𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒫𝓁𝒶𝓎𝓁𝒾𝓈𝓉
Copycat-Billie Eilish
Trigger Warning: The content of the story may contain triggering and/or sensitive event and occurrences. Sexual violence, sexual abuse, assault, and suicide are some topics mentioned within this story. Some readers may find disturbing and/or not be suitable for young audiences. Reader discretion is advised.
It may also lead you to be offended due to religious beliefs. We have different religions, opinions, beliefs and practices. The writer does not mean to degrade religions and make the readers feel sympathy towards evil nor an atheist. You may find some topics sensitive and shady and against your own beliefs, but do remember this is nothing but FICTION.
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Isang babae ang nakatayo sa taas ng ilang palapag ng building. She was wearing her school uniform, bag at her back, and glasses on. Nakatali ang buhok nito habang lumuluhang nakatingin sa kawalan.
She doesn't have any friends. She's a loner. Her family relatives doesn't like her. She confessed her love for someone, and she became a laughing stock. People around her loathed her. They made her think she's unimportant and worthless.
Would things be different if she's pretty?
Mapakla itong natawa't inangat ang tingin sa kalangitan upang pigilan ang mga luhang walang sawang dumdaloy sa pisngi niya.
That's right. The reason why she doesn't have friends, why her relatives hated her, why people avoided her like she had some incurable disease is because she was ugly. Mayroon itong malaking peklat sa mukha. She had it with her since birth. Kaya simula pagkabata'y may dala-dala na itong hinanakit sa puso.
If only she was pretty, she would have tons of friends. If she's pretty, her family would be so proud of her. If she was born a pretty face, every man she'd like will feel honored of her affection rather than treating her like a joke.
Kung pinanganak lang itong maganda'y hindi sana siya narito ngayon at nagbabalak tumalon upang matapos na ang paghihirap niya sa buhay. She rather die than live her life in jealousy of those people around her.
"Hindi bale ng panget basta maganda ang puso?" She laughed bitterly. Iyon ang madalas sabihin ng mga tao sa paligid.
That is only hypocrisy. Sinong niloko ng mga taong nagsasabi niyan? In reality, people and society always favors pretty faces. That's a fact.
Sa huling sandali ng buhay niya, may dinukot itong isang maliit na salamin sa kaniyang bulsa. She look at her ugly face in front of the mirror. Nanginginig niyang hinawakan ang peklat sa mukha niya. It was a burnt scar she got after her mom tried to burn her alive. Even her own mother tried to kill her when she was born.
How unfortunate is that?
She wished she just died back then. Nabuhay pa siya dala-dala ang mukhang pinandidirihan ng lahat. She remembered how people called her names back then. Tinawag nila itong maligno, mangkukulam. They go as far as calling her a monster, a bad luck to anyone who comes near her.
Idiniin niya ang pagkakahawak sa mukha niya hanggang sa masugatan ito. Nakita niyang dumugo iyon pero wala siyang pakialam. Even if her face gets uglier than she already is, it won't change a thing. She's about to die anyway.
"Are you sure about dying?" Muntik na ito atakihin sa puso nang may kung sinong babae ang biglang nagsalita sa kaniyang likuran.
"S-sino ka?" Instead of answering, she just crossed her arms. Sumandal ito sa railings ng rooftop ng building habang nakatingin sa kaniya.
"Dying won't change your face." Umiwas ng tingin ang dalaga sa sinabi nito.
Umiwas siya ng tingin dahil naiinggit siya kung gaano ito kaganda. She hates seeing someone as pretty as her. Naiinggit siya rito sa kadahilanang kahit kailan ay hinding-hindi siya magiging maganda kagaya nito.
"Don't try to stop me." The woman laugh.
"Who says I'm gonna stop you?" Nagulat naman ito. Normally, if people saw someone trying to kill herself, they would try to persuade her. But she's not stopping her instead?
"Go on." Napasinghal ito sa kaniyang isip. She was actually encouraging her to jump and die?
"What?" Taas kilay na tanong sa kaniya ng babae.
"Do you want me to push you?" dag-dag nito.
Yes, of course. Why would a stranger care for her anyway? Siguro kung maganda siya'y baka pigilan pa siya nito. Who cares if someone ugly commits suicide and die. Mas mabuti na siguro 'yon para naman mabawasan ang mga panget sa mundo.
Akmang hahakbang na ito upang tumalon nang biglang humagalpak ng tawa ang babae. She stopped on her feet and look at her. Hindi niya alam kung bakit ito tumatawa. Nakakatawa ba para sa kaniya makita ang isang babaeng magpapakamatay?
Whatever reason she had, it's absurd. Doesn't she even feel pity towards her? Kahit ba panget na 'gaya niya'y walang karapatan upang kaawaan?
"You envy them, don't you?" Binalik niya ang atensyon niya sa babaeng mayroong kulay pula at kulot na buhok.
