"It's Thayer with his group!"
"Against Calter?"
"Yeah. Come on, quick!"
Kakapasok lang namin at iyon na agad ang naririnig naming bulungan habang naglalakad kami papuntang Class Building.
Nagtakbuhan ang mga tao sa direksyon kung nasaan ang football field. Nagtinginan kaming tatlo. Alice nodded her head a bit and that's when I knew that she wants us to go there too. Naintindihan namin ang tingin ng bawat isa kaya lumakad na rin kami papunta sa football field.
"Bilisan niyo! May kaaway si Calter!" Takbo at lakad ang ginawa ni Jinx sa pagmamadali niya.
"Tumahimik ka nga! They might hear you," pagtukoy ni Alice sa mga taong nakakasabay namin sa paglalakad.
She pouts. "Eh ano? It's not like I'm saying bad things."
Malayo pa lang, tanaw na namin ang malawak na kulay berdeng footbal
"Hinipuan ako, narinig mo?! A maniac touched my thigh upwards!" sigaw ni Jinx. Napabuntong-hininga na lang si Alice matapos marinig iyon. Hindi pa rin halos kumakalma si Jinx. Kahit wala na kami sa football field, panay pa rin ang pagsigaw niya tuwing sumasagot sa mga tanong ni Alice. A lady nurse walked towards her with a medical kit onhand. "Aside from the cuts, tell me where the other part hurts?" she softly asked her. "Likod ko! Sinipa pa ako ng impakta diyan!" pasinghal na sagot niya. We are now in the clinic while sitting on the two beds. Magkatabi kami ni Alice habang kaharap naman namin sina Megan at Jinx. Siya muna ang unang gagamutin tutal mas marami naman ang sugat niya. The nurse is now patting Jinx's cuts with cotton ball wetted by a brown liquid from a green bottle reads Betadine. She really knows what she's doing and it reflects how professional she is doing her job.
"I recommend, you personally visit him at home. He usually sleep in his condo but yesterday, he came home to our mansion." That was what Mrs. Herism said when I went to her office after 2 days of Calter being absent. I was surprised. I never thought that she would offer home tutoring... but I guess this is the chance to gain information about them more. Hindi ko pa naman sila lubos na kilala. Hindi pa nga ako sigurado kung konektado ba sila kay Robert Spencer. Napakalabo naman kasi na isang school principal ang asawa ni Robert. Isa pa, hindi Spencer ang apelyido niya. Pwedeng hindi sila ikinasal kaya ganoon. How about Calter, though? Hindi ko pa alam kung ano ba talaga ang apelyido niya. I quickly drove using Alice's car to the address Mrs. Herism gave. Masyadong malayo ang lugar na ito. Sa labas pa ng NCR. Bakit naman umuwi roon si Calter? Nasayang lang tuloy ang 2 days ko kay Blak
1 pm na nang makaalis ako sa mansyon nila. Nabusog ako. I would be lying if I say her cooking was bad. Hindi ko maikakailang mas masarap ang luto niya kaysa kay Yaya Tesing. But nothing will beat how caring Yaya was. I love it when she's taking care of me. Habang nilalakbay ko ang kahabaan ng highway na ito ay may napansin akong isang itim na kotse na parang sinusundan ako. Delikado ang kalsada. Bangin kasi ang nasa magkabilang gilid at puro kakahuyan na ang nasa ibabang parte. Wala pang ibang kotseng dumadaan. To test if the car is really following me, I slowed down. When it do the same thing too, I hurriedly pick out my phone to dial Alice's number. I'm nervous that I don't have a gun here or anything that I can use as defense. My breathe becomes heavy as Alice's number cannot be reach. I dialed again but it still the same. A loud bang jolted me.
