After class ay agad na rin akong umalis ng sinisigurong walang makakapansin sakin. I don't like how students look at me after what Sage said in the cafeteria.
I am known as 'his girl' and I think it just started a fire that will burn me down. That demon is really good at making things hard for me.
Umuwi muna ako sa bahay para magpalit ng damit. I wonder where Katelyn is?
I haven't seen her after class. She also vanishes into the air and I don't know where she went. I didn't even feel her presence, kahit na nasa tabi ko lamang siya.
She seems silent and quite suspicious. I mean, there is something in her mind bothering her. I am a bit curious about what it is. I bet she wants to hear out the story behind me and Sage? What now?
I locked the door and rode my favourite Ducati as I drove off my cafe. I saw her serving one of the customers.
She looked at me and waved at me as she said "hi" with a smile on her lips.
Maybe I was just overthinking it. Nagkibit balikat an lamang ako at tinanguan lang siya saka dumeretso sa opisina ko. I take off my jacket and put it on my chair.
Kinuha ko ang remote ng TV saka binuhay ito. Maybe I should watch something interesting to relax my mind in the midst of the chaos I've experienced.
''Another victim has been found—"
Agad ko iyong pinatay at mabilis na naibato palayo ang remote. Damn! Hindi ba talaga ako lulubayan ng mga 'yan? Kahit ngayon lang ayoko munang makabasa o makarinig ng bagay na may connection sa kung ano man ang iniiwasan ko.
Inis akong napabagsak sa upuan at agad na hinawakan ang ballpen na nakapatong dito at tulala lamang na nakatitig sa kung saan habang tina-tap ang ballpen sa table. it made a distracting noise, but I didn't stop. It's my hobby when I want to have something to do that could cool me down.
In the middle of thinking, a couple of knocks brought me back to my senses. Agad akong tumayo at pinagbuksan ito.
"Sorry, did I disturb you?" She's holding a cup of coffee,
Cappucino."No."
"Can I have a minute?" I plainly stared at her as I made my way wide open. Agad naman siyang pumasok. Pagkasara ng pinto ay pinaupo ko na rin siya sa upuang nasa harap ng table ko.
"Here, I requested it for you."
"Hmm, what do you want?"
"You owe me a story, Ma'am."
"Quit it, Katelyn."
"Alright how about you as the 'girlfriend' of the famous and nutorious Sage Vandrex Frost."
"It's true." I can't tell her the real score between me and that demon. She doesn't have to know.
"What?"
"We're in a relationship."
"But you said you don't know him? Each other? H-how?"
"I just said it, but he already proved it wasn't true. You heard it. So do I need to explain and tell you the whole fvcking story?" Natahimik naman siya, bumaka ang takot sa mga mata niya kaya napabuga ako ng hangin at napasandal habang nakatingin sa kaniya.
Calm down, Reign.
"Don't make it an issue, Katelyn. It's normal. I didn't even tell you that I was going to tell you everything, I just assured you that you would know the truth soon. So, yeah, right now I am admitting to you that I am his girl. But I am too lazy to tell you the whole story. It's just that he asked me to be his girlfriend and I said yes. End of story. Alam kong di kapani-paniwala dahil sa sama ng pagkakakilala n'yo sa kaniya, but that would never change the fact that he is my boyfriend."
"I understand. I'm sorry. Na-curious lang ako and at the same time, hindi ako makapaniwala."
"May mga bagay talaga na mahirap paniwalaan."
"So, is that all that you need? You can now go back to work."
"Actually, may isa pa, tungkol do'n sa pinapagawa mo." Naging interesado ako sa susunod niyang sasabihin at alam kong nakita niya iyon sa expression ng mukha ko.
"I already started investigating."
"And what did you find out?"
"Crisanta Muffin is living in her condo unit in FMCB while her mom is on vacation in France with her husband, Crisan's dad. And base din sa sinabi as kin no'ng isang katiwala nang rest house nila, nagkaroon daw ng unang asawa 'yong mom ni Crisan, pero matagal na raw patay eh. She's also a 3rd-year student sa University na pinapasukan natin. Kilala siya sa pagiging model at fashionista. Aside from that ay marami rin nagsasabing approachable siya at maraming friends in and outside of the school. 'Yon ay sa mga katulad niya lang rin na mayaman, but she's also a bitch, mostly to those who are lower than her."