"You envy those beautiful people who took advantage of their faces, who can get what they want because of their looks. Then there's you, the one who got a lot of opportunities but failed to get them because you're ugly." Pag-didiinan nito na para bang inaasar siya sa pagmumukhang mayroon siya.
She felt insulted, but what for? It was the truth.
"You're so ugly that everyone doesn't like you. So what else can you do but die, right?" Kumuyon ang kamao niya. Nagtagis ang bagang niya't galit na binalingan ito ng tingin.
"Pretty faces like you do not understand the pain and suffering I've been through." Maanghang nitong wika.
"Anong alam mo e pinanganak kang maganda?" Puno ng puot at hinanakit nitong dugtong.
"Anong alam mo kung buong buhay mo gusto ka ng mga tao dahil maganda ka?" Muli ay pumatak na naman ang luha sa mga mata niya dulot ng galit na kaniyang nararamdaman.
"Ano ang alam mo?!" The woman rolled her eye upon her outburst.
Mabilis niyang hinila ang buhok nito upang pababain sa railings ng rooftop. Kaagad namang dumaing sa sakit ang babae't muntik pa ito mauntog sa semento sa lakas ng pagkakahila niya rito.
"Ano ba ang problema mo?!" Singhal nito habang patuloy pa rin sa pag-iyak.
"Huwag ka umiyak mas lalo ka nagiging panget." Mas lalo lang sumama ang loob nito dahil sa kaniyang sinabi.
"Akala ko ba hindi mo ako pipi-" Hindi nito natuloy ang sasabihin nang kunin nito ang kaniyang kamay at may nilagay na isang maliit na card sa palad niya.
"Lilith N. Ferno?" She read the name written in the calling card.
The woman named Lilith smiled at her. She then gave her a cheque of 1 million pesos. Nanlaki naman ang mata ng babae sa gulat. Is she seriously giving her that huge amount of money? What for?
"A-anong..."
"I owned a hospital. Go and see Dr. Asmodeus Daemon. He's a cosmetic surgeon." Napahawak ng dibdib ang dalaga. Hindi ito tanga upang hindi malaman kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng dalaga.
She touched her face with her shivering hands. Tears left her eyes out of the happiness she felt. If she's seeing a cosmetic surgeon, this means she can change her face. She'll be having a surgery and she won't have to suffer having this ugly face! She will become pretty!
Napaluhod ito sa sahig habang hawak-hawak ang mukha nito. It's true, she's born ugly. Things would've change for her if she's rich, but no. The world is even more cruel for she is also born poor kaya nawalan na siya ng pag-asa sa kagustuhan niyang gumanda.
Even if you'd say she could continue to do good in her grades, graduate and find a good job. Who would hire her when she's ugly and unpresentable? She'll be jobless despite what degree she'll finish. No one will hire an ugly piece of trash like her.
She was losing hope. She almost lost her will to live. But now, this woman came. She's Lilith, the one who offered a surgery for her, a stranger who gave her a million. If she's not an angel, then what is she?
"What's your name?" Inangat nito ang kaniya tingin. With her shaky voice, she wiped her tears and opened her mouth to speak.
"I'm M-Maeve. Maeve Perez." Lilith smiled upon hearing her name.
"Pretty name," She complimented as she went near her and helped her to stood up.
"Your face will be as pretty as your name." Lilith took her wallet and gave her another cheque. It's another million.
"T-this is too much..." Tanggi nito. Umiling si Lilith at ginaganap ang kamay nito upang ibigay ang cheke.
"Trust me, you need it." When Maeve took another cheque from her, Lilith smirk.
"After your surgery, go far away. Transfer school, start a business, a new life for a new you." Ito ang huling mensahe na binigay niya rito bago umalis ng rooftop.
When she closed the door of the rooftop, she closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she was already in the front door of her house. She combed her hair using her fingers as she entered her mansion.
Walang tao roon. After a few weeks of making Asmodeus learn all about the things he needs to handle in a hospital, she made him the acting CEO. Well, that old billionaire owned a successful hospital with lots of branches nationwide. She can't leave them unattended, so she taught Asmodeus business and medicines.
It might seem untrue but he learned that for a couple of weeks because he's a demon. He's smart and intelligent, also flexible and reliable in any position you'd put him. After all, a demon is different from humans who studied for years but still learn nothing.
Wala namang reklamo si Asmodeus doon. He's always so obedient when she's around. It's funny though, she had no memory of Asmodeus, the demon of lust obeying any woman. He is a dominant man, he wanted to be always in control.
That's why she was a bit amazed how he could be so obedient around her. On a second thought, lahat pala ng pabor niya'y may kapalit. No wonder why he would easily say yes, because he also gets something in return.
Give and take, huh. In humans, it's called a healthy relationship for mutualism and as a compromise. In demons, they are needed only for favors and exchange of something.
