How It Works
CROSS
MY CLASSMATES LOOKS creepy. Their aura's are different compare to what I used to see. Mukha silang papatay. Hindi rin sila nakikipag-usap at ang talim ng mga mata nila. Everything's felt unusual.
Ramdam ko talaga ang tensyon. Napakabigat noon sa pakiramdam. Feeling ko... may nakatitig sa akin. Pero kapag lilingon naman ako, wala naman akong nahuhuli.
Ugh. I hate this kind of ambiance. Nakakapanibago talaga.
The exams we are going to take today are 4 subjects.
Bukas naman ay lima. Each subject contains 70 questions, and the passing score will be 75%. I atleast need to get a score above 48—for me to continue my mission here.
Once kasi na may makakuha ng bagsak, kahit isang subject lang... Bye, bye St. Death High na. Ang higpit di ba?
Hindi lang yan ang ipinaliwanag ni Ms. Macaria kanina. Ang sabi niya ay tuloy-tuloy naming i-ti-take ang mga susunod pang exam, once na tapos na kami sa isa. And when you finish all your exams, you're free to leave already.
So far... we have just started for our first test.
Habang binabasa ko ang mga tanong ay mas nahihilo ako. Mas nade-depress. Akala ko kasi, okay na ako kanina. But I'm wrong. All the questions in my paper are very difficult.
Kaya ng may kumatok sa pintuan namin kahit na bukas naman iyon ay sandali akong nakahinga. Natigil sa pag-iisip, pansamantala.
Or maybe... not really.
What the fucking fuck.
Kapag nga naman sinumpong ka ng kamalasan, tuloy-tuloy... Punyeta. Hindi ko na talaga alam ang gagawin ko!!!
"Yes, Mr. King?" Ms. Macaria asked to the one who arrived. Alam kong nasa kanya na ang atensyon ng buong klase pero pinilit ko talagang mag-sa walang-kibo.
Nagpanggap akong binabasa ang nilalaman ng test paper ko kahit na wala naman talaga akong naiintindihan. I just wish that my 'manghuhula' side will take in place.
Minsan kasi, kahit nanghuhula lang ako... mataas pa rin ang mga scores ko sa exam. I just don't know why that's happening. Basta ganoong tao ako.
Ewan ko lang kung gagana iyon today. Lalo na at nandito lang naman ang taong laman ng isip ko nitong mga nagdaang araw. Yuck. I sounded like I have feelings for him.
That's a no. Pero totoong siya naman talaga ang laman ng utak ko. Iyong pagka-reveal ng secret niya... Iyong milagrong nakita kong ginawa niya... At iyong mga katagang binitawan niya kanina.
Gah, siya talaga ng laman ng isip ko. And I let it happened—fugde!
"I am done with my exams, Ms. Macaria. I will handle your section now."
"Already?" Hindi makapaniwalang sambit ng aming adviser. He even caught my attention. Oo, nagpantig ang mga tenga ko sa narinig. Alam kong magaling ako pero ano namang tawag sa kanya?
Diyos?
"Why? Are you doubting me?" Nambibintang na tanong ni Zadreth. Medyo nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Hindi siya ganoon magsalita. Parang... uhh, just never mind.
Instead of thinking him again, I decided to looked on my helpless adviser to see how will she response. I want to see how can she handle my manipulative dorm mate. I badly want to see her pale face.
And just like how I expected it, she's really looking pale. Yes, my adviser is pale. Ms. Macaria is a fresh graduate teacher. Magaling siyang magturo pero may mga circumstances talagang hindi ko siya maintindihan.
And looking at her right now makes me want to laugh. Her expression is priceless. She's pale as a white sheet of paper and beads of sweat is streaming down to her forehead.
She looks like just how I imagined her to be. Ako ba?
Naging ganyan na rin ba ang itsura ko sa harap ni King? Nako, sana naman at hindi. Because if I did, I would rather die in the arms of filty person than to die out of shame.
Am I that boastful? Was it too much?
"I... am not, Mr. King. I'm just s-surprised and... and a-amused to your... your amazing skills. Yes, right! Can I just ask why you suddenly want to take over my class?"
Zad only smirked.
"I feel like doing it. Can you go out now?"
Wow, at least he is asking nicely. Note my sarcasm.
"S-Sure." Utal pang sagot ni Ms. Macaria. Her hands are trembling as she collects her stuff. Nang dahil pa sa pagmamadali niya ay nahulog ang ilan sa mga papeles niyang dinadala.
