Chapter 21

Rhainne Jhammira Alethea Lopez

"Uno sa likod mo!" sigaw ni Vixen but it was too late. Someone just hit me in my arm with dagger and it's fucking bleeding!, hindi ko man lang naramdaman ang presensya ng panget na to!. Pano ba naman ako lang ata ang target ng mga panget na yon! sa dami nila sakin talaga sumugod ang karamihan. Well what can I say no one can resist my charm-even death.

"Shit Hex cover up Uno" sabi ulit ni Vixen while she's busy dealing with other panget "I'll take care of him" malademonyong sabi naman ni Viper

"No, ako na. It's just a small cut. I wouldn't mind" rebat ko sa mga ito at hinayaan akong gawin ang dapat kong gawin.

____

"Finally naubos din" Vixen groaned pagod na ata.

Tinignan ko ang paligid, paligid na punong puno ng dugo at mga katawan. What a War

Eto lang ata ang laban na hindi ako natalo.

"Shit Uno your arms are still bleeding!" Hex said, ngayon niya lang napansin! When in fact kanina pa to dumudugo ng walang tigil. I didn't mind though mas iniisip ko kasi kanina na kelangan kong tapusin ang mga yon bago ako ang tapusin nila and now I'm feeling the ache of this goddamn wound.

___

"Akala ko maliit lang yung hiwa nung dagger na binato sayo?" Jenaiah said, well we're here at my car papunta na kaming university actually malapit na kami.

"Akala ko rin" sagot ko akmang hahampasin ako ni Amrielle "Sige subukan mo, pag dumugo yan ikaw mag explain sa Ate ko" banta ko rito kaya naman binaba niya ang kamay niya

Takot

"What's wrong with you guys? Naubusan na ba kayo ng English at puro kayo Tagalog ngayon?" takang tanong naman nitong si Rayla habang pababa ng kotse. See I told you malapit na kami kanina. Tumawa nalang ang dalawa like there's funny about it. Nakakapagtaka nga naman kagabi puro sila English tapos ngayon puro na sila Tagalog. Sinasapian talaga sila pag gabi, nag iibang tao.

"Why? Do we need to speak in English all the time? Wala na tayo sa US guys not unless you want to go back there" rebat ni Amrielle, she has point though but sometimes she always has point...... pointless.

"Bitawan mo ako Amrielle!" saway ko dito nang ilingkis niya ang kamay niya sa kamay ko, kala mo ahas.

"Ay sorry nakalimutan kong you have a sugat pala diya-" hindi niya na natuloy ang sasabihin niya ng may sumingit, boses na napakapamilyar saakin. The fuck how could I forget that voice?

"Sugat? Anong sugat?" Ate Allisha said with full of curiosity and worries

Letche ang ingay kasi!

Ayan pag yan talaga nag sumbong kay Ate!

"Ay Prof mali po kayo ng rinig hindi po siya yung may sugat ako po yon" Rayla just saved me from Amrielle's stupidity

I let them do their work, they know what to do. They're trained for this, to lie and make the lies in to reality.

I didn't promote lying but in some point we need it in our life though, admit it or not but I was right.

Life is boring if we always speak the truth about everything. Sabi nga nila truth hurts.

"But I just heard, nevermind" she said and give us a smile. Cute, pero mas cute ako. We just have the same deep dimples. I could say that nakaka mesmerize ang dimple niya.

"I have to go, see you and mag iingat kayo" and once again she smiled widely at napangiti naman ako na para bang may sariling isip ang labi ko.

"D-did you j-just s-smile?" nauutal na tanong ni Amrielle.

I look at her with my usual porker face, panira.

"Wala na, pinapansin pa kasi Amrielle" turan ni Rayla

Nandito na kami ngayon sa room, nakarating kami ng di namin namamalayan dahil sa pag tatalo ng tatlo. Masama na ba ngumiti?. As far as I know wala pa namang sinasabatas na bawal na ngumiti.

