The Perilous Haven

Chapter 7

Mia's Message: Sorry for the long wait. I was busy. Hindi ko na na-proofread. Bukas na lang siguro. Sorry sa errors. Anyway, happy reading! 

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Copyright © ScribblerMia, 2014

"Where are you, stupid brother?" I asked Amaury. After a few calls, my freaking brother finally answered. Naawa na marahil sa akin.

"What is it to you, stupid sister?" I heard him laugh.

"Why are you being a jerk?"

"Why are you being annoying?"

I rolled my eyes and brushed my long wavy brown hair. Mabilis akong naglalakad sa hallway habang mabilis ding ginagala ang tingin sa paligid.

It's another day in school, but I was having a bad feeling about it. Sana mali ang kutob ko. Alas-sais pa lang ng umaga pero marami-rami na rin ang mga estudyante. Pero mukhang iba ang pinunta nila sa eskwelahan. Sa 'di kalayuan ay napansin ko ang grupo ng mga babae na may sinasabunutan. Kanina lang ay may nakasalubong akong dalawang lalaking mabilis na tumatakbo habang hinahabol ng isang grupo ng mga lalaki. Buti na lang at mabilis akong nakaiwas. Wala yata silang pakialam kung sino man ang mabunggo. Bullying is like an everyday activity for these people. It's like a ritual that they have to do every day during breaks. All I could to was to pray silently that they would spare me from the ritual.

I tried to ignore the horrible scenes around me. I was controlling myself not to call the teachers, but then I realized that they don't give a crap at all to whatever is happening outside the classroom. For these teachers, their responsibility is only to discuss lessons to the students inside the four corners of the classroom.

"Hey, are you still there? Pikon ka na?" Untag ni Amaury sa kabilang linya.

"Yeah, good thing I'm still alive and breathing," I answered sarcastically.

Natigil sa pagtawa si Amaury. "Is there a problem?" Biglang sumeryoso ang tono nito.

Nang makarating ako sa classroom ko ay sumilip ako. Pero mabilis ko rin akong umiwas dahil sa nakita ko. Great. A couple making out inside the classroom. What a good way to start the day!

"You tell me," I said gravely.

Umalis na lang muna ako at nagtungo sa dulo ng hallway. Dahil nasa ikatlong palapag ako ng gusali na may malalaking bintana, napagpasyahan kong maupo muna sa pasamano ng nasa dulong bintana. Binaba ko ang backpack ko sa sahig at nahilig sa gilid ng bintana.

"Cheer up," Amaury suddenly shouted in a childish voice.

I grimaced.  Trust Amaury to ruin the moment. I was having second thoughts a while ago. Should I tell him about my experiences in this hateful place? I guess not.

"Thank you for the meaningful conversation, Amaury," I said instead. Hindi ko na ito hinintay pang sumagot. I ended the call. Halata namang walang balak ang magaling kong kapatid na sabihin sa akin kung nasaan siya ngayon. He's really secretive, but that geeky brother of mine would usually tell me that he just values his privacy. I'm impressed that he actually mastered euphemism.

Umihip ang hangin galing sa labas. Hindi ko na lang pinansin kahit nilipad nito ang buhok ko. Tinuon ko ang atensyon ko sa isang estatwa na nasa harapan ko. There's this hanging chubby-cheeked cherub wearing a white dress. It was smiling playfully. Sa ngiti nito ay tila ba may binabalak na kapilyuhan na gagawin.

If there's one thing good about this school, it's the structure of the school itself. Avercrombe High has archways and long hallways. The walls are filled with mosaics and carved statues. Binaling ko ang paningin ko sa labas ng bintana. Mula sa ikatlong palapag ay tanaw na tanaw ang malawak na garden ng paaralan. Two old stone towers loomed in the distance. Then, there's an elegant courtyard with a large Baroque fountain in the middle. Beside the fountain was a small turf bench. I made a mental note to sit on it one of these days. Pine trees, Oak trees, and Cherry Blossoms trees lined the gently curving drive leading to the school entrance. There are also sages, violets, and shrubs surrounding the vast yard. But what really caught my attention was the rose-covered trellis at the far right corner of the garden. I wonder where it leads, so I made another mental note to explore it soon.