Damgeen High School Musical (Tagalog)

Chapter 14

Dumb

Sa kakaasar sa lalaking kasama, nawala sa isip ko ang batas para sa sarili! Heck, I did the first move!

Hindi ako makapaniwalang nauna pa ako sa pagtawag ng pangalan niya. I was just startled, alright! What the heck is he doing here? The last time I checked, he's with his band! With Dante at the quad!

Bwiset. Nagulat ako roon, a?

"Singh," he called back plainly.

Napairap ako.

Look at this man. Ang dami kong sinambit na pamumuri tapos ni-last name basis lang ako?

Lalo ko pang tinago ang braso nang lingunin ulit ako. Dahil sa paggalaw kong iyon, dumapo ang mga mata nito sa sikretong halata namang alam na niya.

Tss. What's the point of hiding it? In the end, I just let my arms rest on each side. Umahon na rin naman agad ang tingin niya roon at saglit akong sinulyapan bago muling humarap sa kiosk.

"What made you visit here," ayos niya sa mga naroroon. "Change of heart?"

Lul. Asa!

Umirap ako. Wala pa man ay nananalatay na ang iritasyon.

"Just came for the pamphlet," I answered flatly.

"Which one?" kaswal niyang tanong na hindi ko inaasahan.

Slightly confused, I shifted from my weight and gazed at the rack he's sorting out, too. May ilan kasing napapahalo sa ibang kulay ng edition.

"The one from... I mean... T-The pamphlet being distributed on the first day," I stammered in hesitation.

Bigla rin akong nahiya nang tapunan niya ako ng mapanghusgang tingin, para bang mas pinagdudahan pa ang pagkatao ko. The hell with his skepticism!

His eyes narrowed. "I ensured that each rookie will receive one that day."

"Then maybe you slipped away."

At siya pa talaga ang sinisi ko.

I was anticipating for another row of his argument to testify it but there was none. Instead, he pulled his eyebrows into a crease before staring at the pamphlets, animo'y may tinatatak sa utak.

I rest my elbow on the counter to gawk at his haywire demeanor and caught his attention. Pailalim kong pinanuod ang pagkolekta niya ng mangilan-ngilang edition ng pamphlet na nilalapag niya sa counter.

"Since you're a rookie, you might need a bunch," he scoffed nonchalantly.

I rolled my eyes. Hindi na naman ako nag-apila pa at pinanuod na lang siyang pinagpapatong-patong ang halos tig-iisang pamphlet sa bawat edition!

"Ang dami!" protesta ko na nang nasobrahan na ata!

"Talaga," he said with finality before pushing the pile of papers to me.

Laglag ang panga kong tinitigan ang mga iyon at hindi makapaniwalang tinapunan siya ng tingin.

"Are you kidding me?" I hissed.

Ezra simpered. "Even once, did you ever catch me kidding around? I'm always serious, Miss Michaela Singh. Especially... under suspicious and shady circumstances."

Tinawanan ko iyon at humarap na rin nang tuluyan sa kanya.

"Dumadaldal ka talaga tuwing nanghuhusga, e, 'no? Daig mo pa ang jowang laging may maling akala."

"Tell me more about it then," he stepped forward and looked at me with a challenge. "Maling akala? More like, tamang hinala..."

"Bakit-"

"I also doubt you having a past relationship to even start with," putol pa niya sa akin na ikinasabog ko na talaga.

"Ang kapal mo! Ano bang problema mo sa akin, ha? You even have the audacity to use your position to follow me! Stop using that front and if you want to get rid of me, dumiretso ka sa akin at prangkahin mo ako! Para kang tiktik na duwag at nagtatago sa opisina mo, e!"

He looked at me unbelievingly. Tumalas ang mga mata niya sa akin at kahit pa mukhang kalmado pa rin, ramdam kong konting pitik na lang, sasabog na rin 'to sa galit.

"Who are you?" he asked quizzically.

