WINTER

Tahimik lang akong pinapaikot sa mga daliri ko ang ballpen na hawak ko habang pinag mamasdan ko ang bawat kilos nya. Medyo lumalim ang boses nya ngayon kumpara sa unang pasok nya dito. Kusang kumukunot ang noo ko sa twing mag sasalita sya o di kaya ay ang mga kilos nya.

Gusto ko mag wala, nahihirapan kasi kami ni Darius na alamin ang background nya. Ayaw rin naman ibigay sakin ni Shadow or should i say Tita Eirish, Ian's mom.

"How about this one? What is Psychology summary? anyone knows the answer?" Tanong ni Sir Gabriel at inilibot pa ang tingin samin. "How about you, Mr Alvarez?"

"Ako po?" Turo ni Darius sa sarili nya.

"Yes, i called you by your surname, aight?"

Darius sighed. "Sir, I'm sorry i know that it was sounds disappointing but i don't know the answer though. I was taking law po hindi psychology."

"But this is one of our lesson for today, Mr Alvarez." Sabi ni Sir Gabriel.

"Sorry po, " Sabi ni Darius at inilibot ang tingin samin tapos nag simula ng mag turo. "You can ask, Owen nalang po since he was taking a BS Psychology next year."

"Luh, seryoso ba?" Gulat na tanong ko kay Owen.

"Takte talaga 'tong si Dari. Wala pa naman akong naintindihan sa lesson." Yamot na sabi ni Owen at napakamot nalang sa ulo.

"Shuta, mag kaibigan nga talaga kayo." Umiiling na sabi ko.

Ibinalik ko nalang ang paningin ko sa harapan, hindi rin naman sumagot si Owen dahil wala daw talaga syang naintindihan kinumpirma nya rin na hindi pa naman daw sya sure sa pagiging siklohista next year pag tapak nya ng college.

Kaycee raised her hand kaya napabaling ng tingin sakanya ang lahat.

"Yes, Ms Torres?" Sagot ni Sir Gabriel.

"Sir, can i ask something lang po?" Tanong ni Kaycee.

Sir Gabriel nodded. "Yes sure,"

"Uhm...i-is it legal for teachers to have a love relationship to his or her students?" Tanong ni Kaycee kaya nag simulang mag bulungan ang lahat.

"Insan, Sa dinami dami ng tanong bakit ayan?" Kunot noo'ng tanong ni Dari.

"Forbidden na 'yon, diba?" Dinig kong tanong ni Kate.

"Oo ata, ewan diko alam." Sagot ni Achi.

"Why are you suddenly ask, Ms Torres?" Kunot noo na ring tanong ni Sir.

"My internet friend ask me about it po kasi and di ko po alam isasagot ko since hindi ko po alam." Sagot ni Kaycee.

Like what Kate asked, yes it's already forbidden.

I make a fake cough so i can get their attention. Patuloy ko pa rin nama'ng pinapaikot sa daliri ko ang ballpen na hawak ko.

"Having relationship like teacher-student is considered as a forbidden act fir teachers to fall for their students. Thus, even when a minor student voluntarily enters into a love affair with his or her teacher, consent is disregarded by law at the teacher may be deemed to have committed child abuse as a criminal offense." Sagot ko at tinignan sila isa isa.

"Naks, galing naman idol." Sabi ni Darius.

"So, are you telling us that it's really illegal?" Tanong ni Lexie.

I nodded and licked my lower lips. "Just like what i've said it was considered as child abuse or criminal offense. An improper relationship with a student can result in a criminal conviction, imprisonment and financial penalties. Even if the relationship ship between those two are consensual an improper sexual act between teacher and student is illegal." I explained again.

I saw an amusement on Sir Gabriel's face and the others. Ian clap his both hands with Achi and Zeus.

"Wow..." I read that Ian's mouthed.

"As in bawal ba talaga? nasa batas na ba 'yon?" Kunot noo'ng tanong ni Rai.

