Owing to Bulletin

Kabanata 10

"Unpredictable? Yet, you got it right," I said before walking away.

Bumalik ako kila Kaz na nagtatawanan. Masama ko silang tiningnan. They are making fun of me.

"Hindi naman nilambingan, ulitin!" Mako said when I reached them so I glared him.

"Wala na, kumakain na e," Owen said.

"Aliw sayo Levesque!" Kaz said before letting out a laugh.

I looked back at Vren and yeah. He's finally eating but, he looked like thinking something else. Maybe some things that is connected to their assigned topics.

I did a proofreading before rewriting my article for this day. Maingat ko iyong ginawa para hindi na umulit nang umulit.

Mahirap na kapag maraming mali. Magiging madugo ang papel ko dahil sa matingkad na pulang tinta ng ballpen ni Ma'am Devi.

I focused myself on writing, when I suddenly remembered something. When I was in elementary, I don't have any idea about Journalism. I'm just in grade 4 when I discovered it. I didn't even see myself as a writer but, here I am. One of the Kalasag's writer.

"s**t," iritado kong bulong nang magkamali.

Mukhang narinig iyon nila Kaz kasi pag-angat ko ng tingin ay nakalingon sila sa akin. Inis kong nilukot ang yellow paper at pabatong itinapon. I'm almost done, f**k it.

Tumawa si Kaz.

"Kalma ka lang pre, ako nga wala pang title."

I leered at her before writing again in a piece of clean paper. I tried to focus again and thank goodness, I finished it without any errors.

I looked at Kaz who's currently rewriting. Others are doing the same. On the printer side are the Photojourns with their cameras. Nilibang ko ang sarili sa pakikinig kila Mako, sa mga Radio Brod.

They're good, no wonder why Ang Kalasag is a consistent winner. Palagi, kaya naman pinaghahandaan kami ng kabila. Matinding kalaban talaga ang tingin nila sa amin. We don't know why, we just don't give a f**k.

"Sa wakas!" Sigaw ni Kaz nang matapos na sa article niya.

We waited for the others to be done before going to Ma'am Devi. Si Vance palang ang tapos sa Copyreading at si Mandy nalang ang hindi pa sa Editorial. Column writers are already done.

When they're finally done, I walked outside the Kalasag with Kaz, Vance, and Aldrin. We'll go to Ma'am Devi's class to pass the finished articles.

Ang bigat ng article namin , kaya apat pa talaga kaming magpapasa. I leered sarcastically.

"Alam niyo ba kung saan ang klase ni Ma'am Devi ngayon?" I asked them.

"Hindi sis," Vance answered.

"Punta muna tayo sa faculty ni Ma'am, mga bakla. Tingnan natin schedule niya," Aldrin suggested.

I nodded at him since that's the only way. "Ikaw na mag-excuse."

"Oo na bakla, lagi naman," ani Aldrin at kumamot sa ulo.

"Syempre makapal mukha mo," Kaz said before laughing.

Inirapan lang siya ng bakla. I chuckled at them. Nag-asaran lang sila hanggang sa makarating kami sa faculty ni Ma'am.

"Excuse po," ani Aldrin bago tuluyang pumasok sa faculty ng Filipino teachers.

Naghintay lang kaming tatlo sa labas. Napatingin ako sa open space ng harap ng faculty. May mga iilang estudyante na nagpa-practice roon. Some of them looked on us shyly because we were watching them.

"Gora na tayo" si Aldrin na kalalabas lang. "Sa Emerald si Ma'am ngayon."

Tinahak namin ang daan papunta sa building ng grade 10 Emerald. It's one of the star sections here in Gorostiza High. Section din namin dati nila Kaz, naming magkakaibigan.

"Namiss ko Esmeralda," Kaz blurt out.

"Likewise," I said casually.

Yung section namin na 'yon ay walang patasaan. Tulungan ang bawat isa at walang laglagan. Kaya hindi nakapagtataka at nami-miss ko sila.

"Anong meron?" Vance asked confusedly.

"Section namin dati 'yon bakla," sagot ni Aldrin sa kaniya. "Doon din nagtuloy-tuloy ang trophan namin nung naging magkakaklase kami."

Kaz nodded.

"Kasi grade 9 kami nagkakilala lahat. Consistent sa section nang mag-grade 10 kaya hanggang ngayon pa rin."

I smiled reminiscing it. Magkaaway pa nung una sina Jethro at Thalia noon. And it's just because of a freaking girl. How lucky is she?

