Nicole's POV
Nasa Student Council room na naman ako. Inaasikaso ko kasi ang dalawang bagong transfer. This should be the teacher's job, pero as the heiress, kailangan ko rin mapag-aralan ang mga lower handworks na ito. I volunteered to this anyway, so I have to register them in the DepEd's website. They're transferred out from Paris' famous private school. It's great that mabilis sila mag-respond sa request ng school regarding their Form 137. Napadali tuloy ang trabaho ko because of my family's connections. Nakita ko ang grades nila, bagay sila sa Class 2-A. I felt proud of my sister all of a sudden. Bukod sa pagiging journalist ng school nila, ay naging essayist din siya. Thus, she maintained her 90s above grades. At Volleyball player pa siya doon. I remembered talking with her coach. He knew how to speak in English, that's why. Nalulungkot daw sila dahil nawala ang isa sa pinakamagaling na libero nila. I told him I would let Miley join the school's Volleyball team para hindi masayang ang galing ng kapatid ko. I know she loves playing. May try outs naman this week.
I heaved a deep sigh when I finally finished inserting all the files and records in my laptop. Thereafter, I found myself stretching my arms. "It's time."
Rinig ko ang bulungan ng ibang nga council members.
"Ang ganda ni Pres 'no? Lalo na kapag work mode. Naka-eye glasses pa oh."
"Neng, walang Aihara na panget."
"Meron naman siguro."
"Kita mo 'yung gurl sa labas ba may kasamang gwapo? Kapatid niya 'yun. Tas 'yung isa, kapatid ni Fafa Ren."
"Na-link din? Diba may rumor din kay Pres at hottie AJ?"
I faked a cough. Napatigil naman sila.
"Work first. Hindi kayo pinagkatiwalaan ng mga estudyante para ukupuhan ang pwestong 'yan para lamang magtsismisan." Tila nanigas sila sa puwesto nila.
"Opo, President." Napa-buntong hininga ulit ako. "Get back to work, may kailangan lang akong puntahan."
Lumabas na ako sa SC room at tumungo sa waiting room. Naroon kasi sila Miley at Josh. I asked them to wait there dahil nga waiting room 'yon diba? Hayst.
"Nikka Miley Aihara and Alxyne Josh Ren." pagtawag ko sa mga pangalan nila. Agad naman silang napatayo at sinalubong ako ng malaking ngiti.
It's actually very... I mean they have a very charming friendship. Hindi nadungisan ng pag-aaway namin ng kapatid ni Josh ang pagkakaibigan nila. It's like they're stuck in their own world.
"Ate Nicole?" I snapped back to reality when Maycee called me.
Then again, I faked a cough.
"Since you two don't know much about the place, because there are certain changes, we will tour you around. As planned."
"Later on, you'll have to introduce yourselves in your new class." I added, and the nodded as a reply. On cue, dumating sila Mika.
"Should we tour them now?" tanong nito. Tumango naman ako.
And so we started touring them. To the garden, campus grounds, botanical garden, sa fountain, halos sa buong lugar na. Huli lang naman naming pupuntahan ang likod ng school. Doon naganap ang Dance of the Nights. Pati na rin ang evening events, hosting events, at iba pa.
"Ate Nicole, I could still remember how you teased my brother. Ugly Jerk? Pwede ring Ugly Stupid Monster." Natatawang banggit ni Josh. Napailing na rin ako.
"Kumpara sa kanya at kay Gian, mas Monster si Gian." I mentioned. Naalala ko kasi ang ginawa niya kay Mika. Which is unforgivable, but we settled things out. I know he followed AJ's orders. Kaya in the end, si AJ pa rin ang pinakamalaking gago si storya. Bukod sa matalino at maparaan siya, he's still the biggest jerk. (English translation lang alam ko.)
"May gusto ka kay Kuya Gian?" tanong ni Josh. Ginulo ko naman ang buhok niya. At nakita ko kung paano napatingin si Mika sa akin, si Steph naman ay kausap lang si Maycee.