"Yes, nasa batas na 'yon. Why aren't the teachers and students can be together? it is because it was considered a forbidden act for teachers. As a teacher they stand in loco parentis as regards their minor wards. Therefore unthinkable for teachers who under the law is a substitute parent to have amorous feelings towards his or her minor student." I explained again then i spin the ballpen on my fingers again and gave them a simple glance. "A student on the other hand is vulnerable and therefore protected by laws again abuse's such as Republic of Act 7610 or RA 7610, or the Special protection of children against abuse, Exploitation and discrimination act; and RA 7877 or the Anti-Sexual harrassment act of RA 1995. If they really love each other then the teacher should be wait until the his or her student is finally graduated and finds a better job so pwede na nila gawin ang lahat ng gusto nila."

"How did you know about that? did you search it?" Tanong ni Zeus.

"Sa biglaa'ng tanong ni Kaycee do you think, Winter have time to search it?" Sagot sakanya ni Kate.

"Wala pa akong nalalaman na kahit isa sa batas sanaol nalang." Sabi ni Lexie.

"Tayo 'tong mag l-law in the future pero wala pang alam tapos 'yung hindi interesado sa law sya pa 'tong may mas alam sa mga batas." Umiiling na sabi ni Achi.

"Ganon pala 'yon? hala thank you sa sagot libre kita raspberry cupcake mamaya." Sabi ni Kaycee at nag flying kiss pa. I just chuckled.

"Hindi na ako mag tataka kung nasa highest honor natin si Winter." Proud na sabi ni Rai.

"Ayoko, Hahahaha." Sabi ko nalang.

"Ay ayaw daw sige sakin nalang guys." Sabi ni Owen kaya binato sya ng notebook ni Darius.

Muli ko nama'ng sinulyapan si Sir Gabriel na natatawa dahil sa kaingayan na naman ng mga kaibigan ko. He suddenly turned his glance on me then i noticed that he was smiling at me while his thumbs is up.

Why is it quietly familiar to me?

***

"Masyado ng nag kalat ang mga corrupt na politicians."

I nodded sign of i was agreeing to Kate's said. Hindi naman sa naninirang puri kami pero totoo naman kasi talaga 'yon. Karamihan sa mga politician ay corrupt at malaking pera ang nananakaw nila sa gobyerno. Kaya nakakasuka na rin dahil masyado ng pinugaran ng toxicity ang society natin.

"Weh? tapos panay puro political science ang libro'ng binabasa." Parinig ni Achi kaya binatukan sya ni Kate.

"Hinihingi ko ba opinyon mo, ha?" Bara sakanya ni Kate.

"Nope, pero totoo naman lakas mo makaano dyan e ikaw nga nag babasa ng libro about politics." Hirit pa ni Achi.

Kate rolled her eyes. Signature of a bitch. "Look who's talking e sya naman 'tong bumili lahat ng 'yon."

Nagulat naman kami sa narinig namin. Nag katinginan pa kaming lahat bago ibinalik ang tingin sa dalawa na nag papalitan ng matatalim na tingin.

"What the fudge, Achilles Jonas Pineda? akala ko sayo 'yung mga libro na pinag bibili mo 'yun pala para kay Kate?" Tanong ni Darius at napatakip pa sa bibig nya.

"Kailangan full name, ha?" Bara sakanya ni Achi.

"So it's true? those books that you buy before is for Kate?" Si Ian na ang nag tanong at hinawakan ang kamay ko sa ilalim ng lamesa.

"Oo na, okay na ba? mang-aasar lang kayo e." Inis na sagot ni Achi.

"Oh wag ka pikon dyan." Sabi ko.

"Cute mapikon ni Achi, pAchiSs nga ako sa pwet." Pang-aasar ni Darius.

"Dugyot!"

"PachiSs nga kami, Achi."

"Anyway, i find suspicious to Sir Gabriel."

Natigilan naman kaming lahat at napatingin kay Zeus na seryoso ang itsura, nag tinginan pa sila ng tingin ni Lexie. The expression on my face suddenly change into a serious yet deadly one.

"What about him?" I asked.

"Well, he was something that i can't explain. I have this guts that he's not just an advisor." Sagot nya.

"Wait, nalilito ako paki enlighten nga ako dali." Kunot noong sabi ni Kaycee.

"Sino'ng may lighter sainyo?" Tanong ni Darius.

"Wala ako," Sagot ni Achi.

