It Could Mean Nothing To You But It Meant Everything To Me

Montello High Interactive IX: The Masquerade Ball

Poll result: B. Black Card. Dark and Dangerous.

IX. The Masquerade Ball

It's already Friday morning, the day of the Masquerade ball, when you've finally chosen the card you want to keep. And as you stare at the black card in your hand, you silently wish that you've selected the right man.

"Be my date or face your death."

It is written elegantly in cursive; you'd think it was an invitation for an elite event. But the words aren't inviting at all. It is more like a death threat than seeking an approval to be your date. But you chose him. It is your heart that picked his card. What could go wrong?

And that decision leads you to where you are right now. You're fidgeting with your fingers as you walk nervously on the hallway of the boy's dormitory. Male students, some are lounging at the living room and some are standing by their doors, watch you - different expressions are written in their eyes.

"Can you please point me to Van's room?" tanong mo sa isang estudyante na sa tingin mo ay mapagkakatiwalaan.

Ngunit hindi pa siya nakakasagot nang may isa pang lumapit sainyo. "Van must still be sleeping. If you want, you can wait for him in my room," nakangisi nitong sabi.

Tiningnan mo ito mula ulo hanggang paa. "No, thanks. You're not my type," masungit mong sagot.

But ofcourse, he doesn't leave you alone. Mukhang may mga kasama pa siyang kapareho niyang mag-isip dahil ilang lalaki pa ang lumapit sainyo. Naisip mo na kung alam mo lang na mapapadpad ka sa lugar na tulad ng Montello High, dapat ay nag-aral ka nalang muna ng martial arts sa iyong mundo. It's definitely going to be handy with the situation you're in now.

Knowing that it's best for you to leave the place, you start to back away. Ngunit mukhang hindi ka nila hahayaan na makaalis nang ganun kadali. The decent guy you're supposed to ask in the first place runs away. He probably doesn't want to be involve in this.

Binuksan ng isa sa kanila ang katapat na pinto at saka pilit kang hinila papasok.

"Let's play for a little while, new girl!"

Agad kang nagpumiglas at pinilit na winawaksi ang kamay niyang nakahawak sayo. Ngunit lubhang mas malakas ang taong iyon at kung magpapatuloy ito ay baka tuluyan ka na talagang mapahamak. Gamit ang iyong lakas ay itinanim mo ang iyong mga paa sa iyong kinatatayuan upang hindi ka nila madaling mahila atsaka sumigaw nang malakas.

"Help! Help me!"

Sabay-sabay silang nagtawanan at natabunan ng kanilang ingay ang iyong mga sigaw. Sigurado sila na walang sino man sa mga naroroon ang pipigil sa kanilang binabalak kaya naman laking gulat nila nang may isa pang malakas na kamay ang humawak saiyong braso habang ang kapares nito ay humawak sa lalaking may kapit sayo.

You all look up to the owner of those hands and see a furious Van glaring at the hand that's grabbing you. Biglang namutla ang lalaking may hawak sayo at mabilis ka niyang binitawan. Tatakas sana siya ngunit bago niya pa iyon magawa ay mabilis siyang hinawakan sa ulo ni Van at malakas na inumpog sa pader. Naririnig mo ang pagdaing nito habang hawak-hawak ang nabasag na ilong. Kitang-kita mo ang bakas ng dugo sa pader habang ang ilang mga naroon ay nagsisimula nang lumayo, takot na matulad sa lalaking napaupo sa tabi ng kanyang pinto.