Culprits

One Shot

"Ms. Panganiban pinatawag kita dahil nais kong sabihin sayo na maari ka ng maalis sa Classter A. Nabalitan ko kasi na nawala na ang inyong ama at nanatili lamang kayo sa Sector 1 dahil dito ka nagaaral tama ba?". Mausisang tanong ng dean kay Raphaela.

"Dean baka naman pwede nating pag usapan yan. My Mom is sick and Sector 1---" hindi na siya binigyan ng pagkakataon ng dean na magsalita.

"Bakit? May ospital naman sa Down Town hindi ba? Gaano ba kalala ang sakit ng ina mo para ipagsisikan niyo pa ang sarili niyo sa Sector 1?". May panguuyam na sabi ni Dean Philippe

"Dean, nagmamakaawa ho ako. I can't let my mother die. Sector 1 had the good and efficient hospital. I will do everything just to stay in this sector". Bakas ang paninindigan ng dalaga. Napabuntong hininga ang matanda.

"Fine, prove your worth then. Tomorrow will be the test sorting, be prepared and if you will be one of the highest. I let you and your family stay and remain here in Sector 1. But if you fail, you'll be in downtown". Mapanghamong sabi ng Dean. Mabilis na umalis si Raphaela sa opisina at nagtungo na sa kanilang silid aralan.

Estrella

"Ano kumusta Rapha? Pinagalitan ka ni Dean? Anong sabi sayo?" Panguusisang tanong ni Esmeralda sa kanya.

"Sshh. Esmeng mag aral ka na lang puro ka chismis e". Natatawang sabi ni Raphaela.

"Hindi ko alam kung anong pinagusapan niyo ni Dean, but I can see that it wasn't that good for you to be upset like that". Mahinang bulong ng kaibigan, ngunit gaya ng dati ay ipinagsawalang bahala niya ito.
_______

She was trying to focus, but any single of word can't fill her cloudy head.

"Bukas na ang sorting and I can't let that happened. Hindi ako pwedeng bumagsak, not now Mom needs me". Naiiyak na sabi ng dalaga.

She's start reviewing all her books and I-text. No one can fall her down. She had the mind and the strategy to win and survive and live in Sector 1.

_____________

"WHY are you still making this so easy for her?!" Inis na sabi ng lalaki.

" Of course not. Not a chance. This will not be that so easy as you think." Nakangising sagot ng dalaga.

"Really?! I thought you two are friends? You two were inseparable. Right?." He was mocking her, yet no one can do that to the law. She is the law behind these walls and Sectors. She had this power.

She immediately walk across him and tuck his throat with her fingers and choke him.

"I-i c--an breath!" Sighal ng lalaki sa kanya.

"Don't you ever talk to me in that way. I can kill you here in instant. No one can hear you. No one will know thag you are already dead!" Sigaw ng dalaga at mas mariin pang sinakal ang lalaki. Ginawa niyang magpapadyak at subukang pumiglas ngunit sadyang nawawalan na siya ng lakas.

She immediately remove her hands as he grasp for air. Parang isang musmos na paslit na pinagkaitan ng hangin upang mabuhay.

"Don't you dare talk to me in that way sweetheart. I can't let my favorite dog die in just a snap of my fingers. So be an obedient dog okay?." Malambing na sabi ng dalaga ngunit kilala siya nito. Tuso, parang isang lobong kayang patayin ang usa sa harapan niya. Evil and wicked.

Test Sorting Results

Top Notchers

1. Panganiban, Raphaela Issac L.
2. Jilo, Timothy P.
3. Requga, Sebastian Luigi M.
4. Lopez, Sicarious K.
5. Dela Crus, Esmeralda R.
6. Castillo, Yvette Joy N.
7. Mercado, Margaret G.
8. Gomez, Tricia Q.
9. Cajilo, Kiro C.
10. Landicho, Maria Yvonne S.
11. Hidalgo, Kenneth E.
12. Pamintuan, Greg T.
13. Blanco, Camilla H.
14. Wang, Aviona Y.
15. Natividad, Shaira B.
16. Pamplona, Rachel Ann Z.
17. Rambo, Yhan U.
18. Marcel, Joydee V.
19. Valenzuela, James R.
20. Rabino, Daylle F.