Verzalias High: School of Secrets

EPISODE 22

Chapter 22~ President

Skyler's POV*

"The case is already closed. Why bother?" tanong sa amin ni Officer Guevarra. Kanina pa namin siya pinipilit na tignan ang mga CCTV footage pero hindi talaga siya pumapayag. Nandito kami sa isang sulok sa cafeteria.

"Sa tingin niyo ba aksidente talaga 'yon?" hindi makapaniwalang sabi ko. Mga police ba talaga sila? Are they even investigating? Hindi ako biniyayaan ng talino but it was obviously not an accident or a suicide!

"The culprit confessed already. You saw the message," balewalang sagot niya. I glared at him and he looked at us. "He has the motive, and a gangster like him can do the killing."

"That doesn't mean he is the one who sent it," sabi ni Renzo sa kanya. He looked at us as if we are just another stupid people existing in this world.

"He owned the phone," sagot niya. Ibinagsak niya ng napakalakas ang kamay niya sa mesa. We gathered everyone's attention but he doesn't care. "And you, young students, should take care of your requirements and assignments and shits than messing with the police works."

"But how about the shuriken? And the gun?" tanong ko. Tinaasan ako ng kilay ng police. "Obviously, a student like him can't have a shuriken and a gun!"

"You're wrong, lady," sagot ni Officer Guevarra. He took a sip on his coffee and answered, "We found some shurikens and guns on his room. Seems like he isn't your ordinary schoolboy."

Nagulat naman ako sa sinabi niya. What? I know he's a member of Dictators but he can't possibly have those deadly weapons!

"Police Officer, you are just another piece of dumb—"

"Come on Renz, let's go. Wala tayong mapapala dito," sabi ko at hinila si Renzo palabas ng cafeteria. Almost everyone in the cafeteria were watching us and all I can do is to glare at everyone.

Pinuntahan namin ang police officer na 'yon to tell what we discovered and to tell that Kane Zamora is murdered but hindi siya naniwala. In the first place, sino ba naman kami para paniwalaan niya? Both of us are just students, one is a gang leader and another is a troublemaker. In summary, we have a pretty bad record.

"What are we supposed to do? Ignore everything and keep them to ourselves? You know I am not a good secret keeper." inis na sabi ko. Umiling-iling lang siya as if wala akong magagawa.

"I understand you care about Kate's death but you don't have the power to do things right now," sabi niya sa akin. I rolled my eyes. May iba pa akong rason kung bakit ginagawa ko 'to.

"Power, huh?" sarcastic na sabi ko. Kaya maraming kurap dito sa bansa eh, kasi  they want power. This is why I hate politicians, and I never dreamed of being one! Leader? Pwe! 

Biglang nagliwanang ang mga mata niya nang may naisip siyang plano. Nakakunot ang noo ko habang tinitignan siya. Ano na naman bang pumasok sa kokote ng lalaking 'to? Kinikilabutan ako.

Tinignan niya ako habang nakangiti na mas lalong nakapanindig ng balahibo ko. It is not your typical sweet smile, but a demonic smile. A-Anong plano niya sa akin?

"W-Why are you staring at me like that?" kinakabahang tanong ko. He smirked at me.

"I guess you have another thing to do," sabi niya at hinila ako. Nagpahila nalang ako kasi nasanay na ako na palaging kinakaladkad. Buhay nga naman.

"Saan mo ako dadalhin? Y-You won't harm me, right?" tanong ko sa kanya. 

"As long as you behave I shall not harm you," sabi niya habang hinihila pa rin ako. I felt relieved. Okay lang yan Sky, as long as you behave, it's fine. 

"Saan mo nga kasi ako dadalhin?" tanong ko. Hindi niya sinagot eh. Snob si kuya, siguro marami siyang active likers. Famous AF.

"Saan mo nga ako dadalhin?! Pakshet ka," inis na tanong ko.

"Sa guidance office," sagot niya. Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ko at pilit na kumawala but then hindi talaga ako nagtagumpay.

