ZEKIAH XYRIEL'S POV
"I know it, you came home." Sinalubong niya ako ng yakap pero hindi ko siya niyakap pabalik. What for?!
"I'm just here to get my things. Today is the start of the second semester and I'm going to the university together with Alina." I was about to walk away when I heard her words.
"H-He left me, Zeriel. Iniwan na ako ni Edrian dahil hindi ko binigay ang sarili ko sa kanya," her voice started to broke that's why I closed my fists and turned around to see her.
"Stop crying. It's your fault, by the way. Binalaan na kita mom, ilang beses na. But you didn't dare to listen to me because you said that he's not like dad. That he wouldn't leave you whatever happens. Tapos ano? Ha?! Iiyak iyak ka sa harapan ko dahil iniwan ka ng bwisit na Edrian na 'yun?! My goodness!" Napahilamos nalang ako sa mukha ko at hinagis ang dala kong bag sa sofa para kumuha ng tubig sa kusina.
"I'm sorry... Z-Zeriel, anak.. Gusto ko lang naman maiparanas sa'yo na magkaroon ng kumpletong pamilya. Even if it's not your real dad, but... I failed. Kagaya rin pala siya ng daddy mo, iniwan niya rin ako... tayo. I'm sorry if I didn't listen to you," she pleaded with full of regrets in her eyes. Sinundan niya parin ako dito.
I closed my eyes to calm myself. Seems like I'm going to burst out my anger any minute from now."Kahit ano pang sabihin mo, nangyari na. And can you please stop saying that you want to have a complete family because it would never happen. Matagal na tayong sira, mom. Don't ever dream of things that was very impossible to happen. You're just hurting yourself, did you know that?!"
As much as I want to lower down my voice, I couldn't help but to shout at her. Sounds rude but I'm really like this whenever I got angry. I can't stop myself from saying things that wasn't supposed to say.
"What happe----Oh my god! Why are you crying, tita Wyna? Zeriel, anong ginawa ko sa kanya?" Alina suddenly appeared while wearing a uniform, probably ready to go. Nagtaka siguro siya kung bakit ang tagal kong lumabas kaya pumasok nalang siya.
I let out a deep sigh before answering her."I didn't do anything, Ali. I'm just stating the fact, what's wrong with that?! Kung nakinig sana siya sa'kin nung una pa lang, edi sana hindi siya iiyak ngayon. Guys aren't to be trusted, period."
"At ano namang ginawa mo, ha?! You shouted in front of your mother?! For goodness sake Zeriel, she's still your mom. Kahit man lang sa kanya rumespeto ka!" she yelled at me and there was irritation on her voice.
I can't blame her, we're cousins and she also cared for my mom. Ako rin naman eh, sadyang galit parin ako sa kanya dahil sa katangahang ginawa niya.
I didn't bother to answer her and turned my gaze to mom."Did you know where is he right now?! Give me his address, I'm going to talk to him." Nilalahad ko ang kamay ko na agad niya namang ikinailing.
"No, there's no need to talk to him. Walang kwenta ang lalaking 'yon at wala ka lang mapapala sa kanya. Just go, you're going to be late. Be sure to come home on right after your class. I'll cook your favorite food, anak," she gave me a convenient smile but I wasn't satisfied on it.
Umiling lang ako at nilahad ang kamay ko sa harap niya."'Wag mong ibahin ang usapan, mom. Just gave me the address or I will be the one to find it. I don't care if I'm going to be late, Alina can go to the university without me. Hindi ako mapalalagay kapag hindi ko nakaharap ang tukmol na 'yon."
"And what are you going to do?! Don't tell me you'll gonna have a fight with that man. Nag-iisip ka ba?! He's a famous business man, you're just nothing compared to him. At isa pa, maiissue 'yan Zeriel, masisira ang image mo niyan," Alina interrupted that made me roll my eyes on her.
Why is she so overreacting?!
"I don't care. Ibigay niyo nalang kase yung address niya para matapos na ang usapan. Makikipag-usap lang naman ako sa kanya. Nothing more, nothing less."
'Yon ang akala niyo. If ever that we meet, I'm going to kick his ass to teach him a lesson.
Agad naman kumuha si mommy ng papel para isulat do'n ang address at saka niya binigay sa'kin. I didn't say anything and stared at the paper she gave. It wasn't that far from here, he's having a meeting with someone huh?! Fine, this would be great. Tingnan natin kung sino ang mapapahiya sa gagawin ko. Being a badgirl has been my personality and I haven't failed on embarrassing someone in front of the crowd. This would be the biggest nightmare in his whole life.
