𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒫𝓁𝒶𝓎𝓁𝒾𝓈𝓉
𝘉𝘰𝘰 𝘩𝘰𝘰- 𝘕𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘪 & 𝘙𝘐𝘌𝘓𝘓
≿━━━༺❀༻━━━≾
Lilith opened her eyes harshly when her nightmare ended. Mabilis itong bumangon sa kinahihigaan niya't tumungo sa balkonahe ng kaniyang kuwarto upang magpahangin. Inangat niya ang tingin niya sa kalangitan at nakita niyang makapal ang ulap. Sa likod nito'y nakakubli ang buwan na animo'y may pinagtataguan.
From far away, she can see the shadows of stray demons lurking around the village where she lives. Right when she heard the loud howling of the hellhounds, she immediately figured out the time. Demon dogs began to roam around 3 AM to feed on human nightmares, and there they are walking door to door to every houses in their neighborhood.
Lilith's right eye flared in red when one of the hellhounds saw her. Natabunan ng kaniyang buhok ang kanang mata niya kaya hindi nila ito nakita. Awtomatikong bumahag ang buntot ng mga aso nang masilayan ang dalaga. Wala ni isa sa mga ito ang nagbalak lumapit sa harapan ng kaniyang mansyon. It was because they can feel a strong presence of demonic ambience in the air.
Bagaman hindi makapagsalita ang mga ito'y nakakaramdam sila ng tatlong malakas na presensya ng mga kataas-taasang personalidad sa kanilang kaharian. They can gravely smell their sins and malice, there's no doubt about it. Inside the house was three of the high ranked demons in Inferno.
"Tell no one," Naniningkit mata nitong wika habang malamig na nakatingin sa mga ito.
"Not even your king." Umiwas ng ulo ang mga ito sa sinabi ng dalaga.
It was their king, the ruler of hell. They cannot disobey him for her. As hellhounds, their loyalty only belongs to their master.
Lilith knew what they're thinking. Even if they were not given the ability to talk, they can think and decide on their own. Hellhounds, the dogs of the underworld. They are forever dogs of their master.
Lilith narrowed her eyes and one of the hounds suddenly turned into ashes. Napaatras ang mga ito't iilan sa kanila'y gumawa ng ingay na tila ba nasasaktan ang mga ito. They can feel a burning sensation inside them as if their rotten organs are shredding into pieces.
"You can either leave this place alive by hiding what you've seen, or none of you could go back to the underworld at all." Mapaglaro nitong anas habang patuloy na pinahihirapan ang mga ito.
Ang ululong ng mga ito ay biglang lumakas dahil sa labis na sakit na nararamdaman. Some of them are slowly disintegrating and Lilith had no plan on stopping until they obey her. No one could hear them but only demons and high rank evil spirits. Dahil sa ingay ng mga ito'y nagising mula sa pagkakatulog si Asmodeus at si Baal.
Hindi na nagulat si Lilith nang mapansing nasa likuran na niya ang dalawa at wala na siyang panahon upang ipaliwanag kung ano ang nangyayari. These hellhounds only comes around every Friday at exactly 3 o'clock and they managed to hide their presence because of Simeon's protection spell.
It looks like his seal gets broken for once in a while and the hellhounds have now discovered them.
"Lilith-"
"Shut up, Asmodeus. Once they return to hell they will inform Lucifer about our location. That would be done for me, I don't want to go back there." Matalim nitong wika.
Walang naging imik si Asmodeus. Up until now he don't know the reason why she left. Wala pa rin siyang nakukuhang sagot sa katanungang iyon. However, he doesn't want to go back either. That would mean he can no longer get this close to Lilith.
Si Baal naman ay hindi rin maiwasang mapaisip kung ano nga ba ang dahilan at tumakas ito sa kanilang kaharian lalo na't malaki ang responsibilidad niya roon. Nang kaniyang maalala ang dahilan kung bakit siya narito ngayon ay napakamot siya ng ulo.
Their initial plan was supposed to take care of the astray demons to avoid more complication and disruption in three realms. No one was even willing to go there not until they heard Lilith had left using the gates of Inferno. Naalala niya pang matapos nila marinig iyon ay isa-isa silang nagpresinta na pumunta roon.
Now that he has found Lilith, all they need to do is investigate the anomalies of the lost souls the Grim Reapers wasn't able to bring to the river of death. While they are here, they can continue to track down those demon's souls. Their only problem is Lilith. She needs to go back as soon as possible for the hellfire of retribution.
Everything was supposed to be easy pero ayaw na nitong bumalik pa roon. She was careful of not letting Lucifer trace her whereabouts. She even came to the point where she had a pact with Simeon, a Gifter to seal the house and avoid the hellhounds.
"Lilith," pagtawag ni Baal sa dalaga nang may maisip ito.
"Let them go, I had an idea." Lilith didn't obliged. Napakagat labi ang binata. Of course, she wouldn't listen. She just stared at Baal urging him to continue as she lessen the pain she's inflicting to the demon dogs.
"Let them go back. Even if Lucifer finds out where we are, he can't do anything. He can't leave hell. Kahit si Levi at Ammon hindi rin puwede umalis. If he'll send bounty hunters to find us, the Philippines is wide, Upper Class Demons cannot track down those who are higher than them."
Tumango-tango si Asmodeus nang makuha niya ang punto nito. Lilith wasn't convinced enough so he opened his mouth again to speak.