"Alam kong marami akong kasalanan sa iyo but please I-I don't want—"

"You are not behaving. Want me to harm you?" pananakot niya. Napalunok naman ako.

"S-Sabi ko nga susunod ako eh," sabi ko at nagpahila nalang. Lord, ikaw na ang bahala sa akin.

Hindi na siya kumatok at dire-diretsong pumasok sa loob. Nakatingin sa akin ang mga nasa loob. Maraming teachers including Mr. Hinahon at nakaupo sa seat ang principal.

Napalingon sa gawi ko ang principal. Napaiwas naman ako ng tingin. She's very intimidating, she can inject fear in me even without doing anything. 

Nakaramdam naman ako ng hiya nang makitang nakatingin sa amin ang mga guro. Bwisit, nakakahiya talaga ang demonyong 'to! Dinadamay pa talaga ako sa kalokohan niya!

"Marunong ka bang kumatok Mr. Ferrer?" sigaw ng isang guro kay Renzo. Ano bang ginagawa ng lalaking 'to? Nakakahiya kaya! Bakit ako pa ang dinadamay niya?

"Anong sadya mo Mr. Ferrer?" mahinahon na tanong ng principal. She is sophisticated, she looks like she is in her 20's but then she is older. I think she is in her 40's. Looks can be deceiving nga naman.

"I want this girl to be the Student Council President," sabi niya at hinila ako papunta sa harap. Nasa likod niya lang kasi ako eh.

Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ko. Seriously? Do I look like someone who accepts heavy responsibilities? 

"H-He is just kidding. Naka-drugs siguro, hehe. Renzo! Let's get out of here!" sabi ko sa kanya at hihilahin na sana siya palabas but then hinila na naman niya ako pabalik. Nakakainis!

"You want to investigate, right? So meaning you need power," sabi niya. May point naman siya but then I will never say yes! Sino ba namang papayag na isang katulad ko ang mamumuno sa mga estudyante? Duh, I am beautiful and well, not that smart but at least I'm pretty and humble. Pero madali akong maubusan ng pasensiya kaya surely the students won't like me.

"Ikaw nalang kaya ang maging president?" suggest ko but then umiling siya. Na-realize ko rin ang sinabi ko. Duh, never mind. I won't like a heartless gangster like him to be the president!

"I already have the power Ms. Lee, you always know how great my influence is," nakangising sabi niya. Edi siya na! Kainis 'to!

"There's another way—"

"That's a good idea, Mr. Ferrer. Iyan ang pinag-uusapan namin ngayon. Good timing!" nakangiting sabi ng principal. Kahit nakangiti siya, naninindig ang balahibo ko.

"Don't drag me into this mess, I'm going!" tatakbo na sana ako palabas ngunit nahila na naman ako ulit ni Renzo.

"Where do you think you're going?" seryosong sabi niya. I sighed in defeat. There's nothing I can do about this one.

"The vice president should be the one to take over the position. But it depends on the vice president kaya tinawag ko siya dito. Parating na rin siya," sabi ng principal. Kalmado pa rin siya and composed.

Biglang pumasok si Grey and as always may headset na naman siya. Nakatingin kaming lahat sa kaniya but he doesn't seem to care. Ano naman ang ginagawa niya dito?

"Hello Mr. SC Vice President!" bati ng principal. Tumango naman si Grey at umupo sa sofa at uupo na sana tabi ni Mr. Hinahon pero napansin niya kami.

Ay oo nga pala! Siya ang lalaking nakita ko noong time na pinarusahan ang Student Council! Siya ang nakita kong kasama ni Kate. Wow, this person holds a great responsibility in this school. 

"Are you here because of the position too?" tanong ni Grey kay Renzo. 

"I want this girl to have it," sagot ni Renzo. Tumango naman si Grey at umupo na sa tabi ni Mr. Hinahon si Grey. 

"So, the meeting will start," sabi ni Mr. Hinahon. "I am the head of the Student Council so let me run this meeting."

"I know it would be unfair for the students because of course, the council is made for them and they should vote for their leaders, but now is not the right time to have an election," sabi ni Sir. "This is an urgent meeting and we will decide for the next leader of the students. We can't elect because of Kate Mendez' case, and the school will be busy. It would be easier this way."

