「 Jhun Harry Fuentebella's POV 」
AFTER what was happened on the gymnasium, Ate Rhi told us to follow her, and now, we are here in a conference room together with some students from earlier. Hanggang napapamura na lang ako sa mga narinig ko. Tsk. Sumasakit 'yong ulo ko kakaisip kung paano tumatakbo ang kalakaran sa school na'to. Normbal ba sila? Tss.
“Hi! I hope you all haven't forgotten my name. I'm Summer Ainstyn Park, 7th grader and one of the youngest member of the Royal Student, rank 11. It's so nice to meet you all,” a kid introduced herself to break the silence. She's smiling so cute and wildly, so friendly.
I saw some women rolled their eyes like as if they hated what was she did. What's wrong from introducing herself?
“Okay, okay. Since the girls are still not here, let's buy us some time for them, and since Summer already did something, why don't you all introduce yourselves too para naman magkakilanlan lahat? Especially that we have new comers here,” Ate Rhi stated, gesturing her hand on our side. Yeah, we are just new here. Kaya nga nagtataka ako bakit nandito kami? Diba dapat nasa labas kami or nass klase? However, either of the two, parehas namang boring. Tsk.
“That's boring Miss. Why can't we just proceed to the main agenda here?” a woman interject.
Ate Rhi sighed. “Charlotte, you know that we cannot proceed to this meeting without them, right?.”
Them? Sino ba kasi?
“I think the girl is right. Aren't we all losing time here while waiting for those not so important people you were talking, Miss Allegre?” Reigh seconded.
Hindi ata nakatimpi si gago at nagsalita na rin. Too bad, time is important for this guy.
“I hope you can still use your tongue after saying that they're not important,” a man blurted out. It was the guy who was all in silent while reading a book. Naghahanap ba 'to ng away?
“Prinston—”
“Well, what my friend said was true though. Why wait for them if we are all losing our time here. Taas naman pala ng tingin nila sa sarili nila,” it was now Dexter who spoke.
“Oh dear, they're the Queens, so of course they are all high and mighty,” it was another woman with playful smile on her lips.
Sumasakit ang ulo ko sa kaka-english nila. Pucha.
And like as if a magic word, the door opens out of a sudden and girls comes in like they own the word.
Wait, did the girl earlier said Queens? The fuck? Ito 'yong mga babae kanina, a? Sila iyong pinagkaguluhan ng mga kababaihan. Mga nagpakilala saglit at umalis din agad. Malay ko saan mga nagpunta.
“Oh my, I'm sorry for being late dears,” ani nung isang babae na may pagkamukhang Chinese. She's smiling sweetly and friendly.
“Good thing you know that, VIPs,” the girl named Charlotte snorted. One girl from the new comers smirked.
“Sorry not sorry, bitch,” she muttered devilishly before facing us.
Ngayon niya lang ata napansin ang presensya namin. Her eyes widened a bit while looking at us—more likely at someone from us. Pero saglit lang iyon dahil napalitan agad ng ngisi.
“Oh oh, if it wasn't my dear fiancé,” aniya bago umupo sa isang bakanteng upuan.
There are eight remaining vacant chairs and all of them sit on those but, one chair is still left on its vacancy. May kulang pa sa kanila?
“Go to hell,” Yohann hissed under his breath kaya naman napatingin ako sa kanya.
Oh, someone's not in the mood ei.
Napangisi ako saka bumalik ng tingin sa mga bagong dating at halos matumba ako sa upuan ko ng mapansin 'yong pamilyar na babae. She's wearing glasses while holding a book. Her hair is in full straight and long. Have I met her before?
“You know what? This is fucking sickening! They are using their privilege to mock us everyone that we are just nothing in this Council!” that Charlotte hissed before slamming her hand on the table.
Napangiwi ako dahil feeling ko masakit iyong ginawa niya. Yikes. But, the people inside this hall just fell on silent, like as if this is just nothing to them.
“Watch your words Charlotte.”
“She has a point though.”
“Damn, end this meeting for fuck's sake.”
Those are just some of the comments we can hear from the people here. Napahilot na lang sa sintido si Ate Rhi samantalang parang walang pakialam 'yong mga pinapatamaan niya. Is this some kind of treason inside this Council? Oh, sounds exciting.
“This is pissing me off,” I heard Draike hissed.
I tap his shoulder since he's just beside me. “Pwede kang manapak. Huwag lang kami,” natatawang saad ko.