"Pwede naman tayo lumipat hindi ba? You can just erase the memories of the people who used to know us. Then that Gifter could just put a seal in our house again." With that, Lilith took the pain away and left the balcony.
Napahinga naman nang maluwag si Baal at Asmodeus. Binaling nila ang kanilang tingin sa baba kung saan halos mamatay-matay na sa pangingisay ang mga hellhounds. Napabuga ang mga ito nang malalim na hininga nang marinig ang pagsara ng kuwarto ni Lilith, palatandaan na lumabas ito.
"Bloody hell, she could've killed them all!" Baal exclaimed in disbelief. That only proves she's determined not to go back.
"Cerberus would be very mad once he lost count of his hounds again." Napasapo na lang ng noo si Asmodeus.
Cerberus was the strongest and largest of them. He acts as the leader of the hounds and he stays in the gates of the Circles of Hell to prevent the evil souls from escaping. Not to mention he's the most loyal and trusted guard of Lucifer. He will forever be loyal to him.
"Damn that Simeon, he never warned us his seal could get worn off!" Inis na ingos ni Asmodeus.
Nagkibit-balikat naman si Baal. What he was curious of is how did a Gifter like him made a deal with a demon. Umabot pa sa punto na he'd use his holy power to protect a demon. That's so unheard of.
Habang nasa balkonahe pa ng kaniyang kuwarto si Asmodeus at Baal ay lumabas ng bahay at nagtungo sa likurang bahagi ng masyon si Lilith kung saan may hardin. She took a cigar in her pocket and played it in between her fingers while looking at the dark sky.
"Damn, hellhounds." She spat and rolled her eyes. Sinindihan nito ang hawak na sigarilyo't nakadekwatrong humithit. Kasabay nang pagbuga niya ng usok sa kaniyang bibig ay ang pagpikit ng kaniyang mga mata.
She was stressing over her nightmare. Yes, a demon like her could also have nightmares. Ang pinagkaiba lang ay may posibilidad na mangyari ang panaginip niya. She was trying to figure out what it means and it's making her frustrated.
In a dark dimension where only the fires of hell served as their light, she saw two men from far away. She can only see their silhouette but their figure looks the same, even their height and hair. Both of them are walking towards her at nakikita niya rin ang pag anhang ng kulay pulang mata ng mga ito.
When they were only two meters away from her, she saw their faces. Pakiramdam niya'y mahihibang siya nang makita ang wangis ni Lucifer sa katawan ng dalawang tao. Bawat sulok ng hitsura nito'y kaparehong-kapareho. Hindi niya alam kung iisang tao lang ba ito o magkaiba.
Minulat ni Lilith ang kaniyang mata't humithit na naman ng sigarilyo bago bumuga ng usok. She remembered how they smirk at her. It was menacing and just wicked.Hindi niya alam kung ano ang mararamdaman niya. Kung magugulumihan ba siya o iinit lalo ang ulo niya sa naging panaginip.
Lucifer alone was a pain in the ass, what more if there's two of them?
She hissed and tossed the cigar on the ground before stepping on it irritatedly. Tumayo ito't naglakad pabalik sa kaniyang masyon. Whatever that stupid nightmare is all about, she doesn't care. Lucifer is a king, he's too powerful to be in danger.
SA KABILANG banda ay hilot-hilot ni Ammon ang kaniyang sentido habang binabasa ang napakahabang mensahe mula sa mga Savante kung ano ang nais nilang kaganapan sa pagpipiging. Ang mga ito'y gusto ng engrandeng pagsalubong sa kanila.
Sa napakaraming nais ng mga ito'y hindi alam ni Ammon kung paano iisa-isahin ang mga iyon kay Lucifer lalo na't nitong nagdaang oras ay napaka mainitin ng ulo nito. Mas lalong lumalagablab ang apoy at masyado itong mapangahas sa pagpaparusa ng mga kaluluwa.
Napahilamos na lang ng mukha si Ammon. The Savants are visiting them three days from now and that would be equal to three months in the human world. Panigurado'y namomroblema din si Lucifer kung paano niya papabalikin si Lilith at ang mga hunghang niyang kasapi.
"Ammon." Inangat niya ang kaniyang tingin nang tawagin siya ni Leviathan.
"Lucifer commanded us to send two more demon bounty hunters in the human world to help eradicate the lost evil souls. But their first priority now is to find Satan and Belphegor." He nods. He immediately understood what Lucifer is trying to do.
They will probably find the both of them to track Lilith and the others easily. And they only have three months to do.
"Send Achlys and Kore. They get along well with Avalon." Ammon suggested. Agad naman na umalis si Leviathan nang walang imik upang ipagbigay alam kay Lucifer ang mga napili't mabigyan na ito ng pahintulot upang pumunta sa mundo ng mga makasalanang tao.
Bumalik sa pagbabasa si Ammon. Matapos ang ilang segundo'y naramdaman niyang may paparating kaya naman inangat niya ang tingin niya't nakita niya si Lucia roon. Umayos ng upo ang binata't binaba ang hawak nitong rolyo ng makapal na papel.
"Anything you need?" He asked softly as he smiled at her.
"Nothing, I just bought you food since pansin ko you've been working really hard lately." Tinapunan ng tingin ni Ammon ang dala nitong pagkain.
"How thoughtful, you'd be a good wife." Diretsong komento niya rito. Lucia's lips suddenly formed a playful smile.
"Oh, am I? Do you want me to be your wife?" As the demon and sin of greed himself, Ammon couldn't help but to scoff upon her question.
