ZEKIAH XYRIEL'S POV
Argh! I hate him. I really really hate him.
Nilagay niya na nga 'yong pictures sa locker ko, may pinahabol pa siya no'ng pauwi na ako. Ang guess what?! It was another picture of mine in the parking lot, doing something on his wheel. Hindi niya talaga ako tinatantanan simula no'ng malaman niya na ako ang gumawa no'n.
Like, he kept on asking me why did I do that and whatsoever. I was even wondering why isn't he mad after knowing that it was me. Sinira ko kaya 'yong sapatos niya at kinalat ko pa 'yong mga gamit sa locker niya.
"Tigilan mo na nga yang pagpunit mo ng mga papel, Zeriel! You're messing the living room." Sinamaan ako ng tingin ni Alina habang nakapameywang siya sa harap ko.
I just rolled my eyes on her."I'm really pissed right now. He's getting off my nerves. I don't care if all the girls in the university would hate me but what I'm thinking is my reputation. Ayokong madumihan ang pangalan ko dahil lang sa bwisit na Shael na 'yon."
"You started it so you should face it. Binalaan na kita 'di ba pero hindi ka nakinig sa'kin. Look, you're not a teenager anymore. We're growing old and we should act like one. Ikaw ang nagsabi sa'kin niyan at pinapaalala ko lang sa'yo." She sat in front of me and placed the juice on the table.
"So, you're blaming me? Stop teaching me, Alina. Ginawa ko lang 'yon dahil naiinis din ako sa kanya. You know, playing feelings is his talent. Ayoko talagang makita ang presensya niya."
Whenever I remember his smile, I felt like I'm going to kill someone. Argh.
"Eh? Sure ka sa lalaki ka lang galit?" her brows frowned after taking a sip on the juice."Ni hindi ka nga nakikipag-usap sa mga babaeng lumalapit sa'yo. Ang sabihin mo, ayaw mo sa lahat ng tao. You're always with me at all times and you never left me. Magkadugtong ata ang atay nating dalawa," she added and shook her head.
"It's hard to trust people nowadays. Nakakapagod lang din naman," peke akong napatawa nang may maalala akong isang pangyayaring kailanman hindi ko malilimutan."Sasabihin mo sa kanila 'yong mga gusto mo, 'yong mga bagay na nakakapagpasaya sa'yo, lahat-lahat. And then after that, they would still leave you in the end. No one of them will stay and they just pretend that they didn't know you. Na para bang wala kayong pinagsamahan." I stood up and went to the kitchen to get a beer.
Dalawa 'yong kinuha ko pero sa'kin din 'to dahil hindi naman masyadong umiinom si Alina.
"Hey, I'm sorry if I said something bad. Hindi ko alam na maaalala mo pala." She bowed her head a little, looking guilty.
I just gave her a light smile before drinking the bottle of beer."Nah, forget it. I already accepted it a year ago so stop saying sorry. Besides, they're just a nobody for me."
"Oh my gosh! Couz, aalis na pala ako. Daddy's home already so I have to greet him. Namimiss ko na talaga siya eh. Are you okay here?" Her eyes were full of excitement so I just nodded in response.
Again, my condo was full of silence. Hindi ako umuwi dahil gusto kong manatili muna dito sa condo ko. I already texted mom that I couldn't come home tonight and she agreed. Tinunga ko ang beer na hawak ko at malapit na akong makakalahati. I always drink whenever I'm upset, just like now.
How I wish I also have a complete family. How I wish I don't have so many problems in life. Lahat kase nang wala ako ay meron si Alina pero kahit kailan hindi ako nainggit sa kanya. Simply because she's my cousin and she also deserves those things in her life. Okay lang sa'kin kahit na ako 'yong mawasak basta hindi lang siya. She's too innocent and vulnerable. She couldn't handle the pain so I want to be her shield.
"Zeriel, are you in relationship with Shael?" One of my classmates asked me when our teacher finally left.