"Mr. Grey Alberts here is the Vice President and he's a candidate for the vacant position," sabi ni Mr. Hinahon. He glanced at me and said, "And here is a dauntless girl named Skyler Lee who wants to be the president."

I glared at Renzo and whispered, "Fvck you, jerk. I'm gonna rip your bones until you die. I don't want to be the president for Pete's sake."

"Watch your mouth, I can kill you now, " he whispered. Napalunok naman ako. Sabi ko nga hindi na ako magtatapang-tapangan eh.

"So, Mr. Grey Alberts, are you willing to take the position?" tanong sa kaniya ni Mr. Hinahon. Tumango naman si Grey.

"I'll accept it. But make sure this girl here will become the vice president or else you'll say goodbye to me," malamig na sabi ni Grey habang nakatingin sa iPad niya. Napalunok nalang ako ng laway. Bakit parang mas natatakot ako sa kanya kaysa kay Renzo? I felt like Renzo is more approachable than him.

"Students will find it unfair. You always know that we need an election for tha—" hindi pagsang-ayon ng principal na agad pinutol ni Grey.

"Forget it then. I won't be the SC President," sabi niya at aalis na sana ngunit pinigilan niya ito.

"Fine!" sabi ni Madam Principal. Bakit walang respeto ang dalawang 'to sa kanya? She is the principal for Pete's sake! No one would dare answer her back!

"Good. I'll be leaving," sabi ni Grey saka lumabas na ng principal's office. Lumabas na rin kaming dalawa ni Renzo.

"Alam niyo, para kayong magkapatid ni Grey," biro ko. Natigilan naman sa paglalakad si Renzo. Tinignan ko ang mukha niya at kumunot ang noo ko nang makita ang expression niya. I don't know if I saw his jaw tighten or guni-guni ko lang 'yon.

"Hoy! Biro lang 'yon!" sabi ko naman. Tila nagbalik siya sa ulirat and glared at me.

"That's not a good joke. You are really bad at making others laugh," sabi niya. I rolled my eyes. That's more like him.

"Kailan ka pa tumawa aber?" taas-kilay na tanong ko. Kahit pilitin ko pa ang sarili kong mag-joke or make my face funny hindi naman talaga tatawa ang isang 'to. Bato siya eh!

"I am laughing at you right now," seryosong sabi niya. I rolled my eyes at umiling-iling. Nauna akong naglakad sa kanya.

"Kilala mo ba si Kathleen Davis? You look a bit like her."

This time ako naman ang natigilan. My heart is racing so fast at siguro ay dahil 'yon sa kaba. Hindi ako makagalaw. Ilang beses akong napalunok. I want to give a smart remark but I couldn't. 

"I'm just kidding. Don't take it seriously," sabi niya. Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag.

"Sino naman ang babaeng 'yon? Now you're even comparing me to some girls," kunyare naiinis na sabi ko. Buti naman talaga at nagbibiro lang siya. But then, kailan pa siya natutong mag-joke? 

Humakbang siya papalapit sa akin. He looks serious kaya kinabahan naman ako. Bakit ba palagi nalang akong kinakabahan sa tuwing andiyan siya? Grrr!

"What do you want?" malamig na tanong niya. Kumunot naman ang noo ko at hindi ko maiwasang kabahan. May nalalaman ba siya? Alam niya ba kung sino talaga ako?

"What do you mea—"

Napansin kong nakatitig siya sa likuran ko. Napatingin naman ako sa likod ko. Kumunot naman ang noo ko nang makita ang leader ng Dictators.

Dave Cortez

Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag. So those words are not for me but for the ever famous Cortez! And don't tell me magkakaroon ng World War 3 dito?

"I heard you are investigating about the sudden death of my stepbrother," seryosong sabi ni Dave. Hindi naman agad sumagot si Renzo. 

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Stepbrother niya si Kane Zamora? Oo nga pala! Miyembro pala siya ng Dictators. So meaning, involve talaga si Dave! Oh my gosh, I'm so shookt!

