Owing to Bulletin

Kabanata 12

Padarag akong bumangon at tumingin sa kawalan. I can't f*****g sleep, cursed him! Sinapo ko ang noo at itinukod ang siko sa tuhod ko.

It's already 1 am but I still can't sleep. I winced when I noticed that I was affected, the f**k. What the hell did he do to me? My head is preoccupied. I can't avoid thinking.

It's raining hard outside. I can hear the thunderstorm. Sana lang ay mag-suspend. I think I can't write a word with this state later at training.

"The heck," I murmured before lying down again.

I forced myself to sleep. Kailangan ko nang matulog. Nakaramdam ako ng antok sa matagal na pagpikit. Dahil na rin siguro sa pagod sa nangyari kanina. I yawned before dozing off to sleep.

I rubbed my eyes when I heard my incoming call ringtone. Naistorbo ang pagtulog ko dahil doon. I slowly picked it up without opening my eyes. Sinagot ko 'yon nang 'di tinitingnan ang caller.

"Who the he-,"

"Hoy, Levesque!" I heard Kaz's voice.

"What the f**k Kaz? It's so early, you're disturbing my sleep!" I hissed.

"Oo nga pre, umaga na," she laughed. "Stupid, it's already 8 in the morning. You're late."

I immediately opened my eyes and looked on my room's wall clock. Bumangon ako at kinusot ang mata para makasiguro. The f**k, I'm late.

"s**t," I whispered.

Kaz chuckled.

"Dalian mo na, may topic na tayo. Sabi ko kay Ma'am Devi na nagreport ka kaya wala ka pa."

"Okay, thanks." I said before getting off the bed.

I immediately took a bath and did my morning routine. I'm two hours late, darn it. Nang matapos ay dali-dali akong bumaba. I get a sandwich only as my breakfast before going out.

Pumunta ako garahe at kinuha ang motor ko. It's been a while since the last time I used it. If I'll go with a car I maybe stuck in traffic. Bumusina ako para buksan ng guard ang gate. Mabuti nalang at training days ngayon.

Humarurot ako paalis ng mansion. I didn't wear helmet. Para na rin matuyo pa ang buhok ko sa hangin. I didn't have a time to blow dry it. At baka kasi pagdating ko ay nandoon si Ma'am Devi at magtanong pa. Nag-report pero basa buhok. Nice alibi, Karzielle.

I beeped to the guard when I reached the Gorostiza High as a greeting. Kailang ko makipag-plastikan para walang tanong-tanong. I nodded to make it more convincing.

I suceed so I head to the parking lot. I can even fool him in just a look. Buti nalang at late ako kaya wala nang masyadong pakalat-kalat na estudyante.

Good thing that Kalasag's building was near. I fixed my hair before walking. May nakita pa akong mga estudyante habang naglalakad. Probably, they did cutting classes since they ain't wearing their ID.

Kalmado lang akong naglalakad sa hallway ng Kalasag. I slowly opened the door. As I entered the room, they all looked at me. Nakatingin lang ako sa lupa habang naglalakad papunta sa mesa namin. Hinila ko agad ang upuan ko nang makarating at walang tinitingnan na kahit sino.

"Lex," A familiar voice said.

I stiffened when I heard it. What the f**k? What the hell is he doing here? I gaped in a sudden. Naka-awang ang labi ko na nag-angat ng tingin ng sa kaniya.

My forehead puckered when his eyes met mine. Tumingin ako sa paligid at nakitang may mga kasama rin siyang gaya niya ay wala na rito sa Gorostiza. I even saw Kaz and the group grinning at me. And then, I gazed Vren staring at me with a serious face while holding tight his pen.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him and managed myself to act normal.

"Visiting uh, the journalists?" he chuckled, I stared at him. "Or maybe you. How are you?"

"What?" I asked perplexedly.

Why is he acting like that? As far as I remember he's quiet. He's snob to me before. Opposite with Vren. Naupo na ako habang nag-iisip. He followed and sat beside me.

Aries chuckled, "I said how are you?"

"Fine," I said casually even though I'm still shock. "How about you?"

"Mas okay na ngayon," he smiled. "Akala ko hindi ka papasok o wala ka na rito."

My brows furrowed.

"Why are you acting like that?"

I liked him. I like guys ahead of my age. He was my long time crush since Junior High days.

But now he's turning me off.

"I realized something."

I just nodded and took out my yellow paper. I want to focus writing my article since I'm f*****g late

"You won't ask what is it?" he asked.

"Kung anuman 'yan, wala akong pakialam."

I didn't even take a look at him.

"You didn't change," tumawa siya kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya. "Kaya hindi ako naniniwala na crush mo nga ako dati. You're giving a cold treatment, as always."

My brows furrowed. "You knew?"