Kami ni Kaz ay nasa panig noon ni Jethro, syempre magkaibigan na kami elementary palang. Si Heira at Von ay nasa panig naman ni Thalia. Tapos nadamay lang si Tanya na tahimik lang sa tabi at si Aldrin na class president noon na sinaway kami.

My thoughts vanished when we arrived at Emerald's classroom. I can hear Ma'am Devi's voice from inside. Kumatok nang bahagya si Aldrin sa bukas na pinto. Ma'am Devi gestured us to enter the room.

"Hala yung dating mga Emerald."

"Omg! Pero sino yung isa?"

"Oo nga, sila 'yan."

Nang pumasok kami ay may mga bulungan kaming narinig. Maybe they remembered our batch. Lagi kasi kaming panalo sa mga contest dati na by section. Students of Gorostiza as audience, they always hyped our section whenever we perform.

"Emerald, tumahimik kayo. Nandito ang Seniors niyo oh," Ma'am Devi warned them.

I awkwardly looked around. Our former room is still Emerald's batch now. Nabago lang ang pintura at mga bulletin boards. All of them were looking on us when we entered the room.

"Good afternoon, Ma'am," bati namin nang makalapit.

Iniabot ko agad sa kaniya ang hawak na mga article. She took it and looked back at her students because of a sudden noise. Pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang mga article bago humarap sa amin.

"Lahat na 'to, ano?" She asked.

"Opo Maam," Aldrin nodded.

"Okay," Ma'am Devi approved. "Bukas ng umaga ko ica-clarify kung may mali ang mga gawa niyo. Sa ngayon ay pwede na kayong umuwi."

"Yes," Kaz exclaimed as she caught the attention of some students.

"Thank you po, Ma'am," we said in unison before going out of the room.

"Bye mga ate!" one of the students from Emerald said.

Natawa kami nang makalabas. Feel na feel naman nila Aldrin at Vance na hindi sila tinawag na kuya. They laughed while pointing to each other.

"Mukhang amoy na ah bakla," Aldrin said before laughing.

Bahagya kaming natawa habang naglalakad paalis na sa building ng Emerald. We just survived the first day of training. I'm sure tomorrow or the next day Ma'am will give us double or triple.

Nang dumaan kami sa TVL building ay kumaway pa si Aldrin sa mga kaklase niyang nasa loob. Inasar niya 'yon dahil excuse siya tapos sila ay magkaklase na. Natigil lang siya nang makita ang papalapit na subject teacher nila.

Hinila ko na siya bago pa mahuli. Kaz was laughing on him. Napapailing naman si Vance. Tahimik na kaming nagpatuloy sa paglalakad papuntang Kalasag.

"Huwag muna tayo umuwi?" suggest ni Kaz.

"Sige lang baks, ayoko pa rin naman umuwi," ani Aldrin at tumango.

I just nod too. Wala naman kaming ibang gagawin dahil training naman. Walang assignment or take home activity. Wala ring binigay si Ma'am Devi na kailangang ipasa bukas.

As we entered the room, I looked around. My brows furrowed when I didn't see Heira and her things. Si Vren at Segan din ay wala pero ang gamit nila ay naroon pa

"Nasaan sa si Heira?" tanong ni Kaz.

I leered.

"Don't ask me. Magkasama tayo sa labas."

She laughed while realizing it. This dumb b***h. Napailing nalang ako sa kaniya at naglakad papunta kay Xeya. Hindi pa ako nagtatanong ay nagsalita na siya agad.

"Oo umuwi na si Heira. Mauuna na raw siya," ani Xeya.

Tumango ako sa kaniya at umupo sa tabi. Wala naman sina Davin at Owen na kasama niya at Sports writer din. Kaharap namin si Maryse at Aoki na kasama nila sa table.

I noticed that Aoki was slightly glaring me. I stared back at her. I heard Kaz's chuckle while looking on me.

I smirked. "What is it, Aoki?"

"What?" she asked like an innocent.

"Why are you glaring at me?" I asked in a monotone. "And f**k, don't deny it."

She rolled her eyes. Oh, you don't have the guts.

"Kayo ba ni Vren?"

My brows furrowed on her question. I tried to contain my laugh but I failed. She looked at me confusedly and irritated. Kaz and Xeya were laughing too.

"What the f**k are you saying?" I laughed. "Well, it's none of your business but just to clarify, we are not."

"Are you sure?" Aoki raised her brow.

