Chapter 29: GE;GE√ Mendell Empire
CLAIRA'S POV
I SCOOTED over my bed and tried again to sleep. Minutes passed and my mind is still actively working. Thinking how Amarie cried in my shoulders. I am never fond of hugs and comforts, but I bare with it for her sake.
I didn't asked. I actually didn't need to know. Even if sometimes I'm messing to keep my own business, I still know my limitations. It was evident that she was deeply hurt. I didn't know the reason why they ended up being exes, but I don't want to butt in. It's not my story to tell.
And she's not yet ready to open an old scar. It must've been hard for her.
Kahit hindi ko naintindihan ang pinagdaanan niya, kahit parang mali man sa paningin ng lahat ang naging relasyon nila, I tried to understand and weigh things. You cannot really judge a person by it's cover. Amarie looks girly and yellow, pero hindi mo masabi na nagkaroon na pala siya ng relasyon sa kapwa niya babae.
At first I was really shocked, of course, ngayon lang ako naka-encounter nang ganito. And hell, I treat her already as a friend! Kaya kahit ano pa siya—sila, then it's find. As long as they won't betray me as what the others did to me a long time ago. As long as they will stay true to their selves, then I'm okay with it.
Pero anak ka naman ng kagang kasi! Kahit kasi isipin ko at kahit pa may hinala na ako nang marinig ko ang sigawan nila sa kotse, hindi ko maiwasang mapaisip na pwede pala talaga yun. I mean dude, ako ang naiilang para sa kanila. Lalo pa't magkakasama talaga kami kasi kaibigan ko sila. Pero ugh, I don't know! Bahala na nga sila sa buhay nila! Tangina naman e!
Mariin ako'ng pumikit at pinilit pa ring matulog. Sa ilang oras ko nang pagpabaling-baling ng posisyon ay humimbing na rin ako.
I opened my eyes when my alarm strikes at six. Kahit tinatamad ay tumayo pa rin ako at nag-ayos para pumasok. I wore a simple black v-neck shirt and a maong ripped jeans since I cannot have my uniform yet. I take a deep breath and held my necklace for comfort. I always do this whenever I'm off or sometimes when I'm not feeling good.
Bumaba na ako sa hagdan at dumiretso sa kusina para mag-breakfast. After that, ay sumalampak na ako sa kotse ko at naghanda papunta sa school. Minutes passed and I'm now already parking my car.
I unconsciously bit my lower lip. This is it! First day in school for being the Empress. I just wish things will still work out naturally. I grip the steering wheel tightly while staring at the students who walk passed by me. Others are looking at my car, knowing that this is mine. They're anticipating if I'm gonna get out now.
Malalim ako'ng humugot ng hininga. Mabilis ko'ng kinaltukan ang sarili ko. Bakit nga ba ako kinakabahan? I tsked. Walang emosyon akong lumabas sa sasakyan at malakas yung isinara kaya agad napalingon ang mga taong nasa paligid ko. May ibang nagulat at mabilis yumuko, ang iba naman ay parang walang pakialam pero yumuko pa rin bilang paggalang.
Isa rin 'yan sa napansin ko, gumagalang sila sa pamamagitan ng pagyuko. Akala mo naman instsik o koryano o baka naman ganun lang talaga sila noon pa man. Ah ewan! Pakialam ko diba?
Palakad pa lang ako nang kusa ako'ng sinasalubong ng mga estudyante.
"Good morning, Empress." Lul.
"Have a nice day, Empress!" Have a nice life, nigga.
"You're lovely today, Empress!" And you're not.
"Ang angas mo po, sana all!" I snickered. Hindi ko maiwasang mangilabot sa mga pinagsasabi nila. Kung makabati akala mo close kami noon. I tsked. Hindi ko nalang sila pinansin at walang emosyon na naglakad papasok. Habang binabaybay ko ang hallway ay halos gusto ko nang magmura!
Tangina!
Kung noon ay parang balewala ako o kaya naman puro masasamang tingin ang ibinibigay nila sa'kin ngayon naman ay puro ngiti. I scoffed silently. How amazing, the tables has been turned in a blink of an eye, huh? I rolled my eyes and just walk fastly to avoid their irritating stares.
Nang matanaw ko na ang pinto ng classroom ko ay mas nagmadali ako. Ngunit bago pa man ako makaabot sa pinto ay may babaeng humarang sa'kin. I take a step back and furrowed my brows. I instantly recognized the girl. It's one of Sheilalay's friend. If I'm not mistaken, it is Ms. Singko? May kasa-kasama rin siya noon e, si Ms. Labreta.
"What?" I asked immediately. Napataas ang kilay ko ng sobrang liwanag nang ngiti nito sa'kin. Mahinhin siyang yumuko at parang anghel na humarap muli sa'kin. Sa pagkakaalala ko, siya yung nanabunot sa'kin. I tsked. The nerve.
