Chapter 8

"Hala." Narinig ko ang pagkagitla ng mga tao sa cafeteria. I clenched my two fists and tried to open my eyes, hindi naman siguro mahapdi sa mukha ang orange juice 'di ba.

"Not just yet." Bago ko pa tuluyang maibuka ang mga mata ko ay may kung sinong tao ang pumunas ng juice sa mukha ko. I could tell who it was just by the smell of his shampoo, I didn't even need to hear his voice.

"Ako na, Astraeus." Padabog kong kinuha ang panyo sa kamay niya. I could people watching my while I pathetically wiped off the juice from my shoulders.

Hindi ko pinansin ang dalawang tao sa harap ko. Iginala ko ang mga mata ko sa paligid, I was hoping I could get of a glimpse of those two moron that spilled the juice all over me. Hindi manlang nag-sorry at talagang hindi ko na sila mahanap!

"Goodness I'm so sorry. I feel bad." Napaangat ang tingin ko ay Devorah nang tulungan niya akong punasan ang buhok ko gamit ng sarili niyang panyo. I could see from the corner of my eyes how Astraeus bought a bottle of water.

"Hindi ka ba nabubog?" Napaatras si Devorah nang biglang hilahin ni Astraeus ang braso ko. I just looked helpless as he turned me around like I was some spinning wheel to check if I was out of harms way.

"W-Wala naman." Oo nga pala at nasa babasaging baso iyong orange juice kanina. Napatingin ako sa tabi ko kung saan ako nabuhusan ng orange juice at nakita kong may lumalangoy na sa orange juice and bubog.

"Ayos ka lang ba? Do you have extra clothes?" Nag-aalalang tumingin sa akin si Devorah. Napaatras tuloy si Astraeus dahil sa biglaang paglapit niya. He cleared his throat and looked away.

"D-Do you have something I-I could cover up with?" Nahihiyang tanong ko. I looked at my chest area and gasped. Namula ang pisngi ko nang tumingin din doon si Astreaus at agad din namang umiwas ng tingin.

"May spare uniform ako sa bag ko. You should use it," she offered. I immediately obliged and let her pull me out of the cafeteria. Ni hindi manlang niya binalingan si Astraeus.

Speaking of Astraeus... why the hell was he still at school? Hindi naman part ng drama club ang isang 'yon. I would know if he was--besides, hindi naman nasa nature ni Astraeus ang mga ganoong bagay. 

"Teka nga..." I whispered. Patuloy pa rin ako sa pagpapatianod sa hila ni Devorah.

Bakit masyado kong pinagtutuunan ng pansin si Astreaus? I should get dressed first!

There were a lot of curious eyes irking me. First time ko ring makapunta sa senior buildings. I don't really come hear unless it's mandatory. Besides. Bakit naman ako mapapadpad dito? It's not like I'd have business here anyways.

Na-conscious ako sa disposisyon ko. I glanced a my chest. Buti nalang at pinantabon ko ang panyo ni Devorah sa dibdib ko kaya hindi bakat ang undergarments ko.

This building occupied grade 11 and 12 students. Sa umaga mga grade 12 sa tanghali naman ay mga 11th graders. Not too far from here, may ginagawang bagong building, it's supposed to be finished by next year para gamitin ng incoming grade 11, so that the seniors would be able to attend whole day classes.

"Tingin mo kasya sa'yo 'to?" Inangat ni Devorah ang hawak niyang blouse at tinignan ako. I bit my lower lip and tilted my head, med'yo malaki iyon but I wouldn't mind going a size bigger--kumpara naman kung magiging kulong ako sa malagkit na blouse na 'to.

"Ayos n-na to." Ngiti ko sa kan'ya. Masaya naman siyang tumango sa akin. I noticed how short her skirt was. 'Yung totoo hindi ba siya nilalamig diyan? Naka oversized batch t-shirt siya na halos mas mahaba pa ata sa palda niyang suot.

"Uhm here's the skirt if you want. It's a bit long but it's better than dealing with icky stains," she offered a paperbag with her uniform. 

Ngumiti ako sa kan'ya at tumango. Too bad I didn't have spare underwear.

Naramdaman ko ang pagkalam ng sikmura ko. God. I can't believe I had to skip my lunch just because of troublesome boys. I swear to God if I just get a grip of them.

"Marie?" Biglang nabaling ang atensyon ko sa kanya. 

I was a bit surprise on how she could just leave her bag malapit sa storage room. I hope she doesn't have anything valuable in their.

"May kailangan ka pa ba?" She asked. Nagising tuloy ako sa pagde-daydream ko. How long had I been standing in front of her again?

"Saan ako p'wede magbihis," palusot ko. I clung onto the paperbag and asked her politely. I just hope she buys it.

"Oh may restroom sa second floor. Halika ituro ko sa'yo." Hinila niya ang kamay ko at sabay kaming umakyat sa hagdan.

"'Wag na gagi. Hindi ka pa nakakakain. Baka pagalitan kana ng club leader niyo. It's not like I'd get lost on the second floor." Binigatan ko ang sarili ko para hindi niya ako madarag. I made her let go from her grip and smiled at her.

I just wish she would hurry up and agree. Ang lagkit na kasi pakiramdam. I don't like seeing some of the passersby look at me too. Ang gusto ko lang mangyari ay makapag bihis na.

"Are you sure?" Paninigurado niya. I couldn't help but smile when I saw how concerned she was for me.

If Astraeus ever falls for her, hindi ko siya masisisi.

"Manang." Nag-usok ang ilong ko sa bungad sa akin ni Elly. 

Inirapan ko nalang siya at nilagpasan. I didn't have the time to eat lunch earlier and I just wasted money for two pastas we never got to eat.

Na self conscious tuloy ako sa panlalait ni Elly. It thought the uniform wasn't too bad. Infact, ngayon lang ako naging gan'to kakomportable sa school uniform. I never worried to pull my skirt down since it ended right below my knees. Ang kaso lang ay ang longsleeves na istilo ang blouse kaya jusko mamamatay ka nalang sa init.

"You didn't have to wait for me you know. Ni hindi nga tayo magkasabay umuwi."

"Ay assuming ka 'teh. Wala pa 'yung driver ko so I had to wait for you to entertain myself in the most boring manner." Maarte niya akong tinaasan ng kilay at inirapan. 

She's as gloomy as ever. I rarely see her in a light mood. That's why it makes me think how she fancied Austin. Eh magkabaliktad ang ugali ng dalawang 'yon. But as soon as they're around each other it feels like they switch personalities.

"Wait lang red light oh." Hinila ko ang kwelyo ni Elly, this dumb lady was showing her blond and was about to die. 

News flash: Unica Hija of the Salvador Estates Got Caught in a Car Accident

I smirked by the thought of it. I knew damn well that would've happened if I wasn't around. 

The smirk on my face slowly faded as I gazed on the other side of the street. My heart began to pund rapidly. I could feel my hands shivering and the air around me to get colder.

"Mariella ayos ka lang?"

"Dad." I exclaimed as I saw my father's figure piercing right through me