Chronicles Of High School Dirty Little Secrets The Broom Closet - Chapter 27 Chapter 24

Suddenly, I felt uncomfortable with the specificity, I forced a smile. “Katatapos lang po. Madami po kasi nagc-cr sa fifth eh. Since, hindi naman sabay ang bell namin sa Grade 9, kaya mas bakante ang cr dito.”

“Ay, totoo ka dyan. Kamusta naman ang preparation mo sa Math competition?”

Nailang pa ako lalo. It was weird tho na nakasalubong ko siya sa third floor, wala rin naman siyang klase dito ever.

“Doing good naman po. I hope,” I chuckled and smiled sheepishly, at sabay kaming umakyat patungo sa fifth floor.

“Good. Siyempre ‘di ba, it will be such an honor to represent our country, lalo na if you win for the country. I have my confidence in you, Cece.”

“Wow, grabe. Pressure. Pero thanks po.”

“Ay, hindi. ‘Wag ka mapressure. Totoo yun, ano’t ano man, alam ko ibibigay mo ang best mo. Pero… hindi naman, eh, hindi ka na naman ba, ano, naiilang ngayon kay Teacher Kim?”

“Po?”

Her expressive brows arched high; her eyes, guilty; her wide smile, forced. I know, Mam Hachi was not one to pry into people’s business, but she have always been a very concerned teacher too. She continued, “naku, hindi naman sa nakikialam ako no. I just worry about you. Naririnig ko na rin kasi yung mga kwento-kwento. I don’t believe it, of course. It is very unlikely of you, you’re very sweet and innocent, you know. Oh my, my, my. You are an outstanding student. And I don’t think, Teacher Kim is that kind of person too. May mga tao lang talaga na grabe, ang dudumi ng isip.”

“Ah, err. Uhh. Well, medyo awkward nga po kanina sa class.”

“Naku, Cece, ‘wag mo na lang pansinin yang mga fake news na yan. Only the truth will give you peace. As long as your holding it, lies will never defeat you.”

Mam Hachi gave a sincere and reassuring smile before we parted ways. I appreciated her sincerity, but deep inside, I was more pissed. Naiinis na ko because of the lies, the rumor mongering, and everyone’s superflous concerns. Lalo na when people telling me they don’t believe the rumors because it was not the way I am, because why? – I’m innocent, sweet, an angel, a damsel, the naive little princess who got everyone in panic when I went missing inside the campus.

“Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. What’s with the foot stomping and a grumpy, grumpy face, eh?”

Hinila ako ni Teacher Kim sa isang tagong corner ng fifth floor hallway, I shrieked. “Ay. Ano ba! Magpasintabi ka naman!” nahampas ko siya nang may kalakasan.

“Awww! Shhhhh! What’s with you gallivanting around looking so miffed, gutted even? Don’t you have to be back in class? What’s wrong, love?”

“Are you completely unaware?”

“About what?”

“Everybody’s talking about us.” His brows knitted, I continued, “I don’t know how. But now, rumor has it, it’s you, you’re the mystery prince, you’re my boyfriend.”

“Ww-well, it isn’t completely false, is it?”

He was trying to be funny, hinampas ko ulit siya sa dibdib ng may kalakasan. “You think this is funny? Huh?”

“Awww! Hey! Don’t get shirty on me, young lady, I didn’t spread the rumors.”

“Ah, so you think this is fun, huh! Why are you not worried? You! Pinaguusapan na tayo, ngingiti-ngiti ka pa dyan! Ano na, ano na!”

Pinaghahampas-hampas ko lang siya sa dibdib, sa braso, sa tyan – sa kaniya ko na nirelease ang nabuong inis sa dibdib ko since this morning. He just let me hit him while he looked amused, at lalo pa akong nainis.

Then I stopped, I looked up at him with a knowing seriousness. “What? You done abusing me now?” he asked with his typical humor tone.

“No. Not done yet.”

“What’s next?”

“You’re gonna cum for me, Teacher Kim.”

“What??”

I grabbed his front, dama ko ang matabang hulma nang malambot niyang ari. He was startled, but in my head, I was wearing my red stilleto.

“Are you mad??”

“I want you to cum.. in my mouth.”

“Woah-well, I’d, I’d love to, love. But no, not here, not now.”

“There! That’s a broom closet. You like broom closets, right?”

“Who-are-you??”