"Good morning, Empress. How's your day?" She questioned back. The hell?
My day wasn't even started yet. You, how's your life? Still fucked up?
"I don't want to have a conversation with you. What do you want?" Diretso ko'ng ani habang may malamig na boses. Nakita ko ang pagkapawi ng halata namang plastik niyang ngiti. She looked at me disbelievingly. What? Should I greet her too? Ako naman ang nagmukhang plastik nun!
"U-uhm. Pinatawag daw tayo sa g-guidance office." She stuttered. Mas lalong nangunot ang noo ko.
"Tayo?"
"Y-yes, Empress. We are summoned by Madam Tacia. Me, you, Sheila and my other friend." I started walking without looking at her and she immediately stalked behind me. Imbes na dumiretso sa classroom ay nilampasan ko lang yun.
But wait? Madam Tacia, who? Who's that?
"You should be the role model not the role asshole!"
Umalingawngaw sa isip ko ang sigaw na yun. The time when Sheilalay and her friends attacked me at the hallway saying I should stay away from their Emperor and that I should stop flirting with him. Eww.
Yung matandang babaeng akala mo nakalunok nang mga mura. She has a lot of profanities at the back of her mind. How unprofessional. Now what was this old hag want?
Ah! I remembered. We are punished and was about to clean the Jupiter's Lair and the other one I can't remember. Pero hindi natuloy yun dahil sa biglaang challenge. Don't tell me we still need to do the punishment? Damn if ever!
"DON'T FORGET to mention my name to the Emperor, Empress, okay? If you have anything you want, just go straight here in the guidance office. I'm one call away!" Madam Basya—as I remember how I address her, enthusiastically said. She held my right hand with both of her hands and shake it lightly.
She smiled so brightly na halos mabulag na ako. Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ba ako o maiinis dahil sa inaakto nilang lahat. Parang lahat ng estudyante ay bumaliktad. Luckily, or was this lucky, I avoided the supposedly punishment. We, actually. Madam Basya lift our punishment right away and now treating me so nicely I wanna puke.
Lalo't nitong nakaraang araw ay mas maanghang pa sa sili ang mga mura niya sa'kin. Now, this is one of the perks for being the Empress, huh? Napaismid ako. Kung ganito lang din naman, ay gusto ko'ng manapak. It's so obvious that they were all fake! Even talking me nicely doesn't suit them. I just saw pure bullshit.
Binitawan niya na ang kamay ko at nanlilisik naman na tumingin sa kabila. Sa grupo nila Sheilalay. Yes, they're here also. At papasa na sila sa pagiging clown sa laki rin nang ngiti nila sa'kin. Lihim ako'ng napangiwi. I cringed totally thinking how this people turned unrealistic.
What's the catch anyway? What would they gain if ever they do all this things? I mean, not that I'm complaining, it's less hassle to have a toxic environment if they were in their old selves. But my question is what would they get? What is this? A change of life?
"You piece of shits, ungrateful youngsters! Go back now to your classes! Next time you make a fuss again then I won't be sitting pretty tolerating your crap behaviours! Understood?!" Muling sigaw niya kila Sheila. Here she goes again with her crunchy swore. Napayuko naman ang mga ito.
Madam Basya turned her head at me again and smiled radiantly. But I didn't smile in returned. I still looked at her emotionlessly and shortly bid my goodbye. Hell, I'm late again. Ano namang matutunan ko nito?
"WHAT'S the formula again? Ugh! I always forget!" Amarie whispered beside me. Our lecturer was just sitting in front, checking some papers, but he still managed to have a glance on us if we were cheating. What an eagle eyes. Spare me though, I have never been caught red handed in my entire life.
Napalingon ako kay Amarie at nakitang wala nang bakas nang kung anumang nangyari kagabi ang mukha niya. Para bang sanay na siya. Muli ko'ng naalala ang hagulgul niya sa'kin. Nangilabot talaga ako run. I mean dude, that's just not her. Muli ko'ng winaksi sa isip ko ang nangyari kagabi.
Lumingon sa'kin si Amarie kaya tipid ko lang siyang nginitian. Itinuon ko ulit ang atensyon ko sa sinasagutan at hindi na pinansin ang paligid.
Talking or even moving is really making me lazy. But when it comes on studying? I'm more lazy. Sabi ko nga noon diba, pwede nang hindi ako mag-aral. But yeah, education is a must! Where would you be if you doesn't have a diploma even if you're smart?
Naks naman!
I shifted on my seat and face Amarie's direction slightly. In a millisecond, I already handed her a piece of paper where the formula she needed contained. She mouthed 'thanks' and I just nodded, boringly. My morning period passed by.
Good thing the lecturers doesn't change a bit—or whatever. Except that they always smiles' at me, some even congratulated me repeatedly, and others even gave me a special mentioned. Ang ibang kaklase ko naman ay ang hyper pa rin sa challenge. Hindi maka-move on!