But in reality of how she observed mortals around her, people will perceive you as a terrible person, a hoarder, or greedy if all you do is take. On the other hand, people may perceive you as a weak person who does not stand up for themselves if all you do is give.
So much for that, Lilith went to her room. She opened her phone and that's when she saw it's already past 7:00 PM. She just went for dinner in a restaurant and she wanted some fresh air. That's the reason why she met that girl earlier.
Napangisi siya nang maalala ang babaeng iyon. She quickly dialed Asmodeus' number. He's probably in the hospital doing his shift. Napakunot na lang ang noo ni Lilith nang matagal ito sumagot. After a few more rings, he answered the call.
"L-lilith?" Nagkasalubong ang kilay ni Lilith nang marinig na para bang hingal na hingal ito.
"Bakit hingal na hingal ka?" He cleared his throat and composed himself.
"M-may emergency kasi kanina," Umubo ito kaya mas lalong nangunot ang noo ni Lilith.
"Kakalabas ko lang galing operating room." She rolled her eyes.
Operating room? Sinong tanga maniniwala sa malanding 'gaya niya?
"Really?" Operating room, huh. Iba naman ata ang inoperahan ng demonyong 'yon. But anyway, she doesn't care. She just hope he wouldn't try to get on every female doctors and nurses skirt in the hospital.
"If someone named Maeve Perez went looking for you, accommodate her as a patient. Do a surgery on her face. Kung ano man gusto niyang ipabago sa mukha niya, gawin mo. Do not let her pay anything." Inayos naman ni Asmodeus ang coat na suot niya.
A surgery for free? Ever since Lilith made him learn how things work in a business, he became business minded. An over all face surgery costs for about half a million or so and she's making him operate for free?
"She'll be free from money charges, but I'll take something from her as a payment." Saglit naman na natahimik si Lilith, kapagkuwan ay ngumisi rin ito.
"Do what you want, just make sure you don't force her." Binabaan na ito ng dalaga. When Lilith hung up the call, Asmodeus grabbed the nurse's neck and kissed her fully on the lips.
"Shall we continue?"
SA KABILANG banda ay napapasentido na lang si Lucifer habang pinapanood ang ginagawa ni Satan, Belphegor at Beelzebub. Satan was being taken by the nuns and were trying to make him enter the church. Nagwawala ito sa labas ng simbahan at mas lalo nila ito gusto papasukin sa pag-aakalang sinapian ito ng demonyo.
Little did they know he was a demon himself.
Belphegor on the other side was forced to enter the North Korean special military envoy. He was so skilled in fighting and shooting that he was immediately appointed as the commander when the reason why he accepted it is in order for him to finally have a peaceful sleep. A few days later she will be sent to South Korea as a spy and hell knows what will happen to him.
Beelzebub who was lost in North Pole having a one on one fight with a polar bear was luckily found by a Russian researcher. Nothing much was going on with him aside that the researchers wanted to disown him and leave him on the street for being too gluttony.
As for Asmodeus, they lost track with him. Lucifer had a thought he lost his ring or someone stole it for it can only be activated when a demon wears it. It's the only tracker they had for him, and now it's gone.
"How's the punishment in the Circles of Hell?" Tanong ni Lucifer nang pumasok sa bulwagan ng kaniyang trono si Leviathan.
"Mammon and I could still handle it, but with Satan not around, it's a bit hard." It is because Satan was the accuser. He tells the souls evil deeds and possible punishments, Lucifer is the one who chooses its punishment and decides how to deal with him.
"The hellfire of retribution?" Muli nitong tanong.
"Looks like Lilith planned everything from the start since she stored a huge amount of hellfire that could be used for a month." Napabuga nang malalim na hininga si Lucifer.
A month? How will they carry out the punishment in hell after that? Sure, he's Lucifer. He's the king, the ruler of hell. He got his own hellfire. In fact half of Inferno's hellfire belongs to him, and the other half was from Lilith.
He can supply the hellfires needed for the punishment if he had no other use of his power. However, it's not the case. His power controls all the punishment mechanisms in each levels of hell. Every dimensions and illusions were all taking his own power.
If he would carry out the supply of hellfire, he will overwork himself. In a worse case scenario, he might overuse his own power that could make him lose his mind for hell he knows what could happen.
"Where's Ammon?" Tanong niya rito nang makabawi na ito sa sakit ng ulo niya.
"He's checking the spirits in the 9th Circle." Lucifer stood up from his throne.
The 9th level of hell is treachery. Those souls who used to betray people they have special relationships with, a traitor to their family and country belongs in that level of punishment.
"Tell me once you encountered problems, I will come there personally." Umiling naman si Leviathan sa sinabi nito.
"You don't need to show yourself to those unworthy souls." Aniya nito.
Lucifer chuckled. He remembered the last time he went there and every souls cursed and damned him for all he cares. His presence made them blame him for all the punishment they've been through.
