THUNDER

3RD ROAR

SKYE’S POV

Tatay Benjie is already inside the car when I went outside the house. I immediately went inside the car and took the back seat. 6:15 AM pa lang at 15 minutes lang ang byahe mula sa bahay hanggang sa school. I know it’s too early to go to school but that’s what I want. Ayaw kong maabutan ng maraming estudyante kaya naman pumapasok ako ng maaga. That way, mas madali akong makakaiwas sa mga bulong at tingin nilang pinupukol sakin.

The ride to school was silent. I’m used to it. As I’ve said, Tatay Benjie is a silent person so it’s not much of a surprise that he’s not talking to me that much whenever he’s driving me to school. Magsasalita lang sya kung gusto nya o kung kailangan nya.

As expected, it was still early when we arrived at St. Ville High, the school I’m attending. I composed myself before stepping out of the car but as I’m about to open the door, Tatay Benjie spoke.

“I’ll see you later after your class.”, he said.

I was surprised but I hid it well.

“Okay. Thank you. Drive safely.”, I told him.

“That’s his way of saying goodbye.”, I thought.

He’s not showy of his feelings but I know that he cares for me just like Nanay Melinda. I remember how Tatay Benjie comforted me when my Dad died. I’m very thankful for both him and Nanay Melinda for always being there for me. I would never make it through if it wasn’t for them.

I stepped out of the car then went inside the school. Tatay Benjie immediately drove away. I keep my head low while walking. Iniiwasan ko ang tingin ng lahat sakin. Hindi ko din pinapansin ang mga sinasabi nila tungkol sakin. I’ve been doing this since my Dad died and I’m doing a good job on doing it.

I don’t speak much to anyone at school, well of course except from teachers. Wala rin namang nagtatangkang lumapit sakin, well except for one, Thunder. Thunder is the bad boy of our school.

Naalala ko noong una nya akong nilapitan.

(Flashback)

Nakaupo ako sa ilalim ng puno na lagi kong tinatambayan dito sa likod ng school. Tahimik dito at malayo sa mapagpunang mga mata ng mga estudyante dito.

“Hey you! I want you to be my friend.”, sabi ng isang boses.

I looked at my left to see someone already seating beside me. Una kong napansin ay ang singkit nitong mga mata na para bang nagsasabing kung anong sabihin nya ay dapat na masunod. Maganda ang mga kilay nya at itim na itim ang mga iyon katulad ng buhok nyang magulo ang pagkakaayos na para bang hindi na inabala pang suklayin. Matangos din ang ilong nya at nakakaakit ang mga labi nitong maganda ang pagkakahulma. Ano ba yan! Kung ano ano na ang naiisip ko! Ngayon ko pa lang sya nakita pero di na maganda ang naidudulot nya sakin! Sa itsura pa lang ay mukha na itong badboy. Tsk! As if namang gusto ko sya maging kaibigan.

Pagkatapos ko syang titig- I mean, obserbahan pala, ay nagmamadali na akong umalis sa lugar na iyon kahit matagal pa bago magsimula ang susunod kong klase. Wala naman ng sense kung magsstay pa ko. Sigurado namang kukulitin lang ako nun at mawawala na ang katahimikan. 

“Bye future friend! Magiging kaibigan din kita tandaan mo yan! I won’t stop bothering you hangga’t di yun nangyayari! And oh! I’m Thunder by the way. In case you didn’t know yet!”, sigaw nito.

Of course I didn’t know! Wala naman akong kinikilala sa school na to bukod sa mga teachers. But Thunder? Damn! Bigla akong kinabahan! Mabuti na lamang at umalis ako agad. He’s dangerous, very dangerous. Hindi sya makakabuti sakin. Narinig ko na ang pangalan nya. Lagi syang usapan ng mga kababaihan o kahit pa mga kalalakihan dito sa school. Ang badboy ng St. Ville High. Una ko pa lang narinig ang pangalan nya ay alam kong kaylangan ko ng mag-ingat sa kanya. Pero mukhang kulang ata ang pag-iingat ko at nagkita kami ngayon. I have to be extra careful from now on.