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A/N:
Hello kay Marvh30wolf! Matagal na kitang napapansin sa pagvote mo sa chapters ng HD. Thank you so much! 😘😘 para sayo tong chapter na to.
HAPPY 2K READS!! THANK YOU SO MUCH KASI PANG 10TH CHAPTER PA LANG ANDAMI NANG NAGBABASA! SALAMAT PO NANG MARAMI! :)
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Dangerous Encounter #10.1
I was just staring at the window that night. Then a tear fell down from my eye. I felt so hopeless. I tried to escape from the grip of the rope that wrapped tightly around my lower arms. But then instead I fell down sidewards with the chair. That moment, my vision got blurry and the tears started running down to my cheeks. I felt really helpless. My body was aching. I looked down, I pitied myself for the wounds and large bruises I got.
What have I done? What have I done to get this far? Was it really my fault?
"There you are again, tryin' to escape?" A voice said in low sharp tone. I didn't mind what it was saying, I just tried to pull my hands from the rope, even though I know I'd fail to escape. I laid my head on the floor. I was barely breathing. I shut my eyes.
I heard some footsteps walking towards my direction. I opened my eyes and my vision got blurry. I looked up and saw a figure. It sat in front of me then hold my lower face tightly. I groaned in pain. Its fingernails were burying in my cheeks. I blinked my eyes many times, but I could barely recognize the figure.
Then a tear escaped from my eye.
"Kahit anong gawin mo, akin ka. Hinding-hindi ka na makakawala sakin." Then it let out a furious laugh. I felt a hand running through my hair, "Aalagaan kita. Genie. Akin ka lang."
I opened my eyes and sat up quickly. Shit, another nightmare again. Ilang beses na akong nananaginip ng ganito. Akala ko totoo na. I gritted my teeth.
Niyakap ko ang sarili ko. I bit my lip and realized that my heart was pounding. I took a deep breath then squeezed my eyes shut. That was only a bad dream, Genie, don't worry about it. It will never ever happen. It was only a nightmare. Get over yourself.
I again opened my eyes. I shook my head, removed the comforter over me and hopped out of the bed. As I walked towards the bathroom, I massaged my temple with my index and middle finger and blinked my eyes many times. Before I entered, I glanced at the wall clock and it was 3 mins before 3 in the morning.
I reached for the faucet and turn it on. I washed my face with water 3 times. I grabbed the towel behind me and dried my face. I swung the towel back to the rack.
Sighing heavily, I went back to bed. I was about to cover myself up with the comforter, when suddenly my phone vibrated. I picked it up. An unregistered number was calling me. I frowned. Sino naman kaya ang tatawag sakin nang ganitong oras?
Hesitating, I touched the green colored phone button and swiped it to the right. I was lightly shaking when I put the phone on my ear.
"H-hello?" I mumbled.
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Then there was no response.
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"Who's this?" I asked the other line.
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But then. Still. There was no answer.
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"Hello?!" I said, my voice was shaking.
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No answer.
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I was shaking literally. Gosh. I squeezed my eyes shut then exhaled heavily, "Please, whoever you are, just please, stop fooling me. This is not funny. You're literally scaring the shit out of me!" I exclaimed furiously. Kasi naman diba? Kahit na naman sino matatakot kapag may tumawag sayo ng ganitong oras ng gabi tapos unregistered number pa tapos hindi man lang sumasagot pag naghehello ka? The f*ck. For pete's sake, I'm alone in my bedroom!
I gritted my teeth. Shit. Pag talaga nakilala ko kung sino man ang tumatawag na to, papatayin ko talaga.
"Look, if you've got nothing to say, I'll just hang up." I was about to put my phone down nang may narinig akong nagsalita mula sa kabilang linya.
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"Ingat ka palagi, Genevieve." Then it hung up.
That left my mouth hanging open. From my hand, my phone fell down to the matress. I blinked my eyes. Shit. That line.
Posible kayang siya yun? Yung taong nagligtas sakin?
No.
It's completely impossible.
Pero kung siya man yon, paano?
Paano naman?
At sino siya?
So many questions were continuously popping out in my head. I leaned back against the headboard. I bit my lip and again reached for my phone and texted Lily.
