When Destiny Plays

Chapter 29

"Hello po, tita!" bati ni Paul sa nanay ni Carmine bago pa man siya makapasok sa loob ng bahay nila.

He was with Alishabeth and Madison—both waiting outside for Carmine who was still busy preparing and doing what she needed to do before living the house.

"Kumusta na kaya si Koeli?" tanong ni Alishabeth na nag-aalala pa rin.

"She's okay, sabi niya sa 'kin kagabi... pero hindi gaanong okay." Madison took her phone out of her pocket and started messaging Koeli again.

"Papasok ba siya?" tanong naman ni Paul.

"Hindi ko lang alam, wala kasi siyang nabanggit sa 'kin e." Madison kept sending messages to Koeli, hoping that she would reply as soon as possible for them to know if she would come to school.

Dinig nila ang pagbukas ng pinto. "Hello..." bati sa kanila ni Carmine at agad nang isinara ang pinto sa likuran niya. Bitbit niya ang bag niya at pati na rin ang jacket ni Paul na pinahiram sa kanya.

Tinaas niya ang jacket ni Paul upang ipakita ito sa binata. "Ito na pala 'yung jacket mo. Ibabalik ko na." She handed Paul's jacket back to him and he immediately grabbed it from Carmine.

"Salamat ulit."

"You're welcome."

Dinig nila ang pagtunog ng cell phone ni Madison nang may tumawag. "Hello?"

"Papasok ka ba?"

***

After their a.m. classes, they all proceeded to the cafeteria to eat their lunches, and to have a small talk.

"Kumusta ka na?" tanong ni Carmine, ang titig niya ay hindi niya matanggal mula kay Koeli.

Bumuntong hininga si Koeli at bahagyang ngumiti. "Ito, malungkot pa rin... pero nangyari na e... wala naman na akong magagawa."

Koeli looked so pale, thin and exhausted. she wasn't able to express her feelings at that time since she was traumatized because of what happened. Madison was the first one to notice Sabrina with Eunice approaching their table. A smirk on Sabrina's lips was formed while walking.

"She's evil..." bulong ni Madison.

When they arrived at their table, Sabrina stared at Koeli, she looked so frustrated and wasn't even interested anymore to what was happening in her life. Meanwhile, Eunice just gave them a stare. She scowled after recognizing what Koeli did to Rei's birthday party.

"Look who's here, ang babaeng napakasama ang ugali," ani Sabrina.

Koeli clenched her fists as she heard Sabrina's statement. "Ano na naman bang gusto mo, Sabrina?" inis na tanong ni Madison, nakakunot ang kanyang noo at ang mga mata ay nakairap kay Sabrina.

Sabrina's gaze shifted to Madison. "Nasa huli talaga ang pagsisisi, kung 'di mo sana 'yon sinabi... wala ka sanang problema," she simply replied with a gentle voice.

Koeli stood up from her seat, sinagi niya ang kanang kamay niya sa tray na hawak ni Sabrina at ang lahat ng laman ng tray ay natapon sa sahig pati na rin sa uniporme ni Sabrina. Napansin din ng ibang estudyante sa cafeteria ang ingay at away na namamagitan kina Koeli at Sabrina dahil na rin sa pagsagi ni Koeli sa tray ni Sabrina. Carmine managed to grip Koeli's hands before she could even hit Sabrina. Alishabeth just sat there, busy staring at the two and would only take an action once they would physically hurt one another.

"Koeli! Wala ka talagang magandang dulot!" sigaw ni Sabrina, aakmang hahampasin sana si Koeli ngunit hinawakan ni Eunice ang kamay niya. Sabrina gave her an annoyed look on her face, but Eunice was calm.