Chapter 4

# Chapter 04- Poisoned Fire

Huge black gate. It really amazed me until now. The red as blood paint painted on the header really caught my attention.

“What? You should go inside now, ” he ordered. He even chuckled when he saw me still admiring the huge gate.

I looked at him and I caught him watching at me with a smile on his lips.

“Help me with my things, kuya,” I uttered. I even pouted my lips so that everything will work.

But it didn't. I failed.

His brows furrowed. “Just go look for your room. I have to go. I still have many things to do,” he replied.

Gusto kong magtampo ngunit wala na akong ibang magagawa kundi ang intindihin siya. My older brother is a very busy man.

“Here.” He handed me a card and a piece of paper. I grabbed it and examined it. It's a map.

“Okay! Take care kuya!” I waved my hands at him and smiled cutely.

He nodded and smiled. “Take care too, sis!”  

Tuluyan na akong pumasok sa loob ng

training school. Automatic ang gate kasi nang bumukas ito ay agad ring iyong nagsara nang makapasok ako.

Pagkapasok ko ay agad akong sinalubong ng malamig at sariwang hangin. Nagtataasan ang mga school buildings ngunit agad kong napansin na walang katao-tao sa hallway. O sa kung saan mang parte ng school na ito.

Wala ring guard kaya dumiretso na ako sa loob. Ayon sa card na hawak ko ay sa Building 04, 2nd floor daw ako tutuloy.

Hinanap ko ang building na iyon at madali ko naman itong natagpuan. Sa bawat building kasi ay may mga pangalan kaya madali lang hanapin.

Sumakay ako sa elevator at pinindot ang button nito. Nang sumara na ay sumandal ako at huminga nang malalim.

Nang tumunog at bumukas ang pinto hudyat na nakarating na ako sa tamang floor ay agad akong lumabas bitbit ang aking maleta. I searched for the 0001 room and luckily I found it immediately.

I swiped the card down and the door opened. I stepped in and roamed my eyes around. I was greeted by a white themed room. Walls are white even the couches. I slowly put my things down and put my hands on my waist.

Everything looked dirty and dusty. From the white curtains down to the tiled floor. Looks like I'll spend my day cleaning this whole room.

I stretched my arms and legs. This will be a very long tiring day.

Chineck ko ang buong sala, pati na rin ang kusina at ang dining area. Sa isang sulok ay may isang pintuan na naka-lock. Binalikan ko ang card sa sala at swinipe-down doon sa parang line. Bumukas ang pinto at nakita ko ang isang puting washing machine at gripo roon. Siguro ay doon maglalaba.

Everything's good. Umaandar pa naman ang washing machine. Ang gripo ay umaandar din naman. May dalawang itim na balde at isang itim na tabo. Malawak ang silid na ito kung kaya't nagkasya ang mahabang lubid na ginawang sampayan. May mga hanger na nakasabit doon sa sampayan. Kumpleto rin ang sabong panlaba.

Everything's perfect. Kumpleto na lahat. Bumalik ako sa sala at sinimulan na ang paglilinis. I wore a face mask and a gloves. Mabuti na lamang at nagdala ako ng ganito. Iwas alikabok at iwas hika na rin.

I started with the curtains. Tinanggal ko ito at agad na nagsiliparan ang mga alikabok. A scene suddenly flashed in my mind. This feeling….dejavu?

Nang matanggal ko na ang puting kurtina ay dinala ko iyon sa washing room. Nilagay ko sa isang palanggana ang puting kurtina.

Hours passed and I finally finished it all. I'm done with the annoying dusts, done washing the white curtains, done sweeping the floor and done arranging my personal stuffs.

I heaved a sigh as I scanned the whole room again. It looks neat and clean right after what I have done.

I wiped my sweat away with a tissue. I decided to took a bath. After taking a bath, I decided to wore a comfortable clothes. It's already one in the afternoon that's why my stomach started making some weird sounds. It's grumbling nonstop.

“I'm starving,” I whispered to myself.  

Thank God kuya gave me a cash before he left. He really loves me.

I went outside my room and went straight to the cafeteria. While I was walking earlier, I noticed this place and I knew that that building is the cafeteria.

It's already one in the afternoon, that's why there are only few students who were occupying the vacant chairs.

“Chicken Adobo, one cup of rice and a bottled mineral water please?” I said to the lady.  

The lady smiled and nodded.

“Give me a minute, Miss!”

I waited patiently as I started tapping my fingers on the table.

While waiting for it, I scanned the whole place and saw few students just like what I've said earlier. Everyone is too busy to mind others businesses. They were eating in a silent way too. No noise, only the sound of my tapping fingers that's why I stopped it before it will get their attention.

“It's now ready! Table 15?” The lady called.  

I stood up and went near to her. I took the food tray with me and brought it on my assigned table.

I became more observant after what happened to me way back on that narrow road. I think it really traumatized me.  

After eating my lunch, I payed for it and went outside the cafeteria.

While walking back to my room, a girl suddenly appeared in my front. I was stunned for a moment when she suddenly waved and smiled at me.

“Hi! You must be Avria Clavez!” she said, smiling at me.