To: Lily San Pedro
July 23, 2015; 3:15am
Are you up already?
I bit my thumb as hard as I can then my phone vibrates immediately.
From: Lily San Pedro
July 23, 2015; 3:15am
Yep. Doing some morning chores, why?
I sighed and quickly replied,
To: Lily San Pedro
July 23, 2015; 3:16am
Nothing. I just couldn't sleep.
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From: Lily San Pedro
July 23, 2015; 3:18am
Were you up all night? Bakit hindi nakatulog?
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To: Lily San Pedro
July 23, 2015; 3:19am
Nope. Nagising lang ako bigla dahil nanaginip ako ng masama.
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Then she didn't reply immediately. I thought she was really busy. After 10 mins, my phone finally vibrated.
From: Lily San Pedro
July 23, 2015; 3:29am
Oh I see. Are you alright? I could stop what I'm doing and come over if you want.
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To: Lily San Pedro
July 23, 2015; 3:30am
No. No. It's okay. Ituloy mo lang yan ginagawa mo.
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From: Lily San Pedro
July 23, 2015; 3:32am
Are you sure about that?
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Are you sure about that?
For a few seconds, I was just staring at my phone's screen, unsure of what I was going to reply to her.
Well then, okay, the usual.
To: Lily San Pedro
July 23, 2015; 3:34am
Yeah. :)
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From: Lily San Pedro
July 23, 2015; 3:35am
Okay then, but if you need something or if you need an accompany, don't doubt to call or text me. Claro?
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Her text made me smile lightly. This girl really cares for me.
Still beaming, I replied to her text message,
To: Lily San Pedro
July 23, 2015; 3:36am
Yes ma'am ;)
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From: Lily San Pedro
July 23, 2015; 3:36am
Try to get some sleep again. Love yah. ♡
And with that, I proped myself up under the comforter. I was up until 6am. All throughout, I just stared at the ceiling, cause I know I wouldn't be able to get some sleep this morning because of what happened a while ago.
A terrible nightmare then a mysterious phone call? What a great day to start with, really.
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July 23, 2015; Thursday, 9:52am
"So anong nangyari kahapon sa detention?" French, who was in front of me, plastered her biggest beam on her face.
My eyes went up, I glared at her. Her eyesbrows wiggled as if she assumed something had happened between the two of us. Seriously, I want to punch her face. Kanina pa to nangungulit eh.
"Eyes on your paper please?! Puro ka chika. Ikaw na kaya ang susunod na tatawagin para magrecite." I retorted quietly.
"Whatever. Mamaya ha?" She mouthed then wiggled her eyebrows again. Nilakihan ko siya ng mata at tumawa siya ng mahina.
I rolled my eyes. Ang sarap lang talagang sapakin. I ran a hand through my hair and focused on what I was memorizing.
"Genie, may naghahanap yata sayo sa labas." Sabi ni Lily na nakalingon sa kin.
"Ha? Asan?" I raised my brows.
"Ayun oh." She whispered.
I tilted my head sidewards. Nakita ko mula sa salamin ng pintuan si Laurence. He smiled and waved his hand. May itinaas siya na papel, and he mouthed, "Quizbee." Ngitian ko lang siya pabalik at nagkibit-balikat ako.
"Okay. Very good." Mr. Del Mundo, our Philippine Literature professor, commented as Joanna walked towards her seat.
"Next is.." He said and he scanned his record. His eyes went down then up, "Ms. Gonzales."
See? I was right.
I looked at French as she got up from her chair and walked towards the ministage. I could say that she was nervous cause she couldn't stop playing with her fingers.
She took a deep breath and starts immediately. "Today, I'll be telling you guys a story and this was from Region 5, Bicol Region. And the story was entitled 'The Legend of Mayon Volcano'."
She then started to orate, narrating her piece. I placed my palm under my chin. I looked down to my paper I was holding. I was memorizing my piece for almost three hours. Then suddenly my mind began drifting me to my recent thoughts this morning. Halos di talaga siya nawala sa isip ko. Obviously, it bothered me still.
Pero sino nga kaya yun? Bakit niya ako tinawagan? Could it be him? But how could that be possible?