Kung kanina ay punong-puno ang dila ko ng salita, para atang naputulan ako ng dila dahil sa tanong niyang iyon.

Ezra distanced himself a bit and looked at me strangely, but a fraction of suspicion and spite remained evident.

"Why did you suddenly show up in this place?" He clenched his jaw and puffed a faint breath, as if thinking twice if he'd continue.

Pinagmasdan ko siyang magkaroon ng debate sa utak at hindi kalaunan, napalitan ng lamig ang kaninang matatalim niyang mata.

"Ano ang tunay na pakay mo kay Duran," at last, he stated in addition.

My lips parted in tremor. To be honest, I somehow expected the first one. Hindi lingid sa kaalaman kong may duda ito sa pagkatao ko dahil nahihiwagaan sa bigla kong pagsulpot sa Damgeen.

At first, I was puzzled with his anger with me. What's the context behind it? Galit naman ang iba at pinagkakatuwaan din ako, kinukutya at walang kapagurang pinagtutulungan. But with his approach and treatment towards me, there's a vivid difference that set him apart from other unsound creatures.

Then I found out he's the SOLMA President. He has vision, principles, and advocacy. Plus, Kaharayan's personal wrath to Madrigal's system and leadership that I still don't get. And he happened to be a member of it, too.

And now, this? What's with these people today and they keep on insinuating something, like I'm bad for Dante's life and welfare? That they're doubting my intentions to him? Ni wala akong ideya sa pinagsasasabi nilang lahat!

Pinilit kong ikalma ang sarili bago sagutin ang tanong ng lalaking kausap ko ngayon. I need to calm down to figure out this situation.

"Honestly, I don't know what you're talking about. What's with Dante?" diretsahan kong untag.

Out of a sudden, Ezra gave out a humorless laugh that sent chills all over my system.

"Dante, huh?" aniya, baon pa ang ngisi mula sa sarkastikong pagtawa sabay biglang hampas sa counter. "Damn it! The last girl who called him..." he trailed off.

I watched him pressing his nose bridge frustratedly and groaned, as if he's disappointed with his own temper and control.

Napakurap-kurap ako at nagsimula nang magsuspetsiya.

"What about it? Sinong babae at anong kinalaman ko roon?" I questioned impatiently when he stretched the silence.

I promised myself not to mingle and dwell about this issue but now that someone's accusing me for something I've never even think about, hindi na ata ako makapapayag doon!

Ezra shook his head dismissively before shooting daggers at me with his stern orbs.

"Talking to you is nonsense. Why would a culprit even confess his wickedness in the first place?" he glowered coldly.

Sinukat ko siya gamit ang mga mata at mariin siyang tinitigan pabalik.

"Think whatever you want, Sherlock. Why would I force myself to someone who's stubbornly prejudiced to even hear my side?" I fired back.

His lips parted in disbelief. "What did you say?"

Pikon na. Mukhang napatid na ang manipis na pisi ng pasensiya. On the other hand, I even had the guts to move my head from side to side to dramatize my next line.

"I said... Mr. Honcho, you're a narrow-minded assho-"

"Maddison!"

For the love of God! Who dared interrupting my drama?!

I rolled my eyes in utter irritation. Who else would even dared call you Maddison as if he just called a peasant maid, Mich?

Speak of the devil and of course, Rave Jackson doth appear.

From me, Ezra's gaze glided towards the devil nearing behind me. Tamad naman akong lumingon din doon at blanko ang tingin sa bagong dating.

Darn. Here comes another asshole. What a life. You should borrow another one, Mich.

Rave Jackson was playing with his keys using his right hand and the other one was in his pocket. His scornful face depicted his remark.

"What the f**k are you, two, doing?" He c****d his head as a mischievous smile curved on his lips. "Am I seeing this right? The Honcho and the rookie, secretly dating inside the premise? In this... secluded area?"

He paused meaningfully using those offensive stunts. Agaw-pansin pa ang sarkasmo sa paraan ng tawag niya sa amin.

