Bewitching Hearts: Ground Zero

Twenty-three - With Samara at the Clinic

Victoria was wondering around the vicinity of the Special Class' Room. It has been weeks since she got here. She stopped as she heard voices. It could be them, she thought. Besides, no other students are allowed there except from them. 

"Are you sure she's okay to be with us? It'd be dangerous."

"She better be with us, so we can guard her better."

"Are you worried, Seth?"

"Oh, come on! It'll be fine."

"Can she stay after this?"

"What if she's not?"

"Dude, come to think of it... Special Class would be doomed if not."

"You too, Cal? Xav? Well, kinda. But we have no choice. Let's just take care of what we... you know. Hahaha!"

"What does she have to do with what you were saying, guys? She's pretty. I like her. Hihihi."

"Clydeus? Man, you're a kid!"

"I'm not!"

"Sure. Are you even circumcised?"

"Stop it... he might weep later."

"Hahahahahaha."

It felt like bombs was dropped above her head. Their laughing voices echoed in her ears. Her mind cannot digest what she have heard. She stepped back and went out hurriedly.

She felt betrayed, she knows that she shouldn't stick to what she have heard heard. She doesn't even know the whole picture so it's not right to judge them. It's not right to trust them still. Later that day, I acted like nothing. Like I've heard nothing.

Then it happened. They are talking about her again and she doesn't understand any of it. 'I should trust them, plus they were just being honest. That's all.' She thought and that's what she bore in mind. 

"Kuya, saan ikaw punta?" Tanong ng isang tatlong taong gulang na bata sa pitong taong gulang na lalaki.

"Sa malayo." Simpleng sagot nito at saka inayos ang bag niyang may lamang mga gamit.

"Iiwan mo na ako." Ani ng bata na malapit nang umiyak. Wala na kasi siyang kalaro. Sa edad na tatlo, marunong na itong makipag-usap ng tuwid. Ganoon rin ang Kuya niya noong ganun ang edad nito. Mukhang nasa lahi na nila ang mabilis na pag-mature ng isip.

"Hindi. Babalik rin ako." Sagot ng batang lalaki at ginulo ang buhok ng bata. "Madali lang ako." Nagliwanag naman ang mukha ng batang babae. Simula pa noon ay hindi ito humihiwalay sa Kuya niya. Kaya kapag aalis ito, pakiramdam niya ayaw na nito sa kanya.

"Talaga?" Tanong nito at tumango naman ang huli. "Hihintayin kita. Bilisan mo lang, ha." Nakangiting dagdag nito.

Pero lumipas ang ilang linggo, buwan at taon ay hindi na ito bumalik. Nagtungo siya silid ng kanyang ama. Nakita niya itong tulala.

"Ama, ang tagal bumalik ni Kuya." Reklamo nito.

"Ama. Nasaan si Kuya?"

"Napakadaya niya." Aniya. Pero parang wala itong naririnig. Kinulit niya ito ng kinulat, hanggang sa galit siya nitong tingnan.

"Wala na siya! Hindi na siya babalik. Naintindihan mo?!" Bulyaw nito sa bata na siyang ikinaiyak nito.

Agad na humangin ng malakas at halos magliparan ang gamit nila sa paligid. Umiiyak na tiningnan siya ng anak. "Ayoko na sa'yo!"