As the ruler of hell, their cries and and plea for mercy fascinates him. Their curses of anger and despair felt like an aggressive yet thrilling music for him. It's funny how those souls live their life to the fullest, committing sins one after the other and when they die and get punished, he'll get the blame.
He's Lucifer, a demon. People probably viewed him as someone wicked, a vile, and corrupt monster who does nothing but lead people astray.
When will they realize it was his job to test people's virtue and loyalty just like what he did to those angels in Nirvana.
He was not trying to justify his own acts. There was more reason behind that rebellion that only few of the people know but what he's trying to say is that, it was his job to give temptations and test their faith.
He only reports the failures and punish you for your sins.
"In any case, just tell me when problem arises." Leviathan nods his head and was about to leave when he remembered something.
"What are we going to do if the Savants knew about their disappearance?" Lucifer clenched his fist when he mentioned about those old Savants.
There are three Savants who called themselves the one who guides the king of hell, but all they ever do is to criticize and judge him. Naghahanap ang mga ito ng paraan para mapababa siya sa puwesto niya. The main reason why they should not know what happened to Lilith and the other Archdemons.
Isa pa, kung malalaman nila ito'y manganganib din ang mga ito. Demons aren't allowed to leave hell and stroll around the human world as if they're just having a vacation. It is forbidden for them to meddle in human lives and cause their death. Lilith and the Archdemons knew that rule better than anyone else.
"Kahit na anong mangyari, hindi nila dapat malaman. I will try my best to track them down and bring them back before the Hell Banquet." Leviathan bowed his head lightly as a respect before excusing himself out of his throne.
Leviathan knew Lucifer's having a hard time so they're trying to do their best as well to manage the Circles of Hell normally.
First Circle: The Limbo
Second Circle: The Lustful
Third Circle: The Gluttonous
Fourth Circle: The Greedy
Fifth Circle: The Wrathful
Sixth Circle: Heretics
Seventh Circle: The Violent
Eighth Circle: The Fraudulent
Ninth Circle: Traitors
Each Circles were handled by the Archdemons and Lilith. Now that some of them are gone, the three of them have to manage it.
The only thing that ticks them off, especially Ammon was the souls from the Sixth Circles which were handled by Lilith before. Those souls kept on justifying that they should not be there. Iyon ang mga salitang nakakarindi para sa mga demonyong 'gaya nila. It's even more irritating than the ones pleading and crying for mercy and forgiveness.
Souls from Sixth Circle claims that they worshiped and believed the ruler of Nirvana. They served him and his holy spirit. What they don't know is that, inhibiters of this circle of hell are those who are the followers of wrong beliefs and doctrines. They wouldn't be here suffering in eternal punishment if they haven't sinned.
Lucifer took his golden goblet and drank a fine wine. He closed his eyes as he savored its taste. It's unique and exquisite. A certain image of a woman flashed in his mind that made him opened his eyes.
"Lilith." Her lips tasted sweet. It was soft and gentle. She's like a wine he'd gladly drink and get drunk with. He unconsciously touched his lips habang wala sa sarili itong napangisi.
That woman is 80% lioness and 20% kitten, and this time he doesn't want her to roar. He want her to purr for him.
FEW WEEKS passed, Lilith was bored and decided to transfer in a new university. It was her first day and she walked in the corridor with her head held high. Lahat ng lalaking nadadaanan nito'y napapatingin sa kaniya't halos madapa-dapa na ang mga ito masundan lang siya ng tingin.
Ang mga babae naman ay kaniya-kaniyang bulungan dito. They were all looking at her from head to foot. How they wish they could be as gorgeous and confident like her. Looks like another trasferee had come to steal another show.
When she entered her class, everyone stared at her. Natulala ang mga ito nang masilayan ang bukod tanging kagandahan na taglay nito. Kasamay no'n ay ang pagpikit ng kanilang mata nang maamoy ang kakaibang pabango nito.
"She's the new student. Kindly introduce yourself." She stood at the center of the class and gave everyone a fake smile.
"I'm Lilith N. Ferno, nice to meet you." After she introduced herself, they heard a sound. Ito ay nagmula sa tunog ng silya. Lilith's stare landed on the girl standing in shock and confusion.
"Oh, right. Maeve, you're also a transferee. It would be better if you tour her around later."
"Y-yes, sir." Lilith smiled at her. Naglakad ito patungo sa bakanteng upuan sa kaliwang bahagi ng likuran nito.
"I used to think Maeve is the prettiest in the university, but I guess, we have another candidate for that." Rinig niyang wika ng mga ito.
"Right? The word pretty isn't enough to describe her. She's hot and gorgeous and expensive." Lilith took a pen in her bag and started to doodle on her notes.
"Saka mukha siyang mabait unlike Maeve who bullies everyone she finds unattractive." Napataas ang kilay ni Lilith.