"Yeah, sorry I'm late," he said and laughed. "Better late than never."

"But never late is better. I don't accept late comers," I said while staring at him. "Sometimes later becomes never."

He gaped.

"Is that a-,"

"Aries! Tara na, may klase pa tayo," tawag sa kaniya ni Cian, kaibigan niya.

Cian is with his friends and currently standing near the door. They were a journalist here. Aries was a Sports writer while Cian was a Copyreader. Aries was our Editor-in-Chief, passed two years.

"Better things takes time. So I was late," he chuckled and hold my arm. "We'll comeback here, bye."

I saw Yuno staring at him. He waved his hand to me before going out. What the f**k is wrong with him? I'm confuse.

Nawala ang iniisip ko nang biglang umupo si Kaz sa inalisan niya. Parang nangyari na 'to, tss. Mapang-asar siyang nakatingin sa akin.

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi?" iritado kong tanong sa kaniya.

She laughed. "Baka kabahan ka tapos hindi na talaga pumasok."

"Bakit ako kakabahan?" I asked casually. "Sa grupo nga nila Shane hindi, sa kaniya pa kaya."

"Pero ganoon reaction mo?" she mocked me.

"Nagulat lang ako," I said in a monotone.

Baka magmukha pa akong defensive. This girl loves interrogating people so much. A future police indeed.

"Sige na nga maniniwala na ako. Sabagay, may bago ka nga pala," tumawa siya. "Nasa tabi-tabi lang."

"What the f**k are you saying?"

She just laughed on me. Hindi ko na siya pinansin at hinarap nalang ang papel. Ilang minuto lang ay bigla akong nakaramdam ng gutom. f**k, I forgot my sandwich.

I took it out with my earphones. Isinuot ko 'yon at nag-umpisang kumain. I started thinking about my stand against the issue, our topic. I played words to think a strong punch lead.

I suddenly realized when I finished eating that I don't have a water. Tumayo ako pra lumabas at bumili.

"Where are you going?" Yuno asked.

"Cafeteria," I simply said before walking away.

Binilisan ko ang lakad dahil late na 'ko at dalawang article pa ang tatapusin ko. I'm drinking my water while walking back to the Kalasag. Napahinto ako nang makasalubong si Ma'am Morales.

"Good morning Ma'am," I greeted.

"Oh sakto, Alexia," she handed me a paper. "Pakibigay 'to kay Vren. Fact sheet niya, siya nalang ang wala sa kanila nila Heira."

"Okay po Ma'am," I said casually.

Napapikit ako nang makalampas kay Ma'am Morales. The heck, ngayon pa talaga. Imbis na magmadali ay mas bumagal ang lakad ko. Why are you playing with us, the f**k?

I winced and walked fast, just realizing it. Bakit naman apektado? I'm not and I won't be. I continued convincing myself until I reached Kalasag.

I inhaled and exhaled before going inside the room. Why I'm overreacting? I shook my head and walked inside the room. Naglakad ako papunta sa table nila Heira. Napansin ko ang paglingon sa akin nila Kaz.

"Mozarta," I called him casually.

Heira looked at me. Si Heira lang kasi hindi siya lumingon. Hindi niya ako pinansin. He just continued writing like he didn't hear me. I looked at him with brows furrowed.

"f**k, fact sheet mo. Bingi," I said before walking away.

Bumalik na ako ulit sa upuan ko at hindi na siya tiningnan. Sinuot ko ulit ang earphones at nagsimula nang magsulat. I started writing continuously and didn't mind everyone around me. I need to finish this.

Sinapo ko ang ulo nang makatapos na ng isa. Nakaramdam ako ng antok. I'm able to sleep with that position.

I flinched when someone tapped my shoulder. I saw Kaz beside me with the group. Kinusot ko ang mga mata para maka-adjust sa biglang liwanag.

"Tulog ka na naman, lunch na," Kaz said before laughing.

Xeya also laugh.

"Buti meron tayong lunch ngayon. Hindi na tayo lalabas."

"Saan galing?" nagtatakang tanong ko.

"May pa-lunch ulit sila Ma'am, bakla," Aldrin explained.

I just nodded before standing up. Sumunod ako sa kanila sa mesa kung saan kaming mga Journo ng Kalasag kumakain lagi. Halos lahat ay nakaupo na roon.

Dalawang table 'yon na pinagdugtong para kasya kaming lahat. I saw Maryse glaring at me. Tiningnan ko lang siya ng isang beses at hindi na pinansin. I don't have a single time for her bullshit. Buti nalang medyo malayo ang pwesto namin sa kanila.

I started eating with them without looking to anyone. I immediately finished it because I have one more pending article. Bumalik na ako sa table namin at nag-umpisang magsulat.

"Vren ano-," I heard Kaz voice from the table before wearing my earphones again.

