◈ Caught By A Beast ◈
╰21st Catch╮
THEY found Pearl in the laboratory. Since Arq has the power to control everything in RDGU, the professor didn't hesitate to excuse her sister for an indefinite period.
Being with Arq keeps her from getting astonished every time she proves she can do everything. So, this one is not totally shocking, anymore.
Naguguluhan mang sumunod sa kanila ang kanyang kapatid, wala itong naging tanong kahit pa kitang-kita nitong magkahawak sila ng kamay ni Arq.
They proceed to the sorority hall which is, as usual, empty. Arq still has her hand even after entering the room. When she looks at Pearl to see her reaction, she saw her in a different state, instead. It looks like her sister is oblivious being amused by the room's ambiance.
She can't blame her. The Art Gallery is indeed the most beautiful room inside RDGU.
Pero hindi iyon ang issue ngayon. Marahan siyang bumitaw mula sa pagkakahawak ni Arq. Mabuti na lamang ay pinakawalan siya nito.
Umupo si Pearl sa isang stool at siya naman ay naupo kaharap nito. Samantalang si Arq naman ay nanatiling nakatayo sa pagitan nila, habang nakapamewang at nakatingin sa kanilang magkapatid.
"Bakit? Anong meron?" Mataray na tanong ni Pearl na hindi alintana ang presensya ni Arq.
Arq smirks. "You didn't tell me that Pearl got the attitude that's qualified for being a CLL member. But how come she didn't face me during the initiation night? I might've seen how fearless she could've been. Otherwise, I'm not getting confused now whether she's really brave or it is just an act."
Mukhang tinamaan si Pearl kaya napayuko ito. Hindi naman nito kailangang magmalaki sa mga taong pinagkakautangan nito ng kaligtasan mula sa initiation na iyon. May pagkamaldita talaga ang kapatid niya na hindi naman nito kayang panindigan kapag pinatulan na.
Napatingin sila parehas ni Arq sa isa't isa.
She urges her to just say what they have to say to keep them from wasting more time.
"Anyway, we brought you here because we wanna say something important. You are not yet aware of what happened at the field a while ago but later on, you will be. It is all about me and your ate Lara. Para hindi ka na ma-shocked pa, uunahan ka na namin." Arq stated.
Napatingin dito si Pearl. Siya naman ay hindi mapakali ang mga mata para makita ang reaksyon sa mukha ng mga ito.
Arq continues, "...it's just an act, you know. My ex-girlfriend just came from abroad and keeps on bugging me. To get rid of her, I decided to ask your sister to pretend as my girlfriend and I guess you know where this is leading."
"So, why are you telling me this thing? Ano naman ang kinalaman ko dito?"
"She's worried that you might tell this to your parents. So before it could happen, we've decided to talk to you."
Napatingin sa kanya si Pearl. Wala siyang nais sabihin dito gayong nasabi na ni Arq ang mga importanteng bagay. Iyon lang naman ang magiging problema nila— ang malaman ng kanyang mga magulang ang tungkol sa bagay na ito.
The rest will be her sole problem. And she doesn't think she has to voice it out.
Pearl shrugs, "Well, you can count on me. Kahit naman napakapasaway kong kapatid kay ate Lara, hindi ko naman siya ilalaglag. Basta ba magpapanggap lang talaga kayo. Kasi nakapanood at nakabasa na ako ng mga ganitong klase ng kwento. Eventually, nagkakatuluyan. Kapag na-in love kayo sa isa't isa labas na 'ko dyan."
Nagkatinginan silang muli ni Arq.
Their eyes are both filled with uncertainties. Pearl is right. This thing isn't new and a lot of possibilities can happen, which includes falling deeply in love with each other. And if love comes their way, it will surely complicate everything.
Therefore, she has to set her limit.
If she was going, to be honest, she felt nothing more than triumph when she kissed Arq a while ago. And with that, perhaps, she can say she is safe. Furthermore, Arq is a girl. She doesn't see herself settling down with a girl.
Sa bahagyang pagtawa ni Arq ay muli siyang nagbalik sa ulirat.
"I know, Pearl. Besides, nothing's special with your ate. If I were to fall, I'd be certain that it's not with her."
She scowls when Arq looks at her while wiggling her brows.
So, full of herself!
°Ouch, Lara. Hindi ka naman daw kasi kagandahan.° Mapanuyang sabat din ng kanyang ego kaya lalo siyang nainis.
Narinig rin niyang natawa nang bahagya si Pearl kaya ito naman ang sunod niyang binalingan ng masamang tingin. "May nakakatawa, Pearl?"
Umiling-iling ito habang pinipigilan ang pagtawa. Napairap siya dahil mukhang magkakasundo pa ang dalawa sa pang-iinis sa kanya.
