Yellowed

Chapter 16; A Whisper to the Past - Part 1

Sometimes I wonder if there is really a life after death or if we are set to die in order to be reborn. But if we are to be born again, are we the same person before we die? Or did we really die or just simply transfer into another person's consciousness? 

If that's the case, is it possible that we can experience the same experience over and over again? Or that we would have no past at all. That we would be like a newborn. That would show that our life is a series of false memories wanting to bring us to a different end. 

This was my thought as I wait for the first years to board the bus. We are having the annual field trip hosted by the history class, and as one of the seniors, I have been chosen to be one of the facilitators. It was not compulsory for a senior to be a facilitator, but because of my absences, it has become the consequence so instead of doing a month of detention, I chose this. 

I was informed that we would be visiting Intramuros, and this was a change for me. Not that I haven't been to Intramuros in the past, or we didn't already visit it in one of the history classes, but the last time I was there was when I was in elementary, and the experience was not welcoming. I was bored to hell at that time. 

"Hey, Flavus, did Claire inform you?" Richelda asked. She was the president of the whole history class and one of the organizers of this trip.

"No, what about that?" I asked, thinking what could be wrong. 

"Ms. Isabedra can't come now because she fell on their stairs and injured her legs," she said casually. "So there will be a substitute teacher to accompany us, and since this bus has some vacant seats, he will be sitting here, so please orient him," she continued. I was about to ask her who the substitute teacher was, but she was called by the other student, so I just went inside and checked the attendance list. After I checked, I just sat in the front seat, waiting for the substitute teacher. 

While waiting, I just stared out the window, watching the other students outside. Minutes later, I felt my eyes becoming heavy, sleepiness was taking over me, and just when I was about to fall asleep, I heard the door of the bus being opened. I only heard footsteps until they finally assumed a certain position. "Hey, can I sit here?" The familiar voice completely wakes me up. I opened my eyes, surprised that it was really him, and just like every time I saw him, I expected to smell the cigarette. But this time, there was no trace of that aroma. 

I stared at him without saying a word, and annoyingly, Mr. Gray did the same.

"May I sit here, Mr. De San Juan?" he asked again, but this time, his voice was slightly louder, and instead of saying my first name like he always did, he said my last name. I felt like it was our first meeting again.

I blinked my heavy eyes and just nodded; "You can sit wherever you want... Sir," I was not surprised that there is a trace of uneasiness in his voice, or he is just as surprised as I am. From the corner of my eyes, I watched him sit. I also noticed that his eyes didn't leave my face for a long time and that I felt weird. I felt that he was holding my gaze. "Is there something wrong... Sir?" I asked him slowly, but there seemed to be a certain command in my voice.

"I just wanted to ask if you have checked the attendance?" he said politely. "Yes." I shortly said. Then the bus door opened again, so I had the chance to look at the student who had just entered. It was Paul. Out of all the people, he was the last one I expected to be joining this trip, especially after that night. 

We haven't been able to talk about that night actually, but based on his actions during the past few days. I think he's cool with it. 

"Hey," he greeted me. I saw Mr. Gray quickly turn his head over to Paul. "I have decided to join this trip. I haven't been to Intramuros," he explained, still not noticing that a guidance officer was sitting in front of him.