Mika looked at me with cautious eyes. Para bang... hinihintay niya kung si Mayor Digong ang mananalo sa presidency. Ganon. The eyes which placed me on the seat of curiousness.
"Madalas kaming napa-partner sa isa't isa. But that doesn't mean I like him." I answered, at sa peripheral vision ko ay napa-buntong hininga si Mika.
I know how to play this game.
"But who knows? I might eventually like him." Dagdag ko. Again, Mika looked at me.
Nahuli ka na, Aguilar. Halatang-halata.
So mukhang hindi ako ang uunang puputol sa tradisyon?
Nakarating na kami sa likod ng school, at doon nakita namin si AJ. He was busy with some things I don't know. Are those cartolinas? Mukhang may masipag rin na side ang panget na gagong 'to.
Napapadalas na rin ang pagmumura ko. Should I pray over to the so called Hong Jisoo? Ah, madalas siyang bukang bibig ng mga kababaihan sa school. I did my research too.
Research? Diba sinusuot 'yon pantaas? (T-shirt 'yon, gaga.)
"USM!" I yelled out his name, which made Steph and the remaining gals look at me. Kahit ako at nagulat sa pagsigaw ko. Napatingin naman si autistic sa akin. He was also in his eye glasses. Aba, manggagaya.
Sabagay, Nicole, ikaw lang ba ang dapat naka-eye glasses sa school na 'to? 'Wag kang selfish.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, jumping from the stage.
Ay, ninja?
"Bawal ba? You don't own the place." I retorted back.
"Hindi ikaw, hot Pres. Sila Josh ang tinatanong ko. Pero sige, ganyan ka ka-possessive eh." Tila nalukot ang ekspresyon ko. My brows twitched in annoyance.
"Ugly jerk." I mumbled, balling my fists. Bwisit siya.
"Ate Nicole's touring us. As AA's consistent Student Council President." sagot ni Maycee. She must've noticed the atmosphere.
"Is that so. The other reason's to see me right? Ganyan mo talaga ako ka-mahal, Pres 'no?" Hangal talaga 'to. Nagtagis naman ang akong bagang. Ilang description na ba ang naihahalintulad ko dito?
"Don't talk to me, ugly jerk."
"Ang ganda naman ng call sign niyo." Sumulpot ang isa pang gago, ang pinsan ko. Isa pa 'tong autistic eh. Nakita ko naman kung papaano ang pagtadyak ni Steph sa kanya. It wasn't because he surprised her, but it was because of his taunting actions. And I admit, t'was effective. Pinalalabas niya ang kasamaan sa katawan ko.
t'was? Diba linalagay sa kili-kili 'yon? (Nakakailan ka na.)
"Sabi ko nga mananahimik na ako."
Pinilit kong pakalmahin ang sarili ko ng iligtas ako ni Josh sa katahimikan. They were all talking to each other, pero napansin ko ang pananahimik ni Mika. It was unusual. Very unusual. Ni minsan hindi nananahimik si Mika. As far as I know, mula ng iligtas ko siya noong mga bata pa kami, ay hindi na siya nananahimik pa. She never stopped talking, dahil kapag tumitigil daw siya sa pagsasalita ay naaalala niya ang nakaraan.
But her actions bothers me a lot.
Don't tell me naaalala niya nga?
"Mika, what's wrong?" tanong ko. Mukhang naibalik ko naman siya sa realidad. Ngumiti siya ng matamlay.
At hindi ko nagustuhan iyon. She's hiding something. Something I'll find out sooner or later.
"AJ," she called out his name, "Have you seen Gian?" tanong niya.
Akala ko ba ayaw niya kay AJ? What happened? Bakit parang ang gaan gaan ng pakikipag-usap niya sa lalaking 'to? What is wrong with her?
"Well, angel-looking girl? I haven't– spin around, he's here." Napalingon na agad kami dahil sa sinabi niya. There, the Vice President stood with his hand tucked in his pocket. I could barely see his lips tugging into a smile.