Her eyes immediately landed on Maeve who was sitting just in front of her. She can see her being uncomfortable at hindi maiwasang mamangha ni Lilith kung gaano binago ni Asmodeus ang pagmumukha nito. She looks entirely like a different person. Sobrang ganda na nito't hindi mo aakalaing pina-vulcanize ang mukha niya.
The class was dismissed and Lilith found herself surrounded by her classmates trying to befriend with her. Niyayaya siya nitong kumain ng sabay, ang mga lalaki nama'y tinatanong ang social media accounts niya.
She conversed with them like what a rich and famous bitch would do. Mula sa likod niya naman ay nakita niya si Maeve kasama ang mga alipores nitong nakatingin sa kaniya. Lilith eyed at her and she saw envy in her eyes. She was getting their attentions, bagay na dapat na'kay Maeve pero dahil sa pagdating niya'y inagaw niya.
Maeve approached her with a smile on her lips. Others may see it as a genuine smile, but Lilith knew those smiles were forced and fake.
"Let's lunch together. I will take you for a tour pagkatapos." Wala naman siyang reklamong sumama rito na mayroong ngiti sa labi.
Habang naglalakad silang dalawa'y hindi maiwasan ng mga estudyanteng mamangha sa kagandahan nilang dalawa. They even thought angels just went down to Earth with their presence. And of course, they can't help but to compare them.
Naikuyom ni Maeve ang kamay niya nang marinig ang mga bulungan ng mga estudyante sa paligid. They said Lilith was more beautiful than her, and she hates it. All her life she wanted to be pretty and ayaw niyang may kakumpitensya roon. Gusto niya ay siya lang ang pinakamaganda sa mata ng mga tao.
For once, she wanted to be envied by everyone. She wants to feel above anyone else. She wanted to experience favors and privileges from having her new face. She want it all by herself.
After she took her surgery and transferred here, she loved the attention. This time she never begged for friends, they came to her. She was respected and no one looks down on her. She don't need to get head over heels with the one she likes because everyone would do everything just to spend time with her. She can play hard to get. She can earn favor because of her face.
Kahit nga pagpila nito sa cafetria'y pinapauna na siya ng mga kalalakihan. She gained thousands of followers in her social media account just for days and she's feeling satisfied of couples breaking up because of her.
Hanggang sa hindi nila namalayan na tapos na pala silang kumain. Maeve then stood up and started touring her around. Pinapakiramdaman niya ito't naiinis siya kung gaano ito kabait at malumanay magsalita. Bukod doon ay maya't maya may lumalapit na mga lalaki upang tanungin ang pangalan o 'di kaya'y cellphone number niya.
Why are they only taking hers? Hindi ba sila magtatanong ng number niya? Maganda rin naman siya at matalino. Mayaman din siya at hamak na mas maganda ang kulay ng buhok.
"Maeve? Are you okay?" Nabalik siya sa wisyo nang magtanong ito. Pilit siyang ngumiti.
"I'm okay." Kaagad niyang sagot dito.
Lilith N. Ferno, she remembered her. Paano niya makakalimutan ang babaeng naging dahilan para magbago ang buhay niya? She owed her 2 million pesos and a surgery that costs for half a million. She gave her a chance for a new life.
She was thankful for her, but now she's starting to hate her.
"Why do you have to transfer here?"
"Huh?" Napakurap-kurap siya nang hindi niya mapansing naisatinig niya pala ang katanungang iyon.
"I mean shall we go back in class?" Lilith nods her head and followed her.
Maeve was starting to get confused. She's pretty sure she told Lilith about her name in the rooftop. Nakakpagtakang hindi siya nito kilala. Does she not know her or she's pretending not to know her at all?
Wala naman siyang ibang reason para magpanggap na hindi siya kilala. Siguro'y hindi lang talaga siya nakilala dahil nagbago ang mukha niya. She don't have to worry to get on her bad side dahil mukhang hindi naman siya kilala.
But of course, tatanawin pa rin niyang utang na loob ang ginawa nitong pagtulong sa kaniya. However, as days passed by Lilith was getting on her nerves. She's always stealing her spotlight. From acads to sports, and beauty and attention, she's getting all of it.
Siya. Siya dapat ang nasa puwesto niya. Why does she have to transfer to the same school as her? Kung wala sana siya'y siya ang bida. Wala sana siyang kaagaw sa atensyon ng lahat.
Why? Is it too much to ask from her? Gusto niya lang naman maranasan ang mga bagay na hindi niya naranasan dati. Pinaranas nga sa kaniya pero saglit lang. Masama bang maging makasarili siya kung pinagkait naman iyon sa kaniya rati?
"Ma'am, si Lilith na po ang isalang niyo sa pageant. She got the beauty and brains." Maeve scoffed in her head upon hearing her classmates suggestion.
"Ma'am! Maeve is beautiful and smart too!" She smirk upon her friend's words. Kunwari nahihiya itong ngumiti sabay suway sa kaibigan niya.