I rolled my eyes. Baka nantitrip lang yon, Genie. Pero wala naman akong barkadang lalaki eh. Sus, baka wrong number lang. Don't me, Genie, tinawag ka niyang Genevieve.
I sighed and glanced at my wristwatch.
9:58am.
Ang tagal namang magtime.
"Genie!!!"
I startled as I blinked my eyes quickly. I looked up and raised my brows. French was snapping her fingers in front of me, "Wh-what?"
"Ikaw na ang susunod na magrerecite." She muttered quietly. I opened my mouth and nodded. I swallowed hardly.
Hestitating, I stood and headed towards the ministage. I shoved the paper into the pocket of my jeans.
I bit my lip and turn around to face my classmates. I cleared my throat then started speaking, "Morning."
I took a deep breath and glanced at our professor. "I'm about to narrate the story of Biag Ni Lam-Ang."
I played with my fingers while telling the story. This is my usual habit whenever I'm nervous with what I'm doing. I looked at the back and saw Ian staring at me. A very deep stare. His expression is blank. I swallowed hardly again, looked away, and started reciting.
All eyes on me, obviously. I was still playing with my hands while speaking. Even Lily, well, haha, she stopped writing to listen to me. This is so not her.
"...The headhunters threw spears at him, but he just catches it and throws it back to them. He defeated the headhunters, killed them all and took his father's head down to the plains..."
As I was in the middle of orating, my eyes dropped on that guy again. He was still staring at me.
"...Despite his mother's disapproval, he follows his heart and set off again on another journey to h-his--"
Napatigil ako sa pagsasalita nang magsalubong ang mga mata namin. Sinubukan kong magsalita pero walang lumalabas ng salita mula sa bibig ko. Ano ba yan, Genie?! Parang hindi ikaw si Genie. Bakit ba apektado ka masyado sa titig niya?
"Ms. Sandoval?"
Nakakainis. Nawawala ako sa konsentrasyon.
"Ms. Sandoval."
Genie, mag-concentrate ka nga!
"Ms. Carlisle Sandoval." Maawtoridad na sinabi ni Mr. Del Mundo na ikinagulat ko. Napatingin ako sa kanya.
"Is there something wrong? Why did you stop?"
"U-uhm." I blinked my eyes. Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa mga kaibigan ko at sa propesor namin.
"Ms. Sandoval? What's the matter?"
"I-I just.." I shook my head. "S-sorry. I just lost my concentration, Sir. I'll just continue."
He nodded his head, "Kindly please."
I gave me him a weak smile. I cleared my throat and continued, "Despite his mother's disapproval, he follows his heart and set off again on another journey to his love. He faces one of Ines' suitors and various monsters, but again is able to vanquish them with ease.
"Aiding him are his magical pets, a dog, and a rooster. The bird flaps its wings and a house toppled over. This feat amazes everyone present, especially Ines.
"Then, Lam-ang's dog barks and the house rose up. Invited to lunch with the family of Ines, Lam-ang impresses her parents with his wealth and upon returning, he gives the family two golden ships. Their nuptials are celebrated with a lot of feasting.
"After his death due to being eaten by a huge fish, Lam-ang's bones are recovered and he is resurrected with the help of his magical pets. Ines is ordered by the rooster to wrap the bones with her tapis while the hen flapped its wings and the dog growled. In an instant, Lam-ang is happily reunited with his wife."
I bowed my head and heard a round of applause. And he clapped his hands. I returned to my seat.
"Okay, good. Ms. Sandoval." Mr. Del Mundo stood and headed towards the table at the center. "The remaining students and those who were absent today will be reciting next meeting. Please remind them, understand?"
"Yes, Mister." We all said in chorus."
He got his bag and continued, "Okay then, class dismissed."
I stood, grabbed my bag and put it on my shoulder as I stepped out of the room.
"Genie, Bree tara na. Nagugutom na talaga ako." Sabi ni French na nasa may lockers.
Nilingon ko si Bree sa likod ko, "Ano yung susunod nating subject?"
"Ahh, wait lang." Chineck niya ang sched na sa likod ng ID niya. "PE bes."
I sighed. Oo nga pala. PE ang subject namin after lunch. Tsk. Shemay. Nakalimutan kong kunin kanina yung uniform sa locker ko.