"Of course, you can go now and start flirting him."

I stared at her with stern face.

Tumawa si Kaz.

"I think you should shut up, Aoki."

Hindi naman kami nakakakuha ng atensyon ng ibang writers. Aakalain mong normal lang ang usapan namin kahit na galit na pala 'tong isa.

"Don't be sure, Aoki," singit ni Maryse. "You know, malandi ang tropa. Bird at the same feather, flirts together."

"What do you mean?" kalmado kong tanong.

"Hala inggit yata 'tong si Maryse. Landiin mo rin kasi Kaz, huwag puro sa maganda. Dito ka rin minsan sa malinis ang kalooban," Xeya sarcastically said before laughing.

"Talaga, Xeya? Well, oh ayan na pala ang malandi," Maryse said while looking at the door.

Nakita ko roon si Tanya na nakasunod sa likod ni Zairo. Sabay silang pumasok ng Kalasag. I chuckled when I realized the situation here.

Hindi kami napansin ni Tanya dahil nasa pinakagilid ang table ng Sports at News writers. Umupo lang siya sa tabi nina Aldrin at Vance habang naghihintay kay Zairo na tumungo sa printer.

I turned to Maryse.

"Well Maryse, we all know what's the score between you and Zairo. Si Tanya na kahit walang gawin ay kayang-kaya makuha ang atensyon ni Zairo."

"Anong pinagsasabi mo?" defensive niyang tanong.

"Meanwhile, you Maryse, who almost denude in front of Zairo just to get his attention. Frankly, who's the flirt? Shove that down to your throat, bleating fool," I said smiling to irritate her more before walking away.

I really don't like it when someone insults one of my friends behind their back. Bilang lang ang tunay kong mga kaibigan. That's why I wanted to protect them.

Sumunod sa akin si Kaz at Xeya na tumatawa ng malakas. Dahil doon ay napapatingin sa amin ang mga writer. Nakita na rin kami ni Tanya kaya kumaway siya sa amin.

"Bakit kayo tumatawa?" takang tanong ni Tanya nang makalapit kami.

"Tapos na kasi sila sa article, kaya ayan ang sasaya," I said and made it sound convincing.

Kaz laughed hard.

"Grabe Tanya, hindi ka pa naman sumisikat sa pagmo-model mo pero may basher ka na."

I turned my back to Kaz and glared at her. Sinenyasan ko siya na wag nang sabihin. I don't want Tanya to think of it. Her time doesn't deserve those stupids.

"Ha?" Tanya asked perplexedly.

Umiling lang ako sa kaniya.

"Baklang 'yon, hindi nagsasabi!" ani Aldrin at tumawa.

"Gago ang epic ng mukha ni Maryse," Xeya whispered while laughing.

Hindi ko pinansin si Xeya, hindi ako lumingon. I just pity her, such a disgrace. Never thought that I would be this mean to them. It's been years that I'm with them here in Kalasag. And hell, I also never thought that Maryse and Aoki could be so delusional.

"Bakit? Ano bang meron?" Vance asked.

Kinuwento naman ni Xeya at Kaz ang sagutan namin kanina ni Aoki at Maryse.

"Buti naman at hindi na kayo nakisali." Vance said pertaining to Kaz and Xeya.

"Tustado na nga kay Lexi palang. Paano pa kapag sumali sila? Double burned na siya?" pabulong na sabi ni Aldrin tsaka tumawa.

"Grabe naman kayo, mukha na ngang doble dead tapos ngayon double burned pa," gatong ni Kaz at tumawa.

"Gago niyo," natatawang sabi ko.

"Wow ha?" Xeya mockingly looked at me.

We stopped laughing to each other when the door suddenly opened. It's Sir Corral with Jethro and Morgiana at his back.

"Good morning, Sir," we greeted.

Tumango lang siya.

"Hindi ako sasabay," bulong ni Jethro nang makadaan sa harap namin.

We nodded at him. Lumabas na kaming lima at pumunta sa covered court. We'll ask Thalia and Von if they will go home with us.

Saktong pagdating namin ay naglalaro pa sila Von. Sa kabilang court naman ay sila Thalia na kasalukuyang sumasayaw. I think it's a contemporary dance.

"Go papi Von!" cheer ni Aldrin sa kaniya.

Von looked on us and gave a middle finger. We just laughed at him. Nakita naming naglalakad palapit si Thalia na dala na ang gamit niya. At mukhang kakabihis lang.

