R O O M 16 (Sixteen Series #1)

Part 11

ELEVEN

Kahit na may pagdadalawang-isip. Wala akong magagawa kundi sumama sa field trip namin. Everyone was excited and full of joy. This is a once in a lifetime journey together with everyone to make memories. I had my doubt but Shane was full of excitement and I can't ruin her joy for it. Mr. Alevaro will be going with us.

"Alas, excited ka rin ba? Ahhh! Parang gusto ko na agad na lumipas ang isang linggo!" she exclaimed.

Our field trip will happen next week. Mr. Alevaro had told us to prepare since we will be sight-seeing and visit some rural places then we'd write a narrative report about it.

Kiara is acting okay, but she seldomed smile and show her light spirit after her two-day absent. Nica was also recovering. At palagi ko nang nakikitang kinakausap ni Kiara si Nica. Her eyes were always full of worry. Just what is she hiding?

Hindi ako sumagot kay Shane at nanatili paring tahimik.

"You know, isn't Kiara acting weird?" I blurted out of nowhere.

Shane looked at me, "Ah...now that you mention it. She does...gusto ko nga sanang tanungin kaso baka personal. You know, choice niya naman yun kapag gusto niyang i-share sa atin, pag ayaw niya..." Shane shrugged at the end.

I sighed deeply. I don't really know her. Yes, we're friends but that is only when it comes to school, but outside? Minsan nga lang kami magkita so...I don't really know what's going on with her outside-of-the-school life.

Instead of thinking hard about it, I shaked my head. Let's just talk to her after the field trip.

Pagkarating ko sa bahay, naghanap agad ako ng mga malaking backpack na pwede kong lagyan ng mga gamit. It's better to be prepared than late.

While I was fixing my things, someone opened the door and entered.

"Alas."

Napalingon ako sa boses na tumawag sa pangalan ko. It was Mom. I smiled. "Hey, Ma."

She also smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. "Sigurado kang nandiyan na lahat?"

I checked my backpack. Clothes, check. Snacks, check. Important school supplies, check. Gadgets, check. Folded foam and bedsheet, check.

Tumingala ako at ngumiti kay Mama, "Ayos na po lahat, Ma."

"Saan nga ulit kayo pupunta?" tanong nito.

Yumuko ako sa mga nakakalat na gamit sa harap ko saka nagsalita, "Sa Southwest Ancient Place kami bibisita at sa Mordan Hotel Space daw kami magi-stay for two nights."

Mom heaved a deep sigh, "Sa totoo lang, ayaw sana kitang payagan. Kung hindi lang mandatory."

Tinitigan ko si Mama, "Ma, grades na 'to, oh." I chuckled.

She also shaked her head. "I heard you're Papa will also come. If it isn't for him, hindi na rin sana kita papayagan."

Nagulat ako sa sinabi ni Mama kaya agad akong napatingala sa kaniya, "He will?"

She nodded, "I heard so. Rinig ko nagpresinta daw siyang driver dahil walang ni-hire na driver para sa field trip niyo. Ewan ko rin kung bakit hindi binigyang pansin ni Mr. Principal."

Agad akong napatingin ng malamang sasama si Papa. That's reassuring, then.

"Hey, Alas. Come here."

Agad akong napahinga at lumapit kay Mama. She immediately reached for my arm and pulled me. I was enveloped in a warm embrace.

"I don't know but, I felt like something is going to happen. I'm just hoping that it's not bad. You be careful in there, hear me? Hindi sa lahat ng oras mababantayan ka ng Papa mo." She exclaimed.

I nodded, "Yes, Ma. Don't worry, madami naman kami dun." I assured her.

Hinagod ni Mama ang likod ko. "I know. Pero hindi mo alam ang takbo ng oras, Alas. Every moment is precious and important. You have to cherish every moment, ha?"

I immediately nodded.

After a while, she let go of me amd helped me clean the messy stuff inside my room.

