CLAIRE'S POV
Nangungusap ang aking mga matang tumingin kay Kuya Jared na siyang pumigil sa kamay ni Rachelle ngunit bumaling ang mapanglaw niyang tingin kay Rachelle, I don't understand why he seems heavy-hearted. Rachelle looked at him with disappointment and instantly pulled her hand from him.
"Why are you here?" salubong ang kilay na tanong ni Rachelle kay Kuya Jared.
"To stop you," he immediately replied. They looked at each other with a hidden intent and steady gaze.
"Okay, that's enough," pagsingit naman ni Abby dahilan para mapaiwas sila ng tingin sa isa't isa. Nakangiting tumingin si Abby kay Elaine saka matalim na titig ang ibinaling sa akin.
"See you again. Let's go!" aniya bago tumalikod at naglakad na paalis. Sinundan naman s'ya ng tatlong babae. Si Rachelle naman ay sinamaan din ako ng tingin bago sumunod narin sa kanila.
"Okay ka lang ba? Nakakagigil talaga 'yong mga demonyitang 'yon!" nag-aalala namang tanong sa 'kin ni
CLAIRE'S POV Bumangon na ako sa higaan pagkatapos nagunat-unat pa ng kamay. Napaisip ako pagkatapos kinuha 'yong alarm clock sa ibabaw ng kabinet. Bigla nalang nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Tama ba 'tong oras, alas-nuwebe na? Today is Monday, so I have a class! Dali-dali akong bumaba ng kama para kuhanin 'yong tuwalya ko saka pumasok na ng banyo. Halos magkandarapa pa ako sa pagmamadali sa pagkilos. Minadali ko na ang pagligo ko, pagkatapos ay nagsuot na kaagad ng uniporme at nagsuklay bago sinuot ang salamin ko sa mata. Agad na 'kong lumabas ng dorm at bumaba ng dormitory building. Hindi man lang ako naisip na gisingin ni El. Bruha talaga 'yon, malalagot sa akin 'yon mamaya! Habang naglalakad ako sa may hallway, malapit sa field ay nakita ko pa 'yong ibang estudyante na naglalaro ro'n. Bigla ko nalang napansin na lahat sila ay nakatingin sa 'kin, 'yong mga babae ay nagbubulungan sabay tatawa. Mga may salti
ELAINE'S POV We immediately take Claire to the hospital. Nang makarating kami ro'n ay kaagad naman s'yang inasikaso ni Nurse Tiang, a middle-aged nurse of the academy. She's a former personnel of my family but decided to work here. "Anong nangyari sa kaibigan mo?" tanong n'ya sa 'kin. Hindi ko pa natatanong si Claire kung bakit nagkaganiyan ang tuhod at siko niya. At kung bakit naroon s'ya sa garden kasama si Xian. Nagtatanong na lang akong tumingin sa kan'ya. "Nadapa ako kanina sa loob ng garden dahil hindi ko napansin ang dinaraanan ko," sagot n'ya naman. She's so careless, ang clumsy naman ng babaeng ito. Ang tanda-tanda na niya para aksidente pang madapa, she should've been more careful. "What happened between you and Xian?" I asked out of curiosity. Nakalimutan kong ipaalala sa kan'ya na mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ni Xian ang pumasok sa hardin. Xian is the leader of Zeplar Argent
JARED'S POV Napadesisyunan kong pumunta sa dorm ni Claire, I want to know her condition since I saw her yesterdayheading to the small hospital of the academy with Elaine. [Flashback] I immediately went to the hospital after the brief meeting with Orvions. Umasa ako na madadatnan ko pa sila Claire pero nakauwi na sila ng dormitory. This is bad, I can't just rush in there without permission. Napabuntong-hininga nalang ako bago naisipang bumalik sa opisina ni Lolo. Pagkapasok ko ay bumungad sa akin ang lima kong mga kaibigan na prenteng nakaupo sa couch sa sala ng bahay ni Lolo. They haven't yet gone back to their dormitory? I guess they really like staying here more than in our secret room beside the headmaster's office. "Where's my grandfather?" bulalas kong tanong sa kanila nang makalapit ako. "Inside his office," m
