Dark deep blue clouds started to settle the whole field area as our team gathered around, famished and exhausted from our moot play. It took us two hours to get everything prepared for the competition. However this time, we are getting pump up for championship, which is also the reason why coach became ridiculous strict and meticulous.
We got dismissed late. Tired and worn-out from the rigorous training, I straightly went to the bathroom to get a bath. I pulled off my clothes and took a hot steaming shower, stretching every part of my muscles strained from play outs.
Lumabas ako ng banyo pagkatapos maligo. Dumeretso ako sa locker room namin at nagbihis. Habang kinukuha ko ang gamit ko sa loob, naramdaman kong may tumapik sa akin.
Lumingon ako at nakita ko si Kevin at Rafael, "Mauna na kami pare ah." Tumungo ako sa kanila ang nagpatuloy mag-aayos. Pagkatapos ko magbihis, lumabas ako ng locker room ang naglakad papuntang guard house.
I breathed in and glanced at the grey-bluish sky. Holding my bag on my right, I walked towards the bleak dimmed hallways. It was already starting to get dark, and light seemed have to escape every crevices of the pathway, to which I have decided to move my pace.
I stopped walking through the empty corridors as I suddenly heard a shrilling voice. My blank mind clicked in an instant turn, looking for that voice. I glanced around the pathways of the hallways and find nothing but an empty space. I tried to neglect it at first, thinking that maybe it was just my presentiment, until it came back repeatedly, asking for help.
"Tulong! Tulog po!" A thin pitched voice shrieked.
"Who's that? Is anyone there?" I asked. Now, eager to find the voice, I searched ever room and corner just to find that voice.
"Tulong po!"Narinig kong suminghal ang boses at ang kanyang mabilis na yapak. Sundan ko ang yapak ng boses, at tumakabo pakaliwa ng corridor. Nakita ko isang babaeng estudyante, magulo ang damit, sugatan at takot na takot.
She grabbed my shirt, then my wrist and pulled me as we ran towards to God-Knows-where we are going. I nudged her, pulled her to my side and slightly grabbed her arms to stay still.
"Wait lang anung nangyari sa iyo? Okay ka lang ba?" Pinatigil ko siya sa pagtakbo ang nagtanong. Patuloy pa rin ang kanyang pag-iyak. Ibinigay ko sa kanya ang aking panyo.
Pinunasan niya ito atsaka siya nagsalita, "Ssi--- Ate p-po kailangan niyo po siyang tulungan," hikbi niya sabay higpit sa hawak niya sa akin.
Napakunot ako, "Ate? Sino? Anung nangyayari? Hindi kita maintindihan. Anung panagalan mo?" Yumuko ako sa kanya, gulong gulo sa mga pangyayari.
"Samantha po," sagot niya.
Pinakalma ko siya ng sandali at nagtanong ulit, "Okay Samantha, ano ang nangyari?"
"Si Romer! Kuya...si Ate... Baka hindi natin sila maabutan." Lumakas ang kanyang pag iyak at maslalong humigpit ang kanyang hawak sa akin kamay.
"Kailangan na natin silang puntahan, kuya, baka kung anung gawin ni Romer kay Ate," sinabi niya na may pagmamadali sa kanyang boses. Pagkatapos, hindi na ako umimik at sinundan ko na lamang siya. Alam ko na mukhang seryoso ang nangyayari at kailangan nila ng tulong ko.
Tumakbo kami kaagad. Hinayaan ko siyang hilain ako papunta kung saan man iyon. Napatingin ako sa paligid at nakita ko na papunta kami ng public locker room ng mga studyante. Madilim at walang makita, kun'di ang mga boses na nag-aaway sa dilim.
Umikot kami sa dulo at nagulat ako nang makita ko si Elena...
Si Elena, ang nakilala kong babae na hindi matinag ng sinuman ay nakahilata sa sahig, habang nasa ibabaw siya ni Romer. Napaurong ako sa aking pwesto, na tila nawala lahat ng tapang sa aking katawan.
Sa puntong iyon, hiyang hiya ako sa sarili.
"Bitawan mo ako!" Sigaw niya.
Ngunit ng marining ko ang boses ni Elena na pilit pumipiglas sa hawak ni Romer, sumisigaw at naghahanap ng tulong, "Bitawan mo ako!" Kumulo ang dugo ko sa buong katawan. Naramdaman ko ang halo-halong emosyon: galit, inis, at hiya.
