The following day, as anticipated, I developed a fever. Aling Nita reprimanded me upon learning the reason.

Aware of my fragile health, Aling Nita was deeply upset. Struggling to rise from my bed due to the weight of my body, I relied on her to bring me food. She refrained from informing Mommy and Daddy of my illness, resulting in me ignoring their calls.

Instead of reassuring words such as "get well soon," "eat before taking your medicine," or "rest today and skip tomorrow if needed," all I received was: "know that your body is frail, yet you still showered in the rain," "recover quickly, you must attend school tomorrow," and "you are grounded."

Despite feeling unwell, I pushed myself to attend school the next day. I nearly arrived late but fortunately made it to the gate with Sir Xade, who appeared to be waiting for someone.

"Good morning po, Sir," magalang kong sinabi bago bahagyang tumango.

"Why are you so late? You usually arrive early, don't you?" he inquired.

I mustered a faint smile. "I have a fever, Sir. But I can manage, it's preferable to being absent; Mommy and Daddy would be upset," I replied.

He frowned. "Are your grades more significant than your health?" he questioned, a hint of annoyance in his tone. I nodded, as honesty was imperative. "Alright, if your fever worsens, head to the clinic right away, don't wait until you collapse," he advised.

"Bakit po, Sir? Malaki po bang abala?" tanong ko.

He was momentarily taken aback by my question before proceeding to walk into the school, prompting me to follow. "That's not what I meant; don't solely focus on academics. Your grades won't matter if your heart ceases to beat," he responded.

I sighed. "Buti ka pa, Sir, you are worried about my health. I hope you're my father so I won't be pressured like this." I said.

"Are you feeling pressured by your family? Are they the ones pushing you to study rigorously?" he inquired. I nodded. "Why don't you express your true feelings? It's evident that you don't enjoy studying constantly."

Muli akong bumuntong hininga. "Hindi naman 'yon ganoon kadali, Sir. Kung iisipin madali lang sabihin 'yung mga nararamdaman ko, pero kapag sasabihin ko na, umuurong 'yung dila ko," sambit ko. "Ewan ko po ba. Parang kapag nag-open up ako magagalit lang sila tapos i-invalidate nila 'yung nararamdaman ko. Baka isipin nila na nag-iinarte lang ako."

"Si Ate Grapes ko po kasi noon nag-open up. Kasi ayaw niyang mag-politiko, nung sinabi niyang ayaw niya ay napagalitan lang siya. Tapos nung kumuha siya ng ibang course katakot-takot na sermon ang inabot niya kina Mommy at Daddy, sinaktan pa siya ng pisikal."

"So, this is me—I grew up fearing them because I witnessed how they mistreated my sister and brother. I don't want to end up like my siblings, so I comply with everything they desire," I confided.

"Even if it means marrying someone you don't love?" he probed.

I furrowed my brows. Eventually, I simply chuckled. "Mommy and Daddy aren't like that. They wouldn't allow me to marry someone I don't love until I become a politician," I clarified.

Silence fell between us as we entered the room.

Everything appeared ordinary; I overheard disparaging remarks, but that was the extent of it. Perhaps they pity me, it's evident that I am unwell. Maawa naman sila sa akin kahit ngayon lang. Baka bigla akong umiyak kapag na-bully ako. 

In the afternoon, I headed to the side of our strand's building to dispose of garbage. Sovie did not accompany me as she had been invited to Steffi and Flint's home.

Seating myself on the stone chair attached to the building wall, I felt lightheaded from the walk. I shut my eyes momentarily, inhaling the fresh air. I was preparing to rise and return to the room to head home when suddenly, cold water splashed onto my head.

I gazed up slowly, only to spot two female students on the second floor, laughing. Upon catching sight of me, they arched their eyebrows. Not content with their prank, they proceeded to drop two bottled waters on my face, causing me to stagger from the impact.

Muli silang nagtawanan bago nagsalita ang isang babae. "Isipin mo na lang na holy water 'yang binudbod namin sa 'yo para makilala mo naman si Lord at hindi ka gumaya sa Tatay mong home wrecker."

Sinundan naman iyon ng isang babae. "Itapon mo na lang 'yung bote sa basurahan, kung saan nababagay ang Daddy mong home wrecker tapos pinagtatanggol mo pa."

Both of them departed, laughing. I retrieved the two bottles and crushed them with my trembling hand, venting my frustration as I angrily threw them into the trash bin, restraining myself from shouting in my anger.

After discarding the bottle, I fled, yet I didn't head straight to the classroom. My face, hair, and uniform were drenched. Gasping for breath, I halted my sprint. As tears welled up in my eyes, I scanned the dimly lit classroom surroundings.

Approaching the sections to identify the building I was in, I realized it was the Stem building. Dabbing my tears and face with a handkerchief, I wandered around their building, devoid of students. Here, I found solace as no one would mistreat me due to my Daddy's past issue. Ang mahalaga sa kanila nakakapag-aral sila at palaging nasa top.

As I strolled, I arrived at an unoccupied area. Unsure of its exact name, it resembled an open space devoid of trees, filled with old items from their building. Could it be referred to as a storage area? Pero nasa cellphone ang storage kaya paano mapapapunta iyon dito.

Napailing ako sa aking sarili.

I was about to leave that place when I heard someone screaming in pain. "Oo na, oo na, 'wag niyo lang akong sasaktan!" sigaw ng isang lalaki. "Yhael!"

I followed the source of the scream. Peering through an open door, I witnessed Yhael gripping a man by the collar of his uniform, his fist connecting with the man who bore blood on his mouth and attire. His friends surrounded the scene, with Kuya Zhack idly observing, Juniel engrossed in a book, and Daniel and Janser cheering Yhael on for his actions.