My car losses control. Mukhang hindi ako mamamatay sa tama ng baril, sa pagkahulog sa bangin, oo! Tumuwid ako nang upo at mahigpit na hinawakan ang kaliwang braso para hindi maalog ang sugat. Binuksan ko ang pinto. I positioned myself to get ready for my jump. Naghintay muna ako at siniguradong wala nang balang umuulan. "Faster! There's no gun peeping out already!" Calter shouted as he looked behind at the car from his side mirror. He also manage to drive equally with my speed so our doors will face each other. I took that as cue to put out my left leg to reach his car's floor and lift myself up, shifting into his. Binigay ko ang buong lakas para ilipat ang bigat sa binting nakatapak na sa loob ng sasakyan niya at sa tulong ng paghawak ko sa frame ng pinto ko, parang ginawa kong bala ng slingshot ang sarili makapasok lang sa sasakyan niya. Saka naman ulit nagpaputok ang mga nasa sasakyang sumusunod sa
I continue flapping my arm and feet while being carried by the water. He ran and stopped a few meters away in advance to position himself. "Hold this shit!" he shouted, referring to the branch he's gripping. When I'm about to pass him by, I reached the end of the branch and he quickly pulled me to the riverside. Hinang-hina akong gumapang at humiga sa lupa habang naghahabol ng hininga. Nataranta ako nang biglang dinakma ni Calter ang kwelyo ko saka ako sapilitang pinatayo. "Who are you!" siya na galit na galit. Nakaluhod siya sa gilid ko at nakatungo, malapit ang mukha at nagtatangis ang panga. Wala tuloy akong magawa dahil sa sobrang panghihina. Napapapikit na lang ako sa tuwing nauubo. Lintik! Ang sugat ko, sobrang sakit! Inalog niya pa ako. "I said, who the fuck are you?!" I coughed." W-What do you mean?" I asked in a hoarse voice. Inilapit pa lalo niya ang mukha para maintindihan ko ng mabuti ang
Apat na araw na rin ang nakalipas pagkatapos ng tagpong iyon. Ilang oras lang ang nakaraan simula nang ma-discharge ako sa ospital ngayong araw. Si Mr. Biljack ang nagbayad sa lahat ng expenses kahit pa tumutol ako dahil siya ang nagbabantay sa akin doon. I knew that the money wasn't really from his pocket, it's originally from Calter's. Naisauli ko na rin iyong uniform ni Calter na ginawa niyang pambalot sa sugat ko. I filled the bathtub with warm water and soaked into it. Walang nakakaalam sa kung anong nangyari sa akin sa halos limang araw kong pagkawala. I didn't bother myself contacting anyone since I don't really care much. Besides, I don't consider the three of them as my friends and I hate Alice now for leaving her phone unattended during my emergency call. "Alora!" Someone outside called. Nanatili akong nakaupo sa bathtub. Si Alice iyon. Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali sa boses niya. Pinapasok siguro siya ng mga ka
We are now on our way home. Alice is currently driving while having serious conversation with us. "Everyone calls Spencer by his first name, even teachers during the class. Mr. Tuazon was just new that time that's why he mistakenly called him by his surname," Alice said. Ano naman kung nagkamali lang ng tawag? Big deal ba 'yon? "Si Calter, Alora... Hindi siya Spencer." Mabilis kong nilingon si Megan matapos marinig iyon. Ano kamong sinabi niya? "Anong hindi?" Kung hindi Spencer si Calter, ibig bang sabihin nagkamali kami? Nagkamali ako? Hindi pwede! Then Alice replied. "We can't determine if we picked a wrong target for now but I'll tell you his full name, it's Calter Vin Herism." Herism? Dala niya ang apelyido ng nanay niya, si Mrs. Veniva Herism, ang pr
Pasalamat siya at hindi ko siya maabot dahil sa layo ng pagitan naming dalawa. We are both sitting right beside the aisle. Napalingon ako kay Alice nang ilapag niya sa lamesa ko ang papel na dapat kong check-han. Agad namang binasa ni sir ang mga sagot at hindi na ako nakahabol dahil wala pa rin akong magamit na ballpen. "Number 3, B." Sa inis, binigay ko na lang kay Alice ang test paper at hinayaang siya na ang mag-check. Masamang tingin ang binato ko kay Calter kahit na hindi naman siya sa akin nakatingin. Binalik ko na sa kaniya ang ballpoint niya pero 'yong akin pa rin ang ginagamit! Sa huli, hinayaan ko na lang na gamitin niya iyon hanggang sa matapos ang checking. Binasa na rin ni sir ang mga nakuha naming scores. "Ms. Humburgs got 11 over 40," mapait na anunsyo ni sir. Hagikhik agad ni Megan ang narinig ko matapos iyon. "Stupid," aniya kay Ji
