27 Chapter 24 - Sinimot na Katas (2/2)

”Ako na magdadala ng rice, kuya.”

”Nasa rice cooker pa, 3 minutes na lang.”

”Ah, ok.”

Sumandal ako sa isa sa mga countertop sa kitchen habang pinagmamasdan si kuya Japo na sanay na sanay sa kusina. Siya rin kasi ang pinaka hands-on sa bahay, he knows where everything is.

”Why are you looking at me like that?”

”Err, wala lang.. Swerte lang ng magiging asawa mo, kuya. Gwapo ka na, maasikaso pa. Tsaka, madami ka pang pera.”

He laughed then snorted. ”I don't plan of getting married in this lifetime, Cece.”

”Still? Hindi naman lahat ng kinasal, naghihiwalay tulad ni mama at dad.”

”True. At ang mga natitirang kasal at tumandang magkasama ay kaedaran pa nila mamita at lolo pogs. In our age? Marriage is an illusion, and I'm never gonna fall for it.”

”So wala ka nang balak magkapamilya of your own? Di ba may legal matt -- ”

Biglang sumulpot si kuya Jared. ”O, ba't walang kanin?” masungit niyang sambit.

”Ayan na, kaluluto lang po. Ihahatid ko na lang po sa lamesa, señorito,” pang-asar kong tugon.

Nagpalipat-lipat lang ang tingin niya sa'ming dalawa ni kuya Japo at saka siya umalis. Si kuya Japo naman dedma pa rin habang nagpeprepare naman ng toyo-mansi na sawsawan.

”Sorry, kuya,” mahina kong sambit sa gilid ni kuya Japo.

”Huh? Sorry saan?”

”Dahil sa'kin, mainit dugo sayo ni Entot ngayon.”

He chuckled. ”Nah, it's fine. Jared hated being the youngest, kaya nung dumating ka, siya ang pinaka-nagpakakuya sayo. Kahit nuknukan ng pagka-annoying yun, mahal na mahal ka ng kuya Jared mo. Ultimo hangin sa baby room mo noon, filtered. Bawal pumasok kapag hindi nagtoothbrush, kasi madumi raw ang mabahong hininga, baka malanghap mo.”

Sabay kaming napatawa ng walang tunog at saka bumalik na sa lamesa, bitbit ko ang kanin. ”Eto na po ang kanin, señorito.”

”Very good. Tagal eh! May sikreto na naman ata kayo,” masungit na sambit ni Entot, ang pang-asar na nickname nila kuya kay kuya Jared noong maliit pa sila - Entot derived from his name, Jacinto Redentor.

”Hey Peach, ano yung nabalitaan kong kwento na naman, something about Teacher Kim?” tanong ni kuya Jako.

Nagkatinginan kami ni kuya Japo pero agad din siyang umiwas pagkaupo niya.

”What about it?” agad na tanong ni kuya Jael.

”Not sure, it's stupid. They said Teacher Kim and Cece ar -- ”

”Hep-hep! Di ba, bawal na ang tsismisan kapag nagdidinner tayo? Usapan na yun ah,” pasungit na sabat naman ni kuya Jared.

Kahit hindi siya kumbinsido sa naging alibi namin ni kuya Japo, he's become a little sensitive na rin talking about the rumors about me. True to what kuya Japo said, OA man minsan si kuya Jared sa pagka-kuya pero seryoso talaga siya.

”Paabot na nga lang po ng tilapia,” pagchange topic ko.

”Ako muna! Miss na miss ko na ang tunay na ulam no. Mga luto ni moJako, mga curry, steamed fish, beef ekek, pfffttt!” paasar na banat ni kuya Jared.

Binato siya ni kuya Jako ng buto ng kalamansi. ”The next time I'll cook, galunggong at sardinas lang ang ihahain ko sayo!”

”Ppffft! Mas ulam pa sa'kin yun no. Nye, nye, may pa, chicken wellington in mushroom butete sauce, may hollandaise ka pang nalalaman.”

”Velouté! Butete ka jan!” natatawang sungit ni kuya Jako.

Siya na nga't nagtawanan kaming lahat sa lamesa. Medyo bumalik ng kaunti ang sigla ng asaran at kulitan ng mga kuya ko. Mas paborito kasi rin talaga ni kuya Jared ang lutong ulam ni kuya Japo.

