CHAPTER 5: 4 RUMORS IN 1 DAY

CHAPTER 5: 4 RUMORS IN 1 DAY

BROOKE ESGUERRA, CLASS 12-C

After what we saw, the three of us—Brooke, Celaena and I—decided to go home. Nag-text na rin kasi si Mama na umuwi na ako. That it's too dangerous for us to still be outside at this hour. Naisip ko na baka napanood niya rin ang balita about sa UFO.

Ang iba ay ipinagpatuloy ang party. Some even said it was just one of government's hoaxes. And that, it's not enough reason to stop the party.

Pumasok na kami sa kotse ni Celaena. I was still in a state of shock. I had never seen an object like that. Probably only in sci-fi movies. Kung alien nga sila, what are they doing here? Bakit sila narito? Mabilis kong pinalis ang isiping iyon. It was absurd to think about it like that. Aliens don't exist. It's a mere figment of imagination. Maybe it is logical to think that the Government made this. Tama, iyon na lang ang iisipin ko.

"Mabuti na lang at wala ang parents ni John," ani Celaena na pinaandar na ang makina ng kotse. "The party would've been cancelled right away."

Muling tumugtog ang malakas na music sa loob ng bahay. "And the party resumes," napabuntong-hiningang sabi ni Brooke sa likod. "If not only for that damn Kaleon, I would've enjoyed this night more."

"So, si Kaleon pala ang dahilan," sabi ni Celaena na tumango-tango.

They started talking about what happened earlier but my mind was elsewhere. Nag-fade ang boses nila sa background at ang tanging naiisip ko lang ay ang disk-shaped object sa langit. Call me an overthinker or what, bumabagabag lang talaga sa isip ko ang aking nasaksihan. What if it's real? Oh fuck, dala ba 'to ng alcohol sa sistema ko?

"Hey, Blair, okay ka lang?"

Tila bumalik ang huwisyo ko sa kasalukuyan. Napabaling ako kay Celaena at Brooke. "Yeah, I'm okay. Baka napasobra lang ako sa beer," I assured them.

Nakauunawang tumango silang dalawa sa 'kin. I could still here the faint sound of music coming from the house.

Bumuga ako ng hangin at ipinatong ang ulo ko sa headrest ng passenger seat. This day had indeed been too much. I was so tired. Too drunk. All I wanted right now was to go home. And to sleep.

As we maneuvered out of John's house, nadaanan namin si Evangelyn, kasama sina Eyrene, Bridget at Stacey. Evangelyn was vomitting all over the grass lawn of John's house. Nakahawak siya sa side mirror ng kotse niya at sumusuka nang walang tigil. I could see her face getting red under the dim light from the moon above.

Pinanood ko si Celaena na nilabas ang phone sa bulsa ng jacket niya at kinuhanan ng video si Evangelyn.

"Look at this bitch," aniya na humahagalpak ng tawa. Si Brooke naman ay pinipigil ang paghagikgik sa likod.

Mabagal ang pagpapatakbo ni Celaena sa kotse. Nang sa tingin siguro niya ay sapat na ang video na nakuha, pinaharurot niya na ang sasakyan palabas ng parking lot nila John.

"Did you see the look on her face? How red she was?" baling ni Celaena sa 'min Brooke. "That was comedy gold!"

"Imagine her face when she wakes up tomorrow," komento ni Brooke.

Hindi ko rin mapigilang matawa sa pinagsasabi nila.

*****

Lumipas ang halos isang oras, the car stopped. When I looked outside, nasa harapan na kami ng bahay ko.

"Thank you both for tonight," baling ko sa kanilang dalawa. "I had fun."

"Sige na, magkikita naman tayo bukas," ani Celaena.

Nag-flying kiss si Brooke sa 'kin.

I smiled at them before opening the door of the car. Lumabas ako ng sasakyan. I waved them goodbye and went inside our house. Binuksan ko ang ilaw ng sala at nakita na nakahiga sa sofa si Noah, a piece of paper beside him. Hinintay niya siguro ako.

