Chapter 24
Prophecy
I didn't know what's going on. But the next thing I knew, I saw myself half-running on my way to the parking lot just to escape that dreadful commotion.
Pagkatapos ng nangyari, hindi ko na sila maintindihan lahat. Naging magulo ang buong paligid, hindi na nakontrol ng aming prof ang mga kaklase. Naghari din ang kaingayan kaya nabulabog maging ang mga katabing silid.
"Sabi ko na nga ba. Una pa lang, ang dami nang kakaiba sayo!"
"Sugo ka ng mga Aurdel, ano?! Anong ginagawa mo rito? Balak niyo na naman kaming salakayin?!"
"Engkantada! Binighani mo lang ang mga lalaki! Kahit sina Victor at Kobe nabiktima mo!"
Umiling ako at miserableng naiwang mag-isa sa kinatatayuan. Nakatanggap ako ng iba't ibang akusasyon at panunuligsa. Ngunit wala talaga akong alam sa lahat ng binabato nila sa akin.
Nanginig na ako sa takot. Lalo na nang umabot na sa puntong pinagbababato nila
Chapter 25Improvements"Wait, what is this?"Kinabahan ako. Isasarado na sana ni Zaro ang pinto sa tabi ko ngunit inangat niya ang aking braso.He examined it and a perpetual scowl dawned on his face. Especially when he lifted his eyes on my face and parted some hair strands off my forehead. Tumalim lalo ang tingin niya nang may nasipat doon.Dahil nataranta sa bigla niyang ikinikilos, hinawi ko rin pabalik ang kamay niya at napatikhim."Zaro...""Bakit may mga sugat ka?" mataman niyang ti
Chapter 26EngagementHow did I end up here? Somebody please tell me. I held my breath inside for a moment before letting it go nervously.Kailanman, hindi naging magandang kombinasyon ang klase-klaseng kaganapan at mabilis na takbo ng oras. Ito tuloy ang kinalabasan, tila hindi na maalala kung paano nauwi sa ganto bigla ang lahat.With Kobe and Azalea on each side, I walked across the quadrangle with a horrified and uneasy gait, head down low. Hindi rin makakalagpas sa akin ang gulat at pagkagimbal sa hitsura ng mga tao kada mapapagawi ang tingin dito.I knew this would happen. It was the ki
Chapter 27TrustAzalea:Where are you? Malapit na kami i-dismiss.Nilibot ko ang paningin sa lugar kung saan ako pansamantalang namamalagi. I was on a mini park nearby our school. Nasa kabilang ibayo naman ang mga food cart.I availed a cup full of streetfoods though. Mabilis nga lang iyon dahil naisip na baka maabutan pa ng mga kaklase.Ako:Text mo na lang ulit ako kapag palabas na kayo. Ako na lang ang pupunta :)I sighed as I put my p
Chapter 27TrustAzalea:Where are you? Malapit na kami i-dismiss.Nilibot ko ang paningin sa lugar kung saan ako pansamantalang namamalagi. I was on a mini park nearby our school. Nasa kabilang ibayo naman ang mga food cart.I availed a cup full of streetfoods though. Mabilis nga lang iyon dahil naisip na baka maabutan pa ng mga kaklase.Ako:Text mo na lang ulit ako kapag palabas na kayo. Ako na lang ang pupunta :)I sighed as I put my p
Chapter 29Big GirlI woke up the next day, only to find myself inside my own stuffy room wearing a new set of clothes.Bago iyon ngunit alam kong galing din sa aking tukador. Hindi ko alam kung paano. Wala akong maalalang bumalik ako rito pagkatapos ng...I pressed my lips together as I squeezed my eyes shut. That steamy night played on my head like a flashback.His soft lips running over my lips, especially the lower and slightly fuller one, brushing against mine with his warm breath and addictive scent resting on my skin.That set of expr
Chapter 30FamilyThat night, lights were dancing before my eyes and sounds echoing in my ears. I chuckled languidly when I noticed how unstable my walk was."Lumi," Paul laughed on my left ear as he pulled me closer to him.Bilang suporta at panangga sa mga nakakasalubong, balot na balot ng kanyang braso ang aking katawan habang naglalakad. Sa gilid kami dumaan, medyo tago para siguro hindi na masyadong makaabala sa ibang nagkakasiyahan doon."Wear this," he whispered before kissing my ear."Hmmm," I winced.Oh. It tickled!He draped his suit over my shoulders.I smiled, closing my eyes wishing it could help lessen the harshness in my head. But unexpectedly, when Paul made a sudden halt, I groaned as I slapped my palm over my forehead."W-What-"Hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin nang biglang tumilapon si Paul sa sahig.Napasinghap ako at sindak na dinu
