Freezing His Pain (Japan Series #3)

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Hindi roon nagtapos ang pagsasawalang-bahala at pag-ilag ni Dan sa akin. Sa sumunod na linggo, halos hindi ko mahagilap ang anino niya sa eskuwelahan. Talagang may paninindigan nga naman.

Not until Thursday approached and interactions between us became inevitable...

"Good afternoon, Ma'am! Excuse lang po. Letter from the principal."

From our OCC instructor, all eyes transferred to Kiko who was outside the classroom. The reason for coming here already announced, my classmates scandalously teased the two of us as he entered, as if he went here for me.

"Shh, class!" pananaway ng teacher na nangingiti. "Hindi ko maintindihan itong binabasa ko!"

A sheepish smile surfaced upon Kiko's lips as he toured his gaze. Nang matagpuan ako ay dali-daling nag-iwas at nagkagat-labi.

"Ngayon ba 'to sa time ko, 'nak?"

"Yes po, Ma'am."

"And only one representative is needed?"

He politely nodded. "And it is not necessary for the President to attend the meeting po. Kahit sino lang po sa officers." He found my eyes for the second time.

"Okay, then. Officers of the class, please stand up."

"Huy, officers daw."

My seatmate poked me, telling me stand up. Halos bumaligtad naman ang mga mata ko sa pag-ismid.

I'm just the muse. As if ako ang paa-attend-in sa meeting na sinasabi?

I rose in my seat nonetheless.

"Oh, Kiko, piliin mo na si Miss de Asis." Humagikgik si Ma'am na malisyosa ang salit-salitan na tingin sa aming dalawa. "Este... ikaw ang pumili kung sino pasasamahin sa'yo."

I knew who he would choose when everyone began chanting my name. Naghiyawan pa ang mga ito nang banggitin nga ng lalaki ang pangalan ko at ituro ang direksyon na kinalalagyan ko.

I was then putting my things inside my bag, readying to leave the room, when I heard a violent reaction.

"Hala, ba't si Viene? Ano'ng iaambag niyan sa meeting?" I heard Tanya whisper on the side.

Napalingon ako sa kausap nitong halatang dismayado ngunit kalmado pa rin ang postura. Kelly pretentiously elbowed her.

"Ano ka ba naman, Tanya. Everyone can attend meetings. Magshashare lang ng ideas and makikinig. Saka si Viene naman 'yan. Magaling." She looked at me and smiled. "Goodluck sa meeting, Viene!"

Inalis ko ang tingin sa kanila at saka lumabas na ng room, sakbit ang backpack.

Grabe. Dinaig pa barbie doll sa kaplastikan.

The succeeding days from when we had confrontation, she was acting nice and all which never have I expected from her. Subalit hindi na ako katulad ng dati. I don't mistake the kindness she displays anymore. Hindi na 'yon umuubra sa akin.

Moreover, I care much about them no more. Maraming bagay sa tabi-tabi na mas deserve paglaanan ng oras kakaisip. And why would I settle for fakes when I have Kuya, Meija, Gabriel, Kiko, and... well...

Do I still have Dan? Or I have lost him already?

"Is it okay to you? I'm sorry. I should've asked you first."

Kiko and I are now sauntering the path that leads to the gymnasium. The assembly will be held there and its purpose is to canvass the groundwork for the upcoming foundation week. Iyong representatives ng ibang strand ay bumili muna ng pagkain na babaunin sa meeting.