It's been a week since I came here and started living with them. They've showed me around the Vantablack Headquarters and introduced me to everyone. Natawagan ko na rin sina Tita Serya at Tito Totie para ipaalam ang kalagayan ko rito. "Tinatanong nina Tita Serya kung kailan ako uuwi roon. Gusto ko sanang bukas na," pagpapaalam ko habang sabay kaming nag-uumagahan. "Uuwi roon? Isn't this your home now? Dito ka na uuwi," Dad corrected me. I got stunned for a sec. Yeah. I forgot. It is. Dito na siya tumutuloy pagkatapos ng una naming pagkikita. We spent most of our time together, as a whole family-- talking while sipping tea, talking about our lives, roaming around the bunker and teaching me this and that. It's been a week but everytime I go to bed, I wonder how fast my life turned out. Para bang pumikit lang ako saglit, nandito na ako sa puder nila. I still have questions unanswered but maybe there has time for that. I'm enjoying the moment I have right now. With them. I do hav
I feel like it would be so awkward if I start calling them Mom and Dad. I'm still not used to them, though. Kagabi lang kami nagkalapit ng sariling ina. Paniwala naman ako na biological parents ko nga sila dahil sa mga rasong inihain na sa akin. I'm already 20. Still young but already old to spot the truth of this drama that has been running for almost 3 years. I watch my mom who's busy talking to me but I can't hear her clearly because I'm not paying attention. We're now here in their office, the higher ups office. Simpleng kwarto lang ito na may malaking curved table. Sa lamesa, may limang computers at swivel chairs. Sa harap naman ng mga ito ay may malaking nakapatay na screen. I'm sitting on one of the chairs. Calter is occupying the other seat, one block away from me while Mom is standing in front of us, talking. Saka lang nahinto ang ina nang may kumatok sa pinto. Napunta roon ang atensyon namin. Bumukas ito at pumasok ang isang lalaki. He stopped at the frame and bowed his h
All this time, akala ko hindi niya alam. I thought he wasn't aware that I was really the person he was talking with at the Halloween Party. Hindi na ako pinatulog kakaisip noon kagabi. I was asking myself, like how did he found it out? Tulog siya nang pumasok ako sa van nang mahuli siya ng organisasyon. He's asleep for the whole time until he was locked in the empty room. Nahalata niya ba ako sa naging costume ko? Covered ng make up ang mukha ko noon! Heavy make up! Hindi kaya'y nakilala niya ako sa boses? So he intentionally made a confession because he knows that he's literally talking to me? Nagkunwari lang siyang hindi niya ako kilala. Bakit pa? Para hindi masyadong nakakahiya sa part niya? Sa pag-amin pa lang, bawas na ang angas niya. Pero bakit naman siya magsasabi ng sekreto niya sa hindi niya kilala? Bakit ngayon ko lang na-realize ito? Alam ng buong Herism kung gaano siya kailap. He sticks with his circle of friends and never did talked to anyone else. Hindi ko pa siya nakit
Parang kailan lang nang una akong tumapak sa Herism Academy. I remember how full of wrath I was. I was eaten by my vengeful demon that all I felt was resentment towards my biological parents. I've even created a fantasizing scene in my head that I am washing my hands with their fresh blood like a total psychopath. It's been 2 years and those memories are still vivid as if it's just a day passed by. Wala akong nakitang butas sa relasyon ko sa mga Steppingstone noon na makakapagsabi sa akin na ampon lang ako. Kahit si Uncle na lang ang nandyan para sa akin noon, I never felt neglected. He may seem like a prison guard on how strict he is but there are still times when he is calm and loose. The last time we got apart was during the battle we had against the assassins in Manila Port. He got shot by Calter that time and I don't know if he's still alive. Robert Spencer got shot as well and I had never picked up rumor about them again since I ran away. "Can I kiss you good night?" pansin ko a
When I was a kid, I never had any bad memories with Mom and Dad. They never hurt me when they had to discipline me. They were supportive. They always make sure I'm okay, happy. I never felt out of their blood, that I am adopted because they never treat me differently. They showered me with all their love that's why it's hard for me to distinguish the truth behind all of these. Tanggap ko na sa sarili ko na ampon nga ako... pero ang hirap! Tinanim ni Uncle Greg sa isipan ko na ang mga Spencer ang masama. Sila ang pumatay sa kinalakihan kong magulang. Oo't sila nga... but is it worth it to hate them? Sabi nga ni Mrs. Veniva, kinuha nila ako noong sanggol pa. Hindi sarado ang utak ko para hindi maintindihan ang pakiramdam ng isang ina na mawalan ng anak. I just can't believe that the real monsters in this story are the Steppingstones, the family I grew up with. "Get the brown envelope in the drawer, Calter," she ordered him. Sumunod naman si Calter at pumunta doon sa desk hindi kalayua
