Once Upon a Time in Tukuran

CHAPTER 5

C H A S E

"OKAY, thanks. That wouldn't be a problem."

"Thanks. I'll wait you both at the student council's office," Jasper said. I nodded and immediately end our call.

"Ano ang ginagawa mo rito?!" pasigaw na tanong niya.

Tiningnan ko ang gawi ni Mary na ngayon ay gulat na gulat na nakatingin sa akin. She looked at herself and looked at me again.

"Ano ang ginawa mo sa akin?!"

"It's already late. You should be in the school right now. Jasper told me to pick you up," I answered and put my cellphone in my pocket.

Nakita ko naman siyang napasampal sa noo niya. Baka naalala na niya ang nangyari at napagtantong baliw siya.

"Eat your breakfast right away. Ayoko na naghihintay," sabi ko at tiningnan siya nang may pagbabanta.

I walked to the room's door and before I got out, I stopped as I heard her voice again.

"Sandali! How was the approval of the students list na sasali sa council assistant?"

"I gather informations from your papers last night. Naayos ko na naman and also, Jasper has already approved it. I told him na ayos na sa 'yo and he approved it," I answered again without looking her back.

"At talagang pinakialaman mo ang gamit ko?"

I turned my gaze on her before answering.

"You should be thankful," may diin na sabi ko bago tuluyang lumabas sa kwarto niya.

Bumaba ako sa hagdan at nadatnan ang Mom ni Mary na kakalabas lang sa kusina.

"Chase, can you take care of Mary? I need to go to school now. Idadaan ko pa si Katie sa school nila. Also, you'll be in the campus for three days, I would like you to monitor her. I know that this—"

"It's okay, Tita. I'll take care of her. You shouldn't worry."

"Thank you, Chase," she said with a smile.

Tinawag niya si Katie and they both went out of the house.

Tinungo ko naman ang kusina at nakitang may nakahain doon na pagkain for breakfast. I already ate breakfast and the food was for Mary, for sure.

Mary Santiago, I didn't hate nor like her. I just wanted to do what my Mom wanted me to do. She wanted me to be close with that girl and spend my time in school doing good things. If I did that things, she would let me go back to our past hometown in Pampanga.

Gusto kong bumalik sa dati kong buhay.

"May oras pa ba? Makakahabol pa ba tayo?"

I saw Mary immediately sit in the chair and start eating her breakfast.

"Ano? Bingi ka na ngayon?" tanong niya ulit.

"You still have a lot of time. Magdahan-dahan ka nga. Walang humahabol sa 'yo," sabi ko naman.

"Edi sana sinabi mo kanina pa lang!" she said and drink a glass of water.

"I'll wait for you outside for five minutes," I said and walked outside the kitchen.

"Akala ko ba I still have a lot of time?! Pinagloloko mo ba talaga ako?!" rinig kong sigaw niya bago ako tuluyang makalabas sa kusina. I just shook my head and continue walking.

Nang makalabas ako sa bahay nina Mary ay tumunog naman ang cellphone ko na nasa bulsa ko lang. I picked it and answered the call.

"Hey, dude! How was it? Are you going back here?"

"Migs, I still need time. For sure, I would be back there, but not now. I have to do my Mom wanted me to do and if I succeed, I would manage to go back," I answered.

It was Migs, my best friend. We were buddies since highschool and got separated when I transferred college.

"That's good to hear, dude. But you know, Tiffany always bothering me because she was always looking for you. She didn't move on about your relationship, dude. You must talk to her." I sighed about what he said.

"Handle her as you can. I would reach her soon. Call me of something happened. I also need to go now," sabi ko naman.

"Okay. Stay safe, dude. Call me anytime kapag may problema." I nodded and ended the call.

"Tara na?"

I turned my gaze and saw Mary's face looking at me.

"Done?" I asked back. She nodded.

"Pinakialaman mo na naman gamit ko? Nawala ang hinanda kong gamit sa kwarto ko para sa camping."

"It was in the backseat of the car. Come on, let's go," I said and went inside the car that was parked in front of our house. I know how to drive and I have my license already.

"Ang sosyal, may pakotse pa na nalalaman," I heard Mary whispered.

Hindi ko binuksan ang pinto ng kotse para sa kanya at hinayaan siya na deretsong sumakay sa kotse.

"Well, being gentleman really doesn't suit you," she said when she finally entered the car.

Hindi ko siya pinansin at pinaandar na ang kotse.

"THANK you, Chase. Sa ginawa mo, nabawasan na ang gagawin ng student council. The students are slowly enjoying the camping dahil natapos kaagad ang preparations ng maaga," bungad ni Jasper nang makapasok ako kasama ni Mary sa office ng student council. Kami lang tatlo ang nandito sa loob.

"That's good to hear. Just inform me if I have to do something, I would be glad to help," sabi ko naman.