Pero sa kalagitnaan nang lesson namin sa Physics ay nag-open ng topic ang lecturer namin tungkol sa adrenaline rush. Kung saan dahil sa panic or other surprise or fast emotions ay nagagawa nating gawin ang mga bagay na akala natin hindi natin magagawa.
The topic last more than twenty minutes and they were already talking about how fast your reflexes when you're in a sudden situation where you need to defend yourself. Ang mga hyper pa sa challenge ay nangunguna sa discussion. But what made me stilled in my seat is when the lecturer asked me.
"...where did you learn your skills, Empress?" I didn't heard the whole questioned though. I just snapped out from my own reverie when Amarie tapped my shoulder.
Where did I learn my skills?
Inilibot ko ang paningin ko at nakitang nag-aabang ang lahat sa'kin. The looks on their faces screams amazement because of what I did that night. They just can't get over it. And I'm too lazy to elaborate or even give details sa lahat ng mga bulungan nila tungkol sa'kin.
"That? Uhmm.. YouTube?" The dumbest answer I answered ever! What do you expect me to say?! Na si Mater Chan? The fuck?! Edi tatanongin agad ako kung paano ko nakilala si Master Chan? Sikat pa naman yun!
Master Chan became my martial arts teacher when I was 8. Nang makapasok ako sa ASF bilang bagong ensayo ay natigil kami ngunit muli kaming bumalik sa dati naming training nang mag-14 na ako. Dumadayo pa ako sa China para sa mga training namin. Minsan ay ilang buwan ang nalalagi ko doon at minsan naman ay wala talaga kaming training dahil busy siya sa shooting.
Nangunot ang noo nang lahat at tumingin sa'kin ng hindi makapaniwala. Ako nga rin e hindi makapaniwala. Tangina, sa YouTube?! Utot ko talaga!
Mabuti naman at hindi na sila nang-usisa pa. Hinayaan na nila ang naging sagot ko kaya kinibit balikat ko nalang. Hindi ko naman akalain na mga uto-uto pala ang mga ito.
"What do you want to eat for lunch, besty?" Tanong sa'kin ni Amarie habang naglalakad kami sa hallway papuntang cafeteria. Garet wasn't around. I don't know if I should feel relieved or what dahil iwas awkward moments. Pero sa tingin ko naman ito na mismo ang umiiwas. But she just need to make sure na ngayon lang siya wala, heck, she doesn't need to avoid Amarie forever.
I don't know their history, but I guess they lack closure.
"Anything."
"Anything?" Amarie repeated and I nod my head without looking at her, "even me?" Dagdag niya.
It takes me a seconds to finally realized what she just said. When it totally sink in to me, I automatically looked at her disgustingly, "what the fuck?!" I blurted out. Making other students stop on their track and look in our direction. "What the hell, heck, shit?!" Sunod-sunod ko'ng mura.
At dahil tamad ako, hindi ko na nilagayan nang 'what the' yung dalawa. I can feel the hair in my neck rose up! This mango!
Amarie suddenly burst out laughing her ass off! Nakahawak pa siya sa tiyan at talagang lumapit pa siya sa pader sa gilid para lang mahampas ito. Kulang nalang ay gumulong siya sa sahig sa lakas nang halakhak niya. I glared at those students who's curiously looking at us and they immediately averted their gazes.
"I-im so sorry!" She apologizes between her laugh, pinunasan niya pa ang gilid ng mata niya dahil may tumulong luha. "I'm sorry Chemistry so-so! But your face was just epic! It's priceless so-so!" She exclaimed. Walang emosyon ko lang siyang tiningnan hanggang sa suminghap na siya at pinakalma ang sarili.
"Happy ka? Happy?" Sarkastiko ko'ng saad. She thumps up and then when she looked at me again, she tried to stifle her laugh by biting her lower lip. She looked away and sighed deeply. "Ako ba'y pinagloloko mo?" Parang nanay na tanong ko. I continue to walk and she stalked me behind.
"Sorry! I was just kidding lang kasi! You look so drown in your own thoughts! What ba kasi iniisip mo?" Maarte niyang tanong. She flip her long dyed with yellow at the ends hair and then raised an eyebrow while looking at her fingernails painted with yellow, obviously.
I stop again walking, tinitigan ko siya. "I have a question." Nang mapansing tumigil ako sa paglalakad ay takang lumingon siya sa'kin.
"Fire away." Naguguluhan man ay tumango pa rin siya.
This question of mine keeps lingering on my mind ever since last night. I gulp and coldly look at her, "are you a lesbian?" Without hesitation or second thoughts, I straight forwardly asked.
