Abducted (Zerafi #1) | HIATUS

03

I decided to continue browsing through the internet to do something that me, myself, don't also know. Para lang akong tanga na nagba-browse. Wala naman akong maintindihan. My mind is blank. I keep on browsing and finally.. an article caught my attention.

"Vasiliev took down the whole Galvez Clan in a snap... for more information visit PhNews.." basa ko.

My mouth formed an 'o'. They took them down? I thought they are allies? Haka-haka lang ba 'yon? Gusto ko pa sanang basahin but I don't want myself to be more stressed. Hindi ko naman problema ang buhay nila. It's their life not mine.

In-open ko ang youtube at nagsearch na lamang ng anime. I watched the new trending anime first, The Spy Family. Anya, Yor and the male lead, I forgot his name but I know his last name is Forger, by the way, they are really cool. An assassin and a spy.. makes a perfect match. Plus the mind reader daughter. I continued searching an anime but it seems that youtube don't have it so I opened my bilibili app and browse there.

It was late at night when I decided to sleep since my eyes won't cooperate anymore. In-off ko muna ang laptop at naghubad ng damit tsaka gumapang na sa kama. In-off ko na rin ang mga ilaw gamit ang remote controller at binalot ang sarili ng makapal na kumot.

"Oyasumi-nasai..." I murmured.

It is 5 am when I woke up because of a horrible dream. My mother's death. It keeps on repeating in my mind... how my mother smiled for me until she closed her eyes. I would always ask myself. Why is life unfair? Why do people have emotion? Bakit may gano'n pa? Is it to keep the world balance? Wow.. balance. Balance, huh? But in my life.. the world isn't balance. Like for example, my father.

"Top three dean's lister.." father mumbled. "Congratulations Liam... good job." he said, smiling. Kakababa ko pa lang at ito na agad ang bungad sa akin. Damn. Ang sakit naman no'n. It was like he said that Liam is more deserving than me.

"Mercedes! Review tayo!" my classmate shouted.

"I'm sorry... I can't come. May gagawin pa kasi ako." I let out a small smile and left the room.

Nasa labas na ako ng department at nakayuko akong naglalakad, tine-text si Rai para sabay kaming mag-lunch. I was about to turn right when I bumped into someone. A guy.

"I'm sorry.." I said while helping him. I grab the last book and gave it to him. "Sorry talaga. Hindi kasi ako nakatingin.." I smiled worriedly. He might get late to his class!

"No. Its fine. Just.. just look where you're going next time." aniya at nagmamadaling umalis.

Naglakad din ako ng mabilis para puntahan si Rai. She had a busy schedule today. Ilang minuto lang ang vacant niya ngayon. When I arrived at the canteen. Rai is already sitting on our favorite spot. She waved at me.

"Hey, sorry. Medyo natagalan ako." I kissed her cheeks and sit beside her.

"Bitch, it's fine. Kakarating ko lang din naman." may hinalungkat siya sa bag niya at kinuha iyon. "My gift for you..."

"Thank you too, bitch..." ginaya ko rin siya at ngumiti nang makita ang laman. New books and cute hairties!

We ate lunch together while gossiping. May kinukwento kasi si Rai sa akin na classmate niya raw sa department niya. Kinukulit daw siyang ligawan, 'e, ayaw niya raw kasi lima raw ang nagiging girlfriend no'n sa isang buwan. Hindi rin daw niya tipo. He look like an owl daw. Ewan ko ba sa babaeng 'to. She's judgemental to the core!

We bid goodbye when her time is running out. I didn't mind having a little time with her because me, myself, is busy too.

"Mercedes.. may notes ka sa last subject?"

In-off ko ang earphones at tumango. They are really lazy. Hindi sila nagsusulat sa dini-discuss ng propesor. Hindi naman ako madamot, 'e, kaya pinapahiram ko na lang din. But sometimes they can't copy my notes due to my slyness.

I handed him my notebook and he immediately grab it. Hinahalikan pa niya ito na parang baliw. Binalik ko ang earphones sa aking tainga at nakinig ng music. Atlantis. A sad song.

After a few minutes ay binalik na din niya ang notebook ko. Tinaas niya ang gitnang daliri nang inasar siya ng mga kaibigan niya tungkol sa akin.

"Sus, pasimple ka lang! Kunwari nanghihiram pero pumapara-paraan lang!" nagsigawan sila at nagdrum-roll pa gamit ang upuan.

Crazy.

Umiling-iling siya at ngumiti. "Thank you sa notes.. and sorry sa mga kaibigan ko. Hindi kasi sila nakainom ng gamot.." aniya.

"You're welcome, Guiterez." I said. His smile grows wider when I thanked him. I don't know but I have a feeling he has a crush on me. Pero 'di naman ako sure. It's an assumed only and I don't have any evidence. All I know is that he always talk to me.

"Dad, we have an upcoming field trip for our last day before graduating. I really want to go, 'e." she pouted. "Is it okay?"

Father is reading an important document when Criselda asked him about the field trip thing. I was cleaning the mansion because Carmina told me to do the chores again. I have to wash the dishes too. Day off kasi ng mga maid kaya ako ang ginawa niyang maid.

He put the documents in the table and smiled sweetly at Criselda. Wow, he smiled. I wonder when will he smile at me too like his own daughter.

"Yes, of course darling. Be careful in there. I love you always.."

"I love you too, papá." I whispered to the air and left to clean the dishes. I almost forgot that it is not meant for me. It's meant for Criselda. I smiled bitterly and sighed.

When will you treat me as your daughter, papá?

_ Clarus Ire