I lived my life as a teenage girl running in the track like a horse trained to race. I ran away when the table turned and found out, in the end, I was the one who got fooled by those people around me. Now, I am coming back. Faces I'd wish I will never get to see again are all plastered in front of me. I guess, running away from the reality of my life is a race I will never win. Alice's face flashed on my mind. Her eyes. The way she gaze at me feels like she saw a long lost bestfriend. I don't know. The emotions of her eyes are sometimes misleading. However, I wonder why she was stunned at that moment. She should've called for backup to catch me but she chose to remain standing while staring at me. Is she with Jinx that time? "Hija!" Napatingin ako kay Veniva Herism. She rushed towards us with open arms. Emotional siyang nakatingin sa akin at kinulong ako ng yakap pagkalapit. Kumunot ang noo ko at hindi nakagalaw sa kinatatayuan. Ang mga braso ko kasi, nakapaloob sa yakap niya. Hindi
Bumagabag sa akin ang huling sinabi niya sa gabing iyon. Criella Herism Spencer. Tinawag niya ako sa ganoong pangalan. Anong ibig sabihin noon? 'Yon ba talaga ang tunay kong pangalan... bago pa ako mapunta sa kamay ng Steppingstone at pinangalanang Alora? My mind was filled with questions I hardly seek for an answer. I was just holding to my what ifs, insticts and theories. There's no definite answers. Maybe Calter was right. I really need to talk to Veniva Herism. Ako na ang umalis sa sarili kong kwarto para lumipat sa kuwarto ni Calter. Sakanya na iyong basang kama. Kaya naman na siguro niyang asikasuhin ang sarili dahil hindi naman siya mukhang nasaktan noong biglaan siyang umupo para makalapit sa akin. Naalala ko ang hitsura niya noong ipinirmi niya ako sa kinatatayuan. Madilim, maingay ang lagaslas ng ulan at maya't maya ang pangingidlat pero sa gabing iyon, mas nangibabaw ang ingay ng tibok ng puso ko. It may sound romantic and a bit corny but that's what I really felt during
Calter kept refusing to stand up and go to his room. He didn't want me to call for help neither. Nangingiti pa siya habang ako halos malagutan na ng hininga. His blood literally flows down onto the floor and he's still acting cool! Naihilamos ko na lang ang palad habang tinitingnan siya. Gising siya pero nakapikit lang. Nakangiti kasi ang gago. "Please.... put a pressure on my wounds before... I completely lost my blood," he said in a hoarse voice. Napairap ako. Sinarado ko ang pinto. Pumwesto ako sa kaniyang uluhan. Pinailalim ang mga kamay sa likod ng balikat niya at buong lakas na hinila siya papunta sa gilid ng kama. Nasa sahig pa rin siya dahil nga basa. I don't want him to wet my bed. Napalunok ako saka lumuhod sa gilid niya. Hinawi ko ang kaniyang itim na t-shirt pataas. He slowly lifted his hand so I saw a large cut on his left kidney part. Mukhang daplis lang pero mahaba at medyo malalim. Rinig ko ang mabigat na hininga niya. Halatang nasasaktan pero sinusubukang itago. A
Calter really had the nerves to rent a room here. Hindi naman talaga nagpapaupa sina Tita pero nang sabihin ni Calter na mag-a-advance payment na siya ng tatlong buwan, sumang-ayon na kaagad ang matanda. Alam ko kung anong dahilan ng pagpayag niya. Delay na kasi ang sweldo ng mga trabahador kaya ang ibabayad ni Calter ang siyang ipapasweldo niya. Gusto ko pang hilain si Calter noon paalis sa hapagkainan para sana kausapin. 3 months, really? Parang naglalaro lang siya ng bahay-bahayan! "Ayan! Look! Ang pretty mo talaga! Wagi na tayo!" tili ni Jade matapos niya akong ma-make up-an. Nakadikit ang pisngi niya sa pisngi ko habang nakaharap kami sa salamin. Ilang beses ko nang naisip na umatras na lang sa pagsali. Hindi ko naman kasi talaga gusto 'to. However, the situation really pushes me to continue it. Deven is still out of reach. Tito's maintenance are running out and he needs a wheelchair so he can go out of the house. Suot ang dress para sa unang round ng contest, lumabas na kami