Chapter 13
We were just sitting around, the night air cool but heavy with the scent of salt and faint laughter.
Ms.
Martinez, Kinsley, and Cecilia were already visibly drunk — their voices louder than before, and their movements more careless.
They were slouched back on the chairs, grinning like kids who had just discovered a secret, their faces flushed with tipsiness.
“AlaM moBa Ms. MartiNez! LaGing umiiYak yUng mGa estudYante dAhil kAy Ms. GoMez at Ms. SanchEz!” Cecilia blurted out, her speech slurred but animated as she pointed toward Ate and Ms. Sanchez. Her words were loud enough to carry across the group.
"Oo nGa! Bad siLa, kaHit hIndi ako estudyAnte laGi aKo pinApaiyak ni Ms. GoMez!" sagot nito.
Ate arched one eyebrow and fixed them with a pointed look. “Have you lost it already?” she said dryly, clearly unimpressed.
“DiBa, kitA mo 'Yan?! GaNyan 'yAn siyA,” Miss Martinez replied defensively, her words tumbling out faster than her brain could catch up.
Kinsley giggled again, swaying slightly in her seat. “BUti nalaNg mabAit bebe Ko!” she added, patting her chest as if declaring a heartfelt truth.
“BAkit siNo ba 'yAng bEbe Mo hA!” Miss Martinez teased, her grin wide and unapologetic.
“SeKret bAka sumbOng Mo,” Kinsley said with a conspiratorial wink, leaning closer as if sharing the juiciest gossip ever.
“KiLala kO yAn! Si aNO...” Miss Martinez tried to start a name, but was cut off.
“SiNo?!?” Kinsley asked, curious despite her drunkenness.
"WaHhhH, caRdo dAlisay!" pang-aasar pa ni Ms. Martinez.
I couldn’t help but whisper to myself, “Tuluyan na ngang sila nabaliw,” watching their antics with a mix of amusement and mild exasperation.
Wala pala rito si Eliana at Ms. Flores dahil mag c-cr daw muna si Eliana at si Ms. Flores ay maglilibot daw muna. Pero halos kalahating oras na ay hindi pa rin sila nakakabalik.
“Hey, I heard that you auditioned for the singing club,” Ate said softly beside me, breaking my train of thought.
“Yeah, Ate,” I answered quietly.
“You hate singing.”
“But for her, I would,” I added, the words tasting bittersweet on my tongue.
Ate didn’t reply, just sighed deeply and looked away.
Suddenly, a loud shout broke the quiet: “YuNg tsiNelas kO!” Kinsley’s voice was panicked and high-pitched. I turned sharply to see her nowhere beside me but sprinting toward the water’s edge.
“MaMa!” she cried out, collapsing onto the soft sand with a dramatic flop.
“YuNg Tsinelas nIya tInangaY! BWHAHAHAHAHA,” Ms. Martinez was practically rolling with laughter, clutching her stomach as if she might topple over.
I stood up quickly, brushing sand off my pants as I walked over to Kinsley. “Stand up, it’s dirty,” I scolded gently.
“YuNg tsiNelas Ko!” she wailed again, pointing helplessly at the glistening slippers floating just out of reach in the shallow waves.
I sighed. “Gosh, tinangay na ‘yon. Languyin mo kung gusto mo,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“TaNga-TanGa kAsi!” Miss Martinez added, laughing as she shook her head.
"Let's go home, I'll buy you all the slippers."
"ReAlly? YeHey! OcaKes," sabi nito at tumayo na.
We were walking back to our spot, the night already wearing on everyone. Ms. Martinez, Kinsley, and Cecilia were clearly drunk, laughing loudly and slurring their words. The rest of us were just trying to keep it together. Finally, someone suggested it was time to go home.
“I’ll go look for Eliana and Ms. Flores,” I told Ate quietly. She nodded without saying much.
I headed toward the restroom, expecting to find Eliana there. But she wasn’t. A pit started forming in my stomach. I knew something was off. Maybe she was wandering nearby, so I decided to check around the back of the building.
That’s when I heard voices. They were coming from just behind the restroom, low but heated.
“I hate you!” Eliana’s voice cracked, angry and hurt.
“I'm sorry, but there’s no chance for us,” came another voice. It was calm, almost cold. But I knew it. That voice. It sent a shiver down my spine.
My heart hammered. Tell me that’s not what I think.
Then— I heard a sharp slap.
My breath caught. Panic surged through me. I took a step forward to intervene, but before I could, a firm hand grabbed my wrist.
“What the—” I started.
“Shh,” Ms. Sanchez’s voice was low, almost a whisper, as she covered my mouth with her hand.
