Against the Tides

Kabanata 7

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Curious

Dahil sa story ni Denarie, hindi ako nakatulog nang ayos. All I think about is the hate I feel toward Sir Axel.

No human deserves betrayal. I hate cheating. Whenever I read a book with cheating on it, I'll immediately drop it. No one can convince me to give it a chance because the character was already given the chance to love their lover. No matter how heavy the grovelling or chasing scene, I. Can't. Stand. What. They. Did.

Kaya nang makita kong pumasok si Sir Axel sa room sa sumunod na araw, I can't help but roll my eyes. Patago iyon para hindi niya makita. Not to mention, he was already looking at me as soon as he entered.

"Prayer leader?"

Walang sumagot sa mga kaklase ko. Ang iba ay sumilip pa sa akin para sabihing ako ang liaison kaya dapat ako ang magdasal.

I sighed and stood up. I didn't even raise my hand. Lahat sila'y tumayo para magdasal. Ako naman ay naglakad sa unahan. The room fell silent in preparation for prayer.

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."

I recited a spontaneous prayer.

"Lord, we adore you. We glorify you. We praise you. Lord, we're sorry for all the betrayal we've done. We're sorry for being disobedient, for being selfish, for hurting those who blatantly oppose us. Please forgive us. Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful day you've given to us. Thank you for the opportunity to wake up every morning and live. Lord, please give us the strength and wisdom in everything we do. Guide us as we journey through this life full of hardship, betrayal, and injustices. We ask all of these through your son, Jesus Christ, the wounded healer. Amen."

Pagkatapos ko'y umupo na ako. Bumati si Sir Axel sa buong klase samantalang ako'y hindi. They all greeted him while standing. On the other hand, I was already sitting on my chair. Matapang ko siyang pinakatitigan.

He noticed it—me sitting down while the others are still standing. He raised a brow. I swear I saw him smirk for a split seconds before he returned to his almighty stoic face.

Lala nudged me for being stubborn. Siguro'y napansin niya ang masamang tingin sa akin ni Sir Axel.

"You may all sit down." He commanded the class.

Naghamunan kami ng tinginan. Ako ang unang bumitiw sa titigan namin. I bowed down as I try to scribble gibberish words on my paper. Ang totoo, nakaramdam ako ng kaba. Despite me being standing up for myself, trying to loath him, there's this side of me who wants to be obedient. To stop myself from disrespecting the man in front of us. Kasi sino ba naman ang maglalakas ng loob na ungkatin ang personal na buhay ng professor namin? Ako lang naman.

Guilt crept within me and I hate it. I never, not once, felt guilt in my life. Ngayon lang. And it's all thanks to this man named Axel James Ortillano.

Gone was the good and kind Aenna Gale that my family believed. The demon inside of me is starting to wake from its long slumber. The reason? Axel James Ortillano.

I kept my serious game up until our succeeding tutoring sessions.

Maganda na 'yon kaysa naman maungkat pa namin ang ginawa niyang cheating. Because if he asked me, I wouldn't hesitate to just drop the contest so I won't see him up close.

Exactly two weeks and five days, my life has been mundane. It went by just fine. My friends and I even ordered ice cream outside of our school because we'd been craving vanilla ice cream and peach mango pie.