

"So?" Sobrang seryoso na ng mukha niya. Parang pwede na niya akong suntukin anytime. Hindi ko alam kung sasabihin ko pa yung next na gusto kong sabihin. 

"So, sir, if you see a woman wearing 'inappropriate' clothes like you just said, will you rape her? I don't think so, sir. Therefore, you can control yourself. If you, a man, can control yourself. Why can't other people do it?" 

I heard gasps and whispers. He was looking at me like he was going to kill me, "Proceed to the Discipline's office, Ms. Recto. NOW!"

Napapikit ako, "Sorry po."

Habang naglalakad ako, may narinig akong pumalakpak sa likod ko. I turned around and saw Apa clapping and smiling, "You did well. I don't think she said something wrong. Right, classmates? If the officers hear her explanation, they might even take her side." 

Pinabalik ako ng professor sa upuan ko at nagpalakpakan classmates ko. I looked at Apa and mouthed, "Thank you." I smiled.

He smiled and mouthed, "No problem." Sabay kindat. Okay na sana eh.