Gamit ang dalawang daliri ko, hinila ko ang buckle ng sinturon niya at pumasok kami sa broom closet. It was relatively new, kaya hindi mabaho. Masikip ito para sa higit dalawang tao, siksik kaming dalawa; may isang full set ng mop with tub shaker; then, with the door as one side, the other three sides has layers of shelves that were almost empty with just few cleaning materials.

“Woah. This is beyond me, love. I’ve been a terrible influence on you, I must be.”

“Just shut up and get your dick hard.”

I kneeled down, unbuckled his belt at walang patumpik-tumpik na inilabas ang malambot pa niyang kahabaan.

“Oh, that, that won’t be a problem, love. I get hard just by looking at you.”

I wet my lips, bit it and sucked it, while I gaped at his very impressive penis. Lightly, I trailed my palms in his length. With tenderness, I lifted his penis so I can see the bottom of his shaft and pressed my nose into it. I took a big whiff, and let his thickness pat on the side of my face.

“You look beautiful with it, in your face, love.”

“Yea? You dirty, dirty, man.”

“Oh.”

“Do all british men talk dirty like you?”

He chortled. “I wouldn’t know. Maybe next time, I’d fuck an old british lad and see if they do too.”

“Ah, sarcasm. Now, that’s very british of you.”

He giggled. I continued trailing his length with my nose, sniffing every inch. His scent wasn’t just intoxicating, it was invigorating, stimulating, addicting; nanunuot sa ilong ko, at ang epekto niya’y kumakalat sa laman hanggang sa buto. Parang akong nalulunod sa sarap ng kaniyang bango.

“See? I’m getting hard.”

“So big. Fat. Massive. Destructive.”

He chuckled. “You flatter me, Cece.”

I glanced up at him, batting my lashes, then I started giving pecks of kisses around his head, down to his shaft, then his firm, smooth, hairless, pinkish balls.

I opened my mouth wide and tried to suck more of his balls. It wasn’t very successful, but he closed his eyes and moaned. I licked it, swirled my tongue around it, wet it, bit it lightly, then suck it again.

My left hand gripping on his thickness started jerking him up and down. I continued my swirling wet tongue up his length and around his head. I made him very wet with all my saliva.

“Oh, Cece, your mouth feels good.”

“Shhhhh. Be quiet. Keep your moaning to yourself.”

“Oh. Yes, mam.”

His great monstrosity was now fully erected. He was as hard as a gun, I couldn’t help but be impressed even more.

I sucked him with greedy passion. Matunog, malaway, masikip, sumasagad. Sabay ang paikot na taas-baba ng dalawa kong kamay sa kahabaan niya sa paglabas-pasok ng ari niya sa bibig ko.

Mas tumindi pa nang lumapat ng madiin ang dalawa niyang kamay sa ulo ko. Then, he started thrusting inside my mouth, hitting my throat. I was gagging. I was fiercely, mercilessly being gagged, and I wasn’t complaining.

I felt my throat being stretched, my jaw and mouth was at full expanse. Tears started swelling on the corner of my eyes. I don’t how I do it, but I was just as pleased as he was with how good I was at deepthroating him.

“This is fucking marvelous, Cece. Your throat is divine.”

His one hand was on the side of my face, and his other was cupping my chin and my jaw, like he was feeding me with his penis. “You gonna eat my cum, Cece?”

I answered “yes, please” with my gagging, so it came out bit gibberish.

“Oh, Cece, you are so beautiful.”

His thrusts went faster and deeper. His breathing was low and husky. “I want to cum in your mouth, Cece. I want you to taste it.”

I tightened my grip on his thick length; hindi mapang-abot ang mga daliri ko sa pagsara.

“Ah, yeah. That’s it, love. Grip it tighter. Oh, you’re so good with your hands.”

Pabilis ng pabilis, sagad kung sagad, ramdam ko ang pagbuka ng lalamunan ko in every thrust of his penis.

“Oh, Cece, I’m cumming. Yea, that’s it twist your grips. You’re fucking good.”

We were staring at each other, his eyes was full of longing, yearning. Then I noticed his jaw tensed; his hold of my face, chin and jaw hardened.

“Ah-fuck! I’m cumming. Ah-shit, yes! Ahhh, shit, fuuuucccckkkk!”

I felt him first exploded down my throat. Because he continued to thrusts as he bursted into climax, my mouth and throat were both filled up. There were liquids coming out on the sides of my lips, while, still, I continue to gag.