"Ano ka ba Sandra, nakakahiya." Napatitig si Maeve kay Lilith at napakurap siya nang makitang nakangisi ito sa kaniya. Ang ngisi nito'y kakaiba kaya naman kisunot niya ang mata niya't napakunot ang noo niya nang makitang nakatalikod na ito sa kaniya.
"Let's just vote." Her classmates started voting and their scores were tied. Kalahati ng boto ay napunta kay Lilith at kalahati naman ang sa kaniya.
Now she decided, she will make sure she will become the representative of their section. Kaya naman nang matapos na ang klase sa hapon ay niyaya niya itong makipag-usap sa rooftop. Kaagad din naman pinaunlakan ni Lilith ang gusto nito't pumunta roon mag-isa upang makipag-usap.
Maeve locked the door of the rooftop. Mabilis na napalingon si Lilith dito habang mayroong nagtatakang reaksyon sa mukha.
"What are we going to talk about here?" Imbis sumagot ay pumulot ng dos por dos si Maeve at naglakad papalapit sa kaniya.
Lilith took a step backwards, "Maeve." Banggit nito sa kaniyang pangalan. Her voice was full of fear.
"What are you-" Bago pa ito makapagsalita ay hinampas nito ng dos por dos ang kaniyang balikat dahilan upang matumba siya sa sahig.
"Alam mo ba," She approached her and grabbed her hair. "Nagpapasalamat ako sa'yo dahil binigyan mo ako ng pag-asa para maging maganda." Hinigpitan niya ang pagkakasabunot sa buhok nito't halos matanggal na ang anit nito.
"Pero sa dinadami-rami ng lilipatan mo, bakit dito pa kung nasaan ako?" Marahas niyang binitawan ang buhok nito't hinampas ng dos por dos sa ulo dahilan upang bumangga ito sa pader at magdugo ang ulo nito.
"Alam ko sasabihin mong wala akong utang na loob." Maeve stated as she rolled her eyes and watch Lilith helplessly defenseless on the floor.
"You gave me another life and I thought I'd be happy with it. Akala ko kapag maganda na ako, hindi na ako makakaramdam ng inggit. Akala ko, ako naman ang kakainggitan ng mga babae. Akala ko ako naman ang bida, an ako naman ang gusto ng mga 'to." She laughed. Puno ng galit ang tawa nito't nanlilisik ang kaniyang mga mata.
"But why the hell do you have to exist?!" Sa pangalawang beses ay hinampas niya ito, pero sa pagkakataong ito sa mukha niya na ito hinampas.
"Why do you have to be so perfect?!"
She saw blood flowing from Lilith's eyes but she was not contented. Hinagis niya sa isang tabi ang dos por dos na hawak at kinuha naman ang nakausling pala sa tabi ng sako ng sementong naroon.
"Will they still love you if you're ugly?" Walang kahabas-habas niya itong nilapitan at hinampas ng pala sa mukha.
Ilang beses niya itong hinampas nang hinampas at sunod-sunod na sigaw at daing ang narinig niya mula rito. Lilith's pain and cry for help wasn't heard by anyone. Nanginginig na ito't halos mangisay-ngisay na siya lalo na't pinupuntirya rin ni Maeve ang katawan niya.
"P-please stop..." But she continued pretending that she heard nothing.
She was not contented of destroying her face but also her body. Walang pakundangan niyang hinahampas saan mang bahagi ng katawan nito. She will not let anyone become even more better than her. Dapat siya lang at wala ng iba. Siya lang ang at wala ng mas hihigit pa sa kaniya. Hindi niya hahayaang may mas hihigit sa kaniya.
When she was contented, she stopped. Tinitigan niya nang mabuti ang buong hitsura ni Lilith. Her face was bloody. Puno ng malapot na dugo ang ulo niya't halos wasak na ang mata nito. Her lips were full of cuts, her cheeks were wounded and bruised. Halos matanggal na rin ang tainga nito mula sa pagkakahampas ng pala kanina.
The bones in her arms and legs were dislocated. Puno rin ito ng mga pasa at malalalim na sugat. The floor was full of blood and for some reasons, Maeve doesn't feel any guilt towards her. Para sa kaniya'y tama ang ginawa niya't wala siyang kasalanan.
The world has become cruel to her. She had the right to take her anger towards a person who would make her feel the same way before. She's not the old ugly and pathetic bitch that she is before. She's no longer Maeve Perez.
She's now Maeve dela Paz. The beautiful and rich Maeve. The woman who was envied by everyone because she got everything. That's the new her.
"Look here." Lumapit si Maeve rito't dinukot ang salamin sa bulsa niya upang itapat ito sa mukha ni Lilith.
"Do you see yourself? That's you." Nakita niyang gumalaw ang daliri ni Lilith kaya bahagya siyang natawa.
