Beautiful Madness (Aravella Serene) UNDER REVISION

Chapter 3: Drunk

My kidnapping drama was all over the news. Dinumog ng media ang aming mansion ngunit wala rin silang napala. My family wanted to keep everything in private. I cooperated with the investigation that led by my grandfather. It was a tough fight between my good girl side and the newly born rebellious one if either to mention the involvement of the young man or not. The information will surely help the progress but whenever I think about that man and the seemingly kindness he showed that night, I refuse to expose him.

"Never mention me. Do not tell them someone came to the picture..." that was his last words.

Wala siyang ginawang masama sa akin. I got home safe and sound because of him. It was maybe unintentional, still, I owe it to him. In exhange of it, I told everything what happened, every transitions of the events until it ended on the moment that I was able to escaped my kidnappers. I narrated everything, skipping an important scene that will led to the end. Hindi nabanggit ang lalaki. Hindi siya dumating ng gabing iyon. As if that night I never met a man like him. Iyon na ang paraan ng pasasalamat ko.

"Tangina. Akala ko bumisita ang presidente ng Pilipinas sa school natin." wika ni Maureen nang umupo sa tabi ko.

I stopped scribbling on my notes so I could look at her. Late na naman ito. And in her usual, normal state, she looks like she's hangover again. Nangingitim ang ilalim ng mata na hindi nagawang itago ng concealer.

"Bakit?" malumanay kong tanong, taliwas sa kanya.

"Kasi akala ko PSG 'yang mga nagkalat sa labas ng room natin. Bodyguards mo lang pala. Bakit parang nadagdagan? Apat lang 'yan kahapon, ah?" sabay nguso nito sa mga nakaitim na bodyguards ko. Dalawa ang nakabantay sa pinto, dalawa sa hallway at dalawa rin sa may hagdan ng building.

My security tightened because of the incident and it's getting on my nerves. Kahit saan ako magpunta ay may nakasunod sa akin. Even in the ladies room! Tingin ko nga pati mga kapwa estudyante ay napaparanoid na dahil sa desisyon ng pamilya ko. It's ridiculous but like the usual, I can't complain.

"Tss. Nakakairita nga. I told them four men is enough. Sukat ba naman dinagdagan pa." I rolled my eyes.

Humagalpak si Maureen saka umiling. Ang prof sa harap ay abala ulit sa pagsusulat, walang pakialam sa paligid. Ang mga kaklase namin lalaki ay kanya-kanya rin sa pag-iingay. Panaka-naka ang sulyap sa akin na tingin lang rin ang nagiging tugon ko.

"Baka bukas niyan may dalawa ulit, ha? Tinalo mo na talaga anak ng presidente."

Umirap muli ako at nagpatuloy sa pagsusulat kahit wala na sa ginagawa ang isip ko.

"Sabagay. You're the general's most valuable granddaughter. Pwede na." patuloy nito sabay labas ng kanyang compact powder.

"And you know what's worse? They even want me to stay at home. Huwag na munang pumasok para makasigurong hindi ako mapapahamak. Like what harm coming to school could give me?" I lamented.

I'm very thankful that Maureen came to my life. Nagkaroon ako ng human breather. Finally, I have someone who I can share my sentiments with the same view with me. I can tell her anything without worrying what would she think of me.

"Talaga? Paano mo natakasan?"

"I said it's not a good idea because our finals is approaching and I have goals to reach."

Humagalpak ang kaibigan. Sandaling tinigilan and paglalagay ng mascara sa mga pilik-mata. She look ridiculously at me as if I have a very lame reasoning skills.

"And what goals? To graduate with flying colors?"

"Tss. Iyon lang naisip kong palusot and luckily, it worked. They let me attend my classes with bunches of pathetic men around."