Kabanata 1

Kabanata 1

"May bigtime na lalaban sa Tialis mamaya," ani Azea. "Tara?"

"Sino naman?" nabuburyo kong tanong.

"After the match," natatawang sabi ni Hattie.

I forgot about it. Tialis is a place promoting some sort of martial arts by a fight. Minsan contest o kaya katuwaan lang ang ipinaglalaban nila.

Hindi mo makikilala ang mga magiging kalaban. It's up to them if they want to reveal their self after the match.

We always go there whenever it's our free time. Especially now, we suddenly stopped racing. Although, we're planning to comeback.

"Let's go," I nodded. "Right now?"

"Oo, ngayon na," Atasha chuckled. "Baka mauhan pa tayo."

We head outside the coffee shop. Sa aming apat kaming tatlo lang ni Atasha at Azea ang kumakarera. Hattie doesn't like doing it.

Sumakay kami sa kani-kaniyang motor. Hattie ride on Tasha. Bumulusok kami ng harurot papunta sa Tialis. Nag-iinit na ang katawan ko sa away.

"Wear it," Hattie said and handed us a black face mask.

We immediately grabbed it. Kahit huminto kami sa karera ngayon ay nakikilala pa rin kami ng ilan. Especially now, the rumors of us coming back spread like a wildfire.

Tuwing lumalaban din kami rito, hindi kami nagpapakilala. We want to be unknown. Sakto naman sa mga pinapasuot sa mga lumalaban.

Ang damit na binibigay sa amin ay bumabalot sa buong katawan. Pati ang ulo ay hindi nakikita bukod sa mata. It's like a ninja or taekwondo outfit. Not body fitted so they won't recognize if their opponent is a boy or girl.

"Hattie, Tria," bati sa amin ni Yero. "Bumalik na kayo."

Siya ang namumuno rito sa Tialis. Mukhang may lahing Chinese kaya siguro naisip ang ganito.

He's old but still, he look so strong.

"Dito lang, Yero," Azea drawled lazily.

"Pero nabalitaan ko babalik nga kayo?" natatawang tanong niya.

"We didn't go here for our racing issue, Yero," kalmado kong sagot.

Yero laughed at me. Kahit noong nasa US pa si Atasha, madalas na kami rito nila Azea at Hattie. He knows us very well.

Although Hattie doesn't want to fight, she likes watching it.

"Alam ko," humalakhak siya. "Sakto at kayo ang gusto makalaban, kayo ang nangunguna sa board."

Tumango ako bago pumunta sa pinagbibihisan namin dito. Hattie helped us to do it. I glanced on my long brown hair and its curly ends. Pinatali ko iyon kay Hattie para hindi makasagabal mamaya.

Itim ang kulay ng tela na bumabalot sa amin. It also have a number in the stomach part. Our team number, it's four.

"Let's go girls!" Hattie cheered us.

Paglabas namin ay kita agad ang dami ng manonood. Sumigaw sila nang makita kami. They knew us since we are controversial here, because we don't show our face. They're really curious about us. Even our gender, they don't have any idea about it.

We'll fight in a open field with just a thin foam on its floor. Kaya kapag napuruhan ka, pati babagsakan ay masakit dahil sa nipis noon.

Maliban sa haligi ng Tialis, inuupuan ng mga tao, at ang mesa ng hurado, wala ka nang makikita pang iba.

The sky is a bit gloomy now. Hapon na rin kaya ganoon dahil hindi naman mukhang uulan. Buti na lang dahil hindi magiging mainit ang tatapakan namin.

Tumahimik ang paligid nang unti-unting lumabas sa kabila ang makakalaban namin. Kulay pula naman ang suot nila na kagaya ng sa amin.

They are four against to us three.

Nagkatinginan kami nila Azea at Tasha. I know we can do this even though they are more than us. Kailangan lang maging alerto lalo na't hindi namin sila kilala.

We talked to each other using our eyes. Tumango kami sa isa't isa bago humarap ulit sa makakalaban.

Mas matatangkad sila sa amin. Halatang mga lalaki.

But it's not about the gender though. Hindi lahat ng babae mahina. Hindi rin lahat ng lalaki malakas.

