Countdown to Death

02: Reunited

  Chrissa

"Hanggang ngayon ay wala paring nakikitang lead ang pulisya na makakatulong upang malutas ang krimeng naganap noong Miyerkules ng gabi, Oktubre 21. Dalawang araw na ang nakakalipas nang matagpuang patay ang sikat na Theatre Actress na si Festine Gracia Escareal. Patuloy parin ang mga pulis sa pagi-imbestiga sa kaso, samantala pinahintulutan nang pamilya na maisa-publiko ang lamay ng naturang Actress."
"Iyang lamang, ito ang inyong lingkod nag-uulat Junne De Fabro". I drank what's left in my cup before turning to turn off the TV.

Up until now, naging mysteryo parin ang pagkamatay ni Festine. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako. Festine was a great and easy going person, kaya nakakapagtaka kung bakit may magtatangka sa buhay nito. But, life was indeed unpredictable. No one will know the exact time that they'll stop breathing. No matter how good your relationship with others, it will not guarantee that everyone will return the same treatment to you.

Naghanda na ako ng gamit para makaalis na papuntang school. I decided to go to her wake and give my condolences to her family, today after work.

Since I have class to attend today, mamayang gabi lang ako bakante. After the incident, the text message I received the very night still puzzled me. I didn't know what the sender's intention is, also hindi narin nasundan ang kanyang mensahe. The song did give me creeps, who would be pulling pranks like that?. I decided not to take it seriously, maybe that was just a joke to scare me.

Students greeted me while I was walking in the hallway, patungong faculty room. There's still 30 minutes before the class starts, so I took my time walking.

Pagkapasok ko ng faculty room ay bumungad sakin ang aking mga ka-trabaho. Binati ko sila bago nagtungo saking cubicle. 

"Good morning Ms. Oronce, if you don't mind me asking. Diba dati mong classmate yung Actress na namatay?". He asks with an awkward smile, nagkamot pa siya ng ulo. 

"Actually, she was my friend ". ngumiti ako sakanya to show that I'm comfortable with him asking.

"Oh really?. My gosh deins ako na-inform, nakapagpa-autograph sana ako bago–..". napahinto siya at napatakip ng bibig. He looks at me with hesitation, tinatantya ang expression ko sa mukha.

"Condolence nga pala. And I apologise for what I have just said". pumikit siya nang mariin.

"It's alright, if you don't mind. Mag-aayos pa'ko ng materials na gagamitin sa klase". I gave him a small smile. "Yes of course, sorry sa abala". naglakad na siya pabalik sa cubicle niya. Nakita ko pang siniko siya ng katabi niya at parang pinagsabihan pa.

I just take the things that I needed and proceeded to my class.

I am not actually passionate about teaching, and this is not what I wanted to do. Pero dahil napalapit sakin ang skwelahang to, I decided to teach so that I could stay here. I have many fond memories of what my high school life used to be before and I wanted to keep that fresh on my mind forever.

"So that concludes our discussion for today, any questions or clarifications?". I ask the students, facing them.
"None Ma'am." they chorused.

"Okay, that's it for today. Good bye class and I'll see you next week". I gather my things and walk my way out of the classroom. I took a glance at my watch. Hindi ko napansin ang oras, my mind was occupied with my lessons hindi ko namalayang uwian na pala.