Instead of showing a face of disapproval, he just plastered a wide smile to confuse her. She is now their new fiancée alright, but that doesn't mean he trusted her. A demon could not trust another demon because they're all sinners.
"Why not? After all, I am also your fiancée." Dahan-dahang nilapag ni Lucia ang dala nitong pagkain sa lamesa ni Ammon habang may ngiti sa labi.
"Right? No one else aside from me is suitable to be the seven archdemon's wife. I'm thinking it would be unfair if I only choose one when all of you need heirs." Napataas ang kilay ni Ammon, kapagkuwan ay bigla rin ito ngumisi.
So greedy, aren't we?
"You have a point." It's just that, it's pointless.
If only he could say those thoughts aloud, but he can't at the moment. He needs to get along with her to find her true motives. She might be Lilith's blood related sister, but no one know who she is. There is one person they can ask about her, and that's her father Lyon. But even him was nowhere to be found. Ang namumuno sa Lilim Clan ngayon ay ang nakababatang kapatid ni Lyon na si Lennox.
"Don't get yourself so worked up, okay? Rest, Ammon." Lucia gave her a peck on the lips that made him stilled for seconds. Bago pa man siya makapag-react dito'y umalis na ang dalaga.
As soon as she disappeared from his sight, he brushed his lips in a disgusted manner. Kumuyom ang kamao niya't muntik na mapunit ang rolyo ng papel na hawak niya kung hindi niya lang nakontrol ang sarili niya.
She is nothing like Lilith. She will never get his aknowledgement as the Mistress of the Circles of Hell. Pasalamat lang ito ngayon at nakakapagtimpi pa siya at dahil may respeto pa siya sa pagiging babae niya. Kung hindi ay baka kung ano ng nagawa niya rito.
"Come back, Lilith." Tanging naisambit niya upang matapos ang kahibangan ng babaeng iyon.
BAAL was humming a punishment song in his mind as flashing images of how souls in hell call out his name for mercy. Kumunot ang noo nito nang makitang nakatitig sa kaniya ang bawat babaeng nadadaanan niya.
Hindi niya man sulyapan ang mga ito'y naririnig niya ang impit na sigaw at pag-irit ng mga ito na tila ba natutuwa sa presensya niya. So this is what it feels like to be attractive in human mortal's eyes.
Well, he couldn't care less. All demons are born with beauty. They don't appear in front of you with tail and terrible horns. They are disguised as someone you wished for. It was so unlike human mortal's who only have few blessed people with their genes.
Some are born with pretty faces but ugly personalities. Others were average but have the purest hearts. Their God made them differently so they could be unique in their own ways.
What's so unique of being ugly?
He shook off the thought and took his left hand on his pocket. He ignored their eyes and went inside the office to submit a registration form of Lilith's enrollment papers.
Habang nakatingin sa form ni Lilith na inilapag niya sa mesa ay hindi niya maiwasang mapatingin sa mukha ng dalaga. She was using a human's body. With that being said, Ruby Jane's soul already left her body and Lilith replaced her.
Other people may see Ruby Jane's appearance on her, but as a demon, he can see her true face. And he always wonder how her twisted mind works. Kagaya na lang ng dahilan kung bakit narito siya ngayon.
Ang sabi niya lang ay naboboryong siya. He always wanted to go over places and have fun. Her solution to his problem is to send him in a college university. She said he should be the one to look for the fun.
Classic Lilith. If danger is not around her, she'll look for it.
"Lilith N. Ferno? Are you both related?" Inangat ni Baal ang kaniyang tingin dahil sa naging tanong ng president ng university na pinapasukan niya.
That's right, transfer students should be handled by someone from the registrar. However, the president himself is the one processing her papers personally as if she was someone really important.
"Mister Daemon?" Baal cleared his throat and shook his head.
"Then you know her personally?" Baal almost find himself laughing with his question.
Of course he knew her. Lilith is his fiancée. The only woman who could look at him straight in the eyes.
He can still remember the day when the Savants have chosen her to be the only eligible demoness worthy to be their betrothed. He really had no interest towards her knowing she was just a hardheaded successor of the Lilim Clan of demons, the powerful clan who supports them.
Kilala ito bilang malupit na tagaparusa sa ika-anim na dagok ng kanilang kaharian pero kailan man ay hindi niya pa talaga ito nadalaw roon upang masaksihan ang kaniyang pamamalakad. He never even saw her face unlike the other Archdemons who saw her.
Baal was a bit different from them. He just care about the happiness food can give him. Wala itong pakialam sa naggagandahang kababaihan sa paligid niya. Well, Asmodeus used to tell him women are delicious food too, but he hates salty food, let alone those who tasted like coins.
Not until he met Lilith for the first time and shared a glass of wine with her. When his lips touched the tip of the glass where her lips was pressed, it tasted sweet. Kung nakakadiri ang laway ng iba para sa kaniya'y pwedeng-pwede niyang gawing tubig ang laway nito. That is the reason why he became interested with her.
She tastes different, and he wonders what else of her would taste sweet.
"Mister Daemon?" Pagtawag sa kaniya muli ng president. He went back to reality as smiled awkwardly. Nakalimutan niyang may kaharap pala siya't nahulog na siya sa kaniyang pag-iisip.
"Lilith and I are good friends, sir." Tangi niyang sagot dito.
"Please send my regards to her, and thank you so much for donating millions for the building of our new department." Baal can see sincerity in his eyes, so he just nods his head and was about to head out when he heard a knock on the door.