So, they are really having a good life with all my properties and wealth.
"I already know that about her mom. She really had an affair with someone in the past. But something is missing in that story. She's not the legal and first wife of that man. May pamilya ang lalaking inasawa niya; 'yon nga lang at matagal nang patay ang asawa nito at iisang anak an lamang ang naiwan. Her mother's name is Cristina Muffin. And the other one is her? A bitch? Oh dear, I know that too." Napatulala siya sa kin ng ikwento ko iyon sa kaniya at bahagyang napayuko.
"Sorry kung kulang ang information ko."
"Don't apologize, I didn't say that you didn't do a great job. The first one says it all. Yun ang gusto kong malaman na kailanman ay di ko magawa dahil marami akong bagay na inaasikaso, mabuti na lang at nariyan ka para gawin 'yon."
"Can I ask?"
"What is it?"
"Bakit gan'on nalang ang pagpapaimbestiga mo sa kanila? Are you connected to them?"
"She's my step sister, her mother is my dad's second wife," I simply said with a smirk in my lips. Halatang nagulat siya sa nalaman niya kaya kinuha ko ang chance na 'yon para sabihin ang isang bagay na alam kong tumatakbo sa isipan niya.
"Yes, Katelyn. That girl owed me a debt. Na di mababayaran ng pera lang."
"What do you mean?" Binigyan ko lamang siya ng isang mapanlinlang na ngiti.
"You may now go, just keep your eye on her." I know she's not convinced, but she chooses to leave. Umuwi ako ng bahay ng bandang alas dyes.
Naabutan ko si Katelyn na busy sa laptop na pinahiram ko sa kaniya kanina. Mabilis akong nakarating sa likuran niya ng hindi niya nararamdaman.
She's looking at some articles and news about the same cases. Iba't ibang biktima pero iisang klase lang ng way ang pagkamatay. Kumunot ang noo ko.
Why does she seem so focused on that issue? Detective na rin ba siya?
"What are you doing?" Bigla niyang naisara ang laptop sa gulat.
"Jusko ka, aatakihin ako sa puso nito eh! Paano ka nakarating agad d'yan? Saan ka dumaan?"
"Answer me."
"I am just curious, it's the city's hot topic. Pinaguusapan na ito ng lahat. So I am trying to find out what's behind their deaths."
"It's not your problem anymore, Katelyn. May mga bagay akong pinapaasikaso sa 'yo kaya 'yun ang atupagin mo."
"Pero--"
"No more buts."
You will never know what's behind their deaths, Katelyn, unless you're me.
Iniwan ko na siya roon at umakyat na sa kwarto ko. Kailangan kong magpahinga, nakakaramdam na naman ako nang panghihina. Agad akong napaupo sa kama
ng makaramdam ng biglang pagkahilo, kumikirot rin ang iba't ibang parte ng katawan ko. What the hell is happening? Pakiramdam ko ay hinahalukay ang sikmura ko that made me jump off the bed and run inside my bathroom.
I threw up hard as hell.
I cursed under my breath while leaning on the wall. Nanatili akong nakaupo sa tiles ng bathroom at pinapakiramdaman ang sarili, nang masiguro kong okay na ay tumayo na ako at humarap sa sink saka nagmumog.
I even wash my face repeatedly and look at my reflection in the mirror. Halos mapamura ako sa nakikita ko.
May kung anong mga itim na parang ugat ang nakaguhit sa iba't ibang parte ng mukha ko maging sa mga braso at leeg ko.
Maya maya ay unti-unti rin itong naglaho. My face becomes pale, I don't know what is happening, but I have an idea that I don't want to accept.
Hinang-hina akong bumalik sa higaan at pabagsak na humiga trying to forget what just happened.
This new life is a curse.
I don't have any words to define it, but only a curse. I thought I have already lived in hell. 'Di ko alam na may ilalala pa pala.
This life is punishing. Ano bang nagawa ko para parusahan ng ganito?
