Fated 06: Who Is Athena?

Athena’s P.O.V.

It was already eight in the morning when I woke up. Medyo masakit ang ulo ko at parang nahihilo pa ako. I touched my head and neck then I found that I was warmer than usual — parang ang taas ng lagnat ko. Kung bakit naman kasi nagpaulan pa ako kahapon!

I opened my bedside table at kinuha ko ang digital thermometer. I put it on my right ear and it confirmed that I really had a high fever based on its thirty-nine degree Celcius reading. Upon further checking on myself, I was also having cold and cough, plus sore throat and body pains.

Daddy immediately called Dr. Kim to come over and personally check on me. Based on his findings, I was having a systemic viral illness. Sa sobrang lakas ko ay kinakapitan din pala ako ng trangkaso. I sighed. Ayoko pa naman sa lahat ay ‘yong umiinom ako ng gamot, but I guessed I had no other choice for now. I had to do it, kung gusto kong gumaling agad.

“How are you, Athena?” pasimpleng tanong ni Doc when Dad went outside. I knew that the question was not about my illness, but how I was still coping up after the accident.

“I’m okay, Doc.” I smiled at him while gripping the comforter in line with my neck. I lied because I wasn’t really okay.

I think, Dr. Kim was not yet on his thirties. Para ko lang siyang kuya. If only he knew na namatay na talaga si Athena at dapat niya akong tawaging Helena rito sa bahay, I wonder what would be his reaction.

“Okay, if you say so. I’ve got to go now. Don’t stress yourself and don’t forget to drink your medicines, okay? Lastly, I know this will only make you feel uncomfortable pero bawal ang maligo,” nakangiting sabi niya.

I just nodded at him. Dr. Kim gently patted my head before he walked pass the open door and left. Dahil tumawag na rin si Daddy sa school at sinabing hindi ako makakapasok ngayon ay nanatili na lamang akong nakahiga sa kama.

Since I didn’t have anything to do and I couldn’t sleep again no matter how hard I tried to do it, I just looked at the ceiling as if I was having some flashbacks. Hindi ko maiwasang isipin si Rivera. Oh, I mean — Cristoff! Since everyone was calling him Dave or David, I would call him Cristoff na lang para unique.

At dahil doon, wala sa sariling napahawak ako sa mga labi ko nang maalala ko ang mga sinabi niya sa akin kahapon…

“I’ve always been thinking of your soft lips for three months now.”

“I hated to admit but what happened to us was my first kiss, and if for you, it was an accident… well for me, it was an experience.”

I closed my eyes while trying to think straight. What happened to us was my first kiss as well.

We just stole the first kiss of each other, Cristoff! But the difference is that — you didn’t know what I really feel. I lied to you because it wasn’t just an accident for me.

But of course, I would never admit it!

I knew about my limitation. I shouldn’t get close to him but what could be the meaning of this? That whenever he was near, I suddenly felt uneasy and I always felt my heart throbbed like there were thousands of horses racing inside me. I was breaking my own rules.

This was the very first time I felt this kind of strange feeling. It was too foreign to me. It was creepy but at the same time, it was captivating. For months I was studying at that school, I got another reason to be excited.

But what is he doing to me?

I hated to admit but I certainly liked the feeling when we accidentally kissed. I was only fifteen and it was really my first time. Well at least, I brushed my lips with him and not with someone else… definitely not with those three drug addicts! And it was just for a while — barely three seconds, I guessed?

Unconsciously, I smiled.

I think, I should be thankful for that. Plus the fact that I was also his first kiss, I was flattered considering he had a girlfriend before. But oh! That could be the reason why his ex-girlfriend decided to hook up with someone else. She thought that Cristoff was actually boring.

Ah, no! She was already committed to that punk before hooking up with Cristoff.

That bitch only treated him like a slave and she really deserved to be caught in the act! The way how they kissed each other, it looked like they were already doing more than that!

So back to Cristoff — three months ko rin siyang iniwasan pero bakit parang natuwa ako no’ng ginawa kaming leaders ni Mrs. Cheng sa Annual Camp project? Well, I must say that bitches would always be bitches… and for that, Athena would always be Athena!

Oh my God!

Speaking of Annual Camp, kailangan ko palang pumasok ngayon. I looked at my bedside alarm clock and it was already ten.

Hmm… mamaya na lang kaya ako pumasok after break time? Masakit pa rin kasi ‘yong ulo at katawan ko eh. Hay!

It took me a few more minutes to just blankly stare at the ceiling and when I got bored, napagdesisyunan kong bumangon na lang sa kama at lumabas ng kuwarto while still wearing my see-through sleeping blouse and pajamas. I found it comfortable to wander around the house while wearing these. Anyway, I was still wearing my red undergarments and only maids were with me so I didn’t have to worry. The guards were also roaming outside so they would not be able to see me.

