Shelter in a Storm (Elyu Series #2)

Chapter 13

"Okay, Perez, number sixteen,"

Napakurap ako nang marinig ang apelyido. "P-Po?"

"I'm asking you a question."

Napakurap ako at kaagad na ibinaba ang tingin sa test paper na hawak.

"Based on the excerpt Courage by Anne Sexton, the feeling that the writer intends us to have toward life is...?"

"Courage, Ma'am." Tahimik kong sagot.

"And what word in the poem gave a hint to the mood?"

I scanned the poem briefly, trying to remember my answer.

"The word aspired..."

"Correct, and the figure of speed used is?"

"Metaphor, Ma'am."

"Thank you, Miss Perez. Please do not zone out in my class next time..." she said before proceeding to the next student.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. Hindi mawala sa isipan ko ang pagpunta ni Enrique sa guidance office kanina. Maging ang mga kaklase ko ay hindi tumigil sa kaka-tsismis. Iba't ibang bersyon na ang narinig ko mula sa kanila. Each of the new version sounded worse than the last.

Maging si Yari ay seryoso at tahimik lang sa tabi ko. She gave me an encouraging look when I glanced at her. Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa test paper. Kahit na pinagsabihan na ako ng guro namin na huwag ma-distract, bumabalik ulit ang isipan ko doon.

Enrique hazing his cadets? That's impossible! Hindi niya magagawa ang ganung bagay.

But again, what do I know? I like him so much that my view of him is biased and distorted.

Paano kung ginawa niya talaga 'yun? What will happen to him? To his dreams of entering the Philippine Military Academy? Hindi siya mabibigyan ng Good Moral Certificate!

"Okay ka lang?" Bulong ni Yari sa akin nang makalayo si Ma'am sa amin.

Kaagad naman akong tumango. "Susubukan ko siyang kausapin mamaya."

Yari gave me a weak smile. "If it helps, I don't believe in any of these rumors. Walang basehan."

I felt relief somewhere in my chest. If Yari believes in him, so will I! I need to start believing in him from now on... I need to stop doubting his intentions with me... He's a good person, I know he is.

Akala ko ay makakabalik kaagad siya mula sa guidance office pero lumipas ang ilang oras ay hindi pa rin sila nakakalabas. Lunch came. The door to the guidance office is shut. Mas lalong lumala ang bulong-bulungan ng mga estyudante.

"Na-guidance daw si Enrique, ah?" Tanong ni Karlo nang sumabay sa aming mag-lunch. "Anong nangyari?"

Yari sighed. "Sumabay ka lang ba sa akin para maki-tsismis?"

"Hindi, ah! Concern ako, future friend-in-law ko yun..." binalingan ako ni Karlo. "Avery?"

Umiling kaagad ako. He hasn't replied to any of my text messages yet. "Hindi ko pa alam."

The Chi Ong siblings dropped the subject and tried to lift my mood by talking about other things. Nang matapos ang lunch ay naglakad na din kami pabalik sa classroom. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a parent going inside the guidance office. She looks rich and sophisticated. I bit my lower lip, my head is running with endless thoughts again. Natatakot ako kung anong malalaman ko mamaya...

To: Tatay ni Chuchay

Ako na ang magdadala ng bag mo mamaya. Pwede ba tayong magkita sa freedom park?

Ibinalik ko ang cellphone sa bulsa at pinilit ang sarili na mag-focus sa nalalabing klase.