The Perilous Haven

Chapter 12

Copyright © ScribblerMia, 2018

OST: Belong- Cary Brothers

Days passed quickly and before I realized, my three-day self-declared vacation had ended. I almost never wanted to wake up and get off my bed. I wished I could live in my bedroom forever and never go back to that detestable school and see those horrifyingly wicked people there.

But who am I kidding? I had no choice but to follow my brother's order. Although Amaury and I usually have a fun and good brother-sister relationship, he could be strict and authoritative if the situation calls for it.

"Nandito na po tayo," seryosong sabi ni Octavio.

How many times do I have to recoil in fear whenever Octavio utters that sentence? Somehow, I hated hearing those words from Octavio. He seemed like a devil butler giving me a sinister welcome to entering the gates of hell, which was likely the case right now as I faced the tall iron gates of the school.

Napahinga ako ng malalim at yumuko habang dahan-dahan na tinatahak ang daan papunta sa aming silid-aralan. Sinubukan kong huwag iangat ang paningin kahit ramdam na ramdam ko na ang maraming mga mata na nakamasid sa akin ngayon. Karamihan sa kanila ay natitigil sa pag-uusap habang ako ay dumaraan. Ang iba ay tumatawa ng may halong pangkukutya.

I knew what they're thinking, but I tried not to be fazed by it. I seriously need to stop giving crap to what other people think.

"Alex!" Zoe shouted. I saw her frantically running towards me.

Kahit paano ay kaunting naibsan ang pangamba ko nang makita ko siya.

Zoe hugged my tightly. "Oh my God! I was really worried about you. I heard the news." Bumitaw siya sa akin ng yakap at hinarap ako. "Sino'ng umaway sa'yo?" Biglang naningkit ang mga mata nito.

There was suddenly a tense silence. I could feel that everyone was waiting for my answer.

I looked at Zoe. She looked serious and infuriated, but I couldn't blatantly announce the culprit in front of everyone, could I?

I smiled reluctantly and shrugged. "Let's go." Hinigit ko siya para mailayo na kami sa hallway.

I was thankful that Zoe seemed to understand what I was trying to convey. Walang imik siyang sumunod sa akin pero ramdam ko ang pagiging seryoso niya habang naglalakad.

I looked at my watch. Dalawang minuto na lang at malapit nang magsimula ang klase namin.

"Zoe..." I started to say, but she cut me.

"Okay, okay. Let's meet after class," Zoe said seriously. She looked worried, but I was grateful that she didn't press the matter. If we're going to talk, it would be better if we're in some place safe and secluded.

Pilit na ngumiti si Zoe bago kami naghiwalay patungo sa kanya-kanyang klase. There was a mixture of reluctance and uneasiness in her eyes.

I know how much Zoe cares for me, but I don't know why I always feel alone and hopeless in this school. Pakiramdam ko ay tila ba ako ay laging nalulunod at walang makapitan para makaahon habang ang mga tao sa paligid ay pinapanood lamang akong malunod.

The room was all abuzz, but it suddenly fell into seconds of silence when I arrived.

Nang makapasok ako sa classroom ay hindi nagbago ang pakikitungo sa akin ng mga kaklase ko. Tumingin sila saglit at nagtawanan bago pinagpatuloy ang pag-uusap. I tried to find a seat, but as always, the front row was vacated.