And since I'm such an angel with a freak's face, and she's just in front of me, I helped her picked up the papers. Nang mapulot na namin lahat ay ipinasa ko na ang mga papel sa kanya.
She mouted 'thank you' to me which sounds very sincere. Nangangatog pa ang mga paa niya ng sundan ko siya ng habang siya'y palabas. When she's out of my sight, nagtagpo naman ang mga mata namin.
I'm talking about Zad.
The eye contact only last 3 seconds before each of us broke it at the same time. Tatlong segundo lang iyon. Wala akong makitang emosyon sa mga mata niya ngunit may pagbabanta siyang ipinahiwatig sa akin.
He's really dead serious when he said that I shouldn't top on our section's ranking. Talagang sinundan pa niya ako dito—
Wait.
I'm being assuming. Hindi dapat ganon. Maybe Zadreth was really bored and I am an entertainment to him that's why he choosed this section.
Pwede rin namang nagkataon lang na nandito ako at hindi sadyang napili niya ang room na ito para bantayan. I can't help but to be curious. At dahil sa lalim ng iniisip ko ay hindi ko na napansin ang pagpasok ng delikadong lalaki sa classroom.
The teacher's table is just a meter a way from me. Nerd ako. Nerd's usually takes the chairs in front for them to be able to see the lectures and to participate well.
At dahil feeling nerd ako, I choosed the seat right in front of the teacher's table. Hindi ko naman kasi alam na mangyayari ito. My situation now only got worst than it already have.
Hindi na ako makapag-concentrate. Asiwang-asiwa ako. My classmates are dead silent. Zad didn't even utter a single word for them to be silent, yet... uhh, never mind.
Ayaw talaga ni Zad ng maingay. But why does he choose those loud screamers women for his pleasure? Maingay iyong mga babaeng ikinakama niya.
I can't understand him.
But right now? Ni tunog ng pagpunit ng scratch paper at paglipat ng page sa mga questionares ay wala akong narinig. Halos paghinga ko nalang ang naririnig ko.
Minutes passed by and the exams went on and on. Kahit hindi ako sigurado sa ilang sagot ko ay napilitan akong magpasa ng papel para lang hindi ako masabihang nanghula lang ng sagot sa exam.
I'm afraid to be judge by Zadreth. Ito? Itong ginawa niyang ito ang nagtulak sa akin para piliting paganahin ang utak ko. Coz while I'm answering, I can feel his cold eyes piercing on me.
Alam ko, deep inside me—tama ang kutob ko. I never attempted to look at him because I'm afraid that he will notice my discomfort with his presence. Ayokong isipin niya na wala akong maibubuga sa mga simpleng bagay na katulad ng exam.
I'm aware that I'm boastful most of the time. Hindi na ako nilubayan ng kahambugan simula ng maisa-ayos ko ang buhay ko. Nah, I think this is the real effect of the past to me.
Ewan ko ba.
Since I'm very pressured, I forced myself to finish my last exam as fast as I can. Pangatlong estudyante ako sa mga unang nakatapos ng first part ng midterm exam.
Zad is still starring staight to me until I passed my paper on him. Hindi niya ako nilubayan ng tingin hanggang sa makalabas ako ng room.
Nang makalabas palang ako ng ICT building ay doon lang ako nakahinga ng maluwag. My mind is currently clouded with thoughts. Thoughts that I don't want to think but keeps replaying in my head.
His stares.
The way he stared at me. What was that for? Nabuko na ba niya ang sikreto ko? Na hindi lang siya ang nag-iisang tao sa loob ng school na ito na nagtatago sa likod ng isang maskara?
Was there something wrong with my make up? Was my nose looks different? Was my face have dirt on it?
Fuck. I have so many questions running on my head. Naiinis ako sa thought na baka napapansin na niya ang paiba-ibang itsura ng mukha ko sa tuwing lumilipas ang mga araw.
God, this is bad... Really bad.
--
When I got in the cafeteria to eat, I heard some students talking about the incoming grand ball, happening next week.
And based on the way they talk, the grand ball must really be enjoyable because of their jolly voice. Ayon sa kanila ay makikita na namin ang mga resulta ng exam the day after the grand ball was held.
Ang purpose pala ng ball na iyon ay para ipagdiwang ang halos tatlong buwan na paghihirap ng mga estudyante sa eskwelahan na ito.