"Does it matter to you?" malamig na sagot ni Renzo. Oh my, please paalisin niyo muna ako sa lugar na ito dahil ayokong madamay.

Dahan-dahan akong naglakad paalis and thankfully hindi nila ako nakita. Tatakbo na sana ako palayo sa kanila pero narinig ko ang sinabi ni Dave.

"Stop investigating. I'm warning you," may halong pagbabanta sa boses niya. Narinig ko naman ang mala-demonyong tawa ni Renzo na nakapangilabot sa akin. Damn, I should quit eavesdropping! Nagiging habit ko na yata!

"What if I don't?" nakangising tanong ni Renzo. Nagtago nalang ako sa pader na malapit sa kanila. Here I go with my eavesdropping again.

"Then I'm declaring war between our gangs," seryosong sagot ni Dave. Nagulat ako dahil sa sinabi niya. So seryoso talaga siya?

"Give me a specific reason to stop this," seryosong sabi ni Renzo.

"If I have one, why would I tell you? We are enemies." sagot naman ni Dave. Naalala ko tuloy si Kate. We are enemies but she still trusted me. She trusted me with the justice she wants, and with her dark secrets.

"I almost forgot that," natatawang sabi ni Renzo pero nakakapangilabot talaga ang tawa niya. Hindi naman sumagot si Dave.

"By the way, about the war, that won't happen. If you declare that, I have no other choice but to show the ace. You don't want us to win, do you?" seryosong sabi ni Renzo. Nakakunot naman ang noo ni Dave  ngunit hinayaan lang na umalis si Renzo.

Nanatiling nakatayo si Dave doon. Ako naman ay nagtatago. What was that all about? Wala akong naintindihan! But the fact that Dave doesn't want us to investigate bothers me. Bakit kaya?

"What are you doing here?"

Halos mapatalon ako gulat nang biglang sumulpot si Dave sa harapan ko. Damn! Gusto niya ba akong patayin sa gulat?

"N-Nagpapahinga," tanging sagot ko. Parang hindi bumenta sa kanya ang palusot ko pero binalewala niya nalang.

"I saw you with Ferrer. Are you also investigating the case?" tanong niya. Tumango nalang ako. Tumayo ako saka hinarap siya.

"I'll get goi—"

Nagulat ako nang bigla niya akong yakapin. My eyes widen at pilit na kumawala ngunit hindi ko magawa. What the hell is he doing?!

"Sandali," he whispered. There was a hint of sadness in his voice so I stopped struggling to get away from him.

"Kung wala kang sasabihin then aalis na ako," sabi ko at agad na kumawala sa kaniyang yakap. Maglalakad na sana ako pababa ng hagdan when he said a word that made my system tremble.

"Blanche,"

 Biglang bumilis ang t***k ng puso ko dahil sa kaba. My hands are shaking and my knees are trembling. Ilang beses akong lumunok bago siya hinarap saka nagsalita.

"Blanche? Is that a name or what?" takang tanong ko. Lumapit siya sa akin kaya napaatras naman ako.

"I'm planning to name it to my cat. Blanche, isn't it cute?" tanong niya. Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag. Akala ko pa naman alam na niya kung sino ako.

But I am not stupid to not notice that he is suspicious about me.

"Why Blanche? Maraming pwedeng ipangalan sa kanya. Sparkle, Royal, Coke, Sprite, Milo, Gatorade—"

"Because I like the name," sagot niya. He touched my cheeks and held my jaw softly. I shivered with his touch. "And I also like the owner of the name."

"B-Bitawan mo ako!" I shouted at agad na lumayo sa kaniya ngunit nahawakan niya ang braso ko. Hindi ako lumingon sa kaniya dahil natatakot akong malaman niya ang katotohanan sa aking mga mata.

"I told you, I'll make you mine. I don't care who you are, I don't care what kind of a monster you are, as long as you survive this hell," seryosong sabi niya. Bumilis ang t***k ng puso ko. "And I'll keep your secret, Blanche."

(end of chapter)