Transmigrated as the Only Woman

Kabanata 53 | The Villains' Purpose

𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐀 𝟓𝟑 | 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒' 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐄

𝐈𝐊𝐀𝐓𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀

Tristan tightly gripped the exercise bar and did another push-up for the 100th time. The sweat continued to flow incessantly from his muscular chest. His biceps became visible as he pushed his arms downward. He took a deep breath once again, and when he was satisfied, he let go and allowed himself to sit on the floor.

Nagpatuloy ang agos ng pawis niya sa mukha pababa sa kaniyang leeg. Tristan completed his morning routine, which consisted of 100 curl-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, and body lifts on the bar. This routine made his body active and helped divert his mind from the traumatic past that he was still trying to escape.

Lumakbay ang kamay niya sa bandang tiyan. His abs were well-defined, but he was still working on improving them. Tinitigan niya ang repleksyon sa salamin. He narrowed his eyes to see his reflection properly. He wears glasses because of his eyesight. He couldn't help but wonder why his hair and eyes were jet black.

He couldn't help but wonder why his body was full of old scars, scratches, and burn marks. It pained him. Gusto niyang malaman at ma-alala kung saan galing ang lahat ng ito ngunit alam niyang hindi maganda ang pinagmulan.

Tristan felt like a puzzle that wasn't fully put together for a long time, as if some pieces were missing.

He closed his eyes and sighed. Tuwing wala siyang ginagawa'y napapaisip na lang siya sa bagay. Napasuklay na lang siya ng buhok dahil muli niyang na-alala ang memorya na 'yon.

He planked on the floor for a few seconds, and after that, he counted from one hundred to tens. As he pushed his body down for another push-up, he was interrupted by a man smoking at the open door.

''Tristan! Salo!'' Top threw a sealed plastic bag with his free hand, and Tristan extended his right hand and caught it while still keeping his left hand in a plank position on the floor.

Top leaned his head against the wall, flexing the new tattoo on his neck and the one-inch scar on his lip. He clicked his tongue as he watched Tristan sit down, gently holding the plastic bag as if he were taking care of an egg. As usual, Tristan was interrupted by Top.

The truth is until now, Top couldn't understand how Tristan's mind works. Hindi naman ito madalas makihalubilo sa iba't madalas itong magbasa ng aklat mag-isa. Tulala ito lagi na tila ba malalim ang iniisip.

Up to this day, Top has tried his best to get to know Tristan since the day he rescued him when Tristan was 9 years old and now he's 19.

Tandang-tanda pa ni Top noon ang lahat nang una niyang matagpuan si Tristan. He was blindfolded, with his arms and legs tied up, and his body was bleeding. Top believed that he had been tortured. Tinakas niya ito gamit ang bangka niya dahil alam niyang kinuha lang ito sa kaniyang pamilya.

''Oh! Isang linggong ulam na natin 'yan ha! Ipainit mo na lang lagi! Galing sa birthday ni Will Luthor. Ba't hindi ka raw pumunta?'' Sumandal si Top sa pinto't binuga ang hangin pataas mula sa kaniyang sigarilyo.

''I was busy.'' Tristan looked away. Naiwan siyang nakatitig sa luma't mahabang mesa sa gilid ng silid. Ito'y puno ng mga pinagpatong-patong na papel at nakabuklat na makakapal ng aklat. 'Pag ganitong oras ay oras na ng kanilang pagkain kaya nama'y minabuti niyang magpalit.

Tristan wore his black turtleneck shirt. And he paired it with a long, jet-black coat that covered his entire body. He had just bought this turtleneck shirt last week, but now his biceps and triceps are visible. Bakat na bakat ang bawat hulma ng kaniyang katawan.