"You look so ugly, right? Now no one will ever love you." She giggled like a psycho. Iniwan nito ang salamin sa tabi ng katawan ng dalaga. She lock the rooftop doors and washed her bloody hands after that.
Lilith was hardly breathing on the floor. Bugbog ang buong katawan niya't hindi niya magawang gumalaw. She look at the mirror just a few inches away from her. Maeve almost destroyed her eyes but luckily she can still seven just blurry images.
She tried to laugh but she cough blood instead. That's how humans are ungrateful towards the people who helped them. She got too overconfident of herself. How unfortunate that she had to end up that way.
On the other side, as Maeve walked her way home, there were five men tailing her. Nakaramdam ito ng kaba at takot. Hindi niya alam kung nagkataon lang bang doon din ang dadaanan nila o sadyang sinusundan talaga siya ng mga ito.
She look back, and they were gone. Napahinga naman ito nang maluwag, subalit sa kaniyang pagharap ay nagulat siya nang may malaking kamay na tumakip sa bibig niya. Impit itong napasigaw at nagpupumiglas nang dalhin siya ng mga ito sa isang matalahib na lugar.
She was trying to ask for help but the stranger's hand were way to big for a small sound to even escape from her mouth. Marahas siyang tinulak ng maskuladong lalaki sa damuhan at nagulat siya nang isa-isang magtanggal ng sinturon ang limang lalaking kaharap niya.
Nilukob ng takot ang buong pagkatao niya. Hindi siya natakot sa ginawa niya kay Lilith, ni katiting na pagsisisi ay hindi niya naramdaman pero ngayon ay halos gusto na lang niyang mamatay sa takot.
Looking at them unbuckling their belts and taking off their pants, she knew where this is going. She raised her arms and hugged herself as she cry and shiver in fear.
"M-maawa kayo s-sakin..." Sa sinabi niya'y natawa ang mga ito.
"P-please..." Lumapit ang lalaking tumakip ng bibig niya kanina upang hawakan siya sa panga.
"Ang ganda mo." Nakagat niya ang ibabang bahagi ng labi niya't mas lalong bumuhos ang luha niya nang buong lakas nitong warakin ang unipormeng suot niya.
"Tulong! Tulungan ni-" He slapped her face. Namula ang mukha nito subalit sinubukan niya pa rin manlaban.
She kicked him and tried to run but he managed to grabbed her feet. Hinawakan siya ng lalaki sa magkabilang balikat sabay pumaibabaw ito sa katawan niya. Sinubukan nitong sumigaw pero sinukmurahan lang siya nito kaya wala siyang ibang magawa kun'di ang umiyak nang umiyak.
She was helplessly lying on the ground with a man in front of him removing her bra, kissing her whole face down to her neck and chest. Tinakpang ng lalaki ang bibig niya habang pilit na binubuka ang magkabilang hita nito. The two men held both of her arms to prevent her from moving.
"Ibubuka mo ang hita mo o papatayin kita?" Kumurap-kurap ito habang walang tigil sa pagdaloy ang luha sa pisngi niya.
Labag man sa kalooban niya'y binuka niya ang magkabilang hita niya. Napaigik din ito sa sakit nang maramdamang may kung anong bagay na pumasok sa kaloob-looban niya. She felt herself getting wrecked.
Lumuha ito habang pinapakiramdaman ang sarili. She felt disgusted of herself. She never thought of herself getting molested and sexually harrassed like this. Tila nawalan na siya ng lakas habang pinapanood ang sarap na sarap na mukha ng lalaking nasa ibabaw niya.
Umaalog ang buong katawan niya't puno ng luha ang kaniyang mga mata subalit tila manhid na ito. When she felt something explode inside her, she thought it was done pero nagkakamali siya. Panibagong lalaki naman ang pumwesto sa harapan niya.
She cried and begged them to let her go but they acted as if they hear nothing. Walang pakundangan ng mga itong pinagpyestahan ang katawan niya at wala siyang magawa rito. Sa pang-apat na lalaking umibabaw sa kaniya'y hindi na ito kaya ng katawan niya.
"P-please stop..." Pero hindi nakinig ang mga ito.
Out of a sudden, Lilith's face flashed in her mind. Ang karumaldumal na ginawa niya rito kanina'y bigla niyang naalala. Umiling-iling ito't para bang nabuhusan siya ng malamig na tubig nang makita sa kaniyang harapan si Lilith.
Duguan pa rin ang katawan nito't halos wasak ang buong mukha niya. Nasa likuran ito ng lalaking patuloy na nilalapastangan ang katawan niya. Nang kaniyang masilayan ang mukha nito'y nakaramdam siya ng takot sa hitsura nito.
She could not believe she's the one who did that. Hindi siya makapaniwalang nakaya niya iyong gawin. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang nagtulak sa kaniya upang gawin 'yon.
"H-help me..." Imbis sumagot ay titig lang ang iginanti sa kaniya ni Lilith.
