Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Princess Pedregosa

"Lagi ka nalang nagmumura. Gusto mo mouthwash na holy water? Hihingi ako sa simbahan," he said, full of concern.

"Thank you for your concern," she sarcastically answered. "Kahit hwag na masunog ka pa sa simbahan," she rolled her eyes.

"At least, your concern about me getting burned inside the church." He smirked.

Renz puts his arm to my shoulder. Naka-akbay siya saming dalawa ni Khylle. Pasimple lang ang loko, sinangkalan pa 'ko.

"Rin, masanay ka na sa dalawa na 'yan," sabi niya para maging aware ako.

"Rin?" Naka-ngiwi na tanong ko.

"Yup," popping the 'p', nobdding, "nickname Cess was commonly used. Or maybe you have second name,"

I shook my head. "I don't have."

Napa-oh nalang siya. At wala ng lumabas na salita sa bibig niya pero yung akbay niya ay hindi pa rin niya tinatanggal hanggang sa makarating kami sa room ng Star Section.

I sat down to my designated chair beside Khylle and a vacant seat on the other side. I can sense something on this vacant seat. This is someone's property. Hindi sila maglalagay ng vacant chair kung walang expected na student na uupo rito.

Pinapasakit ko lang ang ulo ko.

Napag-alaman ko rin na hindi lahat ng parte ng Star Section ay parte ng First rate elites, they just excel in academic stuffs and sports that's why they're here.

Hours had passed before teacher figure out in front holding nothing but herself with a big bright smile. Scary! Scam 'yan.

"Good afternoon, everybody," the good looking slash gorgeous lady stood in front, greeting everyone. "I'm Miss Jane, your teacher for subject Understanding Culture, Society and Politics. This subject need a lot of reading because we are more on words and somehow percentage."

I didn't pay attention to her since it just the first day of class. Puro pakilala lang and other stuff to introduce. I was preoccupied, starring outside, Khylle poked me and point Miss Jane looking at me.

Tinanggal ko ang kamay ko sa ilalim ng aking baba at tumingin sa kaniya. She gestures me to stand up, so I obey. I pressed my lips together. I gulped in nervous.

"What do you expect with our subject this semester?" She asked crossing her arms over her chest.

"As you said awhile ago. It will be more on words," i said in low voice.

"Well said," she sighed and walked roaming the room. "As a warm-up question for our subject, how many religions exist on the seven continents of Earth?"

"Not specifically but it's seven," inunahan ko na siya bago pa siya magsalita ulit. "First, Christian, it holds the highest percentage. Next is Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese, No Religion, and lastly, mixed." I stated, head high.

She smirked. "Good, next," she passed at my back. "Socio-economic class of the Philippines."

I tilted remembering those classes. Nag-advance reading ako sa mga subjects ko ngayon. I look at her, I get little bit irritated with her grin but I keep my face with blank emotion.

"Mahirap, sakto lang, medyo mayaman, at mayaman," I answered with bored voice.

She nodded, satisfied. "For my last question before I send you all off for lunch. If you can't answer then we'll be having our first quiz." She gave me her scary sweet smile.

I remain look untroubled. "Get it on,"

She pursed her lips. "All types of genders," her sweet smile turned wicked.

I smirked. "Miss, I had a question."

Her brow rose, "what's that?"

"Can you state all types of genders?" I asked her.

Her lips thinned. "Don't you know that?"

I shrugged. "Magtatanong ba ako kung alam ko?" hissed then she snapped.

All of my classmates made loud noises made me smirked wider. She's irritated with my answer, sumabay pa ang mga kaklase ko na asarin siya.

"You put an ointment on a wound, now it's burning," I heard Khylle whispered, I looked down to her winking.

"Out!" She shouted in unmannered way.

"Sorry, Miss. I will answer the question you didn't know the answers." I smiled, wicked.

Time to shine.

"Heterosexual, homosexual, asexual, polysexual, pansexual, transgender, and transsexual," I brought back my blank face. "Can we now go out?" I demanded.

"Okay. Class Dismiss," she irritatedly announced.

My classmates cheered in triumphant. I shook my head sitting back to my chair and continue what I was daydreaming when she called me.

Nagsi-uwian na halos lahat ng kaklase ko sa Star Section. Nang mag-walkout si Miss Jane, pati sila nakasunod sa paglabas nito sa silid bitbit ang mga mamahalin nilang mga bag.

Nanatili kami sa room kasama ang first rate elites. Lima palang sila na nakikilala ko na parte ng elite group. How 'bout the others? Who are they?

"Let's go na," aya ni Yassi, everyone nodded.

We stood up from our seats, hindi ko na rin naman natuloy ang daydreaming kong naudlot dahil nakalimutan ko kung saan ako nahinto. So, I better go with them instead of staying here, with no one.

We started walking, nakasunod lang ako sa kanila na parang buntot. I felt guilty on what happen awhile ago. Hindi namana ako gano'n kasama na tao para hindi makonsensiya.