He never smiles.
"Nakakatuwa naman at hinahanap mo ako." he said. Agad naman nagpaalam yung dalawang bata dahil mukhang alam nilang hindi dapat sila manatili pa.
This was unexpected. Ang alam ko inutusan ng Head si Yuh na i-check ang ibang facilities, 'tas kunin ang mga legal reports and records.
"I have to go." Tumalikod na si Mika at umalis. Mukhang si Gian ang dahilan ng pananahimik niya. Ngunit bakit? I'm sure something happened. At malalaman ko rin kung ano nga ang nangyare mamaya.
"We should get going too. I gotta treat my queen a meal to satisfy her hunger and–" Pinatigil ko siya. Ang pinsan ko nagpapaka-prodigy na naman. "So, ayun. G'bye folks! Kitakitzxc!" Napasapo ako sa noo. Naawa rin ako kay Steph dahil binuhat siya paalis ni Bungal. Napakaraming pagbabago. Ang aga pa.
This isn't suppose to be happening so fast. Hindi dapat ganto. But who am I to control my bestfriends' lives? Ako lang naman ang nagligtas sa kanila. That doesn't mean kailangan na nila magtanim ng utang na loob. I should thank them for secretly pulling me out of my misery.
If only we could go back to that time, maybe you'll understand.
"Oh, eto 'yung pinabibili mo, AJ. Alis na ako." pagbasag ni Gian sa katahimikan. Tinapik pa nito ang tuktok ng ulo ko bago umalis. "Kita na lang tayo sa Student Council room, Nicole."
"Nagpapahawak ka kay Gian? Matinde. Hokage moves." Maaangas nitong sabi. Inirapan ko naman siya.
"Si Gian kasi, matino. Ikaw, abnormal. Tsk." Tumalikod na lamang ako at hindi na nagsalita pa. Ganon rin naman siya. Mukhang mas importante ang ginagawa niya kaysa sa panlalandi niya sa akin.
pang-iinis* Ang assuming lang, Aihara. Just because his name sounds foreign Japanese to you ibig sabihin non pwede na. You can never fall for a guy who almost ruined your whole family. You can never fall for a guy who indiscreetly stole your first kiss. You can never fall for a guy whose name is Andrei Jeus Ren.
Love is not in your vocabulary. The general romance love isn't. You won't waste your time on this desponding shit. You won't, Nicole. And you shouldn't.
But aside from that, one thing's been bothering me... and we all know who it is.
Mika's POV
Pamura ng isa. Hindi sa inyo kundi para sa akin. Pakitadtad ako ng mura, please. 'Wag mahal kasi mura nga diba?
Why the heck did I just ask about Gian's whereabouts?! What is happening to you Mikaella? This is happening too fast you can't even keep up. You're suppose to nurture the tradition, not be the I'd-give-up-this-easily-and-gladly-do-the-honor! You swore to yourself Mikaella, panindigan mo.
Don't overthink! Don't even nag. Just don't.
"Fudge why is this so confusing?! Ayoko na. Ayoko na. Mikaella, tama na. This is pure b-b-bull cow!" I can't even cuss directly! This is hopeless.
Pero bakit nga ba sarili ko lang sinisisi ko dito? Dapat siya! Aba. Hindi ko hiniling na iligtas niya ako.
Pero...
"Hoy bulate." Muntikan na akong mapatalon sa kaba ng marinig ko ang boses niya. Destiny, aba. Kota ka na. Ano?! Fite me, Destiny! Fite me!
Huminga na lang ako ng malalim at tumalikod. Nakita ko naman ang arogante mukha niya. His lips— it's still wearing that f-f-fanning smile! Ugh. Thank my parents for being a good example at hindi nila tinuro sa akin ang pagmumura. God, thank you rin.
We had a short eye contact bago siya humakbang palapit sa akin.
"Stop stepping back, Mikaella. Lumapit ka dito." naiirita niyang sita sa akin. Ayoko! Saan ba sa kinikilos ko ang hindi nagpapatunay sa salitang 'yon. Ano ba, Gian. Presensiya mo pa lang nakaka-ano na.