"Mister President?" The angelic voice from the outside spoke.
"Oh, yes. Miss Cruz, please come in." Maya-maya'y biglang bumukas ang pinto't iniluwa roon ang babaeng may katangkaran.
She has this small face and a fair white skin complexion. Ang haba ng buhok nito'y hanggang balikat at nang tamaan ng liwanag mula sa araw ang mga mata niya'y nagkukulay ginto ito.
Baal had to admit to himself that she was pretty. She was blessed with her genes that she was born natural. Not to mention she looks so nice and modest. Hindi na niya kailangan pang tanungin dahil nakakasigurado siyang matatawag na university crush ang babaeng 'to.
Nang magtama ang tingin nilang dalawa'y bigla siyang nginitian ng babae. She's even more pretty when she smiles. Kung normal na tao lang siya'y mahuhumaling siya sa kagandahan nito, pero hindi. He'd seen a lot of beautiful and alluring woman. Wala pa sa kalingkingan ang karikitan na mayroon siya sa mga nakita niya.
"Nandito na po yung mga results ng evaluation ng mga students para sa mga professors ng Engineering Department." Inilapag nito ang hawak na mga extended folders sa lamesa ng president sabay yuko rito bilang paggalang.
"So reliable of you, Miss Cruz." Saglit itong sumimsim ng kape bago balingan muli ng atensyon ang dalaga at ang binatang kaharap.
"What a coincidence. . ." Tumayo ito't lumapit sa kanilang dalawa.
"Miss Cruz, why don't you tour our transferee? I think he would like you as his student tour guide rather than some old professors." Lihim na kumunot ang noo ni Baal dito nang makita ang kakaibang titig na binibigay sa kanila.
Is he trying to match them together?
"Sir, naman." Nahihiya nitong wika habang pinaglalaruan ang mga daliri niya.
Looking at her, Baal felt something different. He confirmed it when their eyes met once again. He smiled at her and then to the president.
"I would be delighted. Thank you sir," Pumapalpak naman ang president bago ngitian ang mga ito.
Paglabas ng office ay kaagad na tumikhim si Baal. Nahihiya namang inangat ng babae ang mukha niya't alanganin na inilahad ang kamay nito.
"I'm Calla Cruz," Baal held her hand as he gave her a small smile.
"I'm Baal," He then lift her hand and kissed it. Nakita niya ang pamumula ng pisngi nito't aang pagbulungan ng mga kababaihan sa paligid.
"Tsk. That Calla Cruz again." Nauliningan niyang bulong ng isang babae na nakataas ang kilay habang nakatingin sa kanila.
Binitawan niya ang kamay ni Calla at niyaya na itong maglakad. While they were walking and she was touring her around, he can't help but to smirk. He can feel everyone's envy towards her. It was so strong that it smells rotten and he can't help but to feel disgusted on the truth of how humans can never be contented of what they have.
Ever since the night when Lilith made him witnessed the truth of their nature, he is now certain that every souls who ended up in hell deserved every punishment they have. Even as a demon, Baal thinks the unending retribution is too much for them. Not until he understood the reason why it has to be done like that.
Every sins have a price in hell to pay, indeed.
"Sayang, ang guwapo ng transferee. She will do everything to get his attention and act innocent like she always does. What a bitch."
"Right? For I know nasa loob lang talaga ang kulo niya."
"Remember when pinaasa niya yung isang senior natin? He thought na she likes him kasi binibigyan niyang motibo. Then later on nag confess din ang bestfriend ng senior na may gusto sa kaniya. She made it look like she no longer wanted to deal with the both of them to save their friendship, when clearly gusto niya lang na pinagaagwan at pinagaawayan siya."
"I know right! Balita ko nagkaro'n pa ng initan doon sa dalawa!"
"She just want everyone's attention!"
"Now look at her hitting on the transferee. Sheesh!"
Ramdam na ramdam ni Baal ang inis at inggit sa boses ng mga ito kaya hindi niya maiwasang matawa. He never knew listening to their chattering could be this amusing.
For a few minutes of touring and looking around the university, they ended up in the cafeteria. Doon ay mas lalo silang tinitigan ng mga tao. This time, Baal can hear not just women but also men's bullshit.
Ang mga ito'y naiinggit na siya ang kasama ng dalaga. They wanted it to be them. Kung kinaiinggitan ng mga babae si Calla ay siya namang pagkainggit ng mga lalaki sa kaniya. Dahil doon ay gusto niyang gatungan lalo ang sitwasyon.
"Calla, thank you for touring me around." He gave her another smile that could melt even the hardest ice. Nakita niya ang pagkurap-kurap ng dalaga't ang paglunok nito.
"Now please, let me treat you for lunch." Saglit ay tumingin muna sa paligid ang dalaga. She then roamed her eyes and nodded her head in approval.
"What do you want? Ako na o-order." She offered him. Baal shakes his head and made her sit on the chair.
"No," He rest his left hand on her head and lean in closer to say something, "Stay here, and wait for me." Dahil sa lapit ng mga ito sa isa't-isa'y tila ba nawalan ng kakayahan para magsalita si Calla.
He then turn his back at her with a loop sided smile on his lips. He's planning something, alright. Base on those women's blunt words, he can feel those aren't baseless accusations. Somehow at some point, there must be something wrong with Calla.
He knows two-faced people when he crossed eye contact with them, and Calla is no different.