“Ah, fuck! That was a lot, eh. Taste good, love?”

When his hips slowed down, I continued sucking, my head moving up and down. Mahigpit at madiin pa rin ang pagtaas-baba ng dalawa kong kamay sa kahabaan niya, na parang ginagatasan ko siya. Madiing higop naman ang ginawa ko sa ulo ng kaniyang ari, sinimot ang lahat ng pwede pang lumabas na katas sa kaniya.

“Now, now, love. You’ve had it all. I’m all squeezed up.”

“I want more.”

His expression raised up, stupefied. “You hungry?”

“I want more.”

“What’d you do to my Cece?”

“She wants more,” I said, greedy.

Hindi pa lumalambot ang ari niya, kaya nagpatuloy lang ako sa paglaro nito, pagsubo at pagsipsip.

“Love, you still have a class. You skipping now?”

“I don’t want to go back to all the murmuring, prying and, their annoying stupid concerns.”

“No, you’re not gonna skive off. You nee — ”

“What, why? Because I’m the outstanding, sweet and innocent Cece, who’d never skip class?”

“Ok. That’s it! Stand up.”

“No! I want more. I want you to cum again. I want mor — ”

“Ok! Ok, ok. Yy-you can have more, but, can you, will you just stand up so we can talk properly?”

His expression was very domineering. And there I was just pouting, being such a petulant child.

“Will you st — love, stand up. Please?”

“No.” I continued on sucking him again, despite his penis starting to soften.

“Love, please? See, it’s getting softie now. This is — ”

“Make it hard. I want more.”

“Ok. Your being childish now, bratty even. Come on, stand up.”

With much protest, I stood up. Teacher Kim took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the wetness of my mouth. I was just looking down and pissed.

“Don’t let the rumors affect you, Cece.”

I sighed heavy. “I know. I’m sorry. I just got really pissed. And I was worried, scared. I don’t want to lose you.”

“You’re not gonna lose me, ok?”

“Hey, what are you doing? Why are you putting it back?” I protested.

“We need to get out of this.. hole. And you’re gonna go back to class.”

“But I said I want more. You said, I can have more.”

“Oh. Well. Eh, you liked it that good?”

So, I kneeled down again and pulled out his penis. Hindi na siya nakatanggi pa and we went for another round. Sinimot ko ang katas ng kasarapan ni Teacher Kim. I don’t know what has gotten into me, nanggigil lang ako sa kaniya, parang ako naman ang nauulol.

❧ ❧ ❧

Peace was nowhere to be found the rest of my week. I could feel everyone’s attention on me. Yung mga madalas ko makangitian kapag nakakasalubong ko sa hallways ay may mga tingin nang mapanghusga, yung iba pa, magbubulungan o hindi na lang mamamansin.

Mayroon na rin asar sa akin kapag dumadating na si Teacher Kim para sa unang subject: “Oy, Cece, ayan na boyfriend mo!” – “Ayy? Wala man lang goodbye kiss?”

Mecky, Balong and ate Juris, they were all being neutral. Kahit papaano, I was grateful na hindi sila nakikisali sa rumor mongering. Pero nakakalungkot lang na iyung ilan na friendly naman sa’kin noon, kung hindi naging aloof, iniirapan na ako.

Teacher Kim and I have also been into a couple of arguments. He still complains and forbids me from hanging with Balong. We also had two serious conversations about admitting our relationship to my parents but it ended into a major disagreement. Nevertheless, all of our fights ended in an intense, sadistic, multiple rounds of sex.

“Peach, you look pale, you exhausted?” pagpuna ni kuya Jako nang makasalubong ko siya sa living room, at sabay kaming tumungo sa dining area.

“Pale? Parang forever naman akong pale kuya.”

“Well, not like this.”

“Finals na kasi next week. Exhausted would be the understatement.”

“Nah, if Jared was able to graduate high school and, who knows how, got himself into a university. You little Peach can rule the world.”

I laughed dryly. “Finals na muna kuya, bago yang rule the world.”

Naabutan naming nagbabatukan si kuya Jared at kuya Jael sa dining na tila ba nagtuturuan about something, habang si kuya Japo dedmang naghahain ng pagkain.

