When Blue Descends

CHAPTER 8

"What if he's late or something, would you give him another chance?" Kimberly asked as she puts down the menu board and raises her hand to call the waiter.

I then look straight into her eyes and smiled.

"What a professional, huh?" I responded.

She just smiled and shake her head slowly.

Time went past shortly as I looked at my wristwatch saying it's 1: 03 in the afternoon. Halos makabisado ko na iyong mukha ng mga pumapasok sa restaurant at hindi pa rin dumadating si Mr. Gregory.

I looked at Kimberly whose food is almost finished while I haven't even touched my cheesecake and iced americano.

"What a feast," I sarcastically said and started eating my food.

"Pfft, he's already late," she responded and puts her folder on the chair available for Mr. Gregory.

"Does he have an email?" I asked still trying not to think bad of him.

"Lemme check," Kimberly said as he reaches out for her tablet and looks for an email.

"You have a lot of emails... but there is none from him..." Kimberly said busy scrolling through my emails.

"You know what to do," I said as I rolled my eyes.

Freaking asshole. That freaking guy rejected me before and now he dares to propose a project to me but then ghosts me in the meeting. So f*cking professional.

"Even though I can't read your emotion, there is no way you are not mad," Kimberly said laughing.

"I am mad," I said and shook my head. Good thing, my experiences before trained me to never show my weaknesses such as when I am mad and sad...

"Khatalina, take our pictures!"

I then lift my head as I heard Tiffany's voice, a student from section two. Tiffany has this medium-length hair tied into a french braid and teary eyes.

She was pointing at Jaxen who is standing still beside her.

"Why would I do that?" I asked as I sit properly and stopped staring at the view by the window here in my sit.

She then laughed dumbfounded. "We need pictures for the campaign," she said as she takes my hand slightly yanking it.

"We? Hindi nga ako sasama!" Pagtanggi ko habang nakatingin nang masama kay Jaxen na ngayon ay nakangiti pa na prenteng nakapamulsa at nakatingin din sa akin.

"We need you, Khat," pagmamakaawa naman ni Tiffany sa akin na gustong tumakbong secretary sa party ni Jaxen ng student council.

Jaxen has been pursuing me to run as his vice president in the student council but I just always refuse his offer as I am busy with my company. I barely have a day off and if I were to run a student council, I don't think I can sleep pa. Every day, almost 4 hours maximum lang ang tulog ko which I know is not healthy but that's just how I have been living for years now that my company got known and still, I am studying as a senior high school student.

People say that I should just stop studying since I am already successful but I always refuse to quit school. It is indeed exhausting keeping up with my daily schedules and works. Idagdag pa iyong stress sa iba't ibang taong nakakasalamuha ko but school makes me happy. In here, I can show my goofy side dahil kapag nasa Ethereal na ako, even though I am younger than my employees I still have to be professional. I have told them that despite being younger than them, I still deserve to be respected as their boss. I want them to be comfortable around me but still not losing any respect. I have observed kasi na kapag masyadong close mo iyong ibang tao, minsan nawawala na iyong respeto sa iyo. Ayoko naman na itrato lang nila ako na boss lang. Of course, I want them to treat me as their friend also. We should have limitations and a fine line between being comfortable and professional. Well at least because that is what I am known for. For my professionalism despite being young and to top that with my undecipherable emotions. But I know that having a friend needs respect as well. I want to have fun with them with respect. The same goes here in school, I want them to see me as a student and not the famous and successful Khatalina.

"Come on, Khat. Sumama kana. I know you have great plans for this school," saad ni Jaxen.

"I don't have any," pagtanggi ko parin saka tumayo para takasan sila pero hindi naman ako nakalayo dahil hinawakan ni Jaxen iyong braso ko para pigilan ako dahilan para mapalingon ako sa kaniya.

Tumingin naman siya sa mga mata ko nang diretso saka naglakad palapit sa akin nang hindi binibitawan iyong braso ko.

"Hindi mo ako mapipilit," sabi ko saka umayos ng tayo at tinitigan siya pabalik nang nakangiti.

Ngumiti rin naman siya sa akin saka lumapit pa at nag-iwan ng isang dangkal na pagitan sa katawan namin. He then let go of my arm and put both of his hand in his pocket.