"Ate Elena!" Sigaw ni Samantha.
"Tulong..." Naramdaman ko ang pagod sa kanyang boses. Ngunit sa kabila ng kanyang kapaguran, nakita kong ang paglaban niya kay Romer.
As soon as I heard her wailing cries against him, I felt the veins on my body exploded rushing all over my body. My eyes began to slip away from everything around me except the gushing cries of Elena from Romer.
Sumigaw ulit si Samatha, "Ate Elena! Ate Elena, naandito na kami!" Binitawan ni Samantha ang hawak sa mga kamay ko at lumapit sa kanya. I stopped her and pushed her backwards, knowing that she might try to throw herself into them. I don't want any more casualties involved.
I clenched my fist. My jaw gritted in contempt. Without thinking, I felt my feet moved towards them. I was about to hit him, when I saw Elena kicked him towards his shin, struck him through his chest and ran towards us.
"Dante," sinabi niya ng pagkakita sa akin. I felt shiver down my spine as soon as I heard my name passed on her lips.
At that instance, she grabbed my shirt, crying. Somehow, I felt relieved. as the heat on my nerves boiled down Obliviously, I brushed my hands in her face, cupping her pink cheeks. My thumb moved softly against her bruise cheeks, caressing it slowly. "I'm here. You're safe, Elena."
She softly nodded and hurriedly reached out for Samantha. Immediately, Elena went to her and hugged her, whispering words to calm Samantha. I softly smiled at them, then turn to my back onto Romer who already raging with fire, ready to strike me anytime.
I felt my veins rushed throughout my body, convulsing and shuddering. I sauntered towards him, moving my pace, and steadfastly punched him right into his face. He fell down on his back with blood draining on his nose.
He wiped it, and get back up drowsily. "Gago ka, Tang-ina mo Gillesania." He spit some blood and tried to punch m. I adamantly maneuvered his punch, and struck him open at his legs. He went down on his knees, coughing.
"Tang-ina mo Romer, Mas Gago ka!" I gritted my teeth, clenched my fist and punched him again. He took my blow and fell on his back again. I attacked him continuously, without stopping, and without a room to breathe. My fists became bloody, my eyes began to blur, and all my senses began to shut down.
I heard their voices outside, yet it's so indistinct. I looked in front of me, Romer, moaning from all the hits I've given him. His eyes are bruised, and his nose was drained with blood. My mind went blank for a minute. It stopped for a while. Everything clear became unclear.
I shook my head for stability, but it was no use. I looked at Romer again, then back to them. Back to Samantha and Elena.
Elena.
I saw her walking towards me. She grabbed my arms and said. "Tama na, wag na Dante..."I heard her calming voice, soothing me. I closed my eyes, focusing on her calming voice, her touch and her presence. Reassuring me, the words fluttered on her lips, "It's not worth it."
At that exact moment, as her words repeatedly interwove in my mind, I opened my eyes. I looked at her luscious eyes and lips. I inhaled deeply, held myself back down and let Elena dragged me to her.
Without looking at Romer, I fixed my eyes on her, as I felt her hand against mine, her touch into mine and her heat coursing through mine.
This time it was different. I felt different
************************
Binitawan niya ang kamay ko ng nasa labas na kami ng guardhouse. Hindi nawala ang tingin ko sa kanya. Napansin ko ang pahapyaw niyang tingin sa akin.
Nagulat ako bigla ng pumunta si Samantha sa akin at niyakap ako, "Maraming Salamat, kuya Dante." Ngumiti ako sa kanya at hinagod ang kanyang kulot na buhok.
Binitawan ko ang mahigpit niyang yakap at nagsalita, '"Walang anuman." Napatingin ako ulit kay Elena at nakita ko siyang nakatingin sa amin.
Nilapitan niya si Samantha at nagtanong, "Halika rito..." Umupo sila sa malapit na bench at binuksan niya ang kanyang bag. Kumuha siya ng first aid kit at pinahiran ng gamot ang kanyang galos sa pisngi.
"You gotta be kidding me! Talagang may first aid kit ka sa bag mo? Girl scout ka ba?" Asar ko kay Elena, sabay upo sa bakanteng tabi ni Samantha.