"Good morning, class," Miss Presley said in her monotone voice, barely glancing up from her notes. Before anyone could respond, she continued, "I have an announcement to make. We are having our field trip in Batanes. The trip will be held after your Mid-term exam. The trip would serve as your vacation we will be there for 3days and 2 nights and don't worry cause the University will provide everything. So I expect that everyone will come, especially the sister of the owner of this University" she said and look at me, ako nanaman target niya.

A stunned silence fell over the room. The words hung in the air, and it took a moment for the gravity of the announcement to sink in. Excitement bubbled beneath the surface as students exchanged wide-eyed glances, whispering their disbelief. Batanes! The beautiful islands are known for their stunning landscapes and vibrant culture.

Even though her delivery was flat, the thrill of the adventure sparked a wave of energy that filled the classroom. It was a moment they would not soon forget.

Malapit na rin pala ang Mid-term exam. Siguro naman maipapasa ko yon. I trust my instinct. Next week pa naman na yon tapos tong mga kaibigan ko panay aya mag Bar kala mo hindi estudyante.

Natapos ang pag tuturo niya, siya nga lang pala ang morning class namin ngayon.

"Cafeteria! Ang mahuli manlilibre!" hyper na sabi ni Amrielle sabay lumabas ng room. Napailing nalang ang dalawang nasa tabi ko. Sometimes I don't know where she get those energy, parang hindi siya nauubusan.

"Kaya mo ba?" tanong ni Jenaiah, nakalimutan ko nanaman ang sugat ko! fuck this bag who invented this!

"Ha? Yeah"

"Lets g-" she said at hinawakan ang kamay ko when someone called me, lagi nalang may panira!

"Lopez, can you help me carry my things?" Miss Presley said while looking at me, great. Masakit na nga ang braso ko dadagdagan niya pa. Hindi ko parin nakakalimutan nung nahuli niya akong may sugat few months ago and I don't want her to caught me again, never.

"Ako nalang po Miss" Jenaiah volunteer, sana naman pumayag siya.

"I think Miss Lopez can carry it and maybe you're hungry so you can go now Miss Ramirez" sagot naman nito, malas

I look at Jenaiah and she just nooded at Miss Presley before looking at me. Ngumiti nalang siya with worried face.

"Susunod ako" I said before she left

"Carry this" Miss Presley said and handed me 3 books together with her laptop. Hindi naman mabigat sakto lang para malamog yung sugat ko, great day, great life.

"You're so quiet" putol nito sa katahimikan

"I have nothing to say Miss" sagot ko which is totoo naman, wala naman talaga akong masabi.

"Yeah you have nothing to say when it comes to me" sagot niya pero di ko masyadong narinig yung sa dulo kasi halos ibulong niya nalang yon sa sarili niya

"Kinakausap niyo naman yung hangin e"

"Tsk. See you show your naughty self in an unexpected way, you're unbelievable Lopez" turan nito at lumabas na ng elevator, sumunod naman ako sakanya dala ang gamit niya.

We continued walking at she stopped at the door eto na ata office niya. Wala paring nag sasalita saamin, sumunod lang ako sakanya papasok at inilapag ang gamit niya.

"I'm going now Miss" pagpuputol ko sa katahimikan.

"Stay" ano ako aso?

"Huh?"

"I said stay" pag uulit niya pa

"But my friends are waiting for me Miss"

"So you're choosing them over me" taas kilay nitong sabi

Anong pinag sasabe niya? Choosing them over her?

"I'm not Miss, I just promised to follow them at the cafeteria."

"Stay Lopez, tell your friends that you'll eat with me" demanding niyang sabi joke

What's with her today? Nagawa niya akong pasunurin sa gusto niya.

"American Cuisine?" I suddenly said ng makita any nilabas niya sa mga paper bag na nasa table kanina.