Napahalukipkip naman ako at tinaasan siya ng kilay.

"Ano, hindi talaga kayo magkakasundong dalawa?" Rinig kong saad ni Andrew na paupo sa upuan niya.

"SINO BA NAGSABING HINDI KAMI MAGKASUNDO?" sabay pa na sabi namin ni Jaxen.

Nanahimik naman si Andrew at nangingiti nalang na naupo. Napansin ko namang nakatingin lang si Jaxen kay Andrew kaya naman dahan-dahan akong naglakad palayo sa kaniya para makaiwas na sa pamimilit niya sa akin.

"Tatakas si Khatalina!!!" sigaw ni Tristan na ikinagulat ko kaya naman sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at napatakbo palabas ng room namin nang makita kong biglang humarap sa akin si Jaxen at akmang hahabulin ako.

"Waah!" Impit kong tili saka binilisan ang pagtakbo.

"Khatalina!!!" Sigaw ni Jaxen.

Hindi ko naman mapigilang ma-excite kaya naman mas binilisan ko pa ang pagtakbo at halos makipagpatintero sa ilang estudyante na nakakalat sa corridor. Napakislap naman ang mata ko nang makita ko ang clinic room.

Nagmamadali naman akong lumapit dito at napatingin sa likod ko at malapit na akong mahabol ni Jaxen kaya agad akong pumunta sa loob at isinara ang ibang kurtina. Pumunta ako sa dulong kama saka sinara ang kurtina ko at nagtalukbong ng kumot. Mabuti nalang at walang tao rito sa clinic. Tinakpan ko naman ang bibig ko para mapigilan ang malakas na paghinga dulot ng hingal. Binaliwala ko naman iyong mumunting pawis na unti-unting namumuo sa balat ko gawa ng pagtakbo at pagtatalukbong ng kumot na lalong nagpainit sa katawan ko.

Halos iyong mabilis na t***k ng puso ko nalang iyong naririnig ko at halos huminto naman ito sa mabilis na pagtibok nang marinig kong bumukas ang pinto ng clinic.

I bit my lips as I heard heavy footsteps walking in the room and his breathing. I can hear that he was looking under the tables in the clinic.

I almost did not breathe as I heard the curtains being opened slowly one by one... until mine opens.

"f**k," I whispered as I slowly closed my eyes and acted sleeping when he took the blanket away from my body.

"You sleeping?" he asked as I did not bother to move.

"C'mon, hinihingal ka pa oh," he said nang maramdaman kong gumalaw iyong kama na para bang naupo siya. I can also hear his breathing.

"Umayos k-ka na. Ang gulo na ng uniform mo oh," saad niya saka binato ulit sa akin iyong kumot at naglakad na palayo sa akin dahilan para mapadilat na ako. I saw his face red making me scan myself.

My skirt is lifted and exposing my bare thighs and my long-sleeve polo is already ruined.

Napatayo naman na ako dahil baka abutan pa kami rito ng nurse. Inayos ko muna ang itsura ko bago lumabas ng classroom. Mahirap na baka mamaya mag-isip pa ng masama iyong iba.

"Tara na," saad niya.

Hindi ko naman napansin na naghihintay pala siya sa may pinto saka hinatak na ako pabalik sa room. Tahimik lang siya habang naglalakad kami kaya hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam ng awkwardness.

The corridor still has some students lurking around but then there is none in front of our room making my eyebrows furrowed.

"Saan kayo galing?" napahinto naman ako sa pagpasok sa room nang marinig ko iyong boses ni Ms. Jabal na nasa loob ng room.

Oh, I see. That is why there are no students in front of our class...

Napatingin naman ako sa orasan at may 10 minutes pa naman bago matapos ang breaktime pero nandito na siya ngayon kaya naman nagtago na ako.

"Patay," bulong ko.

"Sorry we're late--"

"I don't accept late students. Bumalik kayo after this period," putol ni Ms. Jabal kay Jaxen. Nag-sorry naman kaming dalawa sa kaniya saka niya kami sinarahan ng pinto.

"Who's that?" Tanong niya sa akin.