We walked on the different path — not the way to the parking lot but somewhere else, I think.

"Saan ba ang punta natin?" I asked.

Renz looked at me, wide eyes. "Rin, nandyan ka pa pala. 'Kala ko umuwi ka na," biro niya.

I faced him, poker face. "Duh," I almost whispered.

"Joke lang, Rin. Binibiro lang kita. Hwag ka ng poker face," pinag-hiwalay niya yung middle finger at hintuturo niya itinapat niya ito sa pisngi ko kapantay ng labi ko. He moved up his fingers on my chubby cheeks made me smile, manually like a robot.

"Tama na 'yang loving-loving na yan.." Yassi paused, "may nasasaktan dito," pabulong na sambit ni Yassi pero narinig ko. She gazed at Khylle's side.

"Tara na nga," Lauren tsked. "Mamaya niyo na nga gawin 'yan, doon sa HQ," aniya.

We are all shocked when Peter pulled Yassi on the corridor — way to the HQ building.

Ngayon ko lang napagmasdan ang building kung saan matatagpuan ang HQ. It's a three story building with a huge space for just only six rooms. From outside it may looks like it was build at medieval times and the rooms were filled with modern things.

"Hoy, Peter! Bitawan mo nga ako. Iniwan na natin sila, oh," rinig kong reklamo ni Yassi kay Peter.

Peter looks like he doesn't here anything from Yassi's loud mouth. Kahit malayo na sila rinig na rinig ko ang bangayan nila ngunit hindi ko maintindihan.

Then, they vanished like a bubble in the mid air.

Nakita kong napa-iling nalang si Renz sa gilid ko habang nakatanaw sa dalawang parang aso't pusa kung awayin ang isa't-isa. We walked in silence.

Nang makarating na kami sa HQ. Tumambad sa 'kin ang sobrang daming pagkain na nakahanda sa kitchen. Their a lot of craving foods I want.

"Anong meron?" I faced them.

"Nothing," Lauren shook her head, "ganito lang talaga kami everyday sabay-sabay kaming nagmi-meryenda dito sa HQ." She explained.

"To filled my curiosity, I have a question. Matagal na ba kayong magkaka-kilala?" I said, sitting down to the chair on the dining table.

"Curiosity kills the cat. Nonetheless, to filled your curiosity, matagal-tagal na rin," ani Khylle.

Sumingit si Renz sa usapan naming dalawa ni Khylle habang kunot ang noo na napatingin samin.

"Matagal-tagal na din?" he blurted, "since birth nga magkaka-kilala na tayo, eh. Mula kindergarten, pre-school, elementary, Junior high tapos ngayon Senior high magkaka-kaklase tayo. 'Yan ba ang tawag ngayon na matagal-tagal? Sounded so recent." He's voice was hoarse mad, nevertheless, he still smile picking some fries on the bowl.

Ngiti na may halong pang-aasar. Nakita ko na ngumiti lang ng pilit si Khylle, walang ngipin na nakalabas — ngiti ng inis na inis. "Very sarcastic, Hernandez."

"Fantastic," naka-ngiti pa din si Renz na parang tanga.

"Nasa harap tayo ng mesa," saway ni Lauren sa dawala, "mamaya na yan." Naka-poker face lang si Lauren.

"Bitter," they said in unison.

I was busy eating some of my cravings silently while they are chitchatting with some nonsense stuff but still I listened to their topic.

When their conversation is getting out off grid, I stepped outside the kitchen and went to the salas but I wasn't shocked anymore to see them talking aloud.

Hindi nila ako napansin na dumaan sa likod ng sofa para makaupo sa couch ng tahimik. Sayang yung kuryente, nakabukas yung TV pero walang nanonood.

I keep myself busy with the movie on the screen but their voice was all I can here. I decided na kumain nalang ng tahimik habang nakikinig sa kanila.

"Para ka namang tanga Peter, eh. Alam mo yun?" Yassi asked sarcastically. "Hahatakin mo ko papunta rito tapos ngayon ayaw mong bitawan yung kamay ko. Nagugutom na ako," galit na sigaw sa kaniya ni Yassi.

Peter keep silent, contemplating deeply. "Hoy, Peter Ace Velonia! Magsalita ka nga napipi ka na ba?" Halos umusok na yung ilong ni Yassi pero hindi alintana ni Peter dahil nakatahimik lang ito at mukhang wala sa Earth ang kaluluwa.

Maya-maya nakita ko ang pagluwag nang pagkakahawak ni Peter sa wrist ni Yassi. "I don't really get you, Peter. I was thinking now if you're a bipolar."

Naka-alis na si Yassi sa sala at dumeretso papunta sa kusina kung nasan sila. Peter left here with me without prior notice.

"Ba't ba ang torpe ko? Ang tanga ko, pakshet yan!" I heard him whispered.

