Chapter 15 | Protective

Xamuel never imagined a day would come when a girl would join their group. Growing up, he was surrounded by his male friends, engaging in typical boy activities like parties and video games.

As they got to know Yara better, Xamuel realized that her presence brought a refreshing dynamic to the group. Her different perspectives and unique interests added depth to their discussions and helped them see things from a new point of view.

"Nakakapikon ka kasing ka-clan. Lagi kang natatalo! Sabing palakasin mo na—"

"Wala pa akong pera, okay? Ako nga ni-raid ng kalaban buong war!" Frost cried.

Lion and Xamuel couldn't stop laughing as they watched South lose his cool because of Frost's clumsiness. Kanina pa nila inaasar si Frost na mas malakas pa si Yara kaysa sa kanyang matagal nang naglalaro. Kung kaklase lang din nila si Yara, paniguradong marami din siyang masasabi.

"Babawi ako, promise!" Frost said.

"Huwag na! Kick na kita! Friendship over!" South teased.

"Timog, huwag ka namang ganyan!"

"Hindi pa talaga sila tapos," Lion whispered.

Muel had a slight smile on his face. "Dynamic na nila 'yan. Hindi na sila magbabago."

Lately, they've been spotted hanging out with Yara more frequently on campus, and tongues are wagging. Everyone's starting to wonder what the deal is between them—are they just friends, or is something more happening behind the scenes?

The whispers and rumors were swirling around quicker than a summer storm. Every time they were spotted together, the chatter seemed to intensify. Among all this, Yara and the others remained unfazed, paying no mind to the growing stories about them.

"Puntahan ba natin si Yara o siya pupunta sa 'tin?" Frost asked when dismissal finally came.

Sinuot nila ang mga bag at sabay-sabay lumabas ng room. Walang sinabi si Yara kanina kung sasabay ba siya sa kanila para sumamang kumain sa nahanap nilang bagong shop. Si South ang nagyaya kaya inakala ni Xamuel na automatic sasama si Yara.

"Wala pa rin siyang paramdam. Pumasok naman siya, 'di ba?" Lion asked as he scanned their groupchat with Yara.

"Oo, pumasok siya. Binati ko pa nga kanina sa gate," Frost said with a hint of frustration. "Tawagan ko ba?"

"Sige, try mo. Chat ko na rin."

"Puntahan na lang kaya natin sa room nila?" Xamuel suggested. "Baka hindi pa sila lumalabas."

Tutal ay hindi pa naman sila nakakababa, mabuti na ring doon dumaan. Sumang-ayon ang lahat sa suggestion ni Muel habang kanya-kanyang kinontak si Yara. Medyo natagalan sila sa paglalakad dahil maraming naglalabasang mga estudyante galing sa mga silid. May mga bumati pa kay Frost na mas lalong kinainis ng tatlo.

"Kung ano ang hinaba ng pasensya ni Lion gano'n naman kinaiksi ng attention span mo," South said as soon as they got past the crowd.

Frost narrowed his eyes. "Binati ko lang din naman sila, ah? Nagtatampo ka agad, Timog."

"Puta, kadiri. Lumayo ka nga!"

Lion chuckled. "Para namang may nakakahawang virus si Frost niyan, South."

"Ay, mayro'n talaga! Malubha na ang sakit ng gagong 'yan."

Xamuel sighed as he watched his friends walk along as they continued bickering. Hindi na talaga sila natahimik hanggang sa nakarating sa room ni Yara. Tanging cleaners na lang ang natira sa loob kasama ang iilang mga kaklaseng mukhang hinihintay silang matapos.

Lion initiated to ask one of them. "Excuse me, nakita niyo ba si Yara?"

The girls couldn't look away from Lionel. It's like he has this magnetic presence that draws everyone in, and before you know it, you're hanging off his every word. The way he commands attention with his smooth voice and confidence is truly mesmerizing. It's as if he possesses some unspoken power over people effortlessly. Lion doesn't seem to realize his effect on others—it all just comes naturally to him.

"A-Ah, si Yara Delisismo? Kabababa niya lang."