"Mabuti naman at may pakinabang din siya."

"Yes, Mary. And with that, makakapagpahinga ka sa mga assigned duties mo. Puwede mong ipaggawa sa kanya o sa members ng student council assistant ang mga gawain mo, but don't include those important papers. Alam mo na iyon," mahabang sabi ni Jasper.

"Finally! I'll stay here. Saka na ako lalabas kung kailangan na kailangan talaga. Chase, ikaw na ang bahala. I need to rest, inaatok pa talaga ako," Mary said.

"Make sure to join some activities later after. I have to go now," sabi ni Jasper.

"Sasamahan na kita. I want to know more about this area and get some informations from you."

"Sure, no problem. Maiwan ka na muna namin, Mary. Rest well," Jasper said and we left Mary alone in the student council office.

"HOW was it?" I asked Mary as we both looked in front of us.

"Ang ganda. Walang akong masabi," halos pabulong na sabi niya habang nakatingin pa rin sa harap. Nakatingin na ako sa kanya na ngayon ay mangha-mangha sa nakikita niya.

"The field was made up of bermuda grass so we used candles as bonfire. The juniors were already in their classrooms while the seniors—the fourth year and third year would be joining tonight's activity," I said.

We were just standing outside the student council's office, but from our spot, we can clearly see the oval field. There were two groups creating a circle form—the third year and fourth year students. They were sitting on the grass while on a circle form.

"Come on, we were going to eat dinner first before doing the activity. We should join the rest," sabi ni Jasper na kakalabas lang sa office.

Nakita ko naman si Mary na dali-daling tumakbo papunta sa kinaroroonan ng mga kaklase namin. Yeah, that's right. Mary and I were classmates.

"Come on, Chase. You shouldn't be shy with the others. We're family here." I just nodded as what Jasper said.

Nauna siyang maglakad papunta sa kinaroroonan ni Mary at simunod din naman ako. Hindi namin kaklase si Jasper, he has the education course major in mathematics, but he's also a fourth year college.

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin na sasali ka bilang assistant ng student council?" rinig kong tanong ni Mary sa babaeng katabi niya. I think she was her so close friend.

I sat down beside her while Jasper was also on the other side of me.

"Ang bilis kasi ng pangyayari! I didn't expect that too! Hindi mo nga rin ako sinabihan na naghahanap pala sila ng members na tutulong sa student council. Mabuti na lang at active ako sa website ng school at nakit ang post ni Chase," mahabang sabi ng babae.

"Seriously, Angel? I didn't want you to know dahil mahirap maging part—"

"Stop it! Kaya ko naman 'no? Anong akala mo sa akin? Saka, I was now a member of it so let's just enjoy and forget it, okay?"

Mary turned her gaze on me.

"Puwede kayang mag-alis ng members ang group niyo?" she asked.

"That's possible, but it would take long process," the person beside me answered, it was Jasper of course.

"Ang sama mo, Mary! Kapapasok ko lang tapos gusto muna akong paalisin ng s*******n?" Angel complained.

"Fine. Hindi na kita papakialaman," I heard Mary said.

A moment after, the food for dinner has been served to us. A few minutes later, we already ate our dinner and finally, the activity for tonight has been started.

"There were three boxes here, each card color has its representation. The yellow card means thank you, the red card means friendship, and the blue card means sorry. After picking the three cards, each of us must stand in front and hand the different cards to the people we wanted to gave it. Nakuha niyo ba?" mahabang paliwanag ni Jasper. Nasa gitna siya naming lahat.

Nagsitanguan naman ang iba at nagsimula na rin ang activity.

"Angel, you're next," sabi ni Jasper. Nakita ko naman na tumayo ang babae na katabi ni Mary.

Kumuha siya ng isang card sa tatlong box, pagkatapos ay tumayo sa harap namin at tiningnan kami isa-isa.

"I would give the blue s***h sorry card to Jasper!" Angel said and slowly walked towards Jasper. Inabot niya.

"Sa 'yo ko ito ibibigay dahil I wanted to say sorry kung naging pabigat man akong student dito sa school. At saka wala rin pala akong ibang mapagbibigyan kaya sa 'yo na lang."

I heard Jasper chuckled because of what Angel said.

"Next was the yellow card s***h thank you card This card would be for Chase. I wanted to thank you for coming in our school. Dahil sa 'yo, nabuo ang student council assistant, nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataon na pumasok at nabigyan ng pagkakataon na matulungan ang bestfriend ko."

Itinaas ko naman ang kamay ko at kinuha ang blue card na nasa nakaabot niyang kamay sa akin.

"You're welcome," tanging sabi ko.

"Lastly, the red card s***h the friendship card. This card would be for my only bestfriend who was very loyal to me kahit madalas nakakainis ako at madaldal. I was happy to have met you and I also witnessed your downfall. I would be happy to cheer you up anytime and anywhere. Sana maging matatag ka palagi, Mary. Our friendship would never end 'til the end of the world."

