Catch Me When I Fall (SCS #2)

37.

I got accepted on a public school weeks after I passed the board exam. Isa na akong ganap na guro sa paaralan ng PCNHS o Pacita Complex National High School. I'm a Grade 8 teacher and I'm handling the first section of Grade 8.

The night Sarus broke up with me, I decided to still try my best to convince him that I will always stay by his side. I convinced him that he's the one I want no matter what condition he's in but before I could do that, my parents told me about that school who's hiring a new teacher. Tita Yanah, being knowledgable about that school, helped me. She helped me to prepare my resume and even helped me for the interview. Even her husband, Tito Ralph helped me. With their help, I was able to be a teacher there.

Naging abala ako sa pag-aasikaso ng mga dokumento ng mga estudyante dahil malapit na naman ang pasukan. Hindi ko magawang bisitahin si Sarus pero, hindi ko kinakaligtaan ang pagtawag kina Tito Victorious para kamustahin siya.

Their updates about Sarus breaks my heart.

"Sarus isn't eating, 'nak. Sinusubukan ng mama niyang kausapin pero, ayaw magsalita. He's really broken," Tito said. Tumulo kaagad ang luha ko dahil sa narinig. Hindi ko rin nagawang magsalita at mukhang napansin 'yon ni Tito.

"Don't worry, 'nak. We will do everything to take care of him. I know he's still loves you and he's missing you, it's his insecurities talking when he broke up with you. It was his negative thoughts swallowing him that's why he did that. Mahal ka ng anak ko, Lara at nakikiusap ako, 'nak... 'wag mong sukuan si Sarus. Hindi man niya aminin, kailangang-kailangan ka niya," I could hear Tito Victorious' voice breaking so, I instantly nodded.

"Wala po akong balak sumuko kay Sarus, Tito."

Tito Victorious also informed me about Melvin. Ang sabi ay nahanap na raw ang kotseng ginamit at hinahanap na rin nila ang kinaroroonan ni Melvin. That asshole's hiding from his sin. Hindi rin pinalagpas ni Tito Victorious si Arnold na matagal na kasama ni Melvin.

They found Arnold and confronted him. That asshole's bestfriend keeps on denying his invovlement with Melvin's plan. Ang sabi niya ay wala raw siyang balak na saktan si Sarus dahil alam niyang sila ang may kasalanan kay Leisarus noon. He even said that he wants to apologize to Sarus but, he's ashamed to face him.

I tried asking Tito Victorious the location of Arnold. Agad namang sinabi sa akin ni Tito ang kinaroroonan ng lalaki. Pagdating ko sa lokasyon, nakita ko ang ilang pulis na nandoon at mukhang nakabantay kung sakaling i-contact ni Melvin ang kaibigan.

The police immediately recognized me so, they let me in. Ilang segundo akong napatigil para ilibot ang tingin sa maliit na kwarto sa apartment na tinutuluyan ni Arnold. Pagpasok ay bungad agad ang kama at may mesa sa gilid no'n, may maliit na kusina at banyo ilang hakbang mula sa kama kung saan agad kong nakilala si Arnold na nakahiga.

I cleared my throat, making him jolt up. Nanlaki ang mata niya nang magtama ang tingin namin. Agad siyang tumayo at tinuro ako.

"L-lara..." he said. Malamig lang akong nakatingin sa kaniya. "Anong... paanong nandito ka? Anong ginagawa mo rito?" tanong niya sa akin.

"Nandito ako para makausap ka. I asked your location from Tito Victorious, Leisarus' father." With the mention of Sarus' name, he immediately shook his head.

"Nandito ka ba para magtanong kung sangkot ako sa plano ni Melvin?" he asked nervously but, I didn't answer. "Hindi, Lara! Hindi ko alam na gagawin ni Melvin 'yon. Wala siyang nabanggit na kahit ano! Wala, maniwala ka!" he defends himself.

"Nasaan ka no'ng araw na 'yon?" tanong ko.

"Umuwi ako sa amin sa probinsya no'n. Binisita ko ang pamilya ko kaya hindi ko alam ang tungkol sa nangyari. Nalaman ko lang 'yon no'ng may dumating na mga pulis sa pintuan ko," he started tearing up. "Gago akong tao, Lara pero, hinding-hindi ako gagawa ng gano'n," he told me with tears in his eyes.