"Si Ms. Jabal, History teacher natin. Pumapasok lang siya tuwing Biyernes kaya mahigpit siya," sagot ko saka naupo nalang sa tapat ng room namin samantalang nanatili naman siyang nakatayo.

"Does that give her the rights to leave us behind despite us being 'late'?" tanong niya.

"I don't know and I don't really care. Kasalanan mo kaya tayo na-late eh," saad ko saka ginaya siya na sumenyas ng quotation marks nang sabihing late.

He then snickers.

"Ako pa? Sino ba tumakbo?" sagot niya saka ako tinaasan ng kilay.

"Oo, kasalanan mo dahil namimilit ka," sagot ko.

Napabuntong hininga naman siya saka naupo sa tabi ko saka inilabas ang phone niya mula sa bulsa niya.

"Then huwag na," saad niya saka kinuha naman ang earphone niya sa coat niya at nakinig ng kung ano man sa phone niya habang nakasandal sa pader at nakapikit.

I hurriedly revoke my gaze refraining myself to stare at his side profile. I then darted my eyes at my uniform skirt and tried to push the hem lower so it can cover more of my thighs. I then gave up as it doesn't work and just closed my eyes as well.

I then flinched when I felt fabric cover my thighs causing me to open my eyes and see Jaxen's coat on my lap.

"Stop that kvetch to come out of your mouth. You don't want guys staring at your thighs," he said with his eyebrows furrowed still closed eyes.

I remained silent feeling my face gets warm until I saw a familiar figure coming our way.

"s**t," I said as I stand up and walks in a different direction.

"Where you going?!" Jaxen yelled.

"Khatalina!" rinig kong tawag sa akin ni Renzial kaya naman napatakbo ako.

What a day of endless running. Just... you guys... leave me alone...

Agad akong umakyat ng hagdan papunta sa central control room at kung siniswerte nga naman ako ay bukas ito at walang tao. Sumilip naman ako sa pinto para tignan kung may tao ba sa labas ng kwarto at sakto namang may narinig akong yabag paakyat ng hagdan dahilan para mapatago ako sa ilalim ng mesa kung saan nakapatong ang sandamakmak na monitors.

I bit my lips as my eyes started adjusting to the cold yet dark room. It is so quiet in here and only the sound coming from the aircon and me were the only things I can hear in this huge darkroom.

"I am n-not afraid... this is just like a horror house," I whispered.

I wish horror house nalang ito para hindi nakakatakot dahil kahit papaano alam kong tao ang gumagalaw ng mga bagay kaysa sa mga ganitong lugar at hindi ako pamilyar kung ano-ano bang nilalang ang mga naririto.

"Khatalina! Nakita niyo ba siya?" Rinig kong boses ni Renzial kaya naman lalo akong napasiksik sa ilalim ng lamesa. I can feel spider webs under the table na nababangga ko na at hindi ko nalang pinansin. I just hope that there is no huge spider in here.

"Wala sa taas, pre!" Rinig kong sagot ng ibang lalaki na siguradong mga ka-basketball team ni Renzial.

I started sweating despite the turned-on aircon in the room trying to not scared myself.

Narinig ko namang nagsibabaan iyong mga hakbang nila dahilan para mapabuntong hininga ako at halos mabunutan ng tinik sa dibdib.

Pero agad din namang bumalik iyong mabigat na pakiramdam ko nang may marinig akong hakbang sa labas ng central control room hudyat na may naiwang isa sa kanila.

I know I shouldn't be hiding from Renzial but it is just that I am kind of scared to refuse on somewhat like him because I know that despite him being the varsity and charming, I have learned that he also has not-so-good friends...

If I would be rejecting him, baka lalo niya lang saktan si Pauline. I know that we can just talk it out but Renzial is different. I am not underestimating his maturity, I just noticed that his ex-girlfriend was getting bullied every day after they broke up. I don't know the reason and I don't really want to assume that it was his doings but... I can't help it. It is better to think of better actions first rather than moving without thinking. Mahirap narin at baka magkagulo pa kami.

"Babe, what time ba kayo matatapos?" Mitchell asked, Renzial's girlfriend.

