Akasya

Chapter 3 | Square One

PAGBABAGO, CHANGE. Ito ang isa sa hindi ko pa lubos matanggap-tanggap. And I still can't adopt myself without my best friend. I guess I still need to struggle more independently without her presence.

Mahirap naman talaga. Pagpasok ko pa nga lang araw-araw, I still thought that Tallulah's waiting me at the gate, greet me 'good morning' at sabay na pupunta sa aming room. Dagdagan pa ng chika, tawa at hawak kamay. How I missed that everyday routine we had before. If time machine really exist, I'll be delightful to go back at that exact time.

Although I used to be a loner before, a long time ago, but until my best friend came and transferred here as a Senior High student, Grade 11, it abruptly changes. But due to some unexpected circumstances, I'm all back to were I am. Hindi nga umabot ng isang taon naming nagkilala at nagkasama. Flabbergasted, it's square one for me again.

"Akala ko hindi na magbabago ang lahat, pero ang sakit tanggapin na nagsisimulang mag-iba ang nakasayan."

Having a lunch with myself at the wide eco park of our school, feels so empty and clouded. I meant it! The landscape inspired in Japan, bounty plants and blooming flowers are marvelous. Overall the beauty is five star rate. However, someone's lacking. Pakiramdam ko nabawasan na ang ganda ng paningin ko sa lugar na ito. Paborito kasi naming spot ni Tallulah dito malapit sa koi fish pond. We usually ate lunch and snack time here.

Silently, I ate my own made adobo and rice on a metal spoon while holding my lunch box. Sitting on the bench out of rock, I roamed my eyes around the place and saw lots of groups and Dou's having their lunch, other's are chit chatting. One of the most preferable spot kasi dito ng mga students. Then navigated my roaming eyes at the tall structured buildings around the park and the students walking around with their carefree smiles looks so peaceful. Lighthearted.

Sucks! I don't know what to react for myself pero pagkatapos ng nangyari sa bestfriend ko sa Akasya, parang wala lang nangyari. As if it's just a less minor problem. Damn! Sorry for overreacting, but it's truly what I feel now.

They kept it hidden because they are securing and maintaining the school status. Even the police didn't take a thoroughly deep investigation on my best friend's case or for the last victims died in Akasya. They even concluded that it's a suicide case! Tsk! I can't believe it, that some shit people are pretending to forget the unforgettable and painful things. What's point of the equilibrium in life without pain and ease? Mga duwag at hangal lang talaga! Can't blame me. Totally worse to pathetic! How can they serve the rightful justice to the one's who died?! How can we secure the safety of every students here, including me? How come our life doesn't count to them?! Is status is more impotent now than life? Nagbibiro yata sila?

Deretsyo kaagad akong uminom ng mineral bottled water para maibsan ang inis ko sa galit. Subalit napalitan ng kaba ng dumako ang mga mata ko sa nag-iisang puno ng Akasya na nakatayo sa tuktok ng mataas na burol. May naalala kaagad akong sinabi ng kaklase ko na nagngangalang Choral Sandoval na isang Class President sa section namin ni Tallulah.

"Pero no offence Onnah sa sasabihin ko ha." Choral said that picked my attention. Tumango naman ako. "Tallulah is now the sixth student died in the Akasya. Whether it's suicidal, heinous murder or maybe the rumoured curse, ang hindi ko lang maintindihan kung bakit nasali si Tallulah?"

Sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam ang isasagot sa tanong na iyon, subalit kapag maririnig ko na ang salitang 'Akasya' my heart instantly accelerated from fear. Well, I can't help it because of the contents of the letter I read. However, still half of me is not believing.

However, Choral is right. Tallulah is now the sixth student died in Akasya Tree. Saksi ko ang halos lahat ng bawat estudyanteng namatay noon, pero hindi ko na maalala kung sino-sino sila. Crass! Hindi ko rin naiwasang maalala when I was Grade 10 na kinatatakutan ko talaga. Actually, hindi lang anim ang namatay sa Akasya. It was all started February 14, last year. So fresh yet it still freaks me. That day, the Valentines Day Party Night happened, kung saan halos kalahati ng populasyon ng estudyante ng paaralan ang namatay sa burol na iyon. Until now, it's still a mystery to everyone. Even if I didn't witnessed that bloody incident, it terrified me. Snapped out that gory images Onnah!