Bigla naman lumala ang hilong nararamdaman ko. Nanlabo na ng tuluyan ang paningin ko at unti-unti 'ring nagsara ng kusa ang mga mata ko. Before I could utter his name, nasambot na niya ako sa pagkakahimatay.
"Fu— Mika!— sa clinic." Pati ba naman sa isip ko choppy 'rin. Though those are the last incoherent words I heard bago ako tuluyan mawalan ng malay.
*•*•*•*•*•*
I stirred from sleep ng maramdaman ko ang init ng comforter at ang lamig ng lugar na kinaroroonan ko. At first medyo malabo pa rin ang paningin ko, pero agad rin naman luminaw ng mapadapo ang tingin ko sa isang natutulog na lalaki.
monster* Natutulog na monster. The great Student Council Vice President— no other than Gian Dave Yuh himself. My exact opposite. Bakit narito 'yan? It's impossible na nanatili siya para bantayan ako.
Is he that serious?
"Ah, you're already awake. Fatigue and stress combined, Miss Aguilar. Light fever as well, perhaps due to playing under the rain for too long?" Napa-arko naman agad ang kilay ko.
"You—" she cut me off with a sentence. Don't me, Nurse number 1 ha.
"I saw you yesterday." Nakangiting sambit nito. She's pretty, but looks can be deceiving. Natutunan ko 'yan kahapon. "By the way, he brought you here. You should thank him for that, he was hell worried when he entered the clinic. Kulang na lang ay i-bribe niya ako ng napakalaking halaga ng pera para lang makasama ka niya dito hanggang magising ka. He looks scared as well for some reason I don't know. But that's no longer involved in my lines of concern, I just thought you should know. Anyways, I'll be going ahead."
He saved me? I don't care. Pero, ang samahan niya ako dito hanggang magising ako– should I say thanks? I'm actually expecting Nicole or Steph, but him?
Nang bumaba ulit ang mata ko upang tignan ang natutulog na monster sa tabi ko, napagtanto ko na gising na siya.
Matagal kaming nagkatitigan.
ABORT MISSION NA!
I faked a cough and laid down again, facing the other side to avoid creating another silent staring contest with him. If looks can be deceiving, I'm sure a pair of brown orbs could still lie. This is the cons of being a cynical woman.
•flashback•
Naglalakad ako papunta sa parking lot. I wasn't sure kung bakit ako dinala ng mga paa ko papunta rito. I didn't bring my car with me. I was aware, pero parang hindi kasi papayag 'yung puso ko na hindi ako pumunta dito. I felt like something else was suppose to happen. Nangyayari din ba 'to sa inyo?
But after a minute or so, nalaman ko na rin kung bakit. Pero magulo.
Nakita ko si Gian na may kausap na babae. The girl was crying, and Gian stood still, staring at the crying girl with his normally cold gaze. I also stood there, watching them. Aalis na dapat sana ako kaso bigla nang pinagbuhatan ni Gian ng kamay ang babae– he also shouted at her.
Agad na rin nanlaki ang mga mata ko. You don't do that to girls! Wala na bang natitirang respeto 'to sa katawan?!
Being the Mary Mikaella who hated the sight, I couldn't just act blind eye with this. Hindi ko pwedeng palampasin 'to! Habang buhay kong pagsisisihan na hindi ko natulungan ang babae at hindi ko napagsabihan si Gian. He need to learn morals at least!
"Gian, what the hell did you just do?! Bakit mo siya sinampal?" Wala na akong pake kung exaggerated man ang pagtawag ko sa kanya.
"Miss Mika, sinampal niya ako." Naiiyak na pagsumbong ng babae. Teka bakit bigla akong nainis? Ugh.
"Alam ko, I'm not blind." sagot ko sa kanya bago ko hinarap si monster. "Hoy halimaw, kung gusto mo magpatuloy ang magandang pagtingin sa'yo ng kababaihan, have some morals and learn the word respect! Hindi ka iniluwal ng nanay mo para manakit ng babae! Are you out of your mind?!"