Nanlaki ang mata niya at parang natatawa pang umiling-iling sa'kin, "hell no!" Agad na react niya. I shrugged my shoulders and continue to walk. Fine. If she's not a lesbian then maybe a bi. Ayoko na ring mag-isip sa kung anong gender preference nilang dalawa ni Garet. It's annoying!
"How can you say that I'm a tomboy, huh?" Amarie asked after we step in the cafeteria. Ramdam ko na naman ang tingin ng lahat na napunta sa direksyon namin ngunit hindi ko na pinansin. May mga yumuko at bumati ngunit wala ako'ng binalingan ng tingin.
Tinuro ni Amarie ang four-seater na table malapit sa bintana kaya agad kaming nagtungo roon. Umupo na ako at inilagay sa katabi ko'ng upuan ang itim ko'ng back pack. Umupo rin sa harap ko si Amarie at inilagay ang yellow niyang shoulder bag sa katabi ring upuan.
"I don't know. Just saying."
"Alrighty! Let's just.. forget about that! What's done is done and it cannot be undone! Now, let's eat muna. Me na oorder!" She exclaimed joyfully. Dali-dali siyang tumayo at umalis sa harapan ko. Hindi ko pa nga nabibigay ang pera ko pambili. Bahala siya, libre niya siguro.
Napaisip tuloy ako. Mali ba yung itinanong ko? Am I being insensitive? Shit! Maybe I shouldn't asked her that! Ugh! Sabi ko na nga ba at may masasabi at masasabi talaga ako! I slightly bit my lower lip because of exasperation. I dismissed the thought and just sighed deeply.
Inilibot ko ang aking paningin at nakitang pasulyap-sulyap sa'kin ang ilang estudyante na malapit sa table namin. Nang may maka-eyes to eyes akong babaeng estudyante ay dali-dali itong yumuko. Tipid lang ako'ng tumango. I tss-ed. This is getting irritating.
Para malibang ay kinuha ko sandali ang phone ko. My brows knitted in confusion when I saw two missed calls from my brother. Mas nagulat pa ako nang makitang hindi roaming number ang ginamit niya sa'kin pantawag.
Wait?! Hindi roaming number?! Is my brother's here in the Philippines?!
Natatarantang pinindot ko ang call na icon at tinawagan siya! Ngunit makailang ulit ko na yung ginawa ay hindi pa rin siya sumasagot. Walang sumasagot! Pinagloloko ba ako nito?!
I was dialling now my mom's number when someone place a tray in front of me. Napaangat ako nang tingin at nakita si Amarie na nakakunot ang noo sa'kin. I composed myself and slowly put back my phone in my pocket. Siguro mamaya ko na lang tatawagan si mommy, o si Physics.
But if my brother is really here in the Philippines, bakit hindi nila sinabi sa'kin? Ano namang gagawin ni Physics dito? Is he being hunted too? I slightly grit my teeth thinking the word 'hunt'. We're like wild animals who needs to be eliminated so that we can't hurt innocent lives.
But what the heck?! Wala man lang ako'ng kaide-ideya kung sino ang kumakalaban sa'min! My parents just sent me here rashly without even explaining to me what's the real score! Ngayon naman ay may missed calls si Physics! Ano ba talagang nangyayari?
I really really need to talk to lolo. As soon as possible.
"Is everything okay, Empress?" Amarie's words snapped me out of my own thought. Her worried expression makes me sighed heavily.
I rolled my tongue over my dry lips and shook my head. "Yeah," I motion her to sit down now and with brows still furrowed, she obliged. It's obvious she's not convinced on to what I just said. I don't need to explain it to her though. She doesn't need to know. She must not know.
"Is it about me.. having a r-relationship with Garet? Or is it about my gender preferences, you're asking?" Parang nag-dadalawang isip pa niyang tanong. Agad akong napatingin sa kanya at umiling.
"No," I said almost a whisper. "It's not about you guys. Silly, I just received my mom's text message." Natatawa kunwaring ani ko. And of course, it was a lie. It was me, who was about to send a message to her.
"Oh," yumuko siya at sinimulang kainin na naman ang Bermuda grass na inorder niya para sa sarili. Pagtingin ko sa'kin ay yung gaya parin nang dati kaya walang reklamo ko na itong sinimulan na ring kainin.
Amarie is now busy scrolling in her phone while I'm now again in my deep thought. When something popped up in my mind.
"Amarie," I called her. She immediately put her phone down and focus her attention to me.
"Yep, so-so? What is it?"
"Did you hear anything about Andrea?" I curiously asked. I never heard anything about her ever since the challenge. When some students dragged her out of the gym.
She pursed her lips and look up at the ceiling. Parang nag-iisip pa siya nang isasagot. "Oo nga, noh? I don't know rin e." Naguguluhan rin niyang saad. Mahina akong tumango. So maski siya ay walang alam. Eh yung mongoloid kaya?
