Skotono

Chapter 1: Interview

[Laira's P.O.V.]

"Excuse me, Ma'am, weapons like that are not allowed in the studio," sabi ng isang staff sa akin. Of course, I brought my bat with me, I just don't feel safe without it. And who knows, baka nililinlang lang nila kami para hulihin sa huli. We're still bad guys after all. Plus... kinakabahan ako.

"You need to put it away until the show is over. That bat can cause incidents, and we want this show to go smoothly. Until the show is over lang naman," sabi pa ulit ng host nang hindi ako sumagot. I mean... oo, pero wala naman akong gagawing masama, this bat is just for emotional support and to defend myself just in case. I CANNOT let my guard down.

"Sure, how about I shove it in your mouth for a while? Until the show is over lang naman," I said as I let a sharp grin curl on my lips. My members looked at me, reminding me that we were supposed to act nice. Dahil sa pag-tanggi ko, tinawag na ng staff ang isa niya pang kasama na mas mataas ang posisyon sa kanya.

"We have no time to argue about this! The show will start in a minute," sabi ng incharge sa staff, sabay lapit sa akin.

"Good evening miss Lane, you can take your bat with you as long as you can promise us na hindi siya makagugulo throughout the show," sabi ng 'di umano "in charge". However, I'm glad na hindi na sila nakipagtalo pa.

"Good evening Philippines!" The host greeted the audience with a smile. "Noong nakaraang Linggo ay may nangyari muling krimen sa lungsod ng Manila," dagdag nito.

"Grabe, sa Manila nanaman. Kailan kaya makakawala sa kamay ng mga masasamang loob ang mga naninirahan dyan?" Sabi naman ng isa pang host.

"Ayun nga... nagkaroon ng nakawan sa isang bangko dito. Ngunit talaga namang mayroon pang mga taong may mabubuting kalooban at napigilan ito." That made me chuckle.

"Sila ay grupo ng mga kabataan na nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob para harapin ang mga magnanakaw! At nagawa rin nilang magligtas ng maraming buhay. Kaya naman sila ay narito ngayon upang atin pa silang makilala. Ladies and gentlemen, let us all welcome them!" Sabi ng host sabay naman ng pagbukas ng pinto sa harapan namin.

Nakita namin ang mga manonood, they were smiling at us. But what do I expect? Na-missunderstood naman kasi nila yung ginawa namin. Parang sobrang saya nila nung nakita kami, they were clapping their hands proudly at us. We did a lot of stupid, even unforgivable things, but still...

The interview started. They interviewed me first, I think that they noticed that I was already bored.

"So Laira, as someone who stands as a leader of the group, how do you keep your friends disciplined?" The host asked.

"Well... To be honest, hindi ko sila sinasabihan or gustong sundin ako. They just tend to fall in line the moment I give them a look," I said confusing the hosts. It was way funnier in my mind.

"Kidding aside, respect is always the key. Respect them and earn their respect towards you. In this way, you'll also earn their loyalty," I said as I reminded myself to be serious.

"I totally agree! Anyway, where did you get that bat? It seems that it's very important to you," he asked.

"Oh this," I said as I held my bat. "I got it from a random baseball team," I said while smiling. Finally, a good topic. I stole it from the baseball team, pero let's just phrased it like that, like I said... I CANNOT let my guard down.

"Oh," he laughed. "It's so kind for them then." I'm glad he didn't ask me more about it. I mean, I would love to tell them the story, pero there are thousands and even millions of people watching this show right now. At sinong bobo ang is-set-up ang sarili niya 'di ba??

A few minutes later, it was Maya's turn, and then the others. At 'di nag-tagal, natapos na rin ang interview.

We went home exhausted. We were tired even though we didn't do anything but to answer that stupid host's questions.

"Kapagod," Persian said sabay higa sa sofa, and suddenly fell asleep. Wala na makakaupo sa sofa niyan mamaya, tulog mantika pa naman din 'to si Persia.

"Totoo," Maya said. "Sinong magaakala na sisikat tayo?"

"Na-interview ka lang sikat ka na?" Tanong ni Flaire sabay tawa.

I went to my room and lay in my bed, I was tired. I couldn't sleep so I started thinking about things. The interview went well, I think. Maya was kind as always, always smiling at the camera. Flaire answered all the questions bravely na parang walang nanunuod. Luna and Persian were calm, that's normal for them. Hindi rin nagtagal ang interview ni Persia dahil naiirita narin siya sa mga tanong ng stupid host na 'yon.

Maya is right, who would've thought that we would be popular. I mean we did, just for a while though. Soon, people will forget about this. And kung sisikat man kami, siguro dahil yon sa mga kalokohang nagawa namin.

It was just an accident, pero hindi para sa tingin ng iba. We were just about to rob that bank pero pagdating namin ay mayroon na rin palang mga magnanakaw. The robbers were mad at us kasi hindi kami sumusunod sa kanila na dumapa. So tinutukan nila ng baril si Persia. Si Persia pa naman din yung taong mainitin ang ulo. So Persia attacked them, she was fast and was able to grab the robber's gun and punched his face. Soon enough, tinulungan namin siya. Binugbog namin sila and then the police came. They were thanking us for stopping the robbers. Not bad to be honest, kumita din naman kami dahil sa interview. But it is not what I want for the group. I made this gang so they will fear us.

Maybe I shouldn't have done this, I was just thinking of myself while I continued to ignore others' feelings. I don't even remember how this started. Wait... I do remember.