Chapter 7

"HOW are you going doing there?" I asked Mona and Mal on the call. They really called me in the middle of the night earlier, just to ask how to cook a mac and cheese. "Why are you still awake, though? Don't you have school tomorrow?"

[Don't you, too?] Mona chuckled back.

"Just for your information, young lady, I will only start my first day on Tuesday. But you guys have to go to school, tomorrow," ngumisi ako, patuloy silang inaasar. Mukhang naiinis si Mal pero si Mona, kunwari pang hindi, pero kung nandon ako baka kanina pa niya ako nasabunutan.

[Anyway, I just discovered something that might catch your interest,] Mona said, making both me and Mal serious – waiting for her to spill the thing.

"Just say it, Mona. You're not in a movie," I said, because it's taking her so long to continue what she's going to tell. But I guess, it's a little serious topic, that's why she's having a second thought of saying it.

[Well, someone came up to me earlier when I was purchasing at a store. They were asking how dad was going, I said he's doing fine because that's what you told me,] panimula niya at hindi naman agad ako nakapagsalita. [It's a bit odd, right? Having someone coming up to you out lf nowhere, asking how your father is doing. They were two guys, not far from your age.]

"I wonder who are they..." I asked, then I saw Mal nodding silently while chewing her mac and cheese.

[But judging from their tone of voice, it seems like they know me. They know us. They know dad. Could they be a spy?] Mona said, that I shooked my head to.

"No, let's not think of that. Let's make assumptions, what if they're just a concerned citizens," I said, shrugging it off. Hindi naman kasi magandang pag-isipan ng masama ang isang tao, lalo na kung wala naman itong naging masamang epekto sa iyo. "It's alright to be careful, but not to the point we're going to judge everyone around us."

[I don't know, I just can't help it. We'll never know who the enemy are. They could be anywhere – they could be anyone,] Mona stated, which I totally agree.

"But if we continue doubting everyone around us, then we ourselves, will be the enemy," I said and smiled to my sisters. "Go to sleep now, it's already late. You still have school tomorrow."

After we dropped the call, I turned my phone screen off and stare at the ceiling. I am sleeping at the top of a bunk bed, and I'm not gonna lie, it's not that bad. It's cold here, though. My cold literally got worse.

Wala akong magawa kundi ang huminga nang malalim, paulit-ulit ko iyong ginawa hanggang sa gumaan ang pakiramdam ko. Kahit sandali ay nakalimutan ko kung ano-ano nga ba ang mga dapat kung problema-hin.

Napabalik ako sa reyalidad nang mag-vibrate ang cellphone ko. Kinuha ko iyon at binuksan ang screen. Napakunot naman ang noo ko nang makita ang isang message request sa Instagram.

urrdannski_
Hi, Marlo. We saw your sister earlier, she seems like she doesn't know us? But it's okay, it's completely understandable. I'm pretty sure you don't know about me, too.

But anyway, I just knew of what happened. Umuwi ako kanina at nakita ko sila. I'm sorry, it have to happen to you guys, too. I know it's difficult, so feel free to reach out whenever you feel alone! :)

Napatitig ako sa screen ng cellphone ko. Binuksan ko ang profile niya at nang mabasa ko nang buo ang pangalan ay unti-unting bumaha ang mga imahe sa utak ko. I know him, I can vividly remember who he is.

Daniel Vargas

He is Uncle Leo's nephew, and my mother's first child on her first husband. His father, that as far as I remember, David is the name. The stories about him is that he died in a car crash, which made my mom a widow, if they were married, hypothetically. A few months passed and she met dad, through Uncle Leo, who's dad's lawyer.

After sometime, they lived-in together, according to some sources. And that time, Daniel and his younger brother, Dillan, are still living among them. But when mom got pregnant to me, Daniel and Dillan are sent to mom's parents – which I never met.

