Hell Section 2.0

1. Expelled

RHYGEL

"We are very sorry Madam, but your son needs to be expelled."

Blah blah blah. I'm not a bit interested to whatever this man is saying. Expulsion? Is he kidding me? Mom, surely, will not let it happen.

This bald, old man must not forget that I'm Rhygel Dela Rosa. The heir of Dela Rosa Group of Companies.

Ako ang hari sa school na ito. I'm invincible. I'm untouchable. Rules are nothing to me. Only the weak and coward stick to them.

"July last year, he and his friends were caught smoking in the library. Madam, the library is strictly for scholastic activities. Students are not allowed to make noise, to eat or to drink inside. Smoking? That's too much action of disrespect and disobedience."

Oh, I remember that one. Wala namang nakalagay na "No Smoking" sign sa loob at kahit sa labas ng library. Ang meron lang ay "Keep Silent". Ibig sabihin, we are free to smoke. Besides, malakas ang aircon sa loob kaya masarap magyosi doon.

"August last year, your son turned the school oval into a racing track."

So? I was just excited to show off my newly bought sports car. Tinignan ko lang kung gaano 'yon kabilis and the oval was the perfect place for a test drive. Damn! Sobrang bilis nga! I even raced with the wind!

"My list of his violation and misconduct is too long Madam."

Tsk. Bakit? Pagod na ba siyang isa-isahin ang nasa listahan niya?

"Maybe we can have it photocopied Mr. Principal. Bigyan mo na lang kami ng kopya. I don't want you to get tired."

Mom gave me her deadliest glare. Anong masama sa sinabi ko? I'm just trying to make things easy for the old man.

"We had given your son a lot of chances Madam. However, this time, he could not be forgiven."

My mom did not respond. She just listened to the principal. Perhaps, she is silently strategizing so that later she'll negotiate. She is not a business magnate for no reason.

"I hope you understand the school's decision."

I noticed that mom uncrossed her legs. Oh no. Does it mean the conversation has already ended?

"I understand Dr. Pascual. I apologize for all the trouble my son has caused in this school. Don't worry. I'll still continue financing the construction of the amphitheater."

They shook hands and mom exited the office.

No way! This is not happening. I'm not getting expelled.

•••

We are now in the parking lot. Hindi pa rin niya ako kinikibo.

"I can't believe you let that old man expel me."

I continued to rant, but she remained quiet until her car stopped in front of us. The driver went out and opened the door for her.

"Come on! Saan na ako papasok?" Halos magpapadyak na ako sa inis.

She turned to face me. Magkasalubong ang kanyang kilay pero hindi naman siya mukhang galit. She is just annoyed of me.

"You are grounded for a week. You know what grounded means, right?"

Of course, I know what grounded means. No going out, no visitors, no cars and no cards. In short, I'm doomed.

"About your new school, I'll instruct Jasmin to prepare your documents. You'll transfer to Patterson High School the soonest possible time. Now I have to go. I won't miss another appointment because of you."

At iniwan na niya akong nakatunganga dito.

I must do something to vent out my frustration. Para akong bulkan na malapit nang sumabog. They can't do this to me!

I need a punching bag. Kung sino man ang taong mapapadaan ngayon dito tiyak kong basag ang mukha nito. Wala na akong paki-alam total ay expelled na rin naman ako. Gagawin ko na lahat ng gusto ko.

Few minutes have passed at wala ni isa ang napadaan. Mas lalo tuloy uminit ang ulo ko.

I have no plans to stay and rot in this damn parking lot kaya aalis na lang ako.

Sakto namang nahagip ng mga mata ko ang isang sasakyan.

I can't be the only unlucky guy today. If I can't break someone's face, I'll just ruin someone's car.

I laughed and praised myself for coming up with an evil plan.

"It's revenge time, baby!"

•••

"Someone has been sulking all day."

Finally, the bastard has arrived. I've been calling him for almost an hour. Akala ko ay mapapanis na ako dito kahihintay. I glared at him.

"Not because you got expelled you want me to cut classes and get expelled too. You know our dismissal time. I got here as fast as I can. Buti nga at hindi ko naibangga 'yong kotse."

Right. Si Jacob pala itong kausap ko. The saint in the group.

"Rhy, alam mo ba na bukod sa expulsion mo ay may isa pang pinag-uusapan ngayon sa school?"

"What is it?" Likas din talagang tsismoso ang isang ito. I'm not in the mood to listen, but I don't want to spoil the guy's excitement.

"Someone ruined Dr. Pascual's car dude! Basag ang windshield at mga bintana. Mukhang sinadya ring i-flat ang mga gulong. Dude, the principal almost got a heart attack! Poor man."

He sounded hysterical, very typical of Jacob.

"Dapat lang sa kanya 'yon. He should be thankful I didn't burn his car."

Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata. Sa dami ng mga nagawa kong kalokohan at kagagohan ngayon pa siya magugulat?

"I called you not to hear some stupid news. I asked you to come, so you can drink with me."

This bar is owned by a family friend. Although minor pa kami ay pwede kaming uminom dito. They can never say no to a Dela Rosa. I ordered more beer dahil darating pa ang iba naming tropa.

Tonight, I'll drink until all my anger and frustration don't matter to me anymore.

"Cheers to the king's expulsion!"

Jacob raised his beer and the rest followed.

When we were done, I asked for the bill and handed my card. After a while, the waiter returned with a nervous face.

"Sir, do you have another card? Hindi po gumagana ito."

Inabot ko sa kanya ang tatlo ko pang card pero bumalik din siya kaagad dahil rejected din ang mga ito.

"When will this day end? Mukhang hindi pa natatapos ang kamalasan ko." Napakamot ako sa ulo.

Then, I was hit by a lightning bolt. I remembered that I'm grounded. Grounded ako kaya hindi ko magamit ang mga credit cards ko. Without those cards, I'm penniless.

My phone rang. Mom is calling. I intentionally missed her call. Ayokong makarinig ng sermon sa kanya. She attempted to call again at dahil hindi ko ulit ito sinagot, nagpadala na lang siya ng isang text message.

From: Mom

You have two choices my son, so you better choose wisely. Come home now or you will sleep on the street.

I'm already expelled and I don't want to end up homeless. Kailangan ko na talagang sumibat.

"Jacob. Ikaw muna magbayad ngayon. I'm grounded and my cards aren't working."

Nagmadali na akong lumabas ng bar para umuwi. I searched for my car keys pero naalala ko na hindi pala ako pinayagan kaninang maglabas ng sasakyan.

Great! Malas! Malas talaga!

I left the bar cursing this day, cursing this life.

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