#TPTG03

"Ang ganda niya talaga 'no?"

"True. She's too blessed. Wish I could be like her even just for a day."

"Same. Nasa kanya niya na ang lahat eh. Maganda, matalino, mayaman, samantalang ako mukhang patatas. Hay, ang swerte niya sa life."

I smiled weakly.

If only they knew.

Natigil lamang ang usapan nila noong dumating ang teacher namin. Umayos na kami ng upo at sabay sabay namin siyang binati

"Good morning Sir!"

"Good morning class," he greeted. "Get one whole sheet of paper. Mag-ququiz tayo."

"Hala may quiz?!" they all complained

"I announced it yesterday right? Siguro naman nag-aral kayo," our teacher said and began to write something on the board

Tahimik akong kumuha ng papel sa bag at nagsimulang magsulat. I stopped and shut my eyes when I felt dizzy. I still have a hangover last night and I wasn't able to sleep properly too. Fuck this headache.

I don't think I can do well for today's quiz.

After the quiz he went in front to announce our scores. Usually, we would check our own work but today he was the one who did.

"Dalawa lang ang nakapasa," he began. He somehow look disappointed at us.

My classmates sighed in defeat. They were surprised and disappointed too. Some were, well, I guess probably expected to fail.

"Sir! Sino po yung dalawa?" asked Ashely while raising her hand

"Tinatanong pa ba 'yan? Malamang yung top 1 at top 2 natin."

"Oo nga. Gusto mo atang masaktan eh," they teased her

Ashley rolled her eyes at them. "Sir! Sino nalang po yung may pinaka mababang score?" agap niya

Umayos ng tayo ang teacher namin. "Well before that, I'll announce the two students who passed."

"Alam na namin Sir kung sino."

Nagtama ang mata namin ni Sir. "Felicity Guevarra."

I sighed and stood up. Diretso akong naglakad sa harap. I ignored everyone's stares at me. I received the paper on his hand and my heart sank when I saw my score.

15 out of 20.

Fuck. I barely passed.

"Good work," he said

I looked at him and forced a smile.

"Next is, Keith Adrian Sanchez," he announced

Hindi ko sinadya na mapatingin sa papel ni Keith. I can feel him right next to me. I saw how he extended his arm to take his paper.

I gulped when I saw his score.

19 out of 20.

Nanatili ang mata ko sa papel niya. I looked at him and he caught me looking at his paper. His brow shot up. Kung hindi pa nagsalita ni Sir ay baka hindi ako matauhan.

"As for the students who failed. I'm giving you a chance to review. Magkakaron kayo ng remedial."

I turned my heel and quickly walk back at my chair while holding my paper tightly. Naramdaman kong nalukot iyon.

"Talaga Sir? Kailan po?"

"Tomorrow but for now, uulitin ko yung lesson para sa mga hindi nakaintindi. Sana naman huwag niyo sayangin yung chance na binigay ko sa inyo. Graduating na kayo class at kailangan niyo ng mag sipag."

"Sir kasi ang hirap ng lesson. Ang daming kailangang imemorize na formulas."

"Kaya nga ituturo ko sa inyo ulit Miss. Vega."

Hindi ko na pinakinggan ang usapan nila. Tulala lang ako habang nakatingin sa nalukot na paperl ko. I slowly open it up again.

"Pst. Fey! Ano score mo?"

I looked at my seatmate Owen. I saw him glanced at my paper.

"Wow, ang taas! Sana all!" he praised

Hindi ako sumagot.

"Pero bakit parang hindi ka masaya?"

"I barely passed," I replied

"Barely?! Dapat nga matuwa ka dahil nakapasa ka. Kamusta pa kami diba? Bagsak," sabi niya sabay halakhak. "Hindi mo na kailangan mag-remedial."

"You don't understand," I muttered

"Hmm? May sinabi ka?"

I shut my eyes. "I could have done better."

He chuckled nervously. "Okay lang 'yan. Sabi nga nila grade is just a number. It does not define who we are-"

Tumingin na ako sa kanya. "But what if you have parents that have high expectations from you? Tingin mo masasabi mo 'yan sa kanila? Well guess what? This is not enough for them."