Matapos niyang um-order ng pagkain ay naglakad na ito patungo sa kinauupuan ni Calla. He stopped mid-way when he saw her talking to three people. Those three were typical mean girls in the story, the one who will humiliate the main character in front of many people.
Instead of approaching them, Baal just stood far away from them holding the tray of their food. Gusto niyang makita kung ano gagawin nito.
"Calla, isn't it?"
"A-ako nga. . ." Baal slightly tilted his head when he noticed something on Calla's body language.
"How dare you humiliate my sister yesterday?" Umakto namang nagtataka si Calla sa naging pambibintang nito.
"I didn't humiliate anyone." She answered calmly.
"You didn't humiliate her? Of course you wouldn't because you're the dignified prim and proper with a miss-goody-two-shoes reputation!" The woman scoffed and eyed at her with so much disgust on her face.
"But guess what? You are nothing but a liar pretending to be a victim with all your manipulations! You are so pathetic!" She added as she continued to lash out.
Nang titigan naman ni Baal si Calla ay halos manubig na ang mga mata nito. Dahil sa naging reaksyon niya'y nainis lalo ang babaeng kaharap niya.
"Yan! Puro ka kasi gan'yan! Iyak-iyakan para makuha simpatiya ng ibang tao! Lagi kang pa-victim kahit ikaw naman may kasalanan!" Mahigpit nitong hinawakan ang braso ni Calla kaya naman napaigik ito sa sakit.
"Hindi porket maganda ang mukha at katawan mo may karapatan ka ng insultuhin ang kapatid ko!" Init na init nitong bulyaw.
"You said she shouldn't blame God because of her ugly face? That she should blame her parents for having lame genes? And what? Pinagmamalaki mo pang never ka magiging kagaya niya na mataba dahil kahit anong kain mo payat ka?" Suminghal ito't umiigting na ang panga nito sa galit kay Calla.
Baal couldn't help but to feel a bit amused if ever Calla really said those words. She was right about that. Ones face is determined by your parent's gene, whether they would look pretty or ugly is up to them. She only spoke harsh truth.
"Really, Calla Cruz? Proud ka na niyan?" She scoffed. Mas lalo lang itong nairita nang makitang nagpapaawa na naman ito't mukhang siya na naman ang papalabasing masama.
"W-wala akong kasalanan," Mahina nitong wika. Ang mga mata nito'y malumanay habang nakatingin sa babaeng kaharap niya.
"At mas lalong hindi ko alam ang pinagbibintang mo. . ." Umiling-iling si Calla. She looks so convincing that people are starting to believe she is telling the truth.
Nagsimula na namang magbulungan ang mga nakatingin. Now they're trying to sympathize with Calla saying that she's too kind to insult someone. Kilala itong mabait at marespetong tao. She will never degrade someone base on their looks.
"Hindi mo alam? Gusto mong ipaalala ko sayo?" She was about slap her when Baal grabbed her hand. Pinigilan na niya ito bago pa man dumapo sa pisngi ni Calla ang kamay nito.
Napasinghap ang mga nanonood na siya namang ikinagulat ni Calla. Walang emosyon ang mga mata nito habang nakatingin sa babaeng nagtangkang saktan siya.
"A-aray!" Napapiksi ito nang maramdaman ang higpit ng hawak ni Baal sa pulsuhan niya.
"Let go of me!" Apila nito't sinubukang iwaksi ang kamay ng binata.
"She humiliated your sister? Is that why you're humiliating her in return?" Hinigit niya ito papalapit upang ngisihan.
"But where's your proof?" Kumurap ito hindi dahil natameme siya sa naging tanong nito kun'di dahil napakalapit ng mukha ni Baal sa kaniya.
Sino ba namang hindi mapapatigagal kung makaharap ka ng isang guwapong lalaki? Babae lang din naman siya, marupok.
"See, you don't have anything to prove it." Marahas niyang binitawan ang pulsuhan nito kaya nabangga ang likod nito sa mesa.
"If I see you harassing her one more time, you wouldn't like it." Ang boses nito'y kalmado pero may diin ang bawat salitang binibitawan nito.
He then gave her a sweet smile as if his words don't weigh anything at all. Ang hindi maintindihan ng babae ay kung bakit nakakaramdam siya ng labis na kaba sa simpleng pambabantang iyon.
And just like that, she left along with her friends. Naiwang nanlalambot si Calla kaya naman hinawakan ni Baal ang bewang nito upang suportahan. The rest of the people started to talk of how gentleman he is but he paid them no attention.
"Are you alright?" Wala sa sarili namang tumango si Calla. He made her sit on the chair where the food he ordered was ready.
She was silent for a few seconds, playing her fingers on the table as if she was trying to calm down. Kagat-kagat nito ang ibabang bahagi ng labi niya't nararamdaman ni Baal na hindi ito komportable sa nangyari.
"Do you want to go somewhere?" She lift her head and smiled at him awkwardly, assuring her that she's fine.
"L-let's just eat." Tahimik na kumain ang dalawa.
Baal can see that she's uneasy. It looks like she was thinking of something. Ang nakakabinging katahimikan ay hindi kinaya ng binata.
"Calla-"
"Baal-"
Nagkatinginan naman ang dalawa.
"Ikaw muna." Muli ay nagsabay na naman sila kaya natawa ang mga ito.
"Ladies first," Natatawang wika ni Baal dito.
"I just want to ask," Ibinaba nito ang hawak na kutsara't tumusok ng patatas gamit ang tinidor.