After ng 'before sleep' call namin ni Teacher Kim, bumaba ako sa kusina para uminom ng pampatulog kong isang baso ng chilled fresh milk. Bago ako umakyat ulit, narinig kong naguusap ang apat kong kuya sa den namin sa likod bahay.

Naging habit na nila ang magkwentuhan over beer until midnight, usually kapag paweekend na. Dededmahin ko na sana sila hanggang sa marinig kong nabanggit ang pangalan ko at ni Teacher Kim. Lumapit ako nang palihim malapit sa glass sliding door at sinubukang makinig.

”Nakakagago ka naman, bakit di mo na kasi diretsuhin aminin kung totoo ba,” masungit na sambit ni kuya Jared.

”I just don't want to interfere in Cece's affairs. You have to realise, she's not our little baby anymore. She makes up her own mind now. Kung panay lang natin siya pakikialaman, all the more reason she'd want to keep things from us,” tugon ni kuya Japo.

”She'll always be our little sister. But that's besides the point, Japs. If it's true about Teacher Kim, we have to intervene,” sambit naman ni kuya Jako.

”Oo nga! Adik ka ba? Nene pa yung kapatid natin, samantalang dambuhalang damuho na yung Christopher na yun! Kulong na nga yun eh!” pagsusungit pa ulit ni kuya Jared.

”But we don't want Cece to go through such a mess. Alam niyo guys, well - hindi naman sa makikialam na lang tayo eh, Japs, we're also just protecting her. What if that asshole take advantage of her?” sambit naman ni kuya Jael.

Naninikip naman ang dibdib ko sa mga naririnig ko. Para akong humihinga ng walang oxygen, malamig at maluwag lang ang air passage ko at nagbablanko naman ang utak ko.

”Cece asked me to give her time.”

”So ano nga, totoo ba yung kay Teacher Kim? Pota, ano ba, nanliligaw siya? Ano!”

”The rumor I heard, is that he's the boyfriend. What did Cece tell you?”

There was a long painful pause. ”Jako -- Well, she said.. our little sister said.. she loves him.”

Then another pause, more tensed this time.

”What the fuck?! Alam mo na pala talaga, all this time, wala ka talagang sinabi?”

”Jael -- hey! We all have to calm down.”

I heard some kind of a glass bumping, parang may natumba o nabasag na bote.

”Calm down?! Adik ka na, Apolinario! Inlove yung kapatid natin sa teacher niya, e mas matanda pa sayo yun ah!”

”This is Cece, we are talking about. How did it get to this?”

”So ano, sinabi niya na sayo, and you don't have a plan about it?”

”To give her time, Jael. That was the plan. To give her time, when she's ready to let us get involved.”

”What the fuck do you mean by that? When she's ready to get us involved? What the fuck is that?” naiirita nang sambit ni kuya Jako.

”Look, we have to handle this with Cece in the middle. We can't just kick the guy's balls and beat him to the ground and -- ”

”Susunugin ko pa siya! Pota siya! Mali siya ng napagtripan, Japo!”

”Cece cried for her love! It's Cece, our little peach, na nagsusumbong pa sa'tin kapag may gustong manligaw sa kaniya, now telling me she's in love, with tears and all. What do you want to do, beat and burn her heart too? Jared, you can't even handle when Cece is crying.”

Tila ba natahimik naman agad silang lahat. Nagumpisa nang tumulo ang luha ko kaya't dali-dali na akong bumalik sa kwarto ko. Isinubsub ko ang mukha ko sa mga unan at stuff toys at tuluyan na nga akong umiyak.

Naguguluhan ako, nasasaktan, natatakot. It was worst than getting stuck in a math problem that I couldn't solve. Suddenly, I was lost, not knowing what to do next - how am I gonna resolve this?

My brothers were angry. I was more worried about them than how my parents would react. I literally grew up with them, the four of them practically raised me. They are the most important people in my life. I was worried, hurt, and scared that I was dissapointing them.

Biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko. I wanted to ignore it, but I instantly thought of Teacher Kim. I checked who was calling at siya nga. I answered.