Sumandal siya sa sofa at pumikit. I saw a crystal like liquid trail down to his cheeks. He's crying as fall. Oh my, this is my first time seeing a guy cry for a girl.

I stood up, "You were broken. Torpe kasi," patting his shoulder.

He opened his eyes, widened to see me in shock. "You heard everything?"

"Sorry," I gave him a peace sign. "Nandon kasi ako nakaupo habang nanonood ng TV kaso yung boses ni Yassi ang naririnig ko." I pointed the couch.

I walked inside the kitchen without saying goodbye to Peter who I stopped his crying shit stuff. I found Yassi standing on the side of wooden divider.

"Oh, Yassi nasa'n si Peter?" Takang tanong ni Renz. Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata. I know he already knew the situation.

"Nandun sa sala, naiwan," she answered in low voice.

"Puntahan ko lang si Peter, ah," then, he passed to me like he didn't saw me at all. He's friend needs him, I'm just a human body filled with nothing.

"So, what happen?" bungad na tanong ni Khylle.

Yassi walked straight to the chair and sat down. She gave us a weak smile, "what's up with you guys? Looking at me like I did a crime was inhumane." Yassi defend herself.

"Wala naman," Lauren shrugged.

I sat down beside Khylle and shrugged like I know nothing. Wala naman talaga akong alam sa istorya nila kaya mananahimik muna ako. If they need testimony of witness, I'm willing to unveil the truth.

"Totoo ba yan?" Khylle keeping her bombarding with questions.

Yassi acted like a clueless person. Oh, I forgot she doesn't anything that's why she acted nothing. Nakalimutan ko ang katorpehan ni Peter.

"May dapat ba akong malaman?" Yassi asked, filling her curiosity. Khylle just shrugged while Lauren and I enjoying our meal. "Then, why are you smiling like an idiot?"

"I'm just happy," was all Khylle said.

Kumain na lang kami ng maayos at wala ni isa man ang balak magsalita dahil mukhang ayaw talagang magsalita ni Yassi.

But, I heard her murmuring words under her breath. "Shit! Why he is messing up with my heart like this. Damnit."

I was associated and befriend with some cursing machine. Mukhang sa kanila ako matuto na magmura. Tsk.

---

Renz Jarius Hernandez

"Awit ka p're, anong nagyari?" Bungad ko kay Peter dahilan para mapaayos siya ng upo.

Ngumiti lang siya ng mapait sa 'kin. Pait, mukhang ampalaya na mukha ng loko. Kawawa naman ang kaibigan ko. Kunwari may care ako.

"'di ko alam ang gagawin ko," napahilamos siya ng mukha. "I fucked up."

"Wala akong alam na comforting word pero ito lang masasabi ko, sabihin mo na bago pa mahuli ang lahat." Tinignan lang niya ako. Inuusisa kung ako ba talaga ang kausap niya.

"Ang hirap naman kasi ng sitwasyon ko e. Tang'na 'di ko alam na ganito pala kahirap magtapat ng feeling sa isang tao," nakita ko ang panunubig ng mata niya.

Iiyak ang loko. Iyakin ka pala, eh. Sarap mong i-bash.

"E, 'di kung alam mo lang sana hindi ka nalang nagmahal," I snapped, "kasama yan kapag nagmahal ka." I acted seriously though I'm serious.

"Kaya para sa'yo ang kanta na ito.

Iiyak mo na ang lahat sa akin~

Iiyak mo na ang lahat sa akin~" I tried to sing a song to make his tears go away.

Peter laughed while almost crying. "Tang'na 'tol patulo na yung luha ko e. Umatras, eh," he's laughing with sadness in his eyes.

"Oh, diba galing kong magbigay ng advice tumatawa ka na ulit. Bilis naka-move on," I joked.

Lumungkot muli ang mukha s

ni Peter. "Mukhang wala na talaga akong pag-asa. Should I say goodbye?"

"Eh, 'di wow sa 'yo." i hissed, stood up from my seat. "Sama ka sa 'kin?"

"Saan punta mo?" Takang tanong niya.

I shrugged. "'Di ko alam, kahit saan."

I went to the kitchen to look and bid goodbye to the girls on the kitchen, "Alis lang kami ni Peter. Kaya niyo na 'yan, ah. Malalaki na kayo," tinanguan ko sila.

"Oo kaya na namin 'to kaya lumayas ka na kung lalayas ka at hwag ka nang babalik," inis sabi ni Khylle.

Init ng dugo sa 'kin ng babaeng 'yon. Parang hindi ako mahal. Best friend ko ba 'yon?

"Nako, alam ko naman na mamimiss mo ako. Kunyare ka pa," i teased her.

I saw her blushed with my simple teased. I bite my lower lip to stifle my smile.

"Shut up," she throw me some kettle corn bits, "and out."

"Akala ko, shut up and dance with me," I sang the lyrics, shut up and dance with. "Payag naman ako pero sa susunod nalang. I'll make time just for you." I winked.