“Chill, Charlotte. Masyado ka namang selosa,” ani ng isang babae. Pucha, bakit ba kasi hindi ko maalala pangalan ng mga 'to kahit naman nagpakilala kanina?
“You—”
“Hindi siguro masarap ulam mo no, Charlotte? Or baka ampalaya lagi ang ulam mo? Masyado ka kasing bitter...and kulubot na rin,” it was again from the Queens.
I almost laugh at her comeback but stopped myself from doing it pero si Dexter, gago hindi napigilan tumawa.
“What's funny?!” inis na sigaw no'ng Charlotte.
“Sorry,” ani Dex pero halatang nagpipigil pa rin ng tawa.
“It's you. You're funny daw kasi that's why,” another girl from the Queens.
“How dare you?! You bitches are nothing—”
“I hope you still value your position. You know Z can just shoo you away like...nothing,” bored na sabi noong babaeng nagbabasa.
Natahimik naman si Charlotte. Oh, mukhang takot doon sa kumg sino mang Z a?
“My, my, bakit ba kada magkaka-meeting na lang ganito kayo? I hope you all can still remember that you promised na pipiliting intindihin ang bawat isa dahil parte iyon ng responsibilidad ninyo?” ani Ate Rhi na ngayon ay nakapagsalita na.
Umiirap namang bumalik sa pagkakaupo si Charlotte habang masama pa rin ang timpla ng mukha.
“We can still remember it, Miss. May iba lang namang hindi marunong rumispeto sa nakatataas at nakagaganda sa kanya,” it was again someone from the Queens.
Ate Rhi sighed again. Stress na sa nangyayari.
“Anyone, please do introduce yourselves first,” ani Ate Rhi habang nakapikit pa rin ang mga mata at hinihilot ang ulo.
“Prinston Oliver, 9th grader. Rank 15.”
“Luther Esquivel, 11th grader. Rank 14,”
Sunud-silang nagpakilala ayon sa ranggo na kinalalagyan nila. Nagpakilala din ulit 'iyong Summer. Base sa mga mukha nila at kilos, mukhang anak lahat 'to ng mayayamang angkan. Tsk. Rich kids.
“Ryu Miller,” pakilala nung isang natitirang lalaki na kanina pa din tahimik at parang walang pakialam.
Napakunot ang noo ko. Miller? Saan ko ba narinig ang apelyidong 'yon?
“Do you happen know someone named Nashiel Miller?” napatingin ako kay Lyle ng bigla niyang itanong 'yon.
Nashiel Miller? The fuck?
Binalikan ko ng tingin 'yong Ryu. He's just staring at Lyle with no emotions at all.
“Nah,” he boredly answered.
Marahan namang tumango si Lyle. Posible kaya? Ilan ba ang Miller sa mundo? Pucha. Kung may koneksyon itong Ryu kay Nashiel tiyak na gagawin ni Lyle lahat para lang may makuhang impormasyon.
Nabaling naman ang tingin ko sa mga susunod na magpapakilala. I am honestly curious as to who they are. Yes, they are called Queens but, I still don't know why. I am curious, especially to know that woman in her glasses. She's still reading, not minding everyone's attention.
“Phariz Keith Brianttez, rank 8. One of the Queens and also a part of the Royal Council,” pagpapakilala noong naka messy bun na babae. Her eyes are bit chinky yet wide. Probably a Japanese or Korean.
“I thought your name is Never?” nakangising pang-aalaska ni Dexter naman napailing ako. Sinamaan siya ng tingin nong Phariz. Mukhang magkakilala sila a.
“Hi! I'm Quellishia Grace Sy, rank 7, a Queen and also part of the Royal Council. Actually all eight of us,” aniya habang nakalahad ang kamay sa iba pang natitira na di nagpapakilala. Eight?
“But you're just seven?” Ryann asked confusingly.
“Oh, Z is busy kasi. Though she'll probably be here din naman,” Quelli answered politely. Buti pa'to mabait. Kaso di ko type. Mukhang maingay. Tss.
“Dorrine Jaine Smith, rank 6. I'm a Queen, it's obvious already. Hi Yohann baby, do you wanna have a solo time with me later?” she asked playfully at Yohann who is now looking at her with disgust. What's with these two?
“Don't be such a fool,” Yohann hissed.
Dorrine just giggled before winking at me when she met my gaze. Napangisi lang ako. Looks like this one is fun to be with.
“Maegan Francine Chua, 5th rank,” pagpapakilala nong isang babae. Ito iyong kanina pang iwas ng iwas ng tingin sa pwesto namin. Anong meron?