I couldn't help but smile. Umupo ako sa tabi niya at kinuha ang papel. Drawing iyon ng isang babae na sa palagay ko ay nakangiti. Then my eyes spot the name under the drawing. Ate Blair.

"Aww, ang sweet naman ng baby brother ko," I gently brushed his soft hair.

He looked like an angel even when he's asleep. Noah looked so much like Papa. Kung nandito lang siguro siya, sobrang proud siya rito kay Noah. Maingat ko siyang binuhat pataas sa kanyang kuwarto at inihiga sa kama niya.

I sat beside him. Hinaplos ang kanyang pisngi. He's so young, so fragile.

"I promise, Noah, I will do anything for you," I whispered. Nag-init ang dulo ng mga mata ko, nagbabadyang bumagsak ang mga luha. "Anything, Noah."

Tumayo na ako at lumabas ng silid niya. I gently closed the door behind me. Pumasok ako ng kuwarto ko at ibinagsak ang pagod kong katawan sa kama. Iyon ang palaging pinapaalala sa akin dati ni Papa—always take care of your brother, Blair.

Mahigpit kong niyakap ang unan sa tabi ko. Kusang bumagsak ang mga luha sa aking mata nang maalala ang boses ni Papa. He only exists in my memory. Pinunasan ko ang basa kong pisngi gamit ang likod ng kamay ko. As my consciousness ebbed, my mind went into free fall, swirling with the beautiful chaos of a familiar dream.

*****

Kinabukasan, naglabas ng statement ang Government regarding the floating object in the sky last night. Dumaan ako sa isang library kanina to pick up the book I was supposed to get yesterday. May estante roon na puno ng dyaryo. Sa pagkakatanda ko, ayon sa statement na inilabas ng Government, isa lang daw iyong kakaibang eroplano na gawa mula sa bagong teknolohiya na mula sa America. Nagflight testing lang daw sila kagabi para sana daw ay wala masyadong makakita. But it got popular since almost everyone had seen it last night. Wala daw reason para mag-panic ang mga mamamayan ng bansa. And they will be officially launching it this coming December.

Obviously, a lot of people were convinced with the statement by the Government. It seemed logical if you think about it. And I myself, believed it as well. Napansin ko rin na naglaho na rin ang usapan sa school namin tungkol sa UFO kagabi. Even on my social media accounts. Napansin ko na parang bulang naglaho ang mga related topic about that strange plane last night.

Maaga kaming pumasok nila Celaena para gawin ang review paper namin for our next class na hindi namin nagawa kahapon. Ngayon ay nasa loob na kami ng aming silid nang biglang pumasok si Sir Denver sa classroom namin. He's our class adviser.

He wrote something on the board, his back on us.

"Class, attention please," nakikiusap ang tono niya. Humarap siya sa amin matapos magsulat sa white board. Nakasuot siya ng kulay blue na long-sleeve polo.

Sir Denver was wearing a horn-rimmed eyeglasses that was too big for his small face. Mayroon siyang visible na stubbles na halatang minadali niya sa pag-shave dahil sa hindi pantay iyon.

Binaling ko ang atensyon ko sa librong nakapatong sa harap ko—War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. This was the book I'd chosen to review for our Communications class later.

Ibinaling ko ang buong atensyon kay Sir Denver na bahagyang nakasandal na sa desk niya habang naka-krus ang mga binti at ang dalawa niyang kamay ay nakapaloob sa bulsa ng itim niyang pantalon. Magmumukhang bata si Sir Denver kung hindi lang dahil sa malapit nang makalbo na buhok sa ulo niya. Bahagya niyang iniayos ang kanyang antipara saka tumikhim nang makitang wala pa ang atensyon ng iba sa kanya.

It's a given here in our class na kapag tumikhim na si Sir Denver, it only means that whatever you are doing, drop it and focus your attention to him right that moment. Kaya naman awtomatikong lumingon ang grupo ni Evangelyn na busy kani-kanina lang sa pagku-kuwentuhan at umayos ng upo.