"Gosh, Zeriel! Sigurado ka ba talaga sa gagawin mo?! Wala nang atrasan, ha?! I'm getting nervous, argh," Alina kept on following me until we finally arrived on the said place.
Kahit nasa labas kami ng restaurant ay kitang kita namin sila dito sa pwesto namin. That Edrian was smiling while talking to his business partners. People were staring on us and was shocked when they saw me.
The popular Zekiah Xyriel Knoxville. Wala akong pakialam kahit pareho kaming naka-uniform ni Alina. I went directly to their table and when Edrian saw me, his face turned into a stone. Parang hindi siya makagalaw sa kinauupuan niya at nanginginig pa. I smirked when I realized that he's afraid of me. Of course, he should. Ako ang babaeng kinatatakutan ng lahat at walang sino man ang gustong bumangga sa'kin. They'll taste hell, then.
"W-What brought you h-here...Z-Zeriel?," he couldn't even say those words properly because of fear.
He stood up that's why I'm facing the alien in front of me while his business partners were just staring on us. They're on my side but I didn't bother to look at them. Who cares?!
"I'm just here to gave you this." Binigyan ko siya ng tinatawag kong mega-sampal kaya halos mabali ang leeg niya sa ginawa ko."So, how does it taste like? Masarap ba? Well, a pervert man like you deserves to be tied on a rope while hanging on a tree. Magbigti ka na lang kaya nang sa gano'n ay mabawasan ang mga walang kwentang tao sa mundo. What do you think?" I added and gave him an asking look.
Parang hindi siya makapaniwala sa sinabi ko at nakaawang pa ang bibig niya. Ew."I didn't know what you're talking about, Ms. Knoxville. We're having a meeting and you're distu---"
"Oh shut up!" Hinampas ko ng malakas ang mesa kaya napatahimik ang lahat."Ano maang-maangan lang tayo dito, Edrian?! You really want me to tell everyone about what you did to my mom?! How dare you do that to her?! Sinaktan mo siya dahil lang sa ayaw niyang ibigay ang sarili niya sa'yo. Fuck you, old man." I raised my middle finger on him that made everyone gasped. This is so exciting.
"Ah, miss. Pasensya ka----"
I turned my gaze to the guy beside me and throwed him a death glare. He pursed his lips and looked away, probably scared. Tsk.
'Gosh! Kawawa naman pala 'yong mommy ni Zeriel'
'Bakit ba sikat yang lalaking 'yan eh manyak naman pala'
'Matanda na pero wala paring respeto, tsk'
'Yuck! He deserves what Zeriel did. Kadiri'
Everyone were gossiping about what I did that made Edrian kneel in front of me. Is he going to say sorry because he regretted for what he did or he's ashamed in front of the people and he doesn't to put his reputation at all cost. See? Pati matatanda kaya kong pasunurin. Wala sino man ang kayang labanan ako..
"I told you Edrian. Never mess up with me or else you'll taste the hell out of me. Pinaglaruan mo ang mommy ko at hindi ako marunong magpatawad. Manigas ka!" I rolled my eyes on him before getting out of there.
Alina was driving the car into the university while I was just sitting beside her, not saying anything. Hindi ko alam kung nagtatampo ba siya sa'kin o ano. She didn't say anything until we get out of the car. I felt guilty because I didn't listen to her. Ugh. Should I apologize for what I did?!
"Maam, late na po kayo. Tapos na ang first subject ng lahat," the guard said while holding a log book and placed it on the table.
We just nodded in response."I'm sorry. May dinaanan lang kase kami. We'll just sign on it."
I was about to say something when a car suddenly arrived and the water on the ground splashed on my uniform. What the----UGH! Ang ganda ng ayos ko tapos masisira lang din pala nang hindi man lang ako nakapasok sa university! Damn it. I tried hard to make myself gorgeous in the eyes of the students but it's just nonsense. Ni hindi man lang nila nakita ang ayos ko!
"Look miss, I didn't me---"
"What the fuck is that?! Are you blind or you're just stupid?! Kita mo namang nakatayo ako dito tapos sasabihin mo hindi mo sinasadya?! Pinagloloko mo ba ako?!" I shouted at him, ignoring Ali and the guard who were watching us.
"I was thinking of something that's why I didn't noticed you standing on the way. Sana kase tumabi ka man lang muna kagaya ng kasama mo. It wasn't my intention to do that," he stared at me and I just found out that he's the guy on the restaurant earlier.
So, siya pala yung ka-meeting ni Edrian kanina?!
"Thinking of something?! Sa gitna ng byahe nakuha mo pang mag-isip?! God! Guys are really stupid and attention seeker at the same time," I look at myself and I felt disgusted. Nakakaawa ang itsura ko ngayon, para na'kong pulubi.
