Chapter II: Bangan
The days blur into each other, each one heavier than the last for Regie. Every morning, he wakes up with a sinking feeling, dreading the mounting pressure from his parents, his classmates, and the responsibilities he can't seem to juggle. The only way he copes is by pretending everything is fine."Laban lang," he mutters to himself as he splashes cold water on his face one morning. But even he doesn't believe his own words anymore. At breakfast, the usual tension fills the air. His mother, Ma. Christine, watches him with disapproval as he hurriedly eats his meal."Reginald," she says sharply."I heard you came home late last night. Ano na naman ang pinagkakaabalahan mo?""Class meeting po," he answers quietly, avoiding her gaze."Laging class meeting? Parang wala kang ibang ginagawa kundi magpuyat sa kung anu-anong activities!" His father, Benigno, adds, his tone harsher."Kung hindi ka na makafocus sa studies mo dahil diyan, tumigil ka na sa pagiging presidente!""Pa, ginagawa ko naman po lahat ng kaya ko," Regie tries to explain, but the words fall flat."Ginagawa mo? Eh bakit parang wala kaming nakikitang resulta?" his mother retorts. Regie clenches his fists under the table. He wants to argue, to tell them how hard he's trying, but he knows it's useless. They won't listen. They never do. Later that day, Regie meets Marco and Jona at their usual spot in the cafeteria. He forces a smile, trying to push aside the morning's confrontation."Uy, Regie," Marco greets him, pushing a plate of fries toward him."Kumusta? May balita na ba sa scholar application mo?""Wala pa rin," Regie replies with a sigh."At this rate, hindi ko na alam kung saan kukuha ng pang-tuition next semester.""Don't worry, pre. Aasenso rin tayo," Jona says, giving him a reassuring pat on the back."Baka naman delayed lang talaga ang processing.""Salamat," Regie mutters, though his voice lacks conviction. Unbeknownst to Regie, trouble brews elsewhere. In the library, Alex gathers a few of the class officers. They huddle in a corner, their voices low but filled with animosity."Napansin niyo ba? Parang wala nang kwenta si Regie sa presidency," Alex begins, smirking."Grabe ka naman, Alex," one officer replies, though her tone is hesitant."Pero oo nga, parang... parang wala siyang leadership lately.""Exactly," Alex says, leaning forward."Kaya dapat tayo na ang kumilos. We need to call him out during the next meeting. Siguraduhin natin na mapapahiya siya." The others exchange uneasy glances but eventually nod. Alex has a way of twisting situations to his advantage, and it seems they've fallen into his web. That evening, Regie decides to let off some steam."Pre, bili tayo ng beer," he tells Marco after classes."Kahit isang bote lang. Kailangan ko lang mag-unwind." Marco looks at him, concerned."Sigurado ka, Regie? Parang hindi mo 'to trip dati.""Ngayon, kailangan ko," Regie replies with a bitter laugh."Sobrang bigat na, bro. Hindi ko na kaya." They head to a nearby convenience store, picking up a couple of cans of beer. Marco, always the cautious one, insists on driving them back."Let me drive, pre," Marco says, jingling his keys. But Regie, already feeling the buzz from a few sips, shakes his head."Ako na. Gusto kong matuto.""Hindi ka pa marunong mag-drive, diba?" Marco raises an eyebrow."Delikado 'yan.""Parang bike lang 'yan," Regie says, laughing."Relax ka lang." Marco hesitates but eventually lets Regie take the wheel. The drive back is tense, with Marco nervously giving instructions every few seconds. Miraculously, they make it home without incident, though Regie knows he'll be hearing about his reckless decision later. As Regie steps through the front door, the lights in the living room flicker on. His parents are waiting for him, their expressions a mixture of anger and disappointment."Saan ka galing?" Benigno demands."Galing lang po sa convenience store," Regie mumbles, trying to avoid their gaze."At nag-drive ka?!" Ma. Christine exclaims, her voice rising."Alam mong wala kang lisensya tapos nagmaneho ka pa? Anong iniisip mo, Reginald?""I just... I just wanted to try," Regie stammers."Kailangan ko ring matuto, diba?""Hindi 'to tungkol sa pag-aaral, Reginald! Tungkol 'to sa responsibilidad!" Benigno bellows."Bakit parang wala kang respeto sa amin?" Regie feels his frustration bubbling over."Respeto? Respeto po ba ang pinapakita niyo sakin? Hindi niyo nga po ako pinapakinggan kahit kelan!""Watch your tone!" his father snaps, standing up."Wala kang karapatang magsalita ng ganyan sa amin!""Bakit po? Dahil ba anak niyo lang ako? Dahil sa tingin niyo, wala akong alam?" Regie's voice cracks