Hindi ko naman maitatangi ang tensyon sa pagitan ng apat kong kuya simula nang makita ako ni kuya Jared na umiiyak habang kausap si kuya Japo. We told him that I was just tired of all the rumors going on around me, kaya ako naiyak. Hindi naman kumbinsido si kuya Jared kaya nagrecruit siya ng kakampi sa dalawa ko pang kuya. Hindi naman sinakyan ni kuya Jael at kuya Jako ang pagdududa ni kuya Jared, pero they too expressed their suspicions. Since Monday, hindi pa kinakausap ni kuya Jared si kuya Japo. Our dinners have been relatively quiet too.

Sumunod ako sa kusina para tulungan si kuya Japo sa paghahain. Kahit may tensyon din sa pagitan namin because he already knows the truth, he was still being the eldest kuya.

“O, Peach,” paglingon niya habang naglalagay ng ice sa pitsel ng juice.

“Ako na magdadala ng rice, kuya.”

“Nasa rice cooker pa, 3 minutes na lang.”

“Ah, ok.”

Sumandal ako sa isa sa mga countertop sa kitchen habang pinagmamasdan si kuya Japo na sanay na sanay sa kusina. Siya rin kasi ang pinaka hands-on sa bahay, he knows where everything is.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Err, wala lang.. Swerte lang ng magiging asawa mo, kuya. Gwapo ka na, maasikaso pa. Tsaka, madami ka pang pera.”

He laughed then snorted. “I don’t plan of getting married in this lifetime, Cece.”

“Still? Hindi naman lahat ng kinasal, naghihiwalay tulad ni mama at dad.”

“True. At ang mga natitirang kasal at tumandang magkasama ay kaedaran pa nila mamita at lolo pogs. In our age? Marriage is an illusion, and I’m never gonna fall for it.”

“So wala ka nang balak magkapamilya of your own? Di ba may legal matt — ”

Biglang sumulpot si kuya Jared. “O, ba’t walang kanin?” masungit niyang sambit.

“Ayan na, kaluluto lang po. Ihahatid ko na lang po sa lamesa, señorito,” pang-asar kong tugon.

Nagpalipat-lipat lang ang tingin niya sa’ming dalawa ni kuya Japo at saka siya umalis. Si kuya Japo naman dedma pa rin habang nagpeprepare naman ng toyo-mansi na sawsawan.

“Sorry, kuya,” mahina kong sambit sa gilid ni kuya Japo.

“Huh? Sorry saan?”

“Dahil sa’kin, mainit dugo sayo ni Entot ngayon.”

He chuckled. “Nah, it’s fine. Jared hated being the youngest, kaya nung dumating ka, siya ang pinaka-nagpakakuya sayo. Kahit nuknukan ng pagka-annoying yun, mahal na mahal ka ng kuya Jared mo. Ultimo hangin sa baby room mo noon, filtered. Bawal pumasok kapag hindi nagtoothbrush, kasi madumi raw ang mabahong hininga, baka malanghap mo.”

Sabay kaming napatawa ng walang tunog at saka bumalik na sa lamesa, bitbit ko ang kanin. “Eto na po ang kanin, señorito.”

“Very good. Tagal eh! May sikreto na naman ata kayo,” masungit na sambit ni Entot, ang pang-asar na nickname nila kuya kay kuya Jared noong maliit pa sila – Entot derived from his name, Jacinto Redentor.

“Hey Peach, ano yung nabalitaan kong kwento na naman, something about Teacher Kim?” tanong ni kuya Jako.

Nagkatinginan kami ni kuya Japo pero agad din siyang umiwas pagkaupo niya.

“What about it?” agad na tanong ni kuya Jael.

“Not sure, it’s stupid. They said Teacher Kim and Cece ar — ”

“Hep-hep! Di ba, bawal na ang tsismisan kapag nagdidinner tayo? Usapan na yun ah,” pasungit na sabat naman ni kuya Jared.

Kahit hindi siya kumbinsido sa naging alibi namin ni kuya Japo, he’s become a little sensitive na rin talking about the rumors about me. True to what kuya Japo said, OA man minsan si kuya Jared sa pagka-kuya pero seryoso talaga siya.

“Paabot na nga lang po ng tilapia,” pagchange topic ko.

“Ako muna! Miss na miss ko na ang tunay na ulam no. Mga luto ni moJako, mga curry, steamed fish, beef ekek, pfffttt!” paasar na banat ni kuya Jared.

Binato siya ni kuya Jako ng buto ng kalamansi. “The next time I’ll cook, galunggong at sardinas lang ang ihahain ko sayo!”

