The Nobles

Chapter 22

Anja said a lot more hurtful words, and explained what she just exhibited, but I wasn't able to hear it as Nickolas stands in front of me covering my ears and just starring directly into a my eyes. The audio static was once heard again bago tanggalin ni Nickolas ang mga kamay n'yang naka-takip sa tainga ko. 

For the very fist time in this stupid life... Nickolas smiled dearly at me. 

"Are you afraid?" he asked casually. I can't help myself to nod for affirmation because I really am. 

"You don't have to. Now that your secret is out... no one can ever use it against you." he said putting both of his hands on my shoulders. 

Ms. Yoon unexpectedly walked towards me and say something. 

"We'll make sure that Anja will get disciplinary actions on what she just did." she said in a conventional way.

Eto na naman ako... sa ayaw at sa gusto ko, I need to compose myself to look like I am fine. 

This is the game of survival, therefore, if I am too weak... I will someday find myself lost in the sea of nobles.

Bago ko pa man din maisuot ang maskara ng katapangan na lagi kong ginagamit sa impyernong 'to... laking gulat naming lahat nang biglang kumalabog ang pinto at pumasok si Mr. Tan na parang may masaming nangyari. 

"Ms. Yoon... this is an emergency matter please don't let anyone leave the room and you have to come with me." Sabi n'ya na parang hapong-hapo sa pagkakatakbo. 

Hinawakan naman ni Nickolas ng mahigpit ang kamay ko nang makaramdam din s'ya ng kakaiba sa sinabi ni Mr. Tan. 

Napalunon na lang din ako sa takot at nerbyos. Bukod sa nangyaring pamamahiya ng sarili kong kadugo sa'kin...ano pa kayang mas malalang nangyari na hindi kami puwedeng lumabas pansamantala at gano'n na lang yung pag-aalala ni Mr. Tan.

"Alam mo ba kung anong meron?" Tanong ko kay  Nickolas na ikina-iling n'ya lang naman dahil pare-pareho kaming nandito lang sa pool room.

Lalo naman akong nakaramdam ng kaba at takot nang may marinig akong kakaiba sa labas. Parang mga pulis.

Ilang minuto lang ang nakalipas at may bigla na namang pumasok sa pinto. Si Noah. He looks like he's looking for someone kaya tinawag ko na s'ya. 

He rushed at Nickolas and I at agad naman akong nagtanong.

"What's happening? Bakit nagkakagulo sa labas? And you... You're supposed to be at the clinic right now anong ginagawa mo dito?" I was too nervous na 'di ko namalayan na pinauulanan ko na pala s'ya ng tanong. 

"I don't think I would ever have the courage to tell you what's going on." he said, panting as he fell on his knees. Nasalo naman agad namin s'ya ni Nickolas.

He's all sweat up and he's eyes are teary. 

"Man up Noah!" Nickolas demanded. "Tell us what's happening."

Nakahalata na rin ang iba pang students at lahat sila naghihintay ng sagot ni Noah. 

"Tristan..." he's trying to say as he gasps for air. "he hung himself at the men's locker room."

I fell in my knees with him having my mouth covered by my hands. This can't be happening. 

Nickolas pulled me up and hugged me for consolation. 

I sat on a wooden chair nearby the pool beside the table where our phones rest.

Inabutan ako ni Noah ng tubig to calm me down. Beside me sat Noah and on the other side, Nickolas. 

"Am I too late?" I asked them. 

"Who are you to blame yourself?" Nickolas asked coldly. 

"The only ones at fault in this matter are Travis and the rest of the jerks who picked on him for being an adopted son." Noah said.

"I can't believe that those things are actually big deal in AIU. That's lame." I said. "Ethnocentrism!" I scoffed at that disgusting thought.

"Kinda same of how are we divided by black and white, not looking at us as students but as nobles and employee-benefits." sumbat ni Noah na umani ng masamang tingin kay Nickolas.

I grabbed my phone to make a call.

"Ms. Lin... something...horrible happened in here. If you can..." Hindi ko pa man din natatapos yung call para sana magpasundo na, hinablot ni Nickolas yung phone ko. 

"I'll drive her home." Sabi n'ya kay Ms. Lin sabay patay ng tawag. 

"Why you?" Noah vexatiously asked. 

"Ano ba? Kailangan ba pati 'yan pag-aawayan?" I asked...irritated by these loud mouths. 

"I'll drive you and wait for you outside. We have a funeral to attend to." the argument was settled by that remark made by Nickolas. 

Kailangan pa rin kasi ni Noah umuwi at magpalit since he's all ragged because of earlier's fight. 

Nickolas can wear his uniform naman kaya mas kakayanin ng oras na s'ya ang maghatid sa'kin.

I got into his car the moment na pinalabas na kami dahil nakuha na yung banggkay ni Tristan sa locker room ng mga athletes at naka-alis na din yung mga pulis. Sa totoo lang hindi ko pa rin makuhang makapaniwala sa nangyari lalo pa't hindi ko maiwasang tanungin sa sarili ko kung yung away ba na ginawa namin kanina naka-trigger kay Tristan na gawin n'ya sa sarili n'ya 'yon. 

I leaned at his car window looking outside as I sit into the passenger's side.

Hindi rin naman nagsasalita si Nickolas and I think that's better. Naramdaman kong hininaan n'ya yung aircon at nag-play ng music to help me feel at ease. I closed my eyes as I listen to The Cabs - Endlessly. 

I hid a smile into the dark shadows of the night because there is a different kind of happiness when your favorite song is played by someone else..or kahit yung nakikinig din sila sa bandang paborito mo. 

His simple actions somehow bring me comfort in this disastrous night.