"This was supposed to be a surprise pero the faculty have decided na it's time to tell you guys about it," Sir Denver started. "Since the first two sections of Twelfth Year had already gone to a retreat last, last week, kayo ang ginawang next batch. Nahirapang maghanap ang school ng available na mga bus. But luckily, kani-kanina lang ay may tumawag sa office at sinabing available sila, so there's that."

Namayani ang katahimikan sa buong klase, hinihintay ang mga sunod na sasabihin ni Sir Denver sa amin. Muli siyang tumikhim bago nagpatuloy.

"Kaya this coming Friday ang napagpasyahan ng faculty na perpektong araw para sa retreat ninyo," ani Sir Denver.

Excited shouts erupted from behind me. I couldn't help but feel happy and excited, as well. Si Ryan na nasa harapan ay tumayo pa at sumayaw-sayaw na parang bata. Nagtawanan ang mga lalaking tropa niya na nasa tabi niya.

"Alam mo, isip-bata talaga 'yang mga tropa ni Maru," ani Celaena sa tabi ko. "Akala mo Grade 1 pa rin kung sumayaw-sayaw."

Pinigilan naman ni Brooke ang paghagalpak ng tawa.

Nang matapos na ang sigawan namin, pinaupo na si Ryan at nagsalitang muli si Sir Denver. "So, Class 12-C, three days bago ang Retreat ninyo, I have one more thing to say. May ibinigay ang office na consent forms that needs to be signed by your parents. We will also conduct a special meeting with your parents as well for some details. Nakalagay na dito—" he pointed at the stack of papers he was holding "—ang time and place ng meeting tomorrow for the parents' meeting."

Ibinigay niya kay John ang mga papel na ipinamahagi naman ng huli.

Nang humarap sa akin si Maru para ibigay ang mga papel na ipapasa ko sa likuran ko, may nakalolokong ngisi sa mukha niya. "Miss President," inilagay niya sa upuan ko ang mga papel at kumindat. "Hindi ka na ba lasing ngayon?"

Sarkastikong nginitian ko siya at kumuha ng isa saka ipinasa sa likuran ko ang natira.

"And that's it—" Sir Denver was about to say something when the bell suddenly rang. Mabilis na tumayo ang mga kaklase ko at binitbit ang mga bag nila at lumabas na ng silid.

"…for today." He muttered to himself. At tila may nakalimutan siyang sabihin dahil bigla siyang sumigaw. "And no classes for tomorrow!" which earned many shouts from them.

Tumayo na rin ako at ipinasok na ang mga libro sa shoulder bag ko at akmang lalabas na kami nila Celaena ng silid nang biglang tawagin ako ni Sir Denver.

"Miss Blair Wadson, we have something to discuss," aniya na prenteng nakasandal sa upuan.

Oh, please, exasperated na saad ko sa utak ko.

Pinauna ko na lang sila Celaena at Brooke. They nodded at me understandingly.

"Sure, sir," baling ko kay Sir Denver.

He motioned for me to sit down at the empty chair in front of his desk. Umupo ako roon at nagkunwaring may inaayos sa bag ko.

"Uh, I want you to go to school as early as possible on Friday. Maybe about 3 PM," sabi ni Sir Denver.

Nagtaas ako ng tingin sa kanya at tumango lang. Napansin kong tinanggal na niya ang salamin niya sa mata.

When I didn't say anything, he continued, "And I will email you the list of all the students in Section C that will be going, right after the meeting tomorrow. Anticipate my email for about alas-singko ng hapon, okay?"

Muli akong tumango.

"You may go," Sir Denver simply said and stood up from his seat. He made his way toward the back of our room, probably to organize the stack of old books lying on top of the shelves.

Nagpaalam na ako sa kanya at tuluyan ng lumabas ng silid.