I didn't mean to raise my voice at him. I was just pissed. He's no help at all.

His lips parted. He suddenly looks scared of me now. "Ah..eh, s-sorry."

Agad akong umiwas ng tingin. "I'm sorry," sabi ko at tumayo.

Nagpaalam ako sa teacher ko para pumunta ng CR. Pagkatapos niyang pumayag ay lumabas na ako ng classroom.

Pagkadating ko sa CR ay naghilamos nalang ako para magising. I then closed the faucet and looked at the mirror.

How can they still compliment me when I look like shit?

I have dark circles around my eyes. I just covered it with little make-up. My skin and lips are dry. My eyes look dead. When I smile, it seems so fake.

I don't understand what people see in me. I never show my true self to anyone. Nobody truly knows me.

Behind this mask, lies a thousand scars.

I fixed myself before going out of the comfort room. I turned to the empty hallway and passed by some classrooms. I stopped from my steps when I heard people talking from the storage room. Doon lahat nakatambak ang mga lumang gamit sa school kagaya ng mga lamesa at armchairs. It's also wide and spacious that's why some students like to hang out in it.

I startled when I heard a loud thud coming from inside the room. Napalingon ako roon. Dahan-dahan akong naglakad at sumilip doon. I saw two students inside. One is holding a long plastic tube while the other is on the ground, in pain. I saw him cough blood. The boy started to kick the student that was on the floor. My eyes widened in shock. I didn't waste no time and immediately barged into the room.

"Where's the damn project that I asked you to do?! Deadline na ngayon!" the bad guy yelled

He knelt down and grabbed the boy's collar. The student felt helpless. He couldn't fight back anymore. Hinang hina na siya. His face is covered in bruises. Halos hindi niya na mabuksan ang mata niya. He looked at me, asking for help.

"I'm paying you asshole so you have no right to disobey me!" he yelled on his face

"Stop!" I yelled when he was about to hit him with the tube again

The man abruptly stopped. He slowly turned his head to face me. Nagtama ang mata namin. Bigla akong nanigas sa kinatatayuan nang makilala siya.

It was Archie. A cousin of mine.

He eyed me from head to toe. His lips curved into a mischievous smirk. Binalik niya ang tingin sa'kin. "Oh hi Fey! I didn't expect to see-"

"What are you doing here?" I cut him off. Nakita kong hawak hawak niya pa rin ang kwelyo ng lalaki.

"Oh this? Well," he chuckled and pointed at the guy using the tube. "Sorry if you had to see this but we're just-"

"Let go of him."

His brow shot up, amused. "What?"

"I said let go of him!"

I clenched my fist in anger. Masakit pa rin ang ulo ko kaya maslalo akong nagalit ngayon.

"I'm still not done with him-"

"You want me to report you?" I threatened

He smirked. "What are you gonna say? You think they'll believe you?" he mocked

Hindi ko na napigilan at sinugod siya. I harshly removed his hand off the boy's collar. Muntikan pa siyang matumba pero inalalayan ko siya.

"Are you okay?" I asked worriedly and checked his wounded face

He coughed and held his neck. Napapikit siya sa sakit.

"C'mon. Let's go to the clinic," I calmly said and put his arm over my shoulder

I don't know him and we weren't classmates. I checked his I.D. and saw that he's still in 8th grade. Mahina akong napamura.

We began to walk to the door when Archie called us again. Napahinto kami.

"Where do you think you're going?! We're not yet done!"

I clenched my jaw in anger. Huminga ako ng malalim bago inalis ang braso ng lalaki sa balikat ko.

"Kaya mo bang pumunta mag-isa sa clinic?" malumanay kong sabi

I badly want to escort him but I also want to confront Archie. Hindi ko palalampasin ang ginawa niya. That asshole deserves a lesson.

He only gave me a nod before limping to the door. As soon as he got out, I turned my heel to face Archie.