Pero hindi niya ako pinansin. Aba, ang alam ko hindi ako pinanganak para i-snobin ng halimaw na 'to.
"Stop acting like you're so kind, Arren. Hindi bagay sa'yo." Lalo namang humagulgol ang babae.
"Gian ano ba!" sita ko sa kanya, ayaw papigil eh.
"Tsk. Napaka-tanga." bulong nito bago tumalikod. Doon pa lang alam kong tigil na siya. Time first kumbaga.
"Alam mo, napakabait mo Mika." Agad namang sumilay ang ngiti sa mukha ko.
"Hehe, thank you!"
".. pero have you ever heard of the phrase 'looks can be deceiving'? 'Yan pagiging sobrang bait mo ang maglalagay sa'yo sa kapahamakan." Nung una tila naguguluhan ako sa sinasabi niya, pero nang makita ko ang hawak niya sa likod, aga na nanlaki ang mata ko at nanigas ako sa tinatayuan ko. I couldn't even move my knees, they were shaking terribly.
"Ituloy mo 'yan at huling hinga mo na 'to."
Hindi ko na narinig pa ang susunod nilang paguusap. Nakita ko na lang ang sarili ko na hinihila papalayo ni Yuh. Magkahawak ang kamay namin and Arren was no where to be found. Hindi ko alam ang nangyare basta ang mahalaga ngayon– ligtas ako. Well, ata?
"You alright?"
"Ikaw kaya tutukan ng kung ano man 'yon, magiging maayos ka?!" Pabalang kong sagot. Gosh, ganto na ba kabobo si Gian?
"I haven't told you yet na hindi ako nagagalit ng walang dahilan." he said, tightening his grip on my hand.
Nanahimik na lang ako. So that's why he was angry– psycho pala ang babaeng 'yon at obsessed sa kanya. How great. How cliché. How unfortunate.
"Why did you save me?"
"Anyone would do what I did for you." I stayed silent. "Pero hindi ako napapasama sa anyone na 'yon. I play sometimes, Mika. And by playing, I always chose consequences. I never stood up for the truth." Dagdag pa niya, "You wanna know the prize of saving you? It's not money because I'm on the same ride as you. But it's me liking you and making you fall for me."
"Ano? Gago ba you?"
"Wow, you cussed. For the first time. What I meant is, I'm starting to like you. And I'm gonna make you fall for me. No buts dahil 'yon ang consequence. It's a fun game, right?"
"Bring back Gian, hindi ikaw si Gian."
"Oh really? Hn, think again Mika." At kasabay 'non ang pagkawala ng una kong halik.
•end of flashback•
"You're still not gonna say thank you for saving you twice?" Napairap naman ako. Paki-mute nga 'tong lalaking 'to. Aish, ayoko marinig boses niya.
"Hindi kita pinakiusapang iligtas ako."
"Okay. Let's just say naka-puntos ako sa'yo." Nakangising nitong sabi. Napakagulo ng lahat. Naiiirita ako.
"Tama na 'to. Bring back the old Gian. You're creeping me out."
"This is the old Gian. Don't you know that every person has two sides? Welcome to the latter side, Mika. What happened last time made me realize I can't lose you." I repeat, hindi ito si Gian. He can't be Gian.
Magsasalita na sana ako ng pumasok ang hindi ko inaasahang bisita— nung una lang. Si Nicole at Steph. No boys except Gian.
"I heard what happened, are you alright?" Tanong ni Nicole, while Steph on the other hand was furrowing her brows at Gian.
"Why are you here?"
"I picked your friend here, para naman hindi kahiya-hiya ang madadatnan niyo diba? Nagmagandang loob pa ako. Anyways, I'll go now." Tumayo na ito pero naramdaman ko pa ang paghaplos niya sa kamay ko.
Shit.
I did not just feel electricity.
-
A/N: hehehe, kiligmats :D