𝙿𝙾𝙻𝚈𝙰𝙼𝙾𝚁𝚈 (𝚂𝚂) : 𝙵𝙾𝚄𝚁 𝚆𝙸𝚅𝙴𝚂 | 𝚁𝙷𝙴𝙰 (𝙸𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙴𝚇)
CHAPTER 37
-
INES AVALON
I've just finished my last class when I pass by the IT building. I hear some voices and almost ignore them, but then I catch a familiar one. Slowly, I walk toward the back of the building and see Rhea standing alone while the other students are unconscious.
"R-Rhea!" My eyes widen as I take in the sight of her face, covered in cuts and bruises.
She jumps back when she sees me, trying to hide the wounds, but it's too late. As I get closer, my chest tightens. She's covered in injuries, and I spot old bruises too. I can tell this isn't the first time she's gotten into a fight.
"Bebelabs," she says softly, forcing a smile while hiding the pain behind it.
Tears well up in my eyes as I bite my lower lip, gently cupping her cheek. "Since when? When did they start hurting you?" I speak softly.
She quickly looks away from my eyes. "Wala lang ito at nagkataon la-"
"Hon, please," I say, and the tears finally fall.
I can't believe this is happening. I don't believe this is just some coincidence. It's my fault, it's our fault. If we hadn't announced our relationship to her, this wouldn't be happening. Now, she's the one getting hurt while we were completely unaware.
"Isang buwan na." She answers, letting out a soft laugh.
I lower my head, realizing it's been a month since we made our relationship public to her. I knew something like this would happen, but I never imagined it would get this bad. I should've never agreed to it if I knew this would happen to Rhea.
"I'm sorry, let's go to the clinic to treat your wounds," I say, gently holding her hand.
We walk quietly toward the clinic, my mind racing with so many thoughts, especially about the huge mistake I made. I shouldn't have let jealousy take over. I blame myself for how Rhea's life turned out this way. It all became a mess because of our rash decisions. I won't let something like this happen again. They will pay for hurting my wife. Every single one of them. All of them.
"Bebelabs, wag ka na umiyak, oh. Ayos lang talaga ako." She says sweetly, wiping my tears away. I remain silent and continue to treat her wounds. I offer a small smile and gently kiss her palm. How could they do this to her? She's just a normal student who wants to finish her studies for the sake of her sister.
"This is our fault, I'm sorry," I whisper. I can't bear seeing her like this. I never wanted her to suffer, especially not now when we're about to start a family together.
"Hindi mo kasalanan, may mga inggit lang talaga na hindi matanggap ang katotohanan." she says, trying to lighten the mood.
I smile, staying silent as I continue treating her wounds until I'm finished. After packing up the kit, I return to her side, looking at her seriously, especially at the cuts and bruises. How are we going to explain this to others? We can't hide it. The injuries on her body are too visible. I have something to take care of today, and I'm close to finding out who Red is and where he's hiding. But I need to set that aside for now and focus on solving Rhea's problem first. Nothing matters more to me right now than her, and the child I'm carrying in my womb.
"Bebelabs, sabay na tayo umuwi? Uwi na tayo?" She asks. I still want to discuss what happened, and the pain she's been through, but she brushes off the topic as if trying to avoid it completely.
I heave a sigh and nod. "Okay," I reply.
We've made it home, Rhea and I were quiet the entire ride until we arrived. She immediately went up to her room, saying she needed to rest. I understand because she doesn't want to face the three of them, especially now that she's covered in bruises. I'm here now on the rooftop. I sent a message to the three of them, telling them to come up because there's something important we need to discuss.
The weight of the situation presses down on me. My mind races, thinking back to the moment when we decided to publicize our relationship with Rhea. Now, because of that decision, she's being bullied at school. It feels like I've betrayed her.
"I can't believe this. Rhea's being bullied because of us. It's my fault." I say, my voice filled with guilt.
"Don't carry all the blame," she says softly. "We all made this decision together. We were all part of it." Azalea, always the calm one, places a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
"We were so excited about being open, about finally being honest. But now she's the one suffering. I didn't think it would get this bad." Emilie says and lets out a deep sigh while rubbing her head.