I have met Daniel and Dillan multiple times, but I never really got to have a full conversation with them. And I think that was because I was young. Because when I got older, I still remember mom and dad arguing as mom sent Daniel and Dillan to Manila.

marlxxx._.
Hi, kuya Daniel! I actually do remember you. We have met multiple times before then suddenly I never heard about you again. It's been a long time since! How have you been?

You don't need to be sorry for something you didn't do. And what you mean we have to experience it, too? Well, only if you are comfortable talking about it.

I sent my reply. I sighed and waited for his response. My phone then, vibrated in my hands as I receive his call.

"Hello," I answered the call and smiled, even though my face is barely recognizable because of the dark. The only light I receive is the light of my phone screen. "Nice to see you again, hope you guys are doing well."

[Yeah, we are,] Daniel said as Dillan peeked on the screen and waved. [But as I was saying, we're sorry you have to endure it, too. Because, we have been in your position. Well, not exactly. We only knew about her cheating years after our father's death,]

"That would've been destroying as a child..." I said, emphasizing the word 'destroying' because I know that is way more difficult as a child. That was the time they were away, too, so they have no one to express their rage on to.

"Yeah, it kind of is, but we somehow, lived from it. It somehow grew with it. Haunted by what she've done. Haunted by knowing who it is. Because, it involved the person we least expect to be," Dillan said, shrugging it off with a pursed lips.

"Who is it?" I asked, couldn't help my curiosity.

"We'd rather not disclose that information. We don't want to ruin the image of a reputable man," Daniel said and forced a smile, Dillan nodded with a smile too.

"Okay, first letter?" I chuckled, pissing them off. But it seems like they're not easy to be pissed.

"G–" Dillan revealed which I burst into laughter as Daniel look at his brother. "Sorry, my bad," Dillan said and winked on the camera.

"But, anyways, please don't let this circumstance haunt you for the rest of your life. You can do so much better with your mind at ease. You're smart, and strong, and wise, I know that Marlo. Don't let her be the downfall of you," Daniel said with a genuine smile flashed on his face, so as Dillan. "Whatever happens, we're here for you, always. Not because your dad did it for us, but because we genuinely want you and your sisters be free from this nightmare."

-**-

THE DAY passed so fast and I am now getting ready for school. Nervously, I walked my way to school. I forced a smile when I walked passed through the church, please protect my sisters.

I sighed and continued walking, I am now walking among people I don't know, as if I am in running a war that I really wanted to win.

Just like what Uncle Leo instructed me to, I stopped by the guidance office to know my designated classroom. She handed me a card with my name on it and with 10 Behave written on it, with the guidance counselors' signiture at the bottom.

"Thank you po, and good morning," I said and walked through her directions. Third building, third floor.

When I got to walk to the third floor, I look at every classroom's door to see the name of the section written. The first room says Fidelity, I walked more and saw Honest as the second room. I walked again and saw an empty classroom, and at the fourth room, I saw Behave written on the door.

I am nervous, because they were in the middle of discussion.

I excused myself and asked if I am in the right classroom as I hand the paper over. I foamed around the classroom and saw Darren, Aj, at Ronnie waving at the back. I chuckled and shooked my head as I continue to roam my eyes around.

The atmosphere is surprisingly light, smiles were flashed on the faces and I could already feel the bond they hare wuth each other.

"Introduce yourself, Marlo... in English," the teacher said and the whole class chuckled, and so did I.

"Ay englisero 'yan, madam!" Sigaw ni Darren mula sa likod.

"Deduction!" The teacher yelled while laughing as she point to Darren's direction. A student stood up and go upfront and wrote something on the board. Oh, they have group scores. "So, for your information, Marlo, we have group scores and the point will be deducted when your group members spoke in tagalog during our discussion."

I chuckled and nodded, the whole class were still laughing as Darren zip his mouth shut to avoid any more deductions.