"Napansin ko siyang pumasok sa CR ngayon-ngayon lang," said the other girl.

Sabay napatingin ang apat sa tinurong comfort room ng babae. Katabi lang iyon ng boys' comfort room at malapit lang sa kanilang building. Nginitian ni Lion ang grupo at nagpasalamat.

"Abangan ba natin siya sa labas?" Xamuel asked, clueless.

"Ano sa tingin mo, Timog?" Frost asked.

They waited for South's opinion, but South only stared back at them. "Bakit ako ang magdedesisyon?"

"Sige, ako na lang. Abangan na natin!" Frost said and led the way.

Nagkatinginan saglit ang tatlo bago sumunod kay Frost. Wala namang masama kung hihintayin nila si Yara sa labas ng comfort room, hindi ba? She's their friend, and they are genuinely looking for her. Inisip na lang ni Xamuel na tama ang desisyon ni Frost dahil hindi na kumontra si Lion.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow across the sky, Frost excused himself to use the restroom while they waited patiently outside. The fading light of day painted a serene scene as they stood.

"Is the girls' comfort room normally closed? Like saradong sarado?" South asked, confused.

Xamuel's forehead wrinkled in thought, his face lighting up with curiosity. He swiveled his head towards the source of a faint noise emanating from the girls' restroom. His friends exchanged quick, intrigued looks, silently wondering what was behind the sound. Was it a cry for help or just someone messing around? Taking a bold step forward, Xamuel was poised to find out and ensure all was well. The noise intensified before he could voice his concern.

"Shit, someone's in trouble. Anong gagawin natin?" Muel asked, specifically Lion.

Lion didn't hesitate to open the door.

"Hindi naka-lock," South said when they noticed the door moved slightly.

"Aya, may tao!"

"Sino ba 'yan!"

"Remember this, bitch. Saling-pusa ka lang naman sa kanila. They don't need you. Papansin ka lang. No one wants you as their friend so stop dreaming—"

"Yara!" Lionel's call echoed through the room, making the girls frozen in their places.

"Shit," South muttered. "Kaklase sila ni Klassey, hindi ba?"

Xamuel's heart didn't just race; it thundered in his chest, a tumultuous echo of his fear as he gazed at Yara lying still on the floor. Water pooled around her, a chilling mirror to his sudden cold dread. Paralyzed, he found himself caught in a storm of panic, unable to tear his eyes away from her pale face—a stark contrast to the vibrant soul she usually was. The sight of Yara so fragile and pained broke something within Xamuel.

Pinanood lamang ni Xamuel lapitan ni South si Yara at walang pag-aalinlangang inalalayan. Lion did his part by making sure the girls wouldn't escape. With a malfunctioning mind, Xamuel tried his best to support Lion from behind. The girls aggressively made excuses that didn't even reach Xamuel's ears. All he could hear was the pent-up anger inside him.

"What's happening!" Frost exclaimed when he went near them. "Shit, Yara! South, okay lang ba siya?"

"Pwede ba! Aalis na kami! Wala kaming ginawang mali—"

"Shut up!" Frost said firmly with eyes so serious they could kill. "You were obviously bullying our friend! May mukha pa kayong mag-deny–"

"She started it, Frost!" Charlene argued with tearful eyes. "She was badmouthing Klassey—"

"What? Si Klassey na naman ang rason? Hindi na kayo natapos. Ni hindi nga kaya ni Yara makipag-trashtalk-an online, i-badmouth pa kaya 'yang kaibigan niyo? Please, umamin na lang kayo—"

"Charlene, Aya, Ruby! Anong nangyari sa inyo? Kanina pa kami naghihintay."

Everyone turned their attention to Klassey, who just arrived at the scene. Her eyes widened, and her voice trailed off to silence. It was clear that whatever she had witnessed had wholly captured her attention. Her brows furrowed in concern, and she instinctively reached out a hand to cover her mouth in shock.

Frost shamelessly laughed. "Speaking of the devil."

Xamuel and Klassey's eyes met. "Your friends bullied Yara inside the restroom."

