Hell University-Chapter 52 - 51: I will

Zein’s Point of View

I can’t blame you because I know what I did. It hurts knowing you’re with someone else now, but what can I do? It was my fault. I pushed you away, it was me. I’ll just be thankful that you’re not miserable... unlike me. Still, I was so wrecked by that scene that all I could do was smile and take all the blame.

I was silently hurt so deeply that I could no longer feel how painful it was supposed to be.

You will never be forgotten by my heart, but my mind can forget. Supremo, I loved you, and I still love you, but it’s enough. We’re done.

I wasn’t surprised anymore when I arrived at the SSG Office and Supremo wasn’t there to greet me. Only Vice Ty and Teacher Kath were there, seriously talking.

I just went straight to my table and fixed the papers I hadn’t managed to organize yesterday. Yesterday, when I wasn’t myself, waiting for someone who, it turns out, was never coming back.

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 just returned my gaze to what I was doing when I heard his soft sigh. It wasn’t easy for me to stop myself from looking back at him.

I heard a rustling sound beside me, so I really couldn’t help but glance over. I frowned when I saw him tearing the logbook.

Confused, I decided it was better to focus back on what I was doing.

When I finished organizing, I looked at the person beside me who was slumped over his desk, his head tilted in my direction.

He was asleep, his eyeglasses crooked. He looked completely exhausted, like he hadn’t slept at all. I couldn’t bring myself to look away... at least now, I could look at you without worrying that you’d catch me.

I want to get closer to you... I want to fix the wrinkles on your polo and smooth your messy hair... I want to take off your glasses and adjust your position so you won’t get sore. But I know it will stay just as I wanted. You’re happy now. I don’t want to disturb you anymore.

It hurts, but this is as far as I go.

I was startled when the door opened, revealing Angel, who only gave me a brief glance before heading straight to Supremo’s table.

I wanted to stop him from waking Supremo, since it was obvious he was tired and sleep-deprived, but who was I to stop him? Still... I wish he had let the person rest a little longer.

What on earth was he doing that made him look like he hadn’t slept? Psh.

He lightly tapped Supremo on the shoulder, who immediately woke up. Supremo squinted his eyes, glaring.

He quickly moved when he saw Angel standing in front of him.

Supremo stood up, and they both walked out together, Angel without saying a single word, as if he already knew the reason Angel had come.

Maybe they really do have a plan... maybe.

I stayed seated for a few minutes before deciding to get up and head to the cafeteria. Lunch break...

"Class is cancelled," I greeted my friends.

"Oh? Why’s that?" Mia asked.

"General meeting," I replied shortly.

We were in the middle of eating when the speakers around the room turned on.

"All classes are suspended due to the general meeting that will happen later... 1 o’clock at the gymnasium. Thank you."

The speakers went silent again.

"I told you..." I said lifelessly to them.

"What’s the general meeting for?" Vanessa asked.

I just shrugged, because even I didn’t know the reason.

It had already been months since the last general meeting, and things hadn’t ended well back then. What now?

What are they planning this time?

"Maybe we don’t have to attend, right?" Vanessa said, bored, holding onto my arm.

She even joined me to the restroom earlier, and Mia, Jerome, Matt, and Dave had gone ahead. I wasn’t interested in whatever the reason for this general meeting was, but a part of me felt I needed to hear it.

Whatever it is, I needed to see and hear it for myself. It might be bad, or even worse... but I’m curious.

"We could... just don’t get caught by Supremo."

"What if I do get caught—oh! I’ll be safe even if I do... I’m with you anyway."

I could only shake my head at her reasoning. If she wants to get punished, she can do it alone. I’m already sick of punishments. Psh.

When we arrived at the gymnasium, silence greeted us. Vanessa signaled that she was going to our friends, while I headed to the front seat... right next to a man with his eyes closed, leaning back on his chair.

He looks really tired. What the hell! I’m annoyed at myself! Damn it.

Vice Ty smiled at me when our eyes met. It wasn’t easy for me to sit in the front... beside a man who still had his eyes closed and looked half-asleep.

Why, though?

Maybe because they were together the whole night. Just be aware that you can’t get involved with anyone, or if you do... I’m out. I won’t take the blame anymore. I did what was right, and the rest is your choice.

After a while, Madame Violet arrived, along with Francisco, the Principal, and a man who looked familiar to me. Where had I seen him before?

My eyes widened when I remembered, he was the man who appeared in front of me in that place I thought was a hidden laboratory. Fuck!

What is this?

Why is he here? Why is he with the admins?

So many questions exploded in my mind, and they all seemed to end with one thought... Is this it?

Our eyes met, and he smirked at me. I felt goosebumps rise all over my skin at that moment. I know this isn’t good.

I looked at my friends, who all seemed deep in thought as well. I don’t know why, but I felt like crying. Shit! Why?

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen..." Madame Violet began with a smile.

Not even the slightest sound could be heard around us, as if even their breathing was being held back. The air inside the gym felt suffocating, like everyone was running out of oxygen.

I have a bad feeling about this... really bad.

"The end is near..."

My grip tightened on the seat I was sitting on. I glanced at Supremo and caught him looking at me. He quickly looked away and simply closed his eyes again.

Psh.

"Are you tired of this hell?" she asked. "Good news. In just a little while... you’ll finally be free."

Her words sparked noise and excitement around the room.

But the tightness in my chest only grew worse. It’s normal for us to feel happy, but I can’t. The worst is yet to come. The end is arriving quickly.

How will this end? Bloody, for sure.

"Just a little more, and your suffering will finally end..." she said with a smile. "The Philippine High University, turned into Hell University, will soon become nothing but a story... a story that only we can tell."

She swept her gaze across the entire gymnasium. Every student her eyes landed on felt like being stabbed, enough to steal the air from your lungs. The overwhelming authority of the headmistress of this hell: Madame Violet Rivera.

"The only reason why we were stuck in this place has already been discovered... Yes. The Formula that can bring the dead back to life is soon to be completed."

I knew it! It has something to do with that damn formula. Are we really too late? Is there really nothing we can do anymore?

"Once it’s completed... this university can finally be opened. You’ll be able to go out. Run as far as you can. We won’t be a hindrance anymore..." Her face turned serious. "But I need your cooperation."

I frowned.

The double doors of the gymnasium opened, and countless people in laboratory suits entered. Fear and dread consumed me. Tension filled the air.

I wasn’t the only one who stood up, almost half of the students inside rose in shock, trembling in fear.

I stood up from my seat when everyone in laboratory suits put on gas masks, including Madame Violet.

I looked at my friends, who were just as confused.

"For now... you may rest."

In an instant, thick smoke spread throughout the area. I heard screams and coughing, as if people were struggling to breathe.

Damn!

I clutched my neck as I ran out of breath. I was about to collapse when I felt someone wrap their arms around me.

Even though I was having trouble breathing, I immediately knew who it was.

I smiled before feeling us fall to the floor together... still, he was hugging me, and for the first time... I felt safe in his arms.

I was scared last night... I was beyond scared of myself. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to stop myself anymore... Afraid that I’d continue the wrong thing I was doing... Afraid that I’d lose control and become selfish enough to fight for you no matter what.

I know it was foolish and insane of me to hurt you... we were already hurt, but in the end, I was still willing to get hurt again.

I know it’s too late, but I’m sorry... I can’t lie to myself anymore.

His embrace around me tightened...

"S‑Supremo?" I was almost out of breath, but I still forced myself to speak.

I knew he was still conscious because his hold on me kept tightening.

"Darling... please come back," he whispered, making my tears fall once more.

"I will."