“Ppffft! Mas ulam pa sa’kin yun no. Nye, nye, may pa, chicken wellington in mushroom butete sauce, may hollandaise ka pang nalalaman.”

“Velouté! Butete ka jan!” natatawang sungit ni kuya Jako.

Siya na nga’t nagtawanan kaming lahat sa lamesa. Medyo bumalik ng kaunti ang sigla ng asaran at kulitan ng mga kuya ko. Mas paborito kasi rin talaga ni kuya Jared ang lutong ulam ni kuya Japo.

After ng ‘before sleep’ call namin ni Teacher Kim, bumaba ako sa kusina para uminom ng pampatulog kong isang baso ng chilled fresh milk. Bago ako umakyat ulit, narinig kong naguusap ang apat kong kuya sa den namin sa likod bahay.

Naging habit na nila ang magkwentuhan over beer until midnight, usually kapag paweekend na. Dededmahin ko na sana sila hanggang sa marinig kong nabanggit ang pangalan ko at ni Teacher Kim. Lumapit ako nang palihim malapit sa glass sliding door at sinubukang makinig.

“Nakakagago ka naman, bakit di mo na kasi diretsuhin aminin kung totoo ba,” masungit na sambit ni kuya Jared.

“I just don’t want to interfere in Cece’s affairs. You have to realise, she’s not our little baby anymore. She makes up her own mind now. Kung panay lang natin siya pakikialaman, all the more reason she’d want to keep things from us,” tugon ni kuya Japo.

“She’ll always be our little sister. But that’s besides the point, Japs. If it’s true about Teacher Kim, we have to intervene,” sambit naman ni kuya Jako.

“Oo nga! Adik ka ba? Nene pa yung kapatid natin, samantalang dambuhalang damuho na yung Christopher na yun! Kulong na nga yun eh!” pagsusungit pa ulit ni kuya Jared.

“But we don’t want Cece to go through such a mess. Alam niyo guys, well – hindi naman sa makikialam na lang tayo eh, Japs, we’re also just protecting her. What if that asshole take advantage of her?” sambit naman ni kuya Jael.

Naninikip naman ang dibdib ko sa mga naririnig ko. Para akong humihinga ng walang oxygen, malamig at maluwag lang ang air passage ko at nagbablanko naman ang utak ko.

“Cece asked me to give her time.”

“So ano nga, totoo ba yung kay Teacher Kim? Pota, ano ba, nanliligaw siya? Ano!”

“The rumor I heard, is that he’s the boyfriend. What did Cece tell you?”

There was a long painful pause. “Jako — Well, she said.. our little sister said.. she loves him.”

Then another pause, more tensed this time.

“What the fuck?! Alam mo na pala talaga, all this time, wala ka talagang sinabi?”

“Jael — hey! We all have to calm down.”

I heard some kind of a glass bumping, parang may natumba o nabasag na bote.

“Calm down?! Adik ka na, Apolinario! Inlove yung kapatid natin sa teacher niya, e mas matanda pa sayo yun ah!”

“This is Cece, we are talking about. How did it get to this?”

“So ano, sinabi niya na sayo, and you don’t have a plan about it?”

“To give her time, Jael. That was the plan. To give her time, when she’s ready to let us get involved.”

“What the fuck do you mean by that? When she’s ready to get us involved? What the fuck is that?” naiirita nang sambit ni kuya Jako.

“Look, we have to handle this with Cece in the middle. We can’t just kick the guy’s balls and beat him to the ground and — ”

“Susunugin ko pa siya! Pota siya! Mali siya ng napagtripan, Japo!”

“Cece cried for her love! It’s Cece, our little peach, na nagsusumbong pa sa’tin kapag may gustong manligaw sa kaniya, now telling me she’s in love, with tears and all. What do you want to do, beat and burn her heart too? Jared, you can’t even handle when Cece is crying.”

Tila ba natahimik naman agad silang lahat. Nagumpisa nang tumulo ang luha ko kaya’t dali-dali na akong bumalik sa kwarto ko. Isinubsub ko ang mukha ko sa mga unan at stuff toys at tuluyan na nga akong umiyak.

Naguguluhan ako, nasasaktan, natatakot. It was worst than getting stuck in a math problem that I couldn’t solve. Suddenly, I was lost, not knowing what to do next – how am I gonna resolve this?

