Chapter 16

I did not mention anything about what happened on Jessi's birthday to my parents nor Cliff, kasi alam ko na kung anong mangyayari. Hassle lang. Mag-aalala pa sila. But Monday came, and the school's talk early in the morning is about the incident. 

Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead. The news have wings. My grandfather has ears. Hindi pa nag-uumpisa iyong first class namin, ipinatawag na agad ako sa office.

Huminga ako nang malalim bago kumatok at sumilip sa office ni Lolo.

"Cadence, come in," he said sternly.

Maingat akong pumasok. I scanned the whole room and got surprised when I saw Note, Jessi, and two adults who resembles Gamboa's face. They both look frustrated.

I sat down between Note and Jessi. 'Dun na lang kasi iyong space. Ayoko naman sa tabi ng magulang ni Gamboa. 

I am a bit guilty for what happened to their son, but that can't deny the fact that he harassed me sexually. It was never right to go overboard your freedom. Kung may nasasaktan at nababastos ka na, it's already wrong. It's not always about 'fun'. He must know how to have his fun while conveying respect for the other people around him.

Note slightly leaned towards me to ask, "You okay?" 

I nodded and gave him a small smile.

Lolo cleared his throat. He looks serious while his hands are both on his table. 

"They are the three students who got involved in yesterday's incident," he started. "The two boys include themselves by beating your son, as how the things have narrated to me."

Nag-salita ako kaagad.

"Hindi po nila gagawin 'yun kung 'di ako binastos ni Cyrus," I said in a calm but firm manner. Ayokong mapahamak si Note at Jess nang dahil ipinag-tanggol nila ako.

Lalong naging seryoso si Lolo. He's the director of this school, of course he needs to be equal on both sides. Kahit na kadugo pa niya ako. Naiintindihan ko naman.

"What's our problem again, Mr. and Mrs. Gamboa?" 

Masama 'yung tingin ng nanay ni Cyrus sa 'kin. I just looked at her with no emotion at all. Alam kong nag-aalala siya dahil nanay siya. I feel bad for her at some point.

"We'll pull out some of our stocks from this shitty school. Ipapa-transfer na rin naman si Cyrus. He's not safe here." Mr. Gamboa gave us a look.

Tumingin ako agad kay Lolo. It's business! Nadamay pa 'yung school nang dahil sa kapalpakan ko. Kung sana 'di na lang ako uminom kahapon at tumambay sa sofa nila.

"My friends don't usually beat up people, Sir," I speak up. "Ipinagtanggol lang po nila ako laban sa anak niyo. It's not the school's fault that your son got beaten up so why are you pulling out your stocks—"

"Cadence," Lolo cut me off. "Their stocks don't matter."

Huh?

Mr. and Mrs. Gamboa looked shaken up. Parang 'di rin nila inisahan 'yung sinabi ni Lolo.

"Do you expect me to beg you to not pull your share out of this school?" he asked them. "Magkalinawan tayo rito. My granddaughter was harassed by your son. That statement alone can show who's at fault between two parties. If I must do anything, it is to award this two boys for protecting my grandchild."

I just stared at Lolo. Naiiyak ako. 

He's always about business. Hindi ko inaasahan na ganito 'yung sasabihin niya.

"You're a school director," Cyrus' father fumed.

"And above that, I am the victim's family. My school can function without your help."

Cyrus' father was so angry. Pinapakalma lang siya ng asawa niya.

Diretso ang tingin ni Lolo sa kanila. It's his businessman aura. 

"You can get your share back, I will give it back to you voluntarily. Also, please, pull out the remaining shares you have on my other businesses. I don't want to affiliate my business to your family anymore," Lolo said in a formal manner. "Another thing, I want you to know that I ordered a restraining order against your son. Bawal niyang lapitan ang apo ko o ang mga kaibigan niya. He's kicked out and already banned from entering our academy and university. I hope I made myself clear."

Hindi nakapagsalita iyong tatay ni Cyrus. Hinawakan ng nanay ni Cyrus iyong kamay ni Lolo. Iniwas ko 'yung tingin ko.

