Life Of Yesterday (Only a Mémoire)

Chapter 11

"Beatrice, have you seen Marco?"

I looked at Noah and shook my head. I was also waiting for him. 5 minutes na lang before our class pero wala pa siya. I tried calling him but his phone was busy.

"Saan na kaya si gago?" bulong ni Alex kay Noah.

I was hoping to see him enter the room but the next person who came in was our teacher. I looked at the empty chair beside me. Where the hell is Marco?

Hanggang matapos ang class namin ng morning ay wala pa rin siya. Tahimik lang akong inaayos ang gamit ko. I am starting to get worried. Ngayon lang siya umabsent.

"Let's eat lunch?" Karl smiled while standing in front of me. "Don't worry, papasok din 'yon."

Tumango ako at tumayo. I brought my books with me dahil nadala na ako sa ginawa nina Kai. I was quiet⎯the usual while walking.

"We'll order yours, Beatrice." Noah said. "What do you want?"

Tinuro ko na lang 'yung fried chicken kasi wala ako sa mood mamili ng ulam. I looked for a chair para may maupuan kami. The only chair available was the chair in front of Kai and friend's chair.

Wala akong choice kung hindi umupo ro'n. Animan naman ang chair kaya kung darating si Marco, I'm sure may mauupuan pa siya.

Umupo ako patalikod kina Kai. Hindi ko na pinapansin ang mga simpleng pagpaparinig nila... pero 'di ko mapigilang 'di makinig nang mabanggit na si Marco.

"Have you seen Claudia Laurel's IG story? They're having a vacation. Her family, together with Marco's family." pagku-kwento ni Risa.

I tried to ignored it but it's as if their intention was for me to hear whatever they were talking about.

"Sa'n ka punta?" tanong ni Noah nang tumayo ako. Nilalapag na nila 'yung tray sa table namin.

"C. R." I shortly replied. "Pabantayan gamit ko, ah." I pointed my things and just got my phone then nagmamadali na ako pumunta sa CR.

Pumasok ako sa isang cubicle. I searched for Claudia Laurel's Instagram account. Hindi ko siya fina-follow and baka makita niya na tinignan ko ang IG story niya kaya gumawa ako ng dump account.

My hands were shaking while making a new account. God, why did I come this far? The things I do for Marco.

I immediately clicked her story nang matapos na ako gumawa ng account. My lips parted when I saw the two of them... in the beach. Marco was standing and all I could see was his back, then this girl was standing beside him. I'm pretty sure that this is Marco. I am really sure.

I tried to swipe to see more pictures. There's a video of the beach then nakuhanan si Marco na naglalaro ng buhangin.

I sarcastically laughed. Nag-absent pa talaga siya para mag-beach kasama 'to? Really? Nag-alala pa naman ako. Okay, fine. Ano naman?

'Di ko na pinanood ang mga sumunod na story. That was enough for me to know where he is. Lumabas ako ng cubicle at nakita sina Kai, Risa at Ivy na nakatayo sa harap ko. Parang inaabangan nila ako.

Huwag naman na sila makisabay. Bakit ba ayaw pa nila akong tigilan? Of all people? Sila pa talaga na naging friends ko ang mangbu-bully sa 'kin?

I walked passed by them but Kai was really in the mood to get into my nerves.

"Sabi ko na nga ba magsasawa rin si Marco sa 'yo." Kai said. "Masakit ba, Beatrice?"

Just go, Beatrice.

Walk.

"I pity you." she said, laughing.

I briefly closed my eyes and drew a deep sigh.