Chapter 5

"Hey, are you hooking up with the new transferee?"

Naramdaman ko ang mga tingin ng mga kaklase ko sa akin. Ngayon nagiging interesado na silang muli sa kung anong nangyayari sa buhay ko. Naghahanap talaga sila ng butas at baho sa isang Valleroso.

"Where did you make out? We're interested in what you did together." Another one lit up from the wick.

"Yes! We are curious why both of you leave and come together!"

I gritted my teeth, but the loud thud of chairs broke the heavy atmosphere inside the four corners of this room. Nakita ko si Elton sa upuan sa likod na suot ang naiinis na mukha dahil naabala sa pagtulog niya. Mas lalong napakunot ang noo ko.

"Who shouted?" He walks towards us. "Who interrupts my sleep?" he added with the authority of a prince who we shouldn't interrupt.

"Tsk. Bakit ka ba kasi natutulog sa classroom? Bahay mo ba 'to?" Someone murmured; unfortunately, Elton and I heard it.

"Sinasagot mo ba ako nang pabalang?" Elton clenched his fist and held my classmate's collar. Looking at his face was a little bit scary, but manly for me. Am I being crazy?

Pero saglit lang iyon dahil nagulat ako nang itulak ni Elton ang kaklase ko sabay pinalipad niya gamit ang kaniyang kamao. Napasigaw ang mga kaklase kong babae. Sino ba naman kasing tao ang kakalipat lang ngayong araw ay gumagawa na ng gulo?

A-anong gagawin ko? Kailangan ko siyang pigilan dahil nakakabahala ang ginagawa niya at isa pa, dinudungisan niya ang kaniyang anghel na pagmumukha. Sinisira niya ang pantasya ko sa kaniya!

"STOP!" sigaw ko. Nakapikit ang mga mata ko bago ko pinigilan ang mga kamay niyang mukhang susuntok na naman doon sa kaklase namin.

Silence makes us deaf for a moment. I slowly opened my eyes to see his reaction. Our eyes met, and all I can hear now is my heart.

"Why would I?"

Nagtama ang mga mata namin. I was drowning in his intense and penetrating stare, which I didn't expect to witness. Even the sudden changes in it in just a blink.

"Zavalla! Valleroso!"

Kung hindi ko pa siguro narinig ang pangalan ko, ay hindi ko maiaalis ang mga mata ko kay Elton. Pareho naming ipinunta ang mga mata namin kay Professor Pasion, who was glaring at us. "Both of you! To the Dean's office!"

Napakagat ako sa labi ko. Ito ang unang beses na pupunta ako sa Dean's office sa ganitong dahilan. I couldn't stop biting my nails habang naglalakad papunta sa opisina. Nakakahiya para sa akin. Paano kung malaman ito ni dad?

The intensity of embarrassment filled my system as I held the cold doorknob of the office. Nag-aalangan pa akong buksan iyon. Hindi naman siguro malala ang parusang ipapataw sa akin, hindi ba? Umawat lang naman ako.

I get a sudden mental breakdown when Elton immediately opens the door. The heavy atmosphere greeted us and made my knees shake.

"Mr. Elton Zavalla," Dean Rivera called him with authority. I was intimidated by it. I saw her looking at the folder that seems to be the record file of this transferee I am with now.

"Are you aware of what you've done? You got transferred today to South Middleton University, and now you're showing your true colors this early. What seems to be the problem?"

I bite my lip as I listen to their conversation. Dapat hindi na lang ako pumasok kaagad kung si Elton naman pala ang unang kakausapin.

"You shouldn't have accepted me in the first place. You have all the reasons to do so. It was all written on my records, all of what I did at my past universities."

Nagulat ako kung paano sagutin ni Elton nang pabalang ang dean namin. Napakawalang galang kung paano niya kausapin ang isa sa mga taong dapat nirerespeto sa university na ito. Ako ang nahihiya sa ginagawa niya. Nangliliit ako. I mean, tama naman ang sinabi niya, pero kung paano niya iyon sabihin, iyon ang mali. He could've kept quiet, especially now that I can see the reaction on our dean's face. Hindi ako makatingin kay Dean nang matagal.

Dean just shook her head out of disgrace. I adore how she handled her patience with this guy. I mean, if I were in her situation, I would be annoyed and angry. No doubt, her position fits her. She is our dean.

Her eyes landed on me, and tremors flashed in my chest.

"You can leave now, Elton," she commanded.

I was left with no idea what to do. Hindi ko alam kung tama bang huminga ako lalo ngayong nakakaramdam ako ng nerbyos. Hindi ko rin alam kung dapat bang tingnan ko si Dean. Ayokong salubungin ang mga mata niya.

"Your professor reported that you went out in the middle of his class. You should have known that Professor Magalona is one of our strict but reliable professors. He doesn't see you as an honor student because he treats everyone fairly. You should know that he considers but never tolerates."

I nodded to show my respect. I admitted my mistakes.

"Why did you ditch his class, Alliah? And you were together with Mr. Bolario?" she added.

"Y-yes, Dean, he told me that our baby died."

Nahulog ang hawak na ballpen ni Dean. "B-baby?"