Ang ibig sabihin lamang noon ay ipagdiriwang namin ang pagiging buhay namin sa mga nakalipas na linggo. See that? I'm 2 months and a half alive on this school. Hindi ako namatay.
Siguradong kakayanin ko pang magtagal. Pero nauubusan na ako ng oras. I promised to myself that once the St. Death High releases us for the Christmas eve, I will never come back here again.
Hindi sa hindi ko gusto dito.
Pero parang ganoon na nga. Gusto ko lang madaliin ang sarili ko dahil ayoko nang magsayang ng oras. I have so many thing that I would like to do. Isa pa... I missed my parents already...
I want to see them na.
Check them if they're doing good. Kasi, dumadagdag lang sila sa mga alalahanin ko. Nang dahil sa pagpasok ko sa St. Death High ay hindi na ako nakakatulong sa kanila.
Nahihiya na din ako. Ako lang ang pinagkakatiwalaan ni mommy sa mga transaksyon niya. I always lead her team. And I also missed doing it.
Kaya kahit ano mang mangyari, I'm going to make sure that I will finish my mission on time. No matter what.
I was pulled by my thoughts when I felt my phone vibrated inside my small Hello Kitty shoulder bag. I thought, it's only a notification that pops out on the screen on my phone.
Kaya laking gulat ko nalang na message mula sa unknown number ang natanggap ko.
From: Unknown
❄❄❄
Kahit na napaka walang kwenta ng natanggap kong message ay napangiti pa rin ako. It's only snow flakes, I know, but it melts my heart. Really...
Talagang hindi ko mapigilang mangiti. Nagmumukha na akong tanga dito sa North Wing pero wala akong pake. I cannot just really hide my happiness. This text means a lot to me.
I'm sure, it came from my mommy! She only send this particular message before she'll call me. Geez, tatawag siya! After almost 3 months, finally!!!
Sakto namang nag-ring ang phone ko. The same number who texted me pop again on the screen of my phone. Hindi na ito message alert. Tawag na. So before it will end, I answered it immediately with my hands, shaking.
"Daughter, are you doing good there?" The voice of my mother said on the other line. Nakangiti akong nakikinig.
My mom is not a sweet person and she's kinda... weird. I think, it's because she was raised differently than normal ones. Ni wala man lang 'hello' bago niya tinanong kung maayos ba ako.
"I'm doing great, Madam." Pinilit kong maging pormal at tunog maayos ang boses ko. I hide my excitement to hear her voice because... okay. Just because.
"I heard, you've been accused there. They said, that you tried to kill the heir of the Avenirs and Kings. Can you explain that to me? The news is bothering me, daughter."
They?
Kumunot ang noo ko. Hindi ko alam kung saan niya nakuha ang balitang iyon. It's been two week since that happened. And why does she knows particularly who I had issue with?
At bakit may impormasyong na-leak sa loob ng St. Death High? Every single thing, event or anything under the sun inside this school is damn confidential. How come---Mommy knew this?
"I didn't try to kill the guy, Madam." Nawala na ang ngiti sa labi ko. "It's just an accusation. They only have me as their only suspect here because I killed Lei. Siya ang napatay ko and the Commission has no one to blame to, but only me. Ako lahat ang sumalo sa nangyari."
"I believe you, daughter. I just need your confirmation." She paused for a moment and released a sigh. "Do me a favor. Don't kill their heir. You might regret it soon, daughter and please---for christ sake---call me mother! What kind of daughter are you?"
"Cut the bullshit, it's not working, Madam." I rolled my eyes out of frustration. Sanay na ako sa pabago-bagong mood ng mommy ko.
There are times that she wanted me to adress her Madam, and there are times too, that she wants me to call her mom or mother. Pagod na pagod na ako sa pagiging bipolar niya kaya nag-settled na ako sa 'Madam'.
Tutal ayaw din naman niya na nilalambing ko siya.
"Anyway, why you just called me now? It's been almost 3 months and I didn't heard a single thing from you yet you know my situation here. What took you so long? Nagtatampo na ako..."
"Nonsense, emotions. Your Father and I are fine. The mafia is always doing good. And I know everything you are doing there because the Avenir's informed me. Alam mo naman na isa sila sa mga kaibigan ng pamilya natin!"
"Wait. Did I... heard you, right?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko. Para kasing may mali sa sinabi niya. Hindi ko alam na may kaibigan na Avenir ang pamilya namin.
