The Sleuth Project ✓

Chapter 5: Catastrophic Pair

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Catastrophic Pair

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THE HIGH ceilings of professor Simon Zaldiga's office did nothing but further intimidate both Ann and Rein who stood inches apart from each other.

Tahimik ang dalawa at ni isa walang nagsasalita. Halos lamunin ng katahimikan ang opisina.

The young lady didn't dare turn her head towards her rival. Diretso lamang ang kaniyang tingin, gritting her teeth and fidgeting with the crimson red tie that hung around her neck. In aggravating silence, they waited for the high discipline officer to speak.

It was a mess hearing the massive thumping of her heartbeat — as if it were a couple of horses galloping furiously across the plains. Ann couldn't even fathom what kind of punishment her father would give her if ever he knew she was called to the discipline office.

Ann gritted her teeth harder. "No." Mariin niyang sabi sa sarili. "Hindi makakarating 'to sa kanila. I'll make sure of it."

Rein on the other hand, stood beside her with a grim look on his face. His hands were buried deep within the hollow spaces of his pockets as he stared hard at professor Zaldiga, who had his back turned to the both of them, was stirring tea into his cup.

Hindi katangkaran ang propesor, ngunit kapansin-pansin ang malaking katawan nito. His shoulders and upper chest were especially broad, which was more prominent when seen from the back. Makikita rin ang iilang puting buhok sa likod ng kaniyang ulo, testifying that the discipline shepherd had seen better days.

Rein stared at him long and hard, his eyes burning two holes at the back of the professor's rather big frame.

He still felt shaky — the wounds of his trauma reopened as he tried to shake away the image of his father, striking him. His whole body ached, and he shifted his weight on one foot as his limp started to hurt once more.

Clank. Clank. The sound of the teaspoon hitting the cup, rang throughout the room. Clank. Clank.

Rein's eyes shifted from the professor to the long, tall windows of the office, where the late afternoon sky outside was turning into a murky shade of gray.

It didn't take Rein a degree in Applied Science to deduce that there was a storm coming. Pero kahit na may paparating na bagyo, nothing could compare to the sunken, stormy feeling inside his stomach.

"I'm very disappointed in both of you." The discipline officer spoke up, a firm tone in his voice as he finally turned to face the duo.

"To be frank, I ought to call your parents."

Immediately at those words, Ann shook her head and stepped towards his desk in determination. "Please, sir," the girl's eyes flashed rapidly. "I'm asking you to rethink your decision. This is the first time we've ever been called to your office, and I promise you it'll also be the last." Mariing sabi ng dalaga, staring hard at the discipline head. "Just please don't call our parents."

Instantly, the professor's eyebrow shot up. Ibinaba niya ang kaniyang tsaa bago lumingon kay Rein. "And you, Mr. Maccio? What do you have to say for yourself?"

There was no waver in the hardness of Rein's stare. "I'd gladly take detention, sir." The boy said carefully. "I don't usually agree with Lobris, but today's an exception. You'd want to take full consideration in calling our parents, professor. As you may be aware, they can be a handful for the school to handle." He answered. "Baka sumakit lang po ang ulo niyo."

He then shifted his feet once more. Sumasakit na talaga yung sugat niya sa binti.

Ann ignored him and leaned forward once more, as if trying to assert herself. "If it demands that we be punished, we'll gladly take it professor. Huwag niyo lang po silang tawagin."