Evanescence Of DAFLACA Squad

Kabanata 18: Tagapagligtas

THE whole classroom was waiting for the man to speak. Tahimik lang, knowing na ang principal ng Sta. Lucia ay nasa loob ng aming classroom. Frances stayed in place, next to the principal, holding her Polaroid camera in chest level while Jessa leisurely went back to her seat.

The principal stepped forward, scanning all of us. He also noticed the recently thrown armchair and even so, he overlooked it. "Can I see the hand of Mister Fuentes in this class?"

Vincent, standing near his seat, didn't hesitate to raise his hand. Nang nakita siya nito ay nagtawag na naman ng iba pang pangalan. "How about Miss Libran?"

"S-Sir?" Tine also raised her right hand but in a nervous way.

"Tch." Mahina man pero narinig ko ang pagkainis ni Vincent sa harap. It might be because Tine had just said that she fears no one and now . . . wala nang paglalagyan ang kaniyang kaba.

There is a disappointment in the principal's eyes as he looked at her in silence. On the other hand, Tine couldn't maintain back a gaze to him and the only thing she's gazing at was the floor.

"Miss Libran," he spoke, his voice was tinged with neutrality. Tine raised her head to look at him. "You're the classroom's class president, am I right?"

"Y-Yes, sir."

Napailing-iling ang principal na para bang hindi makapaniwala. "A president should be the one breaking a misconduct scene, not the one who'll cause it." The principal looked at the three---Frances, Tine, and Vincent---before speaking once again. "You three, come meet me at the principal's office. NOW." Nauna nang lumabas ang principal.

Humigpit naman ang hawak ni Frances sa dalang kamera, yumuyuko, halata sa mukha na may iniindang kirot sa konsensya. Tiningnan siya ni Tine, nakakuyom ang mga palad. "Anong ginawa mo... F-Frances?"

Binigyan ako ng huling tingin ni Frances. Tingin na may pinapahiwatig bago nagmadaling lumabas ng room at inignora na si Tine. Vincent waited for Tine to leave the classroom first before heading outside.

It feels like there's still a chance. Frances was helping me and I can't just let this moment slip through my fingers. I can still...

I can still save Mary Rose!

The door was open.

Christine was gone.

This is my chance.

Tatayo na ako ngunit may pumipigil pa. Itong matabang lalaki at si Chan ay hindi pa rin bumibitaw.

"'Wag ka nang umasa na makakalabas ka ng classroom. HAHAHA!" Ani ng taba.

F*ck him! I'm not a body shamer but I want to burn his f*cking fats para siya na ang pumalit sa lechon!

"Wil..." May narinig ang aking kanang tenga. Mahinang boses ni Chan. "Bibitawan kita... Makakawala ka naman dahil wala 'tong lakas ang kasama ko. Basta bilisan mo lang ang pagpiglas... at pagtakbo sa labas."

Sa sandaling ako'y tumango, hinahawakan ko na ang briefcase ko. Dahan-dahan, unti-unting nararamdaman ko ang pagluwag ng pagkakahawak ni Chan sa aking braso. "Go..." He whispered. I tried to pry away from this fatty's grip and Chan was right. I succeeded!

"Hala... nabitawan ko ata~?"

Huli na nang mapansin ako ng kasama ni Chan na nakawala. I was multiple steps ahead. My body became lighter as I carry this some kind of little hope. My legs propelled me forward, leaving the room. Bitbit ang aking briefcase, mabilis ang aking mga hakbang.

"HOOoo... HOoo..." My constant breaths when I descended through the stairs.

4th floor.

3rd floor.