I turned around to face her and raised an eyebrow."We're not and we would never be. Umalis ka sa harapan ko kung gusto mong manatili yang kaluluwa mo d'yan sa katawan mo," matigas kong sagot kaya agad siyang napaatras.
"But he's waiting for you outside," the other one said and pointed outside the room."I think he's been there for 5 minutes," dagdag niya pa na mukhang kinikilig pa.
My brows furrowed and get my bag before going outside the room. Then, I saw him leaning on the railings but he smirked when he saw me. I rolled my eyes on him and continued walking away. I'm so hungry because I haven't eaten breakfast earlier. Malapit na naman kase akong ma-late dahil sa research na tinapos ko kagabi.
"Hey, wanna have a lunch with me?" Inakbayan niya ako pero kaagad kong winaksi ang kamay niya sa balikat ko.
"Can you stop bugging me?! Seeing your face is disgusting as hell," I hissed and walked as fast as I can so that he couldn't reach me.
"Disgusted pala, ah. Eh kung ilagay ko na talaga sa bulletin board 'yong mga picture mo. I could ask for some copies of it in the security office."
Hindi ko alam na ang bilis niya pa lang nakasunod sa'kin. I really want to shoot his head right now.
I immediately turned around that made him step back."Ano ba talagang kailangan mo, ha?! Look, if you're bored with your life just commit suicide. Hindi yung ako pa ang iinisin mo!"
"Lunch lang naman eh. I don't have someone to accompany me that's why I invited you," he answered whike crossing his arms over his chest.
"The last time we've ate a lunch, you received a slap from me. I guess it's one of your most memorable experience, right? At kung ayaw mong maulit pa 'yon, 'wag mo na akong guluhin ulit. Is that clear?!" I flipped my hair and turned my back on him.
As usual, I ate lunch by myself because Alina was busy on her works or sort kind of things. Medyo nagihing busy na rin siya pero may time pa rin naman siya para sa'kin. Though, not as much as before.
Hindi muna siya nakakasama sa'kin dahil umuuwi kaagad siya pagkatapos ng klase nang hindi man lang ako hinihintay. Though, she didn't forget to text me so it's alright. I'm not mad at her because her dad just arrived last night and I know she missed him that much. They also have to spend their time together as a complete family. At para masulit din nila ang oras nila dahil babalik na naman sa States ang dad niya next week. It's also good for her because she's close to her dad and they didn't lost communication to each other.
In that case, I felt relieved because I know they're a strong family. Hinding hindi sila magagaya sa'kin... sa'min.
"Oh, nandyan ka pala Zeriel. I saw Shael over there and seems like he's looking for you," sambit ng babaeng nakasalubong ko at nilagpasan ako.
I closed my fist and turn around, not planning to go to the library. Damn it. Bakit pa palagi niya na lang akong hinahanap?! Why won't he find some toys to satisfy his boredom. He's just ruining my mood, argh.
Padabog akong naglakad papuntang computer laboratory, nagbabakasakali na makapasok ako. Good thing it wasn't lock that's why I immediately get inside. I placed my bag on the other side and sat on a swivel chair. Inopen ko 'yong computer at kinuha 'yong USB sa bag ko para maopen ko yung file na kailangan kong tapusin.
"You're supposed to be on the library, right? I haven't seen you here ever since."
Someone suddenly talked that made me shocked and closed the computer.
"Oh shit! Bakit hindi ka man lang nagsalita kanina nung pumasok ako?! You're giving me a goosebumps." Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko dahil nagulat parin ako sa presensya ni Raizer, Shael's brother.
"Is the library full? Napadpad ka ata dito, Ate," he said, still focused on typing in the computer.
Inayos ko ulit ang pagkasaksak ng USB sa computer bago siya sinagot."I don't think so. I'm just here because someone, a pest rather keeps on bothering me. Kapag hindi ako nakapagtimpi baka tirisin ko na talaga siya."