I quickly walked towards him and slapped him in the face. I cursed underneath my breath when I felt my palm hurt. I checked it and it was pale red. Binalik ko ang tingin kay Archie pagkatapos.

His face on the side. I saw how his jaw clenched. He slowly lifted his hand and touched his cheek that's now turning red. He also checked the blood on his lip using his finger. His eyes turned dark when he looked at me.

"What are you doing here? Paano ka nakapasok dito?" diretso kong tanong

He doesn't go to my school so I don't know how he got here.

He smirked. "Is that your way to greet me?"

"Just answer my damn question!" hingal kong sabi. I badly want to rip that smirk off his arrogant face.

"Ooh, you're a feisty one. Walang nagbago."

He looked down on his bloody knuckles and dropped the tube on the floor. It produced a metal sound that made me flinched. His hair was a mess and his uniform is unbuttoned. May itim na t-shirt siya sa loob.

"I'm here because of Uncle. Sabi niya kasi dito nalang din ako mag-aral para magkaklase tayo. Syempre pumayag naman ako agad," he casually said

I felt uncomfortable by the way he's staring at me. May halong malisya iyon. Mas lalo akong nainis sa kanya.

"Aren't you happy to see me?" he smiled

I took a step back and crossed my arms over my chest. "So what? You just left your old school in the middle of the year and transferred here?"

He placed his hand on his chin while still checking me out. "Exactly. It's all thanks to your father. Alam mo namang walang imposibleng mangyari kapag-"

"Kailan pa?"

He sighed and put his hands inside his pocket. "About a week," he replied boredly

"And you're already causing trouble," I stated as a matter of fact

He chuckled and started to walk towards me. "Oh Fey. No matter how many times I get in trouble. I will never get caught."

I gulped and took a step back when he's getting too close to me.

He tilted his head a little. "You know why?"

I continue to step back until I felt the cold wall behind me. I remained calm even if I'm already panicking on the inside. Natakot ako sa paraan ng pagtitig niya sa'kin.

"Because I'm above them. The two of us, we're above them Fey. We are far more powerful and superior than them. Malakas ang impluwensiya ng pamilya natin. We can do whatever we want. Can you imagine the power we both hold-"

"Huwag mo kong igaya sa'yo. I'm not an asshole like you!" I hissed

I was taken aback when he placed his arms on the wall, caging me. My body froze on the spot. I want to move but I couldn't. Our eyes remained locked to each other.

"Let me tell you a story Fey. Gusto mo bang malaman kung bakit talaga ko nandito?" he smirked and held my chin

I turned my head on the side. "Get your hands off me-"

Hinarap niya ulit ako sa kanya. I tried to remove his hand off my face but he caught my hand and pinned it against the wall. He then went closer to my ear. "The truth is, I wanted to see you. I even begged your father to transfer me here. And soon, hopefully, we'll be living in the same roof."

I bit my lip hard when he sniffed my hair. His lips almost touching my ear.

I swallowed hard. I couldn't breath properly. Biglang nanikip ang dibdib ko. Diretso lamang ang tingin ko sa harap kahit na nangnginig na ang tuhod ko.

Gusto kong sumigaw. Gusto kong humingi ng tulong pero nagbara ang lalamunan ko.

"L-let go of me," I hissed

He didn't budge. Instead, he moved his body closer to me pushing me more on the wall. Mas lalo akong nanghina.

"I said let go-"

But before I finish my sentence, I suddenly felt his lips on my neck.

My eyes widened in horror.

Nagpumiglas ako pero mas lalo niya akong diniin sa pader.

"Fuck! Let go of me you mother fucker!"

The next thing I knew, I felt his lips on mine. Sinubukan kong iwasan ang mukha niya pero patuloy pa rin siya sa ginagawa. I closed my eyes and screamed.

"Archie stop!"

Mas lalo akong nanghina nung naramdaman ko ang kamay niya sa katawan ko. Sobrang lapit niya rin sa mukha ko.

"Help!"

"No one will hear you Fey," he muttered and started grinding his body on mine.

I cried for help once again, hoping that someone will hear us.