"Ano sa tingin mo ang parusa niya?" Tanong ko pa. I chewed the food in my mouth and drink Amarie's water. Hindi pa nabubuksan ang water bottle na nabili niya at ubos na yung sa'kin. Sinundan niya yun nang tingin at ngumuso sa'kin.
Naningkit ang mga mata niya, she made a tsked sound and twitch her lips,"Beats me. She's been doing bad ever since she entered the challenge. Maybe sobrang heavy na nang punishment sa kanya ngayon. Expulsion? I don't know."
Expulsion? Can they do that? I know Andreaustitute is rich. Of course, her family has connections. Can she be kicked out in this school?
Nagulat ako nang magtitili si Amarie sa harap ko. Nakayuko na naman pala ito sa cellphone niya at may kung anong tinitingnan. "Hey, finish your food first," parang nanay na paalala ko. She looked at me with dreamy and sparkling eyes. Halos mapunit pa ang labi niya sa kakangiti.
"Problema mo?" Walang gana ko'ng tanong. Umupo ako nang tuwid upang bumaba ang kinain ko at tinitigan si Amarie.
"Look Empress oh!"
"Don't call me that!" Angil ko agad sa kanya. Kinuha ko rin ang cellphone niyang nakalahad sa'kin. It's really uncomfortable for me to hear her calling me Empress. I don't know. I just want those old times na Chemistry so-so or whatever yung tawag niya sa'kin. Being an Empress in this school doesn't mean my friends needs to call me one.
I am the Empress of the Gangster Society. The leader of the Deadly Angels. The uno in the Storm Rank. And yet others doesn't even mind to call me names. I mean, I'm not gonna be a hypocrite, it's less hassle to have a good environment, but I just felt so much uncomfortable. I cannot fathom the feeling. Siguro nasanay lang talaga ako na kapwa gangster ang tumatawag sa'kin ng ganun o ewan ko!
They're just becoming so annoying! Ang pagyuko, ang paggalang, ang pagbati, lahat-lahat na! Parang ewan talaga!
Kingina! Basta!
Nakakunot noo na tiningnan ko ang tinitignan ni Amarie. Mas lalo pang nalukot ang mukha ko nang makita ko'ng ano ito.
"What's this?"
"That's Lee Min Ho!"
"Lee Min who?" Naiiritang tanong ko. Pake ko naman kung sino 'to? "I asked you 'what' Amarie. Hell I care who he is?" Mataray ko'ng tanong. Ewan, nainis ako bigla makakita ng singkit. Naalala ko ang singkit na mata ng mongoloid, atsaka yung mata ni Alas. Eww.
"Sungit mo po! I just got excited kasi hyper pa rin me doon sa latest niyang movie. Kaka-end ko lang sa last episode last night." Pagkekwento niya pa sabay impit na tili.
"Share mo lang?" I handed her phone back and she accept it while pouting at me. Inismiran ko lang siya. "By the way," kuha ko ulit sa atensyon niya.
"What?" Nakangusong tanong niya. Mukhang napikon sa pambabara ko. I tss-ed. Ano nalang kaya kung makaharap nito si Evangeline? Hindi lang pambabara makukuha nito, pati lait. That book-snake.
Yeah, she's not a bookworm, it's funny when I call her booksnake. Though I hate snakes.
"Do you know anything about Mendell Empire?" Direstong tanong ko. Napatitig naman siya sa'kin.
"I'm not in the position kasi e. But maybe I can tell a little. Little lang naman e." She said convincing herself. She sigh, "ang Emperor kasi dapat ang mag-said sayo tungkol sa empire so-so e!" Angil niya pa.
"Tss. C'mon!" Pang-uuto ko pa. I'm dying on curiosity here!
She pressed her lips together and scratch her nose a little, sabay nguso sa'kin." Mendell Empire is not an Empire you can freely enter. You'll have different tests and challenges to acquire before the higher ups can saw your potential. This Empire is not a joke so-so. Once you enter, you cannot back out. Until your last year of being a High school student. But when you step on college. Forget everything. Like you were not part of it. Like it doesn't exist at all." Seryosong aniya. Nanatili ako'ng tahimik. Pinoproseso ang sinabi niya.
Fuck it! I'm now beginning on getting curious more. Why do I feel so weird about it? There's just something I can't pin-point!
And there's that 'when you step on college, forget everything shit'! I don't understand why. I'm sure those who were part of it who turns college didn't lose any connection to the Empire. It's still there. But maybe those 'higher-ups' just choose whose responsible and worthy enough to be still part of it. I just have this trial and error hunch. And sometimes—scratch it! Most of the time, I'm right!
I'll just have to wait. I know that I will know everything in the right time. I'm the Empress of that Empire now. I can't be clueless. That's absurd! And hell would I let it!
I lick my lips and shook my head," are you.. part of it?" Mahina ko'ng tanong.
Ngunit nginitian niya lang ako. Napahinga ako ng malalim. I shrugged my shoulders and straight the remaining water in Amarie's bottle.