I grinned to myself and tried not to waver. This guy. Tapos na ba ang detention niya?

Ilang sandali pa, ikinagulat ko ang pagtabi sa akin ni Ezra. Pinantayan din nito ang titig ni Rave Jackson. Ang pinagkaiba lang, tunay na nakakaloko ang ekspresyon ng huli samantalang blanko lang ang sa kanya.

"Do we have a problem with that, Virtuoso?" he uttered with a hidden meaning.

Namilog ang mga mata ko nang iyon pa ang napiling isagot nito. I looked at Ezra with disgust and confusion combined. What's up with this guy? I can't believe how this turn of events escalated so quickly!

Rave Jackson chuckled and eyed us alternately before he grasped my arm, pulling me into him.

Faintly, I groaned because of the pang on my cut. Agad ko namang nilunok ang muntik nang kumawala na daing at binantayan na lang ang hawak niya roon, sakaling aksidente na masanggi o mahawakan.

"Why does it sound earlier like an argument to me? Lover's quarrel, Maestro?" si Rave.

Umahon ako saglit para panuorin ang dalawa. What is this? Battle of the title? Inagaw ko ang braso ko at napatikhim na, tiniis ang bahagyang pagkirot ng sugat.

"Can you screw this off? I don't even know him," I then pointed at Ezra who then glared at me with a dagger.

I only scoffed. He returned his sight to Rave Jackson.

"I'm not interested with amazonas," pagrarason naman niya. "I hate her even."

Pumito na ang takure sa pagkulo ng dugo ko. Bubulyawan ko na sana nang naunahan ako ni Rave sa pamamagitan ng paghakbang patungo sa harapan ni Ezra.

They're almost of the same height. Hindi ko masiguro kung sino ang mas matangkad dahil parehong nakaestilo ang buhok.

"Then don't mess around her," said Jackson directly to Ezra.

Saglit akong pairap na tumingala at humalukipkip, tuluyan nang naiipit sa sitwasyong ito.

"What is this, Jackson? Are you jealous?"

Rave looked at me over his shoulder and formed his lips into a grim line.

"Yes. I'm selfish, Maddison," he simpered, stressing the last name, before turning to Ezra. "My enemy is my enemy. And mine only..."

Ngumisi naman ang huli sa kanya. "May the best enemy wins."

My jaw almost dropped on my feet. I slammed my palm over my forehead and cursed a series of profanities.

Heck. They're driving me nuts! Minsan na nga lang mapasama sa love triangle, ganito pa! Ang suwerte-suwerte mo naman masyado, Mich! Ang sarap makipag-exchange gift ng buhay!

Sino kayang papatol kung nagkataong posible iyon? Pinag-aagawan ka ng dalawang matipunong lalaki. Tapos ang mananalo gigilitan ka ng leeg. I sighed stressfully with my own thoughts.

Rave accepted Ezra's hand and they shook each other's hand with a current of scarcely evident thunders coming out from their eyes.

All my life, I've been thinking and believing that my enemy's enemy is my friend. But at this moment, they proved me wrong.

They're both my enemies as well as they both consider me their enemy as well. I'm not their friend and neither do I for either of them! And to sum it all up, obviously, they're far from being friends, too!

What a f*****g sweet triangle. Now I can die peacefully, I grimaced sardonically on my head.

"Let's go," si Rave na bigla-bigla na lang akong dinakip.

"Wait!" pigil ko at tumigil para harapin si Ezra.

Nanatili si Rave sa gutter at tamad akong tinanaw. Ezra looked amused now that he saw me marching towards him. He even had the guts to tilt his head, giving Rave a challenging look and being rowdy about my return.

Ano namang iniisip niya? Na bumalik ako para sa kanya?

Pagkalagpas sa kanya ay dali-dali kong hinagilap ang mga pamphlet na kinuha niya para sa akin. Napansin ko namang sinundan niya pa ako hanggang sa kiosk at nang paalis na sana, hinarangan ako.

