CONNED

Disclaimer: This is fiction. Unless otherwise specified, all names, characters, businesses, locations, events, and incidents in this book are either fictitious or based on the author's imagination. This story has absolutely nothing to do with anyone who is alive or who has ever existed.

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Our instructor in ROTC announced that Mayor Abueva is requesting ROTC unit 2 to be part of the event the city is commencing. She informed us that the event will be held first on our campus and we will escort the mayor along with the places of the city the mayor appointed to show its presence, para sa fiesta.

The instructor didn’t push everybody to attend but to those who just wanted to have extra points and to those who are not complete in the attendance every Sunday. Pambawi lang daw sa mga kulang namin.

So did us three enlisted our names to attend. Wala kasi kami nung first meeting. Tsaka palang kami nun nagpalipat pagkaka-alala ko.

++

Saturday came and all of us three are getting ready. Cadets are formed in TED Lobby and are tasked again with a buddy-buddy system. This time around Peas and I agreed to be one. However, rom is just a person away from us. Magkakalapit lang kami. At tutal naman di rin matutupad ang formation ng pagkakasunod-sunod namin. Pwede kaming lumipat ng order basta di halata hahahha.

Unit 2 rent 2 jeepneys heading towards the port. Puno ang bawat jeep kasama na doon ang iilang advanced officer. Sir Abe was then as usual with his angelic face and smiles as he had his ecstatic place sa pagsabit nya sa jeep.

Buti pa sila pwede. Kami pinagbabawalan at ending siksikan kami sa loob. Ang init na rin, alas otso na ng umaga at mataas na din ang araw.

Habang binabaybay ang daan naglagay si Peas ng isang earphones sa tenga ko. Nakakaantok naman tong kanta ni Peas. Mahaba-haba din ang tinahak ng jeep at naligaw pa nga.

I saw sir Abe from the window, he’s laughing and enjoying everything kahit naligaw na kami. Yung Jeep na inaangkasan nya nasa unahan lang ng samin, tas kami ni Peas nakapwesto sa likod lang ng driver. Kaya kita namin ang saya nya.

I somehow recalled a famous saying that goes like this, it doesn’t matter how long the journey is as long as you are happy on the process, and it doesn’t matter if you got lost on track, as long as you don’t lose yourself.

I guess that’s how unfairly fair life is.

After few turns, we did finally reached our destination. It was like a deserted empty space. May mga nakatambak na buhangin at graba sa mga gilid at may mga sasakyan ding iilang nakaparada. Tumataas na lalo ang tirik ng araw kung kayat kanya-kanyang shades ang mga advanced officers.

Gagi pwede pala yun? Kung di sana nagdala din kami.

Peas beside me is clutching.

“Jel, wala si Asterio. Di ako masaya.” said Peas.

“Ako rin di masaya, wala rin si sir Joriz.” Turan ko habang pinagmamasdan ang mga advanced officer na ayusin ang form ng mga kadete.

“Ang gwapo at gaganda naman ng mga officers. Siguro kahit ngayon lang, magchicheat ako kay Asterio.” Peas as she is spotting good looking officers on shades.

I just laughed at her.

The formation of the cadets is forming a two straight line. Parang nagbibigay daanan, mga kawal sa dadaanan na hari at namumuno. They have a stick to draw lines para alam ng kadete kung san sila di dapat lumampas. They were estimating the distance everyone of each, tig-iisang dipa ang pagitan.

As officers nearing us, they are motioning their hands and sticks to fall in straight line.

I was busy looking sideways to estimate the distance and the straightness, and out of nowhere someone held me on both shoulders to put me in place.

Sht.

Dahil sa biglaang galaw muntik nako matumba. But the hands on my shoulders are keeping me in balance.

Who’s this?

What’s this feeling?

I looked up, and there a man in his shades. He looks serious again like you just committed a sin.

Sir Abe.

I didn’t utter a word for the sudden action he made. What was that for? He could have just told me. Not that he could touch me whenever he decides to.

I am making a fuss inside my brain and I’m all mute at the moment. I just stared at him through the glimpse of my cap.