Amour, who has been quietly listening, finally speaks up. "It's painful to see her like this. But what matters now is what we do. We have to protect her, all of us."
"I should've thought it through more," I whisper. "I didn't realize how cruel people could be. I never wanted this for her." I say and look at Aza.
Azalea's eyes meet mine. "We can't change what's already happened, but we can stand by her. We can be the support she needs. Right now, she needs us more than ever. We've got to show her she's not alone. We've always been her strength, and we can't stop now."
Emilie nods in agreement.
"We'll face this together. We'll talk to the school, we'll do whatever it takes to protect her. But we do it as a family." Amour says. I know she's right. We are a family, and no matter what the world throws at us, we will face it together.
I smile and nod. "Right, they will pay for all the pain they've caused Rhea," I whisper.
"Do you have a list of the names of those who hurt her?" Aza asks.
I nod and show them my phone, where the names are listed.
"Alright, let's handle this cleanly and carefully." She says, and the three of us nod in agreement.
-
I watch them wake up one by one, the lights of the auditorium flickering over their confused and terrified faces. Ten students. Ten pawns in my little game. They don't know it yet, but their lives are now mine to manipulate.
Eli stirs first, the so-called leader. His eyes darted around, already trying to figure out what's happening. Good. I need someone like him to rally the others. The rest follow-Sophia, the brainiac. Jade, the overconfident athlete. Ava, the delicate artist. and the rest. Each one of them is a perfect piece of the puzzle I've crafted.
I press the button on my console, and my voice booms through the speakers. "Welcome. Your lives are now tied to this game. You will face five challenges. You will bleed, you will break, but you will survive- if you play by my rules." Panic sets in instantly. They scream, they beg, but I don't care. Their desperation is the symphony I've been waiting to hear.
"Your first game begins now," I announce, watching as the doors creak open to reveal the labyrinth. "Find the key. Fail, and the maze will punish you."
They hesitate, but Eli pushes forward, rallying the others. It's fascinating to watch them stumble through the maze. Every wrong turn triggers a trap. Jade's confidence crumbles as a blade grazes his arm, leaving a deep gash. Sophia screams when spikes shoot up near her leg, tearing her jeans and leaving a bloody scrape.
But Lila surprises me. She's quiet, but she's smart. She memorizes the turns, guiding them toward the key. When they finally unlock the door, they're shaken and bloody, but alive. I lean back in my chair, satisfied.
Their game continues while I simply watch, along with the others on the monitor. This is their punishment for hurting someone who did nothing wrong to them. The gymnasium is perfect for this next game. Ten ropes dangle from the ceiling, each one looking identical, but I know which ones will hold and which ones will snap.
"Only six ropes are safe," I tell them. "Choose wisely, or fall."
They argue, naturally. Fear makes them turn on each other so easily. Eli tries to assign ropes, but Noah resists, picking his own. Emily's rope frays as she climbs, and I can't help but smirk as she falls, twisting her ankle. She cries out in pain, but I let her survive.
Ava freezes halfway up her rope, paralyzed by fear. Watching Ryan climb back down to help her is almost touching. Almost. When they finally cross, they're battered and bruised. My game is working perfectly.
"Congratulations. Next." I say.
This is my favorite part. A simple classroom, a simple riddle. "Two of you are traitors. Decide who they are, or face punishment together."
Noah accuses Eli of being manipulative. Emily snaps at Ryan for being too quiet. Ava cries in the corner, overwhelmed. The tension is delicious, but I grow bored when they fail to solve it in time. Gas floods the room, burning their skin. They scream and claw at the walls, and I finally hear Lila shout the answer. Smart girl. Too bad it came too late.
"Lucky, they managed to answer that."
The last room is always the hardest. A fragile wooden bridge stretches over a pit of spikes. It's a masterpiece, really... one wrong step, and they'll pay dearly.
"The bridge can only hold five at a time," I tell them. "Choose who goes first."