"What was I told you Reign?""A-Auntie, s-sorry p-po." My hands are shaking, I am afraid that she might do something again."You stubborn, useless child of my husband! Anong magagawa ng sorry mo?! Huh?! I said, don't leave this room unless I told you! Ang tanga tanga mo talaga?! Ngayon? Paano mo maibabalik ang mga client ko ha?! Malas ka talagang bata ka! malas!" She started hurting me using her bare hands, agad siyang kumuha ng sinturon at pinaghahampas ako no'n.I curled my toes as I endure the pain while my hands are covering my face, protecting it from every strike she made, I let myself cried out loud and my step sister just stand there looking at me, laughing. Its her fault."Auntie, t-tama n-na p-po..""Anong tama na? Tangina kang bata ka! Hinahayaan na nga kita rito kahit wala na ang mga magulang mo peperwisyuhin mo pa ako! Come here!"She started dragging me. I felt a scorching pain in my body. I'm tired and hopeless. My body is aching, tired, and weak. I can take another blo
Dumeretso ako sa café, like what I always do. Routine ko na rin iyon simula nang magkaroon ako ng business na ito pagkatapos kong pumunta as cafe ay saka pa lang ako papasok sa school.I was walking in the hall way when students becomes on rush, walking towards the same direction. Hindi ko na iyon pinansin at dumeretso na sa toom and I discover that it's locked.Anong meron?"Wala tayong klase, hindi ka ba na-in form?" Agad akong napalingon kay Katelyn na ngayon ay katabi ko na."I didn't know.""Ngayon alam mo na, tara na lang sa cafeteria. Let's eat. 'Di ka pa kumakain." Nilingon ko naman siya."Hindi na kita naabutan, nang gumising ako ay nakaalis ka na. Medyo tanghali na rin kasi ako nagising kaya hindi na kita naipagluto ng breakfast." Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin at tahimik na lang akong na naglakad. Himala at tahimik sa cafeteria, it only means he's not here.Good, mabuti naman at magiging peaceful ang araw ko. Sana lang at huwag na muna siyang magpakita sa akin.Nasa kalagit
It's Saturday.Tanghali na akong nagising, marahil ay dahil sa nangyari sa akin kagabi, naligo lang ako at nagbihis saka nagpasya nang bumaba. Naabutan ko si Katelyn sa salas at seryosong nanunuod ng tv.Napalingon naman siya sa Akin nang tuluyan na akong nakababa."Morning, Reign.""What are you watching? You look so serious.""May panibago na naman kasing biktima, natagpuan malapit sa bar, and from the information I got about your step sis, she's her best friend."Napangisi ako sa nalaman. Mukhang malapit sa kaniya ang kamalasan ngayon. Inuubos ang mga natitirang kakampi niya."Katulad ng mga naunang biktima ang nakuhang mga sugat niya.""I don't know if I want to thank the one behind her death or not," I shrug as I said that and made my way to the kitchen, agad naman siyang sumunod sa akin at ipinaghain ako ng almusal."May idea ka ba kung sinong gumagawa nito?" I was about to speak ng may maalala akong isang tao.Why the heck am I thinking of him?Ano bang nangyari sa isang 'yun at
I woke up with the same feeling. Coldness embraced my skin and that familiar scent filled my nose.Nawala na ang panghihinang naramdaman ko dahil sa ginawa ko kanina. Nilibot ko ang paningin ko habang nanatiling nakahiga and when I turned my head on my left, I saw Sage sleeping.Nakadapa siya at nakabaling ang ulo paharap sakin kaya malaya kong napagmasdan ang mukha niya, nahaharangan ng magulo niyang buhok ang mata niya that made him hot as hell. He has this black hair with a gray highlights na bumagay sa kaniya.It's no wonder why girls are attracted to him; he's a man that girls would kill for. Despite the fact that he has a bad reputation.Mukha pa rin naman siyang anghel, lalo na kapag tulog.Bahagya akong naupo at sumandal sa headboard, ngayon ko lang napansin na wala pa rin siyang tshirt na suot, natatakluban ng kumot ang ibabang bahagi ng katawan niya revealing his bare back.Napansin ko ang malaking tattoo sa bandang ibaba ng likod niya, sa may baywang.It's a phoenix inside a