"Excuse me? Are you kidding me?!" The guy smirked but I just rolled my eyes on him."I'm one of the owners of this school so you should respect me. At isa pa, nagmamadali lang din ako kaya hindi kita napansin. I'm not stupid and attention seeker Ms. Maldita. Ang mga babae ang gumagawa ng paraan para pansinin ko sila at hindi ako. How could you say that?!" he added and crossed his arms on his chest.
Duh. I didn't even asked him, psh.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought they were just four, I didn't know that you're included. So what if you're in a rush?! Ako rin naman ah pero hindi ko sinabi. And what did you just say?! Ms. Maldita? Well, now you know." I flipped my hair and immediately signed the log book before entering the university.
Right. I forgot that he's the cassanova of this university. The ULTIMATE CASSANOVA, I mean. As far as I know, he's Shawn Axcel Helveryst, the BSAT student. Magkatabi lang pala 'yong building namin kaya hindi malabong hindi kami magkita ulit. Ano naman kung gano'n?! He would report me to the principals office just because I talked back to the so-called-owner of this university?! Tsk, sounds childish. Or maybe he would tell her fangirls for what I did to him so that they would also hate me. Then, so be it. Kahit naman akong gawin nila, ako parin ang mananalo.
Alina went to her building first because I have to change my clothes. Wala akong pakialam kung ma-guidance man ako dahil late na ako. All I have to worry right now is what to wear since I get all my clothes here when the last semester ended. I closed my eyes and sighed repeatedly when I saw a high-waisted black jeans with a pair of light blue fitted shirt. Unang araw pa lang ngayon tapos magsi-sibilyan ako, argh. I'm really pissed right now. Kasalanan 'to ng tukmol na 'yon. Hmp.
"MS. KNOXVILLE! ARE YOU LISTENING?!"
Napabalik ako sa ulirat ng biglang tawagin ni Mr. Guerrero ang apelyido ko. I just sighed and nodded because I don't want to answer his question. Simply because I'm just going to lie and I might say something bad to him. Like what I said, I hate guys that's why I'm avoiding him. Nakakainis kase eh! Bakit kailangan pang magkaroon ng professor, kaasar!
"Then, define the meaning of 'Media and Intercultural Communication' here in front," maotoridad niyang sambit kaya wala akong nagawa kung hindi pumunta sa harapan at humarap sa kanila ng walang emosyon.
"The media plays an important role in the development of intercultural communication in the era of globalization. This encourages the creation of public image for different countries or cultures, but also encourages the creation of various stereotypes that develops barriers to intercultural communications," I said seriously in front of them that made everyone silent.
Did they understand what I said or they're just afraid of me?!
"Good. Go back to your sit."
Bored akong nakinig sa iba pang lessons namin lalong lalo na kung lalaki yung nagtuturo. Nakakawalang gana, tsk. We just have five subjects, by the way. And all of them weren't that hard, for now. Kakasimula pa kase ng second semester kaya parang smooth muna ang daloy ng pagtuturo nila. I felt relieved when the bell rang because I'm so hungry even if I didn't listen to some of our discussions.
Why?! It's kinda boring. Ugh.
"Sorry, ngayon lang natapos ang subject ko." Lumapit siya sa'kin habang hingal ng hingal dahil sa kakatakbo niya.
I just nodded at her at stood up from the bleachers."Let's go to the cafeteria. Maybe the tables are fully occupied right now and I don't want to stand while eating."
"Nirereklamuhan mo ata ako, Zeriel." She raized her eyebrow on me that made me chuckled.
"I'm not Ali----What the hell?! Why are you so stupid, huh?" I yelled at the girl who bumped on me while we're walking in the hallway.
The girl turned her gaze on me and gulped when she realized who am I."Z-Zeriel. I'm really really sorry...H-Hindi kita napansin.. sorry."
"What?!" I laughed sarcastically."Ano bang silbi ng mata mo kung hindi mo nakita ang presensya ko?! Can't you see the space here?! It's so wide. Bakit dito pa talaga kayo naglalandian sa harap namin?! The world right now was full of stupid people." I just rolled my eyes because of disbelief.
"Hindi rin naman kayo mababangga kung nakatingin lang din kayo sa dinadaanan niyo. Why are you always blaming the people who didn't intend to hurt you? Besides, she already apologized for what she did even if you also made a mistake. Ganyan ba talaga ang ugali mo?!" The guy that was with her interrupted, or should I say Shael.
Damn him. Hindi pa nga ako naka-get over sa ginawa niya sa'kin kanina.