Sa kabila ng pang-aalaskang nagaganap, mukha namang maayos na ang lahat. Wala na silang magiging problema kay Pearl sapagkat nangako itong hindi ito mag-iingay kahit kanino lalong-lalo na sa kanilang mga magulang. Hindi niya alam kung ano na lang ang magiging reaksyon ng kanilang mommy at daddy sakaling malaman ng mga itong nagawa na niyang pumatol sa kapwa niya babae.
Hindi niya kakayanin ang maitakwil ng mga ito.
After their small talk, they all decided to go back to their classes. Arq even teased her for a kiss before leaving but she dodged her face.
Kaya todo ang halakhak nito, pati ni Pearl, na umalingawngaw pa sa sorority hall.
.. ARQ ..
AS soon as Lara and Pearl are gone, she fishes out her phone from her pocket to call Louisa.
Hindi niya mapapatawad ang ginawa nito sa kanya.
Louisa is, by the way, one of her co-Queens— the current Queen of the West Chapter. Because of that, she didn't have a hard time asking for a favor. Besides being the nicest one among other Queens, Louisa had never met Shakira because she just became a Queen two years ago. So, she figured that the plan would be executed accordingly.
She was right. Lara took the bait— with a bonus. She was astounded when she initiated the kiss, to be honest. Although it wasn't the first time she was kissed without a warning, she never pegged Lara to be as gutsy.
She looks innocent. And looks can be deceiving.
On the other hand, something has to be settled now. "Louisa."
"Oh, hey Arq! What's up?" Louisa answered from the other line.
"Really? After what I've got from you, you're asking me what's up?"
Tumawa nang nakakainsulto si Louisa. "That's what you get from cheating."
"In which part of our agreement says we have a real relationship to assume that I cheated?"
"Well, ano bang dapat na ginawa ko? Makakahalata 'yung chic mo na nagkukunwari lang din tayo kung hindi ako umarte."
"Umarte ka na lang sana at hindi na ako sinampal pa. Was that even necessary?"
"Oo naman. My actions were just. Nako, Arq! I didn't know how childish you are until you called to complain."
"Whatever."
Bago niya maibaba ang tawag ay narinig pa niyang mas lumakas ang pagtawa ni Louisa. Kunot na kunot ang kanyang noo habang naglalakad sa corridor. Iniisip niya ang mga mangyayari sa pagkukunwari nilang dalawa ni Lara. Alam niyang isang malaking kalokohan lamang ang bagay na sinimulan subalit wala na siyang ibang naiisip na paraan.
She is walking to get to her office when she hears, what she assumes is, a marching band. As soon as she gets a sight of her friends, she knows what is happening. Her friends are total jerks.
Pailing-iling na lamang siyang nagpatuloy sa pagpunta sa kanyang opisina, na kaagad din niyang pinagsisihan.
Shakira applauds the moment she enters the office. "Whatta show." She looks at her, mischievously.
She scowls and ignores her, instead.
Nagpatuloy siya sa paglalakad hanggang sa kanyang desk. Nang makaupo siya ay binalingan naman niya ang kanyang paperwork.
But Shakira won't get offended that easily. The annoying clicks of her shoes cease after she reaches her desk. "Your girlfriend is cute."
"Hmm..."
"I know how much you hate me. But, can't we at least revive our friendship?"
Mataman niyang tinitigan ang dalaga.
She could be considerate but not enough to agree with Shakira.
Imbes na sumagot, bumaling na lamang siya sa computer.
Shakira taps the table. "Pati pagkakaibigan ipagkakait mo sakin, Arqui?"
Huminga siya nang malalim. Kahit pa iniiwasan niya si Shakira, ayaw pa rin niyang lubusang saktan ang damdamin nito.
She hates to hate girls but Shakira's persistence is too irritating.
Kilala niya ito, mahilig itong mang-asar at papunta na siya sa boiling point kahit na konti pa lang ang sinasabi nito.
"It's been, what, four? Five years? Yet you still cannot forgive me." Dagdag pa nito.
"You were already forgiven a long time ago." Maagap niyang tugon.
Shakira leans in. "So why are you scared of being friends with me?"
"I'm not scared. To be honest with you, selosa ang girlfriend ko. Ayokong magkaroon kami ng issue." Palusot niya kahit walang kasiguraduhan kung selosa nga ba si Lara.
"Which girlfriend?" Humalakhak ito. "Hindi ko alam na playgirl ka na rin pala kagaya ng mga kaibigan mo."
She's about to retaliate when she remembers that two girls were involved earlier.
"Nonsense." She just murmured, trying to veer off the ongoing topic before Shakira could even think of another question that would blow her schemes.