Let's see.

I heard the crowd cheering us. Kilala na nila kami kaya ganoon. Kilala sa numero at kulay lang ng suot.

When we heard the bell, we immediately positioned ourselves. Agad pumunta sa gawi ko ang dalawa. Umismid ako sa loob ng suot bago umiwas sa mga atake nila.

The fight was hand-to-hand combat only. We don't have anything to use like knifes and such.

Hinuli ko ang kamay ng unang sumugod sa akin bago bumaling sa isa pa. Inihanda ko ang binti sa pagsipa pero napairap ako nang mahuli niya 'yon.

Nevertheless, I took it as an advantage.

Doon ako bumwelo para sipain siya gamit ang isang binti. Dahil sa galaw ay nadala ko ang isa at nagka-umpugan sila.

I glanced quickly at Azea and Tasha giving waves of punches and kicks. They are advancing too.

Bumaling din agad ako sa dalawang kalaban. Bahagyang nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makitang pasugod na agad ang isa. I didn't expect since I hit that person hard.

I instantly bend down, I heard the audience shouting because they saw my familiar move. Naabot ng kamay ko ang lupa dahil sa pag-bend pababa.

I looked at my opponent up side down. I did a vertical tumbling from bending and my foot hit his face directly.

Lumingon ako agad sa isa at sinimulan siyang atakihin. I can confirm by their bodies that they are boys. How weak, I can even step on their egos easily right now.

They are a bit good. I struggled lightly on avoiding their attacks. Tingin ko sila na ang pinakamahirap na nakalaban namin. Sila lang ang tumagal at nakakatayo pa rin.

Sunod-sunod ang pakawala namin ng kani-kaniyang atake. Nakita ko sa gilid ng mata ang paglapit ni Azea at mukhang tapos na sa kalaban niya kanina. Agad namin pinagtulungan pabagsakin at lumpuhin ang dalawang kaharap ko.

Tasha was already done too and just watching us. She laughing with Hattie on the side while we are beating off these two guys. We easily finished it.

Natigil na kami sa pag-atake nang marinig ang hudyat na tapos na ang laban. Umapir sa akin si Azea. Napangisi ako habang tinitingnan ang bagsak na mga lalaki.

Nakipag-apir din sa amin sina Hattie at Atasha nang makalapit. Dinig na dinig namin ang dumadagundong na sigawan ng mga tao sa paligid.

We started walking away without revealing our face and gender. Let them guess.

"Fuck!" I heard Azea's loud voice.

Tinago ng tela ang gulat kong reaksyon. Walang pasubaling tinanggal ng nakalaban niya ang maskara. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Azea pero agad ding nakabawi.

Malamang ay nakakuha iyon ng enerhiya mula sa pag-iwan sa kaniya ni Azea nang tulungan ako.

Agad naming narinig ang bayolenteng reaksyon ng mga tao nang makita ang mukha ni Azea. I silently cursed because of irritation.

Now, we are exposed.

"Si Solasta 'yan diba?"

"Babae sila?"

"Tatlo sila, ibig sabihin?"

"Shit," I whispered.

I heard Azea's curses before she punched again the boy. Ang tatlong kasama nito ay nanatiling nakasalampak sa sahig. Ganoon din ang kinahinatnan niya nang suntukin siya ni Azea.

Umalis kami agad nang hindi nakikilala ang apat na 'yon. We immediately ran away from the people. They are getting agressive. Azea continuously cursed because of annoyance.

Agad kaming humarurot paalis sa Tialis. Lumarga kami diretso sa mansion namin. Naging balisa pa ang guwardiya namin sa pagbukas ng gate nang marinig ang harurot ng mga motor namin.

Who's that fucker? Siguradong babalikan 'yon ni Azea.

I shifted when I felt my phone vibrated. I saw a text message from my cousin.

Mako:

Bloodfeud wants to meet you now.

He sent a message again. The address of the meeting place. I parked my Ducati outside. Nilapag ko muna sa upuan ng motor ang cellphone bago pumasok sa mansion.

Kinuha ko ang helmet sa loob ng mansion habang naroon pa silang tatlo sa labas. I need to wear it.