"Other people thinks I'm perfect, but I'm only human. I have my own flaws too." Tumango-tango si Baal bilang sagot, urging her to continue talking.
"They think I'm an ideal woman anyone could wish for, mayaman, matalino, mabait, masipag, maasahan at lahat-lahat." She stopped talking and drank her water.
"Pero alam ko sa sarili ko na hindi ako gano'n. But because they see me as that, I couldn't help but to pretend I was that woman they I thought I would be." Baal finished his food and took the table napkin at the center table to wipe the side of his lips before looking at her.
"You can be anyone you wanted to be, Calla. You don't have to pretend to be someone you're not." Maikli nitong sagot bago muling ngitian ang dalaga.
He knew her words were nothing but just so-so. They were not even sincere. She's just trying to sound like she had no choice.
Calla on the other hand couldn't help but to appreciate how good looking he is. He looks kind and smart. Ang paraan pa ng pananamit nito'y halatang yayamanin. They would be a perfect match.
She look around and saw everyone staring at them. Of course, Calla is with the new student. Hindi lang iyon ang dahilan kung bakit nakatingin at pinagchichismisan nila ito kun'di dahil kinikilig ang mga ito sa kanila't nagpupustahan na ang mga ito kung magiging sila ba o hindi.
If they would be together in the eyes of the public, she will become more famous. Looking at how handsome he is, she would look more desirable to men if he's close with her. And so she decided to be on touch with him.
"Can I get your number?" She offered and gave him her sweetest smile.
"Yeah, sure." Baal hand his phone out. Dahil dito ay para bang si Baal ang nanghingi ng numero niya.
"Just tell me if you need any help of something, I'd be glad to help." Tumango lang si Baal at pinanood ang pag alis nito.
As soon as she turned her back from him, his smile faded. He crossed his legs and traced his lips using his slender fingers.
He had taken interest over her personality, and he will make her realize one thing about life that she failed to understand.
Since then, day by day Baal would treat her for lunch and went home with her. Hinahatid niya pa ito sa isang mamahaling condominium unit na pag-aari umano ng kaniyang pamilya. She was wealthy, alright. That's what they thought.
It became his routine for a week and the people around them think they were already dating. Magkaiba man ang kurso ng mga ito ay nagkakaroon pa rin sila ng oras upang magsama at magkuwentuhan.
Baal continued to play interested towards her, while she was pretending to be the lovely girl that she is. It was easy for him to make her think that he'd fallen in love with her. And yes she may pretend that she's loving his company but Baal knew better. He knew she was just trying to lead him on because it will make her name even more fragrant.
Until the day came, Lilith transferred just in time. Sinadya ng binata na iwala ang atensyon kay Calla at ibaling iyon kay Lilith. Now he's having time with Lilith, walang palya iyon at araw-araw silang magkadikit lalo na't magkaklase ang mga ito.
The became the gossip trends of the university. Baal had the image of an asshole for jumping into one girl to another, but not when he explained that he and Calla were only best of friends and nothing more.
Baal was about to open the door in the cafeteria when he gently pushed the door to let Lilith came in first.
"Ladies first," Napairap na lang ang dalaga.
'Ladies first' is only invented for men to check out woman's ass.
So if you girls think it was a gentleman's gesture out of respect, then you're wrong.
Hindi maiwasang mapaismid ng dalaga nang mapansin ang mga titig at bulungan ng mga tao sa kanilang pag order hanggang sa makaupo na ang mga ito't kumain.
"Lilith and Baal looks good together, are they not?" Nagpatuloy sa pagkain si Lilith habang nakikinig sa mga bulungan ng mga tao. Baal on the other hand just shakes his head.
"What are these hoes saying?" Walang prenong tanong ni Lilith dito nang mapansing sa ilang araw nilang nanatili rito'y walang bukambibig ang mga ito kun'di Lilith, Baal, at Calla.
"And who is Calla? Your human sex toy?" Naibuga kaagad ni Baal ang iniinom niyang coke. He caughed and eyed at her like she just said something absurd.
"What the fuck are you even talking about, Lilith!" Mabilsi na rumolyo ang mata ng dalaga't napansing papasok ng cafeteria ang babaeng nag ngangalang Calla.
Ngumisi siya't dumampot ng table napkin sabay punas nito sa gilid ng labi ni Baal. She saw in her peripheral vision that Calla saw them. Natulala naman panandalian si Baal nang maramdaman kung gaano kaingat at kalambot ang mga kamay ng dalaga sa labi niya.
Hindi pinansin ni Lilith ang naging reaksyon ng binata bagkus ay sinundan niya lang ng tingin si Calla may dalang napakaraming pagkainsa tray na hawak niya. Mabilis na tumaas ang kilay niya nang makita kung gaano ito kapayat.
How can a small stomach handle all that food?
"I know what you're thinking." Aniya ni Baal matapos makabawi sa pagkatulala.
"As I've observed about her for a couple of weeks, she's trying to pretend someone she's not. She views herself as a perfect woman but acts like she's flawed to get their sympathy. She takes advantage of people's emotions and lowkey manipulating and gaslighting them." Dahil sa naging lintaya ni Baal ay napangisi si Lilith.
"Did you have fun?" Tumango si Baal. He had fun eating different types of food and delicacies as much as he had fun trying to mess with Calla's mind.
Out of frustration, Calla ate her food. Napakarami niyang binili pero wala siyang pakialam. Pinapakita niya sa mga taong malakas siya kumain para patunayan na kahit gaano karami ng kinakain niya'y hindi siya tumataba. Gusto niya lang na kainggitan siya ng mga ito. She wanted to make them feel their inferior.
