Decay In Her Bones

CHAPTER 14

Albert's words rang repeatedly inside Bobby's head like an echo. Although he lacked a personal relationship with his brother, there was still an implicit link that lingered between the two of them. This invisible bond was kept hidden until it was triggered to manifest yesterday with just a single sentence:

But kuya, I can see her too.

These words bothered Bobby to a certain extent that he was not able to pay a great deal of attention towards his professor talking. Albert's confession felt genuine; an emotion that required a deep concern. He thought, was his brother's third eye open? Was it a family trait? Or, did she just choose to reveal herself to the two of them? Either way, Bobby knew that he still had to ask Albert more questions. It was very astonishing for him to find out that his brother was seeing the same thing as he. All he was able to say that morning were, "Really?", "Are you sure?", "Was her head bleeding too?" Aside from a nod and a "Yes, kuya," Bobby had had no more time to ask further: they both still had to go to school. Bobby then decided that he would ask his brother again later, although he would have to compose his questions very well in order not to deconstruct Albert's trust on him.

Gradually, a man's voice came into focus. It was Mr. Bernadas concluding his lesson for the day with a few generalizations. Bobby looked down at the table of his armchair and saw that his notebook which lay bare in front of him had remained empty: he had not written a single word for the past hour.

"Okay," Mr. Bernadas was saying. "Next week is your midterm exam so please study the sacraments we had taken up, until Matrimony. Still, there will be no changes with regard our Retreat schedule. By the way, do we have fourth years here?"

It took him a few seconds before the question sank in. Bobby raised his hands, his head looking on both sides.

"Ah yes. Mr. Vitug," Mr. Bernadas said. "Please come to the office for your waiver."

Bobby nodded. A thought came to him. Franz voice echoed inside his head. I think, bro, what you should do is ask Mr. Bernadas.

Bobby shook his thoughts away when he realized that his professor was still talking to him. "Are you free after this?"

He thought for a while. "Uhm. Yes sir."

"Good. Come with me to the office."

"Yes sir."

This time, Mr. Bernadas addressed the entire class, "That's all for today. Remember our exam is scheduled on Wednesday. Study hard. It's just easy, I promise." He offered a smile but nobody from the class gave it back.

Everybody stood up and started walking towards the door. Bobby slid his bag to his shoulders and slowly went in front. He stood beside the table while he waited for Mr. Bernadas to arrange his things. When he finished, the two of them made for the door.

They were met outside by a white corridor jam-packed with students going to their respective classes. Their school was already 382 years old and it was able to preserve its Hispanic environment, even with touches of modernization here and there. Classrooms there were known by other schools to have old looks but people inside the Colegio considered it as something to be proud of: quality education withstanding the challenges of time. From time to time, students and other faculty members greeted Mr. Bernadas and he nodded with a smile in response. When they had turned to an empty corridor, however, he finally spoke to Bobby.

"Actually, I want to talk to you."

"About what, sir?" Bobby asked.

"Last Monday, you left early. I thought, you're just going to the C.R. but you never came back." When he said this, Bobby did not sense any hint of anger. He wasn't scolding him. Still, he felt guilty.