"Bitawan mo ko," hinang hina kong sabi

I couldn't fight back. He was taller and much stronger than me. Malaki din ang pangangatawan niya. He was also holding both of my arms on the wall.

I was scared to death.

"Stop it please," I pleaded. I felt a tear escape my eye

"Don't worry Fey. This is not incest. Thankfully, we're not related, not even in blood," he whisphered

Umawang ang labi ko sa narinig. His words kept replaying inside my head.

"What-"

He chuckled. "I remember the first time that I met you, I already want to fuck you but couldn't since apparently, we're related. You're just so beautiful and delicate. I wanted to touch you right away," he said maliciously

Mabibigat ang bawat paghinga niya sa tainga ko. I suddenly felt his hand slowly creeping under my skirt. Tumaas lahat ng balahibo ko sa katawan.

"But after finding out the truth, I felt so relieved," he moaned

"Fuck you! You're disgusting! You filthy rat!" I spat out and forced my body to push him away

He slammed me hard on the wall. Kita ko ang pagnanasa sa mga mata niya. He licked his lips before burrying his head on my neck.

And with that, I screamed on the top of my lungs. "Help! Stop it please! I beg you! Tang ina, bitawan mo ko!"

Sinubukan kong pumiglas. Pilit kong iniwasan ang mukha niya. From the corner of my eye, I caught someone watching us out the door through the window. Napatingin ako roon.

"Help!" I shouted. "P-please, help."

Unti-unti nang nauubos ang lakas sa katawan ko. I was also running out of breath.

"Help-"

Just when I thought he'd save me, but he left. He left just like that.

Napailing ako, ramdam ko ang luhang lumandas sa mata ko. "No! No! Come back!"

Imbis na panghinaan ng loob ay mas lalong umalab ang galit sa puso ko.

I gathered all the remaining strenghth I have in my body and pushed him away as hard as I can. He almost fell on the floor because of the strong impact.

My other hand was free so I took the oppotunity to punch him in the face. I then held his shoulders and kicked him in the groin using my knee. He shrieked in pain and fell on his knees.

I didn't waste no time and ran to the door. When I got out of the room, I heard the bell rang. Pagkaliko ko ay sakto nagsilabasan ang mga estudyante. Mabilis akong naglakad at nilagpasan sila.

I tried to button my blouse but my hands were trembling. I hugged myself and wiped the dry tears off my face.

Pagkalabas ko ng campus ay agad kong hinanap ang kotse namin. I abruptly stopped when I bumped into a group of boys. Lahat sila ay nalingon sa'kin. Napasinghap ako. Tumigil bigla ang tibok ng puso ko. Napaatras ako palayo. They smiled and greet me but I quickly ran away from them.

"Ma'am Fey!"

Napalingon ako sa tumawag sa'kin. "Manong-"

I gulped when I saw an unfamiliar man. He's wearing our driver's uniform.

"W-who are you?" halos pasigaw kong tanong

"Ako po yung bagong driver. Hindi ko po alam kung nasabi sa inyo ni governor pero-"

"Where's the car?!"

He startled by the tone of my voice. Umawang ang labi niya. He looked at me from head to foot. Mas lalo kong tinakpan ang sarili.

"Where the fuck is the car?!" ulit ko

"Andun p-po," he stuttered and pointed at the black car behind him

Nilagpasan ko siya at mabilis na naglakad patungo roon. I opened the door and hopped inside.

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag pero ramdam ko pa rin ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko. My hands were still shaking so I clenched it tightly. Yumuko ako at pumikit ng mariin.

I heard the driver got inside of the car.

"Ma'am ayos lang po ba kayo-"

"Just drive!" I exclaimed

He didn't speak anymore and drove away.

With my shaking hands, I slowly button my blouse one by one. My body turned cold when I remembered what happened.

I feel so angry, frightened, and helpless at the same time. I inhaled deeply and held back my tears, pilit na kalimutan ang nangyari.

As soon as we arrived at the mansion, I immediately searched for my parents.

