CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 10

Lucresia's Point of View

"Hola Isaiah" I greeted Isaiah as I see he's entering our classroom.

"¿como esta tu dia?" Dagdag na tanong ko sa kaniya kaya kumunot ang noo nito.

"Can you please speak in English? I'm not Spanish Bread like your squad" Sabi niya na may halong pagka-irita sa kaniyang boses.

"Sì" Sagot ko at muli ako nitong pinanliitan ng mata.

"Ito na talaga. Can you please talk to Israel and stop him for doing his vice?" I became nervous this time. I still can't get over of what happened yesterday. Nalaman ko pang nag-bar silang mga kasali sa Varsity at siyempre, there are something mysterious happened there.

"I stopped him but he didn't listen to me" He answered frugally.

"Really? It seems like you're tolerating him more" I said. Itong dalawang ito ang may pinaka-maraming sikreto sa kanilang magkakaibigan. In short, they're dirty and disgusting. Kung sinu-sino at ano-ano ang natikman...

"Tolerating? Tolerating my ass. He's the one who's influencing me to try those things I haven't done before" He answered seriously. Nakita kong naiinis na ang kaniyang mukha.

"Then if you really care about him, stop him" I added. Alam naman niya palang mali ang ginagawa nila, hindi niya pa pinigilan diba?

"As I said earlier, he didn't listen to me. To us"

"Since you're SBO Officer you have rights to know this" Alam kong bawal pa ito sabihin kahit kanino pero this will help them to be aware.

"Know what?"

"We had a meeting during the first day of sports week"

"Then?" He asked scornfully. Chill dude.

"The DIA sent me a letter that we will be having an emergency drill" Hindi pa tapos ang sasabihin ngunit nagtanong na agad siya kasabay ng panlalaki ng kaniyang mata.

"For what?"

"Since tumataas ang crime scene sa Scout, they want to make sure our safety. Siguro gusto nila malaman kung sino 'yung mga nagco-cause ng troubles. Even those students who has vice" Nakita ko ang kaniyang reaksyon nung sinabi ko ang salitang vice.

"Wait, that is violation to our human rights 'diba? Nasa school tayo at hindi tayo mga mga terorista o kriminal" Naiinis na tanong niya saakin. Inayos ko ang aking buhok at nagsalita muli.

"Yeah that's my point. I heard na may ide-deploy daw na mga military officials here to scare us. Wala pang tentative date but this is an important matter, Isaiah. Baka mamaya, on the spot pala ang drill na ito. This could be dangerous not only for us but for the whole students. Imagine, military officers with a guns and weapons? " I explained.

"So what's their purpose why they're going to scare us? Para sumuko tayo sa mga sundalo??? Ano 'to gyera???" Naiinis na tanong niya saakin.

"Conscience over Matter kasi ito. Since most of the students here committed major crimes, parang kokonsensiyahin nila tayo. In a bloody way. They will use whatever method they can use para umamin ang mga estudyanteng may krimen na ginawa." Nakita kong napakamot siya sa kaniyang ulo. Inis na inis na siguro siya sa kaniyang naririnig.

"I want you to be there on our meeting ha? Pag-uusapan natin ang mga plans to stop this" I said and I turned around upang bumalik sa aking upuan.

Maglalakad na sana ako nang bigla akong tawagin ni Isaiah. "Wait Lucresia"

"¿por qué?"

"I will convince Israel. Thank you for informing me" He said. Napangiti ako sa aking narinig.

"De nada, Amigo" I said and I went back to my seat.

Hindi ko alam kung ma-e-excite, maiinis, o matutuwa ako sa darating na drill na ito. I know it has advantage but also disadvantage. Pwedeng ma-traumatized ang mga estudyante. Pwedeng magka-anxiety or mental breakdown. Worse is panic attack.

The Other Day

"NAKAKA-INIS!!!" Sigaw ko sa loob ng CR. Ngayong araw ang naganap ang aming Acamedic Awarding. Matagal na akong top 1 sa aming class namin at ngayon lang ako naging top 2! I can't really believe this!

"That's okay, Lucresia! Bawi ka nalang sa finals" Sabi ni Isabella kaya mas nainis ako.

"Babawi? Ako pa talaga mag-a-adjust? No way!" I shouted. Hindi ko lubos maisip na nataasan ako ng babaeng 'yon ng .1

There is a transferee student in our class from public school. She transferred here seeking for opportunities at isa sa mga nakuha niya ay ang pagiging top 1 ko.

"So what's your plan?" Tanong ni Arsin habang naglalagay ng lipstick sa kaniyang labi. Since I can't get the top 1 place right now, I will take it in the end.

"I will make her feel the law of an oppressor" naka-ngiting sabi ko habang nakatingin sa salamin.

