Chapter 3 - The Pawn

Onyx Ollivander Faiz Leighton's Point of view 

"What happened at Adler's basketball players is kind of weird don't you think?" Tyren suddenly said. We are in our hideout. Kakatapos lang ng training namin. 

"Dalawa sa player ang namatay, the rest are in prison." Hindi man lang inalis ni Bry ang tingin sa librong binabasa n'ya ng sabihin n'ya 'yon. 

"Well, it's kind of really really weird. Parang domino effect ang nangyari sa kanila." Orion butt in. Kahit ako, nang narinig ko ang tungkol sa nangyari sa kanila. Naisip ko na parang may mali. Parang may foul play. 

"Stop bothering yourselves about them." Ingos ko.

"Hindi ka man lang naawa sa kanila?" Biglang tanong ni Alex sakin. 

"Why? Why do I should be pity on them? I don't even know them. We're not even friends.  Sasayanging n'yo lang ang oras n'yo sa kanila." I scoffed. I received laughs from them. As if my words are too funny for them.

"What a heartless jerk!" Parang tumigil ang mundo ko nang marinig ang mahinhin n'yang boses. She sat beside my brother. Naikuyom ko ang kamao ko ng patago nang makita ko kung paano s'ya halikan sa noo ng kakambal ko. She smiled to us that made my heart jump but I can feel the pang inside of me when her smiled widen as she looks to Orion.

"You should be sensitive too, Onyx. Kahit hindi mo sila kaibigan have pity to them." She said while looking at me with a poker face. 

"Tss." Tumayo na ako at kinuha ang bag ko para umalis.

"I'll go. See you tomorrow. Balik na ako sa dorm." Hindi ko na sila hinintay sumagot agad kong sinara ang pinto. Leaving them with Misha. Nagsimula na akong maglakad paalis nang may umakbay sa 'kin. Hindi na ako nagulat kung sundan n'ya ako. 

"Bro, are you jelly?" May halong biro ang boses nito.

"F*ck off, Alex."  I hissed. 

"I don't understand you bro. Why don't you tell her that you are in love to her. Kaysa ganito? Nagseselos nang patago. Kahit sila na ni Orion. Tell her. Remember? Ikaw ang na una, you can steal her." Blangkong tingin lang ang ibinigay ko kay Alex. 

"I want too. But Misha loves my brother too much. I can see it." Bumuntong hininga 'to.

"Mahal ba ni Orion, si Misha?" 

"I don't know. Wala rin naman akong pakialam." Pagkatapos kong sabihin 'yon iniwan ko s'yang may ngisi sa labi. Pagdating ko sa dorm ko. I slammed myself to my bed. Pipikit na sana ako ng maramdaman ko ang pagvibrate ng phone ko. I answer it.

"Headmaster. Why did you call me?"

"Young master, I've received a request. Someone wants to transfer to your university." Nangunot ang noo ko. Patapos na ang first semester nang klase it's kind of odd.

"Who?"

"Ganther Uries Neric Asuncion po ang pangalan. Young master, we can't decline him. His family is one of the wealthy in our district." Ganther is familiar to me. Where did I hear that one? Suddenly I remembered a guy from the bar. That loser. My friends asked me a dare to get his name. I don't want to do it because I'm not gay but I don't want to be called Kj. He is cute but looks like a vulnerable sh*t. I hate weak people. 

"Young master?"  I can back to my senses when the headmaster called me again.

"Sure, accept it. But make sure only him. I don't want another loser to my university." After saying that I hung up. And let me doze into a deep slumber. 

Ganther Uries Neric Asuncion's Point of view

"Hindi na ba magbabago isip mo son?" Nilunok ko muna ang pagkain ko bago magsalita. I smiled at mom.

"No mom, I want to change my environment. Staying at Adler for 2 years gives me only nightmares. Kahit wala na sila natatakot parin ako. Two years in that hell. is kind of traumatizing for me." Mom flashed a sad expression. Before holding my hand. 

"I'm sorry son. I'm sorry for your pain..." 

"It's okay mom. Don't worry I'll take care of myself. I promise." She nodded.

"You are going to transfer?." Hindi na ako lumingon I know its him. Its dad. 

"Yes, hon. Our son wants to transfer at Leighton university." Tumayo si mom para pumunta kay dad kaya napatingin ako sa kanila. 

"Mom, you are not done eating." 