Eli steps up, assigning the lightest students to go first. Predictable. Ava stumbles, nearly falling, but Jake leaps forward to save her, dislocating his shoulder in the process. Meanwhile, Noah and Zane find the lever I planted, extending the secondary bridge. Clever boys. I knew they'd find it, but not before Noah's leg got caught on a jagged plank.
"Well, at least they're still alive. Congratulations to them," I mutter to myself.
As they walk toward the gates, their bloodied bodies struggling to stay upright, I step forward, my shadow stretching across the ground. My voice pierces the silence like a blade, distorted and commanding through the hidden speaker.
"Stop."
"P-Professor Ines,"
They freeze. Eli turns first, his eyes wide and filled with defiance, though laced with dread. The others follow suit, their battered faces reflecting a mix of exhaustion and terror.
"You think this is over?" I ask. "You think you can walk away from what you've done to Rhea and pretend like it never happened?"
Sophia flinches, her hands trembling as she grips her torn sleeve. Jade lowers his gaze, guilt flickering in his eyes. The rest are too shaken to even respond.
"Let me make this perfectly clear. The next time any of you even think about hurting her, this... this will feel like a warm-up. I will make sure you suffer a hundredfold for every bruise, every tear, and every ounce of pain you've caused her."
"W-We-" Noah tried to speak.
"Silence!" I snap, and he recoils like a scolded child. "You all made your choice when you decided to make her your target. You played your little games, and now you've felt what it's like to be on the other side. Consider yourselves lucky that you're walking out of here alive." I let the silence drag, watching as the weight of my words sinks in.
"From this moment on," I continue, I lower my voice to a venomous whisper, "Rhea is untouchable. Hurt her again, even so much as a word, and I will make sure you regret it for the rest of your miserable lives. This is not a warning. It's a promise."
"But we didn't mean for it to go this far. It was just-"
I raise a hand, cutting him off. "Don't waste my time with excuses. You think I don't know what you've done? Every bruise, every shove, every cruel word. You didn't 'just' anything-you made a choice."
The group exchanges nervous glances. Jade shifts uncomfortably, cradling his dislocated shoulder. Ava bites her lip, her face pale.
I take a slow step closer, letting my gaze pierce each of them. "This little game I designed? It was just a taste of what happens when you mess with the wrong person. You've felt pain tonight, real pain. But if you ever... ever... lay a finger on Rhea again, this will seem like child's play."
Sophia speaks up, her voice trembling. "We didn't know it would affect her so badly. We were just-"
"Just what?" I snap, my calm demeanor cracking for a moment. "Having fun? Proving a point? Whatever pathetic reason you had, it's done now. And so are your excuses. From this moment forward, Rhea is off-limits. Do you understand me?"
They nod hurriedly, fear etched into their faces.
"No," I say, my voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "I need to hear it. Say it."
"We understand," Eli says, his voice barely audible. The others mumbled their agreement.
"Good. Now, here's how this will work. You're going to leave her alone. No whispers, no stares, no retaliation. Because if I even suspect that you've hurt her again, I'll make this night look like a stroll through the park. And trust me, I have plenty more games prepared." I take a step back.
"Now, leave. And pray I never have to see your faces again." They stagger away, their broken bodies disappearing into the darkness. I watch them go, my chest rising and falling with controlled breaths.
Rhea's safety is all that matters. No one. No one will ever hurt her again no matter who they are.
-
RHEA WREN AMBROSIO
Naglalakad ako sa hallway kung saan ako lagi hinaharangan ng mga nambubully sa akin, nakapagtataka at hindi ko sila nakita simula kanina? Himala at tahimik ang araw ko ngayon, walang sumugod o nanakit kahit isa sa kanila. Nagsawa na sila? Miss ko tuloy mga presensya nila.
"Rhea!" Tawag ni Vinalyn, nilingon ko ito at ngayon tumatakbong papalapit sa akin.
"Uy, bakit?" Tanong ko.
"Balik ka raw sa crim-lab kakausapin ka ni Sir." Sabi niya. Tumingin ako sa relo at malapit na mag alas otso.