Binuka niya ang bibig niya't sinubo ang pagkain niya. Nang dumako ang tingin niya sa puwesto ni Baal at sa babaeng kasama nito'y napahigpit ang paghawak niya sa kutsara. Now that Baal is no longer hanging out with her, and a gorgeous woman just transferred in the university, she felt like her popularity is slowly fading away.
She doesn't want that to happen. She want to get those attentions back. Kung hindi niya man makuhang ibalik ang loob ni Baal sa kaniya ay sisirain niya si Lilith sa harap ng maraming tao kung kinakailangan.
Napatigil sa pag-iisip si Calla nang maubos na ang pagkain niya. She stood up trying hard not to breath para lang hindi nila mapansin ang panlalaki ng tiyan niya dahil sa kabusugan. Naglakad na ito palabas ng cafeteria't sinundan lang ito ni Lilith ng tingin.
A few moments later, the bell rang. Ito ay senyales na tapos na ang tanghalian at magsisimula na ang klase. Imbis na pumasok sa klase ay sinundan ni Lilith ang daan na tinahak ni Calla kanina. Kibit balikat namang sumunod si Baal dito.
They found her sneaking in a bathroom far away from the classrooms kung saan wala masyadong nadaan na estudyante. Lumilinga-linga pa ito, making sure na walang nakakita sa kaniyang pumasok doon.
Isang ngisi ang kumawala sa labi ni Lilith nang mahulaan kung ano ang maaaring gawin niya roon. She crossed her arms and gaze at Baal who was patiently waiting for her next move. Tila ba'y nakasunod lang ito sa kaniya't nakabantay sa kung ano man ang binbabalak niyang gawin.
"Why don't you try and check her out?" Baal gave her a are-you-hella-serious look and Lilith just grabbed his left arm and pushed him to go near the bathroom.
Wala naman siyang choice kun'di ang sumunod, ito ay sa kadahilanang gusto niya rin malaman kung ano ang dahilan kung bakit pinapapunta siya roon ni Lilith. That was a woman's public bathroom for hell's sake. Kung mayroon mang puweding pumunta roon ay si Lilith lang, at kung hindi ba naman ito may saltik sa utak at siya pa talaga ang inutusan.
Malayo pa lang ay napakunot ang noo ni Baal nang marinig na tila ba may sumusuka sa loob ng banyo. When he stepped his foot on the door and hear her clearly, that's when his expression changed. Nawala ang emosyon sa kaniyang mukha nang mahinuha kung ano ang ginagawa ni Calla sa loob.
Pinipilit niya ang sarili niyang magsuka upang mailabas lahat ng kinakain niya. Kaya pala sinasabi niyang kahit gaano karami ang kinakain niya'y hindi siya tumataba. Baal, as the sin and demon of glutonny could not help himself but to scoff.
How could she waste food just like that?
Nagdaan ang ilang minuto ay patuloy na pinapakinggan ng binata ang walang pakundangang pagsuka ni Calla sa loob ng cubicle. He silently walk towards the wide bathroom sink and leaned his back as he waited for her.
Narinig niya ang pag flush ng tubig sa bowl kaya nakakasigurado siyang ilang segundo na lang ay lalabas na ito.
"Baal that damn jerk!" Kumalabog ang pader ng cubicle kaya nakagat ng binata ang ibabang bahagi ng labi niya upang pigilan ang sarili sa pagtawa.
"If I can't have you, no one else can!" Impit nitong sigaw na may halong frustrasyon sa boses.
And when she finally opened the door and saw him, her mouth widened in utter shock. Kumurap-kurap ito't muntik na mabuwal sa kinatatayuan kung hindi ito nakahawak sa hamba ng pintuan ng cubicle.
"A-ano ang g-ginawa mo rito?" Kinakabahan nitong tanong. Halata ang pagsasalisi ng mga mata nito na para bang hindi alam kung saan titingin.
Imbis sumagot ay nginisihan lang siya ng binata. Napalunok si Calla nang makita muli ang klase ng ngisi na iyon mula sa kaniya. Kinakabahan man ay sinubukan niyang huwag itong ipahalata. Naghugas ito ng kamay sa sink nang hindi pinapansin si Baal sa kaniyang tabi.
"So. . ." Tumigil sa paghugas ng kamay ang dalaga nang akmang magsasalita si Baal.
"Care to tell me why are y-"
"I am not trying to force myself to vomit! Why would I do that?!" Bulayaw nito.
"Oh? I'm not even done asking yet." Natatawang sagot nito sa kaniya.
She knew she sounded so defensive, and she hated the way how he looks at her as if he was trying to manipulate her thoughts and emotions. She knew those eyes very well. She knows when a person is manipulating her because she's been doing it all her life!
"Cat got your tongue now, Calla?"
"Hindi ko alam ang sinasabi mo! Saka bakit ka ba nandito?!"
"I was curious to know your secret, why you were so fit despite of hoarding a lot of food..." He grabbed her left wrist and trapped her in between his arm as she lean her back on the sink.
"Turns out..." Baal slightly tilted his head to whisper sweet nothings that made her shiver in shame.
"You were just another pitiful and worthless being who thinks she's superior above anyone else." Baal look at her face and nothing can compare to the satisfaction he felt when he saw her bloodshot eyes, insulted of the words he just said.
