Heaven Academy

18 - Iris, the role model

18 - Iris, the role model

"Akala ko ba, Friday is for Physical Education? Bakit naka-uniform pa rin tayo at bakit kailangang magpunta pa sa classroom?" pagrereklamo ko kay Saryo habang naglalakad kami patungo sa main building ng Heaven Academy. Inaantok pa ako at giniginaw din. Huling linggo pa lang ng November pero parang pasko na dahil sa lamig hangin.

"It's for attendance," sagot niya. "Nandito ka na last Friday, 'di ba?"

"Ah, oo. Sa room nga rin kami dumiretso that time. But we weren't able to do anything or attend any class dahil nag-eskandalo si Mr. Diaz."

He chuckled. "You always exaggerate with your words."

"But why do we have to wear our uniforms just for attendance? At bakit din nag-aattendance pa eh boarding school naman 'to? Alam naman nila kung may lalabas o wala."

"Agang-aga andami mong reklamo," sabi niya na para bang kung sinong close sa'kin. I don't really understand why I'm so comfortable with the half-japanese siblings. I'm actually considering them as my friends even though I've only known them for a week. Siguro dahil sa dinami-rami ng mga estudyante rito, sila pa lang ang nakita ko na mukhang walang itinatago.

Inirapan ko lang si Saryo. Sakto rin na nakapasok na kami sa loob ng main building. "Bakit hindi natin kasabay ang kapatid mo?"

Nagkibit-balikat siya. "Nagmamadali yata."

"Ang aga pa ah?"

Again, he just shrugged his shoulders. We silently passed on the quiet hallways. Like what I said, maaga pa kaya wala pa halos estudyante.

Maaga pa, kaya nagtaka ako nang marinig na para bang may party sa loob ng classroom namin. Nagkatinginan kami ni Saryo. Kahit pa nasa tapat na kami ng classroom nila, sumama siya sa'kin para makiusyoso sa kung ano ang nangyayari sa classroom namin.

"Sky!"

I could only raise an eyebrow as Saryo rushed towards his sister who was slumped on the floor again. Parang naulit lang 'yong nangyari noong unang Lunes ko sa Heaven Academy. The angels are doing their thing.

"Oh. Hi, Sarge!" Keisha beemed when she saw him. Geez. Kung makabati siya parang hindi siya kasali sa mga nambu-bully sa kapatid ni Saryo.

"Ano'ng ginawa ni—" Saryo wasn't able to finish his question when a guy kicked him. I don't know how strong that kick was but he ended up falling in front of his sister. Akala ko ba basketball player siya?

"Dion!" Keisha looked like a kid who's throwing tantrums. Para bang may laruan siyang sinira ng ibang bata. Nilingon ko ang lalaking inirapan niya at napagtantong isa 'yon sa mga alagad ni Luther. Tsk.

"Agang-aga, Sarge," para bang inaantok pa na sabi ni Dion. "Nagkakatuwaan lang kami. Pampagising." He walked towards the siblings and squatted so he could see their faces. "'Wag kang panira ng trip, ha?"

Dion casually raised his left hand like he was about to hit Saryo. And I thought, okay, oras na para mangialam.

I rushed inside the classroom and, just on time, slapped Dion Estrada's hand. Nagulat siya. Nagulat silang lahat. Gasps and a whole new level of tension filled the entire room.

Dahan-dahang tumayo si Dion na mukhang gulat pa rin sa ginawa ko. Grabe ang panlilisik ng mga mata niya nang lumingon siya sa'kin, pero hindi man lang ako natakot. "Tinampal mo ang kamay ko?"

I kept a straight face. "If that's what you call it."

He chuckled and looked up at the ceiling. Hindi ko alam kung amazed ba siya sa'kin o nagtitimpi lang siya na patayin ako.