"Where are you going?" Tasha asked perplexedly when she saw what I'm holding.

"Bloodfeud," I said before riding my motor again.

They looked into each other. They knew what I did.

"They already knew your gender now?" Hattie asked.

"Hindi pa, siguro?" I shrugged. "Mauna na 'ko."

Humarurot ako ulit paalis sa mansion. I wonder how they'll react, knowing that a girl invaded their precious brotherhood.

Thanks for meddling me with the Caceres old man last week. Fuckers.

I can feel the harsh wind even though I'm wearing a helmet. The address that Mako sent was between Gorostiza and San Jose Bulacan.

I'll go through a highway so I needed to wear a helmet. They can confiscate my license if ever I'll violate their traffic rule.

Lumiko ako sa eskinita nang makalampas na sa highway. Mayroong checkpoint pero hindi naman ako sinaway.

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko nang makita kung anong meron sa kanto na dadaanan ko. Nawala ang kapayaan ko sa pagmamaneho ko.

Bumagal ang takbo ko dahil sa mga nakaharang sa daan. Dalawang grupo ng mga lalaking magkakaharap.

They are looking with each other with blazing eyes. My brows furrowed at them. They didn't even notice me because of the tension occuring.

"What the fuck is this?" I whispered inside my helmet.

I leered because of irritation. Masyado silang sagabal na daan. Hindi kasing laki ng highway and kanto na 'to kaya kahit hindi sila lalampas ng dalawampu, sakop nila ang buong kalsada.

Bumusina ako ng isa para tumabi sila. Pero wala ni isang lumingon o nagtangkang umalis dahil nakarinig ng sasakyan. Napabuntong hininga ako bago nagpakawala ng mahabang busina.

Ngumisi ako nang iritado silang nagsilingon.

It immediately faded when I saw their faces vividly. I almost thought that they are some sort of cheap gangster but it looks like I'm wrong.

They are all looking fine. Well, some are in their smug looks but still looking attractive. Lahat sila ay seryoso at mukhang galit na nakatingin sa akin.

"You are disturbing us," a man from the group in my right side talked. "Sa iba ka dumaan, may pinag-u-usapan pa kami."

I almost laugh when I heard it. They are really talking in the middle of the road. Really? What the fuck?

Surely, it's not gonna be a talk only.

I didn't mind what he said. Kung sa iba pa ako dadaan ay matatagalan at mapapalayo lang ako. And there's no fucking way that I'm going to obey him? Who is that fucker by the way?

Bumomba ako sa motor na kunwari ay sasagasaan sila. Umamba ako ng harurot para takutin sila. Pero hindi sila nagpadaig at lalo lang nagalit.

"Boy 'wag mo kami yabangan ng motor mo. Umikot ka ng daan o baka gusto mong madamay rito?" tanong naman ng isa na nasa grupo sa kaliwa ko.

Sumang-ayon naman ang lahat. Nagsitanguan sila at mukhang nagkasundo pa kahit magkaaway talaga.

Pinanatili kong kalmado ang ekspresyon ko kahit na naiirita na atsaka tinanggal ang helmet.

I remained my expression cold and calm even though they are irritating me. I did that while taking off my helmet.

Agad na hinangin palikod ang kayumanggi kong buhok. Tiningnan ko silang lahat na seryoso na ang ekspresyon.

They got their eyes widened. Mukhang gulat na gulat sila nang makita kung sino ang nasa ilalim ng helmet. Maybe they thought that I'm a boy since I'm wearing an oversized hoodie.

Natigilan sila lalo nang suotin ko ang natanggal na hood kasama ng helmet. Lahat sila ay salubong ang kilay na nakatingin sa akin.

"What the fuck? She looks like..."

"Pamilyar siya."

"Imposible 'yon pre."

Nairita ako lalo sa kanila nang marinig ang pare-parehong bulungan. May iilan pa sa kanila na namukhaan ako. Marahil na rin sa pagkarera ko.

"Kung gusto niyo magpatayan at ayaw niyo ng istorbo, 'wag kayo rito sa gitna ng daan," I coldly said while looking at them in disbelief. "Kalsada 'to hindi impyerno."