"Good after noon Ma'am!" the maids greeted as soon as I stepped inside

"Where's Mom?" I asked and roamed my eyes around every corner of the house

"Umalis po siya eh. May inutos po sa kanya si governor kaya-"

I sighed in frustration.

"Ma'am Fey. Ayos lang po ba kayo? Gusto niyo po ba ng meryenda?" tanong ng isa

I shook my head and forced a smile. "How about Dad?"

She smiled widely. Excitment filled her eyes. "Ay oo nga pala Ma'am. Bumisita nga po pala ang mga Santiago-"

"Where are they?"

"Andun po sa backyard, kasama po si governor."

Umalis na ako sa harapan niya at dumiretso sa backyard. Malayo palang ay rinig ko na ang tawanan nila.

I saw them playing mini golf. Some were cheering. The others remained seated while watching them as they drink wine with biscuits on the side.

I made my presence known. Sabay-sabay silang napalingon sa'kin. I first saw Dad then my eyes went to my Uncle Harold who's Archie's father.

Nginitian ako ni Dad at nilapitan ako. "Oh! Andito ka na pala Fey. Just in time. Come and join us. Some of your relatives are here to-"

"Archie harassed me," I cut him off

Binalot kami ng katahimikan. I heard some of them gasped because of what I said. The others were confused. Binalik ko ang paningin kay Dad na ngayon ay magkasalubong ang kilay. I flinched when he dropped his golf club.

"What are you talking about Fey?"

"I said Archie harrassed me...in school," I firmly said while looking at him intently

Namilog ang mata niya sa gulat. Mas lalong lumakas ang bulungan nila sa likod. He was about to speak but I passed him and walked towards Tito Harold.

"Your son sexually harrassed me in school. You better give him a lesson or else I'll report him to the principal's office. He deserves to be-"

I wasn't able to finish my words when someone grabbed my arm and pulled me away from him. It was Dad who's dragging me. Natagpuan ko nalang ang sarili sa loob ng mansion.

"What the hell do you think you're doing Fey? Nasa tamang pagiisip ka ba? Naririnig mo ba ang sarili mo?!" he spat out

Mahigpit ang hawak niya sa braso ko pero ininda ko ang sakit. "It's true Dad! He fucking harrassed-"

He gritted his teeth in anger and pulled me closer to him. "Sinabi mo pa talaga 'yan sa harap ng mga kamag-anak mo? Hindi ka manlang nahiya?! Seriously Fey? How can you be so disrespectful?"

I swallowed hard as I look at his eyes. Wala akong nakitang awa roon kundi galit. Binalot ako ng takot. I winced in pain 'cause he was hurting me too much.

"D-dad. I-"

"Konting respeto naman Fey. Ano nalang ang iisipin nila? Na pinalaki kitang ganyan? Na lumaki ka puder ko at ganyan ang ugali mo? Huwag mong dumihan ang pangalan ko Fey," matigas niyang sabi

Sinubukan kong magpumiglas sa hawak niya pero maslalo niyang diniinan iyon.

"Listen to me carefully young lady. H'wag na hwag mo nang uulitin iyon kundi malalagot ka sa'kin," he warned. "I'll run again for governor in the next election. Ayokong makarinig pa ng kwento mula sa'yo na makakasira sa reputasyon ko pati narin sa buong angkan, including the Santiagos. Not a single word Fey. Understand?!"

I clenched my fist in anger. Nantutubig na ang mata ko habang nakatitig sa kanya pero pinigilan ko iyon. He then released my arm. I can feel the sharp pain in it but it was nothing compared to the words he said to me.

Umalis na siya sa harapan ko. Tulala lang ako habang nakatingin sa sahig.

I chuckled bitterly.

What can I expect from him? He only cares about his stupid money and reputation.

I would never forget this day. At the age of seventeen, I got harassed by my cousin, I also felt humiliated in front of my relatives, and got scolded by my own father whom I expected to protect me. At sa huli ay ako pa ang nagmukhang may kasalanan.

***

"Miss Guevarra."

"Miss Guevarra," ulit nito

Napatingin ako sa principal namin. Andito ako ngayon sa office dahil nireport ko pa rin ang nangyari. I can already feel the tension forming among us.