"V-Vina, samahan mo ako at malapit na mag alas otso." Sabi ko. Sa palapag kasi na 'yun ang may nagpaparamdam sa akin, hindi ko alam kung totoo ba talaga na multo o kung may nantitrip lang sa akin tulad ng sinabi ni Fleur.
"Ha? Nagmamadali ako at hindi ako pwedeng magtagal, tumakbo ka nalang pabalik." Napakamot ako sa aking ulo, hindi ba talaga pwede kahit ihatid nalang ako? Nasa floor kasi na 'yun nagpaparamdam sa akin ang multo.
"Sige na oh, kahit sa hagdan ka lang." Sabi ko.
Bumuntong hininga siya at umiling. "Sige, tara na." Aniya.
Bumalik kaming dalawa, habang naglalakad ay panay ang daldal ko sa kanya dahil sobrang tahimik ng paligid, kami nalang kasi ang naiwan kanina na nagkaklase at umuwi na ang iba. Papaakyat na kaming dalawa ngayon ng hagdan, madilim dahil walang ilaw- bakit walang ilaw? May ilaw naman kanina nong pagbaba ko tapos ngayon patay na?
"Rhea, okay ka pa ba?" Tanong niya, nasa likod ko ito habang ako ang nasa unahan.
"Ako? Okay naman, bakit mo naitanong?" Sagot ko.
May sinabi ito ngunit hindi ko masyadong narinig kaya huminto ako at nilingon si Vinalyn, "Anong sabi mo?" Tanong ko at binigyan lang ako ng isang matamis na ngiti.
"Wala, tuloy na." Sabi niya.
Binalik ko ang atensyon sa unahan pero bigla akong nanigas sa aking kinatatayuan. Diyos ko... nasa harapan ko siya. Isang babae, nakaputi, halos isang pulgada lang ang layo ng mukha niya sa akin. Napakalamlam ng kanyang mga mata, maputlang-maputla ang balat niya, at ang malamig na tingin ay parang tumagos sa kaluluwa ko. Hindi siya gumalaw, pero ramdam ko ang bigat ng presensya niya.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sobrang gulat, at bago ko pa napigilan ang sarili ko, napaatras ako. At doon nagsimula ang lahat. Ang paa ko, hindi nakaapak ng maayos sa hagdan. Pakiramdam ko ay bumagal ang oras. Nawalan ako ng balanse, at bago ko pa maabot ang rehas, naramdaman ko na ang unang hampas ng katawan ko sa semento. Gumulong ako pababa-parang hindi tumitigil ang pagkahulog. Ramdam ko ang sakit sa bawat hagupit ng katawan ko sa hagdan. Ngunit sa gitna ng lahat ng 'yun, ang nasa isip ko lang ay siya. Ang babae at kung bakit siya nagpapakita.
"Rhea!" Sigaw ni Vinalyn.
Nang tumigil ako sa paanan ng hagdan, habol-hininga ako, nanginginig sa sakit. Sumakit ang katawan ko, pero wala akong pakialam. Dahan-dahan akong tumingala para tingnan kung nando'n pa ang babae, pero wala na siya.
"Rhea! Ayos ka lang ba?!" Nag-aalalang tanong ni Vina at hinawakan ako sa mga braso.
"V-Vina, nakita mo ba ang nakita ko? Nakita mo ba ang babaeng nakaputi?" Tanong ko sa kanya at muling tiningnan ang sa itaas ng hagdan, sinundan 'yun ni Vinalyn bago muling ibinalik sa akin ang atensyon.
"Babaeng nakaputi? Wala akong nakita, ano bang mga nakikita mo? Walang multo rito at huwag ka maniwala sa mga chismis lang. Kaya mo ba kumilos? Tatawag ako ng tulong." Umiling ako sa kanya.