“Hello! I'm Halley Hann Scott, you can call me Halley, 4th rank holder and just like them, I'm also a Queen and a Royal Council member. I'm a fan of peace and prosperity so I hope none of you are troublesome ass jerk or you'll regret transferring here,” she bubbly said yet para siyang handa ng manakit habang nanlilisik ang tingin sa kaliwa ko. Kaliwa? Kay Draike? Ginawa nitong gagong 'to sa babaeng 'yan?
“Ginawa mo dyan?” tanong ko pagkasiko ko sa kanya.
Hindi naman siya sumagot. Tsk. Abnoy.
“Jasha Louise Suarez, 2nd,” tipid na pagpapakilala noong nagbabasa. Ni hindi man lang nga nag-angat ng tingin para magpakilala ng maayos. Basta nagpakilala lang, iyon lang.
Jasha Louise...hmm. Pretty name.
“Mishia Jame Orozco, 1st,” pagpapakilala nong natitira. She's also just like Jasha, she's been so quiet.
Wait, is it just me or something is missing? Or someone rather?
“Where's the 3rd rank holder?” Renzell asked, confused.
“Zhoie almost here, for now. I want everyone to know the reason why these boys,” she stated, glancing over us, “are here with us even if they are just new,” she added.
“Oh, I'm curious too,” that Halley girl asked.
Kahit ako curious din.
“I actually don't care,” Charlotte spit every words like nothing. I sighed. Totoo ata ang sinabi nong Dorrine kanina e, bitter ata 'tong Charlotte.
“You must give care to the reason because you will take part of it later, all of you to be exact,” dagdag pa ni Ate Rhi.
“Uhm, what do you mean by that?” maarteng tanong nong Dorrine.
Ate Rhianne sighed. “Head Master informed everyone that there will be new Kings for GIA.”
Everyone fell in silence. Kings?
“You can't be serious!”
“That's absurd!”
“No way in hell Head Master said those?!”
“Believe it or not, it was the Head Master's notice. And these guys are the possible candidate for the position,” she said that made everybody gasp, I don't know if it's because they are really shock or that's a gasp in horror.
“What the hell?” someone hissed.
“Not to be rude or what, but why them?” Phariz asked that gained our attention.
“Anong pinupunto mo Never?” Dexter barked back.
Phariz rolled her eyes. “I mean, they're just new? And besides, do you really think we will let them be part of the Council?” she added.
“They're like...useless,” Maegan blurted out.
My jaw clenched because of that.
“I think it's a good idea to let them be part of the Council. At least they can lead the boys, I just hope they can,” It was Kainsly.
“Too bad, they won't be able to do that,” Mishia said.
“Talaga ba? What if we can do it?” Renzell questioned.
“How would you lead them? You are nothing but a Casanova,” Mishia added.
“Ayaw mo non? Kalandian din ituturo ko?” nakangising balik ni Renzell.
Napairap naman iyong Mishia. Inis na ata kay Renzell. Wow. Ngayon lang may hindi tinablan sa kakupalan ng isang 'to a?
“Guys, kaya nga nandito tayong lahat—well except Zhoie— to decide. The Head Master told us to let you all vote if they are worthy of the position or not,” singit ni Ate Rhi.
“Now, let's all do the votings. I won't be part of it. Kayo lang 'yong boboto.”
“Is Ate Zhoie not counted?” Summer asked.
“Her vote is counted since she'll be here. Mahuhuli lang ang boto niya pero kasama pa din siya. Ngayon, I want everyone to raise their hands those who are in favor of these boys to be the new Kings,” Ate Rhi asked.
Some raised their hands. Hindi kasama iyong iba sa Queens. Well, dalawa lang naman iyong pumayag. That, Quelli and Dorrine? Oh well, kung ayaw nung mga kasama nila edi wag. As if naman. Pakialam naman namin sa boto nila? Ate counted it.
“Seven, half of you all,” she then sighed again. “Fourteen lang kayong lahat na boboto, so that means, those who didn't raise their hands are also seven people who declined,”
“So, if Zhoie vote for yes, does that mean they're the new Kings now?” that Timotheo guy asked.
“Well, if she'll—” hindi niya natapos 'yung sasabihin niya ng bigla na lang bumukas 'yung pintuan kaya lahat kami napatingin doon.
Parang slow motion ang lahat at mas lalong lumamig iyong paligid sa pagpasok ng isang babae na kilalang kilala ko. Kilalang-kilala naming walo.