"Tapos na kayo?" I asked her.

"Yeah," she answered. "Tara sa bleachers, Von isn't done yet."

We followed her going to bleachers. Mas malapit 'to kila Von kumpara sa pwesto namin kanina. I watched how Von plays. He didn't change, he's still good.

We heard their coach's whistle. They suddenly stopped and go to him. Tila may pinag-usapan sila roon.

"Bukas ulit, Verdeflor!" Their coach shouted.

I think it's a sign that they're already done. Bumaba na kami ng bleacher at sinalubong si Von. He's drinking water while walking towards us.

"s**t sila Alexia," one of the players said.

"Hi Xeya," a player too.

"Hoy Rico, Sean, at Felix, bumalik na kayo roon!" sigaw sa kanila ni Von.

"Captain naman," Kamot-ulo na sabi nung isa. "Pareto naman Captain, kay Kaz lang o kaya-"

"Tumahimik ka Sean." Von warned him.

I bet Von knows what kind of man is that Sean so he warned him. Nagiging maarte sila Von at Jethro sa mga lumalapit sa amin lalo na kapag kilala at alam nilang gago. They were like a brother to us.

"Ayaw mo sa akin Sean?" Aldrin mocked him. "Bawal si Kaz at ayaw niya sa may espada."

"Loko Aldrin, ayoko ko rin ng espadahan," Sean said before walking away with the other two.

Nagtawanan kami sa sinabi nung Sean. Nagpaalam naman si Von na magpapalit lang. While waiting for Von, some players and co-dancers of Thalia were waving on us. Ilan sa kanila ay kakilala ni Thalia kaya kumakaway siya pabalik.

She looked like an alderman.

"Tara na," Von said.

Naglakad na kami nang sabay-sabay palabas ng Gorostiza. Napahinto pa kami nang biglang may lumapit kay Von na mga babaeng Junior High.

"Kuya Devon, pwede papicture?" isa sa apat na mga babae.

Von looked at them awkwardly before nodding. I turned to Xeya when she volunteer herself to take a picture. My brows furrowed at her. Katabi ko lang siya kaya tiningnan ko iyon.

"Ang perfect ng angle." She said pursing her lips to contain a laugh.

I saw that it was on a front camera. She's taking a picture of herself, the f**k? And when she turned it to back cam, she zoom in it to Von only. Tsaka niya tinadtad ng picture. At ang dalawang huling shot ay picture ni Von at nung apat pero yung isa ay blurred pa.

"Thank you po!" sabi nila at nagmamadaling umalis.

"You're welcome!" sigaw pa ni Xeya bago tumawa.

Von turned to her.

"Anong ginawa mo?"

"Edi nag-picture? Why? Nabulag ka na sa flash?" Xeya answered sarcastically.

"Tss, ano nga?" pangungulit ni Von.

Habang naglalakad kami ay patuloy pa rin sila sa asaran. I didn't mind, gusto rin naman nila 'yan. Nadaan na namin ang Kalasag, halos nasa parking na kami nang may napansin ako.

"Hi papi Vren at Pricus!" Sigaw sa kanila ni Aldrin.

Nakaupo siya sa isang plantbox at tila may hinihintay. Kasama niya Pricus na nakatayo sa tabi niya. Gulat siyang napatingin sa amin, lumipat 'yon sa 'kin at lalo siyang nagulat.

"I told you," dinig kong bulong ni Pricus sa kaniya bago humarap kay Thalia. "Thalyra..."

We continued walking. Vren walked beside me. I didn't mind his presence and aura even how it is.

"Nandito ka pa pala." He said while walking.

"Obviously," I said casually.

He chuckled.

"Akala ko nakauwi ka na, akala ko huli ako."

I didn't mind him and continue walking. Nang makalabas ng gate ay nag-iba na ng direksyon ang ilan sa amin. Sina Xeya, Kaz, at ang mga bakla ang kasama ko. I looked at Vren perplexed when he followed us.

"Sasabay ako," he said.

My brows furrowed. "Ano?"

"Sige lang Vren papi," Aldrin said and laughed.

Wala na akong nagawa kaya nagpatuloy nalang sa paglalakad. Sumunod nga siya hanggang sa pinag-aabangan namin ng jeep.

Kung hindi ko lang gustong makasama ang mga kaibigan ay palagi na ako magpapasundo kay Kuya Norbert. Lalo't pati si Vren ay sumasama na rin.

