CHAPTER 32

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Nagising akong nakapatong ang mga hita ni Charlotte sakin kaya pala nahihirapan akong gumalaw kasi ang bigat niya. Dahan-dahan akong gumalaw to ease her hand on her side. Umupo ako at nag-unat pagkakuway tiningnan sila na natutulog. It's just 5am in the morning at medyo madilim pa kaya napagdesisyonan kong lumabas muna.

Malamig na simoy ng hangin ang sumalubong sakin pagkabukas ko ng pintuan. I inhaled the air at ngumiti. Gusto kong maglakad-lakad muna. I descended the stairs instead of using the elevator, aiming to start the day with some early morning energy. Reaching the third floor, as I walked down the steps, I glimpsed a familiar figure moving swiftly, almost like a breeze. Nagulat ako at the same time ay nacurious.

Hindi ako nagkakamali. Si Ma'am Rhea talaga ʼyon.

Mabilis pero maingat ko siyang sinundan. She's walking so fast kaya patago-tago akong sumusunod sa kanya. Tumigil siya sa isang nakasaradong pintuan pero tumingin-tingin muna siya sa paligid. Agad akong nagtago nang mapadpad ang tingin niya sa pinagtataguan ko at buti nalang mabilis akong nakatago. She covertly unlocked the door, and from a distance, I observed her every action. Her movements appeared dubious, as if she was concealing something. I couldn't help but wonder whose room she was entering.

Mabilis at maingat siyang pumasok. Maagap ko rin siyang pinapanood. It's Ma'am Rhea. Hindi ako nagkakamali, siya talaga. Anong gagawin niya sa kwartong hindi sa kanya?

After waiting for a few minutes for her to emerge, she finally reappeared. She closed the door with caution and immediately left, her eyes scanning every corner. My curiosity intensified - kaninong kwarto and pinasok niya?

As I lingered, hoping to catch a glimpse of the room's occupant, no one came out. Could it be that there was no one inside? What had she done in there?

My attention was abruptly diverted as Sir Montejo stepped out of the elevator. Quickly, I concealed myself to avoid being seen.

"I'm following your instructions, Dad. No need to worry. Everything is secure and under control," Sir Montejo's voice reverberated down the hallway, his words reaching my ears distinctly.

Secure? What could he possibly be referring to?

Tumingin-tingin muna ito bago pumasok sa loob at kausap pa rin kung sino man ang kausap niya sa cellphone.

Hindi ako nakagalaw sa pinagtataguan ko. What is the meaning of this?

Ma'am Rhea's actions that caught me in puzzled. Sir Montejo's word while he's in line.

Lumabas ako sa pinagtataguan ko at nagulat nalang ako nang may boses na nagsalita sa likod ko.

"Frey? What are you doing here?" Ma'am Vivien's voice startled me.

"M-ma'am..." Kinakabahan kong sagot.

"Did I startled you? I'm sorry." She gently held my hand at pinisil.

"Medyo lang po...napadaan lang ako dito ma'am." I answered, not sure what to respond.

Tumingin siya sa likod ko, "Are you going to meet Professor Gab?" she asked.

"H-hindi po ma'am, naglakad lakad lang talaga ako." Pagrarason ko. Tsaka sinong engot ang lalabas nang ganitong oras para kausapin ang kumag na yon.

Ma'am Vivien nodded with a smile at bigla namang lumabas si Sir Montejo galing sa room niya. Nakangiti itong lumapit samin.

"Crixel and Miss Mercedez? Why are you present here at this early hour?" Sir Montejo inquired.

"I was actually heading down to prepare breakfast for the students, and I coincidentally met Frey here," she explained.

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