"Bree, mauna na kayo sa cafeteria. Kukunin ko lang yung uniform ko sa locker." Sabi ko sa kanya.
"Huh? Mamaya ka na magpalit! After nating kumain." She groaned.
"Kunin ko lang. Wag kang OA." Inirapan ko siya.
She gave me a wide smile, "Hihihi. Peace."
"Whatever, sige na. Habulin mo na sila French." I nodded my head. She just smiled and headed to cafeteria downstairs.
Agad akong pumunta sa locker areas malapit sa may CET dean's office. Kinuha ko sa bulsa ng bag ko ang susi at nang nasa tapat na ko nang locker ko, agad ko itong binuksan. Kinuha ko sa taas ang nakatuping PE uniform ko at binalik sa kinalalagyan ang Philippine Literature textbook na ginamit ko kanina.
Napalingon ako sa gilid ng locker ko and scanned the tasks I am going to do this week.
Napahilamos ako nang hindi oras. Shit. Hindi ko pala tapos yung tatlong lab reports sa Physics na deadline bukas. Ang daming gagawin. Mukhang hindi ako makakapunta sa next shoot namin.
Huminga ako ng malalim, at sinara ang pinto ng locker. I made my way to cafeteria. Padaan ako sa may badminton area ng may marinig akong mga boses.
"Shizzz, girl. Siya talaga nagbigay sa'yo?"
"Oo nga!"
"As in, personally?"
"Yes, personally!"
"Nakakainggit ka naman!"
"Oo nga, jusko."
"Well, girls, ganun talaga pag maganda."
Napairap ako bigla. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, malamang sila Ara na naman yan.
"So ano? Papayag ka ba?"
"I don't know."
"Sumali ka na Aya! The last time I checked ikaw ang pinakamatalino sa College of Accountancy."
"Sus, kung siya yung partner ko, sige sasali ako."
"Inaagawan mo ko. Sa akin si Laurence noh!"
Laurence?
As in Laurence Montenegro?
"Girl, Aecie, hindi kayo bagay ni Laurence honey."
"Oo nga. Sa akin siya bagay noh."
"Shut up, Ara, sa akin si Laurence."
"Whatever, edi kay Zac na lang ako. Mas hot pa."
"Let's get back to the topic. So Laurence told me na hindi lang ako ang mag-isang lalaban dito. May kasama ako. Lahat daw nang nabigyan ng invitation sa iba't ibang department, mageexam then kung sino ang highest sa Algebra and Science, sila ang makukuha."
"Meaning dalawa? Aya?"
"Yeah, that's why sinabi ko kanina kung si Laurence ang partner ko, sasali talaga ako."
"But I think that's imposible. Aya."
"Why?"
"Siya kasi ang president ng UA&P Student Council. And besides, isa siya sa mga nag-organize ng event."
"Really? Aecie?"
"Yeah, diba Ara?"
"Yes. But I suggest na sumali ka pa rin."
"Why?"
"To impress him, duhh."
"Ohhhh. You're brilliant, Ara."
"Well then, what are you waiting for?"
"Hahaha. We should probably go to headquarters to register. C'mon."
Agad akong naglakad ng mabilis papalayo sa badminton area. I shook my head. Shit, kung halimbawang sumali ako at kaming dalawa ni Aya ang makakuha ng highest score, kaming dalawa ang magiging partners. Knowing Aya, alam kong hindi magpapatalo yun sa kahit na ano at kanino, lalo't ngayong may gusto siyang makuha. At pag may gusto siyang makuha, gagawin niya ang lahat, kahit pa may masaktan siya.
At si Laurence pa ang gusto niya.
I rolled my eyes. Alam ko namang gagawin niya lang trophy boyfriend ang bestfriend ko pag nagkataon. At kilala ko si Laurence. Pag nainlove yun sa isang babae, mabigat at totoo. So pag nangyari yun, kawawa ang bestfriend ko. At kailangang pigilan ko yun.
Then I realized that my feet were already bringing me to the Student Council headquarters.
Cause now, I have a valid reason why I'd have to join the quizbee.
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Sorry natagalan ang update hahaha. BAKA bukas ipost ko yung part 2 ng DE #10. Masyado kasing mahaba kaya brineak down ko into two chapters. Hahaha.
-NamelessChay-