I froze, startled by the sudden closeness. Her other hand pressed against the wall next to me, pinning me in place. Our eyes locked, the air thick with tension, words left unspoken between us.
I wanted to pull away, to scream, to ask what the hell was going on. But she didn’t let me. Then, as suddenly as she’d appeared, she let go, stepping away without a word.
I was left standing there, pressed against the wall, confused and angry.
“After that, you just leave me like this?” I called after her as she walked away.
She didn’t answer. I hurried to catch up.
“What was that, Miss?” I asked, breathless.
“Shut up,” she snapped, not even turning around.
I laughed, a nervous, bitter laugh. “You’re really something else, huh?”
Natawa na lang ako, di ko na napigilang matawanan ang pagka-sarcastic niya.
“Para-paraan ka rin pala,” pang-aasar ko.
Ngunit sa halip na tumawa siya, inirapan niya ako — ang mga mata niya ay may halong pagsubok, parang nagdadrama na gusto akong pasukin sa isang laro na hindi ko pa naiintindihan.
Ayos.
---
“Ang sakit ng ulo ko, ayoko na,” Kinsley groaned beside me, rubbing her temples like the pounding in her head might just knock her out. The early morning light filtering through the windows of our classroom did nothing to ease her misery.
I glanced at her with a smirk. “Paano ‘di sasakit, halos laklakin mo na yung alak kagabi eh.” I nudged her playfully. The remnants of last night’s wild drinking session were clear on all of us — messy hair, heavy eyelids, and that unmistakable sluggish vibe.
“Si Ms. Martinez kasi! Ayaw talaga ako tantanan,” Kinsley complained, flicking a loose strand of hair out of her face. She rolled her eyes as if the memory of Ms. Martinez’s relentless teasing was worse than the hangover itself.
I kept stealing glances toward Eliana, who sat a beside me, quiet and withdrawn. I couldn’t shake the image from my mind — the tense conversation, the slap, the way Ms. Sanchez had grabbed me to stop me from interfering. Eliana wasn’t okay, and it was obvious. But I didn’t know what to say or do.
Biglang natahimik ang classroom nang pumasok si Ms. Sanchez. Lahat ng estudyante tumahimik agad, at nagmistulang sumunod sa utos ang lahat.
“Good morning, Miss Sanchez,” bati ng mga kaklase ko na hindi ko namalayan nandiyan na siya.
“We will have a vacancy for today,” Ms. Sanchez announced clearly, her tone calm but serious. “Everyone who passed the audition, please proceed to your assigned club room for an important announcement.”
I looked at my classmates, who nodded slightly, and then Ms. Sanchez added, “Gomez and Gonzales, come with me to Room 4A.” She gestured toward us, and both Kinsley and I nodded and rose from our seats.
We headed to Room 4A on the fourth floor, the staircase creaking softly under our feet. I felt a mixture of nerves and curiosity buzzing inside me. What announcement could it be?
As soon as we stepped inside, the room was already filled with students—some chatting quietly, others nervously glancing around. Ms. Sanchez and Ms. Dizon were there, along with several others I didn’t recognize.
Ms. Dizon stepped forward. “Okay, now that everyone’s here, we’ll get started.” Her voice was bright and confident.
“We’re organizing a competition at another university,” she continued. “Each club will send only one contestant to perform.” My heart skipped a beat at that — a competition! This was serious.
She smiled at the group, then looked right at me. “All of you did an amazing job in the auditions, but after careful consideration, we’ve chosen Gomez to represent our university.”
My mouth went dry. I hadn’t expected it to be me.
“Meet us after class every day for practice,” Ms. Dizon added. “We start today.” I nodded, trying to act composed even though my heart was racing.
Ms. Sanchez gave a small smile and said, “You may go now.” The room began to empty as students left, chatting excitedly.
Outside the classroom, Kinsley immediately grabbed my arm. “Congrats! Good luck talaga!” she said with a wide grin.
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Why me though?” I asked, still trying to wrap my head around it.
Kinsley shrugged. “Maganda naman talaga boses mo. You deserve this.” She gave me a confident look, like she believed in me even when I doubted myself.
I smiled, trying to act cocky. “Well, ako naman na talaga ‘to.” It wasn’t really bragging — more like convincing myself.
Suddenly, a distant rumble caught our attention.
“May bagyo ata ngayon ah,” I muttered, glancing out the window where dark clouds were rolling in fast.
"Okay lang, at least 'di natangay tsinelas ko."
"Edi wow!" sagot nito, kaya natawa nalang kaming pareho.