Lion added, "Do you know anything about this?"

"H-Huh? Kadarating ko lang, Lion, at wala akong kaalam-alam sa nagyari. Are you accusing me of being affliated with this incident? Ganyan na ba ang tingin ninyong lahat sa akin ngayon, na kaya kong manakit dahil lang..." Klassey sighed. "I can't even think of a reason to do such a thing! Ano ba kayo? Xamuel!"

With furrowed brows, Xamuel went near Klassey. No one bothered to stop him. "Lion was harmlessly asking you, Klassey, because we need an honest reason for what happened to Yara. This is a major offense in the student code of conduct. Reporting everyone may lead to—"

"What the hell, Xamuel! Pati ba naman ikaw?"

"All I'm saying is, we want your friends to tell us the truth. Kaibigan ka rin nila at ikaw ang madalas na sinusunod kaya iisipin naming baka may alam ka tungkol dito, kahit hindi kasabwat. Maybe you heard them plan it out earlier. Maybe they told you about it. It's deductive reasoning, Klassey, and following it makes our argument valid. We're not victimizing you. We are merely asking!"

Klassey's face was clearly written with a mix of dismay and hurt in response to Xamuel's words.

"I don't know anything! There, that's my answer. Paniniwalaan mo ba?" Klassey helplessly said. "Why are you so concerned with her anyway? Since when did you two get close? You're so protective of her, Xamuel. You were never like that to me—"

"This isn't about you two. Saka wala na kayo, hindi ba?" Frost said.

"Frost! Tama na 'yan," Lion immediately stopped their friend from saying another hurtful word.

Frost balled his hands into tight fists, his body tense as he turned his back on the scene. In a rare moment of leniency, Lion relaxed his stance, signaling the girls that it was now okay to approach Klassey.

Meanwhile, Xamuel and Klassey remained locked in an intense gaze, their eyes speaking volumes in the silent standoff. Klassey's eyes brimmed with unshed tears. Klassey fought valiantly to maintain her composure, a fragile attempt to hold the pieces of herself together.

"You've changed," Klassey said softly. "Because of Yara? Kailan pa, Xamuel? Maybe you haven't changed—"

"Hey, careful. This isn't about Xamuel or your relationship," Lion stepped in. "Tara na, Muel. Yara's with South. We need to help them."

Xamuel finally turned to his friends. South carried Yara while Frost walked beside them. Sa kabilang daan sila patungo at nakuha agad ni Xamuel kung bakit. Sarado na ang clinic ng ganitong oras pero may malapit na convenience store at thrift shop sa likuran ng school. They could buy extra clothes, towel, and first aid for Yara there. Malapit din doon ang sasakyang madalas gamitin ni Frost sa pagpasok.

"Let's go," Xamuel said and walked away.

Hindi pa sila nakakalayo ay narinig ni Xamuel ang hikbi ni Klassey. Hindi niya siya muling lumingon. Nanatili sa kanyang isipan ang sinabi ng dalaga.

"What are you thinking?" Lion asked as they followed South.

Xamuel sighed and looked up to the sky. "Klassey said I was being protective of Yara. Kung totoo iyon... bakit hindi ako agad nakagalaw kanina para tulungan siya? South didn't hesitate to help her. You didn't hesitate to stop the bullies. Habang ako? Nakatayo lang ako sa buong minutong nangyayari ang kaguluhan. I didn't know what to do. Wala akong naambag. At this point, ako lang ang walang kwenta sa—"

"We all care differently, Xamuel," Lion interrupted. "What you felt back then was a normal reaction. Nakita mong nasaktan si Yara, nasaktan ka para sa kanya."

"I'm not convinced," Xamuel admitted quietly, his doubts lingering despite Lionel's efforts.

He couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy when it came to being there for Yara as a friend. Xamuel felt the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders, questioning if he should have done more for Yara during her time of need.

Despite feeling utterly useless, his ex-girlfriend insisted he was acting protectively. Caught in a whirlwind of doubt, Xamuel was torn, unsure what to believe.