"Ayos lang ako, masakit lang balakang ko- pero hindi mo ba talaga nakita ang babae kanina? Seryoso ka ba? B-Bakit ako nakita ko siya- no, hindi ito ang unang beses at lagi ko siyang nakikita. B-Bakit sa akin lang siya nagpapakita?" Sunod-sunod kong tanong sa kanya at hindi rin alam ang tamang sagot, sa daming tao rito sa campus ay bakit ako? Anong kailangan niya sa akin?
"Wala akong nakita, nagulat din ako sa sigaw mo at bigla nalang gumulong pababa." Sagot niya.
"A-Alis na tayo Vina, bahala na si Sir at bukas ko nalang kakausapin." Sabi ko at dali-daling tumayo, kahit masakit ang katawan ay hindi ko na 'yun pinansin, basta makaalis lang kami kaagad.
Nilisan namin ni Vinalyn ang building, tumakbo talaga ako pababa at iniwan siyang mag-isa, hindi siya natatakot kasi hindi naman daw totoo ang mga multo at wala siyang nakita kanina. Sige, sana dumating 'yung panahon na magsawa ang multo sa pagpapakita sa akin at sa kaibigan ko naman magpakita, wag 'yung ako always at marami naman siyang options.
"Vina, sure ka ba ayaw mo magpahatid?" Tanong ko sa kanya habang papasok ng sasakyan.
Umiling ito. "Hindi na at may dadaanan pa ako, ingat ka." Sagot niya.
Tumango ako bago isinara ang pinto at binuhay ang makina ng sasakyan, kumaway ako sa kanya bago tuluyang umalis. Paglabas ko ng campus ay hininto ko sa gilid ng kalsada ang sasakyan at napapikit ng mga mata.
"Tsk,"
Kinuha ko ang cellphone at nagpadala ng mensahe sa apat. Wala pang ilang segundo ay sunod-sunod na ang pag seen nila, nag reply ako kaagad at nagpakawala ng malalim na buntong hininga dahil mukhang ginagawa lang nilang joke ang lahat ng mga sinasabi ko.
Rhea
Napapagod na ako.
Ines Avalon
Do you want some energy drinks?
Rhea
Seryoso ako, I need time.
Azalea turner
Look at your watch.
Rhea
Pastilan, sumasakit ulo ko sa inyo.
Amour Monroe
Drink your medicine.
Rhea
Hays, wala na ako maintindihan :(
Emilie Jenkins
Use google :)
Hindi na ako sumagot, pinatay ang cellphone bago tumingin sa wing mirror ng sasakyan. Naghintay ako ng ilang minuto bago muling pinaandar ang sasakyan.
Umuwi ako ng bahay pasado alas dyes ng gabi, sakto pagdating ko dahil kasabay ko lang dumating si Amour. Halata sa kanyang mukha ang pagod kaya nilapitan ko ito kaagad upang bigyan ng yakap. Nawala sa isipan ko ang tungkol sa baril na hawak niya, hindi ko pa rin ito nakukuha dahil wala akong oras pumunta ng ospital at ayaw ko magkaroon ng pagdududa sa akin si Amour.
"Darling, did you just get home now? It's so late. Where have you been?" Tanong ni Amour bago humalik sa aking labi.
"School, pinatawag kasi ako ng Professor kaya medyo natagalan ako. Kamusta ang trabaho? Tingnan mo 'yang mga mata mo at may eyebags na, natutulog ka ba ng maayos ha?" Concern kong tanong at sinuri ng maigi ang kanyang itsura.
"No, I'm completely drained and exhausted because everything's in chaos. My co-worker and a nurse went missing on the same day, and we're still searching for them. My dad is furious and has ordered a full search. On top of that, my clients' appointments have increased. Gosh, I just wish I could take a day off to rest." Mahabang paliwanag niya sa akin habang naglalakad kami papasok ng bahay.
"Gano'n ba? Hindi ba pwede ipasa mo nalang sa iba ang trabaho? I mean, hindi lang naman siguro ikaw ang nag-iisang doktor ng pempem sa malaking ospital ninyo?" Tanong ko sa kanya at mahina itong natawa.