*****

Katatapos lang ng Communications class namin at dumeretso na kami ni Brooke sa Locker Room to change into our P.E uniforms. Nag-restroom muna kasi si Celaena. Probably hangover from last night. Apparently, nag-inuman pa sila ni Brooke sa bahay ni Celaena kagabi, pagkatapos nila akong ihatid. Kaya pala naka-receive ako ng mga messages galing sa kanila—you know, voice messages of them ranting about their exes and all that. Naiiling na lang ako kapag naalala ko.

"So," Brooke said, eyeing me.

Nakakunot ang noong bumaling ako sa kanya. "Uh, what?"

"So, there's a rumor going around the school about a girl teaching the king a lesson," pinaningkitan niya ako ng mata. "Don't tell me you still haven't heard it?"

Natutop ko ang aking noo. I know I was the girl in the rumor. Hindi ko alam na mabilis na palang kumalat ang kagagahang ginawa ko kagabi. What was I even expecting?

Brooke showed me her phone. "Watch this," aniya.

Kinuha ko ang phone niya. Nag-play ang video ng isang babaeng magulo na ang maiksing buhok. Pulado na ang pisngi at halos hindi na maintindihan ang sinasabi .And I realized it was me. Malikot ang camera pero sapat lang para malamang ako iyon at si Maru. Mariin akong napapikit.

"Ugh, this is embarrassing," sabi ko at umiling-iling pa. "Pero ano naman, 'di ba? At least I wasn't caught flirting or kissing with him, right?"

Pinigilan ni Brooke ang pagtawa niya. "And that's supposed to be a good thing?"

Marahan ko siyang siniko sa gilid. "Girl, just be a good friend and tell me na wala namang masama sa ginawa ko," pahayag ko. "At isa pa, dapat nga pinapasalamatan pa nila ako. Kasi ako, I have the guts to tell him."

When I turned to Brooke, she scrunched up her face. "Wait 'till you see your locker," sabi niya, making a sad face.

"What? Ano'ng nangyari sa locker ko?"

I knew it was bad when Brooke replied, "I'm really sorry, Blair. Tinapon na namin ni Celaena ang iba so I'm sure na onti na lang 'yon. And one more thing, we defended you in the comment section."

I bit my lower lip and shook my head. "You know what, 'wag na nating pag-usapan 'yan. I shouldn't care," sabi ko. But I do care. Medyo na-paranoid ako roon sa sinabi ni Brooke na d-in-efend nila ako sa comment section ni Celaena. There may even be a post about me, for pete's sake! At alam kong ang fan club ni Maru ang may kagagawan niyon. "Let's just go."

Brooke clung her arm on mine and headed for the gymnasium. Dumeretso kami sa locker room kung saan naroon na ang iba naming mga kaklaseng babae. Some of them were already changed into our P.E uniform. Dumeretso ako sa locker ko, expecting the worst, but it was normal. Siguro ay 'yong locker ko sa hallway ang pinagdiskitahan ng members ng fan club ni Maru.

I took out my shirt and jogging pants and was about to remove my uniform when Stacey, one of Evangelyn's minions, said, "Bridge, have you read the article I sent you last night?"

Nasa kabilang side sila ng locker room. Narinig ko ang pagsara ng locker bago nagsalita si Bridget. "Yeah, I did see it. I stopped halfway through when things got creepy, though."

Eyrene chirped in. "Is this about the Class 12-A and 12-B?"

Napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabing iyon ni Eyrene. Class 12-A and Class 12-B were the first batch to go to a retreat. But we never heard from them since. Hinubad ko na ang blouse ko pero pasimpleng nakikinig pa rin.

"Tragic, right?" Stacey said. "I mean, baka nga rumors lang 'yon at walang katotohonan but you can't deny the fact that they never came back. Which is definitely true. I have a friend there. Si Kristel Ramos, remember her?"

Si Bridget ang sumagot. "Uh-huh, I remember her. Siya 'yong kulay green ang buhok na mahaba and curly-ish?"

"Yes, that girl. I sent her messages like thousands of them. But she never replied. And 'eto pa," sabi niya, na mas humina ang boses. Bahagya akong humakbang patalikod para marinig ko 'yon. "She never posted anything within last week. I mean, I know the bitch. She's not the kind who wouldn't post anything for a week."