"S-sir, nagbibiro ba kayo—"

"I am serious, Mrs. Gamboa," Lolo said firmly. "Focus on educating your son how wrong he has done. Bata pa naman. Maaari pang maisalba. Kasi kung hindi, baka sa kulungan na ang bagsak ng anak niyo sa susunod."

Iyak nang iyak 'yung nanay ni Cyrus habang nagmamakaawa kay Lolo. But Lolo, he's ruthless. Kitang-kita ko 'yung galit sa mga mata niya. 

* * *

"Thank you, Lolo."

Cyrus' parents leave a while ago. Pinasundo pa sila ni Lolo sa security guard. Pina-una ko na muna si Note at Jessi dahil gusto kong magpasalamat kay Lolo.

Lolo gave me a kind smile.

"We're a family, Hija," he said.

"You sacrificed your business for me. It's a big deal."

He smiled at me. "You know what I realized while I age, apo?"

I was just looking at him, teary-eyed. He laughed subtly.

"I realized that love makes the journey simple." He smiled which makes the wrinkles on his face very visible. "Perseverance, hard work and determination—these are the major things I thought that could help me be happy when I was young. But as I grow older, I realized that it's not just those. Kasi 'yung saya sa kalooban, nakukuha 'yun sa pagmamahal. Love for yourself, love for your life, love for your family. Money can help, of course, but it's not the uppermost tool. It's love all the way. It's our home's foundation."

I pouted and went to him to hug him. Bumitaw ako tsaka pinakita 'yung double thumbs up ko.

"Thank you, Lolo. You really are the best," I told him. 

"You are my grandchild. No one can touch you nor offend you without your permission. You're a strong lady, I know, but there's nothing wrong to come running to your family once you're in trouble, okay? That's why we're here."

"Alam ba sa bahay 'to, 'Lo?" alanganin kong tanong.

"Of course."

"Lolo!"

"Tingin ko, si Note 'yung tinanong ng mommy mo tungkol doon. Ask him. Ang sinabihan ko lang ay 'yung daddy mo. Your brother might have heard it from other students." 

I bit my lip. They must be furious right now.

* * *

"Naka-usap mo na si Maya?" Note asked.

I sadly shake my head.

She was absent for three whole days. Pumunta ako sa bahay nila no'ng nakaraang araw pero ayaw niyang lumabas para makipag-usap. I guess she's still mad at me. Hindi rin kasi siya sumasagot sa mga texts at tawag ko.

"Let her have her time. Magiging ayos din 'yun."

I sighed. "I'm worried about her..."

"She just needs time to think. Let her realize things."

I sighed again. Hindi ako sanay na iniiwasan niya ako. Having cold war against your best friend is the worst. 

Tumayo na kami sa concrete bench nung dumating iyong sasakyan nila Note. Lagi na kasi akong pinapasabay ni Mommy sa kanya mula nung nabalitaan niya ang nangyari. Pag may time si Cliff, siya 'yung naghahatid-sundo sa 'kin. Minsan, si Daddy pag hindi siya busy.

Note held my hand and pulled me gently towards the car. Pinagbukas niya ako ng pinto.

"Tara na."

Sumunod siya sa tabi ko tsaka isinara iyong pinto. 

"Kuya Rick, mall muna tayo."

"Sige, Sir."

I looked at Note, frowning.

"You need to unwind. You're stressed," he said when he caught me creeping.

I sighed. I know he's also worried about me. Palagi kasi akong walang gana kumain, lagi rin bagsak ang balikat tuwing may practice kami. He cancelled some gigs from different restobars only because I wasn't in the right mood.

Pagdating sa parking ng mall, nagpaalam muna kami kay Kuya Rick. Hinila agad ako ni Note papunta sa elevator. 

Note snaked his arms around my neck. "Come on, Skylah! Stop being grumpy and give me a smile."

"Ano ba 'yan!" reklamo ko sabay siko sa tagiliran niya. "Bigat-bigat ng braso mo, e!"

He laughed. Napapangiti sa amin 'yung elevator girl. Bakit ba kasi kaming dalawa lang nitong si Note 'yung sakay ngayon...

"Ang cute niyo po ng boyfriend niyo," sabi sa 'kin ng elevator girl.

"Oh. He's not my—"

Inakbayan ulit ako ni Note. "Thank you, Miss! Bagay ba kami?" 