Mayamaya ay lumabas na kami nina Arsin sa CR at nagpunta pabalik sa aming room. Saktong-sakto, nakita ko ang aking pakay.

Lumapit ako sa babaeng nangngangalang Kiara at hinila ko ito malayo sa aming classroom. Ang mga kaibigan ko naman ay nagbabantay para sa mga taong parating.

"Anong problema p-po?" Takot na tanong nito saakin.

"Everything is nice until you came." Tinitigan ko siya sa kaniyang mata at bakas dito ang takot.

"Can you please huwag ka nang umepal? Pinagbigyan ka na ng school na ito para makapag-aral dito so be thankful! Don't stole everything that isn't for yours."

"Kapag hindi ka nagpa-ubaya sa finals, humanda ka na kung makakapasok ka pa sa Scout University. You know my family? My capabilities? My powers? Sana alam mo kung saan ka lulugar"

"I'm not here to compete with you. Pero sana wala namang damayan ng kinabukasan. If that's what you want, okay. I will give it back to you!" Kiara answered.

"Maganda nang nagkaka-unawaan tayo dahil hindi mo magugustuhan ang kaya kong gawin. For your information, my family sustains those scholar students in this school so be thankful. We can cut your scholarship anytime..." Nginitian ko siya ng nakaka-sindak at umalis na.

"Come on girls!" Sabay-sabay kaming naglakad magkakaibigan papuntang SBO Office.

SBO Headquarters

"So since nandito na ang lahat ng officers, umpisahan na nating pag-usapan ang emergency drill na magaganap anytime soon" Panimula ko.

"So what are your plans guys?" I asked them. Mas maganda kung bawat isa ay magbibigay ng suggestion. This is not just an ordinary chaos. This is a war...

"What if we do rally and protest during the drill?" Tanong ni Anicia. Napa-isip ako ng mabuti sa kaniyang sinabi. Since I'm the President, I will choose the best not only for me but for the whole students.

"It would be difficult for us" sagot ko. Alam kong may mga masasaktan kapag nag-protesta kami. Or worse, may mamatay pa.

"Should I make a new law na ba?" Tanong ni Jhay saakin. Since Jhay is the SBO Legislator, he can make a law.

"Actually no. Besides, making a new law is quite long process. Kahit ano pang gawin nating Law dadaan pa 'yon sa Judiciary department." Sagot ko.

"But habang wala pa pwede nang umpisahan diba? No emergency drills policy?" Jhay added.

"Still no. For sure DIA will asking us why we don't want emergency drills. Mahahalata nilang may tinatago at pino-protektahan tayo" I know mali ang nagawa ng ibang students but hindi tama na sa loob ng school mangyari ang arresting. Yes, I will admit I'm protecting everyone especially Israel. Israel is a drug addict. My possibilities na makulong siya or mapapatay. Extra Judicial Killings you know. Hindi lahat ng students ay magiging comfortable sa mangyayaring drill.

"Emergency powers for you?" Suhestiyon ni Kervin saakin.

"I don't need emergency powers for this"

"You might need it later" He added.

"Yes I know. Pero ako na naman ang lalabas na abusive na leader dito. I used my emergency powers a lot during our 11th Grade and I don't want to use it anymore as long as I can.

"Then what's the other options?" Tanong naman ni Isabella.

"We need to protect all the students. That's violation to our human rights" I answered. Napa-tingin ako kay Isaiah at gayundin siya saakin. "I think let's set the whole campus in code red" I suggest.

"What code red? Code red means someone firing a weapon at a school. Kalaban natin dito military officers. Pwede tayo makulong" Gulat na sabi ni Arsin.

"Gaga. Nararamdaman kong hindi totoo ang military officers at mga pulis lang ang pupunta dito to interrogate." Sabi ko. Dahil kung military officers nga ang pupunta, pwedeng makulong ang head.

"They want us to confess. They want to rehabilitate those students who's using drugs. Ang gusto lang ng school na ito is to lessen the crime rates"

Tumayo ako sa aking kinauupuan at tumingin muli kay Isaiah. "Isaiah, can you set the whole school in code red?" I asked Isaiah but he looked at me na parang galit. What is his problem? Akala ko ba gagawin niya para sa kapakanan ng kaibigan niya?

"You can't do it? I thought you're a responsible administrator. If Jianna's still here, hindi na 'yon magdadalawang-isip na gawin 'yan. Mas uunahin non ang kaibigan niya" Sagot ko at napabuntong hininga.

"Stop using Jianna to blackmail me. I can do it unless you stop blackmailing Kiara" He answered kaya nanlaki ang mata ko.

"What???" Did I blackmail that girl? I can't remember either!

"Don't deny it. I heard your conservation with her earlier" He answered. Oh, that's the definition of blackmail for him? I'm just trying to bring my crown back.

"She doesn't fit in this school" at napatingin ako sa aking fingers na ang gaganda ng nail art.