"You're really mad, huh? Pati 'yang computer pinagbubuntungan mo na." He shook his head and put his attention to the computer.
A moment of silence had passed before I decided to get out of the computer lab. He remained inside and I just let him because maybe he haven't finished his work yet. Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag nang matapos ko ang 10k words kong thesis sa ICT subject ko kaya wala na ako pro-problemahin pa.
"Zeriel! We need to talk." Someone grabbed my arm and I know it was him based on his voice.
Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at winaksi ang kamay ko."What's your problem again, huh?! Palagi mo na lang akong iniistorbo at malapit narin akong mapuno sa'yo."
"Why did you throw my jersey on the ground? Ano na naman ba ang ginawa ko sa'yo, ha?"
His eyes were full of questions that made me confused.
"W-Wait.... what?! Ano bang sinasabi mo? Sabog ka ba?" di makapaniwalang tanong ko.
Why am I going to throw his jersey on the ground?! Did he have a proof?
Napahilamos naman siya sa mukha niya at biglang umiling."I know you did it, don't deny. Ikaw lang naman ang nag-iisang taong may galit sa'kin eh. Sino namang ibang gagawa no'n, 'yong mga fangirls ko?"
"Teka nga, ano ba?! I don't get you. Galing ako sa computer lab dahil may niresearch lang ako. If you want a proof, go and ask Raizer."
Hindi ako makapaniwala sa sinasabi niya. Bigla na lang akong hahablutin at sasabihang tinapon ko yung jersey niya ground?! He's really a pathetic.
His brows frowned and suddenly stopped."Bakit mo sinasali sa usapan ang kapatid ko. You said that you hate guys, right?! Nagsisinungaling ka ba?"
"Gago ka ba?! Ano bang nakain mo at naisip mong gagawin ko 'yon?! Do you want me to punch you three times so that your head could function properly?!." Binigyan ko siya ng mapanghamong tingin habang nakapameywang.
Is this a prank or what?!
"Go on. May mga students namang nakatingin sa'tin kaya may makakakita ng ginawa mo. You don't want to ruin your reputation, right?!" nakangisi niyang saad kaya kahit labag sa kalooban ko ay pinigilan ko ang sarili kong masapak siya.
Ang talino niya talaga kahit kailan. Ugh. Magaling siyang humanap ng timing. Bwisit.
"If you want a fight, then I'll give it to you," wala akong sinayang na oras at agad ko siyang sinapak."If you think that I won't fight back just because I don't want to ruin my reputation, then you're definitely wrong. Kahit marami ang magalit sa'kin, hinding hindi masisira ang pangalan ko. Kaya ko silang paikutin lahat kung gusto ko," I looked at him intently, never taking off my eyes on him.
He pursed his lips, hesitating if he would talk back or not."Baka nga kaya mo silang paikutin lahat pero ako hindi. Ibahin mo ako, Zeriel. I can also control them if I want to. No one could let my guard down."
"Well, let's see then. Tingnan natin kung sino ang matalo. The loser will be given a punishment. Is it a deal?" I smirked while still looking at him.
Hindi naman nagtagal ay tumango rin siya."Fine, it's a deal. Alam ko namang hindi mo ako matatalo. I never lost in my whole life."
After the incident earlier, another rumor spread all over the university. At dahil sikat kami pareho ay marami ang kumakalat na tsismis tungkol sa'min. That damn jerk! Kasalanan niya 'to. He really wants to piss me everytime we'll cross our paths. Idagdag mo pa 'yong ngisi niyang nakakabwisit talaga. Argh. I want something to make me calm down right now and there's only one way. It's bar time.
"Miss, hindi po talaga pwede. Oras pa po ng klase ngayon. Ano po bang gagawin niyo sa labas?" The guard kept on telling me to go back to my class.
"We don't have a class because our teacher was busy on her works. Vacant kami ngayon kaya palabasin mo na lang ako. Promise, I won't tell anyone." Nagsinungaling ako sa unang sinabi ko.