"Wala rin ako papa." Sagot ni Owen.

"I don't smoke so i don't have one." Sagot lang din ni Ian.

"Asan na lighter ng masindihan nyo na ako." Sabi pa ni Kaycee.

"Literal na mag pinsan talaga mga hamog ang utak." Umiiling na sabi ni Rai.

"Pero ano nga? ano bang something kay Sir?" Curious na tanong ni Kate.

"Curiousity can kills a cat." Sabi ni Achi.

"Cat like, Draco?" Tanong ni Rai.

"Ano ba? manahimik nga muna kayo pag sasalaksakan ko ng buns 'yang bunganga nyo e." Inis na sabi ni Lexie kaya umayos ang lahat.

"Sige na po, simulan nyo na po ang pag pupulong." Sabi ni Owen at nag bow pa ginaya rin naman ni Darius.

Mga tarantado.

"I was about to enter the faculty room when i saw, Sir Gabriel. May hinahanap syang papers then i found out that paper's are not just an ordinary one." Kwento samin ni Zeus.

"Not ordinary one?" Tanong ni Ian.

"What do you mean then?" Tanong ko rin.

"I can't explain but when i take a glance on it i saw your Families name." Sagot nya.

"My family?"

"Yes, pero ang pinag tataka ko is bakit out of the picture si Winston at 'yung mama nyo." Sabi pa ni Lexie na kumakain ng buko pie.

I glance at Darius, he glanced at me back too.

"And the other one is our Traitor advisor is there with, Winter's brother and Mom. Nathan." Dagdag ni Zeus.

"What does it mean? i have no rights to asked but hey, Winter bebe. Is there any issues on your family?" Kunot noong tanong ni Rai.

"You have no need to hide it from us. We're all your friends and we won't judge you. You already showed your real identity to us." Sabi pa ni Kate kaya um-agree ang lahat.

"Let's not pressuring, Winter. Let us wait for her to tell us." Sabi ni Darius. I mouthed thank you.

Pag katapos namin mag lunch sa cafeteria ay nag desisyon na rin kaming bumalik sa room dahil baka bumalik na si Sir Gabriel at may next lesson rin kami sa Math ngayon. Nag pauna ang iba sa pag lalakad habang nasa huli naman kami ni Ian at tahimik lang na pinapanood ang mga kaibigan namin na nag tatawanan.

Once if i left them, i don't think i can hear those laughs again.

I suddenly felt Ian's hand on my shoulder that's why i turned my back on him.

"Why–"

I didn't finished what i was about to ask when he just pulled me closer to him and give me a warm hug. I hug him back because this scene is the most thing that i would miss once i leave.

"Whenever what's your family issue, I was always be here for you." He whispered.

I smiled and tapped his back. "Thank you, Love."

"I love you, mwa."

Natawa naman ako at umiling nalang. I hold his hand and he did the same too. We smiled at each other then we started to walk again before anyone see us flirting here at the hallway. Pag pasok namin sa loob bumungad samin si Sir Gabriel na may inaayos na papel, Nang makita nya kaming pumasok ay sinenyasan nya kaming pumunta sa mga upuan namin.

"Sir, What are you finding?" Tanong ni Zeus.

"It's nothing, Mr Legaspi. My learning plan is missing and i couldn't find it." Sagot ni Sir Gabriel.

"Do you need help po?" Presinta ni Lexie.

Umiling si Sir. "No, I can handle it, don't mind me. Just turn your book's on page 345 and solve the puzzle."

"Luh? wala po bang break, Sir?" Reklamo ni Owen.

"Do you want a break? like break legs, hands, shoulde–"

"What a harsh of yours, Sir Gabriel." Putol ko at matimtim syang tinignan.

I saw he gulp and turned his gaze in another direction so he can basically avoid my gaze on him. Hmm, why do i find him suspicious too like what Zeus and Lexie find too?

Everyone didn't do anything about it, We just followed him and open the book and answer the puzzle there. I stared at him and memorized his face, it just that i was noticing something.

Why is i have this gut that its  wasn't his real face?

What's your real agenda, Gabriel Jeegan?