She was clinging into Renzial's arm who is busy reading the school's newspaper. My eyes automatically darted around the math club room. The other members were just eating and some were discussing about our new project. I know that the members of this club do not really like Mitchelle. They always say that she has this aura that they don’t like. I mean, I feel it too but that does not really mean that I should be mean and ignoring her. Wala naman siyang masamang ginagawa sa akin.

"Saglit," rinig kong saad ni Renzial sa girlfriend niyang si Mitchell nang hindi niya tinatapunan man lang ng tingin.

I then decided to just mind my own business and took my backpack uses it as a pillow and try to close my eyes.

It is currently our breaktime and dito nalang kami tumambay sa room namin sa math club dahil may meeting din kami maya-maya. I was about to sleep when I felt a slight tap on my shoulder making me lift my gaze and see Mitchell looking worried.

"Why?" I asked.

“C-can you help me?” she asked stuttering while looking around the room.

Napakunot naman ang noo ko saka napaangat ng ulo para tignan ang paligid. Ganoon parin naman gaya ng kanina. Ang naiba lang is wala na ngayon si Renzial sa room. I once again look at her. Why is she still here? Hindi naman siya member ng Math Club at wala naman na si Renzial rito.

“Bakit?” balik na tanong ko sa kaniya at umayos ng upo.

“Help me find Renzial…” halos bulong na sagot niya na lalong ikinakunot ng noo ko.

“Renzial? Eh hindi ba kasama mo lang siya kani-kanina?” takang tanong ko.

“Saan ba siya nagpunta?” pahabol na tanong ko pa.

She was still looking around the room distressed making me really curious about what’s happening still calming myself up.

“Sabi niya magbabanyo lang daw siya p-pero kasi… may iba akong nararamdaman,” para namang naiiyak niya na sagot.

Napakamot naman ako sa pisngi ko saka tumayo na at inaya na siyang lumabas para tulungan siya.

“Khatalina, no matter what you hear or see… can you just keep it to yourself? And if you saw Renzial first, please hatakin mo na siya pabalik sa math club,” she asked making me feel suspicious of what’s happening.

Curious, I just decided to nod and not ask more questions.

We started taking different paths just so we can find him quickly.

“Paano ko naman malalaman kung nasaang lupalop iyong si Renzial?” tanong ko sa sarili habang palabas ng building.

I suddenly got the urge to check the back part of the building. I then started walking around the building and saw nothing but trees and logs littered. I was about to turn my back at it when I heard a tree branch being broken as of it was stepped on by someone.

Napalingon naman ako para hanapin iyong pinagmulan ng ingay at sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon ay nakita ko si Mitchelle na may kausap na lalaki. It looks like they were talking about something serious. Anyway, it is not my business.

I decided to turn my back at them pero lalo naman akong nagulat nang makasalubong ko iyong seryosong mukha ni Renzial na nakatingin din kay Mitchelle at doon sa isang lalaking hindi ko kilala. Prente lang siyang nakapamulsa at hindi pa kumukurap na nakatingin sa dalawa.

“Khatalina, you should go,” Renzial said and smiled bitterly at me.

“Renzial, I know I am not in the right position to step in your problems but please, talk it out with your girlfriend,” I said saka naglakad na palayo sa kaniya.

“I will…” he uttered almost whispering.

Back then I was really happy na Renzial would be mature enough to face his cheating girlfriend but after that day, rumors started coming up that they broke up without saying the reason so some students speculate that they just don’t click. And suddenly Mitchelle was bullied by Renzial’s fans. Kahit iyong mga ka-team niya sa basketball ay mukhang mainit ang tingin kay Mitchelle noon until Mitchelle decided to transfer into a different school.

On the other hand, Renzial was still the nice varsity player in the school. Whenever I will always have interactions with him, he acts as if I didn’t know anything. Still, it wasn’t my business. I think mabait naman si Renzial but if someone will hurt him, I don’t think he is the type of guy who would just accept it and forgets about it.

Bumalik naman ako sa katinuan nang marinig ko iyong iilang hakbang papalapit dito sa kuwarto.

The door then suddenly creaks as light comes in the room from the outside followed by a shadow of a man whistling. He then walks inside the room and uttered something to himself.

"Okay, back to work"