"Its okay son. I'm good." Napailing na lang ako. Happiness glint to her eyes. Bago kinuha ang coat ni dad at pareho silang umalis sa dining area. Napangisi na lang ako. Love blinded people tsk. Tinapos ko ang pagkain bago pumunta sa elevator ng mansion para umakyat sa kwarto ko. Hindi pa man ako nakakapasok sa loob, a dangerous voice made me stop. 

"Ganther. We need to talk." His voice boomed. Anger was written to his eyes. 

"Tungkol saan dad?" Nilagay ko ang mga kamay ko sa bulsa ko. He might looks so scary but it doesn't fear me at all. Tumalikod ito. Nakangiti akong sumunod sa kanya hanggang makarating kami sa sarili n'yang office. As I entered he immediately grabbed my collar and pinned me to the wall.  

"Stop bullsh*tting me, Ganther!" I chuckled. 

"Dad. I'm not bullsh*tting you. Bakit mo naman naisip ‘yan?" Pinalungkot ko ang boses ko. Lalong sumama ang tingin nito sa 'kin. 

"Are really playing as a demon?" Hindi ako sumagot.

"Bakit ka lilipat? At sa dinami-dami ng schools sa lugar natin. Sa Leighton pa talaga kung nasaan s'ya." Humina ang boses nito. Like a fragile one. Dahan-dahan n'ya akong binitawan. I tapped his shoulder.  Like I'm comforting him.

"Dad, I don't care about your gem inside that university. I really don't. I have another toy to play with, so don't be scared. Hindi ko s'ya gagalawin." Lumapit ako dito at bumulong. "Hindi pa." 

"Huwag kang mag-alala. May isa akong salita. Gaya nang usapan nating dalawa. Don't hurt mom. Then I'll be a good to your gem." Ngumisi ako na nagpamutla dito. 

"I-i promise. I'll not going to hurt your mom. J-just don't plea—" Napahalakhak ako ng tawa nang makita ko halos umiyak na si dad sa harapan ko. 

"Just be a good husband to your wife, then I'll be very very good son to you. Tandaan mo ako ang may hawak sa alas nang larong 'to. Isang kalabit ko lang. Sa impyerno ang bagsak mo. Ayokong mapaaga ka do'n. So be a good one kung ayaw mong bigla kang bumasak." Inayos ko na ang tayo ko at ngumiti saka tumalikod. Bago ako lumabas sa office I spoke once again na alam kong magpapadagdag sa takot n'ya sinulyapan ko ang chess piece na nasa mesa ng office n'ya. Ang unang pyesa na ginawa ko.

"Remember the rule of my game dad. Inside my game you are just a mere f*cking puppet. You are the player but I'm the controller. Hawak kita sa leeg kaya matakot ka. Matakot ka sa kung anong kaya kong gawin." Rinig ko ang marahas nitong buntong hininga bago tuluyang sumara ang pinto. 

"You can't win dad. You can't." I cackled before going to my room.

"I officially welcome you, Mr. Ganther. Welcome to Leighton's university." Ngumiti ako dito.

"T-thank you headmaster." Yumuko pa ako dito habang hawak ang salamin ko sa mata para hindi mahulog. 

"Go to you designated dorm. Kahit wag ka munang pumasok ngayon. You can rest at your dorm today." Tango na lang ang sinagot ko dito bago lumabas sa office.

I walked to the middle of the hallway not minding the curious, disgusted stares that I'm gaining from students around. When I reached the front of my dorm, I am about to put the key to the keyhole when the door beside my door opened. A nerd like me came out who looks so troubled. Madami itong pasa at mukhang bago pa ang iba. His hair was disheveled. Magulo ang damit. Napatingin ito sa 'kin at kita ko ang takot sa mga mata n'ya. I smiled at him and ask for shake hands.

"Hi, I'm Ganther Uries Neric Asuncion. Bago lang ako dito. I hope we can be friends." Shocked that was crossed to his eyes followed by happiness? Para itong naiiyak. Tinanggap nito ang kamay ko at ngumiti din.

"I-i'm Kit Rasen Indigo Sanchez. Sure we can be friends." Masigla ang boses nito. His aloof presence was gone already. 

"So Kit. I'll go first. Aayusin ko pa gamit ko. See you later." Tumango ito.

"Sabay tayong mag dinner later can we?" 

"Sure." Pumasok na ako sa loob ng dorm ko. Bago ko isara ang pinto I heard him yelling  yes with a cracking voice. And I'm sure he's crying. 

"Kit Rasen Indigo Sanchez, prey of the monsters here at university. The human punching bag. Like me. My tool. One of my pawns" I whispered and spin the king chess piece with my sweetest smile.

"My king... Let's play here in your own kingdom."