I can't believe on their stupidity.

I pursed my lips to stop myself from cursing them. Their stupidity is irritating me. Bakit ba kasi wala pang ibang dumaraan dito?

I heard multiple of whispers again from them. I sighed before pulling my Ducati's stand. I got off from my motor and leaned on it while looking at them darkly.

My cold expression remained when a tall and dark good looking man walked towards me. Moreno siya at singkit ang mga mata.

"Your name and cellphone number, miss. That's all then you can drive away," he said in a boastful tone.

I licked my lower lip to control myself. I saw him stared on it intently. He transfixed his gaze on my eyes when I raised my brow.

"Really? If I won't?" I asked pretending to be innocent.

Ngumisi siya na parang may binabalak. Humalakhak ang iba sa harap namin.

"Miss, marami kami rito. Hindi mo magugustuhan ang mangyayari sa'yo," aniya at ngumisi.

Nagsigawan naman yung mga kasama niya pati yung kabilang grupo. Marami sila, at base sa mga itsura nila alam kong hindi ko kakayaning kalabanin silang lahat na hindi napupuruhan. I need to save energy because I have something to deal with later.

Masyado silang marami atsaka hindi ko alam kung ano ang mga kakayahan nila. Hindi ko rin sila kilala kahit matagal na 'ko rito sa Gorostiza dahil madalas akong walang pakialam.

Magsasalita na sana ako pero narinig naming lahat ang humaharurot na motor sa likod. Natigilan sila at napalingon sa likod ko, kung saan nanggaling iyon.

I smirked when I heard that familiar sound. It stopped just beside of my motor. My smirked gone to be more devilishly when she took off her helmet.

"Azea."

"Leuxia," she looked around. "You forgot your phone to me. But, wait..."

Nag-umpisa na naman magbulungan ang mga lalaki. I shifted my stance as Azea get off from her motor.

"Just like earlier," I mouthed it. "Game?"

Azea smirked at me before nodding.

"What is it again?" I asked the man in front of me.

"Your number and plus her," he pointed Azea. "Makakadaan kayo nang payapa."

He handed me the phone so I accepted it. I immediately heard the other men exclaiming.

I played his phone while looking directly to his eyes. The man stared at me with his forehead creased.

Nang makuntento ay hinagis ko 'yon nang malakas sa lupa. Sa sobrang lakas ay tiyak na basag at wasak na 'yon.

I heard Azea's chuckled behind me. And of course, the shock and harsh reactions from the two groups. Others are laughing too.

"What the hell?!" the man asked irritatedly.

Hindi na 'ko nag-aksaya pa ng oras. Agad ko siyang sinikmuraan tsaka sinipa ng magkasunod sa tuhod at mukha.

I glanced at Azea who punched a boy from the other group. We go the front of our motor. We switched our direction. I'm facing now the other group.

Kaliwa't kanan ang pinakawalang suntok at sipa namin ni Azea. Kung puro ganito ay mapapagod kami agad lalo na't marami sila.

And I can't lie, they are fucking good at fighting. Who the fuck are they?

Kinuha ko ang ang namataan na kahoy at inihagis 'yon kay Azea nang magkalapit kami ulit.

Makakatulong 'yon dahil alam kong medyo nahihirapan si Azea gaya ko. Magaling sila makipaglaban atsaka mga lalaki pa.

I can guess that they are stopping themselves to attack us too. I know they are more than this.

Nasa taas ako ng malaking basurahan at isang lalaki na hindi ko kilala. And two other men in the side of it. I banged the wood to him. Halos masira ang kahoy sa lakas ng hampas ko.

Napatingin ako sa paa ko nang may humawak na pilit hinihila. Napa-upo ako sa hila niya kaya nagkaroon siya ng pagkakataon na masapak ang gilid ng labi ko.

I licked it and tasted the blood.

Nagpumiglas ako kaya nasipa ko siya sa mukha. I did a vertical to go down before turning around with my wood hitting them. They are the last but fuck, I even got a punch.

Natapos ko na ang kabilang grupo. Napatingin ako kay Azea na may hinahampas gamit ang kahoy. At sa gilid niya ang lalaking tila bubwelo at may hawak na kutsilyo.