"But the truth is, you're just inferior as those of the dirty pigs in a rotten mud." Sa kabila ng panginginig ng kalamnan ni Calla sa galit dahil sa insultong natanggap nito sa binata ay ngumisi lang ito.
"I will tell everyone you tried to rape me!" At kung akala niya'y madadala niya sa pananakot ang isang demonyo'y nagkakamali siya.
"Hindi ka lang pala magaling magpanggap at magmanipula ng tao, magaling ka rin magsinungaling." Niluwagan ni Baal ang necktie ng uniporme na suot niya't tiningnan mula ulo hanggang paa si Calla.
"And rape you? Why would I? Even if I am a man, I have my own standards. And I don't think I'll get riled up with a woman having a body of an elementary kid." Halos umusok na ang ilong ni Calla sa insultong natatangap niya rito. Namumula na ang mata niya't ilang segundo na lang ay iiyak na ito sa galit.
Her emotions got the best of her and tried to strangle his neck ngunit bago niya pa iyon magawa ay nadulass ito sa sahig at tumama ang mukha niya sa nakausling kable ng steel bar sa gilid ng sink.
Tinitigan lang siya ni Baal sa sahig. Kitang-kita ang pagdanak ng dugo roon at ang pagkalat nito sa kaniyang kamay. Nahihirapan man ay sinubukan niyang tumayo habang nanginginig na nakatingin sa kamay niyang duguan.
When she managed to stood up and crawled closer to the mirror just above the sink, nanlumo ito nang makita ang isang napakahabang sugat sa kaniyang kaliwang pisngi. Sumigaw ito nang makita ang imahe ni Lilith sa salamin. She look back to check if she's there, pero wala naman doon ang dalaga.
When she look at the mirror again she shouted in horror to see Lilith was smiling at her. Pabalik-balik ang tingin niya sa harap at likuran at halos mabaliw siyang isipin kung paano niya nakikita roon si Lilith kung gayong wala naman ito sa kaniyang likuran.
"Boo hoo!" Pang-aasar nito sa kaniya habang tumatawa.
Now she can see Baal and Lilith in the mirror, and when their eyes suddenly turned red she cried in terror. Napaupo ito sa sahig habang sumisigaw. Nakaramdam din siya ng pagkalam ng sikmura niya. Hindi niya alam kung bakit pero parang nagugutom siya, and at the same time nasusuka.
When she vomitted on the floor she was terrified to see insects and maggots. Napahawak ito sa kaniyang leeg. Halos hindi ito makapagsalita sa pandidiring nagmula ang iba't-ibang insekto at mga uod na iyon sa kaniyang bibig. As much as she wanted to stop herself from throwing up, she can't.
Patuloy lang siya sa pagsuka't walang tigil din sa paglabas ng mga nakakadiring insekto sa bibig niya. She was crying hardly as the bathroom floor filled with her saliva and filthy bugs and pests. Lalo lang itong umiyak nang magsimulang gumapang sa katawan niya ang mga uod.
"Maraming tao ang nagugutom, Calla. You are blessed you could eat three meals a day when others starve themselves." Malamig na wika ni Baal habang nakadekwatrong nakaupo sa sink. Nakayuko ito habang nakatingin sa kaniya nang walang kahit na anong bahid ng emosyon sa mukha.
"S-stop. . .p-please. . ." Baal closed his eyes when it reminded him of how the dead souls used to plead for his mercy.
"Iyang nararanasan mo? It's not even half of what awaits you in hell." Matigas nitong wika habang pinapanood kung paano magsuka si Calla sa kaniyang harapan.
"You will be whipped and starved into a freezing dimension," panimula nito.
"Then you will be given a chance to eat in place full of filth and mud." Nahintatakutan si Calla nang makita ang saglitang paglabas ng pangil nito.
"Hanggang sa mawalan ka na ng gana sa pagkain at kainin mo ang mga kasama at sarili mo hanggang sa mamatay ka." This time, Baal laughed like a fucking lunatic.
"You will be treated worse than those of the pigs." Tumigil sa pagsuka si Calla't hingal na hingal itong napasandal sa pader habang nakapikit ang mga mata.
"And if you will not change, I will be waiting for you in the Third Circle of Hell, Calla Cruz."
Ilang minutong katahimikan ang bumalot sa banyo. Hindi na niya narinig ang boses ni Baal o ni Lilith pero nararamdaman niya pa rin ang malagkit na likido sa pisngi niya't ang nakakadiring suka sa sahig kung saan siya nakasalampak.
When she opened her eyes she bit her lower lips. Something was written in the mirror that made her realize every stupid things she did just to become what she is right now.
"𝑳𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆. 𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒓."-𝑳𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒉
That's right. She treated life as if it was a competition and she doesn't wanna be left out. She always want to lead the race. Kaya kahit anong paraan ay gagawin niya basta lumamang sa ibang tao.
And yes, she was afraid of being inferior. She don't want to be treated low, a trash, poor and dumbass bitch. Kaya kailangan niya magpanggap na mayaman at magpanggap na nakatira sa isang mamahaling condo unit kung ang totoo'y nasa likod naman ng building na iyon ang totoong bahay niya.
That's why she would force herself to be perfect in front of everyone else to be respected. She wanted them to feel envy towards her, to feel that she's above them and they're nothing near her level. She took advantage of their differences just to make others around her feel pity to themselves.
It's now she realized that she maybe superior to others, but her thoughts were far more inferior than them. She's the worse. Humans are the worst.
GLC| GOLUCKYCHARM