I went straight to the garden to breathe some fresh air. Our garden was the most serene part of our mansion and it was full of white and red roses. While I loved the red roses, Helena got fond of white. For her, white symbolizes purity while red means bloody hell for me… because I was always bleeding inside.

Our garden was perfectly landscaped and had a beautiful fountain at the center. Despite my hard-headed attitude, nature always brought me peace and tranquility. Aside from my own Music Room, this was my another hang-out place… most especially, when Helena was still here. We used to chase each other here, roll along the bermuda grasses and treat the fountain as wishing well. That’s why it was almost full of different coins underneath. We did many wishes together, but most of them would never come true anymore.

Whenever I was here, I easily forgot all my problems… but now, I almost jumped when I saw that there was an unexpected guest who was currently sitting on my favorite bench.

“Y-You? W-What are you doing here?” Halos walang boses na lumabas sa bibig ko.

I frowned. How did he know my address?

I found it really hard to speak — malat na malat ang boses ko dahil sa sobrang sakit ng lalamunan ko. But above these, nand’yan na naman ‘yong mga nagtatakbuhang kabayo sa dibdib ko. I was always like this, whenever he was near.

Instead of answering me, tinitigan niya lang ako nang nakanganga. It could have been perfect dahil kulang na lang ay tumulo ang laway niya.

I rolled my eyes. Aba! Ngayon lang ba siya nakakita ng d’yosa? Of course, I was named after the Greek goddess — Athena.

“Hello? I’m asking you, what are you doing here?” Lumapit ako sa kanya and I even waved my right hand on his face.

But still, no reaction came from him. Nakanganga pa rin.

“Uy, Cristoff? Ano ba? Anong ginagawa mo rito? Hindi ka na ba nakakaintindi ng English at nakanganga ka na lang diyan ha? Alam mo, masakit ‘yong lalamunan ko kaya ‘wag mo na akong pagsalitain pa!” Niyugyog ko na ‘yong kanang balikat niya to make him realize some sense and to wake him up. He looked like he was stuck on his daydreaming even though he was totally awake.

And for that, it seemed like someone had just splashed an iced water on him that’s why he got his senses back.

“H-Helena, a-ano kasi eh, hmm… sabi ni Mrs. Cheng, may t-trangkaso ka raw kaya nagpaalam muna ako na… na I will pay you a v-visit for us to discuss our p-proposal for the Annual Camp. P-Pinayagan naman niya ako para d-dalawin ka,” pautal-utal niyang sabi.

Malamig naman dito sa garden pero bakit tila pawis na pawis siya no’ng makita niya ako? I clearly had no idea what was wrong with him.

“Hmm, okay. Sure!” I smiled. “So let’s go to the Study Room and talk about it. Kumain ka na ba?” tanong ko. If this was all because of the Annual Camp, I could get him inside our house. Isa pa, wala naman siyang magagawa sa akin dahil kung may plano man siya, kalimutan na lang niya at baka hindi na siya makauwi pa nang buhay!

“O-Oo. Pero, Helena… p-pwede bang? A-Ano… hmm… ‘yong ano kasi,” napapikit na siya sa pautal-utal pa rin niyang pagsasalita.

Naiinis na ako. What was really wrong with him that he still kept on stuttering?

“Alam mo, Cristoff? Wala akong time para mainis sa’yo but the way how you are responding to me now, nakakainis ka na… you kept on stuttering and I didn’t even know the reason why! If you wanted to tell something, then tell it to me straight away! If you’re worried about my parents na makita ka nila rito, don’t worry kasi pumasok na sa office si Daddy and… wala naman na akong mommy. Kung makiki-CR ka naman, may CR do’n sa Study Room. In fact, we have a lot restrooms here…” sabi ko. I couldn’t help myself but feel sad at the thought of mentioning my mother.

“I—I’m sorry for your mom, Helena. Pero… p-pwede bang magbihis ka muna?” He told me as he opened his eyes and looked away.

Everything felt like happening in a slow motion on what he said. Now, ako naman itong pinagpapawisan. My jaw literally dropped. It made my eyes wide open as I slowly looked down to see my entire body. Holy, crap!

That’s when I remembered that I only wore a pair of see-through blouse and pajamas… and because it was just a see-through, it looked like I was only wearing a two-piece red swimsuit matched with a transparent cover-up. Shit!

I immediately went inside our house and ran upstairs. Because of my adrenaline rush, I was able to reach my bedroom which was still located on the third floor level. It was tiring but all I could do was run as fast as I could and to get away from him. I even forgot that we had an elevator here. I leaned my back against the door when I closed it, then I closed my eyes as well.