"You're home." Salubong ni Emilie sa amin. Tumango ako, una siya humalik sa akin bago kay Amour- bakit nandito na siya? Akala ko aabutin sila ng madaling araw ngayon sa taping nila?
"Akyat na ako at magpapahinga, pagod kasi." Sabi ko sa dalawa at nagmamadaling umakyat ng hagdan.
Hindi pa kasi nawawala 'yung mga pasa ko sa katawan, pero 'yung sa mukha ko ay kaya na tabunan ng makeup. Umiwas na ako bago pa man nila makita lalo na at nagkagalos ulit ako dahil sa pagkahulog ko ng hagdan kanina, pasalamat na rin ako at hindi nila napansin ang mga sugat ko.
Alas onse na nang dumating sina Ines at Azalea. Bakit ngayon lang sila nakauwi? Kanina pa sana ako nakaalis. Lumabas ako ng kwarto para salubungin sila, halatang pagod na rin kaya sinabi kong magpahinga na lang sila. Tumango naman sila, kaya naghintay pa ako ng kalahating oras bago sinimulan ang plano ko.
Pumuslit ako palabas nang hindi dumadaan sa front gate. Sa likod ako dumaan, tumalon sa mataas na pader para makalabas sa malaking bahay. Alam kong may CCTV ang buong paligid, pero dito ako dumaan sa lugar na sigurado akong hindi mahahagip ng camera.
Pagkatalon ko sa pader, agad akong tumakbo hanggang makahanap ako ng taxi. Sumakay ako at nagpahatid sa Monroe Hospital. Pagdating doon, palihim akong naglakad papunta sa opisina ni Amour. Tahimik ang paligid, wala pang mga nurse na nagro-rounds-alas dose pa kasi magsisimula ang mga iyon.
Naka-lock ang pinto ng opisina ni Amour, pero alam ko kung paano ito buksan. Gumamit ako ng maliit na lock-pick na dala ko, at ilang saglit lang ay narinig ko ang click. Binuksan ko ang pinto at maingat na pumasok, iniilawan lamang ang lugar ng sapat para makita ko ang kailangan ko.
Dumiretso ako sa drawer ni Amour. Binuksan ko ito at nakita ko agad ang baril. Nandoon pa rin ito, basta na lang nakalagay at hindi man lang itinago sa mas pribadong lugar. Kinuha ko ang panyo sa bulsa ko at binalot ang baril, pagkatapos ay inilagay ito sa dala kong plastic bag. Hindi na ako nagtagal doon. Agad kong pinatay ang ilaw, isinara ang pinto, at lumabas nang tahimik, sigurado akong wala ni isang nakapansin sa akin.
Pagkatapos kong makaalis ng ospital, nagpahatid ako pabalik sa bahay gamit ang taxi. Tahimik ang paligid pagdating ko, ngunit ramdam ko ang kaba sa dibdib ko. Alam kong delikado ang ginawa ko, lalo na kung may makakahuli sa akin. Tumigil ang taxi ilang kanto bago ang gate, at naglakad ako pabalik para hindi marinig ng iba ang dating ko.
Pagdating sa likod ng bakuran, muli akong tumalon sa pader, siniguradong hindi mahahagip ng CCTV ang kilos ko. Pagpasok ko sa loob, tahimik kong sinara ang pinto ng likod at naglakad papunta sa kwarto ko, pinipigilan ang kahit anong tunog ng mga yapak. Ngunit pagdating ko sa hagdan, nakita kong bukas ang ilaw sa sala. Tumigil ako sa paghinga. Narinig ko ang boses ni Ines.
"Didn't you hear something? It sounded like there was rustling behind us earlier." Sabi niya kay Azalea.
Kinabahan ako at mabilis na nagtago sa likod ng poste ng hagdan. Pumikit ako sandali, hinihintay na bumalik sila sa kanilang mga kwarto. Ilang minuto ang lumipas bago tumahimik ang sala, at narinig kong umakyat na rin sila. Dahan-dahan akong naglakad papunta sa kwarto ko. Pagpasok ko, halos sumabog ang puso ko nang biglang bumukas ang pinto. Si Ines, nakatingin sa akin, ang mga kilay bahagyang nakakunot.