"Just like you, you didn't deserve that position" Saad ni Isaiah kaya nanlaki ang mata ko sa aking narinig. Really???

"Bakit ba concern na concern ka sa babaeng 'yon? Siya na ba ipapalit mo sa kaibigan namin???" Naiinis kong tanong sa kanya.

"Just leave her alone. She helped me a lot on my studies. And you don't care about my love life" He answered confidently.

"Fine, I will stop. For the school's own sake. Happy?" Natahimik ang bawat isa upang makapag-isip...

"If that day comes, we need to set the whole campus in code red level 1. It means, we're going to cancel the classes, transactions and other activities. Ang una nilang papasukin ay ang front gate. So habang nandoon sila, we need to evacuate sa field. Kapag nasa field na tayo, gagamitin ko ang emergency powers ko kung kinakailangan. We need to break some rules here. I will need the legislators. We're going to execute and change some laws. Injustice ang wala sa school na ito and let show them that we're not the problem. Gagamitin natin ang natitirang fund for materials para sa rally pero kailangan walang masasaktan. We need to protect the students and our human rights. Kung pwede nga lang makasuhan sila eh." I said and it looks like lahat naman sila ay sumasang-ayon. Hopefully this plan followed accordingly.

Natapos ang aming meeting at lumabas na ako ng SBO Headquarters dahil gusto ko munang mag-gala. Nakka-stressed ang araw na ito at gusto ko muna mag-unwind.

"bye girls! I have a date!" Paalam ni Isabella saamin.

"Where are you going?" Tanong ni Anicia.

"Sa Sucat."

"Sama ako! I have date there too!" Dagdag ni Anicia.

"Wait pupunta akong MOA pala I have an endorsement there!" Sabi naman ni Arsin.

"Sige iwan niyo na akong lahat. Kayo na may dates!" I said sarcastically.

"No! you can join us if you want to!" Naka-ngiting saad ni Isabella.

"Nah! Just enjoy it! I don't want to be a third or fourth wheel"

"Okay bye Lucresia!!!" NAgpaalam na saakin ang tatlo at bumeso ito. Napatingin ako sa aking relo at alas-dos palang ng hapon.

"Parang gusto kong mag-tagaytay ah" biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko at nakita kong may message na naman mula kay Unknown.

7th Rule: Stay away from the places you used to go before

Memories bring back memories!

Napa-isip ako sa kaniyang message. Anong connect ng Tagaytay sa rule na 'to?

Ilang minuto ko pa inisip at naalala ko na kung bakit. Doon nga pala kami nag-celebrate ni Joe ng 17th Birthday ko. for sure madadaanan ko ang mga napuntahan namin.

So saan na ako pupunta ngayon???

"Nakaka-inis naman oh!" Sabi ko at naglakad na papuntang parking. Bahala na kung saan dalhin ng kotse.

Sumakay ako sa kotse at nagsimulang mag-drive. Bago ako tuluyang maka-alis sa school may na-receive akong notification from Instagram. Binuksan ko ito at nakita kong may nag-tag saakin na travel page.

You want to go in Thailand? Don't worry we will bring Thailand to you! You may come to Isdaan, Calauan Laguna!

Direction: National Highway near Calamba, Calauan, Luzon 4012 Philippines.

Experience the Thailand feels in Philippines!

Tinignan ko ang mga pictures at nakita kong magaganda nga ang mga spots dito. May mga restaurants na nagse-serve ng Filipino, Seafood at Asian cuisines.

"I'll give you a shot!" sabi ko at pina-andar ko na ang aking kotse.

Israel's Point of View

It's been 4:30 in the afternoon here in Laguna. Yes, I'm here because of our business proposals with Thai businessman.

Hindi na ako um-attend ng SBO Meeting kanina dahil alam kong galit pa rin si Lucresia saakin. I'm trying my best to stop my vice but I can't do it as of now.

Are you wondering why I'm addicted? That is because of my problems. I want to be a Psychologist but my family wants me to study Business Management for our business. Ang selfish no? They don't want me to take what course I want.

That's why I tried using drugs and to be rebellious. Perchance they will give some attentions to me. I want to live independently...

You know the feeling that you can't choose your own happiness for your family's sake? I'm in that situation. One of my problem is they kept comparing me with my other cousins who manages their business willingly. Don't compare me with them because that's what they I want. I want something different from them.

My family sustains my Senior High. They gave me a chance to think while I'm under of HUMSS Strand. They're still hoping that I will change my mind one day but I won't.

My dad forces me to join our business meeting today for me to have a little knowledge about what's happening on business meetings but it's boring for me.

We're here at Calauan Laguna. This place isn't familiar for me. This is my first time to go here...

