Tacenda

One Shot

WILLA

     

      "Questions left unasked and answers left unsaid," he said while directly looking at me. He's trying to assess my reaction, or maybe me.

     
      For some reason, I should avoid his gaze. I should at least avoid what he said but I didn't. Masyado siyang pakialamero kaya mas mabuting manahimik na lamang siya pero mukhang pinaninindigan niya talaga ang pagiging matabil.

     
      "Tacenda sir," I blurted out as I try to catch the attention of our Physics teacher, Mr. Bruce Antonino.

     
      Everyone looked at me but I only need, want his and sir's attention.

     
      Listen well... I said inside my mind.

     
      "Tacenda is a word sir. It means some things are better left unsaid." His expression darkened-- which is great, for me, because at least he knows what I'm trying to point out. "That's why there are secrets. That's why we keep things," I added.

     
      I tried to gaze at Marion but he's busy looking at the green field outside the window. I know he's listening but he doesn't understand.

     
      Ibinalik ko ang tingin ko kay sir na ngayon ay nakangisi na.

     
      "So you're hiding things?" Nakangisi ngunit nag-iigting ang mga pangang sabi niya.

     
      Palipat-lipat ng tingin sa aming dalawa ang mga kaklase ko. They're confused. Good for them. Confusion is better.

     
      I nod and raised the upper left part of my lip. "I am sir. I am hiding things," pag-amin ko. "I mean come on, who doesn't?" Inilibot ko ang mga mata ko sa buong room at ang karamihan ay nakayuko.

     
      Tables can be turned, so as words, and so as stories.

     
      Sumandal ako sa upuan ko. "You sir, you hide things?"

     
      I looked at him the way he looked at me a while ago. Nang-bibintang, nag-hihinanakit, pero umaasang malalaman ang katotohanan.

     
      He didn't have time to answer my question because the bell rang already. Guess, it's lunch time. Another time for hell.

     
      Tumayo na ako at binitbit ang bag ko. Dumiretso ako sa canteen at ramdam ko ang paninitig nilang lahat habang naglalakad.

     
     
      "The guts! Nakakaya niya pa talagang pumasok?"

     

      "Yes. Nakakaya ko pa," mahinang bulong ko. Hindi ko ipinarinig sa kanila dahil ayaw ko ng gulo.

     

      "She's a murderer? Omg."

     

      Napalunok na lang ako at ipinagpatuloy ang paglalakad. Nakarating naman ako ng canteen nang matiwasay.

     
      Nag-order na ako at naghanap ng mesa which is quite easy considering sila na mismo ang lumalayo kada papalapit ako. Nagsisimula pa lamang akong kumain nang may umupo sa harap ko.

      What now?

     

      "Hi ex-future girlfriend."

     
      I gave Marion my best face, a smug distorted one. I know what he wants but he doesn't know what it is.

     
      "Stop pestering me," I said while trying to sound monotonous.