"What are you doing? I thought you were already asleep earlier," tanong niya, bahagyang nagtataka.
Huminga ako ng malalim at ngumiti nang pilit. "Nagising ako. Bumaba lang ako para uminom ng tubig."
Tinitigan niya ako nang matagal bago tumango. "Hmm. Alright, go get some rest now."
Tumalikod siya at sinara ang pinto. Nang mag-isa na ulit ako, napaupo ako sa kama, pinipigilan ang panginginig ng kamay ko. Halos mahuli na ako, pero ligtas pa rin sa ngayon.
Itinago ko ang baril sa isang kahon na nasa ilalim ng kama ko. Sinigurado kong walang makakakita o makakaramdam na may nakatagong bagay doon. Binalot ko ito ng maraming panyo at inilagay sa loob ng lumang bag na hindi ko na ginagamit. Ang pawis ko'y bumabagsak na sa noo ko habang ginagawa iyon, kahit malamig naman dahil sa aircon.
Pagkatapos, sinigurado kong maayos ang lahat sa kwarto ko. Walang dapat maghinala. Tumayo ako at tumingin sa salamin, tinatakpan ang kaba sa dibdib ko. Kailangan kong alamin kung anong ginagawa nila sa likod ko.
Biglang may kumatok sa pinto. Napatingin ako doon, ang puso ko'y muling bumilis ang tibok. "Sino 'yan" Tanong ko, pilit na pinapakalma ang boses ko.
"It's me, Aza," sagot niya mula sa labas.
Huminga ako nang malalim bago lumapit sa pinto. "Sandali lang," sabi ko, siniguradong walang bakas ng tensyon sa mukha ko bago ito binuksan.
Paglabas ko, nandoon si Azalea, nakatingin sa akin na parang may iniisip. "Are you okay? You seem so quiet tonight" Tanong niya, bahagyang nakakunot ang noo.
"Oo naman, pagod lang siguro," sagot ko, pilit na ngumiti. "Anong kailangan mo, baby?"
"What did you and Ines talk about?" Tanong niya.
"Ah wala, tinanong niya lang kung kamusta ang araw ko." Sagot ko at ngumiti.
"That's all?" Tanong niya na may pagdududa, may iba pa ba?
"Oo," sagot ko.
"What's thi-"
"Wala, na ano lang sa doorknob kanina." Sabi ko at itinago ang braso matapos makita ni Aza ang pasa.
"Rhea,"
Ngumiti ako. "Wala nga lang to baby, sige na at magpahinga ka na. Bukas nalang tayo mag-usap at anong oras na." Sabi ko sa kanya at marahan itinulak ang kanyang balikat.
"All right, goodnight." Sagot niya.
"Goodnight, baby." Sagot ko at hinintay siyang makapasok sa kanyang kwarto bago bumalik sa silid ko.
-
Maaga akong umalis ng bahay, maaga kasi ang A.S namin at alas singko pa lang ay halos maligo na kami sa sarili naming mga pawis kaka-exercise. Kasalukuyan akong nagbibihis ngayon kasama ang mga kaklase, kanina pa sila panay reklamo dahil exam nanaman next week.
"Tiisin nyo na lang at malapit na ang internship natin." Sagot ko sa kanila.
"Rhea! Totoo ba ang kumakalat na balita?! Ikakasal ka kay Fleur Walton?! Hindi pa ba sapat sayo ang apat- kasama pa si Ma'am Ines?!" Napatakip ako ng mga tenga dahil sa lakas ng sigaw nitong isang kaklase kong babae.
"Ang tagal na ng balitang 'yan, ngayon ka pa magrereak?" Bakas ang inis sa boses ni Vinalyn.
"Kilala mo pala si Fleur?" Baling ko sa kanya at mas lalong sumama ang ekspresyon ng kaibigan ko sa mukha.
"Kilala nga namin, si Vinalyn pa kaya?" Sagot ng isa kahit hindi naman siya ang kinakausap ko.