"Good day Mr. Saeli. I'm Mr. Cruz from Cruz Translation Services" at hinain na ng mga waitress ang mga pagkain sa aming lamesa. May iba't-ibang types of foods and I don't want to explain it one by one.

"Hello Mr. Cruz my soon to be business partner!" And they do shake hands.

"Oh, by the way this is my son. Israel Miguel Cruz soon to be heiress of our company!" Napatingin naman ako kay dad sa kaniyang sinabi at pinanlakihan ako nito ng mata. He said earlier that I should be generous in front of our business partners or else he won't support my studies...

Nginitian ko ang matanda. I think he's in mid-40's.

"I have a daughter with same age of him. I think they will like each other" said by Mr. Saeli.

"We can talk about that soon! Fixed marriage I guess?" At natawa ang dalawa. Medyo nainis ako dahil nagpapahiwatig na ang daddy ko. really?

"Excuse dad. I'm going to the comfort room first!" Paalam ko sa daddy ko. tumingin ako kay Mr. Saeli at ngumiti lang ito saakin kaya umalis na ako. I can't bear this. I can't fill my freedom anymore.

Lumayo ako sa kanila at mas pinili ko nalang muna maglibot-libot sa lugar na ito. Infairness, this place is similar to Thailand even though I haven't been there.

Nagsindi ako ng yosi at nagsimulang kumuha ng mga litrato gamit ang dalang dslr ko. i love taking photos of different places.

I took a photo of different buddhas, the pond and the huts.

Tinignan ko ang mga pictures na kinunan ko and I saw something different. Am I hallucinating?

Tinignan ko pa ang mga iba kong kinunan na litrato at hindi ako nagkakamali. I took a photo of a girl who's taking a photo also. Ibinalik ko ang aking tingin sa direksyon ng kinunan ko and I saw her.

I love how her eyes twinkle every time she's taking a photo and found a good shot. I love her beautiful smile and her positive aura.

I decided na ituloy ang pagkuha ng litrato and this time, kasama siya.

I know she's still angry at me at sana pag nilapitan ko siya, maging ayos na kami...

Naglakad ako papunta sa direksiyon niya ng naka-ngiti. Hindi ko alam bakit ako nahulog bigla sa babaeng ito. She's the first girl I will truly love...

"WAAAAAAAH!" Napa-sigaw ang babae kaya dali-dali akong tumakbo papunta sa kaniyang direksyon. Buti nalang naabutan ko at hindi siya tuluyang nahulog sa pond.

Lucresia's Point of View

This place is superb! Napaka-relaxing ng surroundings at feel ko, nalayo ako sa problemang dinadala ko.

Nagpicture ako dito sa gilid ng pond kung saan may mga koi fish. Ang ganda ng lighting! Ang ganda rin ng araw at hindi masiyadong mainit dahil pagabi na.

Itinaas ko ang aking kamay upang kumuha ng selfie nang biglang may makabangga saakin. "Waaaaaah!" Na-out of balance ako kaya muntik na ako mahulog. Saktong-sakto, walang harang pa naman dito. Ngunit hindi natuloy ang pagka-hulog ko nang may nakahila ng aking kamay.

Napatingin ako sa lalaki at nanlaki ako sa aking nakita. Si Israel...

"Are you okay?" He asked.

Napalunok ako. Bakit nandito ka? Ikaw ba ang sender ng mga messages? Coincidence ba ito?

"Why are you here?" I asked him. Hinila niya ako para makatayo ako ng ayos at napa-upo ako sa sahig.

"We're just having a business meeting. How about you? Why are you here?" He said. Napa-isip ako. Mukhang coincidence lang ito. Imposibleng alam niya na pupunta ako dito dahil wala naman akong napag-sabihan.

"I just try na puntahan itong lugar na ito to unwind and hindi naman ako nagre-regret" Sagot ko sa kaniya habang pinagmamasdan ang lugar na 'to.

Tumahimik ang paligid at matiwasay akong nanonood ng sunset. Ang ganda ng sunset dito!

"Kumain ka na ba?" binasag ni Israel ang katahimikan dahil nagsalita ito. I love how he speaks in Tagalog.

"Actually hindi pa nga eh" Sagot ko. mayamaya ay inilahad niya ang kaniyang kamay saakin.

"What?"

"Tumayo ka na diyan nakakahiya ka" Napansin kong napasarap ako sa aking pagkaka-upo kaya tinanggap ko ang kamay niya at tinulungan niya akong tumayo. He's hand is soft. Ang sarap hawakan.

Dumaan kami sa isang bridge na hindi naman kahabaan. Mayamaya ay nagsalita uli si Israel.

"I'm sorry Lucresia because of my addiction. I will process to you that I will change. Change will take a long process but give me a chance to be the best version of myself." Napatigil ako sa paglalakad gayundin siya. Napatingin ako sa kaniyang mata at niyakap ito.

"I will wait for the best version of you to come..."