"Hindi pa tayo tapos, Michaela Singh," Ezra whispered warningly.

I arched my brow at him and smiled sweetly.

"Hindi ka pa nga nanliligaw, breakup agad ang nasa isip mo. Gusto ko iyong sinusuyo muna ako, Honcho," sagot ko na lang sa kanya bago siya lagpasan nang tuluyan.

I was preoccupied mentally laughing by myself as I recalled Ezra's scornful expression after what I've said. Though, it was only short-lived when I eventually pondered about our serious discussion a while ago.

Duran. Dante. Durante. Where are you when I needed you most?

Hindi naman ako pinakialaman ni Rave Jackson habang nakasunod sa akin. Pagkalapas kasi ng gusali kung saan ang opisina ng SOLMA ay tuloy-tuloy na ang lakad ko.

I swiped my plarameter and learned that I still have a lot of time for the break. May isang oras pa bago ang sunod na klase dahil tuwing Tuesday at Thursday, tig-dadalawa lang ang music class at sa pagitan noon ay two-hour break. Sapat na para kumain at mag-asikaso sakaling umulan na ng mga activity, academically man o musically. Kadalasan daw kasi ng extra-curricular activities ay nakatapat sa dalawang araw na iyon.

Inangat ko ang mga mata sa paligid at nahinuhang palayo na kami sa remote area ng grounds. Ibig sabihin, parami na nang parami ang mga estudyanteng makakasalubong dahil patungo na sa quad.

I noticed the curious and impudent eyes of the students. Hindi na halos nasanay at huli na nang naalalang nasa likuran nga pala si Rave Jackson, siguradong pinagtitinginan na ng lahat!

Sinilip ko siya sa likod at nahuling nakatanaw lang sa akin habang naglalakad. Ilang metro lang ang layo kaya hindi malabong bigyan ng malisya ng ibang makakakita kaya naman binilisan ko na ang lakad, dahilan para makasalubong ang tatlong lalaking agaw-pansin din sa paligid.

"Rave! Naasikaso mo ba?" ngisi ng bokalista ng PRIMO kahit may kalayuan pa naman ang tinawag.

"Yeah."

Pero iyon ang akala ko. I just found myself in the middle of these guys, cornered.

Saka pa lang ata iyon napansin ng tatlo pang lalaki nang subukan ko nang lumiko pagilid. Palibhasa, malalaking tao kaya nakakapang-insulto sa tangkad kong 5"5 naman!

"Whoah! Si Ms. Cursing Machine, aka Dangerous Woman. Aka..." sabay sulyap ng bokalista sa lalaking nasa likod ko, nangingisi. "Rave Jackson's-"

"How's the Clock Out? Any reports?" tabing sa akin ni Rave Jackson bigla.

Kumunot ang noo ko at matalim siyang tinitigan. Tinulak pa ako nang bahagya para palitan ako sa puwesto!

Tumawa ang bokalista at palipat-lipat sa amin ang tingin, inignora ang sinabi ng kaibigan na nagtitimpi na lang sa kung ano.

Samantalang ang dalawa pang kabanda ay tahimik lang na nakatayo. Ang isa'y tila walang interes sa mundo samantalang kuryoso naman ang hitsura ng isa pa. As far as I remember, the former was their drummer and the latter was the pianist.

"Are you with each other?" Meanwhile, the vocalist asked with that ridiculous smirk on his face.

Naalala ko na naman iyong ginawa niyang bahagyang pagtitig sa akin noong tumutugtog sila, para bang may nais ipakahulugan.

I pursed my lips and laughed mentally. Kailan ka pa naging asyumera, Michaela?

Dahil ayaw nang mapahaba pa ang pagkakadawit sa apat na lalaki, isama pa na unti-unti na kaming pinalilibutan ng mga estudyante para makiusyoso, tahimik na lang akong humakbang palayo at napagpasyahan nang lubayan ang eksena nila.

"Yea- Maddison! Where do you think you're going?"