I didn't mind them and continued writing. Panigurado ay rewrite nalang sila. Pero ako nagsisimula palang sa pangalawa. Later, I'll rewrite and proofread both of my article. Sa ngayon, kailangan ko muna tapusin pareho.

Napatingala ako bigla nang may kumalabit sa akin. I saw Kian, one of our Sci-Tech writers and Junior High only. I raised my brow to him as I removed my earphones.

"What is it?" I casually asked.

"Naiwan mo, Lexi," he handed me a ballpen.

The ballpen isn't familiar to me. O baka nakalimutan ko lang? My brows furrowed not because of the pen. On how he called me.

"Lexi? May ate dapat, grade 9 ka lang," I said, sounding like a older sister to him.

"I don't want to, Lexi," he said and shook his head. He looks like a kid.

"Ikaw bahala," I shrugged. "Hindi ata sa akin 'yan."

Bumalik na rin agad ako sa pagsusulat. He didn't disturb me again. Maya-maya'y nagsibalikan na rin sila Kaz para magsulat na.

I looked at her when she tapped me and said something. Hindi ko 'yon marinig dahil sa earphones. I tried to read her mouth but I failed. Tumango lang ako sa kaniya.

"Sige, ikaw bahala," I said and continued writing.

"Hoy Lexi-,"

Tinanggal niya ang kaliwang earphones ko. Binalik ko rin 'yon agad at yumuko.

I just nodded to her because I don't want to be disturb.

"Oo nga," I said even though I don't have any idea.

"Talaga-" I heard Kaz's voice so I nodded.

Bahagya kong hininaan ang volume kaya narinig ko siya. Agad ko rin namang nilakasan 'yon. I can hear their noise, I can't focus.

Sa gitna ng pagsusulat ay nagpahinga muna ako saglit. I slightly massaged my hand. Medyo namamanhid na. Nang sa tingin ko'y okay na ay nagpatuloy ako.

I smiled when I finally finished it. Pag-angat ng tingin ay nakita ko si Yuno na nasa harap ko at nakatitig. I raised my brow so he shook his head. Tumango lang ako sa kaniya.

Napatingin ako kila Aldrin na hawak na ang tapos nilang article. Magkakasama na 'yon. Tingin ko'y akin nalang ang kulang. Sumandal ako sa upuan.

"Lexi, punta tayo sa covered court. Practice ng mga candidates sa pageant ng Filipino," Xeya said.

"Is Tanya there?" I asked.

"Syempre bakla," Aldrin laughed. "'Yon pa ba."

"Hindi ako makakasama, kailangan ko pang tapusin 'to," I pointed my unfinished article.

"Sumunod ka," ani Kaz.

"Oo bakla, tapos dalhin mo 'tong mga tapos para diretso na tayo kay Ma'am Devi pagtapos," Vance suggested.

"Okay," I nodded.

They waved their hands to me before going out. Tumango lang bago humarap ulit sana sa papel. Pero napatingin ako kay Vren na kaharap ko sa malayo. He was looking back.

I noticed that few Journalists only were inside the room. Maybe they decided to watch the pageant's practice too. I didn't mind it same with Vren who's still looking.

Yumuko at nagsimula nang magsulat. I'm nervous, darn it. I'm sure it's because of the article. Baka kasi magkamali ako bigla, nagmamadali pa naman ako.

I started rewriting it after the proofreading. I did it without nuisance. Well, kaunti lang ang tao. I sighed when I finished rewriting the first one.

Inumpisahan ko rin agad yung pangalawa. I'm slightly relaxed because it's the last. I released a heavy sigh when I finally finished it.

I flinched when Vren suddenly seated on the table. Lumingon agad ako sa paligid at nakitang wala na palang tao. Kaming dalawa nalang. He looked down to me.

"Ano?" I casually asked.

I pretend like I'm not affected against his presence. What he f**k is he doing? Buti nalang tapos na ako kung hindi baka sinaksak ko na siya ng ballpen sa gulat.

He smirked.

"You'll date me tomorrow."

"No," I immediately said.

"Pero um-oo ka na," aniya na parang bata.

"I didn't."

I looked at him and started arranging the articles.

"Oo kaya," he chuckled. "I recorded it as evidence."

Iturned to him perplexedly. He took out his phone from his pocket. Pumindot siya roon at ilang saglit lang ay may narinig ako.

"Hoy Levesque, date raw kayo ni Vren. Dali may pustahan kami," I heard Kaz voice from Vren's phone.

"Sige, ikaw bahala," my brows furrowed whe I heard my own voice.

"Pumayag siya?" I heard Vren's excited voice.

"Oo diba?" ani Kaz at sandaling tumahimik. "Hoy Lexi- makikipag-date ka diba?"