”Hey, love. Sleep yet? Sorry, I don't know why, I just.. I just felt like I needed to call you right now. Weird.”

I could only answer with my sobs.

❧ ❧ ❧

The rest of the weekend turned out to be the worst weekend of my life. I could barely get myself to breakfast, lunch and dinner. My kuyas were mostly out tho, but in chances that I have to eat with any of them, it gets extremely uncomfortable. They tried to act normal, but they didn't know, and I couldn't keep it out of my head, that I heard their conversation about me and my teacher.

Teacher Kim has been constantly checking up on me too. I asked him to give me sometime alone, just this weekend, so I can try and focus on my review for the finals. He didn't listen, of course. But I knew he was just worried about me. Too bad too, I couldn't really focus on my review.

”Ano, Cece, sisiw ba Math?” tanong ni Mecky paglabas ni Teacher Kim ng klase matapos ang Math exam namin.

”Ok lang. Napagaralan naman na rin kasi natin 'to noong junior high. Saka may Calculus pa, tapos Com Sci pa. ”

”Sabagay. Saka kahit di ka naman masyado nakapagreview, for sure highest ka pa rin.”

”Baliw. Mas mataas ka nga sa'kin nung midterm.”

”Luh! Ikaw kaya yung highest.”

Napaisip ako bigla, twice ko nga pala ni-take yung Math midterm. ”Ay, ako ba? Edi, ako na, ako na lang ulit,” dinaan ko na lang sa biro.

The rest of the day was rather mellow, umuulan na naman kasi. Parang isang plain white-grey na papel ang langit, walang hulma ang mga ulap. May mga mahinang garalgal ng kulog na maririnig, tapos hihinto-lalakas lang ang ulan.

Hindi ko rin naramdaman ang presensya ni Teacher Kim. No text, wala rin pasulpot na halik, 'ni hindi ko nga rin siya namamataan sa hallways at nung lunch break. I thought it was good na rin para bawas usok sa apoy ng tsismisan sa paligid.

Nagulat naman ako nang biglang kumatok si Blue sa pinto after ng exam namin sa Philosophy. Dinig naman ang kilig sa mga may crush kay Blue, pero ipinagtaka kong tila ba dedma lang si Mecky.

”Good aft po sir dela Cruz, sorry to disturb. Principal Moon is asking for Cece, may I excuse her po?”

Nagulat naman ako't, ako pala ang sadya, may ilang tumaas pa ang kilay sa'kin; may nadinig pa akong snide comment: ”Si Cece na naman! Lahat na lang ng gwapo sa kaniya na. Hmff!”

Si sir dela Cruz ang temporary replacement ni Mrs. Geronimo sa class namin since on leave na siya para sa panganganak niya. He let me excused myself at dumiretso na nga ako sa Principal's office.

”Napatawag na naman ako. Suki na ata talaga ang mga Kim-Menendez sa Principal's office,” masungit kong bulong sa sarili.

”Huh? Ano yun, Cece?”

”Ayy, wala Blue. Teka, bakit ikaw pala ang nautusang ipatawag ako?”

”I've been called up too. I guess we'll know why when we get there.”

Nagtaka naman ako. Wala naman ibang upcoming event ang school, at ang susunod na major event ay sa December pa.

We were guided by the Principal's assistant to head straight to his mini conference room. Naalala ko, the last time I was there, I did something very very naughty.

Napahinto naman ako sa paghinga nang pumasok kami ni Blue sa conference room, Teacher Kim was already there. His expression was serious, and, he looked pained.

”Ms. Kim-Menedez, President Blue, please, please, have a sit.” Weirdly, Principal Moon was calm, but his expression was dark serious. Nagumpisa nang kumabog ang dibdib ko, something didn't feel right.

”I know, you, you both are still having your final exams today. But we have some serious matters to discuss.”

”Well, sir, I'm done for the day. I think, Cece, too?” sagot ni Blue. I nodded.

”I know that too, of course, I'm the Principal. That's why I called you both here.”

Teacher Kim, sitting in front of me, was playing with his thumb and point finger; the seriousness of his eyes would shift from the table's surface and then me. I was hoping he was thinking about the naughty incident we had under this table, but I seem to be thinking wrong.