Yhael poised himself for another punch when I intervened, yelling, "Stop!" as I approached the battered man. I loosened Yhael's grip on him.

Halata ang gulat ni Yhael dahil sa ginawa ko. Napatayo rin ng tuwid si Kuya Zhack, at natigil sa pag-aaral si Juniel, natahimik naman ang dalawang tinotolerate ang ginagawang pananakit ni Yhael. Umirap ako sa tatlo. "Why do you hurt a man who has no fight? Are you really men?" I preached.

Receiving no immediate response, I shifted my attention to the weakened man now seated on the floor. Assisting him to his feet, I sensed a light grasp on my arm. Masama kong tinitigan si Yhael nang makita siya. "'Wag mo ngang tulungan ang lalaking 'yan. 'Wag mo 'yang hawakan," mariin niyang sinabi.

I quickly removed his hand from my arm. "Ikaw ang huwag akong hahawakan," pagalit kong sinabi.

"Did you not hear his pleas? He's injured, and yet you find joy in his suffering. Is this what instills fear in other students? Your behavior is disgraceful," I reprimanded.

Kumamot si Daniel sa kaniyang batok. "Aphle, wala ka namang alam kaya tabi ka na muna riyan. Hayaan mong bugbugin namin—"

"Are you guys for real," singhal ko. "Nananakit kayo ng taong wala namang kalaban-laban. In short, bullying. Sana isipin niyo muna 'yung mararamdaman nung taong sasaktan ninyo ng physical at emotional."

"Iba 'yung bullying sa ginagawa namin, Aphle," mariing sinabi ni Yhael. He looks frustrated by what I said. "The school staff cannot address the harassment matter due to financial factors. Consider this—your female peers are being harassed, and yet you support the individual responsible for such actions. Is this truly your stance, Aphle? You engage in these matters without understanding the full context.

Natigilan ako sa kaniyang sinabi. "Anong ibig mong sabihin? H-Hindi ba bullying ang ginagawa niyo sa kaniya?" Nanghihina kong tanong. Gusto kong takpan ang tenga ko dahil parang hindi ko yata kayang marinig ang magiging sagot niya.

"Hindi ito bullying, Aphle. Parusa niya 'to na hindi kayang ibigay ng school dahil may pera 'yan," sagoy ni Yhael. "Ilang beses na 'yang na-rereport sa akin ng mga babae kasi hinahawak-hawakan sila kung saan-saan. Hindi sila makapagsumbong kasi alam nilang mababaliktad dahil may pera 'yang demuhong na 'yan."

"Imagine, hindi naman ako ang SSG President pero ako ang nakakaalam ng ganitong ginagawa ng lalaking 'yan," natatawa niyang sinabi, hindi inaalis ang kaniyang tingin sa akin. "Sa totoo lang, marami silang gumagawa niya niyan, kaya 'yung sinasabi nilang nam-bu-bully kami, mali 'yon. Dinidisiplina lang namin ang mga estudyanteng hindi kayang disiplinahin ng school staffs."

I felt my strength drain away at Yhael's words. My hand released its grip on the man whom Yhael had attacked. Sensing this, the man hastily seized my arm, seeking to distance himself from the situation.

Dinala niya ako sa kaniyang likuran. "Diyan ka na muna, ihahatid kita sa gate," aniya.

I stepped back slowly, feeling drained by the revelations. It dawned on me that my initial judgment had been erroneous; I had taken the wrong side in the conflict involving the man who had harassed my female peer.

Clutching my fists, frustration welled up within me towards both myself and the man. The urge for retaliation surged within me. Despite not seeking retribution against those who had harassed me in the past, here was an opportunity to make amends. Gusto kong gumanti para sa mga babaeng na-harassed niya.

Lalapit na sana ako sa lalaki nang biglang magsalita si Kuya Zhack na nasa tabi ko pala. "Hayaan mo na si Yhael ang gumanti, hindi mo kailangang tumulong," Humarap siya sa akin. "At isa pa, ayaw niyang tinutulungan siya ng babae."

Nakinig ako kay Kuya Zhack at hinintay na lang matapos si Yhael. Hindi ako nang-to-tolerate ng mga ganitong gawain, pero kung deserve naman, kahit alam kong masama, matutuwa pa ako.

Janser assisted the man, who was limping and struggling to stand. Approaching Yhael, I acknowledged my mistake. "I apologize, Yhael. You were correct; I shouldn't have intervened without full knowledge of the situation," I admitted.

Inayos niya ang basang buhok dahil sa pawis. "Ayos lang," bahagya siyang ngumiti sa akin. "Naiintindihan naman kita. Basta, next time 'wag ka nang nangingisali lalo na kapag ibang away. Baka mapahamak ka pa."

Tumango ako sa kaniya bago niya kinuha ang kaniyang bag at isinukbit iyon sa kaniyang balikat. "Tara na, hatid na kita sa sundo mo," aniya.

Nauna na kaming maglakad sa tatlong lalaki. "Pwede bang magtanong?" tanong niya sa akin nang makalabas kami ng kwarto.

"Sure," sagot ko.

"Na-bully ka na ba?" tanong niya. Tumigil siya sa paglalakad nang tumigil din ako. Hindi pa ako nakakasagot pero alam na kaagad niya ang sagot. "Sinong gumawa?"

I simply shook my head before resuming my task. "Let it be. They won't cease their actions even if I disclose their identities to you," I remarked.

"Ilan ba sila?" tanong niya. "Sabihin mo kung sino-sino. Kahit ilan pa sila, gagantihan ko para sa 'yo."

-iamlunamoon