"Sinasaktan ka pa rin ba ng mga taga ibang kurso?" Biglang tanong ng isa.
Tumingin ako sa kanya at napaisip. "Hindi na, nagtataka nga ako kanina dahil nakasalubong ko sila. Ready na sana ang katawan ko, pero bigla silang umiwas pagkakita sa akin." Sagot ko. Nakapagtataka talaga dahil hindi naman sila gano'n sa mga nakalipas na araw, malayo pa lang ako ay tumatakbo na sila upang siguraduhin na hindi ako makakatakas.
"Baka may nag sumbong sa mga asawa mo at pinagalitan sila." Sagot nito, pero duda ako kasi hindi naman nabanggit sa akin ng apat ang tungkol dito. Isa pa, sinasabi nila sa akin ang gagawin basta related sa akin.
"Hindi, walang alam ang mga 'yun- at sasagutin ko lang 'yung tanong mo... loyal ako sa apat at hindi ko na kailangan ng isa pa." Sabi ko bago tumayo at lumabas ng locker room.
Papunta sana akong mall ng campus nang bigla ko nakasalubong si Jade at ang grupo niya, 'yung mga nananakit sa akin araw-araw. Tuloy-tuloy lang ako bawat hakbang, tatawagin ko sana ang mga ito pero bago ko pa man ibuka ang bibig ko nakalayo na silang lahat sa akin- para bang nakakita ng isang nakakatakot na bagay.
"Lovey," narinig kong boses ni Ines sa likuran ko, paglingon ko ay nakita kong papalapit na ito.
"Bebelabs," tawag ko at ngumiti.
"What's the matter?" Tanong niya nang makita ang pagtanaw ko sa grupo ni Jade.
"Nakapagtataka lang kasi biglang iwas ang grupo ni Jade sa akin. Akala ko nagkataon lang 'yung kaninang umaga, pero ngayon masasabi kong umiiwas talaga sila sa akin." Sagot ko sa kanya at nagkibit-balikat.
Binigyan niya ako ng matamis na ngiti. "Isn't that for the best? No more harm, you'll have peace now, and you can really focus on your studies. Your exam is coming up next week." Sagot niya sa akin at inalis ang dumi sa aking polo.
"Ano kaya nangyari sa kanila? May mga bali yata sila sa katawan?" Tanong ko, napansin ko lang din ang mga sugat nila sa mukha.
"Well, maybe they faced someone they thought they could bully, and they got their karma?" Sagot niya sa akin.
Natawa ako ng mahina. "Haha, buti binuhay pa sila." Sagot ko at siya naman ang binigyan ko ng matamis na ngiti.
"Perhaps the person still has some mercy on them." Sabi niya at biglang nagtakip ng ilong.
"Did you use a new perfume?" Tumaas ang mga kilay ko dahil sa tanong niya, sa pagtataka ay inamoy ko talaga ang sarili.
"Hindi? Same pa rin naman ang pabango na gamit ko Bebelabs, 'yung paborito mong amoy ko. Baka dahil nahalo sa pawis ko?" Sagot ko sa kanya.
"No, I smell something different, and it's making me nauseous." Sagot niya at tinangka muling amuyin ako pero mabilis din ulit tinakpan ang kanyang ilong.
"Bebelabs naman, hindi naman ako mabaho ah?" Reklamo ko.
"Let's head to my office. You need to shower, I won't let you go until that smell is gone from you." Sabi niya at naunang maglakad.
Napanguso ako at inamoy ko talaga ng paulit-ulit ang sarili, pati kili-kili ko. Anong sinabi niyang mabaho? Ang bango-bango ko nga oh.
"Si Bebelabs, kung makaakto akala mo talaga buntis, hays." Bulong ko sa sarili, umiling at ngumiti.
Sayang lang kasi negative ang resulta
"Lovey," tawag niya at napukaw ako sa malalim na pag-iisip.
"Andyan na!" Sagot ko at tumakbo upang habulin ito.
Okay lang, may next time pa naman.
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