Four More Minutes of Air

Chapter 8

While the train is running, I opened the window to breathe some fresh air. The sky is blue, the  wind blew and everything seems so true. I'm slowly starting to accept the fact that this is my fate and I have nothing to do about it but to accept it.

Alam kong hindi kami papaaralin doon. They are just going to use our brain for some unnecessary experiments.  

The wind stopped as the train takes a break. People are starting to wake up and others were already walking down the aisle through the exit. They're also carrying many big baggages like us. Ginising ko na si Kendrick na nakatulog sa biyahe. 

"Hey, we're here," I said as I carry my bags.

Binuhat na niya rin ang kaniyang bagahe at nagsimula na kaming maglakad papunta sa labasan. May tinignan si Kendrick sa papel na hawak niya. Mukhang binigay ata iyon ni Tita Meng kahapon o kanina. 

"What's the name of the school? Are we near?" tanong ko sa kaniya habang naglalakad. 

Hindi niya ako pinansin at mukhang nakapokus lang siya sa papel na hawak niya. Tumitingin siya sa mga nakasulat sa gilid namin upang masuri kung tama ba ang direksyon namin. Paunti nang paunti ang mga tao na nasa paligid namin. Mukhang walang tutungo sa pupuntahan namin dahil nag-iba na sila ng direksyon na nilakaran. 

"I never thought that it'll be complicated. I'm not really good at directions," aniya.

He handed me the paper  then I take a look at it. There are so many unique names of streets and it is really complicated to understand. Other signs are already broken that's why we can't read it. The edge of it is rusty and fragile.

"Oh so it says here that we're heading east but the east side is full of thick forest. The west side, on the other hand, is a city," I commented.

As what I have said earlier, we went to east instead of west even though we are going to pass the thick forest. I think there are some buildings behind there. 

After a few minutes of walking, I felt tired, "Kendrick, can we stay for a minute," sabi ko sa pagitan ng paghinga ko. Ewan ko kung bakit napapagod ako lagi kahit na hindi naman kami tumatakbo. Siguro dahil madami kaming dalang gamit ngayon. Umupo muna ako sandali at umupo rin siya sa tabi ko.

"Ayos ka na? Uminom ka muna ng tubig baka dehydrated ka lang. Onti lang siguro ang kinain mo kaninang umaga," nilahad niya sa akin ang tubigan niya at tinanggap ko naman iyon.

"Thank you," binalik ko na sa kaniya iyon at tumayo na, "Madami naman akong kinain kanina, siguro kulang lang talaga ako sa tubig." 

Mahina niyang sinunggab ang aking pulso nang ako ay makatayo., "Sandali, mamahinga muna tayo rito." he insisted so I have no choice but sit back.

"Hey, we're wasting time. Baka gabihin pa tayo bago makapunta roon. Let's go!" giit ko at tumayo na. Medyo umayos naman na ang pakiramdam ko at luminaw na ang paningin ko.

Napansin niya naman na bumalik na ang sigla ko kaya tumayo na rin siya at dinala na niya ang kaniyang bagahe. I started analyzing the directions written here.

The paper looks vintage because there are so many flaw on it. Nabubura na rin ang mga letra doon at ang hirap basahin ng mga nakasulat. Kailangang dahan-dahan lang ang paghawak niyon dahil parang onting galaw lang ay mapupunit na iyon. 

"Gosh, why do we have to figure this out? Pwede bang sila na lang mag-adjust?" I complained then Kendrick giggled.

Few more minutes passed, we're still trying to find where that school located. Tita Meng said that there are dorms there so we don't have to commute from there to here because I know that'll be hassle.

"I think that's it..." Kendrick mumbled.

Napatingala ako at naagaw ng atensyon ko ang malaking gusali. Sa tingin ko, mukhang hangang apat na palapag lang siya pero ang laki ng sakop niya dahil may isa pang gusali sa gilid niyon. Doon ata ang dormitorio na tutuluyan namin sa ngayon.

"How will they know that we are sent here?" I whispered while still staring at the building in front of us. The building looks familiar to me. It feels like I already seen it but I don't remember how and when. 

"That's easy. I'm just going to say our full names then I'm sure they are going to let us in," he whispered back.

"Oh okay... but why are we whispering?" I chuckled. 

We started walking through the entrance. I don't know why we have the guts to laugh in front of that hell. 

As we entered the first building, it looks modern and stylish. The floor is so shiny and clean that's why we need to be careful when walking. It feels like just a little walk makes you feel like you are going to slip anytime. 

We did not find anyone in the lounge area. I think it is because they're in a class now, "So, are just going to find a room here?" I questioned him as I admire every detail in this building.

"Good morning," I heard a monotone voice from behind. 

Medyo nagulat pa ako dahil hindi ko man lang narinig ang pagpasok niya. Nang makita ko na siya, napansin ko na ko na mukha naman siyang normal at presentable.

"Hi! My name is Kendrick Vermont. She's Skye Vermont," pagpapakilala ni Kendrick, "Our guardian sent us here. Here's the folder that she gave," he professionally stated.

Wow, why Tita Meng didn't tell me about this? 

"Okay sir, please proceed to Room B-28. Thank you," she said in a monotone voice. 

She's weird.

We went upstairs because I think "B" means second floor and before going upstairs, there is a sign written which is "Going to Floor B". The girl went through the metal door. I observed her and it looks like it is what they called "elevator". I read about that before.

Nang makarating na kami sa ikalawang palapag, mahabang pasilyo ang bumungad sa amin. 27 na silid pa ang dadaanan namin bago kami makarating sa kwartong iyon.

"401834150002" I heard someone said inside the room B-14. His voice sounds familiar. Do I know him?

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