Hell, we have classes right now but I'm not in the mood to listen.
He shook his head, again."Hindi talaga pwede miss, sorry. Matatanggal ako sa trabaho kapag ginawa ko 'yon at saka may CCTV rin. 'Di ba ikaw 'yong nagbutas sa gulong ni sir Shael?"
Ugh. Dammit. Nakakairita na siya.
"So what if I am?! Would you let me get out of the gate if I said yes? C'mon, it's about to bell so just give me the chance."
Kung hindi lang siya mas matanda sa'kin, baka sinigawan ko na siya. But I also realize that if I did that, there's no possibility that he would let me out.
"Hindi pa rin, miss. Pasensya ka na talaga, ginagawa ko lang ang trabaho ko." He walked away and sat back on his chair, meters away from here.
Padabog naman akong tumalikod at napairap na lang. I missed drinking alcoholics even though I just drank yesterday. I'm used to it so I'm always finding it. Whatever, I won't enter my last subject today. Bahala na, first week pa naman eh.
I think my life wasn't boring anymore. Knowing that a guy, literally a cassanova messed up with me. He would surely regret it.
SHAWN AXCEL'S POV
I smirked as I saw her murmuring something on the bench. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya sa 'di kalayuan, pinapanood ang bawat galaw niya. I know that she didn't get in her class because I saw her arguing with the guard outside the gate. Alam ko namang inaaway niya 'yong si manong guard dahil gusto niyang lumabas pero ayaw siyang palabasin dahil oras pa ng klase.
I even wonder why does she ditched her class. May emergency ba siya?!
Nakibit balikat lang ako at nakapamulsang naglakad pabalik sa building ko. I have to get my things because the bell would rang in just a minute. Pagkatapos kong kunin ang mga gamit sa room ko ay nagpaalam muna ako sa mga kaibigan kong bukas na lang kami magkita ulit. I was in the middle of walking in the hallway when the bell suddenly blared. The students from their respective buildings crowded like a battalion of ants. Some of the girls immediately went to my direction when they saw me. Alam ko naman kung saan hahantong 'to kaya napilitan akong ngumiti sa kanila.
I couldn't even hear them clearly because they're talking in unison. Kahit naman itaas ko yung mga kamay ko para patigilin sila ay parang hindi naman nila nakuha ang ibig kong sabihin. Baka nga akala nila pinapalapit ko silang lahat sa'kin dahil parami na sila ng parami.
Oh shit! How am I supposed to breath now?!
"Ehem! Makikiraan ho kami. Nasa hallway po tayo, wala sa concert kaya padaanin niyo na ho kami," I heard Katria's voice that made them stop and look at my back, so as me. There, I saw her with my brothers on her side like her bodyguards.
'But we just want to have a picture with him'
'Oo nga, pang-wallpaper lang naman'
'He promised me to eat with him later'
'I'll just borrow him for one night'
"A girl shouldn't chase a guy, remember that. Know your worth and values," she raised her eyebrow on them."Hindi ba kayo napapagod sa kakahabol sa kanye eh hindi niya naman kayo pinapansin?! In love kayo dyan pero hindi nga 'yan marunong maglaba sa boxers niya. Ayusin niyo nga yang sarili niyo." She continued walking and stopped in front of me, gesturing me to come with them.
Nanatili akong nakanganga at hindi makapaniwala sa sinabi niya kanina. How could she say that to them?! Pinapahiya niya naman ako sa mga fangirls ko eh. Marunong kaya akong maglaba ng boxers ko, sa washing machine nga lang. I couldn't even protest against her because I know my brothers would defend her, most especially kuya Daron. Ayokong kalabanin ang kuya kong 'yon, baka maihi lang ako sa pants ko.
"Bakit mo sinabi 'yong part na hindi ako marunong maglaba sa boxers ko?!" I couldn't stop myself from asking her.