What the fuck? I thought they didn't have anything.

I looked down and saw the cellphone I threw earlier. I grabbed it and threw directly to the man's hand with the knife. And I hit it, bull's eye.

I immediately run towards him and did a high kick. My foot hit his face directly that made him went off to sleep.

Napasuklay ako sa buhok nang makitang wala na sa kanila ang nakatayo. Pinalis ko rin yung butil ng pawis sa noo ko.

Hinihingal na napasandal si Azea sa motor niya. I looked up while gasping for air.

"They are fucking good," Azea whispered while looking at them. "You know them?"

"No," I shook my head.

Hindi man lang namin sila nakaaway dati.

She nodded and handed my phone to me. I turned around when a trash can fell down. They are already recovering. That fast?

"Nahulog kanina," she said when she handed my phone.

"Let's go before their strength get back," I ride on my motor.

"Baka may makakita rin sa atin."

Tumango si Azea habang inaayos ang helmet niya.

After fixing ourselves, we parted our ways expeditiously. Hindi ko maramdaman ang hingal habang humaharurot sa patutunguhan.

I looked up to the huge and black gate of a mansion that Mako sent to me. Bumusina ako kaya may lumabas sa guard's house. Tinaas ko ang salamin sa helmet.

"Mako Levesque, he's expecting me," I said in a monotone.

Tumango siya at may kinausap saglit sa intercom. Binuksan niya ang gate kaya nagpatuloy na 'ko sa pagtakbo.

May nakita akong gazebo sa harap ng malaking mansion. I saw five men sitting there. I noticed Mako and Kael, my cousins are also sitting pretty there.

Nang marinig ang malakas at humaharurot na tunog ng motor ko ay napalingon sila. I saw Kael's eyes widened. Maybe he recognized me. While Mako, just smirking devilishly.

Napangisi ako ng may naisip. Humarurot pa ako kaya lalong nakuha ang atensyon nila. Umikot ako nang umikot sa gilid ng gazebo hanggang sa mapuno iyon ng usok.

Halos puro puti na rin ang nakikita ko sa paligid.

I instantly heard their curses. I stopped when I also couldn't see because of the smoke around us.

"Tangina Levesque!" I heard Mako's voice.

Nagsimula silang umubo, magreklamo at magmura ng malutong. I chuckled inside my helmet.

"Remove your fucking helmet! You bastard!" I heard a voice thundered.

When I saw the air was already clear, I surveyed them. I can see their eyes' darkened while looking at me.

They are all fucking good looking. But I wondered why I didn't know them before if they are a member of vigilant group?

I stared at the one who shouted. If I am a typical girl, my knees would melt because of his stares. I leered before taking off my helmet.

I saw their mouth gaped. But the one who shouted remained serious. Kahit na ang pinsan kong si Kael ay gulat kahit inaasahan niyang ako 'to.

"You are?" gulat na tanong ng isa sa kanila. "Mako? Is this Lex Levesque? She's a girl? What the hell?"

"Oo, Laxner," Mako nodded.

"I knew it. Kaiden tried to trace the name Lex Levesque but he didn't see anything," the other man said.

"Kuya?" gulat na tanong ni Kael.

I smirked on my cousin. Mako just shrugged.

"So a girl just entered our hood?" Laxner smirked. "It's okay for me, she's pretty."

Ngumisi siya sa 'kin na para bang tuwang-tuwa. Pero malamig ko lang siyang tinitigan pabalik.

"Enough with the chitchat," the man seriously said. "Do you know or read about the rules?"

"Yes," I casually answered.

I looked directly on his piercing eyes.

"Then why the hell are you here.? Why did you invade Bloodfeud?" he asked with his poker face.

"Of course, I read the rules before I break them," I said in a bored tone.

Kita kong napahilamos si Mako sa mukha sa naging sagot ko. I don't even know who the fuck is asking me.

He raised his brow. I can easily say that every girl would drool ever him. Just by his serious and piercing eyes.

I leered on his authoritative stance. He can dominant anyone.

"A rule breaker huh? Let's wait and see the other members' reaction," he smirked devilishly. "But the last decision will be mine, will be the founder's...”