"Is it, Arqui?" Tumayo nang maayos si Shakira. "Well, what can I say beside that your girlfriend is immature?"
"She's not immature. It's just a normal reaction of a girl, who sees her partner fooling around."
"And why are you fooling around? Is one girl not enough to satisfy your needs?"
She smirks. "Go on. Say what you wanna say. It still won't change the fact that I can't be yours anymore."
Her statement instantly turns off the mood of Shakira. Her face turns sour as she becomes annoyed.
Akala niya ay may sasabihin pa ito ngunit bigla na lamang itong tumalikod at lumabas ng kanilang opisina. Akala niya mananalo ito sa pang-iinis sa kanya.
She released a sigh of relief.
Napapagod na siya sa pag-iwas nang pag-iwas kay Shakira ngunit hindi pa malinaw sa kanyang isipan ang dapat gawin. Ganonpaman, umaasa siyang malaking tulong ang magagawa ni Lara para tuluyan siyang lubayan ng dating sinisinta.
.. LARA ..
UNFORTUNATELY, Andy won't be in the next class. That's why she remains quiet as she enters the classroom. Unlike before, she now becomes visible to everyone. All of her classmates are looking at her, calculating.
Nakakunot ang noo niya habang paupo sa kanyang desk na nasa dulo at malapit sa bintana. Pilit man niyang hindi pansinin ang nakakalokong tingin ng mga kaklase ay hindi niya magawa. Kaya medyo na-conscious siya.
Murmurs can be overheard until the loud banging of drums snuffs it out. She almost jumps out of her seat in surprise, especially when a group of students suddenly pops into the room. It looks like they are celebrating a feast or whatnot because they come together with a cheering squad.
Gusto niyang matawa dahil sa kalokohang iyon. Ipinagkibit-balikat pa nga niya at hindi pinansin. Sa kasamaang-palad, siya pala ang dahilan kung bakit may banda. Napagtanto niya iyon nang lapitan siya ng mga ito.
The boy with gray hair rushes towards her. If she's not mistaken, he is Arq's friend. The one who she always hears whenever the Savage is around.
May bitbit itong korona at habang nakangiti ay nagawa nitong ipatong ang bagay na iyon sa kanyang ulo. Sa sobrang gulat sa nangyayari'y hindi niya man lang nagawang tumanggi. Bigla siyang naging bida!
Kunot na kunot ang kanyang noo hanggang sa manahimik ang lahat sa isang senyas lamang ng lalaking lumapit sa kanya— na nakalimutan niya ang pangalan.
"I, Elijah Gonzalo, hereby proclaim the new Queen of Savage. Starting today, you must all respect the Savage's Queen." Anito sabay turo sa kanya.
What the hell? Queen? Savage's Queen?
Patayo na sana siya para umapela nang biglang may pumigil sa kanyang magkabilang balikat.
That's when she noticed a pretty girl, wearing the same uniform as the cheering squad.
"...Arq officially announced that she's in a relationship with Queen Lara Marie Fernandez. From now on, you must treat Your Highness with respect or, well, you don't wanna hear the befitting punishment that awaits if you refused." Seryoso pang dagdag nito.
Ang nakakatawa pa'y humarap ito sa kanya at bigla na lamang yumuko na para bang nagbibigay-galang. Ganon na rin ang ginawa ng lahat.
°Instant Cinderella ka 'ateng!°
But all of it is complete dementia. She never expects that Arq's relationship status is a big deal. But there's no one to blame other than herself because she has confirmed her relationship with Arq earlier by impulsively kissing her in public.
Kaya lang hindi niya gustong maging Queen. Isang malaking kalokohan na ang bagay na 'yon.
°Well, mind you, you are in a relationship with one of the famous faces in RDGU, what would you expect?°
Napailing-iling siya at kinuha ang pagkakataong 'yon para tumayo at hilahin palabas ng silid si Elijah. "Anong ibig sabihin nito?" Naiinis niyang tanong.
"Easy ka lang. Natutuwa lang kaming malaman na may love life na ulit si Arq." Sagot nito habang napakalawak parin ng ngiti sa labi.
"Ganito ba kayo matuwa? Kasi nakakahiya."
"E, malay ba namin kung gusto mo rin ng ganito. Like Shakira. When she—"
"Hep! Hep!" She motioned her hand to stop him. "I'm not Shakira. I don't wanna get everyone's attention."
"Well, you should've thought about that before accepting Arq's proposal to be her girlfriend." He shrugs.
Kahit pa kaibigan ito ni Arq ay mukhang hindi nito alam ang tungkol sa kanilang pekeng relasyon. Nangangati tuloy ang dila niyang sabihin na lang dito ang bagay na 'yon para itigil nito ang kalokohan.