Napalunok ako, dinig ang ilang pagsinghapan at bayolenteng reaksiyon ng mga tao. Bago ko pa lingunin iyon, naramdaman ko na agad ang presensiya ni Rave Jackson sa tabi ko.

"Ano ba?" inis kong singhal nang hawakan na naman ako sa braso.

Kung kanina, nakayanan ko pang itago ang sakit. Ngayon, hindi ko na napigilan pang dumaing dahil sa pagkakahawak niya roon malapit sa sugat.

Rave noticed it now. His eyes hurriedly traced my line of vision and without any fuss, he flinched and released his grip on my arm.

Napakagat ako ng labi at sa pagkakataong iyon, hindi na muna inabalang isipin ang opinyon ng ibang tao.

I directed my senses to my wound. Naroon pa rin ang namumuong dugo sa pagitan ng mahabang hiwa at namumula pa rin ang palibot doon.

Kumunot ang noo ko sa hapdi nang umihip ang marahas na hangin at mukhang napasukan pa ng alikabok! Damn it!

"f**k," I unintentionally cursed under my breath.

Walang imik na nilingon ni Rave Jackson ang mga kabanda. Samantalang ang mga tao naman sa paligid ay nahuling ko na kating-kati nang tuklasin ang nangyayari pagkatingin ko.

I sighed and strode my way to the Wonderland. May sinasabi pa si Rave sa mga kaibigan nang layasan ko kaya naman ang makita siyang tumatakbo patungo sa akin ay nakakapagtaka.

Horror crept into my mind the moment I surveyed the area. Damn it. We're making a scene!

"Why do you always leave people behind?" si Rave nang nahabol na ako at hinuli ang kabilang braso.

Sa takot na nasungkit niya ang sensitibong parte, mabilis ko iyong tinanaw at nakahinga nang maluwag nang napagtantong kaliwa na ang inasinta niya ngayon.

I peered at him with a scowl on my face. He reflected it and glowered, too. I don't know why. But there's something in the way he said those words. Tila ba may mas malalim pang pinanghugutan.

However, I shrugged the fishy observation right away. For sure this would reach his silly and jealous girlfriend sooner or later.

Hindi sa tuluyan nang bumabahag ang buntot para sa malditang iyon. Sadyang wala pa ako sa gana para makipagtalo at makipagpaligsahan ng salita. Baka hindi ko pa masukat at makalmot ko pa ng kalaykay.

I wrinkled my nose. "Aso ka ba?"

"Bakit?" he asked innocently.

Halos mapamura ako nang napagtanto ang dating noon.

I studied his face but he remained arrogantly stoic, as if he wasn't thinking what I was thinking, walang ideya sa kalikutan ng imahinasyon ko.

Binaba ko ang tingin sa kamay niyang nakahawak sa braso ko at kusa nang tinanggal iyon.

"Panay ang habol mo sa akin, Jackson. Pangarap mo ba maging aso?" tanong ko, hinihimas pa kunwari ang bahaging hinawakan niya.

"What the heck happened to that?" maangas niya namang balik, inignora ang tanong ko.

Kahit hindi na niya tignan ay alam ko naman kung anong tinutukoy niya. Nirolyo ko na lang ang mga mata at nagsimula na lang ulit na maglakad. To my dismay, Rave Jackson stalked me still.

Now, I'm starting to suffer this unfortunate fate. Anticipating my prattles, he was already able to counter me with my fast-approaching complains when I glanced at him.

"I'm your friend."

A hot flush crept out from my collar to cover my face. Not because of something else, but because I tried so hard to suppress my incoming laugh.

"Nice joke," I just sneered eventually.

"I'm not joking," he muttered in return.

I snapped, still not trusting his words.

"I remember you saying just a while ago you're my enemy. A foe, Jackson. A foe. For the nth time, you mistook it again for friend. Is this cognitive dissonance? Ew."

Dahil habang tumatagal, palala na nang palala ang hinala ko sa mga kinikilos niya.