Kumunot naman ang noo niya nang lingunin niya ako."Bakit? I'm just being honest to them. Mas mabuting malaman nila ang ugali ng taong pinagkakaguluhan nila. What's the use of your popularity if you don't know how to do the simple things in a right way?!"
Hindi na lang ako nagsalita ng mawalan na ako nang sasabihin. I already know every single detail of her but still, I couldn't talk back to her. Magaling kase talaga siyang makipagsagutan kaya hindi na niya kailangan pang mag-isip nang sasabihin. She's being herself, as always.
"I said, I'm not in relationship with anyone else. You heard it loud and clear right?! Get out of my sight, I don't want to answer questions anymore." Narinig kong sigaw ni Zeriel sa gilid namin.
I just noticed her presence and the media that kept on asking her some stuffs.
"Speaking of that, I saw your pictures with her on instagram kuya Shael. Nag-away na naman ba kayo kanina?!" Akken suddenly asked me but I didn't look at him.
"I saw that one too while I'm browsing on the internet earlier. Magkasama pa nga kami no'n sa computer lab tapos no'ng umalis siya, saka namang kumalat ang issue niyong dalawa," sambit naman ni Raizer na nasa likod ko lang. Nagsasabi pala siya ng totoo na kasama niya ang kapatid ko bago ko siya makita.
I just shrugged my shoulders, still focused my attention on her that was busy avoiding their questions."Yeah. It's just a prank though, I didn't know that she would take it seriously. Pikunin kase siya kaya ayon sinamantala ko na."
"Gago ka talaga! Alam mo namang ayaw niyan sa mga lalaki tapos pinagtri-tripan mo pa. I won't be surprised if one day you'll go home with full of bruises and wounds," Cohen rolled his eyes on me while crossing his arms.
"Just let him taste that girl's bad side. In fact, she might be the girl that was destined to break his playful heart. It would be interesting as what you've expected," Kuya Daron smirked, thinking of what will be the outcome if I started to play with her.
I never felt nervous because I have been playing girls ever since and all I could say is that I'm enjoying it. And as long as I'm enjoying what I'm doing, I could never stop myself from it. Walang sino mang makapipigil sa'kin at makakawasak ng mapaglaro kong puso. Not even someone I know or even a stranger.
"Give her way, she has to come home now." All of them looked at me when I came closer to her.
She even took a single glance on me but immediately rolled her eyes. Siya na nga 'tong tinutulungan, ayaw niya pa.
The media turned their attention on me and kept on asking questions. May sinabi ako do'n sa guard kaya nilapitan niya yo'ng media at may konting sinabi kaya umalis na sila. I looked at her beside me but I was shocked when she's not here anymore. Nakita ko siyang naglalakad papunta sa kotse niya kaya agad akong nagmadaling lumapit sa kanya.
Is she going home alone? Where's the girl who's always with her?
"What again?! Gusto mo ba talagang ma-issue tayong dalawa?" she raised her eyebrows, looking so irritated.
"Ikaw at ako lang, walang tayo," nakangisi kong saad kaya nakatanggap na naman ako ng sapak galing sa kanya. Tang'na.
Nakarinig naman ako ng impit na tumatawa galing sa likuran ko kaya agad ko itong nilingon. They stopped laughing when they saw me glaring on them but I can still hear their little chuckles. Nang lingunin ko ulit si Zeriel ay sa'kin parin siya nakatingin at sobrang sama ng tingin niya. My brows frowned while looking at her intently. Wala naman akong ginawang masama sa kanya ah.
"Aren't you going to take off your hands on my car?! O gusto mo pang sapakin kita ulit para maalog yang utak mo." She warned me that made me blink twice before letting go of her car.
Hindi ko napansing hawak ko pala ang pinto ng kotse niya kaya hindi niya masara. Mabuti na lang at hindi pumasok sa isip niyang ipitin 'yong kamay ko. Or maybe she already got that idea but she was concerned on me because I saved her from the media's.
"Just at least say thank you before you go," I said and put my hands on my pocket.