My brothers were angry. I was more worried about them than how my parents would react. I literally grew up with them, the four of them practically raised me. They are the most important people in my life. I was worried, hurt, and scared that I was dissapointing them.

Biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko. I wanted to ignore it, but I instantly thought of Teacher Kim. I checked who was calling at siya nga. I answered.

“Hey, love. Sleep yet? Sorry, I don’t know why, I just.. I just felt like I needed to call you right now. Weird.”

I could only answer with my sobs.

❧ ❧ ❧

The rest of the weekend turned out to be the worst weekend of my life. I could barely get myself to breakfast, lunch and dinner. My kuyas were mostly out tho, but in chances that I have to eat with any of them, it gets extremely uncomfortable. They tried to act normal, but they didn’t know, and I couldn’t keep it out of my head, that I heard their conversation about me and my teacher.

Teacher Kim has been constantly checking up on me too. I asked him to give me sometime alone, just this weekend, so I can try and focus on my review for the finals. He didn’t listen, of course. But I knew he was just worried about me. Too bad too, I couldn’t really focus on my review.

“Ano, Cece, sisiw ba Math?” tanong ni Mecky paglabas ni Teacher Kim ng klase matapos ang Math exam namin.

“Ok lang. Napagaralan naman na rin kasi natin ‘to noong junior high. Saka may Calculus pa, tapos Com Sci pa. ”

“Sabagay. Saka kahit di ka naman masyado nakapagreview, for sure highest ka pa rin.”

“Baliw. Mas mataas ka nga sa’kin nung midterm.”

“Luh! Ikaw kaya yung highest.”

Napaisip ako bigla, twice ko nga pala ni-take yung Math midterm. “Ay, ako ba? Edi, ako na, ako na lang ulit,” dinaan ko na lang sa biro.

The rest of the day was rather mellow, umuulan na naman kasi. Parang isang plain white-grey na papel ang langit, walang hulma ang mga ulap. May mga mahinang garalgal ng kulog na maririnig, tapos hihinto-lalakas lang ang ulan.

Hindi ko rin naramdaman ang presensya ni Teacher Kim. No text, wala rin pasulpot na halik, ‘ni hindi ko nga rin siya namamataan sa hallways at nung lunch break. I thought it was good na rin para bawas usok sa apoy ng tsismisan sa paligid.

Nagulat naman ako nang biglang kumatok si Blue sa pinto after ng exam namin sa Philosophy. Dinig naman ang kilig sa mga may crush kay Blue, pero ipinagtaka kong tila ba dedma lang si Mecky.

“Good aft po sir dela Cruz, sorry to disturb. Principal Moon is asking for Cece, may I excuse her po?”

Nagulat naman ako’t, ako pala ang sadya, may ilang tumaas pa ang kilay sa’kin; may nadinig pa akong snide comment: “Si Cece na naman! Lahat na lang ng gwapo sa kaniya na. Hmff!”

Si sir dela Cruz ang temporary replacement ni Mrs. Geronimo sa class namin since on leave na siya para sa panganganak niya. He let me excused myself at dumiretso na nga ako sa Principal’s office.

“Napatawag na naman ako. Suki na ata talaga ang mga Kim-Menendez sa Principal’s office,” masungit kong bulong sa sarili.

“Huh? Ano yun, Cece?”

“Ayy, wala Blue. Teka, bakit ikaw pala ang nautusang ipatawag ako?”

“I’ve been called up too. I guess we’ll know why when we get there.”

Nagtaka naman ako. Wala naman ibang upcoming event ang school, at ang susunod na major event ay sa December pa.

We were guided by the Principal’s assistant to head straight to his mini conference room. Naalala ko, the last time I was there, I did something very very naughty.

Napahinto naman ako sa paghinga nang pumasok kami ni Blue sa conference room, Teacher Kim was already there. His expression was serious, and, he looked pained.

“Ms. Kim-Menedez, President Blue, please, please, have a sit.” Weirdly, Principal Moon was calm, but his expression was dark serious. Nagumpisa nang kumabog ang dibdib ko, something didn’t feel right.

“I know, you, you both are still having your final exams today. But we have some serious matters to discuss.”

“Well, sir, I’m done for the day. I think, Cece, too?” sagot ni Blue. I nodded.

“I know that too, of course, I’m the Principal. That’s why I called you both here.”