What is his true intentions though. What will he gain if he'll continue randomly tailing me? Befriending?

Nope. I don't think so. More like, I don't want to believe it.

"Dami mong satsat. Pupunta lang ng infirmary. Makasumbat ka parang ililiko kita sa motel," pikon na niyang ganti bago ako padarag na hinila patungo sa sinabi niyang lugar. 'Yung unang lugar.

Nanatili lang siyang nakatayo sa bukana habang nililinis ng nurse ang cut sa braso.

Mahaba iyon at hindi naman kalaliman ngunit pinayuhan ako na kailangan iyong linisan. Lalo na't sinumbong pa ni Rave Jackson na naalikabukan iyon kanina. Tuloy, hindi ko na mabilang kung pang-ilang irap ko na iyon para sa araw na ito.

The nurse applied a neosporin and covered it with a dressing. She advised me to apply antibiotic ointment and change the dressing twice a day.

Habang pinapayuhan ng nurse ay para akong pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa, nakatunghay lang sa bandage na kasalukuyang nakapulupot sa braso.

I groaned in dismay as I exited the infirmary with Rave Jackson behind me on my right, glancing at my wound cover as well. Tulala kong binaybay ang dinadaanan habang nag-iisip ng paraan para itago ito kina Daddy.

"This is your fault," I accused with gritted teeth.

"I don't remember lashing your damn arm," he blurted out with a flat voice, recklessly letting his awful mouth to rule over.

"I mean, look at this! How could I put this away from my parents' sight?" I winced.

For some reason, Rave wasn't able to respond right away. Muli ko itong nilingon at nahuling tulala sa kawalan, para bang may bumabagabag sa isip. At nang napansin ang pagtitig ko, saka lang nakabawi at walang ganang nagkibit-balikat.

"Saan mo ba nakuha 'yan?" tanong niya na lang kalaunan.

He sounded curious. I suspected. Should I answer that or should I not?

"Was it because you're dumb?" he added.

I know very well he's just putting up a show to drive me crazy and spill out the answer. Alam ko iyon. Pero masyadong epektibo at nakakapintig ng tenga kaya sa huli, nagtagumpay siya sa kanyang pakay.

"Jerk," I grimaced first. "May mga senior high na nang-asar. Hindi sinasadyang nadaplisan ng gitara ang braso ko nang paalis na. I don't even think they know what happened."

"This is new. Why didn't you fight back?"

Fight back...

Natahimik ako nang isang imahe ang sumulpot sa utak nang dahil sa dalawang salitang iyon.

All this time, am I really just protecting myself? Or am I already... fighting them back?

I lowered my head in confusion, creasing my forehead.

What's even the difference? Am I doing it wrong this time? If only he's here, he could tell me. If only he's here, he could-

"Maddison!"

Rave Jackson pulled my waist abruptly the same time I heard a loud beep. As an impulse reaction, I almost slapped him but when I examined the area, I relented quickly.

"What the f**k are you thinking? If you want to die, do it alone! Damn it!" he struggled.

Sinundan ko ng tingin ang dumaang sasakyan at bahagya ring napatigil dahil sa nangyari.

It was a student. The guy shouted a row of hate words that I scarcely processed before driving away. Hindi ko na napansin ang pagbitaw sa akin ni Rave. Natulala na ako pagkatapos.

"Are you dumb? No, you really are dumb, Maddison! That's not a question!" inis pang sipa ni Rave Jackson sa batong nasa semento.

But on the other hand, there was me....

I almost got bumped by a car. Pero bakit parang iba pa rin ang sanhi sa pagkirot ng damdamin ko?

Like an emotional distress surging out of nowhere, tears pooled on my eyes as I let go of the hidden feelings I've been disregarding for the past few weeks.

My heart ached when I closed my eyes. And Emmanuel's rugged-bitchy look and priceless smile flashed on my mind.

I missed him. And I need him in my life...

April 23, 2020