Tumayo na ako at agad naman siyang sumunod. I glance at my wristwatch and it says 13:05. Exactly 15 minutes in the hour of 1 is the start of our afternoon period. Narinig ko sa kabilang section na may ibinigay na daw na research yung isang subject nila.
Wala naman ako'ng pakialam. Narinig ko lang talaga.
"Oh my so! Preggy yung taga section C sa grade 11 Chemistry so-so! Look oh." Bagot ko'ng sinulyapan yung cellphone niya at umirap.
"You're into gossips now? Saan mo ba nababasa yang mga 'yan?" Nagsimulang mangunot ang noo ko.
"Sa official page." Maikli niyang ani at abala pa rin sa pags-scroll. May mga nakakasalubong kami na mabilis na yumuyuko sa'kin. Napasingkit pa ang mga mata ko nang mahagip ng paningin ko sina Louis at Mathew sa may kiosk dito malapit sa grade 10 na building. Malapit lang kasi ang cafeteria sa building ng lower years kaya ganun.
Nakita ko'ng pangiti-ngiti ang dalawa habang may kausap na tatlong babaeng magaganda. Napangiwi ako. Kalandian nga naman.
"May ganyan sa official page ng Mendell High?" My eyebrows flip up.
Agad siyang tumingin sa'kin at parang natatawa pang umiling-iling. "What I mean is, Mendell Gossips and News official page! Admin dito ang Head ng school paper dito sa school. From the name of it, of course, news and other buzz in the students life lang naman ang mga pinag-uusapan dito."
I snorted. Really? Pati buhay ng iba pagtsitsismisan pa? Hell! People here doesn't have anything interesting in their plates, huh? Ano naman ngayon kung buntis yung taga grade-11? Masama na nga siguro ang pakiramdam nun dahil sa kumalat na balita sa kanya tapos dadagdagan pa nang sasabihin ng ibang tao sa kanya? Tch-ed.
Naks! Bait ko talaga!
"Oh my so! Look yung isang comment dito oh! I mean so.." Pinakita sa'kin ito ni Amarie kaya bagot ko itong sinulyapan. Napangiwi ulit ako.
"Bumukaka siya, panindigan niya."
I rolled my eyes. What a sight. Napakamot ako sa batok ko. Bakit ko nga pinag-aaksayahan ng oras ito? Ano ba naman 'yan! Bukod sa boring ang araw na ito, naiirita pa ako sa mga taong nasa paligid ko! Leeches!
"WALA DAW tayo'ng English ngayon. Absent si Sir Rah!" Napaangat ang ulo ko mula sa pagkakayuko nang marinig ko ang anunsyo ng isa naming kaklase. Agad nag-ingayan ang lahat at kanya-kanya nang tayo para umuwi dahil last subject nga namin itong English.
"Sino si Sir Rah?" Tanong ko kay Amarie na busy na naman kakalikot sa phone niya.
"Teacher natin," walang kwenta niyang sagot. Sarap kuramusin! Napakunot ang noo ko nang maalala yung matandang weird. Agad akong napapitik sa hangin. Tama! Yung lalaking weird na sabi nila e kuripot daw sa grado. Tss.
I shrugged my shoulders and get my things up. Amarie and I chatted in the hallway when her phone rang. She excused herself and went to the side to answer the call. Tumigil rin ako at hinintay siya nang bigla ring mag-ring ang cellphone ko.
My brows furrowed when an unregistered number came to my sight. Though I am hesitating, the fact that only few people knows my number means this caller is something important. I hurriedly slide it to the right.
Nang maitapat ko na ito sa aking tenga ay hindi muna ako nagsalita. I heard several curses and the person from the other line was panting for breath. The noises immediately replaced by a crunchy sound, parang tunog ng tv na nawalan ng signal.
Mas lalong nalukot ang mukha ko nang biglang mamatay ang tawag. The fuck?! Sino yun? I was about to call it again when Amarie get my attention.
"I have some theatre stuff to do so-so! Gonna go home late again." She pouted and looked at me with teary eyes. Lumapit pa siya at humalik sa pisngi ko.
"I see. Go home straight after." Huling paalala ko. Tumango naman siya sa'kin at kumaway kaya nagsimula na akong maglakad. Kung noon ay hinihintay ko pa ang sundo niya para masiguradong diretso siya uwi, ngayon ay hindi na ako nag-abala.
After knowing that her cousins was the twins, worrying for her is no sense at all, after all, she's inside the perimeter of this school. Mendell High felt actually a safer place for me.
Mabilis ko ulit tiningnan ang hawak ko'ng cellphone at tinawagan ang number na tumawag kanina. But to my dismay, the number is now unattended. I cannot contact it anymore. It seems like the user broke the sim or throw the used phone.
This is making me nervous. And I don't even have slightest idea why.