CLAIRE'S POV "What an insolent brat!" Elaine ranted while reading those notes. Halos umusok na ang ilong niya sa sobrang inis. Bakit parang mas apektado pa siya kaysa sa akin? "Jared doesn't deserve a nerd like you, si Rachelle lang ang para sa kaniya," I read aloud. Napasapo nalang ako ng noo, I really gained so many haters from involving myself with my brother's matter. They have gone too far but I don't blame them, I won't even care about their crappy and stupid remarks. "Don't mind it," Elaine exclaimed as she grabbed the piece of paper from my hand and crumpled it. "How can they write in a scornfully jeering manner," she uttered with a snort. Hindi ko naiwasan ang matawa dahil sa hitsura niya kaya tinaasan niya naman ako ng kilay. She's really angry about this, I know she's just worried but she doesn't need to be that concerned. She's loosing her cool to something worthless
CLAIRE'S POV "Get it off," I ordered in a serious and small voice. "You shouldn't have seduced someone's possession," she whispered and smiled smugly. Mas lalo niya pang diniinan ang pagkakasabunot sa buhok ko. "Claire!" narinig ko namang tawag ni El sa 'kin. Lalapit ulit sana s'ya pero bigla s'yang sinipa ni Abby sa likod dahilan para matumba s'ya. "Wala akong alam sa sinasabi mo, get your filthy hand off of me!" naiinis na saad ko nalang sa kan'ya dahil sa hindi ko na matiis ang sakit ng pagkakahawak n'ya sa buhok ko, kasabay no'n ang pagsipa ko sa kan'ya sa tuhod kaya nabitawan n'ya naman ako. Pero hindi pa ako nakakabawi nang matamaan ako ng kamao n'ya sa pisngi at sipain sa tiyan nang malakas kaya tumalsik ako sa tabi ng lamesa na tumama pa sa likod ko. I feel the pain it caused me but I ignored it. Mabilis na lumapit sa 'kin si Rachelle at ikinagulat ko p
CLAIRE'S POV "Stop right there." I'm about to leave the classroom with El when Professor Kim uttered a word in a loud voice. Napahinto kami sa paglalakad saka humarap sa kan'ya at naghintay sa susunod nitong sasabihin. She cleared her throat and walked closer. "Excuse us, let me talk to Ms. Gomez," she requested while looking at Elaine. Nagtataka nalang kaming nagkatinginan ni El bago siya nagsalita. "See you in our dorm," paalam nito kaya marahan akong tumango sa kan'ya saka siya tuluyang lumabas ng classroom. Katatapos lang ng klase at tanging kaming dalawa nalang ang naiwan ni Mrs. Kim sa loob. Nagtatanong akong tumingin sa kan'ya, tungkol saan naman ang sasabihin niya? Is that about what happened to her yesterday? Don't tell me, she's still holding a grudge against me? Does she expect me to apologize? "About yesterday..." panimula niya. "I've already received a p
CLAIRE'S POV Kinabukasan, maaga akong nagising at kaagad na nag-ayos para pumasok. Since tulog pa si El, naisipan kong ako na muna ang magluto ng almusal para makabawi naman ako sa kan'ya. Pagkatapos kong magbihis ng uniporme, kaagad akong pumunta ng kusina at binuksan 'yong refrigerator. Mabuti nalang at may pagkain pang laman 'yon. Nagprito nalang ako ng itlog at bacon saka fried rice, tapos sinamahan ko na ng orange juice bago inihanda ko na sa lamesa. Maya-maya lang, nakita ko na si Elaine na papunta na sa kusina habang naghihikab pa. "It smells delicious, nagugutom na tuloy ako," saad n'ya nang makalapit sa lamesa saka hinila ang upuan at umupo. "Gusto ko lang makabawi sa'yo kaya ako na ang nagluto," nakangiti ko na namang wika saka nagsalin ng juice sa baso at inilagay sa harap n'ya. "Ah, Claire," Tumingin ako sa kan'ya na nagtatanong habang nakangiti. Did I moved her somehow?