Now I know why that jerk couldn’t help himself from sweating! Oh my God, he had the chance to see my precious body!

I knew I was still young, pero isa sa mga bagay na maipagmamalaki ko sa lahat ay ang pagkakaroon ng magandang hubog ng katawan sa murang edad pa lang. I had perfect and gorgeous curves despite being a teenager. Early-bloomer as they said.

Dahil nga hindi ako pwedeng maligo ay nagpalit na lang ako ng damit. Pakiramdam ko ay nanghina ako lalo no’ng tumakbo ako pataas. I forgot to use the elevator kaya talaga namang nakakahingal. I was still catching my breath up to now.

I called one of our maids using my intercom and she immediately came to attend to my needs. I had a personal assistant, Ate Paula, but she was currently on leave.

“Ate Mitch, pakisamahan na lang po ‘yong bisita ko sa Study Room. Doon na lang din kasi ako didiretso, thanks!” bilin ko.

“Ay, Ma’am… kausap po siya ng daddy niyo sa ibaba,” tugon niya na siya namang ikinalaki ng mga mata ko.

Did I even hear it right?

“Wait, what? Daddy is still here?” I asked her.

If Daddy caught me talking to Cristoff wearing my see-through stuff, I’m surely dead! my mind kept on screaming.

“Yes, Ma’am. Ang totoo nga po niyan ay si Sir Miguel po talaga ‘yong nagpapasok sa bisita niyo pagkatapos niyang sabihin na classmate niya kayo.”

“Ah, okay. Sige, makakalabas na po kayo. Ako na lang ang tatawag sa kanya sa ibaba mamaya, thanks po.” Alam kong mataray ako minsan, pero magalang pa rin naman ako sa mga katulong. I always talked to them properly.

Lumabas naman si Ate Mitch.

Few minutes went by, I decided to come out of my room and went to the garden. There, I saw my father talking to Cristoff.

Really? Daddy is talking to him? I narrowed my eyes when I overheard some of their conversation.

“She’s my princess, young man, so once you did something wrong that made her cry, I’ll find you and I will punch you harder than what you think. I could be a criminal in an instant, so you better not mess with my daughter!” I heard Daddy told Cristoff as he let out a chuckle.

And he was even laughing, huh?

I should be flattered by hearing those words from Daddy but I was clearly sure that those words were meant to be heard by the real Helena… because those words were only for her. I suddenly got teary-eyed at the thought.

And hell yeah, my father could really be a criminal in just a minute. He already did it — he was able to kill my identity for my twin sister to continue her legacy!

“Are you sure, you’re just classmates? No other hidden agenda?” Daddy asked Cristoff straight to the point.

“Yes, Sir. W-We’re just classmates po and we have to work as leaders for this Annual Camp project. I hope that w-we can lead this activity successfully.” I didn’t know but it seemed like Cristoff’s voice suddenly trembled.

“Okay, if you say so. I know that the two of you can do it,” he then looked at his watch, “I better go. I think, I can leave my Helena to you. Don’t make her think too much as she’s still sick, okay? Nice meeting you, young man. I’ll see you later.” I saw how Dad patted his shoulder. It was as if he was suddenly fond of Cristoff.

“Nice meeting you too, Sir, and thank you for trusting me. I promise not to break your trust,” magalang na sagot ni Cristoff.

“Oh, from now on… feel free to call me Tito. Hindi ka na iba sa anak ko.” Nagulat ako sa sinabi ni Daddy.

“Sige po, T-Tito… ingat po kayo.” At feel na feel naman niya yata ang pagtawag ng Tito kay Daddy?

Hindi na nagsalita pang muli si Daddy bagkus ay dumiretso na siya sa garahe at sumakay na sa kotse niya. I waited for him to pass through the open gates first, before I called Cristoff.

“Cristoff, tara sa Study Room!” Medyo nagulat pa siya nang bigla akong bumungad sa may pinto.

I was still feeling uneasy about what happened a while ago, but in order to freely work with him on our project proposal and make that a successful one, I needed to set aside all the awkwardness. I guessed, he would do his part as well.

We immediately talked about the project the moment we entered the Study Room. We had complete resources here: books, laptop, desktop computer, high-speed internet, printer and even telephone if we need to call the actual place — everything was in here so we wouldn’t have any problems with regards to our research.

I just don’t know when it comes to us!

But after I gave him my USB files and some print outs, he insisted that he would be the one to continue working on our plan, advising me that I should just take my rest. Maybe, he was just following my father’s orders, Sino ba naman kasing hindi matatakot kay Daddy? Eh kahit nga magpakitang tao pa ‘yon eh mukhang nakakatakot pa rin.