Mabilis ang mga hakbang ko papunta sa parking area nitong school at walang pinansin ni isa sa mga bumabati. Nang makapasok sa sasakyan ay agad kong idinial ang isa sa mga tauhan sa mansion.
"Young Mistress,"sagot nang sa kabilang linya. I sighed in disappointment. I tell myself I shouldn't call for help in the mansion. The last time I asked them a favor was all about the blueprint. Sa oras kasi na humingi ako ng tulong mula sa mansion ay maaring hindi na ako makabalik sa apartment ko. My parents obliged my request to stay in an apartment even if I have a hunters to run for, pero alam ko'ng sa oras na malaman nilang nagkakaproblema ako, paniguradong sa mansion ang bagsak ko.
But only my family's men can make what I want. I needed their expertise right now. The side of my lips rose up when I remembered how they pledged their loyalty to us. That it is more pleasurable to served our family than their own country. I witness it all. I am there. Standing beside my lolo.
"Who's this?" The last time I called, one of the server answered the call. I can't talk if this was just a normal employer.
"This is Marcus, milady." The stern and low voice filled my ears. I tried to recall the name Marcus and it's liked a flashback remembering the white haired man with a scar in his right cheek caused by my brother Physics when they are doing their training many years ago, I was just still a kid that time.
He's still serving our family? Cool.
"I'll send you a number and traced it where it's last used. I'll give you ten for the coordinates, Marcus. If you can dig deeper, include the details of its owner. Crystal?"
"Clear." Agad ko'ng ibinaba ang tawag at sinend nga sa kanya ang numero. Kahit ang oras kung saan tumawag ang misteryosong caller ay isinali ko, our call lasted for fifteen seconds, I know that they can trace every person who uses phone to contact in my exact location.
I don't know why am I doing this. I still have a lot in my plate. Pero ewan ko ba! Bahala na nga!
I was about to start my engine when my phone vibrated again. I was about to feel amazed how fast they do their work but to my dismay, ang pangalan nang mongoloid ang bumungad sakin.
Science calling...
Yeah, I already add him to my contacts. It's needy.
"What do you want?" Malamig ko'ng ani. Uwing-uwi na kasi talaga ako.
"Hello rin sayo, pabo!" Sarkastiko niyang sagot. Umirap ako sa ere at pumalatak.
"You're wasting my time, kid." Akmang ibababa ko na nang magsisigaw siya na sandali lang.
"Eto naman! Di mabiro! But what did you just say again? Kid?!" Mabilis ko'ng inilayo ang cellphone ko mula sa tenga sa lakas nang sigaw niya. Nanginig ata eardrums ko. Para ring nag-back and forth ang mga tutuli ko.
Okay. That's gross.
Pero agad ring nag-init ang ulo ko sa dami ng patutsada niya. Hindi diretsuhin sa kung ano'ng kailangan. Tangina!
"Damn, dude. Just tell me what the fuck you want if you don't want me to fucking burned you alive." Malamig ko'ng saad.
"Aysam! Lahat ata nang balahibo ko sa katawan tumayo!"
"Why you little piece—"
"I got it! I got it! Hehe.. sabi mo hanapin ko yung mga kidnappers diba? I got it!" Mabilis niyang saad. Suminghap ako at kinalma ang sarili ko. Ewan ko ba at bakit parang ang liit ng pasensya ko pagdating kay Science. Parehong-pareho nang nararamdaman ko kapag pinagloloko ako ni Physics noon.
Another jerk!
"Location." simpleng ani ko at agad ibinaba ang tawag. I massaged the bridge in my nose when my phone again vibrated twice. A text message from Marcus and Science.
My mind is still battling whether to where to go. The other one sends me the word 'headquarters' while the other one sends me 'mansion'.
I click my tongue and start the engine. Instead of going straight ahead to North where our mansion is standing firmly, I chose to maneuver my steering wheel going to the back of this school.
The mystery caller can wait. But the mystery of the Mendell Empire can't. I'm having a feeling that I can spill some juice today.
MULING NAPAANGAT ang tingin ko para tingnan ang dalawang matatayog na building na pinagigitnaan nang isang bako-bakong daan. So much for frustrations today, dumagdag pa'to. Kingina!
I smoothly passed their rusty gate, bukas na kasi ito kaya dire-diretso lang ako'ng pumasok. I parked my car outside the building and let the wind blows my hair when I stepped out from my Porsche. Ngayon ko lang napansin na gumagabi na pala. It's almost six in the evening so the sun is already quiet setting.
Inilibot ko ang paningin sa labas at napansing halos wala man lang itong ilaw. It's looked like a scary abandoned commercial building. Geez.
Inirapan ko si Cadillac at dumiretso sa elevator. Walang katao-tao sa garage ni Science kaya para akong nasa isang horror movie. Sobrang dim pa nang lights, putek!
