QUADRO

Chapter Biente Tres

ANNABELLA

After what happened, I didn't feel ounce of regret. I let out a humorless laugh. For sure, the people would be eager to find the culprit. I'm careful and no one will know that it was me, they're dead. No one will testify who's behind it. Oh, well. I am a good pretender, no one will know.

I chose to go back from our classroom because I know they would be looking for me by now. I chuckled. They must be worried too.

I sat on my chair, get my book to read to kill the boredom crawling through my skin, my sytem. I am not worried at all, easy peasy. I'm not stupid to leave a mark.

I was reading peacefully and focused, I didn't dare to speak when Michaela and Elizabeth were on their own seat.

Ah, tapos na yata sila sa labas? Wala sigurong napala? Pfft--

I can sense that they want to say something but they're hesitant of doing so. Naririnig ko pa nga silang nagtuturuan kung sino ang kakausap sa akin.

“Ikaw na kasi tumawag sa kaniya. . .” Michaela said through whisper yet I can hear it.

“Ikaw na, Michaela. Malakas naman loob mo eh,” Elizabeth.

“Ayaw ko, ikaw na lang! Natatakot ako eh. . .” I raised my left eyebrow as soon as I heard what Michaela said.

Dahil sa inis, tumigil muna ako sa pagbabasa at nilingon sila. Irritation was visible in my face.

“Will you stop that? Para kayong mga tanga diyan,” I said while giving them a glare.

Nagulat siguro sila dahil sa reaction nila. Their shock faces told me. Their eyes widening in surprise.

“Ah, uhm, hello, Bella! Sorry kung na istorbo ka namin,” Michaela said, there's hesitance in her voice.

“Hmm, where have you been noong umalis ka sa cafeteria? Alam mo na ba ang nangyari kanina? We were worried about you. . .” Elizabeth, a worried face was drawn.

I shrugged, “I was just here reading. I was so immersed that I didn't know what's the commotion outside na sinasabi mo.” Liar, Annabella. I continued, “Why? What happened and you two looked very worried and scared?”

“Elizabeth, ikaw ba mag explain. . . Hindi ko kaya eh,” Michaela said and I noticed her voice was kinda shaking.

“So?” I urge Elizabeth.

“Ganito kasi ’yon, ’di ba nag walkout ka?” She said looking at me.

“Hmm, then?”

“After mo mag walkout kanina, nag usap-usap muna kaming tatlo bale nandoon pa si Hanz, kasama namin.” Elizabeth said while recalling first.

Hanz. . . I bet said something about me. I can't trust him, he's suspicious pagdating sa akin.

“Continue,” I said and decide to read while listening.

“Habang nag-uusap kaming tatlo after mo kaming iniwan doon, may hindi inaasahang pangyayari. We heard the students screaming outside. Because of curiosity, lumabas kami nila Hanz to check what's happening. Nakita na lang namin na may nagkukumpulan sa ground. The students were baffled, may takot sa kanilang mga mata. Kaya lumapit pa kaming tatlo para tingnan ’yon. And we didn't expect what we have seen there.” Elizabeth said and I looked at her, she was already looking at me.

What's with the look, Elizabeth?

“What is it?” I asked and wait for her reply.

“There was a student lying on the ground. Patay na siya noong naabutan namin. Mayroon naman naka witness kung ano nangyari. Nalaglag daw siya galing rooftop in broad daylight. It was a girl.” She explained, and a subtle smirk escaped on my lips but she didn't notice that.

“Suicide?” I asked and tilt my head to act like I'm curious.

Umiling si Elizabeth. “No, it wasn't a suicide, Annabella. . . Kasi. . . May nakita akong bulto noong tumingin ako sa rooftop pero hindi klaro kung babae at lalaki. I decided to go there, in the rooftop. Baka sakaling maabutan ko ang may kagagawan sa estudyante. I thought. . . I thought siya lang ang biktima. Because may natagpuan din akong dalawang estudyante doon na walang buhay, Annabella. . . Sumunod sa akin sila Hanz at Michaela kaya nakita din nila ang nakita ko. Babae din sila and if you just saw them, kilala mo sila. The three girls were friends, I guess. Sila ’yong pinag-uusapan ang death ni Christina.”

I faked a shock look and worried face. “But. . . that's so cruel.”

“It wasn't a suicide, Annabella. It was intentional. I know that. That's why agad ka namin hinanap baka kung may ano man ang mangyari sa’yo. . .” They're really worried except the other one, Hanz.

If I know, he's suspecting me for something. Manigas siya.

“I’m okay, nothing and no one will harm me. M’kay?”

They both nodded at me.

“I’m sure iniimbestigahan na ’yon. Grabe, walang awa ang taong gumawa noon. Walang siyang puso. . .” sambit ni Michaela habang may tono ng galit ang kaniyang boses.

I almost laugh but I controlled it.

“Anyway, when will you visit Narcy? Naghihintay ’yon sa inyo.” Pag-iiba ko sa usapan.

“Mamaya after class, bibisitahin namin siya.” Elizabeth replied.

Tumango lang ako sa kaniya at bumalik sa pagbabasa pero I can still feel that she's looking at me kaya tinapunan ko siya ng tingin.

“What are you looking at?”

Umiling lang siya at nag-iwas ng tingin. She heaved a sigh.

I squinted my eyes, aware of her behavior. You're doubting me, huh?

Tumingin din ako kay Michaela na nakatingin din sa akin.

What's with the look now?

“Do you have something to say, Michaela?”

“W-wala, wala! Magbasa ka lang diyan. . . Hehe, enjoy ka.” She replied ngunit medyo hilaw naman ang tawa.

“If you say so. And by the way, don't forget to visit Narcy later, okay?”

Tumango lang silang dalawa sa akin.

TO BE CONTINUED.