At dahil nga masama pa rin talaga ‘yong pakiramdam ko ay humiga muna ako sa couch na nasa loob ng Study Room at hindi ko namalayang nakatulog na pala ako.

It felt like someone was staring at my face that’s why I decided to open my eyes. But why disappointment reigned over me to see that Cristoff was still busy typing on the laptop?

I guessed, I only assumed that he was looking at me when he’s clearly not!

“I’m sorry, Cristoff. Nakatulog pala ako,” sabi ko.

“Okay lang, Helena. Kaunti na lang naman ‘to. Kumusta na ‘yong pakiramdam mo?” nakangiting sabi niya.

“Medyo masakit pa rin ‘yong ulo ko,” sagot ko pagkatapos ay tiningnan ko kung anong oras na. “Oops, it’s already lunch time. Wait lang ha,” bumangon ako at pumunta sa intercom. I pressed it and asked the maids to bring us some foods.

Agad naman silang pumunta sa Study Room at inihanda ang lunch naming dalawa ni Cristoff. Usually, kapag may sakit ako, wala talaga akong ganang kumain pero ngayon, I didn’t know why pero gutom na gutom ako. Inubos ko lahat ng pochero and I didn’t even spare the mangoes. Pagkatapos naming kumain ay iniligpit naman agad ‘yon ng mga katulong.

I frowned when Cristoff asked them to leave one glass of water as he gave me a paracetamol tablet. What the hell? Since Daddy was not here, I thought I was already safe from drinking my medicines! Pati ba naman ang pag-inom ko ng gamot ay ibinilin pa rin niya kay Cristoff?

“You should take your medicines at the right time so you can get well soon,” sabi niya sa’kin.

Gusto ko mang tanggihan ‘yon ay hindi ko alam kung bakit wala akong nagawa. Pikit-mata ko na lang na ininom ‘yong gamot. Damn! I’m going to puke! Para kasing gumuguhit pa ‘yong mapait na lasa ng gamot sa dila ko.

“Ibinilin sa akin ‘yan ng daddy mo, Helena. He told me that I should keep an eye on you — making sure that you drink your medicines on time. You’re just one lucky girl because he loves you so much. Hindi na nga sana siya papasok sa trabaho dahil wala raw magbabantay sa’yo but I assured him that I will look after you — that I would take good care of his princess.” He was all-out smiling at me but I just couldn’t help but become teary-eyed.

Princess, huh? If only you knew everything, Cristoff — that my father’s one and only princess was the real Helena Mari and not the girl in front of you… not me, not Athena Cari. I bitterly smiled.

I changed the topic para hindi ako tuluyang maiyak, “So close na agad kayo ni Daddy, huh? I doubt kung saan mo kinuha ‘yong lakas ng loob mo kanina habang kausap mo siya. You even called him Tito.” I smirked.

“I just answered his questions with honesty and he was the one who insisted me to call him Tito,” he smiled at me.

Hindi na lang ako umimik. What my father always demanded to people were honesty and respect. Madali rin siyang makakilatis ng tao based on their actions and that might be the number one reason why he let Cristoff inside our house. He might have thought that Cristoff was a good guy.

But ironically speaking… yes, he demands honesty but he was the one living with lies. He was full of lies!

“Helena, tutal naman ay nakapasok na rin ako rito sa bahay niyo, feeling ko ay friends na rin tayo—” he said but I cut him off mid-sentence.

“Don’t get your hopes too high, Cristoff! Stop being delusional that we’re friends, okay?” I peeved while rolling my eyes. “We just have to work on this project as partners — nothing more and nothing less. You’re still my rival and I think, ‘frenemies’ would be the best word to describe our relationship status.” I then raised my left eyebrow.

“Partners? We’re leaders, Helena. Nahahalata tuloy kita… so you wanted me to become your partner, huh? Okay. I will grant your wish. Let’s just wait until our JS Prom and I will be your partner. I promise,” he mischievously winked at me.

Shit! Did I really say partners? I supposed to say leaders! Damn him! Nakaramdam tuloy ako nang pag-iinit sa pisngi ko at sigurado akong pulang-pula na naman ‘yong mukha ko ngayon!

“And one more thing, in case you haven’t noticed it yet, may improvement na tayong dalawa. Cristoff na ang palagi mong tawag sa akin eh, no more Rivera. Okay lang kahit ‘frenemies’

as you said… at least, may friends pa rin doon and we now have a relationship status,” he continued to mock me.

“Whatever!” I dismissed him. Babalik na sana ako sa couch upang muling mahiga, nang bigla siyang magsalita.

“By the way, Helena. Who is A-Athena?”