"So, you're saying that it was my fault too?! Kung nilagay niyo lang sana sa lugar yang landian niyo, e 'di sana hindi mangyayari 'to. Are you being dumb, Mr. Helveryst?!" Kinwelyuhan ko siya kaya napaatras yung malanding kasama niya. Alina kept on pulling me away from him but I hold him tight.
"My gosh! Zeriel, stop it. Sinasakal mo na siya." Nahila ako ni Alina pero nanatili ang sama ng tingin ko sa kanya. He's an asshole.
"Why are so angry with me?! Is it because of what happened earlier?! Then, I'm sorry okay?!" he sounds so pissed but I don't care. Mainis siya kung gusto niya, bahala siya.
"Kung napipilitan ka lang din naman, 'wag na lang. And just to tell you, I hate guys from the bottom of my heart." May bigla na naman akong naalala kaya napaatras ako bigla. I was about to run when the girl blocked my way that's why I pushed her to ran away.
"Zeriel, look at me," I looked at Alina with a soft expression."Forget about it, okay? I'm just here with you, control your anger. Hindi kita pababayaan," she added and all I can do it to nod.
Masaya ako dahil kahit papaano ay nandito siya para sa'kin. She never did left me.... like everyone did.
Sana mawala nalang yung ala-alang 'yon sa'kin. It's sucks whenever I remember those things that was supposed to forget.
SHAWN AXCEL'S POV
That girl! What's wrong with her?! Parang galit palagi sa mundo at ang daling mapikon.
"Bro, okay ka lang?! Kanina mo pa tinusok-tusok yang cake, ang panget na tingnan oh. Para kang natatae dyan sa itsura mo." I throwed the plastic cup right to Miles face that made him winced.
Gago! Pinagti-tripan pa ako.
I just rolled my eyes on him and put away the plate. Kinuha ko lang 'yong french fries at ininom yung juice ko, mukhang okay naman 'to kainin sa tanghalian. I'll just eat again when I get back to the mansion. Wala kase akong gana ngayon, takte!
"What are you thinking?! Babae na naman ba 'yan, Shael?!" bakas ang awtoridad sa boses ni Rynier kaya naman bigla akong kinabahan. He's stricter than my dad that's why I feel so uneasy.
I just sighed and nodded."I can't let go of that girl earlier. The way she talks to me was like she doesn't respect anyone. Alam ko namang alam niya na isa rin ako sa may-ari ng university na 'to pero balewala lang sa kanya. Seems like she wasn't afraid of what I might do to her." I answered, remembering the scenario on the parking lot and also on the hallway.
"Who's that girl you're talking about, Shael? Is she famous and sexy?" Miko asked with full of curiosity.
"I don't know her name because she didn't bother to told me. Galit nga sa'kin eh, baka mabugbog ako kapag tinanong ko. Besides, I think I saw her somewhere. Sa magazine ata 'yon, ewan ko. She's gorgeous and attractive, I swear. But she's not like the other girls that you've played, Miko. Iba siya, ibang-iba. Makita mo lang yung mukha niya parang manginginig kana sa takot." Napangiwi nalang ako ng maalala ko yung galit niyang mukha. Seems like she's going to eat someone that would mess up with her.
Tinukod ni Miles and magkabilang siko niya sa ibabaw ng lamesa na para bang nakikinig ng kwento."Oh tapos? Did she slap or punch you? Sabihin mo na, mukhang exciting ah."
Tiningnan ko naman siya ng hindi makapaniwala."Exciting? What's exciting on it?! It scared the hell out of me! Kinwelyuhan niya pa ako kanina kaya hindi agad ako nakagalaw. I didn't say anything bad... I guess?"
"Baka 'yan na yung katapat mo," I didn't know if Rynier was serious because he was busy eating spaghetti."I'm just saying, don't look at me like that. Lahat naman ng tao may katapat kaya baka siya na 'yong sa'yo," he added, still eating until he finished his plate.
"Katapat?! You've got to be kidding me. No one could let my guard down, not her, not anyone. Let's see if she could avoid my charms. Wala pang babae ang nakatanggi sa'kin kaya alam kong siya rin. Maybe she's just pretending to be like that, who knows?!" I smirked when an idea came up on my mind.
Nakibit balikat lang si Miles at bumalik sa pagkain."Okay, sabi mo eh. Basta sabi mo 'yan ah."
"Just give her to me if you failed. Baka kaya kong makuha ang loob niya," nakangising sambit ni Miko na ikinailing ko.