”As your esteemed Principal, I make sure I know every little thing that are going on in this school. And I know everything that is going on, I don't like it. Blue, as the student body president, you must know that we strictly condone any type of bullying in our great institution. And we must do everything in our power to prevent, or stop any sign of bullying. Rumor mongering and spreading of fake stories about our students and everyone else in this school, I consider it a type of bullying. Do you know the latest trending topic now, Blue?”

We were all in grave expressions, then Blue seemed to be speechless after the funny note of question of Principal Moon - trending topic?

”Err, given the two other persons in this room, I would assume you meant, it is about them, sir? Yes, I've heard of the rumors, but I never took it seriously. It is obviously false.”

”Even so, it is affecting reputations, especially, a faculty member is involved.”

It was obvious in Teacher Kim's expressions that he was uncomfortable with the discussion, it was as if he wanted to interrupt but he was also concerned about something else. I sure hoped he hasn't admitted anything yet.

”With all due respect, err, our esteemed Principal, I respect and I completely agree with you about anti-bullying. I'm proud of how we, you, instill it in our school. But still, we are all under the right to freedom of speech. We cannot just stop people's thoughts and opinions. The least I could say, at the student council, we had an informal meeting about this last week, to try and find out who is starting and spreading these rumors. Although, well, people talk, even discreetly, still, someone has to be starting the rumor mongering, especially on social media. And it's not just, all about Cece, there are others too. And as representative of the student body, sir, we have our attention on this.”

Tila ba natememe naman si Principal Moon, I thought he knew everything that was going around in this school. ”Well, next time you should involve me. I am the Principal after all.”

”Of course, sir. We have our official meetings every two weeks, so once we have an action plan, we will lay it to our faculty advisors to.. lay it to you, sir. That has always been the process, that you sir, very well, outlined.”

”Of course, I know that. That's -- ”

”Right then. Mr. Principal, you mentioned you have something important to discuss with me and Cece?” sabat naman ni Teacher Kim, who I figured, was growing impatient by the minute.

”Yes. That too. Well, Blue, keep doing a good job, but I must let you go now. We have other matters to discuss. Thank you for your time.”

Blue, with his radiating charisma and charm, did all the niceties and left the room, leaving the air dry and awkward for the three of us left. I've always noticed, Principal Moon was never fond of students who appeared to be smarter than him.

”So, it is with a heavy heart, and much, much regrets, that I've made a decision to pull you two, out of the competition,” diretsahang anunsyo ni Principal Moon.

”Principal Moon, that's -- ”

”I know, Teacher Kim. But I had to make this decision. Cece, your parents called me and they know what was going on. They've expressed how uncomfortable they are with these rumors and your mom asked to take action about it.”

”My parents.. asked you, to.. pull us out?”

”No, Cece. I made the decision.”

Teacher Kim and I were both confused, befuddled. I was in a bit of a shock too, para bang binuhusan ako ng isang balde ng pagsisisi, and I wasn't even sure what were my regrets about.

”Sir, Principal Moon, isn't this too drastic a decision? It doesn't quite make sense, really. Cece, has reviewed and prepared for the competition profusely, sir. And are we gonna let it all go to waste?”

”I have prepared for this, I have a back up plan, in case, something doesn't work right with you two.”

”No, sir, that's beside the point. Why pull us out if we are prepared?”

”You two are tainted with rumors, and -- ”

”What does that have to do with the competition? Are we gonna lose points because of it? Sir?”

I remained silent, speechless more likely. Teacher Kim's expression and the tone of his voice has grown from impatient to pissed.

”My decision is final. I will win this competition. I don't want any distraction, and I can't just let either one of you go and match with someone else. There will be no rapport. And besides, her parents have expressed deep disdain over these rumors. They are very concerned about it. How could I let you two go? ”

”Codswallop! This is -- ”

”Ah, ahmm,” I interjected, they both looked at me. ”If, ehm, if that is what you think is best, Principal Moon, I will accept. Well, -- ”

”Cece, don -- ”

”I just, don't want any more complications. I want this all to be over.”

Nagkatinginan kami ni Teacher Kim; his brows, knitted; his mouth, partly opened; his eyes, hurt. And I turned numb.