“Careful.” he deeply said as he attends to other cadets using his stick.

What the hell?

++

The clock strikes 12 o’clock. Ma’am villo announced that the mayor sends us some food and we should eat first since the program will start 1pm. We still have enough time to eat. And there goes the styro food distributed.

We then ate peacefully and drank water afterwards. After few minutes of getting rest and the mayor hasn’t arrived yet,

Ma’am nemo asked all pol sci students like her to have a picture. Unfortunately, it's just me and rom, while cess is in the comfort room having a pee. We did pose on the pictures, one is seriously looking and the other is smiling.

It's quite like a memory.

After the picture taking Peas appeared and she wanted to drink water more. I can’t blame her since the weather is too hot yet cloudy, mukhang mapapasma kami neto pag umulan.

I volunteered to accompany her since rom had a conversation with other cadets. We were then drinking water and Sir Abe just appeared out of nowhere.

“Cadets, yes you two. Wag nyo lagyan ng phone or towel dyan sa harap ng bulsa ng fatigue nyo. Hindi maganda tingnan..” He said and he left.

“Sir yes sir” replied Peas.

We did get our phones and towels in our bag instead at the jeepney.

Someone announced that the mayor is on the way that’s why we formed in line as practised. But the clouds are now mumbling, unti-unti ng umaambon. Hence, the show must go on.

++

Mayor Abueva arrived with her other colleagues. And when sir Abe commanded pugay kamay na, we did it with utmost professionality.

We were soaking wet. Sa tingin ko’y lalagnatin pa ako neto. The whole event was tiring. Parang PSG lang kami ni mayora. After the event, we were instructed to go back to the campus on foot.

Grabe pagod na pagod na kami tas maglalakad pa hahaha.

Di na kumukibo si Peas, sa sobrang pagod na rin ata.

Nakabalik kami sa campus pa gabi na rin. Isa-isa naman kaming tinawag kasi may pinababigay daw si mayor.

We were thrilled of course. Sana worth it man lang yung pagod.

Binigyan kami isa-isa ng tig 500. Glad we do attend this. Our hardwork paid off hahahaha.

Pagka-uwian sabay-sabay kaming tatlong lumabas ng gate ng school.

“Jel may practice daw ng sayaw bukas, ayoko na nakakapagod na araw na to. Pwede bang imonday nalang nila? Wala na tayong pahinga.” Peas reported.

“Magsabi nalang tayo sa gc Peas. Hold on chat ko.” I told her. Rom is out there too in his phone.

“Sige jel. Nakakatamad na kasi.” Rom seconded.

I sent a message to the block GC that we won’t be able to attend the practice tomorrow kasi pagod at naulanan pa kami sa ROTC.

I turned off the data and then faced the two and bid our goodbyes.

++

I arrived home late dahil na din sa traffic and I opened my data and check the new message from our gc.

Raullo sent a message: Ba’t nyo dinadawit ROTC as an excuse para di kayo makaattend sa ibang responsibilidad nyo? Sino PL nyo?

Isang mensaheng nagpagising sa diwa ko. I immediately pinged rom and peas and they both share sentiments. Why would Raullo sent that kind of message in our GC, he could have just pmed us directly.

Who would thought a man like him could betray us.

We were conned.

How could a big baby do this to us?

I ignored the gc until Monday came. I am furious. Of course I am nervous too. Punishment awaits us for sure.

Raullo then approached us and told us that it wasn’t him who sent the message in our gc. Isang PL daw yun na gamit phone nya nung time na yun.

We asked who could that be but he won’t disclose such information to us.

How petty.

He said sorry since all of our blockmates chatted how rude he is that night. Nelio on the other hand who’s also a PL of Alpha first was our first guess. But he seems cool with it. I asked him privately na okay namang irepremand kami on our personal accounts, we knew but then the PL who snooped on Raullo’s phone should be the one to have this kind of nervousness we have. He opened the message without the owner’s permission and incited fear in us. That PL could be liable.

