Kabanata 24
Inukit
My case was isolated. Sa tingin ko ay mali 'yon. They found the key answer but decided to proceed with the exam! I am sure may kasama ang Olive na 'yon. I remember her being called by someone. Lutang ako buong oras habang naghihintay sa kuwarto. I only got out when Shiela knocked.
Bakas ang pag-aalala sa mukha niya. I know that my eyes are swollen.
"Anong nangyari?"
"Disqualified..."
Nalaglag ang panga niya. "Ano? Paano?!" Masama niyang tinignan ang pintong pinanggalingan ko.
I lost my strength to talk. She pitifully looked at me and just hugged me. She did not ask at sinamahan na lang ako roon hanggang sa payagan akong umalis. They held me like a prisoner. May nagbigay sa akin ng lunch pero hindi ko 'yon nakain.
Tahimik lang buong biyahe si Shiela. Nakatunog si Sheena at nanatili ring tahimik.
"Sora... basta kung ano man 'yun, kakampi mo ako, okay?" Ani ni Shiela habang binabagtas namin ang daan pauwi.
'Di tulad ng bagsak kong kalooban, mataas ang tirik ng araw. Like it was rejoicing that I was involved in this mess. Hindi ko pa rin maintindihan ang nangyari. It was very clear that I was not involved. Pero sino nga bang maniniwala sa tulad ko na probinsyana. Nanghihina ako at hindi ko alam saan mag-uumpisa.
"They accused me of cheating."
"Cheating?!" Gulat niyang saad na napalingon pa sa amin si Sheena na nasa kabilang banda ng bus.
"Nakita nila ang key answer. May pangalan ko roon! Shiela, that was given to me! Sinabi lang noong babae na magbabanyo siya! The next thing I knew, I was brought out of the room."
"Babae?! Anong pangalan?! Bakit hindi mo ako tinawagan?! You know, I would ditch that exam to be with you!"
Ngumiti ako at ipinatong ang ulo sa braso niya. "Olive Kent," alala ko. "Adopted child daw siya, according to her. Turns out... walang nakaregister na Olive Kent. That's why the blame is all on me."
Nakaawang lang ang labi ni Shiela. Alam kong hindi niya rin alam ang sasabihin.
"Hindi ako pinayagang mag-exam, Shiela..."
"Wala bang CCTV roon or anything?!"
"You know how old that building is, Shiela." Walang pag-asa kong sabi.
"Hindi ka puwedeng sumuko na lang! Dapat hindi tayo roon umalis hangga't hindi ka pinayagang mag-exam! Of all people, you're the last one I know who'll not put up a fight!"
"I've said everything. Pero hindi sila naniniwala! The key answer was concrete evidence. Kung ikukumpara 'yon sa kuwento ko, s'yempre mas maniniwala sila sa proweba, hindi ba? It's hard to defend yourself to people who have prejudice of you."
Lumungkot ang mukha ni Shiela. Alam kong naiintindihan niya ako.
"Magtatanong ako kila mama kung may kilala silang abogado," she hugged me. "Pero ayokong pangunahan ka. Sabihin mo lang anong kailangan mo."
I forced a smile and mouthed thanks.
Buong biyahe ay alam kong pinapagaan ni Shiela ang loob ko. She even told me that the exam was hard. Mataas daw ang tsansang bumagsak siya. If that happens, sabay daw kaming magtetake sa next boards.
At least, she has a chance. Ako wala.
Ano na lang ang sasabihin ko kila Mama at Papa? Paano ko 'yon sasabihin? I don't even know what to do next. Maghihintay na lang ba ako ng tawag? Saying they're sorry because they got it all wrong? Maghahanap ba ako ng attorney to represent me in court? Saan naman ako kukuha ng pambayad?