"Right," Eyrene agreed. "And also, there's a rumor circling around the campus that the faculty was hiding the fact that they probably died during their stay."

"Oh my, gosh. Seriously? I didn't know that!" Briget exclaimed.

Eyrene was quick to hush her. "I know, right? Narinig ko pa na ang sinasabi ng faculty members sa mga magulang ay nag-extend lang daw ng stay ang mga anak nila dahil nagustuhan daw ang place. But the thing was, none of the parents got any replies from their children."

"That's fucked up," komento ni Stacey.

"And kasama sa mga nabaril ang mga magulang ng mga estudyante the other day during the protest," dagdag pa ni Eyrene.

"Well, that's disturbing and… sad," ani Bridget.

The clicking of heels echoed on the tiled floor of the locker room. "Or maybe these were just plain accusations and rumors to ruin the image of our parents and the school," boses iyon ni Evangelyn. "At baka tinatakot lang tayo ng mga hindi makakasama sa retreat since hindi nila afford. Right, girls? Now, let's go, for fuck's sake."

"So, I'm guessing we're all still going to the retreat, Evangelyn?" Stacey asked.

I heard their retreating footsteps and the door closing behind them.

*****

I was still shocked and disturbed with what I heard back at the locker room. Kahit na rumor lang iyon, I somehow think everything connects. Maaaring katotohanan nga iyon but who would know?

I asked Sir Renzo for a quick break. Hindi ko na kaya. Ubos na yata ang hangin ko sa katawan.

"I will never play basketball again," I muttered under my breath. Gamit ang likod ng kamay ko, pinunasan ko ang noo ko na tagaktak ng pawis. I can only imagine how I smell right now.

We had been playing basketball for almost an hour with two 15-minute breaks. Ibinagsak ko ang katawan ko sa bleachers at pinanood sila Celaena at Brooke na kasalukuyang nakikipagbakbakan sa iba naming mga babaeng kaklase. The girls occupied the left side of the gymnasium while the boys took over the right side. Basketball ang napag-desisyunan ng P.E Teacher namin ngayong araw. And it was hella exhausting.

"I doubt that," bigla ay sabi ng isang boses sa gilid ko.

Halos mapatalon ako sa gulat. I turned my head just to see that it was John. Naka-white shirt siya na halatang basa na rin sa pawis. And so was his hair. Parang kagagaling niya lang sa shower. He offered me a bottled water. I hesitantly accepted it. Binuksan ko iyon at uminom mula roon. I could feel him staring at me while I drink.

"Sorry," sabi ko sa kanya. "Thank you pala."

"No problemo," ani John at sumandal sa bleachers, pinanonood ang mga lalaki habang naglalaro pa rin ng basketball. "So I heard what you did to Maru last night."

I rolled my eyes at the memory. Mukhang tama nga si Brooke. It really did spread across the campus. "Oh, ano naman?" I said, quickly regretting how snappy I sounded.

"No one has ever done that to him. Not even me," he continued. This time, bumaling ako sa kanya. Sumilay ang isang ngisi sa kanyang labi. He looked so good, I said to myself. Mabilis akong nag-iwas ng tingin nang tumingin sa 'kin pabalik ang asul niyang mga mata. "I actually came here to thank you. He definitely deserved that." Sabi niya at mahinang natawa.

Napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. "Really?"

"Yeah, he's my buddy. And he can sometimes be an ass," he replied.

"Hey, you two! Go back here. Now!" Sabay kaming napalingon kay Sir Renzo, ang P.E Teacher namin. Pumito pa siya.

"Oh, God," sabi ko.

"See you later, Miss President," ani John, nakangisi.

"Stop calling me that!" iritadong sabi ko pero nang lingunin ko siya, tumatakbo na siya papunta sa kabilang side ng gymnasium.

Umiiling-iling na naglakad ako pabalik sa puwesto nila Celaena.