"Nanliligaw ba si Benedicto sayo?" Vren suddenly asked.

"Ikaw bahala," barumbado kong sagot.

"Pumayag ka?" He leered. "Ako rin, payagan mo! Liligawan na kita, Levior."

"What do you think?" I asked back on his first question and didn't mind what he said.

"f**k, I thought you'd say 'ikaw bahala' again," he said like a problematic guy.

"I'm not a dumb, Mozarta."

"Yeah, I know how clever you are Levior and I like it. Kasi 'yan ang dahilan kung bakit walang nagtatagumpay sa mga lumalapit sayo," he said while staring at me intently.

Mabilis naman kaming nakasakay agad ngayon kasi maaga pa. Beside me, on the right is Xeya while the other side is unknown guy. Kaharap ko lang si Vren. He's looking seriously at the guy beside me.

Nanatili ang tingin niya roon hanggang sa pumara ako. Sinenyasan ko sila Kaz. I looked at him before getting off. Tumingin siya pabalik hanggang sa makababa ako.

I silently walked inside our mansion. Thinking some little things. Sumalubong sa akin si Lola Lia kaya nagmano ako. Ang buong gabi ko ay maayos na lumipas.

Before getting to sleep, I took out the brown paper with vintage style and Baybayin. Inilagay ko siya sa side table kasama noong dalawang nauna. Magtuloy-tuloy kaya ang gumagawa nito? I asked myself before falling asleep.

It's cold and raining outside. So I took out my gray oversized hoodie with me before going downstairs. I'm sure that kuya Norbert is already there, waiting. Natagalan kasi ako sa pagbangon sa lamig ng panahon. Ang sarap matulog.

And I also thought that the Mayor and municipality would suspend the class but not they didn't. Naka-pe uniform pa kami nila Kaz ngayon, training naman namin. Sumakay agad ako sa kotse na naghihintay sa b****a ng mansion.

I looked at the moist from our car's window. Medyo humina na ang ulan, ambon nalang siguro. Hindi ko kasama si Mariana ngayon, hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi siya makakapasok. Sinuot ko ang hoodie nang makitang malapit na kami sa Gorostiza High.

"Hindi po ba ipapasok sa loob, Ma'am? Umaambon pa ho e?" Kuya Norbert asked before we stopped in front of the Gorostiza's gate.

"Hindi na po kuya," I said casually.

I wore my hood before getting off the car. Hindi naman masyadong malakas kaya okay lang. Hindi naman ako nagkaproblema sa guard kahit hindi kita ang ID ko. Kilala naman ako kaya okay na agad.

"Paulan pa pre, ayaw mo mag-EDDIS?" natatawang sabi ni Jethro.

May dala siyang payong at dinamay na ako. Kasya naman kaming dalawa kahit medyo maliit. Hindi rin kami masiyadong nababasa dahil mahina na rin naman ang ulan.

"Naka-hoodie ako, inform lang kita. Baka bulag ka na," I sarcastically said.

He just laughed on me. Some group students were looking on us and whispering to each other. I bet they're making issues now. What the f**k, hindi kami talo. Gusto ni Jethro ng bata, gusto ko naman ng mas matanda sa 'kin.

Kahit nakasilong ay hindi ko pa rin tinatanggal ang hood ko. Yumuko rin ako para matakpan ang mukha. I stopped when Jethro stop walking.

"Morgiana," he called her then he handed me the umbrella. "Mauna ka na roon, dalhin mo na 'yan."

Taka ko siyang tiningnan.

"Bakit ko dadalhin? Sayo 'ya- ah okay, sige na."

I smirked when he cursed me to shut up. Para-paraan para makaharot kay Morgiana 'tong isang 'to. Medyo malayo na siya sa amin at hindi pinansin si Jethro kaya tumakbo na ang loko.

Pagpasok ko sa Kalasag ay naroon na ang halos na. Halos lahat din ay naka-jacket. I didn't bother to remove my hood, it feels comfortable. I walked straight on our table.

When I puller my chair, I saw something. The brown paper again and it's message written in Baybayin. I don't memorized the Baybayin so thanks to it's translation in every letter.

Napangiti ako habang kinukuha iyon. Masasanay na ako kung araw-araw may ganito. I like the effort, kudos to him... or her?

I smiled while reading it's double meaning message. Parang parte ng tula.

"Ako ang apoy na nagliliyab at dahan-dahang tumutupok sa puso mong malamig pa sa buwig ng mga yelo."

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