I pressed the button and stomped my feet impatiently. Ang tagal bumukas ng elevator. Dali-dali rin naman ako'ng pumasok nang bumukas na ito at agad pinindot ang fifth floor. Luckily, walang sumabay sa akin gaya nung huli ko'ng punta dito kaya mabilis ako'ng nakarating sa taas.
The elevator made a 'ting' sound and I am welcomed by their now cleaned sala. There in the middle of the two long sofa, sitting Science so comfortably. May hawak pa siyang isang gallon ng chocolate ice cream.
"Fix your road." Agad na bungad ko at umupo sa harap niya. May nakalagay na ngayon na isang single couch katulad nang kay Science. I sat across him and stared at him disgustingly. May mantsa ang damit niya dahil sa ice cream. Ang dugyot. I tsked.
"I can't. I don't know how. I'm not a road fixer. But I can order Klint. He's smart. I'll start to buy cement and asphalt tomorrow." Focus pa rin siya sa pagkain kaya walang kwenta ang mga isinasagot niya sa'kin. I rolled my eyes heavenwards.
"Where are they?" I asked him. Pertaining to the so-called kidnappers. Agad siyang napaangat nang tingin sa'kin at inosente ako'ng nginitian.
"Upstairs. I mean at the roof deck." Parang mabait na bata na ngumiti ulit siya sakin. Napakunot ang noo ko nang mapansing parang ang tino niyang sumagot.
"What's wrong with you?" I asked again, bewildered of his sudden change of attitude. Napangiwi ako nang ngumuso siya sa'kin.
"You'll fucking burned me alive if I won't talk seriously to you." Napaangat ang gilid ng labi ko sa sinabi niya. Huh! Natakot siya nun?
"Baliw," tanging kumento ko at tumayo na. I was satisfied with our calm conversation. Pwede naman pala siya maging ganito. I am smiling a little when he suddenly tossed me his empty gallon! May mga tunaw na ice cream pa ang nasa gilid niyon na agad tumalsik sa'kin.
Suminghap ako. Nakapikit ang kaliwa ko'ng mata habang ang isa ay nanlilisik na ang paningin sa kanya. Tumaas baba ang dibdib ko dahil sa pagpipigil ng galit. Ang lapot nang mukha, leeg at braso ko. I looked down at my shirt and gritted my teeth more when I saw a chocolate stained all over it!
"W-waaah! S-sorry! It slipped!" Sabay pakita niya nang dalawang palad niya ngunit nanlaki na ang mga singkit niyang mata nang makitang papasugod na ako!
"You crumpled piece of shit! I'm now seriously gonna burned you alive!" May sa demonyong sigaw ko at hinabol siya ng magsimula siyang tumakbo palayo sa'kin!
Hell hath no fury of a woman whose tainted with chocolate, you Mongoloid!
THEY GROANED and cried in pain. Napangiwi ako. Hindi ko akalaing yun lang ang rason nila para pumanig kay Andrea! Seriously?! Napaikot sila ng babaeng yun?!
I gave Johan a piercing look when I caught him eyeing me. Bugbog na nga ang mukha nakuha pang tumingin sa'kin?! Kingina! Akma ko itong sisipain nang may mauna na sa'kin. Napaatras ako nang sinipa siya ni Science!
"What're you looking at?" Napangisi ako nang marinig ang malamig niyang boses. He's on his acting again, huh?
Narinig ko ang bungisngis ulit ni Klyde sa gilid. Kanina pa to ah! Agad naman siyang nag-iwas nang tingin sa'kin nang mapansin ang masama ko'ng tingin.
Magsasalita na ulit sana ako nang mag-ring ang cellphone ko. Pagtingin ko sa callers id ay nanlaki ang mata ko nang makitang number ito ni Physics. Hindi naka-roaming kaya paniguradong dito ito sa pilipinas galing!
I hurriedly pick it up and place it in my right ear. "H-hello?" Napakurap ako. Napalingon rin sa'kin sina Science ngunit hindi ko na pinansin. Lumayo ako nang kaunti at pumunta sa gilid. Tanaw ko ang Mendell High mula dito sa kinatatayuan ko. Nasa likod nga talaga nitong school ang headquarters. "Physics?"
I heard a crunchy noise again before an incomprehensible words followed. Hindi ko maintindihan kaya bahagya ko'ng inilayo ang phone ko sa tenga. I tilted my head to the side while my brows are starting to furrowed.
"Physics," ulit ko.
"Chemistry! Chemistry! What have you done—" I stand there frozen. It's really Physics! It's his voice! My fist balled and I take a deep breath. The line was now cut off. The beeping sound makes me dizzy so I turned it off. Napatitig ako sa kawalan.
What have I done? What the fuck?! What did I do?!
***
A/N: this is lame, I know. But I'm excited to the next chappy though.
Unedited. Typos and grammatical errors are present.