Bullet

Prelude

July 2022, QUEZON CITY---The former major general of Philippine Army Institution stated, "the PAI is not involved in any of this (conflict between Guerilla and Task Force 157). We do not even know that there are such groups here in the country. But we assure you that the PAI will provide aid in solving this conflict, and will do everything to maintain the peace and safety of the Philippines".

NAPAHIKAB ako at isinara na muna ang laptop. Ala una pa lang sa hapon pero makulimlim ang buong kalangitan. Parang ala sais na tuloy at pagabi na. It's Sunday and it is my day-off. Naisipan kong magbasa ng mga online news at articles at ang mga bago ay tungkol sa namumuong palitan ng bala sa gitna ng dalawang grupo.

The official country's soldiers aren't even involved with it, that's why it is so controversial. Mga terorista raw ang Guerilla, at ang Task Force 157 ay ang sikretong organisasyon ng Filipinas. I can only imagine that there are secret agents and mercenaries going around this issue.

Mercenaries? Damn. Huwag na lang. Mas mapanganib sila. They are after the money and the job. They kill for whoever paid for their skill.

Napahilot ako sa noo at napapikit. Madilim ang kalangitan kaya madilim din sa loob ng bahay. And here I am reading a full-brightness screen while there is darkness around me. Sumakit tuloy ang mga mata ko kakabasa.

Iginilid ko ang laptop ko sa katabing espasyo at tumayo para buksan ang ilaw. I switched it on and sat again on the sofa. I took my small, plastic attache case and I automatically smiled upon seeing my pupils' cute drawings and handwritings.

I asked them to write and draw for their future selves. Gagawa kami ng time capsule at ibabaon namin sa labas lang ng classroom. I gave them this task after our tree planting activity.

Alam ko, alam ko. Time capsule at nakatupi na nga pero parang nasasabik pa rin akong tingnan. Knowing my students, they are all witty, creative, and funny. As in. And they call me, "ate" or "mama" or "teacher ganda". Kaya mahal na mahal ko ang klase ko.

I took one folded paper and opened it. Napangiti ako sa nakita. It's from Louie. He drew a a stick boy and a girl holding hands together.

Dear Malaking Louie James Santos,

Sana mapanaginipan kita bukas tapos sabihin mo sa akin kung magkasama na kayo ngayon ni Gigi! Sana crush niya na rin tayo! Para happy!

Crush pala ni Louie si Gigi. Hmm.

I folded it again and chose another. Nang buksan ko ay bumungad naman sa akin ang isang simpleng guhit ng aso---hindi, pusa? Parang baka. Ewan. It's from Yuna.

Dear future self,

Sana may aso ka na.

Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ko ngunit malakas na napahalakhak. Heck, this child. Ano kayang magiging reaksiyon niya kapag nabasa niya na ito pagkatapos ng sampung taon? By then, she would be 19 years old.

Ang sunod ko namang nabuksan ay kay Gigi. Knowing that Louie has a crush on her, I got curious of what she wrote and drew.

And . . . it's a cross.

Dear old me,

Sabi ni teacher magsulat daw kami sa future self namin. But she never told us what age. So, I chose to write this to my future ghost. Hi, future old me / ghost! Alam kong patay na tayo dahil old na tayo like lolo, but I just want to tell you that you are always beautiful even with those wrinkles, and even if we are all bones! Hehe.

Hindi man lang nabanggit si Louie sa sinulat niya. I sighed. Napahilot ako sa sintido ng wala sa oras. Matalino itong si Gigi. She's the silent but witties girl I have ever met. Tingnan mo at sinulatan pa ang ghost version ng sarili niya. But I admire how she admires herself. That's right, baby.