***

Kung nasa isang application lang ako sa play store siguro isa na ako sa robbery bob pero girl in white version. Kunot na kunot ang noo ko habang nag hahalungkat ng mga papel na pag mamay-ari mismo ni Sir Gabriel, oo na pakielamera na ako pero may gusto lang akong malaman.

Bakit may mga papers sya na tungkol sa pamilya namin? ano bang nalalaman nya at ano'ng agenda nya? is he investigating my family or he has a something that i can't also explain.

"Wala pa rin ba, Winter? baka bumalik na si Sir." Kabado'ng sabi ni Kaycee.

"Tama ba 'tong ginagawa natin?" Tanong ni Achi.

"Wala tayong masama'ng ginagawa, Achi. I just need to know why our new advisor is having a paper about my family." Sagot ko at panay pa rin ang buklat sa mga papel.

"Love, isn't it too much? i mean you're almost touching his things that he was owned." Sabi ni Ian. Binalingan ko sya ng tingin.

"I know, may gusto lang akong alamin." Sabi ko.

"I can't deny that Sir Gabriel is kinda weird sometimes." Sabi ni Kate.

"Agree ako sis," Rai said.

"He's also suspicious as in halata'ng halata." Sabi din ni Lexie na may hinahanap ring papel.

"What will you do, Winter after you already know what's the truth?" Tanong ni Darius pero hindi ko sya nasagot.

I was quietly and observing the piece of papers that i was holding right now. It seems like everyone noticed me being quiet so they walked towards me and see the paper that i was holding.

Nanginginig ako, nanginginig ang kamay ko habang hawak ang papel. Mabilis naman 'yung kinuha sakin ni Darius at tinignan nila 'yon ni Zeus pati si Ian tapos nanlalaki ang mga mata nilang ibinaling sakin ang mga tingin nila.

"Let us see!" Then Kate took the paper. Her eyes widened and gaze at me. "Oh my fucking god."

"Tangina? seryoso ba 'tong nakikita ko?" Gulat na tanong ni Kaycee.

"I thought he's already dead, Winter?" Kunot noo'ng tanong ni Ian.

"T-that's impossible...H-he's dead, i saw it with my b-both eyes..." Naiiyak na sagot ko.

"Luh, gago ano 'to? ano bang ibig sabihin nito?" Sunod sunod na tanong ni Rai.

"So...he's alive and he's with us after all?" Tanong ni Lexie.

"Nakakatindig balahibo," Owen said.

"Winter, imposibleng namatay sya noon tapos muling nabuhay." Sabi ni Darius.

"Unless, he didn't die after all." Sabi rin ni Zeus.

Napailing nalang ako at muntik ng mawalan ng balanse pero nasalo ako ni Ian. Walang nakaimik samin lahat kami naguguluhan at gulat na gulat sa nangyayari. Everyone is still in shock, nakahawak pa nga sa bibig si Kate at Rai dahil sa gulat. Kaycee, Lexie and Achi is observing the photos.

Our photos...

Him, and me when i was still young.

So after all this years hindi talaga sya namatay? papano? pano'ng nangyari 'yon samantalang nandon ako pumasok pa ako sa kwarto nya at doon ko sya nakitang nakabigti sa ceiling nya at puro laslas pa ang pulsuhan? he's already dead that day at nandon ako mismo ng ilibing rin sya, sigurado akong sya 'yon.

"What are you gonna do–"

"Class, sorry i'm late i have important call that's wh–what is happening?"

Kunot na kunot ang noo nya habang nakatingin samin lahat rin naman kami ay nakatingin sakanya. Kaycee was still holding my picture with that man who's standing in the front door. Sandali syang napabaling ng tingin sakin at napansin kong bumaba ito sa papel na ngayon ay hawak kona ulit.

I was crying, I can't help my self but to cry and let my tears to fell down. His face suddenly softened when he glance at me again. Binitawan ako ni Ian at hinayaan na tumakbo palapit sa tao'ng ngayon ay ibinuka ang dalawang braso at handa ng tanggapin ang yakap ko.

When i reached him i didn't waste any of time and i hugged him directly. He hugged me back so i cried on his shoulders. I miss him so much, I want to get mad at him for hiding from me for almost years but still i miss him. I miss his warm hugs.

"You're alive, Papa..."