BUT SAPPHIRE fake her sleep, she prevent breathing for almost twenty seconds just to trick her kidnappers. Ibinana nila si Sapphire sa backseat ng kotse, malakas nilang isinarado ang pinto at ang sumunod na mga pangyayari ay hindi na nito masyadong alam, all that she know is that the car's moving and the driver is no other than Ruth.
"Bantayan ninyong maigi sina Rovic at Will, huwag ninyong hahayaang makatakas at baka maunsyami na naman ang plano ko," huli nitong bilin sa dalawang tauhan.
Sapphire has no clue what Ruth is up to right now, balak pa 'ata nitong mag-carpool?
Ten minutes of driving and Sapphire ended her drama. Idinilat niya ang kaniyang mga mata, medyo hilo pa siya at nanghihina. Naka-tali ring muli ang kaniyang mga kamay, she's having hard time moving. This is ridiculous!
NAGMAMADALI SA pagtakbo si Sapphire pagkababa nito sa taxi na kaniyang sinakyan, she just paid for the ride then head directly inside their mansion. From there she found her Mom, still catching breaths, livid and about to explode once more. Naka-tayo ito at walang hinto sa pabalik-balik na paglalakad habang todo sunod naman ang naka-hawak ng pamaypay na si Sean. He's still with his coat and tie, he looks so formal pero wala siyang choice ngayon kun'di ang maging tiga-paypay ng kanilang nag-ttantrums na Mommy. Her mother's eyes immediately flew to her when the door made a little sound after Sapphire shut it. Her mom's storm rage on, her footsteps could ruin the innocent floor as she approached Sapphire and gripped her left arm with so much intensity. She's still shaking in anger but she manage to speak calmly. "Sappy, what are you
SAPPY WENT downstairs the next day for her work, she's with her decent pair of uniforms already. Her dark brown, shoulder-length hair is now rolled in a perfect bun. Sa kaniyang bisig ay ang tatlo niyang makakapal na libro, habang sa kabilang braso niya'y ang kaniyang bag. Nagmamadali itong bumaba para pumulot nalang ng slice of bread mula sa kanilang dining."I'm running late, I'll go now, Mom..."Tinungo ni Sapphire ang kabilang side ng table kung saan naka-puwesto ang ina nitong tahimik at walang ekspresyong sumi-simsim sa kaniyang tsaa. Yumukod siya nang kaunti para sana halikan ang kaniyang mommy bilang pagpapaalam, subalit nanlamig si Sapphire nang iilag ng Ginang ang kaniyang pisngi mula sa kaniya.Ibinaba nito ang mamahaling tea cup niya kasabay no'n ay ang paglapag din nito sa table napkin na nasa kaniyang kandungan. Pagkatap
SAPPHIRE BIT her lower lip, a little clueless of what she will gonna do right now. Gano'n pa man ay sinikap pa rin nitong ngumiti nang lapitan niyang muli si Jared."It's okay, Jared. It's not your fault, but you have to come with me so we could wash up," mahina niyang winika sa bata. Inilahad nito ang kaniyang palad subalit mukhang hindi pabor ang bata sa kaniyang nais mangyari, instead he cried more and now calling his mom. "Jared..."Lahat ng mata'y na sa kanilang dalawa na ngayon. Tahimik na nanood ang ilan habang nang-aasar ang iba. Maski si Sapphire ay hindi na rin komportable sa sitwasyon, she really can't force the kid to stand up if this is the case."Class, I have task for you today, ready?" She's got a little idea, she hoped it would work. "I want you to close your eyes until the bell rang."
