Ocean of Fears (Panacea Series #2)

Chapter 8

Eight.

That news spread all over the school. Kahit ako ay hindi rin makapaniwala, pero hindi ko naman kasi alam ang buhay nila. Bago ko lang silang nakilala, but in those days that I've met them, I never had a clue about his relationship, or maybe they were just lowkey because they're both famous.

Pauwi na ako at katatapos ko lang i-lock ang music room. I didn't take the back route because I suspected that Izzy was watching my every move. I bet she wants to find evidence to support her claims... and if her suspicions about me are correct, her inner being will rejoice.

I am afraid to text Eliezer now. I think I have to keep my distance. Kakalabas lang ng balita. It was confirmed through the girl's agency. If I text him right now, he might be with his girlfriend, and who knows, maybe she's holding his phone. And if I will put myself in his girlfriend's shoes, receiving a text from someone asking to be picked up, I think I'll go on a rampage.

Just the thought of being picked up by someone else's boyfriend disgusts me.

Winaksi ko 'yon sa aking isipan. Nang mag-uwian, agad din akong lumabas at naghanap ng jeep. Bawal akong magtagal dahil baka ay makita ako ng mga kapatid ko rito. Kinutuban na siguro 'yon sa paglalayas ko.

Hindi nga ako nagkakamali... dahil nakita ko silang nasa may gilid ng gate, kinikilatis ang bawat estudyante na papalabas. I was lucky enough because they didn't notice me. I blended into my male schoolmates. Mas hindi nila ako mapapansin dahil mga lalaki sila. Mas pagtutuonan nila ng pansin ang mga babaeng palabas pa lang ng school.

"Wala kang sundo, Paris?"

I was startled when someone held my arm. Nang tingnan ko ito ay si Heidi lang pala.

"Wala pa, e. Maaga kasing nag-dismiss ngayon kaya uuwi na ako," sagot ko.

"You look concerned..." she said.

I let out a laugh. "Nagmamadali kasi ako."

My heart is beating rapidly. I am so worried that they might see me. Halata sa akin ang pagkataranta. Napansin iyon ni Heidi kaya nginitian niya ako. I pursed my lips.

"Una na ako," paalam ko sa kaniya.

I didn't wait for her response. Umalis agad ako roon at naghanap ng masasakyan.

Nakahinga lang ako nang maluwag nang papasakay na ako sa jeep, but that reliefness didn't last long because I heard a loud shout from them... from Kuya Archer.

They spotted me, and it's my fault! Masiyado akong mabagal!

"Ayon si Paris, Aiden! Habulin mo!"

Mariin akong napapikit dahil sa inis. Anxiety crept into my chest. My face turned pale when I saw Aiden, rushing towards here.

"M-Manong, pakidalian po, p-please!" my voice shakes.

I tightly closed my eyes. I don't want to see them running after me. I have a soft heart and it breaks my heart seeing them like that. Sila na ang nakasama ko sa paglaki magmula nang mawala sina Mama. Sila lang ang pamilya ko.

Subalit sila lang din ang ikasisira ko.

"Ineng, hinahabol ka ba ng mga mamang iyon?" tanong sa akin ng isang matanda na nasa aking harap.

I can't open my mouth to speak. Kitang-kita sa aking mga mata ang pagkatakot kaya alam na niya kahit hindi na ako magsalita.

"Mahawakan lang kita, Paris, makikita mo!" the voice of Kuya Aiden made me shiver.

I covered my ears and suddenly burst into tears. I am trembling. The people beside me got alarmed. They held me and tried to calm me down.

"May masasamang taong humahabol sa bata! Pakibilisan naman po ang pagmaneho, Manong!" aniya.