Kaya lang, mukhang biased ang isang 'to. Malamang, naging close rin ng mga kaibigan ni Arq si Shakira noong magkarelasyon pa ang dalawa kaya alam niyang may posibilidad na magsasabi ito sa dalaga. Malalagot siya kay Arq pag nagkataon.
She lets out a sigh of defeat, "Alam ko naman kung gaano siya kasikat dito. Kaya lang hindi mo naman mapipigilan ang puso di ba? At least kayo, kaya ko pang pigilan. Kaya sana naman tigilan niyo na 'yong ganitong kalokohan."
Nakita niyang napaisip si Elijah. Mukha naman itong mabait kahit pa napakaraming kalokohan ang alam. Kalaunan ay tumango ito bilang pag-respeto sa kanyang desisyon. Ito na rin naman ang nagsabi na respetuhin siya kaya nararapat lang na ito ang manguna sa bagay na 'yon.
Mayamaya ay umalis na ito kasama ang bandang hakot-hakot. Napabuntong-hininga siya at huli na nang maalala may suot-suot pala siyang korona.
Pailing-iling siya habang tinatanggal 'yon sa kanyang ulo. Saglit din siyang napatitig sa korona.
She'd be a hypocrite if she would lie about hating the idea of being a Queen.
—being Arq's only Queen.
But thinking that they are both Queens in the relationship makes her uncomfortable. Especially, it is her first time getting involved with a woman. Nonetheless, she's still looking forward to the day that she'll be comfortable enough with their status even if they are just pretending. And at the same time, she hopes that this game won't take long so she can still spare herself from the upcoming downfall.
HER day went well, even though she has to endure all of the sophisticated stares coming from the RDGU students.
Hindi na niya nakita pa si Shakira kaya naisip niyang mukhang hindi naman nila kailangan ni Arq na laging magkasama.
Andy already left because she's having a meeting with the admins. Hence, they will just gonna catch up tomorrow.
Habang papunta sa parking lot ay nasalubong na naman niya ang Savage. Hindi niya maiwasang hindi mapatingin kay Arq— na hindi niya inaasahang nakatingin din pala sa kanya. Bago pa siya makabawi ng tingin ay mabilis siyang nilapitan ni Elijah kasabay ng magiliw na pagbati.
Nginitian na lamang niya ito, subalit hindi pa roon natapos ang lahat. Unti-unti siyang nakarinig ng panunukso mula sa iba pang kaibigan ni Arq. Kaya sa huli ay napilitan na rin itong lapitan siya at halikan sa pisngi.
"Sorry about them," Arq whispered after kissing her cheek.
She beams in response.
Regardless, there's the best thing that comes with her friends' naughtiness. Arq introduced her as her girlfriend. She's got a chance to know her best friends especially, the gray-haired guy whose name is Elijah Gonzalo.
Naalala niyang iyon ang narinig niyang pangalan noong unang beses siyang nilibre ni Yuan sa cafeteria at medyo napag-tripan sila ng Savage.
Nakilala rin niya si Greco De Gracias, ang may-ari ng RDGU. Mukha itong suplado at basagulerong-basagulero ang pormahan, pero approachable naman siguro pagdating sa mga kaibigan.
Then the one who possesses a kind facade is Brenan Angeles. His last name suits his angelic face but, she knows that he's as mischievous as his friends.
Ang apat na 'yon ay alam niyang may sinasabi sa buhay. Sooner or later mapapasok na rin niya ang mundo ng mga 'yon lalong-lalo na ang mundo ni Arq.
Bago sila maghiwa-hiwalay ay kunwari pang nagpaalam sa kanya si Arq na gigimik lamang kasama ang mga kaibigan. Siyempre nagkaroon ng asaran na ikinatuwa niya kahit pa kunwari lamang ang bagay tungkol sa kanila ni Arq. Pakiwari niya ay girlfriend na girlfriend ang kanyang datingan.
Nang makauwi siya sa kanilang bahay, nakatanggap siya ng text messsage mula sa isang unknown number. Nagloloko na ang basag niyang cellphone kaya nahirapan pa siyang pindutin ang screen bago niya tuluyang mabasa ang message.
Hindi niya alam kung matutuwa ba siya o maiinis dahil napaka-clingy din pala ni Arq— ang taong nakilala niyang seryoso pero napakaraming kalokohan.
The monster of her life, now.
Napailing-iling siya at hindi na lamang ito nireplyan dahil bukod sa napakahirap ng pindutin ang kanyang cellphone ay wala rin naman siyang sasabihin.
Hindi na nakapagtataka kung paano nito nakuha ang kanyang numero sa kabila ng hindi nito direktang pagtatanong sa kanya.
She tosses her phone on her bed and changes her clothes as she gets ready to hit the hay.
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