The Girl who Lived

13. The Capital Letters

Kahit kanina pa nakaalis ang ambulansya ay naririnig ko pa rin ang maingay na tunog ng sirena. The crowd of onlookers had dispersed just a few minutes ago when the victim was finally taken to the hospital. Kahit malayo ako sa kanila ay alam kong naghihingalo ang lalaki at ginagawa ang lahat para mabuhay.

But even though help arrived, I don’t think that he’ll last long. Masyadong malakas ang pagkakabangga sa kanya kaya malala rin ang pinsalang kanyang natanggap.

“We have to go now, Young Lady. May klase ka pa,” wika ni Klein sa aking likuran.

Hindi ko alam kung paano niya ako nahanap. But I felt relieved because of his presence. Hindi pa rin kasi ako makapaniwala sa aking nasaksihan. Seeing someone getting hit by a car was traumatizing and the scene kept replaying inside my head like a broken tape.

My pace was slow when I started walking back inside the university. Hinayaan ko lang na alalayan ako ni Klein dahil nanghihina pa rin ang tuhod ko. But I tried to avoid skin contact at all cost. Mabuti na lang talaga at nakasuot ako ng long sleeves ngayon. Clothes like this help me avoid using my ability unexpectedly. Sinasanay ko pa kasi ang sarili ko na gamitin ang aking kakayahan.

“Did you see everything?” mahina niyang tanong na sinagot ko lang ng tango. May nakasalubong kaming guwardiyang nakangiti kaya binati ko rin ito ng ngiti.

Mukhang siya muna ang magbabantay sa back gate dahil umalis ang guwardiya roon kanina kasama ang mga pulis. It’s obvious that he will be asked about the crime. I was also a witness but I didn’t reveal myself.

“Bakit ka pala napunta roon? The CR is just outside the canteen.” Klein’s now prying but I won’t tell him about my suspicions. Mas lalo lang siyang maghihigpit sa akin kapag malaman niya ang mga pinaggagawa ko.

“I just went out for a walk to hasten my digestion,” sagot ko sa kanya. I was impressed because I’m getting good at lying now. My voice remained firm and steady like I was used to telling white lies.

Hindi na ako tumingin kay Klein para alamin kung naniwala ba siya sa sinabi ko. I straightened my body afterwards before lightly tapping his shoulders. “Kaya ko na. Salamat.” Pagkasabi ko no'n ay huminto na si Klein sa pag-alalay sa akin.

I checked my wristwatch and I saw that it was already quarter to two. Mataas na ang sikat ng araw pero hindi ako nakaramdam ng init dahil sa silong na binibigay ng mga punong nadadaanan namin.

A refreshing gust of wind even kissed my cheek. I instantly felt unburdened by what I have witnessed earlier. But the feeling was short-lived.

Nang papalapit na kami sa aking classroom ay nakita ko ang kapatid ni Erin na kausap ang aking kaklase na si Wren. Mukhang hindi mapakali ang lalaki at balisa rin ang kanyang mukha. Nabalitaan na ba niya ang nangyari bago lang?

I didn’t have the opportunity to eavesdrop because the guy left exactly the moment I stepped foot inside the hallway of our department’s building.

Pumasok na rin si Wren sa aming classroom kaya napabuga ako ng hangin. I had many questions in mind right now. But I must reserve them for later.

Nang sumunod na rin ako sa loob ay halos mabingi ako sa ingay ng aming mga kaklase. Napangiwi ako habang iniikot ang aking tingin. We were all freshies but they were acting like junior high school students. May mga lalaki kasing naghahabulan at iba naman ay naghaharutan pa.

Pero nang makita nila ako ay umayos sila para batiin ako. And after that, they returned to their own businesses but they became more formal and their noise was reduced. Mukhang nahiya sila dahil sa akin. Well, that’s the impact of being Amity Villamor.