as he fights back tears."Reginald, you're grounded," Ma. Christine declares coldly. "And don't think you'll be driving again anytime soon." Regie storms to his room, slamming the door behind him. He collapses onto his bed, his chest heaving with suppressed sobs. For the first time in his life, he wonders if his parents truly love him—or if they only see him as a disappointment. Regie drags himself to school the next day, feeling as though the world has lost its color. His friends try to catch his attention, but their attempts to engage him fall flat. Even in class, some of his classmates barely acknowledge his presence, treating him as though he's invisible. It feels like he's losing touch with everyone, including himself. After his last class, he decides to seek solace in the Ecumenical Chapel on campus. It's quiet inside, the soft glow of candles illuminating the altar. He kneels on one of the pews and clasps his hands together, staring at the cross above."Lord," he whispers, his voice cracking,"please guide me. Hindi ko na po alam ang gagawin. Bakit ganito? Bakit parang lahat ng tao laban sakin?" The silence feels heavy, but it's oddly comforting. For a moment, he closes his eyes, hoping for clarity, for peace.But then—Thud!Something hard strikes the back of his neck. His world spins, and before he can react, everything goes dark.When Regie wakes up, he's disoriented. His body feels heavy, his neck throbbing in pain. He blinks a few times, his surroundings coming into focus. The chapel is eerily dark now, with only a few candles still burning.He checks his phone. The screen reads 8:00 PM."What the—?" Regie mutters, sitting up. He had been unconscious for hours. No one had noticed or bothered to check on him.His phone vibrates in his hand, startling him. It's a call from his mother.He hesitates for a moment before answering."Nasaan ka, Reginald?!" his mother's voice booms from the other end of the line."Ma, nasa school pa po ako—""Alas-otso na! Ano na naman ang kalokohan mo?" she snaps."Kanina ka pa namin hinihintay! Walang kwenta kang bata ka! Hindi ka na umuwi!""Pero, Ma—""Huwag ka nang umuwi kung ganyan ka rin lang!" The line goes dead. Regie stares at his phone, the weight of her words sinking in. Despite his mother's warning, Regie decides to go home. He walks through the door cautiously, hoping to explain what happened. But the moment his parents see him, their fury ignites."Anong oras na, Reginald?!" Benigno shouts, slamming his fist on the table."Bakit lagi kang pasaway?!""Pa, may nangyari po kasi—""Palusot ka na naman!" Ma. Christine cuts him off."Wala ka nang ibang ginawa kundi bigyan kami ng sakit ng ulo!" Tears well up in Regie's eyes."Hindi niyo po ba naiintindihan? Sinusubukan ko naman po, pero lagi na lang kayo galit sakin. Ano bang gusto niyo?!""Gusto naming matuto kang sumunod!" his father retorts."Kung hindi mo kayang gawin 'yan, umalis ka na dito!""Pa, Ma—please," Regie pleads, his voice breaking."Ayokong umalis. Kayo na lang ang meron ako..." But his parents' anger drowns out his cries. They hurl hurtful words at him, words that cut deeper than any physical wound.Finally, Benigno points to the door."Umalis ka na. Hindi ka na namin kailangan dito." Regie looks at them one last time, hoping for any sign of regret or love. But all he sees is coldness. With a heavy heart, he picks up his bag and walks out the door, leaving the only home he's ever known. Weeks pass, and the house grows quieter. At first, Benigno and Ma. Christine enjoy the peace, relieved to be rid of what they considered a burden. But slowly, regret creeps in. The silence becomes unbearable."Nasaan na kaya si Regie?" Ma. Christine wonders aloud one evening, her voice tinged with worry."Hindi ko alam," Benigno admits, his usual confidence faltering. Their guilt finally pushes them to take action. They contact the PNP Chief of Manila, Polycarpio Gragasin, a family friend known for his efficiency."Chief Gragasin," Benigno says during the meeting, his tone desperate."Kailangan naming mahanap ang anak namin. We think... we might've pushed him too far." Gragasin nods."I'll do everything I can." Days turn into weeks as the investigation unfolds. Officers scour the city, questioning friends and classmates, but Regie seems to have vanished without a trace. Gragasin eventually delivers the news to the De Veras."I'm sorry, but we've exhausted all leads. Mukhang ayaw niyang magpakita." Ma. Christine bursts into tears, clutching Benigno's arm. For the first time, they feel the weight of what they've done. They had driven away their only son—and now, it seems they may never see him again.