Warning: Please be advised that this chapter contains mature content not suitable for young audiences.--Chapter 31Satisfaction"... Lumien Agapito!"After my valedictory speech, a deafening round of applause filled the whole gymnasium.I went down the stage only to be welcomed by Azalea, Kobe, Tito Archie, and Ma'am Rietta."Congratulations, hija!" Tito clapped thrice while dramatically nodding his head as if he's giving me a satisfactory compliment.Natawa ako at nagpasalamat. Niya
Warning: Please be advised that this chapter contains mature content not suitable for young audiences.--Chapter 32Little BoyChazz being true to his words, I never saw him again. Tuwing magkakasalubong sa University ay agad liliko ng daan. Kapag nasa iisang party ay aalis din agad.Hindi na ako nagulat na pagkatapos ng unang taon ko sa kolehiyo, nagpalipat na siya ng school at tuluyan nang nagpaalam sa akin.Even after that day, boys began approaching me when they heard about our break up. But I didn't entertain any of them.I decide
Special Chapter"Azul! Azul ang color ng brief ni Azul! Nyenye!"I frowned at my female classmate, Jianne Rhed. The other girls giggled with her as they flocked to my table.Our break time just started and they're already here to pester me like the usual. I frowned more as I glanced over my shoulder to see if it's true.But then I realized, Moma gave me a red underwear. I laughed kasi may naisip na response doon."That's bad. Bakit ka naninilip sa akin, ha, Jianne?""Yieee!" the class teased.Jianne's face flushed. "Inaasar lang kita kasi hindi mo ako nipansi
Epilogue (2 of 2) "I'm sorry, Liz, but I can't. I have a lot of things to take care of. I have plans and..." Umiling ako at bumuntong-hininga. "I can't come with you..." She stood and her eyes flared at me. "You will, Zaro! Akala ko ba mahalaga ako sayo? Akala ko mahal mo ako? This is just a small thing to-" "Matagal ko nang nilinaw kung ano tayo, Eliza. Alam mo kung hanggang saan ka lang." She was being uncontrollable and hysterical. Iyon ang nabuo sa isipan ko. I know she's going through a lot of pain but I don't think it should be a license to hold someone by the neck. I will help, that's not a question
Epilogue (1 of 2)"Dibs on the girl, man."Malayo pa lang pagkatapos kong siguraduhing nakapasok na sa mansiyon ang batang babae, nagpantig agad ang tenga ko sa bungad ng kaibigan.Fablo lifted his glass while leaning on the post lazily. He saw the entire thing from the distance, me scolding the little girl to go back to her room. I knew he was watching us.Umismid na lang ako at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad."Stay away from the little girl," I warned when I got closer to him.He laughed cockily. Akala ata'y nakikipagbiruan ako."Oh, man. Little girl my ass! Did you see her? Dude, she's a lady! A very fine lady. I haven't seen any woman that shy and reserved. Only her, man!" He chortled like a horse. "I'll make her scream like an actual woman, you'll see."He grinned smugly as he played with his glass, like he's already plotting his plans inside his insignificant skull.By that, I tasted an
Chapter 45UnitedEyes. Eyes are the windows to your soul... that's what they told me.It's been ages. Many years have passed away, but I still wonder what my soul looks like. Is it pure, sweet, solemn, radiant, and innocent? Or is it... dark, violent, murderous, and shameful?I wanted to know. I still want to know...I was curious about my own soul and essence. About my purpose. But sadly, even if there's someone willing to glimpse through the window, fear would overtook their faces.Or worse, they die...Umukit ang mapait na ngiti sa akin nang muling binalikan ang lahat.Iyong mga panahong musmos pa lang. Tanging problema lang ay tumakas tuwing Sabado o Lunes para masaksihan ang pagsikat ng araw.O hindi kaya'y ang mga ganid na tao na gusto raw, hindi umano, na kunin ang mga mata ko kaya dapat ay laging suot ang artipisyal na maskara.Thinking about trivial things
