QUADRO

Chapter Bente Uno

ANNABELLA

When we arrived in our classroom, I immediately settled myself down in the  chair, in my spot. The two girls followed suit. Strange, they're quiet and stealing glances from me. Oh, perhaps they didn't know yet na gising na si Narcy. I cleared my throat and gave them a look while the two seems interested and became attentive expecting that I have something to say.

“Narcy is awake. Last night, I went to the hospital to visit her.” I said and they're faces looked shock. Elizabeth is about to reply me but I raised my index finger to stop her. I inhaled deeply and continue, “I was there and her guardian when she woke up from her comatose. Miracle, isn't it? And maybe there's a reason why it happened.”

“Ayos lang ba siya, ha? May amnesia ba siya? Nakikilala pa ba niya tayo?” usal na tanong ni Michaela.

Dinagpas naman siya ni Elizabeth na para bang ewan ang sinabi ni Michaela. “Natural na kilala pa niya tayo, Michaela! Ano ba ka naman? Nasaksak lang siya, hindi nabundol ang ulo ng sasakyan!”

I slapped my hand on my forehead. Saan ba ni Michaela nakuha ang idea na iyan? I rolled my eyes and looked at them again.

“Sorry naman. Ito naman, galit agad? Eh, Bella, kumusta naman si Narcy? Makakalabas na ba siya?” Michaela asked, worried.

“That— I don't know when will she be able to be out from the hospital. She just recovered and still need to recover.” I replied but I didn't want to say what Narcy told me from last night what really happened to her. I smirked. Just useless and the girl is dead. What's the point?

“She didn't say anything ba, Annabella?” Elizabeth asked after.

I shook my head for saying no. There are things that are better left unsaid. Soon, maybe they'll know the truth by their own.

“You can ask her but I doubt she will tell you something. Visit her later after our classes, you can talk to her pero medyo hirap pa ‘yon magsalita that's why limit yourselves asking questions. A’right?”

They both nodded at me. I faintly smiled and divert my attention outside. I saw Hanz with his other SBO members. Perhaps, they're patrolling. Ano kaya ang laman ng utak ng lalaking niyan? Hah. If I know, may iniisip ‘yan. I know he's doubtful, after what happened to Christina. A low chuckle escaped coming from me.

NANDITO kami ngayon sa cafeteria. Katatapos lang ng period ng class namin. Recess. Katatapos lang din namin bumili ng kakainin naming tatlo.

“Grabe, paano kaya nagawang patayin si Christina? Ang sama naman ng taong gumawa noon sa kaniya. Walang puso.” I overheard sa isang student na malapit lang sa puwesto namin. Kausap niya ang kaniyang mga kasama. Tsk, mag chismis na lang, ang lakas ng boses.

“Yeah. Christina may not be that popular nor famous, hindi niya deserve ang mamatay. May saltik yata sa ulo may gawa noon. Walang isip at brutal.” I heard another girl from their group said like replying to her statement kanina.

Pagkatapos ay saktong nasa harapan na namin si Hanz. Seriously, feeling close siya?

“Can I join you here, girls?” He asked permission.

Michaela instantly nooded while Elizabeth smiled at him.

“Thanks.” Hanz said and settled down.

Patuloy pa rin nag-uusap ang grupong malapit sa amin, and probably Hanz heard them based on his grim expression from his face. He gripped his water bottle.

“Ah, Hanz, hmm, may balita na ba sa nangyari kay Christina?” Michaela suddenly asked him.

I can see the anger in his eyes as he gave attention to Michaela. It made Michaela's blush but he didn't mind it.

“None. I'm still waiting for police’ report. I have this feeling too that there's only one person who did it here inside the Academy and to Christina.” after he said those lines, tumingin siya sa akin that I immediately arched my left eyebrow.

Is he... suspecting me? Damn you, Fucker.

“What?” I deadpanned.

“Nothing, Annabella. You're so quiet and not bothered.” Hanz said while examining me.

“Why do you care? Mind your own business, Mr.”

“Ganoon ba, Hanz? Okay ka na ba?” Michaela said trying to cool down the atmosphere.

“How sweet. I'm okay, Michaela. Don't worry about me,” He replied while flashing a sweet smile to her.

Psh, pa fall. Kapal ng mukha.

Tumayo ako at naagaw ko ang attention nila. Mga mukha nila ay nagtatanong.

“Oh, tapos ka na kumain?” Elizabeth asked.

“Yeah. I will go ahead first. Is that alright?” I said while getting my things.

“Sige, sige. Balik ka sa classroom, ha?” sabi naman ni Michaela sa akin kaya tumango na lang ako at nagmadaling umalis.

Nagpunta ako sa rooftop at doon sana magpapahangin. Pupunta na sana ako sa puwesto ko, how lucky I am. Nandoon ang grupong ‘yon na nasa cafeteria kanina. Mang-aagaw.

“Alis.” I said in a cold tone that startled them and glance where I am standing.

I don't why but they looked pale. Am I scary? Ang bait ko kaya.

“Pagmamay-ari mo ba dito?” lakas loob na tanong ng isang babae.

“O-Oo nga. Sa iyo ba ito dito?” segunda pa ng isa sa kanila.

Dahan-dahan akong lumapit sa kanila habang sila naman ay paatras ng paatras.

“A-anong ginagawa mo?” takot na sabi ng babaeng estudyante.

Lumalapit pa rin ako sa kanila habang sila at umaatras without knowing na isang atras na lang, boom, they're going to fall pababa.

“Ang sabi ko kanina, alis. Ayaw niyo umalis?” I said in a fim tone voice.

Pagka lapit ko sa kanila, tinulak ko sila ng malakas. Isa sa kanila ang nalaglag at sumigaw sila ng napakalakas.

“B-bakit? P-paanong naga mo ‘yon? Halimaw ka!” nangangatal na sambit ng isa. Tatlo sila originally, nahulog ang isa, dalawa na lang sila. Ang isa sana ay tatakas ngunit napigigilan ko siya and I stabbed her in broad daylight. The other one screaming in horror.

“I-ikaw ang pumatay... Mamamatay ka...”

Wala ng buhay ng isa kaya tiningnan ko ang nabubuhay.

“Shhh... Don't be noisy. Maririnig tayo, bahala ka.” I chuckled and lunges towards her. I stabbed her too like what I did to the other one. Oh, so addicting.

I stopped. Woah, that's so energizing. Tumingin ako sa baba ng ground na binagsakan ng isang student, maraming nagkukumpulan. I saw Elizabeth, Michaela, and Hanz na madaling lumapit sa kumpulan.
Before Hanz lift his head to glance at my way, I hid. No one will now that it was me. Isn't it fun? Let's play!