CLAIRE'S POV Today is Friday, the last day of classes for gangster students but it was suspended. Nagpatawag daw kasi ng pagpupulong ang headmaster with the professors for the preparations of the upcoming gangster tournament. Next week, the training will start and they gonna open the academy's training room. Ngayon ko lang din nalaman na merong sariling training place ang akademya since binubuksan lang 'yon tuwing nalalapit na ang paligsahan. Kinakabahan tuloy ako lalo, ano kayang magaganap sa darating na tournament? "Laire, I have a meeting with my group members today but it won't take long. Magkita nalang tayo mamaya sa cafeteria for lunch," pagpapaalam ni El nang makalabas kami ng classroom. "I'll just head to the library then," I replied. "Make sure you get there because I have an important matter to discuss with you," dagdag niya pa na marahan ko nalang na tinanguan saka siya naglakad at nauna nang umalis. I wonder wha
CLAIRE'S POV"You ready?" tanong ni Daddy bago malawak na ngumiti. Mr. Gonzales, his secretary took my luggage and put it inside the car's compartment. Inanyayahan na rin niya akong sumakay ng kotse at kaagad na tinabihan sa back seat. Nang makaupo sa driver's seat ang secretary niya ay pinaandar na nito ang sasakyan paalis ng bahay. "Are we going straight to the airport, Mr. Wilk?" magalang na tanong ni Mr. Gonzales na tumingin pa sa rear-view mirror. "Yes, that's right," pagsangayon naman ni Daddy sa tabi ko saka bumaling sa'kin ng tingin. "Did you tell your mom that I'm coming back?" he questioned.Kunot-noo akong umiling. "I thought that was supposed to be a secret?" Tumango siya bago natatawang tumingin sa harapan. Napailing na lang ako saka ngumiti. It's been three years since I lived with Dad in the States and just a heartbeat, time went by so fast. I already finished my studies in management and administration a week ago. My stay here feels like an emotional roller-coaster
XIAN'S POVAfter the attack at the parking lot, I accompanied Claire back to the hospital. I lied to her when I said I'm going back to the academy. It was just an excuse. The truth is, I recognized the pin badge that I got from Tita Mathezon. Those men who attacked us were wearing the same pin badge and it reminded me of when I saw it before. I drove back to my family's house and immediately entered when I arrived. Yumukod sa'kin ang mga katulong sa bahay nang makita ako. "Xian, you're here..." salubong sa'kin ni Mrs. Santos, she's in her late forties and the head housekeeper of the house. "Where's my father?" bungad kong tanong sa kaniya. My father has been living here alone since I and my mother stayed abroad apart from him. Matagal-tagal na rin noong huli kong pagbisita rito. "He's not home, he said he won't be going back for a while. Do you want me to inform him that you're here?" aniya na mabilis kong tinanggihan. "Hindi rin ako magtatagal," maikli kong sagot bago siya nilagp
CLAIRE'S POVHindi ko na siya nagawang pigilan nang lumabas siya ng sasakyan at harapin ang mga lalaking 'yon. Mahigit lima ang mga ito at ang iba sa kanila ay may kalakihan pa ang katawan. Xian tried to talk to them and shortly after I saw his smirk, all those guys started coming at him. Isa-isa silang sumusugod kay Xian at inatake siya ng suntok. They seem to be unarmed but they're strong and look well-trained in fighting. Hindi ko inaalis ang paningin ko kay Xian na patuloy lang sa ginagawa n'yang pakikipaglaban. Nagagawa nitong mapatumba ang ilan sa kanila pero muli silang nakababangon. His movements were fast and attentive so the enemy couldn't land a single blow at him. I know Xian is good at this but he will lose if they come at him at the same time.Hindi nagtagal ay nagawa niyang mapatumba lahat ng lalaking ito. I thought it ended but they immediately got back on their feet like nothing happened. Nangamba ako dahil sa sitwasyon ni Xian. He's catching his breath, I'm afraid
CLAIRE'S POV I still remember the day when my foster father died because of me. 29th of August, this day of the year has now come, his death anniversary. Nag-iwan ako ng note sa ibabaw ng bedside table bago tahimik na nilisan ang silid ni Mama habang natutulog pa si Mommy. Hindi ko na siya hinintay na magising dahil siguradong hindi niya ako papayagang umalis ng mag-isa. A beam of sunlight touches my face as I exit the hospital. It's still early in the morning. I called a taxi and told the location after I got inside the back seat. Kaagad namang nagmaneho paalis ang taxi driver habang kalmado akong bumaling ng tingin sa bintana ng sasakyan. Xian said he will be back this afternoon when he left last night. He told me that he's staying at his own residence in their family's hotel. He probably stayed there alone. I felt embarrassed after I misunderstood him yesterday. It's funny how we said sorry to each other after a small misunderstanding. Ilang sandali pa, napansin kong huminto