I sat on the bleachers after our basketball practice. Naubos ko ang tubig ko sa tumbler at hingal ng hingal dahil sa pagod. May tournament kase dito sa university next Saturday kaya kailangan na naman naming magpractice. Mr. Rivera will be our coach and our teammates will just be the same. The Our Lady Of Fatima University will be our opponent that's why we're looking forward on it.
"Anong mukha 'yan kuya? You're always energetic, what happened?!" Akken sat beside me that made me look at him.
"Nah, don't mind me. Just tired, I think? I badly want to sleep right now." Sinandal ko ang likod ko sa inuupuan ko at pinikit ang mga mata ko.
Raizer sat beside me while wiping his sweat."Something's bothering you, I know it. Ano ba 'yan, kuya? Got a problem with your girls?"
"'Yan?! Magkakaproblema sa babae? Tsk, asa pa. I haven't saw him chasing girls ever since. I think he had an argument with someone." Cohen suddenly appeared while eating chips and throwed his towel right on my face. Bastos neto, amp.
"What's happening with the four of you?!" kunot noong tanong ni kuya Daron habang may dala dalang lunch box.
I bet Katria gave it to him for his snacks. Samantalang kami lunch lang yung binibigay niya tapos si kuya may lunch na, may snacks pa. Hanep talaga, tsk.
"Nothing, they're just teasing me. Where's Katria?! Hindi ba siya pupunta dito para i-cheer ako?" Nakatanggap ako ng isang malakas na batok at sama ng tingin galing kay kuya.
"Why are you always asking where's my girl?! She's mine, Shael. Do you really want me to bring her just to make sure that I owned her?!" His voice changed into cold that made me gulped repeatedly.
Lintik na! Nagalit ko ata siya.
"Uy, tapos na ba yung practice niyo?! Am I late? Sorry ah, ngayon lang kase nagkaroon ng vacant." Katria suddenly arrived that's why I felt comfortable. Akala ko katapusan ko na, tang'na.
"Not yet, we're taking a break. Come here. I missed you." Kuya hugged her in front of us and all we could do is to stare at them.
Grabe naman ang lambingan nila, umabot hanggang covered court. They couldn't be separated from each other.
"Kakakita pa lang natin kanina, ah. Masyado ka namang chansing, love." Ngumiti naman siya ng makita niya kami at kumaway pa pero agad din siyang hinila ni kuya papunta sa kabilang bleachers.
"Mr. Rivera, here's your food. Pinaglakad mo talaga ako sa ilalim ng sikat ng araw." I heard a very familiar voice that's why I turned my gaze to the stage where the girl was standing. That girl, again.
Ba't ba palagi nalang kaming nagkikita?!
Mr. Rivera accepted the paper bag that she brought for him."Then, why didn't you bring an umbrella?! Ang arte mo talaga Ms. Knoxville, porket model ka ganyan kana."
Model, huh?! Tama nga ako, nakita ko na siya sa isang magazine. Aha! I remembered her name. She's Zekiah Xyriel Knoxville, the most famous model.
"Seriously?! I'm not an elementary to bring an umbrella. Bahala na nga, magr-retouch nalang ako mamaya." She shook her head and walked away, meters away from us. Kailangan niya kaming madaanan bago siya makalabas. Ewan ko nga kung bakit hindi ko siya napansin kanina.
I thought she wouldn't notice me but I was wrong. Napalitan ng walang emosyon ang itsura niya at lumapit sa'kin na ikinakunot ng noo ko. Damn. Why am I feeling like this?!
She picked the tumbler beside me that Akken was supposed to drink and poured the water on my face."You really thought we're over, Shael. Humanda ka. Hindi pa tayo tapos." Padabog niyang nilagay ulit yung walang laman na tumbler sa tabi ko kaya napaigtad si Akken.
While me?! Goddammit! I'm so wet. Sa tingin ko nga ay hindi ako nakapagdala ng damit na reserba sa locker ko. Pucha.
"Nangyari na ang sinasabi ko sa'yo, Shael. You better prepare for what might happen." Katria throwed me a tshirt, probably from kuya Daron.
"Ang angas niya pala, kuya. No wonder you're so speechless earlier." Raizer smirked and stood up because Mr. Rivera called him. Nakita ba ni kalbo yung nangyari kanina?!
"Kung ako sa'yo 'wag kang magpapatalo don. Just don't hurt her because they're still girls. Pero sa kaso mo parang ugali mo nag manakit ng mga babae," saad naman ni Cohen habang pinaglalaruan ang mga daliri niya.
"It's your turn, Shael. Goodluck," Kuya Daron patted my head and I just nodded.
Is this it?! Ako na naman ba ang kailangan sumubok nito? I don't know but I felt a little bit nervous whenever I remember her words. Darn it.
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