Four More Minutes of Air

Chapter 6

Weeks passed, nothing new happened in my life. I always sit near the lake waiting for Deux to come but I guess he's not coming back. I wonder why he's not visiting me. Are they good? Did something happen to them?

"Kendrick, I have one more question," I said. He didn't answer me because he's busy admiring the green grass. His mind is occupied by so many thoughts that could not tell, "Why do they speak Spanish?"

He didn't notice and he's still busy staring at it, "Kendrick." 

"Huh? What?" he panicked.

"I asked, why do they speak Spanish and how can Tita Meng understand them?" I asked again.

"Tita Meng knows how to speak and understand Spanish but the kids don't know how to speak and understand English that's why it's hard for them to understand us."

We just ate lunch earlier and it's 12 in the afternoon. The sun is directly touching our skin but with the help of the trees above us, it's not that hot and the cold breeze is hugging us from time to time. Clouds pass by as time goes by. 

"I think we need to go now. We still have classes to attend to," Kendrick said as he stood up.

"How can you speak and understand Spanish?" I asked out of nowhere. He looked at me then looked away.

"Uhm, I secretly study about it, obviously." 

We're heading towards the house. I have no plan to attend classes because I'm not in the mood to listen. Well, I'm not always in my mood when it's all about this. 

"Why do you know so many things?" 

He didn't hear what I said earlier because he's walking fast and he didn't even notice that he left me behind.

___________________

Since I did not attend, I waste my time reading books in the library. I'm sure Tita Meng will not notice me. I don't know why I started to love reading books but I don't want to listen about the topics in our classes.

"She predicted that there will be half human and half robots in the future so that the government will easily control them without effort. At the age of 18..." I read.

The page is ripped off. That's why I can't read the next paragraph but I have an idea about that topic. I remember that Dominic said that when someone reaches the age 18, they may either die or be a guinea pig.

"Are you busy?" Kendrick snapped. He's holding a book and some bunch of papers on the other hand. I think they're all done in their classes. 

It is a nice day to go out today because it is cloudy. I guess it'll rain again anytime soon because it looks like the clouds are going to cry later.

"Well, I am actually done reading this book. Tara!" I said even though I am not actually done yet because I already read 2 books earlier.

We were walking on green grasses while the thick clouds were blocking the sun. I noticed that we're already far from the house because we already passed the lake. He didn't even tell me where we're heading so I am clueless.

He's always preoccupied when I'm with him. This time, I tried to break the silence, "You did not mention where we're going." 

"Oh, I'm sorry what?" All his attention went to me. 

"Is there something bothering you?" I changed the topic since he is paying attention now.

"No, I'm just stressed because of the works that has been given to us these past few days that's why there are so much thoughts and conclusions running on my mind" 

He did not stutter... but I'm not sure if he is saying the truth. Minutes  passed and I still don't know our destination. This way is not familiar to me. I can see something behind these trees and it looks like a tall building. 

"Where exactly are we?" I asked.

"Gusto kong ikaw mismo ang makakaalam tungkol dito," his last sentence he said to me before he ran away.

I'm shocked. I didn't even have time to chase him and call his name because there are so many things that are running through my mind. What does he mean?

I have no choice but to enter this massive building. I don't know if it is safe here but I'm sure it is. Nang makapasok na ako, bumungad sa akin ang isang babae at may binigay sa akin. Mga pangalan na nakalista ang nakita ko na nakasulat doon at mayroong numero bago ang pangalan. Onti lang naman ang nakasulat doon kaya napagdesisyonan ko na basahin na lang iyon lahat.

After reading the first 2 pages, the name that I saw caught my attention. I'm not sure if this is her because her surname is different. Gwyneth Santiago...

May nabasa ako dati na kapag nakaalis na ang isang tao sa bahay-ampunan, maaaring mapalitan ang kaniyang apilyedo.

"Excuse me, can I meet Gwyneth Santiago please?" I'm sure kaya niya binigay itong listahan para malaman kung sino ang kikitain ko ngayon dito.

"Yes, what is your name and your code?" 

Wala akong nasagot dahil hindi ko naman pwedeng gamitin ang totoo kong pangalan at hindi ko rin alam ang sasabihin ko. What code does she mean?

"Skye- oh hey!" I was saved by the bell because of her... she really is here, "Hey, it's been a while! Can we talk?" Ate Gwyneth said.

She looks so exhausted and pale but she still manages to smile and be cheerful. Her traits and actions changed. This is not the "Ate Gwyneth" I met, "Are you okay?" I curiously asked her.

"Of course! Yes I am. So, how's it going?" she said as we walked down the aisle through the lounge in the other room for privacy.

"Well, nothing special happened," I said to her even though there are many things that I knew and encountered.

We sat down on the chair with her right leg on top of the other and her both arms on top of her legs. "Really? What about your grades?" she asked while smiling widely. 

Her hands were shaking and they were placed on top of my hips. She looks like she's interested in what I'm going to say. There's something wrong with her. Hindi siya mapakali.

"It's okay. I guess?" 

I noticed it... I'm sure that's what she wants to say. The way her hands touched my hips looks like a pattern. Three short taps and three long taps then three short taps again. 