"Uhm, good morning, everyone. M-my name is Marlo Cortez, sixteen years of age and I am from Jose Panganiban," I introduced and bowed slighgly.

"Okay, Marlo, you can join the Group Loki as they are missing a member, you can sit beside Angel," teacher said, pointing the empty chair in front of Darren. "I am Ma'am Jerlyn Dizon, and you can call me Ma'am Jhe," she smiled and continued the discussion.

She asked me what the lesson the last I had from my recent school, and I found out that I am one lesson behind from them. She told me to copy notes from Angel who's sitting beside me and ask if I didn't understand something.

It's not that complicated, though. It's different kinds of essays, the one they are discussing now is Informative Essay.

"Form a small circle with your group, we're going to do an activity," Maam Jhe announced, I was about to move but someone from the back yelled.

"Paawat ka naman, Madam! Time na po!"

"Oy hindi pa – nabago na. Nagbago 'yong oras," she joked and the whole class chuckled. "Okay, class dismissed. Goodbye, Behabeh!"

"Eme si madam, kala mo naman hindi magkikita mamaya," someone yelled that made her laugh.

Nang pumasok si Ma'am Jhe sa cubicle niya, tumayo na ang iba naming kaklase at kaagad namang hinila ni Darren yong upuan niya palapit sa akin.

"Uy, magpapa-tshirt kami sa section natin, g ka?" Tanong ni Angel habang inaayos ang gamit niya.

"Sige lang, magkano?" Tanong ko, napa-kibit balikat naman siya.

"Limot ko na, tingnan mo na lang sa gc. Pa-add ka kay Pres," turo niyo sa lalaking nakaupo sa may bintana, katabi 'yong babaeng nakasalamin. Bakit nagpalitan sila ng upuan? Napalingon ako nang tumayo rin si Angel. "Sa English lang natin 'to upuan, do'n ka siguro sa tabi ni Elle, wala kasing nakaupo doon," turo niya sa upuan sa unahan, row three.

Napatango na lang naman ako at nilagay doon ang bag ko. Inilibot ko muli ang tingin ko at hindi namalayan na may maliit na ngiti na sa labi ko. Ang gaan ng pakiramdam ko rito, parang wala akong problemang dinadala.

"Marlo, anong Facebook mo? Add ka namin sa gc," ngumiti 'yong lalaki, 'yong tinuro ni Angel na President ng klase. "Ah, I'm Theo, President nila," he said, emphasizing the word President as if he doesn't want that position in the classroom. Tinawanan lang naman siya ng iba naming kaklase.

"Iyan," turo ko sa unang lumabas. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na marami pala akong Facebook account.

"Added ka na sa gc. Anyways, welcome sa Behave," ngumiti siya at bumalik sa upuan niya. Nagpatuloy naman ang kwentuhan nila ng babaeng nakasalamin, pati yong babae sa likod niyang pasalubong ang kilay.

"Si Yvonne 'yong katabi ni Theo, si Janelle 'yong nasa likod ni Theo, at si Gab naman 'yong nasa likod ni Janelle," panimula ni Angel at napatango na lang naman ako. Patuloy niyang ipinakilala sa akin ang iba pa naming kaklase at kaagad ko naman silang natandaan.

MABILIS na lumipas ang mga oras at uwian na kami kaagad. Natapos ang araw ay kilala ko na silang lahat, nakausap ko na rin sila at natutuwa nga ako dahil hindi nila pinaramdam sa akin na bago lang ako rito. Trinato nila ako na para bang matagal na kaming magkakasama.

Kasabay kong umuwi si Aj at Ronnie dahil medyo malapit sa amin ang bahay nila. Nang makauwi naman ako ay nadatnan ko si papa sa k'warto na nag-aayos ng mga gamit ko. Tutulungan ko na sana siyang mag-ayos ng mga gamit ngunit kapuwa kami napatigil nang mahawakan ko ang papeles na nahanap ko sa k'warto nila.