Nanlisik ang kanyang mga mata sa akinat umikot. Kumuha siya ng kapiras at ibinalik niya ang kanyang first-aid kit sa bag. "Hindi. Pero atleast nagamit natin ngayon, diba."
Suminghal siya at napangisi din ako.
"Anung year mo na, Samantha?" Tanong ni Elena habang inaayos ang kanyang sugat.
"First year po, ate..." Sagot nito, sabay umaray siya nang maramdaman niya ang hapdi ng gamot.
Elena cleared her throat. I felt the nervousness in her face. "U-um, pa-ano kayo nagkakilala ni Romer?" she asked slowly. Knowing that Romer is a fourth-year student, I understand Elena's curiosity on how they got to know each other.
Biglang napakagat si Samntha sa kanyang labi, yumuko siya at nagsalita, "Nung bago po kasi ako dito, siya ang una ko pong nakilala. Naging magkaibigan po kami. Nung una kasi ate, ang bait-bait niya sa akin.... kaya po ako nagkagusto sa kanya. Hindi ko naman po alam na aabot sa ganito...." Napaiyak bigla si Samantha. Hinila niya ang damit ni Elena at niyakap niya ito ng mahigpit.
Pinatahan ni Elena si Samantha, habang yakap-yakap, " Shush, naintindihan ko...Wag kang mag-alala, okay? Tapos na. Wala na." She assured at her.
Elena cupped her cheeks and slowly smiled at her. She patted her hands, and continued putting medicine on her wound.
Nilagyan niya ito ng band aid, sabay nagsalita, "Ayan, okay na." Ngumiti siya Kay Samantha. Nang makita ko ang matatamis niyang ngiti kay Samantha, biglang kumirot ang puso ko. Sa buong pamamalagi ko dito, nagyon ko pa lang nakitang ngumiti ng totoo si Elena.
"Thank you ate," nagpasalamat si Samantha.
Lumingon ulit siya kay Samantha, at nagtanong, "Sino magsusundo sa iyo?"
"Driver po namin. Papunta na po siya. kakatext ko lang ngayon," sagot ni Samantha habang hawak ang kanyang cellphone.
Tumungo si Elena. "Sige hintayin na lang natin dito." Sabay hawak sa kamay ni Samantha. I looked at them and felt my heart wretched on how Elena could still have the courage to compose herself after what just happened. I sighed, sat beside Samantha and unconsciously, held her other hand. I gripped it tightly and smiled at her.
Nakita kong papunta ang guard samin na tila may pagtataka sa kanyang mukha. Pinuntahan kami ang nagtanong sa amin, "Okay lang ba kayo? Anung nangyari sa inyo at may mga galos kayo."
Tinago ko ang isang kamay ko na puro sugat. Hindi ako makasagot. Tumingin ako kay Elena at nakita ko siyang nagsalita, "Nadapa po kaming dalawa, tinulungan po kami ni Mr. Gillesania..."
Tumungo ang guard at lumapit sa akin, "Mukhang galing sa suntok to ah..."
Napangisi ako sa kanya. Inilagay ko ang kamay ko sa likod ng leeg ko at sumagot. "Sa practice po, natamaan ng bola."Paliwanag ko. Napalunok ako, sabay sa paghigpit ng hawak ko sa kamay ni Samantha.
"Ah ganun ba? Hmm oh sige." Tumango siya ulit, na tila may hinala sa amin. "Nasaan na mga sundo niyo? Malapit na magsara ang school. At baka maabutan kayo ng kagat ng dilim" Hindi na niya kami tinanong at bumalik sa kanyang pwesto, sabay hawak sa logsheet.
"Hinihintay lang po namin sundo ni Samantha. Hindi po kasi siya makalakad ng maayos." Paliwanag ni Elena.
"Eh kayong dalawa?" Sabay turo sa amin dalawa ni Elena ng guard.
"We have a gate pass sir. Uuwi rin po kami pagkatapos makauwi ni Samantha," tugon ko sa guard. pagkatapos noon, hindi na siya nagtanong. Lumabas siya sa gate at naiwan kaming tatlo sa loob.
Sandaling nagkaroon ng katahimikan sa puntong iyon nang biglang binitawan ni Samantha ang kamay ni Elena, "Sorry ate, kung hindi dahil sa akin, hindi sa iyo mangyayari iyon..." Hikbi niya. " Hindi ka sana napasama sa gulo." Dagdag niya habang umiiyak.