Binaba niya naman ang bintana ng kotse niya at walang ganang tumingin sa'kin."Inuutusan mo ba ako o nagmamakaawa ka?!"
"Tsk, wala sa dalawa. Umalis ka na nga lang." Inismiran ko siya at gano'n din ang ginawa niya.
I just want to hear those words from her in a right way. 'Yon bang walang halong inis o kahit ano.
But why would she do that?! Knowing her, she doesn't know the word 'thank you' because she never expressed gratitude to anyone. Ni hindi nga siya matutong gumalang sa guard kanina eh. Kagaya lang ngayon na pinabugahan niya pa talaga ng usok ang mukha ko bago siya umalis. That brat! Now I smell like a barbeque or it might be worst than that.
"That girl doesn't accept help from the others. Seems like she just depend on herself. Hayaan mo na lang siya," Katria patted my shoulders and enter the car.
Akmang papasok din ako sa kotse ni kuya ng biglang hilahin ni Cohen ang polo ko ay napabalik ako sa pwesto ko. He glared at me that's why I pouted and went to my car. Ako na naman ang gagawin nilang driver neto.
"Oh shit! Don't turn on the aircon, the stinky smell will spread all over the car," inis na sabi ni Raizer habang nakatakip ang kamay sa ilong niya.
Akken suddenly coughed while hitting his chest."Oo nga. Paki-off na yang aircon, kuya. Yong amoy ni kuya Shael, hindi ko kaya. Mahihimatay ata ako."
"Gago ka talaga! Gusto mo bang ipaamoy sa'min yang mabaho mong damit. You're so disgusting as fuck!" Cohen commented and turned around, trying to get some fresh air.
I hold my chest dramatically."Grabe na kayo sa'kin ah. You're below the belt. Parang hindi niyo 'ko kuya."
Napabugsangot naman ako at inabot yung switch sa harap ni Cohen. He didn't even bother to turn it off even if he's the closest one. Amp.
Pagkauwi namin ay agad akong dumeretso sa kwarto ko para magbihis. I just wear boxers and nothing on top since I'm on my room. Magsusuot naman ang ng tshirt mamaya paglabas dahil baka makaltukan na naman ako ni Kat. I'm also tired from the university so I'll just rest for now. Bahala na 'yong assignments at projects ko, may bukas pa naman.
Napakunot ang noo nang makitang ang daming notifications sa instagram at sa twitter ko, pati narin sa facebook. I opened the instagram first and almost all of my news feeds were full of our pictures. Picture namin ni Zeriel kanina na ang sama ng tingin sa isa't isa. Meron pang sinapak niya ako at 'yong nakangisi ako habang inis na inis na siya. I know it would spread immediately since we're both popular. Marami rin akong kakampi at gano'n din siya. Seems like we're both leaders with our own teams.
@jazzeriel : That guy is completely a jerk. He deserves what I did or should I say it's not enough
Marami kaagad ang nagreact sa comment ni Zeriel at karamihan sa kanila ay sang-ayon sa kanya. I was pissed because that girls were my fans. Damn. She's getting everyone's attention.
@casshael : And you're definitely an attention seeker. Nananahimik ako rito tapos malalaman ko na lang na tinapon pala yung jersey ko sa ground. How rude was that?!
Dumami rin ang nagreact sa comment ko kaya napangisi ako. I'm sure she's bursting out of anger right now. Pikunin pa naman 'yon.
@jazzeriel : Oh c'mon! I know on myself that I didn't do such a stupid thing like that. Anong tingin mo sa'kin, grade 3?! You even had a babysitter before so it means that you're still a young little boy.
Dahil sa inis ko ay hindi na ako nagreply ulit at hinagis nalang ang phone sa tabi ko. There were a lot of comments about me replying on her comment. Why is she bringing back those times?! Matagal na kaya 'yon, aish.
Kapag nagkita talaga tayo, humanda ka sa'kin!
-------------------------------------