“Don’t worry I’ll make some sense on her. Ciek can be impulsive at times too.” Nielio said on a dismissive tone. Huli ka.

“Alright then. I hope she reconsiders too. I don’t want any further damage as we love ROTC really.” I said smiling because I now know who’s the culprit is. And Nelio is too sloppy in this type of drama.

++

I pinged rom and peace na nadulas si Nelio sa pagsabi, Ciek ang pangalan.

“Ah yung PL na malaking babae jel, ang alam ko apilyido nun Reyes.” Si peas sa gc namin.

I immediately stalk the ciek girl on f* but I was bombarded by messages instead. So I checked it first and found out it’s the Ciek I supposed to know. She said sorry hence she doesn’t sound sorry at all. She reminded us of the mantra in ROTC instead.

“As a platoon leader I uphold duties and responsibilities among cadets, my ways could be off but I know for sure that you knew That whatever you see, whatever you hear, whatever you do during the training, you should leave it as it is. Don’t announce it to others na ng dahil doon pagod kayo. Masisira ang unit natin sa pinagsasabi nyo.”

Wow.

“I’m sorry, and best of luck!”

I don’t know what to reply to then. Of course the mantra. But she doesn’t have the right to snoop on Raullo’s phone without the latter’s permission! But how could she use reverse psychology on me?

“You don’t really sound sorry at all miss. I respect that you have strong convictions on your duties as a PL but does your duties jurisdiction includes snooping around on someone else’s phone? You see, the situation here is big rather than the so called mantra you are insisting. The point here is you are not included in the gc yet you use Raullo’s phone to shame us with the other people in the gc, Ikaw ang nagdala ng kahihiyan sa Unit natin. You made such a fuss. People out there don’t care if we get tired because of ROTC because meanie, that’s given. But you sending a message using other’s name, you just put shame on the officers as a whole.”

I replied to her as my fingertips are all getting sweaty. I’m cold. Darn this.

I pinged peas and ram about it and their blood just boiled as I do.

++

Days had passed and I thought the issue is over, but then Raullo said I was asked to had my presence on HQ later after school.

Our class hours will end 7 pm. I asked and clarify Raullo what is all this fuss about? Why am I asked to have a presence in HQ, and why is it only me?

He said that he doesn’t know a thing or two about the notice. He just had to do it.

I’m getting all worked out again. What’s this feeling? Am I being reprimanded now? Why are they making a big deal about this?

I then excused myself when Peas and rom said they’ll have dinner in fast food.

“bakit jel? Uwi ka na agad? Ask peas.

“may aasikasuhin lang ako peas, mauna na kayo.” I said as I sound like it doesn’t bother me at all.

I need to know. I should be responsible because it's me, my name are the one whom they have caught to.

It’s actually a good decision na hindi na nakisali sila Peas, baka mas lumalala pa tong gulo.

I paved my way towards the HQ, isa nalang ang bukas na ilaw, sa harapan ng pinto. Nagpatuloy lang ako sa paglalakad hanggang sa huminto ako sa harap nito. Grabeng kaba ang nararamdaman ko. Wala naman sigurong mangyayaring masama diba? Nasa premise naman ako ng school. Tsaka pansin ko naman mababait mga advanced officers, madali kausap at matatalino naman pwera nalang sa CIek at isda.

Determinado akong maayos ko silang makaka-usap sa ukol sa isyu na to.Kaya bahala na ang kaba, kumatok ako ng ikatlong beses, bumukas ang pinto tsaka ako nagsalita.

“I, Angelie Bayaban, permission to enter the room sir.” It was sir Dranreb in front of me.Hindi ko muna sya hahangaan ngayon, hindi muna pwede kasi may gusot akong aayusin.

“Pasok.” He opens the door wide and smiled at me. Darn, that dimples.

“Umupo ka muna dyan. May aasikasuhin lang ako sandali.” He said smiling as he leave the office.

Wala namang ibang tao rito kundi ako lang. Nakakapagtaka pero baka nga sinundo lang yung Ciek para magka-usap kami ng masinsinan.

