Chapter 51: I will
Zein's Point of View....
I can't blame you because I know what I have done. It sucks knowing you are with someone else now but what can I do? It was my fault. I pushed you away, it was me. I will just be thankful you are not in a misery... unlike me. Still... I was wrecked with that scene that I can't do anything but to smile and take all the blame.
I was silently hurt so much that I can no longer feel how painful it was supposed to be.
You will never be forgotten by my heart but my mind can. Supremo, I loved and still love you but enough... We are over.
I wasn't surprised that when I arrived at the SSG Office, Supremo was not there to greet me. Only Vice Ty and Teacher Kath were seriously talking.
I just went straight to my table and organized the papers I hadn't organized yesterday. Yesterday, when I wasn't myself, waiting for someone who wasn't coming back anymore.
I was in the middle of organizing when the door opened. Our eyes met but he quickly looked away and went straight to his table.
I returned my attention to what I was doing when I heard his faint sigh. It wasn't easy for me to stop myself from looking at him.
I heard a rustle beside me so I really couldn't stop myself from looking at him. My forehead furrowed when I saw him tearing up the logbook.
Even though I was confused, I just decided to return my attention to what I was doing.
I finished organizing so I looked at the person beside me who was bowed down at his desk, his head turned sideways towards me.
He was asleep and his eyeglasses were slanted. He looked very tired and had no sleep. I couldn't keep my eyes off him... even just for now, I can stare at you without worrying that you might catch me.
I want to get close to you... I want to fix your messy polo shirt and your messy hair... I want to remove your glasses and adjust your position so you won't get a stiff neck but I know I can only want... You are already happy. I don't want to bother you anymore. It hurts but this is as far as I go.
I was startled when the door opened and revealed Angel who only glanced at me briefly before heading straight to Supremo's table.
I wanted to stop her from waking Supremo up because he was clearly tired and lacked sleep but who am I to stop her? But I wish... she had just let him rest for a while.
What did he even do that made him look like he hadn't slept? Psh.
She gently tapped Supremo's shoulder who immediately woke up. His eyes squinted.
He moved quickly when he saw Angel in front of him.
Supremo stood up and they both went out, not even exchanging words, as if he already knew the reason why Angel came here.
Maybe they already have a plan... maybe.
I stayed for a few more minutes before deciding to stand up and go to the cafeteria. Lunch break...
"Classes are cancelled..." I greeted my friends.
"Oh? Why?" Mia asked.
"General meeting." I briefly replied.
We were in the middle of eating when the speakers around us opened. "All classes are suspended due to the general meeting that will happen later... 1 o'clock at the gymnasium. Thank you." The speakers turned off again.
"I told yah..." I said lifelessly to them.
"What is that general meeting for anyway?" Vanessa asked.
I just shrugged because even I didn't know the reason.
It had been months since the last general meeting and what happened then wasn't good. What is it now?
What are they planning now?
"We can probably not attend, right?" Vanessa said boredly, clinging to my arm.
She just asked me to accompany her to the comfort room and Mia, Jerome, Matt, and Dave had already left. Even I am not interested in the reason for this general meeting but there is a part of me that needs to hear it.
Whatever it is, I need to see and hear it myself. It might be bad or worse still... I am curious.
"You can... Just don't get caught by Supremo."
"What if I get caught-- Oh! I'm safe even if I get caught... you're with me anyway."
I just shook my head at his reasoning. If he wants to be punished... he can go alone. I'm tired of punishment. Psh.
When we arrived at the gymnasium, silence greeted us. Vanessa signaled to me that she was going to our friends while I went to the front seat... next to the guy with his eyes closed, leaning on the chair.
He looks really tired. What the hell! I'm annoyed with myself! Damn it.
Vice Ty smiled at me when our eyes met. It wasn't easy for me to sit in front... next to the guy whose eyes were still closed and looked sleepy.
Why, I wonder?
Maybe because they were together the whole night. I hope you're still aware that you can't get involved with anyone, or if you do get involved... I'm out of it. I won't take the blame anymore. I did what's right and the rest is your choice.
After a while, Madame Violet, Francisco, the Principal and a man who looked familiar to me arrived. Where did I see him?
My eyes widened when I remembered that he was the man who greeted me in the place that I think was the hidden laboratory. Fuck!
Why is he here? Why is he with the admins?
So many questions exploded in my mind and always ended with the question... Is this it?
Our eyes met and he smirked at me. I felt my hair stand on end at that moment. I know this isn't good.
I looked at my friends who also looked deep in thought. I don't know why but I feel like crying. Shit! Why?
"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen..." Madame Violet began with a smirk.
You couldn't hear even the slightest sound around, as if even their breathing was held back. The air in the gym was stifling, as if everyone was short of breath.
I have a bad feeling about this... Really bad.
"The end is near..."
My grip on the seat I was sitting on tightened. I looked at Supremo who I caught looking at me. He immediately looked away and closed his eyes again.
Psh.
"Are you tired of this hell?" She asked again. "Good news. In a little while... you can be free." Words that brought life to the noise around.
There was joy around but the tightness in my chest got worse. It's normal for us to be happy but I can't. The worst is soon to come. The end is arriving quickly.
How will this end? Bloody? Definitely.
"Just a little longer and your suffering will end..." She said with a smirk again. "The Philippine High University turned into Hell University is soon to become just a story... A story that only us can tell."
She scanned her eyes across the gymnasium. Every student she looked at was like a stab that could tighten your breathing. The strong authority of the headmistress of this hell.
Madame Violet Rivera
"The only reason why we are stuck in this place was already been found out... Yes. The Formula that can bring back death's life is soon to be completed."
I knew it! It has something to do with that damn formula. Is it really too late for us? Can we really do nothing?
"When this is completed... this university can be opened... You can now go out. Run as long as you can. We won't be a hindrance anymore..." Her face became serious. "but I need your cooperation."
My forehead creased.
The double doors of the gymnasium opened and many people in laboratory suits entered. Fear and dread consumed me. There was tension around.
I wasn't the only one who stood up because almost half of the students in the room now stood up in surprise... trembling in fear.
I stood up from my seat when everyone in laboratory suits and even Madame Violet put on their gas masks.
I looked at my friends who were also wondering.
"For now... just rest."
In an instant, thick smoke spread around. I heard shouts and people coughing as if they were having trouble breathing.
Damn!
I grabbed my neck when I ran out of breath. I was about to fall when I felt someone hug me.
Even though it was hard for me to breathe, I was still able to quickly recognize who it was.
I smiled before I felt us both fall to the floor... still he is hugging me and for the first time... I feel safe in his arms.
I was scared last night... I was beyond scared of myself... I was scared that I can no longer stop myself... I was scared that I couldn't control myself anymore and just be selfish to fight for you...
I know it's stupidity and madness that I already hurt you... we already got hurt but in the end I'm still willing to get hurt.
I know it's too late but I'm sorry... I can no longer lie to myself.
His hug tightened around me...
"S-Supremo?" I almost lost my breath but I still forced myself to speak.
I know he's still in his right mind because his hug is getting tighter and tighter.
"Darling... please come back." A whisper from him that made my tears fall again.
"I will."