SHE WANTS TO TALK…" I called out when Euart walked past me and refused to have a respectful conversation with me.    His back was facing me while he carried a black suitcase on his shoulder. I knew he still cared for Shanta, that's why he stopped mid-stride.    Kahit papaano, binigyan ako ng kaunting pag-asa na matulungang umusad ang kaibigan ko.   Her last night's wish will be a wish granted if only her ex would give her a chance. As an exchange for doing her a favor, she has to catch up with her studies.    After all, she's excelling in most of o

Chapter 103   THE CLOUDS seemed to hide under a faraway lake, painting the sky blue, warming the day with the lightness the wind brought against thin shrubs.   I shifted from the swaying leaves outside the window to my desk where I kept myself focused. It was a normal day in school, and for the first time, the class was complete and attentive.   The dead active Shanta rose from the dead and came back to spook everyone by her obvious presence. She made each of us feel she’s back, better and stronger, wiser and kinder, more conceited than ever.   Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses na siyang tumayo upang mag-recite sa klase. Halos lahat ng tanong ay sinalo niya. Wala siyang tinira.  

DOON TAYO! Bilis, gutom na ako!" Nanguna sa paglalakad si Shanta habang sumusunod kaming lima sa likod niya. "Anong gusto niyo? Sagot ko lahat. Kunin niyo na ang kaya niyong ubusin."   Her energy tank tonight was full. Hindi ko alam kung nababawasan ba iyon dahil bawat segundo, tumatakbo siya at sumisilip sa iba't ibang food stalls.   As we followed behind her, I couldn't help but notice the eyes that were looking up at us while we walked past them. Gumagawa sila ng espesyal na daan, na kung saan may mga rosas na sila lang ang nakakakita.   Their mouths slowly fell open while gray fragrant smoke came across our path. I squinted and rubbed my nose, pero bigla na lang silang ngumiti sa hindi ko malamang dahilan.   

SO, YOU REMEMBER?" bulong ko habang naglalakad kami sa pasilyo.   The shock was still there when I opened this up to Shanta. Hindi ko man lang nahimigan ang pagkakaalam niya, lalo na sa mga panahong nag-uusap kami tungkol sa sugat ko at kanyang pagka-ospital.    Ang alam ko lang na alam niya ay isa ako sa mga napuruhan noong gabing dinakip siya. Ngunit hindi sa puntong ito. Not on this point that she knew every detail of how I saved her.    Somehow, it flattered me. Masaya akong siya mismo ang nakaalala niyon kaysa sa iba ang pagsabi sa kanya. I just didn't expect she also remembered who stabbed me.    Ni hindi ko nga namukhaan ang sumaksak sa akin till now. Para akong sinapak sa pisngi noong malaman

THE WAR HAS EMPTIED ITS BARREN, leaked its last drip, and twisted its faucet close. No river of evil will ever enter the estuaries of goodness. It will no longer wave its big tsunamis to the calm ocean of serenity and prosperousness. From now on, it will flow as fresh milk, white and nourishing. For the battle has been fought and won. "For the grounds you've committed and the substantial evidence submitted in this office, the Board has decided to expel you, Avancea Vega and Alleva Brookes." "No! There's no way!" sigaw ni Avancea at sinampal ang mesa pagkatapos isara ni Dr. Principio ang folder, na naglalaman ng hatol sa kanila. "I am innocent! I didn't do anything to any of these two!" "Sit down, Ms. Vega," matigas na utos ng punong guro. "Your behavior will put you into more danger." "You're not expelling my daughter!" sigaw ng isang ginang, na mukhang batang tingnan dahil sa iksi ng suot at mga alahas sa katawan niya. "This is unfair! I will Dalmaceo! He will not approve of t