"Po?"

She sighed and removed her glasses. "You told me a while ago that you were sexually harrassed."

I blinked twice and nodded. "Yes."

"Sino rito sa tatlo?" tanong niya

I looked at the three boys in front of me. They were sitting on a couchn There's a center table separating us.
Nakaupo naman ako sa maliit na couch katapat nila.

"I told you already. It was Arch-" I paused. "It was h-him."

I couldn't even say his name. It disgust me. Until now, I can still feel his skin on mine. Bumalik sa'kin lahat ng ginawa niyang pangbababoy sa'kin.

I lowered down the sleeves of my pink jacket. I closed my legs tight while my hands remained on my lap.

"Bakit tatlong lalaki ang nandito? Isa lang ang bumastos sa'kin," mariin kong sabi

"Calm down Miss Guevarra. Maaring isa sa kanila ang maging witness. Syempre kailangan ng ebidensiya na magpatunay na hinarass ka nga ni Sir Fernandez."

I scoffed. "Evidence? Seriously?"

She sighed. "Calm down Felicity. Kausapin muna natin si Sir Perez," binaling niya ang atensiyon sa lalaki. "Ano palang nangyari sa mukha mo? Bakit ka puro pasa hijo?"

I looked at the boy who's at the middle. I immediately recognized him. Siya yung estudyanteng tinulungan ko mula kay Archie.

Nanatili siyang nakayuko, takot kaming tignan.

"Your mother called us the other day. She was worried about you. Tinanong niya kung may nambubully ba sa'yo rito sa school," the principal asked him

"Po? Uh...w-wala po," mabilis niyang sagot sabay iling

I clenched my jaw. "Liar."

"May sinabi ka ba Miss Gueverra?" napatingin sa'kin ang principal

"Archie is bullying him. I saw them yesterday in the storage room. Archie was beating him up. That explains his wounds. Halos hindi na nga siya makatayo eh. I helped him," I explained, irritated

Napailing nalang si Archie at palihim na tumawa. He sat back and crossed his legs. Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. Matalim ko siyang tinignan.

"Teka paano kayo nagkakilala? Totoo ba ang sinasabi ni Fey? Ha, Mr. Perez? Kilala mo ba siya?" sunod sunod na tanong ng principal

Tumingin ako sa dalawang lalaki na nakaupo ng maayos at nakayuko samantalang si Archie ay relax na relax lang.

"Mr. Perez?" ulit ng principal

"Po? Uh...h-hindi po iyon totoo Ma'am at hindi ko din po siya kilala, ngayon ko lang po siya n-nakita," the boy stuttered

My jaw dropped. Unti-unti kong kinuyom ang kamao. "Liar!"

"Miss Guevarra!" awat ng principal. "I already warned you twice."

I looked at her in disbelief. Seryoso siyang nakatingin sa'kin. Napahilamos nalang ako sa mukha sabay iwas ng tingin. Pilit kong pinakalma ang sarili.

"Kung gano'n ay paano mo ipapaliwanag yang nasa mukha mo? May mga pasa ka oh," she asked

He chuckled nervously. "Ahh ano po. Ako po may gawa nito. Mali po kayo ng iniisip ah. Hindi ko po sinasadyang na saktan ang sarili ko. Accident prone po kasi ako."

I scoffed. "Why do have to lie? Why can't you admit that Archie is bullying you?!"

He startled. His eyes remained on the ground. I saw Archie looking at him.

"Answer me! Why did you lie? I even helped you that day and this what I get in return? Did Archie threatened you? Anong sinabi niya sa'yo?"

"That's enough Miss Guevarra," awat ng principal sa mababang boses

I looked at her in dismay. "What? Are you actually buying that? Naniniwala ka ba talaga sa mga pinagsasabi-"

"Sa susunod na araw nalang natin pag-usapan ang kay Mr. Perez. For now, let's focus on you. About your cousin harassing you," sabi niya habang seryosong nakatingin sa'kin

Napasandal ako sa sofa at hinilot ang sentido ko.

