[ COMPLETED ] • [ EDITED ]
Nadia Valiente's disappearance has always been a mystery to her friend, Marina. By how her alleged suicide took place, up to the position that she was in whilst on that river, soaked to death, felt like an unsealed package...
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MARINA
Right after fixing the height of my socks, I continued walking towards the room. Pinanatili kong nakayuko ang aking ulo upang maiwasan ang titig ng mga estudyanteng nakakasalubong ko. Most of them are all rushing to their respective classrooms, because a minute more and the bell is going to ring, for sure.
When I reached the door of a room with my section on top of it, the bell rings and its sound surrounds my ears. Nakabibingi ang alingawngaw ng tunog mula sa mga speaker. They scream authority that no one can violate.
Before the professor finds out that there's a late student in front of her class, I take a step forward and sit on my seat. Ang katabi nito'y tanging malamig at blangkong espasyo dahil tinanggal na rito ang upuan ni Nadia.
My classmates didn't seem to notice me because they didn't falter when I entered, nor they even peered me a pair of eyes. I walked like as if I am a mere wind, present but not seen.
But that's okay. I get it now. That's the way their brain is programmed. And we just have to turn the tables now for us to be on top, and the Organization N under us, being stepped on by the Cicada.
I grab my pen and my notes when the professor reached the classroom. Kasabay ng pagtigil ng bell ay ang siya namang pag-alingawngaw ng kaniyang mapupulang mga takong. “Good morning, class. Go back to your proper seats, please,” anunsyo niya nang tuluyan siyang makaupo.
My colleagues grunt in chorus, but they still obeyed what the professor has instructed them to do. Malamya silang bumalik patungo sa kani-kanilang mga wastong pwesto.
“Okay,” mutters the teacher when she noticed that everyone is already seated. “You are all aware that today is the day of the month when we will be having a program, right?”
All of them said yes, except for me.
“Good.” she nods. “So now, we won't be having any topic in my class. I just want you to stay still in your seats and don't create any noise.”
Being as stubborn as how normal kids are, my classmates shriek in celebration. Ang ilan pa nga'y napahalakhak sa saya na naging dahilan upang sitahin sila ng professor.
I just grab my wallet and pick my airpods inside. Isinalpak ko ito sa aking tenga at tahimik na nakinig sa buong playlist ng series na Euphoria. I also did scribble with the pen in my hand because it helps me to keep calm.
All I have to do now is to stick to the plan, and hopefully, everything will get back to normal again.
I calculated every minute that has been passing using the song I've been listening. When ‘Still Don't Know My Name’ started playing, I already know that it is the right time to execute the plan.
