Don't Look Back (A Depression Awareness Story) [Revising]

𝖙𝖊𝖓

[ c h a p t e r    t e n ]

I decided not to attend the last period since minor subject lang naman 'yon. Tumambay ako sa bubong hanggang sa marinig ko ang warning bell at tsaka ako umalis ng lumang building. Habang naglalakad sa kahabaan ng second floor hallway, papunta sana sa garden para tumambay ulit, ay biglang tumunog ang AV system sa paligid at nagulat ako nang marinig ang pangalan ko mula sa speakers."Calling the attention of Ms. Zuniga of Grade 9 - Pilot Section, please proceed to the Student Formation Office."

Kumunot ang noo ko. Nalaman na ba nila na nagcu-cutting ako? Damn these hidden CCTV cameras. I just heave a sigh. I didn't take a detour since on the way rin ng garden ang SFO na nasa lounge lang pagbaba mo ng center stairs. Pagdating dito ay binati ko yung masungit na taga-bigay ng excuse slips bago tuluyang pumasok sa loob. Tinuro ng secretary 'yung office ng level coordinator namin. Mula dito ay tanaw na may nakaupong babae sa harap ng desk. "Sir?" I say as I knock on the door. Parehas silang tumingin sa'kin at medyo nagulat ako nang makita 'yung babaeng na-bully kanina. Saglit ko siyang sinuri at mukhang okay na naman siya. 

"Ms. Zuniga, please have a seat." Tahimik akong naupo sa bakanteng upuan sa kaliwa at nginitian yung babae nang magtama ang tingin namin. "So, an incident report has passed to us regarding what happened awhile ago. I'm sure you're aware of that, Ms. Zuniga, since you were there. The names of the suspects were also reported and it was stated specifically that it was led by Ms. Aya Nakamura. She's the victim―" Tinuro ni Sir 'yung babae sa harap ko. "―Ms. Janella Cortez."

Patago ko siyang tinignan at hindi na ako nagulat na na-bully siya ng mga taong katulad nila Corinne. It's not that I'm judging her. It's just that kaparehas ng aura niya 'yung mga madalas na nabu-bully ng popular squad. I'm guessing she's new dahil kung matagal na siya dito ay dapat alam niya na kapag nakita mo ang grupo nila ay tumalikod ka na agad at maglakad palayo. I just feel kind of bad for her. She was at the wrong place at the wrong time kaya siya ang nakita ng grupo nila.

"According to the special notes in this incident report, you defended the victim. You stood up for her. Am I right?" Tanong ni Sir habang binabasa 'yung papel na hawak.

"Uhm, opo." Mahina kong sagot habang nagkakamot ng ulo.

"There's nothing for you to be worried about, Ms. Zuniga. Hindi ka namin pinatawag dito dahil may violation ka. We just want to compliment your bravery awhile ago. We will give you extra points on your academic grades." Yay.

Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong matuwa or what. First of all, meron man o walang extra points, ganon pa rin naman ang grades ko so those extra points are somewhat useless, unless bumagsak ako sa isang subject. Siguro susubukan ko sa Math.

"We are currently working on the incident right now and we're going to take further actions. We will give punishments to the bullies."