Tiningnan ko si Mary na nakatingin ng seryoso kay Angel.

"I was blessed to have you, Angel. Salamat sa lahat. I would remember your words 'til the end," sabi ni Mary bago kinuha ang red card na nasa nakaabot na kamay ni Angel.

"Mary, you're next," rinig kong sabi ni Jasper.

I saw Mary stood up. She walked to where the boxes were and pick one card inside of the there colored boxes.

"Kahit madalas akong naiinis sa 'yo, I was still glad of having your presence beside me. If you wanted my help, I would always be here," may ngiting sabi ni Mary habang hawak niya ang red card sa kamay niya at nakaabot kay Angel

Agad naman iyong kinuha ni Angel at mabilis na niyakap si Mary. Kumawala rin naman sila sa yakapan nila.

"I'm sorry for being a selfish person. I didn't realize sooner that I already forgotten our hangouts. Let's end this year with no regrets, Jasper." Kinuha naman ni Jasper ang blue card na inabot ni Mary sa kanya.

"You shouldn't have said that. Ako—kami dapat ang humingi ng tawad dahil naging abala kami at hindi ka namin masyadong nasamahan noong kailan mo kami."

"Ayos na ako, Jasper. Ang mahalaga ay ang kasalukuyan. As what I've said, let's end this year with no regrets," Mary said with a smile again.

"Then let's do that." Ngumiti rin pabalik si Jasper sa kanya.

Mabilis na kinapa ko naman ang cellphone ko nang mag-vibrate iyon. I immediately opened it and saw a text message in it.

From Migs:

I let Tiffany have your number. I'm sorry, dude. She manage to sneak in my cellphone and got your cellphone number. If ever you recieve her calls or messages, please call me asap. I need to know what's your plan for this.

I sighed after I read the message from Migs. This was really a problem, I must fix this as soon as possible.

"Thank you."

May nakita akong yellow card na nakaabot sa akin. Itinaas ko naman ang tingin ko sa may-ari ng kamay kung nasaan ang yellow card. Bumungad sa akin ang mukha ni Mary.

"For what?" tanong ko.

"Thank you," pag-uulit niya.

Nanatili naman ang tingin ko sa kanya habang siya rin ay nakatingin din sa akin. Ilang sandali lang ay inabot ko rin naman ang yellow card na ibinigay niya.

"You're welcome..." tanging sabi ko.

Hindi siya ngumiti o nakasimangot. Talagang nakatingin lang siya sa akin na parang wala lang. Pinagtitripan niya ba ako?

"You're next, Chase," rinig kong sabi ni Jasper na nasa tabi ko. Nakaupo na rin si Mary sa tabi ko—sa kabilang side.

Tumayo naman ako papunta sa kinaroroonan ng tatlong box at kumuha ang isang card sa bawat box. Naglakad ako pabalik hanggang sa huminto sa paglalakad ang mga paa ko sa harap ni Mary. I handed her the three cards.

"Anong trip 'yan?" she asked as she looked at the three cards on my hand.

"Sorry if I caused you trouble."

Nakita ko naman na kinuha niya ang blue card sa kamay ko.

"I would take this since you gave me stress on your first day here. Kung dadagdagan mo pa 'yon, mawawalan ng silbi ang card na 'to," sabi niya.

"Thank you because even if you hated me, you still manage to talk to me." Kinuha niya naman ang yellow card pagkatapos kong sabihin iyon.

"Mabuti naman at alam mo na hate kita. Wala na rin naman akong magagawa, mas lalo ko lang papahirapan ang sarili ko kung iyon ang papairalin ko."

"I wanted you to be my friend."

Nakita ko naman siyang nakatingin sa red card na hawak ko at nakaabot sa kanya. Katahimikan ang namayani sa paligid. A moment after, she turned her gaze on me.

"I'll keep it. But it doesn't mean that we're already friends now. I still need to monitor you time to time. Besides, I didn't like having friends with troublemakers," seryosong sabi niya habang nakatingin sa akin bago kinuha ang red card sa kamay ko.

It wouldn't really be easy to be friends with her as what I have expected from the very beginning. But I need to try my best in order to convince my Mom that I could do things that would help me to gain what I wanted.

"It's finally my turn."

I sat down as Jasper stood up.

"Hindi ako magagalit kung babawiin mo ang mga sinabi mo kanina. Let's be honest, Chase. Ayoko ng plastikan lalo na't ramdam ko naman na ayaw mo rin sa akin."

I looked at her.

Nakita kong nakatingin siya sa harapan niya kaya ibinaling ko rin ang atensiyon ko sa harapan namin.

"Sinabi ko lang ang gusto kong sabihin."