Bumalik na kami ulit sa classroom, at pagkapasok namin ay napansin kong nandito na rin pala sila Eliana at Cecilia. Nasa gilid sila ng classroom, parehong tahimik. Si Eliana nakayuko habang inaayos ang gamit niya.
"Napili kayo?" tanong ka agad ni Kinsley habang nauupo sa silya niya.
"Si Eliana lang," sagot ni Cecilia, sabay kibit-balikat.
"Otso-otso pa more," pang-aasar ni Kinsley kay Cecilia na agad namang binelatan siya.
"Congrats, Eli," sabi ko sabay ngiti. Sandali siyang tumingin sa akin at bahagyang ngumiti, pero walang sigla. Parang may laman 'yung titig niya pero hindi niya masabi.
"Okay ka lang?" tanong ni Kinsley kay Eliana dahil halatang wala ito sa wisyo—malalim ang hinga, at parang lutang.
"Sadyang inaantok lang," sagot ni Eliana, at tumango naman sila Cecilia at Kinsley, pero halatang di sila kumbinsido.
I wanted to ask her about what happened yesterday, what was going on between them, but I knew she wasn't ready to talk about it yet. There was a heaviness in her presence, like she was carrying something she didn’t want anyone to see. I figured I’d wait—sometimes, people just need a bit more time before they can speak their truth. The right moment would come.
Pagkatapos ng ilang minuto, dumating na rin ang professor namin. Buong araw kaming abala sa pagsusulit—isang preparasyon para sa exam namin next week. Walang masyadong usapan, puro pagsusulat, puro hinga, puro kaba.
When our classes finally ended, I packed my things quickly. I had practice that afternoon, so I had to leave earlier than my friends. Nagpaalam lang ako ng mabilis, sabay lakad papunta sa kabilang building.
Pagdating ko sa Room 4A, tahimik ang paligid. The room was bathed in a soft afternoon light seeping through the windows, and the only sound I could hear was the gentle hum of the air conditioner.
"Good afternoon, Miss," bati ko pagkabukas ng pinto.
"Hi, honey," she replied warmly, offering a smile. She gestured towards a comfortable-looking chair.
"Where's Ms. Sanchez po?" I asked, taking a seat.
."She's not here yet, honey. She might be running late," sagot niya habang tumango, tapos pinatong ang pen sa mesa. Tumahimik siya sandali, saka muling ngumiti. "Let’s start, honey? What song do you want to play?"
Napatingin ako sa kanya, medyo nagulat. "I get to choose, Miss?"
"Yes. You're free to choose," sagot niya, at tumango ulit habang hinihintay ang sagot ko.
Medyo nag-isip ako. I didn’t expect to be given a choice. Usually, instructors hand you the piece and expect you to follow, but she was different—mas gentle, mas kalmado. So I told her a song I liked. Something I’ve always wanted to learn.
"Do you know how to play the guitar?" tanong niya pagkatapos kong banggitin ang kanta.
"No, Miss," sagot ko agad. Never ko pa talaga nasubukang tumugtog. Music was never really my strong suit—lalo na ang instruments.
"This song has a guitar part, honey. You'll need to learn how to play guitar first," sabi niya, calm and patient, like she wasn’t in any rush. She stood up and walked to the cabinet sa sulok ng room, then pulled out a classic wooden guitar. The varnish on it shimmered under the ceiling lights.
"Let me teach you, honey. I have a guitar here; we can use it for now."
"You should hold it like this," she said, picking up the guitar. Her hands moved gracefully as she demonstrated the proper posture. The polished wood of the guitar gleamed under the light.
"Oh, okay. Let me try po, Miss." sagot ko at inabot naman nito ang guitar sa akin. Pero tinawanan lang ako nito.
"Silly, like this, honey," sabi niya, and before I could react, she gently leaned forward and repositioned my arms. Her voice was close to my ear, soft and playful. Napansin kong baliktad pala ang pagkakakapit ko.
"Let’s learn the basic chords. Put your left finger on this string," she said, pointing to a spot on the fretboard. Her breath tickled the side of my face. "This is the Am chord."
Sinubukan kong sundan, pero ang hirap pala. Hindi ko magawang maayos 'yung pagkakadiin ng daliri ko, at parang masakit sa kamay.
"Here, honey," she said again, and before I could even say anything, she stood behind me and gently placed her hands over mine. Her touch was warm, patient. She guided my fingers one by one, pressing them down on the correct strings.
Naramdaman ko ang init ng katawan niya habang bahagyang dumidikit ang dibdib niya sa likod ko.
"Like that, honey. You're doing well," she murmured, her voice a low hum against my ear.
To be honest, I'm not comfortable in our position. Sobrang lapit niya. Parang konti na lang, matutunaw na ‘ko.