"Do you have issues with each other? Family issues?" she added

"I would never harrass her Ma'am...we may have family issue but, well, hindi naman pwedeng mawala iyon pero hindi ko siya magagawang saktan. I would never do such a thing. We're cousins!" Archie defended, acting all innocent

I glared at him. "Ang kapal ng mukha mo! Fuck you!"

"Language Miss Guevarra," she warned me. Huminga siya ng malalim at hinilot ang sentido. "Kung may family issues man kayo ay please h'wag niyo nang dalhin dito. Ayusin niyo 'yan sa sarili niyo."

I can't believe her. She's being ridiculous. I wonder if she get paid to protect Archie o baka takot siya sa pamilya namin kaya hindi niya kayang kalabanin. Deep inside I had a feeling because otherwise, Archie wouldn't be this relaxed. Kampante siya na makakalusot siya. He knows he's being protected. Lahat nalang ba dinadaan nila sa pera?

I shifted my gaze to the boy sitting next to Mr. Perez. I squinted my eyes while looking at him. Nanlaki ang mata ko noong nakilala ko siya.

Hindi siya makatingin ng diretso sa'kin. Ramdam ko ang nerbyos niya sa paraan palang ng panginginig ng paa niya.

"You," I said and slowly stood up. "You were the one I saw yesterday. You were behind the door, watching us. I remember..."

"So you're saying he's at the incident," our principal interferred

I nodded without breaking eye contact to him. "Yes! I'm sure of it! I saw him and I know he saw me too. He saw what happened. He was there."

I felt a tiny bit of hope inside me. Thank goodness he's here. Baka nandito siya para sabihin sa principal ang nangyari.

"Mr. Alonzo, is that true? You came here because you said you have a concern. What is it? Ito na ba yun?" she asked

I swallowed hard. Nanatili akong nakatitig sa kanya, hinihintay ang sagot niya.

"Mr. Alonzo?"

He keeps playing with his I.D. Nakita kong first year palang siya. His name was Mark Alonzo.

"Po?" bakas ang nerbyos sa boses niya

"Were you at the incident? Are you familiar with Fey?"

He was hesitant to answer. Pasulyap sulyap lang siya sa'kin. He looks nervous and frightened at the same time.

Mabilis siyang umiling. "Hindi ko po alam ang sinasabi niya-"

"Bullshit!" my voice thundered the whole room. Napatayo na ako sa galit.

"Ms. Guevarra! I will not tolerate your foul language!" she scolded me

I ignored her. Hindi ko inalis ang paningin kay Mark.

"Stop lying. Alam kong nakita mo ko. Nakita mo lahat! Nakita mo kung paano ako binastos ng lalaki sa tabi mo! I called for help but you walked away like a fucking coward," nanginig ang boses ko

They all looked at me wide eyed. I was breathing heavily, trying my best to control my emotions pero tuluyan na akong sumabog sa galit. Wala na akong pake sa kung anong iisipin nila.

My vision became blurry. "I begged for help but you just left. You saw everything but you turned a blind eye."

I felt a tear fell from my eye but I immediately wiped it away.

The least thing I could do is to look less pathetic and weak in front of them even if I'm already am.

"Miss Guevarra. Please calm down. Pag-usapan natin ito ng tahimik at maayos," pagod na sabi ng principal

"Do you even understand what I feel? I'm the victim here but why do I feel like it's my fault?" tinignan ko sila isa isa.

The two boys were silent while Archie looks amused, enjoying the scene.

She sighed. "Felicity please."

Napatingin ako sa principal namin. She looks tired and stressed of the situation. Para sa'kin ay parang wala naman siyang pake sa sitwasyon namin.

They've already taken away my dignity but I won't let them take away my pride.

I diverted my attention back to the three boys in front of me. "Kayong mga lalaki," I began. "Wala kayong kwenta. Pare-parehas lang kayo. You all disgust me," I firmly said and walked out of the room

From the start, I already knew that no one would take my side. No one would believe me. No one would defend me. No one would stand up for me but myself.