KING OF TORMENTS [Completed]

CHAPTER 60

I didn't know what to expect or how should I react to the situation. Ni minsan hindi ko pa nakita sa personal ang presidente. I didn't even remember what he looked like because I was never a fan of political gossips. I didn't really give a flying fuck about the rulers in this country who seemed to be a basic knowledge for every filipino citizens. Their existence did not matter to me before I entered this school. As a matter of fact, I was more knowledgeable when it came to the names of the notorious assassins and legendary mafioso in this generation, while I remained pretty clueless about the elected officials.

My heavy and urgent steps synced with the rebellious beating of my heart. Walang nagtangkang manakit sa akin habang halos tinatakbo ko na ang daan papunta sa opisina ng Upper Heirarchy. Hindi ako sigurado kung dahil ba sa anunsyo ng presidente o dahil sa mismong hitsura ko na handang ibalibag ang kung sinumang magtatangkang humarang. I was emitting hostility as I passed the students who were about to rip each other's throat.

Sa totoo lang gusto kong makausap ang presidente dahil maaaring may sagot siya sa aking mga tanong, ngunit may parte rin sa akin ang natatakot sa maaaring kahantungan ng magiging usapan namin. I was not suprised anymore when I caught myself using delaying tactic. Imbes na sumakay ako sa elevator upang mas mapadali ang pagpunta ko sa pinakamataas na palapag ay mas pinili kong maghagdan. I knew I should not prolong the inevitable but still, I did.

Kapansin-pansing tahimik ang first floor at halos wala akong madaanang estudyante sa palapag na ito. Kung mayroon man ay nasisigurado kong hindi ito mga Inferiors. The first floor was eerily silent. May mga bakas pa ng dugo sa corridor at ilang mga basag na salamin.

Ang pangalawa at ikatlong palapag naman ay maraming mga estudyanteng pakalat-kalat. Some were holding deadly weapons while mischievous smirks were plastered in their lips. I passed the fourth floor and I couldn't help but recoiled in what I saw. Masyadong magulo ang paligid at halatang ito ang naging sentro ng gulo kanina.

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad hanggang sa tuluyan ko nang matanaw ang pamilyar na pinto. Bahagyang bumagal ang aking mga hakbang. I felt the ground shook under my feet, but I knew better that it was just my knees wobbling. Huminto muna ako sa paglalakad at pinakalma ang aking sarili.

Bigla akong napatanong kung talaga bang hindi ko pa nakita sa personal ang presidente o nakalimutan ko lang. Because the mere thought of his name send havoc in my system. Ganoon din ang nararamdaman ko kapag binabanggit ang pangalan ni Dale. That feeling when you couldn't remember them but your emotions were screaming in your head, making you dizzy with confusion.

I took a deep breath. When I gained the courage to continue, I resumed walking. I bit my lips when I touched the doorknob. Half-heartedly, I twisted the know. My nightmare slowly welcome me.

"What took you so long?"

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang loob habang nagmistula akong kahoy sa may pinto. I felt my heart was making its own seismic waves that shook my entire being when I finally assessed the whole situation. The president was sitting in a swivel chair while holding a picture frame. He was staring at me blankly.

Nakarinig ako ng mga kalabog. Mula sa nakabukas na pintong konektado sa silid na ito ay naaninag ko ang pamilyar na bulto ni Davil. Kaagad kong nilampasan ang presidente at naglakad papasok sa pinto. Gasps escaped from my mouth when I noticed the horrible situation of Davil. He was handcuffed. Both of his wrists were attached with metal fastening. Nakaupo siya sa isang matibay na upuan habang may lubid na nakagapos sa kaniyang katawan. I couldn't even see his upper body clearly because the ropes covered it. Pati ang kaniyang mga paa ay nakatali sa paraang mahihirapan talaga siyang gumalaw. May nakatakip ding tela sa kaniyang bibig na mas lalong nagpabigat sa aking dibdib.