FUGITIVE

My best friend Mateo calls me to see him after my class discussion. It is unusual for both of us to talk after our respective classes. He has been teaching in a public High School for a year now whereas, I am just a new member of the faculty in a private institution exclusive for boys.  Mateo and I come from the same teaching institution and both newly-grad when we enter the academe. 

            For a week now, I am bothered why he resigns and transfers to a new school. I remember the times that he always takes pride in bragging his good position and salary from his previous school.

            We both agree to see each other in Plaza Quezon. Although it’s a bit far from my school, I still go because there’s something drives me to meet him. I reach the place around 6:25 pm. While walking with a cap and sunglass, I manage to talk to him on the phone and veil myself. 

I sense the nervous in his voice. I insist to know the reason but he is consistent in saying that he needs to personally see me. 

            There are a lot of people in the park. Few of them look at me curiously. I move down the cap to somehow hide my face from view because I am not use to it for some time.

            As I reach the plaza, I decide to walk at the side of the nearby trees which separates me to the bulk of people. My eyes roll from left to right, as if it were involuntary muscles. I am sure that I am becoming nearer to Mateo. As my sweat in the face roll down in my cheeks, I remember that I’ve never been in this place for sometime after the incident. Yes, after that unforgettable incident I refrain from going to crowded place like this one to get away from the suspicious eyes of the few.

I accidentally bump a man after crossing 3 or 4 trees in a row. He looks straight at me. I feel the tension and abruptly look down and put a handkerchief on my mouth. This would somehow hide my entire face to him. 

            I immediately see Mateo near the President Quezon statue. I know there’s something wrong with him for being nervous. He never says a word when we look each other. Then after a while, 3 law enforcers in their uniforms approach me and put me a handcuff.

“You are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent because everything you say would be used against you.”

I am so shocked to the turn of event. I don’t expect this thing to happen. I never have a hit that he will betray me. Betray our friendship. Oh yes, our intimate friendship.

“I am sorry. I can’t hide the truth anymore. Since I moved from other school and refuse to stand as a witness against you, I’ve been eaten up by my conscience. My life has never been the same again after you abused and accidentally kill your student.”

I am speech less. I just put my hand in my face to cover it like I used to do.