Chapter 44ProphecyIt was a tragic sight to witness. After Mr. Lopena's resolute plea, we didn't waste any more time.Agad nilipat si Janine sa pinakamalapit na guest room. Somehow, our household is prepared for this. Kahit ako ay nabibigla habang pinapanuod ang lahat ng nangyayari sa paligid. As if I am the only one alarmed because they all seemed apt and ready for this day.Sometimes, my eyes would come across Janine's direction. I think she's unconscious and her life is already at stake, barely breathing.But whenever I catched myself looking, I'd always look away instantly, afraid that glimpsing at her would aggravate her ailment."Ako na muna rito. Sumama ka na lang kina Mama sa study area," utos ni Ate.Tumango ako at iniwan na muna sila ni Kobe roon kasama ang mga Aurdel na tauhan sa mansiyon ng mga Lascano.Sumunod ako kina Mama. I saw how Mr. Lopena lost himself while li
Chapter 43VicissitudesHabang binabalagtas ang tahimik at sagradong pasilyo ng establisyimento, nanumbalik sa akin ang mga sinabi ni Mama dati."They have no other choice but to cooperate with us with all honesty.""How are you so sure that... they won't betray us? After all, Duccio is a Castellano. The blood running through their veins is the same. Hindi rin malabo na ulitin nila ang ginawa niya noon sa atin!""I can sense it, Saki. At masasabi kong mayroon tayong alas na hawak laban sa kanila. Kaya sa oras na magkagipitan, malaki ang mawawala sa pamilyang Castellano..
Warning: Please be advised that this chapter contains mature content not suitable for young audiences.--Chapter 42CurseFor a long while, I found myself staring blankly at the horrendous note—detached and barely able to breathe.Kung hindi pa rumesponde ang mga tauhang tinawagan ni Aren ay baka tuluyan na akong inugatan sa kinatatayuan. My mind was unstable at that moment of time. I was temporarily put in the convoy truck, surrounded by our men.Dumating ang mga pulis at agad sinarado ang crime scene. Napalilibutan ng tao ang paligid. Kinuha rin ang note sa akin dahil kailangan
Warning: Please be advised that this chapter contains explicit content not suitable for young audiences.--Chapter 41BloodThe week has been a smooth sailing since that day. For a couple of days, I felt so magical and euphoric.Kahit papano ay napapagtagpi-tagpi ko na rin ang mga pinag-usapan noong araw na iyon. Who would have thought that Senyor Danilo's impeccable intellect was bestowed by Mama before?The Superiors of Aurdel have the prowess to endow or grant prominent humans a gift that they deserve. Our ancestors helped and protected Castel and Casteleños. But not until whe
Chapter 40Open"You're still there, right?"Kahit hindi nakikita ni Mama, tumango ako at lalong pinagdikit ang mga hita. Ganoon na rin ang mga paa ko sa sahig at ang isang kamay sa aking tandayan."Opo. Medyo... uh... tinanghali na po kasi ng gising."Kasalukuyan akong nakaupo sa gilid ng kama ni Zaro. Makalipas ang ilang taon, ngayon na lang ulit ako nakapasok dito. There are some changes, but the ambiance here is still the same. Comfy yet masculine at the same time."You must be really tired," ani Mama sa kabilang linya.Kahit alam kong walang malisya ang sinabi ni Mama, uminit nang husto ang pisngi ko sa kung anong dahilan."M-Marami kasing iniinisip kagabi kaya po napuyat ako..."It's partly true, though. But I know where the lie is. Kinagat ko nang mariin ang pang-ibabang labi habang abala sa pagbubura ng kaisipang iyon.Mula sa kanyang walk-in closet, natanaw