Voice Over Flowers

Voice 004

Voice quilts a patchwork of illusions and Lauren held the needle as she stood up and snapped, her fiery eyes were on the guys laughing while punching Shogun.

"Hindi n'yo ba ititigil 'yan?!" Her words cut through the noise and everyone froze as if time stood still. "Bigyan n'yo naman ng kahihiyan ang section natin! What if may makakitang teacher o ibang section sa inyo, ha? Buti sana kung kayu-kayo lang ang mapaparusahan sa ginagawa n'yo. Kaso hindi, eh. Buong section, damay!"

The tall lanky guy mirrored her glare and answered, "Why should we stop?" Ngumisi ito. "Shouldn't you be thanking us instead, because we're doing this class a favor?" Natigilan si Lauren sa sinabi ng lalaki na pinasadahan ng tingin ang buong classroom. Halata ang nag-uumapaw na kumpiyansa sa sarili nito, katulad ng iba pang lalaking nagpasimuno ng gulo sa classroom. "Alam ko na lahat rito, pinangarap ang sandaling ito, na mahanapan ng baho itong gagong ito na akala mo kung sinong magaling sa lahat ng bagay."

It took a while for his words to register in Elle's mind, but when they did, the pieces immediately began falling into place. They were pretending to be okay with how Shogun lords it over the class because deep down, they're patiently waiting for the perfect chance to get back at him. Despite the complaints, they chose to follow his orders because they knew this day would come.

And Elle couldn't believe she was the one who gave that opportunity to them.

Binalik ng lalaki ang tingin sa bise. "Don't be a hypocrite, Lauren. Pabibo ka rin, eh," he continued, his voice was dripping with spite. "Kunwari ka pang concerned sa kapakanan ng klase pero ang totoo, sarili mo lang ang iniisip mo."

"Hindi 'yan totoo," Lauren denied firmly, her eyes began to sting, and her eyelids turned red as her confidence started to crumble against the sharp slap of accusation thrown at her.

"Weh, di nga? Tatawa na ba kami?" patanong na biro ng lalaking may malaking pangangatawan, na ikinatawa ng ilan. "Wag kang laging playing safe, Lauren. You cannot fool anyone here. Tang ina, kung sino man ang pinakamakikinabang sa pagpapatalsik namin sa shoklang ito sa pwesto, ikaw 'yun. Kaya lang naman gusto mo kaming patigilin ay dahil oportunista ka. Ngayon pa lang iniisip mo na ang hinaharap kaya sinisigurado mo nang di madudungisan ang reputasyon ng section natin bago ka maging presidente." The guy laughed sarcastically then continued, "Aanhin mo nga naman ang pinakaaasam mong titulo kung sa 'yo lahat ang bunton ng sisi nang dahil sa gulong 'to, di ba?"

Nagsimulang umingay ang paligid. Kaliwa't kanan ang mga bulung-bulungan.

Lauren bit her bottom lip; her eyes were glazed with pain. When she closed them, tears started to dribble down her flushed cheeks. Naalarma ang ilan dahil sa kanyang pag-iyak. As soon as she opened her eyes, she angrily spat, "Did I do something wrong to deserve this? Gusto ko lang naman kayong patigilin tapos ganyan pa ang sasabihin n'yo sa 'kin? Ayoko lang naman ng gulo tapos ako pa ngayon ang kontrabida rito?" May hinanakit sa kanyang boses na madaling nakakuha ng simpatya ng karamihan. Some of their female classmates even went to her side to gently rub her back and comfort her.

"Hoy, Noel, Emman! Ayus-ayusin n'yo 'yang pananalita n'yo, ha!" pagalit na sabi ng isang babaeng nasa tabi ni Lauren. "Nagmamagandang loob lang naman 'yung tao tapos minamasama n'yo!"

The skinny guy called Noel rolled his eyes and shrugged, an infuriatingly amused grin touched his lips. "Eh, di wow. Galing mag-appeal to pity! Palakpakan!" he joked but nobody laughed nor clapped.

In an instant, the majority sided the one who shed tears.

The guys reflected the animosity held by the minority. They clicked their tongues in contempt upon releasing Shogun's arms from their grip, and left the room, hands in their pockets, like nothing happened.