XIAN'S POVI headed directly to the headmaster's office after I found that Claire was gone from her room. Where did that woman think of going with that weak body? That stupid. "Where is she?" bungad kong tanong kay Lolo Edgar nang makapasok ako sa opisina nito. Sa unang pagkakataon, nakita ko siyang bumuntong-hininga at mapanglaw ang mga mata na tumingin sa'kin. "She's too stubborn so I let her go." He stood up and faced the window. "That's why I need you to look after her and also..." He interlocked his fingers behind his back before turning around. "I want you to do something for me in secret," he requested. Unti-unti siyang naglakad pabalik sa kaniyang lamesa at may kung anong bagay na kinuha sa drawer nito. I stared at a picture and a phone when he placed it on the table. He moved the photo toward me. It's a photograph of an old warehouse. "I ordered to burn down this warehouse six years ago. That's where all the illegal weapons were stored, it was an illegal activity committe
CLAIRE'S POVI was looking in a daze, my eyes locked directly in my grandfather's direction. He's currently talking to someone over the telephone.Mahigit isang araw akong nawalan ng malay. Nang magising ako kanina lang mula sa hospital ng akademya, nagmadali ako para pumunta sa opisina ni Lolo. He promised to let me go and visit my mother once the duel is done. He refused at first since my body is still recovering but I insisted that I must go right away.Hindi pa alam nina Elaine na nagising na ako. Hindi ko rin alam kung nasaan sila ngayon, kahit si Xian ay hindi ko nakita nang magising ako. Pero mas mabuti na 'yon dahil wala akong balak na magpaalam pa sa kanila.Nabalik ako sa huwisyo nang maibaba ni Lolo ang telepono bago bumaling sa'kin ng tingin. He just called someone who would escort me outside the academy."May naghihintay na sa'yo sa tapat ng entrance gate ng academy. I'll give you two weeks to be with your mother and after that, you have to come back here. I will send som
CLAIRE'S POVDinig ko hanggang sa loob ng waiting room ang malakas at sabay-sabay na sigawan ng mga estudyante mula sa academy's arena. Ngayong araw na gaganapin ang labanan sa pagitan naming apat.Five days have passed since I learned about my mother's accident. Supposedly, the duel should be held two days after that but Lolo gave me time to fully recover. My body is fine but my mind keeps straying, I've been restless these past few days because of too much concern.Nababahala tuloy ako sa magaganap na laban ilang sandali lang mula ngayon. Unang maghaharap sina Elaine at Rachelle bago ako at si Abby. Kaya naman nakahanda na ang lahat para sa matinding pagtutuos naming apat.Kasalukuyan akong mag-isa sa loob ng waiting room ng arena dahil ayoko pang lumabas at magpakita sa maraming estudyante. Meron namang monitor sa loob ng silid. Nakikita ko mula roon ang mga nagaganap sa labas. Maraming estudyante ang nasa kaniya-kaniya nilang upuan para manood. Pati ang mga grupo at mga miyembro
CLAIRE'S POVBumitaw siya sa pagkakayakap at naupo sa tabi ko. Nangungusap ang kaniyang mga mata na diretsong tumitig sa'kin habang marahang hinaplos ang aking mukha. At kahit hindi niya sabihin, alam kong talagang labis siyang nag-alala para sa'kin. Pero sa kabila no'n ay hindi ko rin maiwasang mag-alala because of his circumstance. It made me happy to see him but he's not supposed to be here. What if he suddenly experiences an anxiety attack? I held his hand away from my cheek and looked at him with a worried face. "You... You shouldn't be here, Xian. Paano kung-" he cut me off using his index finger."I'm fine. I don't know why but maybe I overcame my fear because of you..." He moved his face closer to mine and whispered, "You're the only one I could think of right now..." Nag-init ang pisngi ko sa sinabi niya at ilang beses pa akong kumurap ng mata. Ano bang sinasabi niya? That doesn't make any sense to me, is he serious?I wrinkled my forehead when I heard his soft laughter. Ni
CLAIRE'S POV Nang makapasok sa loob ng ikalimang kwarto ay may namataan kaming isang pigura ng babae. Nakatalikod ito sa amin habang magkalakip ang dalawang kamay sa likod. "Congratulations on reaching this level..." Unti-unti itong humarap sa amin. She seems like in her late twenties. Nakatali ang kaniyang buhok at nakasuot ng itim na pants at leather jacket. "I'm the holder of the key, kailangan niyo lang makuha ang laso sa aking braso para manalo. But if I injured your target mark, you lose..." mahaba niya pang pahayag sa marahang boses bago ngumisi. Kulay puting laso ang nakatali sa kaniyang kanang braso. We can't underestimate her, she might be a good fighter that my grandfather has chosen to be part of this tournament."What are you waiting for? Let the game begin..." nangingising usal niya bago naglabas ng punyal sa dalawa niyang kamay. Kaagad kaming naalerto ni Elaine at inihanda ang aming sarili. Hindi nagtagal ay mabilis niya kaming sinugod. Napahigpit ang pagkakahawak