***

"Is everything complete?" tanong ni Papa pagkatapos mailagay ang mga gamit ko sa ilalim na compartment ng bus.

I nodded. He ruffled my hair, "Go inside and find a comfortable seat. Ako na ang bahala dito."

Sinunod ko ang sinabi ni Papa at umakyat. Pagkasampa ko, ingay agad ng mga kaklase ko ang sumalubong. Some were already having a loud talk while playing a game. Mayroon namang tahimik na nagseselpon sa gilid.

"Alas!"

I looked at the owner of the loud voice that yelled my name. It was Shane. Agad niya akong pinaypay at sumenyas na umupo sa tabi niya. I strode towards her and sat beside her. Naka puwesto siya sa tabi ng bintana.

I looked at my left and found Kian and Len beside the other column of seat. I greeted them and they did the same.

"Everyone's not here, yet?"

Kiara stood in front of the door and took a peek at us. Agad rin siyang sumampa pataas sa hagdan bago niya kami binilang.

Seems like kulang pa kami.

"Alas, what did you bring with you?" excited na tanong ni Shane.

"Damit." simpleng sagot ko.

Agad akong nakaramdam ng masakit sa braso ko. She slapped my arm.

"Nagtatanong ng maayos, eh!" singhal niya.

"Shane, obviously, mga gamit na kailangan natin para sa field trip na 'to. Ano pa ba?" walang gana kong sagot.

Agad siyang sumimangot at itinuon ang pansin niya sa likuran namin, kung saan nandoon ang iba pa naming kaklase na nag-iingay dahil may nilalaro.

"Truth or Dare?"

"Dare!"

"Lumabas ka ngayon din!"

Agad silang nagtawanan ng tumayo nga si Annie at naglakad palabas ng bus. However, after a while, tumatakbo siyang bumalik sa loob.

"Andito na sina Faith, Nicole, Ariel, at Arianna!" she yelled and went back to her seat.

Agad silang nagsi-ingay dahil kompleto na kami. Naririnig ko pa ang boses ni Kiara na sinisermonan ang mga nahuli. Kasi naman, 9 a.m yung call time pero magaalas-diyes na.

She looked energetic, as usual. Parang hindi nangyari yung pagbabago ng mood niya noong nakaraang araw. Thinking about Kiara made me remember someone.

Agad akong napalingon sa likod at hinanap siya. Saktong paglingon ko sa kaniya ay ang pagtama ng mata namin. She's just behind Len and Kian's seat. She removed her earphone and raised her eyebrows at me, questioning why I was looking at her.

Agad akong umiling. Nica is sitting beside Shanelle. Agad niyang sinuot ulit ang earphone at tumitig sa labas ng bintana. She also...seems fine.

Napabuntong-hininga ako at napasandal sa upuan. There's no way na guni-guni ko lang ang nangyari noong mga nagdaang araw. Something happened. Si Kiara lang ang nakakaalam at ayaw rin sabihin ni Nica. Whatever it is, it wasn't a good news.

Agad kong nasilayan ang pag-akyat ng mga nahuli naming kaklase at ang pag-akyat rin ni Sir Alevaro. He talked to Kiara while Kiara was nodding. Narinig ko ang malakas na pagsara ng pintuan ng compartment ng bus sa labas. And then, I saw my Papa went up.
He searched for someone inside the bus. When he saw me, he raised his thumb up, asking if we're okay. I simply nodded at him.

Agad na pumuwesto si Kiara sa upuan na nasa harap ng automatic door ng bus. But before sitting down, our eyes met. Agad siyang ngumiti sakin bago itinuon ang direksyon sa likuran ko. She raised her forefinger and started counting us if we're complete. She then talked to Sir Alevaro.

Whatever might happen on this trip, I hope we'll be okay. God, please guide us safely.

Agad kong ipinikit ang mga mata ko at isinuot ang earpod na dala ko.