The elevator girl blushed. "Oo, Sir. Cute niyo tignan..."

"O, kitams. Bagay daw tayo," ulit pa niya sa 'kin. He also had the audacity to give me a wink! Mas lalo tuloy kinilig 'yung elevator girl. 

I'm glaring at Note the whole time. Tumawa lang siya sa 'kin tsaka ako hinila nang makarating kami sa ground floor.

"Anong gagawin natin dito?" I asked.

"Oh, wait. Gutom ka na ba?" tanong niya bigla.

"Hindi pa naman."

He nodded. "Good. Let's eat after. Dito muna."

Hila niya lang iyong kamay ko at nagpapa-tangay lang ako sa kanya. I appreciate him being this persistent. I know he's really worried about me, kaya ginagawa niya 'tong mga 'to para hindi na ako gloomy gaya ngayon.

"Bowling?" I muttered.

Nag-bayad agad si Note tsaka uli ako hinila papasok doon sa may carpet na katabi iyong shelves na puro sapatos. Oh, kailangan pala naka-medyas lang sa loob. Buti naka-rubber shoes kami pareho kaya may medyas kami. 'Yung iba kasi, bumibili pa.

"It's going to be fun. Let's go!"

Hinatak niya ako ulit papunta doon sa upuan namin. 

"Pataasan tayo ng score."

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"Mind to remind you that you're better than me in basketball but other than that, mas magaling na ako sa 'yo sa lahat."

Tinawanan niya ako. "Awtsu, judgmental naman. Wala pa nga."

"First time mong maglalaro nito, 'di ba?" I asked him. 

"Pero 'di ibig sabihin nun na pwede mo nang i-judge 'yung skills ko dito," pagyayabang niya. 

"Sige nga!" I urged him. 

Malakas ang loob ko kasi naka-subok na ako dito dati no'ng sinama ako ni Cliff sa bowling center kasama iyong mga kaibigan niya noon.

Note picked one ball. Natawa ako nang malakas nung halatang nabigla siya sa bigat nung bola. 

"Hey!" sinimangutan niya ako.

I stifle my laughter and acted like I zipped my mouth. He rolled his eyes playfully before dashing the ball through the alley. I grinned when he strikes only four pins. Not bad. Bumalik siya sa 'kin tsaka sumimangot.

"That's only my first strike. At first time ko," he said, being defensive.  

"Wala naman akong sinasabi!" I laughed at his face. "Ako naman. Manood ka, ah."

"Yabang!" He ruffled my hair.

Umiwas agad ako. "Ano ba!" 

He chuckled. "Sige nga. Pakitaan mo 'ko."

Pumulot ako ng isang bowling ball. Lumingon ako sa likod ko. Nakita ko siyang naka-hawak sa phone niya habang naka-tapat sa 'kin 'yung camera. 

Sumimangot ako.

"Hey! Manood ka lang!" reklamo ko.

He chuckled. "Don't mind me! Just play!"

Umirap ako tsaka nag-focus sa ginagawa.

I kept my swing relaxed, searched for some speed before lining up the shot. Naka-yuko pa rin ako habang hinihintay tumama 'yung bola sa pins. When the ball strike all the pins down, napa-talon ako at napa-suntok sa ere. I looked back at Note proudly. He's still holding his phone, probably taking a video again.

"Ano ka ngayon?" pang-aasar ko.

He smiled at me widely. Naka-tapat pa rin sa 'kin 'yung camera ng phone niya.

"Galing! Yabangs! Tumba lahat!"

Umiling ako tsaka tinakpan 'yung camera ng phone niya.

"Uy!" he complained. Pero ibinaba na rin niya tsaka ibinulsa. 

"Ikaw naman," sabi ko sa kanya, still grinning.

He smiled. Nag-tagal 'yung titig niya sa 'kin.

"Bakit?" I asked, confused.

He shrugged. "I just felt like I've achieved something. Ganda ng ngiti mo, e," he said this straight in my eyes. 

My mouth parted in surprise.

"Ngiti ka lang tulad niyan, ah. 'Wag mong aalisin. Mas bagay sa 'yo naka-ngiti," he smiled and lightly tousled my hair before jogging back to the bowling balls to go back to playing.