Napabuntong hininga nalang ako. Darn. I hope this will turn out good. Minutes had passed ngunit wala pa rin. Bigla na lamang akong kinabahan ng biglaang namatay ang ilaw sa opisina. May nagpatay? Or brown-out lang?

Hinay-hinay akong tumayo at tumungo papuntang pinto para makalabas saglit at maghintay na lang sa labas. Nakakatakot naman na ako lang mag-isa.

Papihit na ako ng pinto ng biglaang may sumipa sa akin. Sht. Sa dilim di ko maaninag kung sino ang gumawa. Tangina akala ko ba ako lang mag-isa tao dito? SHT. SHT. Unti-unti akong gumapang sa ibang direksyon ngunit nahuli ang buhok ko. Hinila ako patayo at tsaka sinikmuraan.

Fck.

“Sino ka? Anong kasalanan ko sa’yo?” Turan ko ng hinang-hina na. Nasusuka ako.

Tangina.

Ito na ba sinasabi nilang hazing?

“bakit mo ginagawa to? Alam mo bang nasa school premise pa rin tayo? Pwedeng-pwede akong sumigaw ng tulong!” turan ko ng pahikbi.

“hahaha kung di mo lang sana kinalaban ang kapatid ko.” bulong nya sa mga tenga ko. SHT. Ano to palakasan system? But the voice. Sht. My attacker sounds familiar.

It shouldn’t be him, right?

“Then why are you using violence on me? We could fix this if we could talk. Please, you don’t wanna ruin your position in this organization right? Let’s talk. Let’s fix this.” I slowly cupped his hand away from my hair.

Please.

Please. Not like this. I know you are kind. I know you are not like this.

I am good at reading people, you see. It can’t be him.

“I guess you have a point in there. I don’t want to ruin my image just because of this.” He said as he slowly releases the grip on my hair.

I thought it would turn cool now. But I didn’t expect another blow of punch from him.

“Nooo p-please..” I coughed. I tasted blood.

“I should be punching you on your mouth at kukutsarain na rin sana mga kamay mo. Ang tabas din pala ng dila mo. Mga pol sci nga naman. Tsk. Ano? Tatakutin mo kapatid ko na makukulong sya? HAHAHHAH mamamatay ka muna.”

I cried as I was clutching on my stomach. Sht. How do I get away with this? He’s too strong.

“s-ssigaw ako. Kung mapatay mo man ako dito ngayon, mahihirapan ka. Kaya please nakabawi ka na. Paalisin mo nalang ako. Hindi ako magsusumbong. I-I p-promise. Please.” I cried as I tried to get up again.

Yet sir Abe laughed again. “Ah Alam ko na. Ayaw mo ng masakit na parusa? Gusto mo yung masarap ba?” He asked evily.

Why does it have to be him?

“I-I … honestly t-thought your kind sir, but why are you making a big fuss with all of this? You beat me you see. Isn’t this enough? Please let me g-go!” I pushed him hard and desperately search for the door knob.

Someone help me…

Please.

Sir Dranreb. Did he just leave me knowing this could happen?

I coughed again. Nangangapa ako sa dilim habang panay naman ang tama ko sa mga dulo ng mesa. Help me.

Someone help me…

“HAHAHHA at tatakas ka pa? Di pa ako tapos sayo! Remember Dranreb? I asked him to let the students outside go to their respective home. No one's gonna hear you and no one cares. C’mon, let me taste you.”

He said reaching out to me.

“Noooo!” I shouted as I wagged the wooden riffle on him.

Mamamatay muna ako bago nya magawa ang kabastusan nya sakin.

Like a skilled officer, he is trained in the dark that’s why he smoothly evade all of my attacks.

Sht.

Habang patagal ng patagal, ramdam ko na ang pagod. And he used that chance to reach me. But I used all my force to get away from his strong hold. I hear my uniform ripped as he pushed my head on the wall. Forcefully.

My vision turned pitch black and I don’t know what happened next.

I guess this will be my end.

My name. Written on the front page of the news; I guess this is still considered history.

Damn you, Abe.

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