HUMAKBANG paatras si Clavis nang sumulong si Shanta. Her brown orbs turned into an eye of a wolf. Bawat hakbang niya ay parang sinlaki ng mga hakbang ng isang higante. Nakakatakot at nakakakaba.   "Magpaliwanag ka," walang halong birong utos ni Shanta. Tinitigin niya nang maigi ang kanyang pinsan. "Bakit wala akong alam tungkol dito? Ba't kayo naglihim sa akin? Bakit... hindi niyo ako sinama?"   Her cousin latched onto my uniform with trembling hands. Inis na nilingon ko siya. I tried pulling it back while he continuously clutched it. Pero ayaw niyang bitawan!   "P're…" He frowned, his eyes begging me. "Patigilin mo siya, p're…"   Believe me, I wanted to pity him. Pero kinukusot niya ang damit ko kaya bahala siya! H

ALLEVA forwarded to Shanta with eyes filled with guilt and fakeness. Kinuha niya ang dalawang kamay nito at hinalikan. Samantala, nakatungo si Elmary at patuloy sa paghimas ng kanyang buhok. Alleva begged and said, "Sizzy, we're sorry! I will explain. There must have been a misunderstanding. Let me clarify everything." "It's true, Dalshie!" Elmary seconded and pouted. "May hindi kami na-explain to you, so please hear us out. The truth is… the dinner was postponed. Mom chatted me just a while ago. I didn't expect it!" She then covered her mouth. "Sorry! Nabalitaan ko lang talaga kanina! I tried chatting with you, pero nag-aya si Yeva bigla. Sorry talaga, Dalshie!" "Eh, kung hindi ka pala bobo, sana ay sasabiha

SA MGA ARAW na nagdaan ay hindi pa rin pinaunlakan ng pansin ni Shanta ang kaibigan ko. Sobra ang sama ng loob niya sa kanyang nobyo.    Sa paraan ng pagtrato niya kay Euart, she's as cold as Christmas night, the polar zones, places in high altitudes, and the kind of weather before six in the morning.   Ibang klase ng sama ng loob iyon, for she was truly stabbed in the back. In the core. Deep. The dagger used to injure her heart was held by her dearest friends while puppeteered by her one greatest rival.    Plus, the damage only got worse when she witnessed her boyfriend with them. It was a normal reaction, but frustrating. Inaakala niyang abala sila ngunit pinag kasinungalingan lang siya.   The kind of di

MATAPOS siyang umalis ay naghanap ako ng mesa para doon magbasa ng lessons. It was at the back end beside a tall antique window.   I settled myself on a chair. Katapat ko 'yong mismong bintana at sa labas, natatanaw ko ang asul na kalangitan.    The peak of the trees also peeped out like a sly kid. Its leaves swayed, but the cool air could not be felt. Sarado kasi ang bintana.   Although it calmed my nerves, my heart was still bruised and my body felt weak. I don't know if I still have the courage to finish reading the novel.    Pakiramdam ko ay wala na akong ganang ituloy iyon. There was no reason for me to read it.    I hoped for a happy en

WHERE IS my daughter? Where is Dalmi?" A thunderous yet worrying voice echoed from the entrance of the school hospital.   Mabilis kaming tumayo ni Clavis nang marinig iyon at makita ang mabagsik na pagdating ni Miss Heichel… lalo na noong bumaling siya sa gawi namin.    "Si Ma'am!" Si Katlego.   Umayos din at tumuwid siya ng tayo kasama sina Jirario at Lachlan. Sabay pinanood naming lima ang paglapit ng ina ng nag-iisang Shanta.   "Clyde, where is your cousin? How is she? Is she conscious now? Kanina pa kayo rito? What did the doctor in charge tell you?"    Her heels clinked as she bombarded him with endless questions. Then, I saw my friend flinch