Below The Tide (Charity Series #1)

• Fourty Nine •

Gavin

~

"Mr. Quijano, seems like you’re in deep thought."

Napakamot ako sa ulo nang marinig kong tawagin ako ng Professor namin sa major subject. Napapahiyang ngumiti ako rito.

"H-Hindi po totoo ‘yan," wala akong maisip na sasabihin, tutok sa 'kin ang lahat! "In fact, I’m thinking of your lesson today, Sir. Uhm... the mechanical properties of bone."

Narinig ko ang impit na tawa ng kaklase kong lalaki sa tabi ko sabay bulong sa 'kin ng... "What are you talking about, Gav? Last month pa tapos ‘yung discussion about mechanical properties, nasa synovial structures na tayo."

"Eeh?"

"So until now you still haven’t move on from that topic, Mr. Quijano..." bulalas ng propesor ko.

Tumayo ako at agad na kumontra, "Sir, I’m sorry but that’s not true. Pasensya na po, may iniisip lang ako. Hindi na po mauulit."

Pinagmasdan muna niya 'ko mula ulo hanggang paa bago ako talikuran at magsulat sa white board habang tinutuloy ang discussion. Napaupo ako at bumuga sa hangin, nakakahiya naman.

Tumingin ako sa bintanang nasa tabi ko at muli na namang naalala si Betina. I know that it's not helping to just sit here and worry but what can I do? I want to help Seven. Simula nang mabasa namin ang sinabi niya kaninang umaga, sigurado, pare-parehas na kaming nilalamon ng pag-aalala para kay Betina.

Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang isipin na nakaka-guilty sa part namin. Unang-una, pinilit lang naman namin siyang sumali sa grupo namin para maging event coordinator pagkatapos malalaman niya ngayon na nasa bingit ang buhay niya.

I don't know whose fault is this but all I could think is Light...

Sigurado namang alam niya ang tungkol sa security system na nasa apartment-- bakit hinayaan niya pang patuluyin doon si Betina? He's really untrustworthy. I wonder why Seven’s trusting him that much.

Pagkatapos ng ilang oras na pagpapanggap sa klase ay natapos din ito. Kaagad kong tinawagan ang number ni Seven, sa wakas ay sinagot din niya.

"Hey, Seven!"

"What’s up, Gavin?"

"Don’t what’s up me..." nakanguso kong saad, "We’re trying to reach you earlier but you’re not picking up."

"Yeah, I’m busy. I’m restoring the security system but I think it will take a full day," sagot niya.

"What’s really happening? What is security system? Nagpalitan kami ng mensahe ni Betina kanina at sinabi n‘yang bomba raw ito."

He sighed on the line, "Yes it is."

"Tsk! Sigurado akong mapapagalitan ka ni Zen."

"Actually, he called me earlier and yelled... a lot."

"I can yell at you too for hiding such a secret!" I heaved a sigh, "But right now let’s just focus on solving the issue."

"Thanks for understanding, bro. After restoring this security system, it’s safer to send Betina to some safe place. Napag-usapan na namin ‘yun ni Zen, pero hindi pa rin ako sigurado kung papupuntahin ko siya ro’n hangga’t wala pang salita galing kay Light."

"Light again? Seven, wala naman siyang natutulong. Mas importante ba ‘yun kaysa ang maalis si Betina sa apartment?" naiinis kong bulalas dito.

"Gavin, naguguluhan pa ‘ko. Please don’t make things even harder. I still cannot contact him, Zen keeps bugging me, and all the members of CVA wants my explanation about this security system which I can’t provide at this rate," malakas siyang bumuga ng hangin, "I can only disclose classified information once I talk with Light."