“Nashiel...” dinig kong bulong ng isa sa amin.
She has this different aura from the Nashiel we knew. Her eyes are blank, like nothing. I can't see any emotion from her eyes. Is she really the Nashiel we know? Why does she feels so different? And what the heck? She's alive?!
“Zhoie! Good thing you're here now! We were just talking about you. I'm sorry if we started the voting without you,” Ate Rhi beamed.
What the fuck? Zhoie? She is that Zhoie?
She didn't say anything. She just sat down on the vacant chair for her.
“Nashiel..” Lyle blurted out.
“Who is Nashiel?” Halley asked, confused.
“Oo nga? Sinong Nashiel?” tanong ni Ate Rhi.
“Siya! Si Nashiel!” Dexter exclaimed then point his finger on Nashiel...or Zhoie.
Jasha—who is now giving attention to her surrounding is now looking at us weirdly.
“Nagjojoke ka ba? Didn't Miss Rhianned just called her Zhoie?”
“Patawa ka din ba? E kilala nga namin 'yan! Huy Nash! Akala namin namatay ka! Fuck! Pinagluksa ka pa namin tapos heto ka at buhay na buhay tapos—” bago pa man matapos ni Dexter 'yung sinasabi niya ay nagtaas na ng kamay iyong Zhoie...
Akala namin may sasabihin siya pero hindi naman siya nagsalita.
“Okay guys, that's enough. Kung sino man iyong Nashiel na sinasabi niyo, ibang tao iyon. That's Zhoie Harriet, she's the holder of 3rd rank,” singit ni Ate Rhi pero hindi non napigilan si Lyle lumapit kay Nashiel or Zhoie or kung sino man siya.
Agad hinatak ni Lyle si Nas—Zhoie patayo saka niyakap.
“Oh my gosh?!”
“What the fuck?!”
“Oh, he has a death wish.”
Ang dami nilang sinasabi pero nasa kay Lyle lang na yakap-yakap si Zhoie ang atensyon naming mga lalaki. It has been two years since the last time we saw her... because again, we thought she was dead...or was it right?
This Nashiel in front of us is so different from the Nashiel we know. She wasn't as lovely and bubbly as before. What? Amnesia? Pero imposible, nandoon kami nang mailibing siya.
“I knew it. I know you are alive. I know you are just—”
“Let go,” Zhoie said that give chills to me. Sobrang lamig ng boses niya na para kang maninigas dahil sa lamig.
“No! Nashiel, please. This is Lyle, please,” Lyle begged.
Napabuntong hininga ako saka sisimulan sanang maglakad palapit para ilayo siya ng makarinig ako ng malakas na ingay. Parang sinampal.
“What I hate the most are those who cannot understand a mere word,” ani Zhoie sa ngayon ay nakahiwalay nang Lyle at nakapaling ang mukha sa kabilang side.
“That's what you get from calling with different name. Dude, she's not the Nashiel you know. She's our Zhoie, not Nashiel,” Dorrine interject.
Bahagyang inayos ni Zhoie ang uniform niya bago kami hinarap.
“Kings, huh. Disrespect me again just like that, you'll regret meeting me,” Z stated coldly.
“Zhoie, I think they didn't mean—” Zhoie raises her hand that made Ate Rhi shut her mouth.
“I have the last vote. Beg for it,” she said before leaving us dumbfounded.
“You just made your death wish,” Maegan muttered while looking at Lyle who is now clenching his fist and jaw.
Sumunod naman palabas iyong ibang Queens. Natira kaming mga lalaki, si Ate Rhi, at iyong ibang Royal Students.
“Royal Students, please leave us now,” Ate Rhi sighed.
Agad naman silang lumabas at kami na lang ang tuluyang naiwan. Lumapit kami kay Lyle saka marahang tinapik sa balikat. He needs to calm down.
“Please, explain to me what was that?” Ate Rhi exclaimed in frustration.
Hindi kami nakasagot. Hindi namin alam kung paano sasagutin kahit naman alam talaga namin.
“Lyle, that's Zhoie not some Nashiel girl you know. She's been studying here for so long now so I don't understand how can you call her Nashiel?”
Lyle stayed silent.
Pagod na napaupo si Ate Rhi saka kami tinignan. “The position, kailangan mapunta sa inyo kahit na anong mangyari. So please, beg for Zhoie's vote to be yes.”
Beg? No! Hell fucking no!
—end of chapter—