This must be another confusing sign. At napapagod na ako sa isipin na hindi ko dapat siya dinadamay sa paghihiganti ko.
"Yes, why?"
Sandali akong natigilan. Mom mentioned the surname and the middle name of Zadreth. If I am not mistaken, the whole name of Zad is 'Zadreth Kaoro Avenir King'.
Tapos... malalaman ko nalang bigla na...
Ang pamilya namin ay kabigan ng pamilya niya? How life sucks then, eh? The world must have a good reason why it's fooling me. Because hell, I'm not happy on what I am hearing right now...
Hindi na talaga.
"What about the King's, Madam? Our family is also connected to them? How come?"
"Of course! The Avenirs and Kings are already considenered as a one family. Kung kaibigan natin ang mga Avenir, nararapat lang na pati ang mga King ay ganoon din. What kind of question is that? Christ!"
"But, Madam. How the hell that even happened? Ni hindi ko sila kilala."
"Well, I mentioned them to you in the past. You probably just forgot it again. At may isa ka nang kilala sa kanila---who happened to be their very own heir. And I'm telling you, daughter..."
Alam kong hindi ko magugustuhan ang susunod na sasabihin niya. She's my mother. Binabawi ko na natutuwa akong nagparamdam siya akin after almost 3 months.
I regretted it! Fvck!
"Their family is very influential. Part of the Underground Triad to be specific. Mas maganda kung kakaibiganin mo ang tagapagmana nila to enhance the bond of our family when you take over our mafia and businesses already---"
"What the fvck, Mom!" I cut her off.
"Cross, I don't like your tone..." nagbababalang sabi ng boses sa kabilang linya. I am mad to even care for her warnings anymore. Hindi ko kailangang makinig sa kanya ngayon.
She's far away from me. The Death Commission cannot informed the family of Zadreth. Hindi maganda ang epekto. Not unless Zad tell the truth to his family.
Sa ganoong paraan lang malalaman ng pamilya ko kung anong nangyayari dito sa loob. I could not care less. This is not a joke anymore!
I mean... duh? Bakit sasabihin ng mga Avenir ang mga nangyari sa tagapagmana nila? Was it because they want mom to stop me from planning to kill him?
How can I kill Zad?! Gusto ko siyang patayin? Yes! But I cannnot do that now. Hindi pa pwede. Or maybe... hindi talaga pwede! See? My mother also doesn't want me to touch that manipulative guy!
How can I even supposed to kill him if everyone's watching us? Isa pa... Zadreth is a dangerous person. The invincible one of St. Death High. Mautak siya at delikado sa kahit na anong bagay.
Aaminin ko. Nag-aalangan din ako kung kakayanin ko siya. That's one of the reason why I'm taking my time to defeat him. Dahil hindi pwede.
And then now---my mother wants me to befriend him? What. The. Fvcking. Fvck. That joke wasn't funny. Not at all. And these things happening to me one step at a time is giving me creeps!
Hindi pwedeng walang malalim na dahilan kung bakit nangyayari ito! Hindi na kapanipaniwala. And worst, ang universe na mismo ang gumagawa ng paraan para hindi ko pakialaman ang lalaking iyon!
What's with him anyway? Does he know my real identity now? I cannot ask my mother about that topic.
"Madam, we already talk about that matter, right?" She didn't answer so I continue. "I thought, you and Daddy doesn't want me to take over that fvcking mafia? I also dream a normal life. You should explain this..." nanghihina kong dugtong.
"Everything change. People change, we change. And Itozz change his mind." She blew a breath. Medyo masakit iyon sa pandinig. "Your cousin doesn't want to take over the mafia anymore, Cross. He wants to build his own empire on his own. That young man is very unpredictable..."
"He what?" My eyes widen. "What about Yeshua?"
"You heard it loud and clear. Itozz will build his own empire. You're tito and I have no idea that he's son will come into this decision. Itozz is probably out of his mind. Though, I like his idea. And Yeshua... well that young man is busy exploring the world. And your Father what him to have a normal life."
"You've gotta be fvcking kidding me, Madam. You let it happened!"
I ended the call before she can reply anything else. I need to talk to Itozz. And I also need Stan's help. What a plan. Shit!
---
Itozz is pronounced as Ay-tozz. Raisus is pronounced as Ray-sus and not Reysus. Just to make it clear.