"Ssssshhhhh... Wala na yun. Okay na iyon. Kung hindi kita pinuntahan, baka kung anung ginawa na sa iyo ni Romer," Elena replied. She patted her hand and bitter-sweetly smiled at her. Niyakap niya ulit si Samantha, "Buti na lang dumating si Mr. Gillesania.
And now we are back to Mr. Gillesania. Napaisip ako at natawa na lang. I cleared my throat, flashed my eyes on her and answered, "Buti na lang talaga naandun ako," I smirked.
She partly smiled at me, while holding Samantha on her embrace. I raised my brows at her. She laughed.
I chuckled too.
Natawa na rin si Samantha. Binatawan niya si Elena, at ako naman ang kanyang yinakap. "Maraming salamat kuya kung hindi dahil sa iyo baka kung napaano na si Ate Elena," she sincerely said.
"No worries, kid. You got me," I replied her with a smile. Her lips curved back as tears slowly ran down her cheeks. She wiped it and laughed again, "Kuya naman eh! Pinapaiyak mo ako!"
I laughed, and Elena too. At that moment, it was quite relieving. I felt my insides fluttering like a bubble, ready to burst anytime.
After a couple of minutes, we heard a beep outside. The guard went to look at it and signaled us after a minute or so. Samantha grabbed at her phone, and said, "Naandiyan na po sundo ko." She stood and grabbed her bag.
I nodded and waved at her, while on the other hand, Elena replied to her, "Sige ingat ka pag-uwi Samantha."
Tumungo si Samantha."Una na ako ate, kuya. Maraming Salamat," sabay sabi niya at naglakad palabas ng gate. Tumayo kaming dalawa ni Elena sa upuan at sinubaybayan ang pag-alis ni Samantha.
Napatingin ako kay Elena at nakita ko ang kanyang mga ngiti sa mukha. "Tara na?" Biglang nasabi ko habang nasa tapat kami ng gate ng school.
Lumingon siya sa akin na may pagtataka, "Ha?"
"Uwi na tayo" Sabi ko, habang nakadikit ang mga mata ko sa kanya.
She gulped. I stared at her honey-brown eyes, searching something from it. An answer or a question I couldn't find. I looked at her soft lips, slightly parted, trying to say something, but somehow, I felt like she couldn't find the exact words to say.
Then, I tried to reach for her bruised cheeks, but at an instant, she glanced away. Embarrassingly, I curled my finger and inserted it on my pockets. I grumbled inwardly.
She grabbed her bag, and reached for the black umbrella I gave her. She then placed it on the empty seat beside us. "Ibabalik ko na ang payong sa'yo."
Hindi ko kinuha ang payong sa lamesa. "Diba, binigay ko na sa iyo yan?" I told her.
"Oo nga pero ikaw naman ang nawalan ng payong, parang nangyari noong isang araw," paalala niya sa akin.
"It's alright. Marami naman kaming payong sa bahay," paliwanag ko.
She snatched my hand and placed the umbrella on my palm. "Nope, I'm returning it. Besides, wala naman rason kung bakit kailangan ko pa itong kunin," she insisted.
I was slightly irritated at her reply. "You can go take it, seriously. I don't need it," I hissed. Slightly irritated, I gave it back to her.
Pinakita ko ang ID ko sa guard at pinalabas ako. Lumingon ako kay Elena, na nakatayo lang sa tabi, walang imik habang hawak ang payong ko. Tinaas ko ang kilay ko at nagtanong sa kanya, "Hindi ka pa ba, uuwi?"
Seemingly disoriented, she went back consciously, looked at me and nod. She reached inside her bag and put the umbrella inside. She fished her ID on her bag and presented it to the guard.
"Sige po ma'am, ingat," the guard replied as he opened the gate.
As for me, I stood there, waiting for her. As soon as she reached me, we walked besides each other, under the dim lights of the quiet yet eerie night.
We sauntered pass through the tricycle stand and the path alongside the road, where speeding cars and transportation rushing swiftly. I turned to my right, keeping my distance to her, shielding her from the road.
While we are walking, I felt her eyes peeking through me. Feeling a little bit bothered, I sighed, and looked at her, asking, "Ano 'yon?"
She breathed. " I-I...Um thank you pala kanina..."