"You know what? We're having so much fun here. We learned so many things here than there and I really am enjoying it here."

Her eyes were red and it looks like she cried earlier. She has so many bruises and cuts. Now tell me, saan banda ka masaya?

"Uh yeah, I started to love reading books ever since Tita Meng said that I am actually smart and an explorer since I was born," sabi ko at tumawa. Iniba ko ang usapan para hindi kami mahalata dahil alam kong may nakaririnig sa usapan namin.

"Gwyneth Santiago! It's time," the girl that I met earlier said.

She smile widely and hugged me then I heard she whispered, "Third row, fifth column" 

Habang naglalakad ako pauwi, iniisip ko pa rin ang sinabi ni Ate Gwyneth kanina. Bakit niya kaya sinabi iyon?

"Third row, fifth column? Skye think..." I mumbled to myself. Ano kaya ang mga bagay na may rows and column sa bahay? Ano ang topic na pinag-usapan namin kanina ni Ate Gwyneth?

Our last topic is about my interest in reading books. So is it possible that "that" is what she wants to indicate to me? She wants me to read the book on the third row and fifth column in the library. 

"I knew it. You're good at this," Kedrick showed up.

"Where the hell did you go? Pwede mo naman akong samahan doon eh," sabi ko.

He sighted before explaining, "It's complicated. You're going to know about these things soon because I know you're smart," he said as he smiled at me.

"Yeah, why can't just simply tell me what's happening?" pangungulit ko sa kaniya.

"I told you, it's complicated." 

"I can't understand. Why can't he just say it directly?" mahinang sambit ko. Hindi niya naman iyon narinig.

After that, no one dared to talk so it's akward. I'm memorizing the way so that I can go here anytime without Kendrick.

___________________

We came home safely without Tita Meng knowing that we secretly went outside without her permission again. I think sneaking out is normal now for us.

Pagtapos kong ilagay ang aking sapatos sa gilid, dumiretso na ako agad sa silid-aklatan upang basahin ang gustong ipabasa sa akin ni Ate Gwyneth. There are so many book shelf here so I'm going to check it one by one. I know it'll be worth it.

After a few minutes, I think I found the book that she wanted me to read. It's all about the government and the economy. This book is familiar. It feels like I already read it.

"Diana Fernsby? The author of this book is DIANA FERNSBY?" I opened the book and browse it because I'm sure I already read this.

While browsing, I stopped in front of the torn paper. Oh, nabasa ko na nga ito pero hindi ko pa natatapos dahil tinawag ako ni Kendrick kanina.

"Ate Skye! Kain na raw po sabi ni Tita Meng," Anne said, "Hinahanap po kita kanina pero hindi kita mahanap, nandito ka lang po pala sa silid-aklatan."

"Okay sige, pasabi na lang na susunod ako," I said then I smiled at her. She is so cute and innocent. I wish I were her...

Nang matapos kong ligpitin ang mga kalat ko sa silid-aklatan, pumunta na ako sa hapag kainan para kumain. 

"Where have you been, Skye?" tanong ni Tita Meng. 

"Sa library lang po, Tita." I confidently said because it is true.

"Buong araw? Kanina, wala ka roon. Tell me the truth, where have you been?"

"Uh, Tita can we talk about this later?" 

At the end, she agreed because she knows that we really want to talk about this privately. It seems odd for me because we rarely talk. 

After eating, I stood up and helped them clean the table. Nakita kong umakyat na si Tita Meng kaya umakyat na rin ako. Did she find out that Kendrick and I went to Ate Gwyneth?

Maayos siyang umupo at hinintay akong isara ang pinto, "You and Kendrick are going to school tomorrow." Diretso niyang sabi.

My mind is still pending and I still don't know how to react. There are so many thoughts running on my mind. Are we going to Ate Gwyneth's school?

"Wait, what? Tomorrow?" dali-dali rin akong umupo sa harapan niya.

"Yes, before the sun rises. This school is different from your Ate Gwyneth's school."

"Why? We're still not legal," I'm so confused. 

"I don't know. That's what they said. Sabi nila na pwede na raw kayong mag-aral sa labas ng bahay-ampunan," aniya.

"Why all of a sudden?" I asked.

"Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit biglaan," napatingin siya sa malayo at napaisip, "Ang alam ko lang ay magkaiba kayo ng paaralan ni Gwyneth. She has a dorm there and she has a guardian."

"Bakit po ako yung napili? Hindi naman po ako nag-aaral ng mabuti rito at hindi naman po mataas ang aking mga marka." 

Tumayo siya at binuksan ang bintana na nakasarado, "I'm sorry. Hindi ko masasagot ang mga katanungan mo." may kinuha siyang maliit na papel na nakadikit doon sa bintana. 

"Keep this. I know you and Kendrick will do something about it. Alam ko na alam mo kung ano ang nangyayari ngayon," may binigay siya sa akin na isang maliit na papel. 

Nang buksan ko ang papel, hindi ko maintindihan ang nakasulat doon dahil puro numero ang nakalagay roon at wala siyang padron. Ang nakalagay ay "401834150002". 

"May ideya po ba kayo kung para saan ko ito gagamitin?" 

"Wala rin akong ideya. Binigay lang iyan ng kapatid ko bago siya lumisan."

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