Run After

EPILOGUE

EPILOGUE

I studied here in Laguna because I find it more peaceful than in Manila. That's just the reason why I stayed here even if my parents and sisters aren't always around, even if I already longed for them. But my reason to stay changed when I met this lady.

"Uy, tang ina, bagsak!" The guy laughed loudly while pointing the girl who fell in to the floor, because of me.

Tumawa rin ang ibang nakakita sa pagbagsak ng babae paakyat sa hagdan dahil nakaharang pala sa daanan ang paa ko.

"Nice one, Nofuente!" Parang tuwang tuwa pa 'tong pangit na gagong 'to.

"Pre, anong ginawa mo?" Kev whispered.

Nathan laughed too so I glared at him but he didn't stop.

Hindi ko sila pinansin at lumapit na lang sa harap ng babae at naglahad ng kamay sa harap niya para tulungan siyang tumayo. Wala kasi nagtatayo sa kanya, imbis na tulungan tinawanan pa.

'Yung babae naman ay nanatili lang sa pagkakabagsak sa sahig. Pinapahiya niya ba lalo ang sarili niya?

"Miss, stand up," I said.

I crouched to help her but she avoid her arm from my hold and left my hand hanging on the air.

Tumayo siyang mag-isa mula sa sahig at sinamaan pa ako ng tingin bago dali daling umalis, hiyang hiya.

Gulat akong pinanonood lang ang babaeng mawala sa paningin ko.

"Ang taba taba kasi, ayan! Ilan nahuli mong isda?" The guy continually teased the girl.

I don't know him though, I don't know how he knew me. I don't care.

Hinarap ko ang lalaki. Nanahimik siya nang hinarap ko siya at mahina kong sinampal sampal ang pisngi niya. Napaka pasmado ng bunganga ng bobo na 'to.

It was first day of class as a freshman in highschool but I got the attention of all because the rumored 'bully' I did on that girl, tuwang tuwa sila. Correction, it's not bully it's coincident. But I won't speak more, it'll be just a waste of time to prove a point to those pea brain people.

Doon ko lang din nalaman na magkaklase kami noong babaeng nadapa at natalisod. Mukhang wala siyang kaibigan, dahil walang kumakausap sa kanya at inaasar pa dahil sa timbang niya. Gusto ko sana siyang lapitan kaso kapag nagkakatinginan kami ay pinapatay niya 'ko sa tingin.

She's cute.

"Pre, may crush ka riyan kay Alejo, 'no?!" Nathan teased while we're watching her with her best friend happily talking.

"Bakit siya?" Kev asked.

My brows met at his question. Is he insulting her?

"Bakit hindi siya?" I asked back.

Day by day as I saw how these attention seeker pea brain people tease and bully her with their insensitive and offending jokes about her appearance. Minsan nga'y nangangati na ang kamao ko. Mabuti na lang at nandyan ang kaibigan niya para ipagtanggol siya.

One day we had a group project, we have to submit our flash drives with our presentation made by the group. Isa ako sa leader, ganoon din si Helaena.

Submission noong makita kung paano binura ng mga gunggong niyang kagrupo ang pinaghirapan niya at pinalitan 'yon ng mga malalaswang video dahil hindi raw sila inilista ang pangalan nila.

Hindi ako pwedeng manakit, I reminded my self.

Kinuha ko 'yon sa kanila at binato mula sa third floor. Tutulungan ko na lang siyang gumawa ng bago.