Teacher Kim, sitting in front of me, was playing with his thumb and point finger; the seriousness of his eyes would shift from the table’s surface and then me. I was hoping he was thinking about the naughty incident we had under this table, but I seem to be thinking wrong.

“As your esteemed Principal, I make sure I know every little thing that are going on in this school. And I know everything that is going on, I don’t like it. Blue, as the student body president, you must know that we strictly condone any type of bullying in our great institution. And we must do everything in our power to prevent, or stop any sign of bullying. Rumor mongering and spreading of fake stories about our students and everyone else in this school, I consider it a type of bullying. Do you know the latest trending topic now, Blue?”

We were all in grave expressions, then Blue seemed to be speechless after the funny note of question of Principal Moon – trending topic?

“Err, given the two other persons in this room, I would assume you meant, it is about them, sir? Yes, I’ve heard of the rumors, but I never took it seriously. It is obviously false.”

“Even so, it is affecting reputations, especially, a faculty member is involved.”

It was obvious in Teacher Kim’s expressions that he was uncomfortable with the discussion, it was as if he wanted to interrupt but he was also concerned about something else. I sure hoped he hasn’t admitted anything yet.

“With all due respect, err, our esteemed Principal, I respect and I completely agree with you about anti-bullying. I’m proud of how we, you, instill it in our school. But still, we are all under the right to freedom of speech. We cannot just stop people’s thoughts and opinions. The least I could say, at the student council, we had an informal meeting about this last week, to try and find out who is starting and spreading these rumors. Although, well, people talk, even discreetly, still, someone has to be starting the rumor mongering, especially on social media. And it’s not just, all about Cece, there are others too. And as representative of the student body, sir, we have our attention on this.”

Tila ba natememe naman si Principal Moon, I thought he knew everything that was going around in this school. “Well, next time you should involve me. I am the Principal after all.”

“Of course, sir. We have our official meetings every two weeks, so once we have an action plan, we will lay it to our faculty advisors to.. lay it to you, sir. That has always been the process, that you sir, very well, outlined.”

“Of course, I know that. That’s — ”

“Right then. Mr. Principal, you mentioned you have something important to discuss with me and Cece?” sabat naman ni Teacher Kim, who I figured, was growing impatient by the minute.

“Yes. That too. Well, Blue, keep doing a good job, but I must let you go now. We have other matters to discuss. Thank you for your time.”

Blue, with his radiating charisma and charm, did all the niceties and left the room, leaving the air dry and awkward for the three of us left. I’ve always noticed, Principal Moon was never fond of students who appeared to be smarter than him.

“So, it is with a heavy heart, and much, much regrets, that I’ve made a decision to pull you two, out of the competition,” diretsahang anunsyo ni Principal Moon.

“Principal Moon, that’s — ”

“I know, Teacher Kim. But I had to make this decision. Cece, your parents called me and they know what was going on. They’ve expressed how uncomfortable they are with these rumors and your mom asked to take action about it.”

“My parents.. asked you, to.. pull us out?”

“No, Cece. I made the decision.”

Teacher Kim and I were both confused, befuddled. I was in a bit of a shock too, para bang binuhusan ako ng isang balde ng pagsisisi, and I wasn’t even sure what were my regrets about.

“Sir, Principal Moon, isn’t this too drastic a decision? It doesn’t quite make sense, really. Cece, has reviewed and prepared for the competition profusely, sir. And are we gonna let it all go to waste?”

“I have prepared for this, I have a back up plan, in case, something doesn’t work right with you two.”

“No, sir, that’s beside the point. Why pull us out if we are prepared?”

“You two are tainted with rumors, and — ”

“What does that have to do with the competition? Are we gonna lose points because of it? Sir?”

I remained silent, speechless more likely. Teacher Kim’s expression and the tone of his voice has grown from impatient to pissed.

“My decision is final. I will win this competition. I don’t want any distraction, and I can’t just let either one of you go and match with someone else. There will be no rapport. And besides, her parents have expressed deep disdain over these rumors. They are very concerned about it. How could I let you two go? ”

“Codswallop! This is — ”

“Ah, ahmm,” I interjected, they both looked at me. “If, ehm, if that is what you think is best, Principal Moon, I will accept. Well, — ”

“Cece, don — ”

“I just, don’t want any more complications. I want this all to be over.”

Nagkatinginan kami ni Teacher Kim; his brows, knitted; his mouth, partly opened; his eyes, hurt. And I turned numb.