SHENLO"Wait," pagpapahinto ko sa patuloy na pagmamaneho ng driver ko.Kita ko mula sa bintana ng kotse ang isang babaeng nakaupo sa isang sulok ng isang cafe katabi ng glass wall. She's busy facing her laptop while a coffee frappe is placed on the right side of her hand. She's too focused on what she's been doing. Salubong ang kilay nito at tila may problemang dinadala."I am going inside. Mauna na kayo sa bahay. Mag c-commute nalang ako pag-uwi," bilin ko sa driver at tumango naman ito. Bumaba na ako at marahang sinara ang pinto, nanatili akong nakatitig sa babae at bigla na lamang akong napangiti.I see, so you owned this cafe, Reign Mcdemort.Unang beses ko pa lang makita ang babaeng 'yan ay napansin ko na agad ang pagiging ilag niya sa iba. She's so far away that you will die just to get in touch with her. She's pretty interesting. She has this cold personality that would give you a thrill.When I first saw her, I still remember the first question that formed in my mind. What's b
REIGN Maingat kong iminulat ang mga mata ko, my body aches. Dahilan para mapaayos ako muli ng higa. The smell of rose filled my nose. Sandali? I don't remember putting a vase of roses inside my room. I don't think Katelyn will put some roses in my room either. When I finally realized the changes in things inside, agad akong napabangon. This isn't my room! Dark blue ang lahat ng gamit at tulad ng hinala ko ay may mga rosas sa vase na nakapatong sa tabi ng side table. Its petals are starting to fall. Lumapat ang paa ko sa malamig na sahig as I tried to stand. My legs wobbled, which made me fall and land back on the bed. I groaned, when suddenly the door chimed. I heard footsteps walking towards me. "Salamat naman at gising ka na." "What am I doing here? How did I end up...in this place?" "I heard your cry. Ayoko sanang makialam pero, I can't just stand there hearing you cry in pain. Kaya pinakuha kita kay Zeus, at pinadala dito." "You don't need to do this; this is my choice
Bumalik ako sa café nang wala sa sarili. Naghintay ako sa labas hoping that at any minute, Katelyn will run towards me with her smile on her face like she never sees me in a year.And I just end up disappointed.Halos paubos na ang mga tao dahil lumalim na rin ang gabi ngunit wala pa ring dumating na Katelyn.Ipinasara ko na ang cafe sa isa kong staff, at isa-isa na rin silang nagpaalam sa akin habang ako ay nanatiling nakaupo sa labas at naghihintay.Hours passed and when I was about to give up waiting and leave.I heard a howl.Pinakinggan kong mabuti ang pinagmulan noon at mabilis na sinundan hangang sa makarating ako sa gubat.Malayo-layo na ito sa bayan at kakaunti ang dumaraang sasakyan sa highway na katabi ng gubat na ito. Maingat kong pinakinggan bawat alulong nito at rinig na rinig ko ang mga tunog na tila may nag-aaway, ang pagbagsak sa lupa, lagaslas ng mga natatapakang sanga at mga dahon. Ngunit maya-maya rin ay unti-unting naglaho ang ingay na iyon na mas lalo kong ikinak
Hinang-hina akong bumangon sa kama, I know I am now late for my first class, pero tila ba naubos ang lahat ng lakas ko. Naging mabagal ang pagkilos ko at para bang gusto kong dumito na lang maghapon.Pagkaligo ko ay nagsuot lamang ako ng itim na ripped jeans at maluwag na gray t-shirt, I put my bonet on and my black hoodie jacket as I wear my white rubber shoes. Marahan kong isinara ang kurtina at lumabas ng kwarto sakbit ang bag ko at kapit kapit ang susi ngunit inis akong napabalik ng maalalang naiwan ko sa ilalim ng unan ang cellphone ko.Nang makuha ko na iyon ay nagmadali na akong bumaba sa kabila ng nanghihina kong katawan.Tahimik na ang buong bahay, panigurado akong nauna na si Katelyn sa cafe para magbukas, marahil ay alam niyang hindi ko na magagawa iyon dahil buong gabi akong nagkulong sa kwarto.Dumaan ako sa kusina at nakitang may sandwich at juice sa lamesa. May note sa gilid noon na pinasadahan ko lamang nang tingin at mabilis na ininom ang juice at kinagat ang sandwich