I nodded unconsciously. “Y-Yeah. Who are you?”

The girl was wearing a black tattered jeans and a gray croptop. Her hair was on a ponytail and she has this jolly aura.

Her smile widened more. “I am Zale Versuza. I am your new roommate!” she replied.  

She even clung into my arms like we're a close friends parted for a month.

But what?! She's my new roommate? She should be here atleast two hours earlier than me so that she'll be the one who would do what I did earlier.

“H-Hello there, Zale!” I smiled awkwardly.  

I'm still unused for her sudden presence.  

“How did you know my name? I mean…did the school administrators told you?” I asked her.

I was wondering why she knew my name.

“Yep! They told me about my gorgeous roommate!” she replied.

I just nodded my head. That sounds weird. I mean…the school admins knew about my arrival? I know they're aware of my existence but…why the hell—geez. I'm just overthinking.

“So how are you, Avria?” she suddenly asked me to break the silence between us.  

She's still wearing that friendly smile. I smiled back to her.

“I am good,” I replied.

“Wait, can I call you Avi nalang?”

“Sure! That would be a pleasure!”

The building was quite too far that's why it takes us a couple of minutes before we get there.

“Okay, good. Now Avi, how old are you?” she asked me again.

“I'm eighteen years old already. How about you?”

Is she an interviewer? Kanina pa siya nagtatanong sa akin.

“Oh my! Same here!” she beamed. I have this thought of mine that she would jump because of happiness in any time.

I mentally laughed after seeing her adorable acts.

“You're from?” I tried to ask for her address.

“Leviticus 0002 Street!” she answered happily.

I even imagined her raising both of her hands like a kindergarten answered to her teacher's question.

“Malapit lang pala sa amin,” I commented.

“Yep!”

We went silent for awhile. But it was broken when she spoke again.

“How's your mom?” she suddenly asked.  

She's getting into my personal life. But…I guess there's no wrong with it. I can handle this stranger. Or my roommate to be exact.

“You know my mom?” I asked her back.

She shook her head. “I don't. I was just asking.”

I sighed and opened my mouth and begun to speak. “My mom is fine.”

“And your dad?”

I was taken aback but regained my posture. I flashed a small smile.

“Dad is…I don't know.” I shrugged my shoulder.

“I heard you has a—”

“Hmm?”

She froze for a moment. That's what I noticed in her. My head tilted to the right side as I gave her a confused look.

“Yeah?” I tried to call her attention.

She forced a smile and shook her head. “Nothing.”

I flashed a small smile. Naiilang na rin ako sa uri ng tingin niya sa akin.

“So here's my question, Avi.” she said as she flashed a sweet smile.

Geez. This girl is really weird.

“What?”

“Do you wanna die, Avi?”

I almost jumped. I almost pushed her away. What?! What the hell is she talking about?!

“What?” I asked her, confused for her sudden questions.

“Do you wanna feed your curiosity?” she asked me in her serious tone.

She pulled something under her white sneakers. Wait…was that a fucking knife?!

I was surprised when she suddenly threw the knife towards my direction. Thank God I abled to dodge it.

She suddenly smirked at me and grab me on my wrist.

“What are you—argh!”

She suddenly twisted my two hands that earned a loud groan from me.

I tried to kick her with my legs but she held it and pulled it up that made me drop my body lie on the cold floor. She's too strong!

My body arched in pain as I massaged my hips. Shit! That hurts a lot!

Zale stood infront of me with an annoying grin on her lips. She put her hands on her waist as she gave me an annoying smirk.

“Oh, *she's* right! You're weak!” She has a devilish grin on her lips.

She lift up one of her foot and dropped it right in my stomach. I think my closed wound opened again.

She kicked me on my stomach again that made me cough a blood. I got a chance to stop her by holding her foot, but she's wise enough to use her other foot to drop it on me with a full force.

With a blood in the side of my mouth, I tried to utter some word.

“S-Stop—”

“DIE!” she shouted.

I coughed a blood again. I couldn't get a chance to stand up since my body already weakened. I cannot even move any parts of my body. I felt numb.

“This is fun!” That's what I've heard from her as she keep on kicking every part of my face and body.

I felt so weak today. Maybe cleaning that room drained my energy? Or maybe…I am just a weak brat just like what that rude guy said to me?

I closed my eyes again. This feeling…dejavu. Just like what happened back then, two guys attacked me and left me bleeding to death.

And now it's a girl. A freaking girl yet I still lose this unexpected hand-to-hand combat. I really sucks at hand-to-hand combat.

I think I won't able to live this time. There's no any other students here and this girl have 99.9% chance to kill me through her kicks or maybe using her knife. She could easily slit my throat anytime if she wants to.

She suddenly stopped.

“A-Anong—AH!”

I heard a bone that cracked. W-What?! Did my bones just cracked—

“What a weak brat.”

Wait…that voice is freaking familiar!

“T-Traitor!” said by Zale.

I slowly opened my eyes and a gray eyed man welcomed me. His emotionless gray eyes met my brown ones.

G-Gray eyes. Is that him?

Before he offered his hands, my eyelids went heavy that made me close my eyes. And after that, everything went black.