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 Kinabukasan, maaga akong nagising tulad ng nakasanayan. It's Saturday and since it's weekend, I wear casual clothes, tied my hair and put on my eyeglasses before wearing a flat sandals. Nang matapos akong mag-ayos ng sarili ay kaagad na akong lumabas ng kwarto ko. Nasalubong ko pa si Elaine sa harapan ng pintuan kaya medyo nailang pa ako sa kan'ya. Hindi kasi maganda ang inakto ko sa kan'ya kahapon, nagpadala ako sa emosyon ko. "About yesterday..." panimula ko sa mahinang boses. "What about yesterday? Don't tell me, babawiin mo 'yong sinabi mo? No, you can't," saad niyang tanong na napasingap pa. "It's not about that—" "Let's have a breakfast first, alam kong nagugutom ka na," she cut me off. Hinigit niya pa ako papunta sa kusina saka pinaupo sa harapan ng lamesa na kasalukuyang may nakahandang pagkain. "I'm sorry about yest
CLAIRE'S POV Isa-isang namatay ang ilaw sa corridor kaya nabalot ng dilim ang dormitory building, tanging liwanag na lamang na nagmumula sa buwan ang siyang nagbibigay ilaw sa paligid. Marahan akong humakbang palayo sa pwesto ko, napansin ko pa ang ibang mga kwarto na sarado at walang ni isang estudyante ang makikita sa labas. Hindi ko naiwasan ang kabahan, what's with the atmosphere? I'm feeling horrified. Nagpatuloy akong maglakad pababa ng hagdanan at nang makarating ng second floor ay may kadiliman ding paligid ang bumungad sa akin. Magpapatuloy na sana ako pababa sa unang palapag nang may sumalubong sa akin sa hagdan. Dalawang babae ang umakyat mula sa hagdanang nasa harapan ko kaya marahan akong napaatras. They're also wearing a black casual attire, probably a gangster students. This is looking strange, what are they doing here? Mamaya lang ay mabilis akong naalarma nang pareho silang sumugod sa akin. Inihanda ko ang armas na hawak-hawak
CLAIRE'S POV "Frey," I uttered. "I heard you passed the trial, but I'm not quite satisfied so I'm here to see it for myself," saad niya saka unti-unting humakbang palapit sa akin. Naglabas siya ng kutsilyo sa kan'yang kamay at humanda sa pag-opensa dahilan para marahan akong mapaatras. Maya-maya lang ay nalipat pa ang tingin ko sa gilid niya nang may tumabi naman sa kan'ya na isang matangkad at naka-itim din na lalaki, they're both gangster students. "You're too impatient, as always. Let me handle this, I'll make her pay from what she did to you," bulalas ng lalaki kay Frey habang nasa akin ang tingin. He looks familiar, saan ko nga ba siya nakita. I think I have already met him somewhere. Bumalik sa dating posisyon si Frey at itinabi muna ang kutsilyong hawak niya. She's looking fine, seemed like the wound she get from our last fight are now completely healed. "Target her weakness, she's injured at her right side, but don'
CLAIRE'S POV I woke up on this white bed and saw a white ceiling. Hindi na ako magtatakang nandito ako ngayon sa hospital room, since I'm wearing a hospital gown. Maliwanag ang buong paligid at mukhang dumaan na naman ang panibagong araw. Sinubukan kong gumalaw kaya naramdaman ko nalang ang pagkirot ng sugat ko, it's already covered with a bandage and same goes to the small cut on my neck. Tumingin ako sa gilid ko at nakita ro'n ang salamin ko sa mata na nakapatong sa maliit na table, kinuha ko naman 'yon at kaagad na sinuot. I also tied my hair in a ponytail and was about to get down from the bed when the door opens. "Claire," tawag ni Elaine sa'kin nang makapasok siya. Kaagad itong lumapit sa tabi ko at bigla akong niyakap. "I'm sorry, I should've noticed it sooner, then it wouldn't have gone this far," marahan niyang saad saka humiwalay sa pagkakayakap. "You lost consciousness last night because of exhaustion, maayos na
JARED'S POV Nang makalabas ako ng hospital ay naisipan kong pumunta sa opisina ni Lolo. Damn that old man, if only I stayed watching over my sister, things would've been different. But he ordered me to informed him as soon as the trial was over so I left Claire even knowing that she's injured. She wouldn't like it if I insisted to bring her to the hospital immediately. Perhaps, she doesn't want grandfather to be disappointed by her. I planned to take her to the hospital but when I came back, she already caught in trouble and her injury got worst. I'm a bad brother but still, I am pleased that she's not weak like I thought she was. Masaya ako na kahit papaano ay kaya niyang protektahan ang sarili niya, she have grown strong and I believe she will grow even more stronger. Habang naglalakad papunta sa opisina ni Lolo ay natanaw ko ang auditorium mula sa pwesto ko. I think they're preparing for something, is it related with the agreement between Lolo and
ELAINE'S POVThree days has passed and I've been practicing for the upcoming battle between the four of us. Honestly, I don't really need to practice since I believe in my ability. I am confident that I'm not going to lose against my opponent but knowing the agreement between the headmaster and Claire made me want to do my best and win.Nagpapagaling parin si Claire sa hospital hanggang ngayon but she doesn't want to stay there any longer so she's planning to go back in the dormitory today. Siguradong naiinip na siya kaya hindi na ako tututol, si Jared lang naman ang nagpupumilit na manatili pa siya ng hospital hanggang sa tuluyang maghilom ang sugat niya."Ouch!" I complaint. Bigla akong natauhan nang matamaan ako ng suntok ni Clyde sa mukha, mabuti nalang at hindi 'yon masyadong malakas. Nakalimutan kong nag-eensayo nga pala kami, nawala tuloy ang atensyon ko sa kan'ya."Shit!
ELAINE'S POV The next day, I made myself busy with my training but this time, I'm training with my group members. It's actually not bad since I can monitor their progress. They're working really hard, pero hindi ko alam if that's worth the effort since the tournament could be really unpredictable. We don't even know what kind of competition will take place during the tournament but one thing for sure is that it's a battle between the group of gangsters. What and how it may work, I have no idea. That's why, nakatuon ang pagsasanay ng bawat grupo sa pagpapabuti ng kakayahan nila sa pakikipaglaban. But I made my group do a mixed martial arts with different kinds of combat such as stick-fighting, hand combat, taekwando or karate, wrestling, and boxing other than using chainstick. This martial arts are all necessary once you're already on the field. Well, although it's hard to train and catch out, mas mabuti na 'yong handa kaysa mangapa sa dilim. "Ho
CLAIRE'S POVIt's been four days, ilang araw rin akong nanatili sa hospital ng academy para magpagaling. Halos magaling narin naman ang sugat na natamo ko from taking the trial. Nakakainip ang manatili sa hospital at pakiramdam ko ay nakaaabala lang ako kay Nurse Tiang dahil hindi naman gano'n kalala ang kondisyon ko. So I decided to get back to our dorm and stayed at my room for a while.I guess, Kuya Jared might be angry right now since I get discharged from the hospital without telling him and he couldn't pay a visit in my dormitory even if he wants to because of a certain policy. Mabuti narin ang makapagpahinga ng ilang araw. Kahit ngayon lang, ayoko munang may iniisip na sakit sa ulo.Habang nagbabasa ako ng libro ay napahinto ako at naisipang pumunta ng banyo. Nang makaharap sa hindi kalakihang salamin ay tinanggal ko ang aking salamin sa mata at napansin ang aking itsura, mukhang kailangan ko
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