"Oo ng-"

Hindi ko na 'yon pinatapos at agad inagaw ang cellphone. Well, Vren wouldn't let me. Agad niya 'yon binulsa ulit. I didn't try to snatch it again. Darn it, I can predict what will happen if I try to.

"Malakas ang ebidensya ko, hindi ka pwedeng tumanggi," he mocked me.

I raised my brow. "I have the right because I don't know what I was saying earlier."

He shook his head while grinning. Yumuko siya habang nakatitig sa akin. Mabagal niyang nilapit ang mukha sa akin. I winced when I notice that I'm distracted by his stare. My brows furrowed on his sudden move.

"Kapag lumapit ka pa, sasampalin kita," I warned him.

He smirked and didn't stop.

"Sampal lang pala, okay lang basta makalapit. I want to see your eyes nearer."

I instantly raised my hand when he continued going near. But he caught it so I glared him.

Tumatawa siyang lumayo at umayos ng upo sa mesa. Hinarap ko ulit ang mga papel at pinakitang hindi interesado sa kaniya. His guts to come near me is irritating, darn it. I should've punched him.

"Can you stop doing this?" I asked without looking at him.

"I don't want," he shook his head. "I like you or proba-,"

"And I don't," I cut him. "So stop, already."

"Ilang beses mo na 'kong binasted, ngayon pa ba ako titigil?" his face became serious. "I won't give up. Especially, you look affected to me, Levior."

I turned to him to prove it.

"I'm not."

"Bakit ba kasi pinipigilan mo?" he chuckled. "Anong ginawa ko?"

"Hindi mo talaga alam?" I sarcastically asked.

"Meron nga? I was mocking..." marahan niyang sabi. "Edi pinipigilan mo nga? Hay Levior da-,"

Tumayo ako at pumunta sa stand ng mga school paper kada taon. I searched the school paper last year. Binuklat ko iyon habang naglalakad pabalik. Vren looked at me perplexedly.

Pabato kong nilapag yung dyaryo sa harap niya. Nasa pahina ng artikulo kuno niya. Tumingin siya roon na nagtataka. His brows furrowed while looking on it. He turned to me again with his grinning face.

"What's with my picture, Levior?" he asked and raised his brow.

"It's not about your f*****g face," iritado kong sabi. "I know you're not the one who wrote the article. Kanino mo nakuha 'yan?"

He gaped on me.

"How did you know?"

"Don't answer me a question too," I said casually.

"Okay," he nodded. "Binigay ni Kreigh."

My brows furrowed.

"What?"

"Tinulungan niya akong makapasok sa school paper ng Ang Kalasag," aniya at tumango-tango pa. "She said it's her extra article and she won't use it. That article is hers."

Kinuyom ko ang kamao ko. I'm very sure that I put my name when I passed it to her. What the f**k did she do? Am I betrayed?

I shook my head incredulously.

"You're wrong, it's mine."

He gaped on me. Gulat siyang tumingin sa akin. Malamang wala nga siyang alam.

"The reason why it's different from Kreigh's legit article when I read it. The way and style of writing is different," he said while looking on the article.

"But, that's not the point here," I said and looked at him. "Alam mo palang hindi sayo, ginamit mo pa. Bakit hindi ka nalang nanatili sa English?"

Gusto pa dala-dalawa? Magaling.

"Kasi, Levior, sabi niya kanya 'yon e? At willing niyang binigay," he paused. "Ire-revise ko pa nga sana kaso maganda na. Bakit ko pa gagalawin?"

"Syempre ako ang nagsulat no'n," I smirked sarcastically. "Hindi mo 'ko madadaan sa ganiyan dahil matagal ko nang alam na magaling ako."

"I know," he chuckled and stare at me. "Okay, I'm sorry. May mali rin ako."

I stiffened. I didn't expect him to say sorry. I thought he'll blame Kreigh for this. Tumitig ako sa kaniya at pinanatili ang normal sa ekspresyon.

I should talk to Kreigh. Ang pangit ng ginawa niya. Its f*****g annoying. Hindi ko alam kung bakit kailangan niyang gawin 'yon? The audacity of her to meddle with me.

"I know you won't forgive me that fast," he blurt out. "But would you finally date me?"

"Date? Mozarta, para tayong isang tula," I stared at him. "Hindi magandang pilitin kung hindi naman tugma."

"Aanhin mo ang tula na may sukat at tugma? Kung sa malayang taludturan mo naman maihahayag ang tunay na nadarama," aniya na hindi inaalis ang titig sa akin.

"Tama naman ang sukat at tugma, baka sadyang mali ang taong inalayan mo ng tula," I said without breaking the eye contact.

"Pero malayang tula ang ginawa ko para sayo," he paused. "Tuwiran ang pagsasatitik ng mga kaisipan na malayang dumadaloy sa isang makata, sa isang nagmamahal."

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