"SALBAHE KA talaga Teacher Sappy! Isa kang salbaheng babae na hindi marunong um-appreciate ng tulong, your heart is as hard as stone," pang-aasar ni Trisha sa kabilang linya. Katatapos lamang ng huling klase ni Sapphire nang mang-istorbo ang babaeng ito. Maybe she's done with her work that's why she has the chance to pester Sapphire now."Oh, I know." Subalit may kasamang pag-irap iyon. "Matagal na'kong salbahe and I think I'll be forever salbahe. Naka-engrave na sa kaluluwa ko ang adjective na 'yun.""Just like how he's engraved in your heart?" she asked playfully.Napabitaw sa ballpen si Sapphire na kanina pa niya pinaglalaruan sa ibabaw ng kaniyang desk. "Who are you talking about?"Although she has a hint. Well, sino bang hindi masasanay kung sa tuwing mag-uusap silang dalawa'y ipinipilit nitong de
ISANG SANDWICH at bote ng orange juice ang muling bumungad kay Sapphire pagkayari ng tutorial class nito sa 3rd floor, sunod na araw. Gaya ng dati'y mayroon muli itong kasamang yellow card na may isang tangkay ng fresh sunflower. Ang lakas lang sanang maka-secret admirer ng nagbibigay noon, if she's not jusy aware of the asshole's identity... Baka nga kiligin pa siya for all her life nobody dared doing such effort for her. Madalas kasi noo'y branded accessories, designer bags, imported chocolates at kung anu-ano pang kaya rin naman niyang bilhin ang madalas niyang matanggap. No one tried to make difference. Difference such as breaking the usual way, stop with the material things and be creative or more like expressive. Like the letters or maybe, subukan naman nilang alamin ang mga paborito nito... Haiissst! What could she expect? Lahat naman ng mga naging manliligaw n
"WAIT UP! Ihahatid ko lang si Ms. Sapphire sa kotse niya. I'll be back. Paki-hintay nalang ako," paalam ni Will.Muli nitong hinigit sa kamay ni Sapphire ang kaniyang mga dala, he raised the books to cover her from the hot sunrays. Sapphire was shocked but she managed not to show him any emotions. Nagpatuloy sila sa paglalakad, ilang beses na tumama ang dalaga sa dibdib ni Will. Masyado silang malapit na naririnig na ni Sapphire ang bawat paghinga nito.And it's not part of her plans. Ayaw nga niyang maka-pasok pa ito sa mundo niya, 'di ba? Then, why the hell are they this close?"I'm fine here, bumalik kana roon at hinihintay—""Give me your report," he said under serious voice.Hindi kaagad nagsink-in sa utak ng dalaga kung ano ang hinihingi ni Will sa kaniy
SAPPHIRE IS drowning in guilt as she sat inside the Van which will bring them to the island where they will be spending their whole week. Almost five thirty nang makarating siya sa school, agad niyang hinanap ang kanilang sasakyan para siguraduhin ang kaniyang pagsama.Ang naka-shorts at crop top na si Ms. Aila ang kaagad na sumalubong sa kaniya. She's with her bag packs and flowing excitement, she's smiling from ear to ear."Ms. Sapphire, I thought you're not going?" tanong nito habang pasilip-silip sa kung saan-saan. "Nasaan pala si Mr. Silva? Hindi ba kayo magkasabay ngayon?"And speaking of that. Gosh, Sappy! Why feeling guilty now when you already executed the plan? Manindigan ka nalang, it's just a trip. As if he can't go there when he wants to!"He's not coming."
NAPUNO NG ingay ng panunukso ni Mr. Aries ang paligid pagka-walk out ni Ms. Aila. May mga sinasabi itong hindi naman masundan ni Sapphire's because she has no clue what's really happening? Kaya naman mas pinili na lamang nitong umalis na rin at maglakad-lakad sa seashore para mag-isip at magpahangin.Base sa reaction ni Ms. Aila simula pa noong silang magkita'y hindi talaga niya gusto si Sapphire. She's just trying to be friendly with her because she thinks that she's friends with Will, marahil ay iniisip nitong matutulungan siya ni Sapphire sa binata.Well, it's not a new thing anymore. People ever since hated Sapphire without knowing the real person she is. Dahil sa mga tsismis na salbahe ito, na bitch ito, na brat siya, marami ang naniniwala, nagagalit at pinangingilagan siya kaya nga't sa libo-libong estudyante ng kanilang campus noo'y tatatlo lamang ang tunay na naging