I glanced at her and saw her fumbling down on her fingers. I curled my lips partly. "It's alright. If I hadn't got there, baka kung napaano na kayong dalawa."
Tumungo ako at tumingin sa mga ulap. Sininghap ko ang hangin at napapikit. Narinig ko siyang nagsalita sa tabi ko. "I meant it thank you."
Napatingin ako sa kanya at nakita ang pagnanais niya na magpasalamat ng mataimtim. I nodded. "Kahit sino naman tao sa lugar ko, gagawin din ang ginawa ko." Tugon ko.
Tumungo siya at lumingon sa akin habang naglalakad. "Oo, but at that time, ikaw yung naandun."
"Unfortunately," I mumbled.
She slightly stooped her head down, "I'm sorry i--if-f naabutan mo ng ganon..." She shyly said and walked on a steadfast pace.
My brows furrowed as I walked expeditiously, trying to reach her. I didn't mean it negatively. It was just unfortunate that things like that happened to her, to the both of them. It was a wretched thing and because of that I think, an admin, a guard or a teacher was supposed to be the one who have helped them.
However, I was the one who was at that moment. As soon as I saw her anguished woes, I felt helpless that as a man, I couldn't properly protect them, like how I couldn't protect her....
As I have reach the same pace as her, I grabbed her arms, slightly. "I-- that's not what I meant. I never regret helping you or even punching Romer. I regret that ako yung naandun sa time na mas kailangan niyo ng ibang tao. I think na mas mabuti kung ang na'ndoon ang teacher or guard man lang" I tried explaining.
She looked at me, her face stricken with tempestuousness. She didn't say anything as she continued to stare at my hand on her arm. I released it and exasperatedly sighed, "I-I'm sorry, shit. I shouldn't have said that." I apologized, a little bit bothered that she might get mad at me.
She shook her head, place her hands on her pockets and said, "No it's okay. I understand."
As soon as she said it, i felt a bit relieved. Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad, hanggang sa papalapit na kami sa bahay niya. She glanced at me back and informed, "Alam mo hindi mo naman ako kailangan ihatid sa bahay ko."
After what happened? Not a chance. I said to myself. It was a sudden urge to me that after what happened, there was a need to protect her. I don't know what happened, but after i saw Romer hurting her, a nudge of instinct to protect her drifted within me.
I smirked. "After nang nangyari kanina, Elena, I don't think so," I said and continued walking on the uneven empty cobble stone of the streets.
Tumahimik ang paligid at hindi na namin tinuloy ang usapan. Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad, hanggang sa malapit na kami sa bahay nila Elena.
She turned to me and pointed at the street right infront of us. "Malapit na ako rito. Gabi na, baka hinahanap ka ni Mrs. Ramos," Elena explained.
I looked at the flickering lights above us, the closed shops and the people who walked on the streets before us.
Gabi na nga at wala nang masyadong tao. Napaisip ako.
I shrugged. "It's alright. Gabi naman lagi ang uwi ko and she knows na galing ako ng practice." Lumiko kami sa kanan at dumertso papunta sa saradong Hardware store.
"Okay lang talaga. Na'ndyan naman na bahay ko," sabay turo niya pakanan sa bahay na maliit katabi ng hardware store."
"Okay lang, ihatid na kita, tutal malapit na rin tayo." Naglakad kami papuntang hardware store, at Tumigil sa harapan, pansamantala.
I waved at her, "Sige pumasok ka na." Sabi ko sa kanya."
Habang hawak ang kanyang backpack, sinabi niya, "Um, salamat uli." Tumigil siya, tumingin sa bintana ng kanilang bahay. " Salamat sa paghatid sa akin," tinuloy niya.
Tumungo ako sa kanya. "Walang anuman."
Papasok na siya sa loob ng nagsalita ako. I breathed in, exhaled a bit and said, " I know we got on the wrong foot, and I just wanna say I'm sorry on what i did to you earlier at the library. I know i was an ass and I shouldn't have treated you that way. So--um---Ayun i wanted to truly apologize." I put my hands on my pockets, nervous on what her reaction will be.
Then she turned around and smiled at me. Not partly smiled, but truly smiled at me. She nodded and waved at me, went through the gate and opened it.
And even if she didn't reply, I knew she accepted it. I smiled like a fool reminding myself of that thought.
**********End of Chapter 4**********