Hindi alam ni Maeve kung nananaginip lang siya o 'di kaya'y binabangungot lang ng multo na siya mismo ang nagawa. She remembred Lilith's state, she won't be able to move. Kaya walang dahilan upang narito ito ngayon at nakatitig sa kaniya.
When those men were done raping her, she hugged her naked body. Nanginginig ito't halos mangisay-ngisay ang katawan nito sa pagod. She opened her mouth to ask them.
"B-bakit niyo to g-ginawa s-sa'kin?" Sinubukan nitong bumangon pero masyadong nanghihina ang katawan nito.
"Dahil maganda ka." Maikli na sagot ng mga ito.
"Maganda ang katawan mo." Dag-dag ng mga ito.
When they left, Maeve stayed there. Nakatulala ito sa kawalan habang nakatingin sa makulimlim na kalangitan. They did that because she was pretty? Because she had a nice body?
She cried. Kahit ilang drum pa ng luha ang lumabas sa mata niya'y hindi na niya mababalik pa ang nakaraan. Hindi na niya puweding ibalik ang panahon. If she wasn't pretty, if she didn't have that body, it won't happen to her.
Kung sana'y nakuntento ito kung ano ang hitsura niya rati'y hindi sana ito mangyayari sa kaniya. Kung sana hindi siya nagparetoke't pinaganda ang mukha niya'y buo pa sana ang puri at dignidad niya bilang babae.
If it wasn't for her greed, she wouldn't end up this way.
"Look here." Nagulat ito nang makitang nasa tabi na niya si Lilith, but this time her face was no longer bloody and bruised. She looks pretty and unscathed.
Napatingin siya sa salamin na hawak nito. It was the same mirror she gave her she assaulted her to death.
"Do you see yourself? That's you." Dahan-dahan itong napatingin sa salamin upang tingnan ang hitsura niya. Her face looks pretty. Kahit umiiyak ito'y maganda pa rin siya.
Gamit ang natitira niyang lakas, binasag niya ang salamin at kinuha ang bubog roon. Nilapat niya sa kaniyang mukha ang matulis na piraso ng salamin at walang pag-aalinlangan itong ginamit upang sugatan ang makinis niyang balat.
"A-ayoko na maging m-maganda..." She said as she continued to cut her face. Walang emosyon siyang pinanood ni Lilith.
"A-ayoko..." Sumigaw ito sabay lagay ng malaking sugat sa pisngi niya. She wanted to go back to her old self. Gusto niyang maging pangit ulit siya.
If she was ugly no one would even dare to touch her or even try to molest and rape her. Kung sana natuto siya makuntento sa kung ano ang mayroon siya, pero kahit pabalik-balik niya pa itong sabihin, kahit na magsisi pa siya'y nangyari na ang nangyari.
"You look so ugly, right?" Wika ni Lilith nang makitang tapos na si Maeve sa pagsugat sa sarili nitong mukha.
"No one will ever love you." Maeve look at her. She remembered saying the exact words from her. Look how karma hits her so fast.
"B-being ugly is fine." Wika nito habang tinutuyo ang sariling luha.
Lilith stood up and look at her blood flowing from her face down to her neck. Humans tend to feel regret, and realize their own mistakes after something bad happened to them.
They regret their decisions because they believe sthey hould have made other ones. They believe they could have done better, but they didn't. They regret detheir decisions, which were made in the past and cannot be changed.
"You see, whether you are ugly or not, people have their own problems to deal with it." Sa simpleng wika nito'y naintindihan kaagad ni Maeve ang ibig niya sabihin.
She concluded that pretty people live the happiest life, and ugly people like her live the worst. Little did she know that behind those pretty faces, they also have their own personal problems, conflicts and trauma.
Not until this happened and she fully understands her mistakes. She became too selfish and greedy of attention that she's starting to become someone she's not. She made herself a monster. She's the one who made her become like this.
"Don't be blinded by greedy for beauty, Maeve." After Lilith said those words, she left.
Walang emosyon itong naglakad sa gitna ng kalsada habang nilalaro ang dulo ng kulot nitong buhok. Isang ngisi ang pinakawalan niya.
When she flick her hands, Maeve opened her eyes and she found herself lying on the rooftop. Mabilis itong napatingin sa sarili niya't saka niya napagtantong panaginip lang pala lahat ng iyon.
Pagtingin niya naman sa kamay niya'y nakita niya ang salamin niya't may nakita siyang mantsa ng dugo mula roon. Maeve composed herself and went home. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang nangyari pero ang panaginip na iyon ay tila ba totoong nangyari sa kaniya.
In the dark street where the red head woman continued to walk, her alluring sweet scent lingered, the warmth, the danger, the doom.
For she is Lilith, the Queen of Inferno, the Mistress of the Circles of Hell, The Seven Archdemon's Rose.
GLC| GOLUCKYCHARM