Hindi ko man lang namalayan nandito na pala si Ms. Sanchez at kanina pang natingin sa amin. Ang sama ng tingin niya.
"Honey, focus, okay?" bulong ni Ms. Dizon, pansin ang pagka-distract ko.
"Sorry po," mumbled ko, pilit na hindi tumingin kay Ms. Sanchez.
"It's okay, now let's move on to the G chord. Put your hands like this," sabi niya habang ginagabayan ulit ang kamay ko.
Pero di pa man ako nakaka-react, bigla na lang nagsalita si Ms. Sanchez.
"Let's just change the contestant. She can't even play a guitar," Ms. Sanchez declared, her words laced with a venom that was hard to ignore.
"Honey, we already agreed about this," kalmadong tugon ni Ms. Dizon, pero may bahid na ng pagkairita sa boses niya.
"I don't care. Let's just change the contestant," ulit ni Ms. Sanchez, this time mas matalim ang tingin. Parang gusto na talaga niyang patigilin lahat.
"I insist, Miss. I can learn this within a day. Trust me," sagot ko, halos pumutok na ‘yung ugat sa leeg ko sa inis. Pero inirapan lang niya ako. Oo na, hindi ako magaling, pero hindi naman ako useless!
"You can stop helping me, Ms. Dizon. I can learn this alone po," sabi ko, sabay tayo para medyo lumayo sa likod niya. Umalis naman agad si Ms. Dizon, pero bago siya tumalikod, ngumiti pa siya.
"Just ask for my help, honey, okay?" hirit pa niya. Tumango lang ako. Kahit paano, sweet pa rin siya.
Nag-practice ako mag-isa for almost two hours. Hindi biro, parang binugbog ‘yung daliri ko. Halos hindi ko na magalaw ang kaliwang kamay ko. Ramdam ko na parang may punit na balat sa daliri. Mas na-gets ko na ngayon paano gamitin ‘tong gitara. May konting progress. Small wins.
"It's already 6:30 pm, honey. Let's go home," sabi ni Ms. Dizon, kaya tumango na lang ako kahit pagod na pagod na ako.
Niligpit ko ‘yung mga gamit ko. Halos iisa lang ang nagagamit kong kamay dahil ‘yung kaliwa, parang lantang gulay na. Nagpaalam na si Ms. Dizon at lumabas. Sumunod na sana ako palabas ng university nang bigla akong hilahin ni Ms. Sanchez paliko.
"What is it, Miss?" tanong ko, nagtataka.
"Can you shut up and just follow me?" sagot niya, parang ako pa ‘yung may kasalanan. Siya pa talaga ‘yung galit?
Tahimik akong sumunod. Nakarating kami sa faculty room niya, at halos wala pa ring imik. Ang awkward, pero ayoko nang magsalita. Baka batukan pa ako.
"Sit," sabi nito kaya agad kong sinunod.
"Give me your hand," sabi niya. Medyo napaisip pa ako kung ibibigay ko ba, pero inabot ko rin. Kinuha niya ‘yung kaliwa kong kamay na sobrang hapdi at may konting dugo sa daliri.
"You have a lot of wounds; you should stop playing guitar earlier when your fingers start to hurt," she scolded while applying ointment to my wounds. Ang lamig ng ointment pero ang sakit pa rin. Pigil hinga ako habang pinapahiran niya.
"Are you concerned now?" tanong ko, hindi mapigilan ang dila ko.
"Stop assuming, it's my responsibility to take care of you, as my student." sagot nito.
"Student now, but soon to be your wife," hirit ko sabay ngiti, kahit may kirot.
Bigla niyang diniinan ‘yung sugat ko nang walang babala.
"Ahh!!" napadaing ako. "Ang sama mo talaga," reklamo ko, hawak-hawak ‘yung kamay kong parang binuhusan ng sili.
"Shut up, I really hate hearing your voice," sagot niya. Napailing ako. Eto na naman siya.
"Hate raw pero pinili ako maging contestant," pang-aasar ko.
"It was because of Seinna. I wouldn't choose you, actually," prangka niyang sagot.
"Oof. You really hate me that much, huh?" tanong ko, half-joking, half-hoping hindi totoo.
"I hate everything about you," sagot niya ulit, diretso, walang pause.
"I love everything about you, Miss," bulong ko habang nakatitig sa kanya. Kahit anong sabihin niya, kahit anong tanggi niya, hindi ko kayang itigil ‘to. Hindi ko kayang iwasan siya.
"Stop playing games with me, Gomez. You won't win against me."
"Mhm, I'm willing to lose my own game, just for you. Tell me you love me, and I'll drop everything."
"Over my dead body." sagot nito.