"Ryleigh said that you grew up in the US and I saw you at the cafeteria you always choose American Cuisine" she defended

I have a doubt.

So she's the one who's been staring at me every time we're in the cafeteria.

Ang isda ay nahuhuli sa sarili nitong bibig.

"So you like staring at me Miss" pang aasar ko dito

Let's see how she would react

"I-I'm not" nauutal niyang sagot, I lean towards to her samantalang atras siya ng atras hanggang sa wala na siyang maatrasan.

"Yes you do Miss. Stop denying it" I said and smirked at her

"Give me space Lopez! you're too close" inis na bulyaw nito dahil sobrang lapit ko parin sakanya, I could smell her perfume, nakakaakit.

"HAHAHAHAH Look at your face Miss it's red a tomatoes" I said at lumayo na sakanya, I love teasing her. So far she's making me laugh.

"I-it's not!" pagde-deny niya pa

"Yes it is Miss. Alam kong maganda ako pero don't fall for me I might not catch you" sagot ko dito

She stopped for a moment and look at me with a pain in her eyes. Did I do something wrong?

"Tsk. You're being delusional again Lopez" asik nito. I guess namamalikmata lang ako.

____

Gabi na at nandito ako ngayon sa Empire together with my mates. I'm thinking to back out in this already. It's been months and it's getting harder for me to decide. Gusto kong umalis sa mundong to although alam kong mahihirapan ako dahil alam ko ang pinasok ko ay kaakibat ng buhay ko. I entered this world without even thinking, I let my emotions decide for me. I let my anger decide for me. Where did time go? I suddenly change my mind. I don't want to get back to them anymore. I'm tired of trying to get back at them because of Him. I wanna free myself from everything

"Uno ang lalim ata ng iniisip mo" Vixen said

Tapos na ata silang mag train ng ibang member ng Empire. Di ko man lang namalayan na nadito na siya sa tabi ko because my mind was so occupied by many thoughts.

"Do you want to stay in this life Vix?" I suddenly asked, I just want to know their answer. Ilang buwan rin akong nag hahanap ng lakas ng loob na itanong sakanila to. I know that it's my fault why they got in to this life of mine.

"Hmm, I don't think it's for me to answer, Uno. Isn't it you who should reflect on that?" She paused, her gaze drifting around the room, as if searching for answers in the shadows. "Are you thinking of leaving this place... this life?"

I felt trapped by her question: Did I really want to leave this place? After four years of working and fighting to protect it, the thought seemed impossible to grasp. Every memory, every struggle, and every bond I'd formed weighed heavily on my heart. This decision could change everything.

"I am" sagot ko na siyang nag pagulat sa katabi ko. Who would expect that I'll be thinking about leaving this place...this life

I was trapped here because of him.

"Leaving this place isn't easy," she said, her voice heavy with resignation. She paused, searching for the right words. "We chose to stay here, to build our lives within these walls. But if you truly want to go, we'll find a way. It's a decision we can make together."

"I never thought na darating ka sa puntong maiisip mong umalis sa lugar na to. This horrible place, this place that full of chaos. Ano ang nakapag pabago sa isip mo?" pag papatuloy niya

Ano nga ba?

"I don't really know either. I just feel that this is the right thing to do" sagot ko, isn't it lame answer. Relying on what you feel tsk.

She was about to speak when suddenly my phone rang. Sino naman tong istorbong to?

:Ali? Are you busy? Tulog kana ba? Did I disturb you?

Disturb yes. What do you need Ate? It's 12am :

Yes you heard it right, it's my Ate's who's calling at 12 am!

:Can I asked you a favor?

What is it? Just get to the point. I don't have all the time in the world:

I'm not really in the mood

: What a short temper. Can you please go to Xy Lo Bar?

What? Damn Are you drunk?:

Lasinggera!

:No but someone does. Can you just go and find Celine, tumawag sakin ang staff ng bar she's so drunk and can't even walk properly baka kung anong mangyayari sakanya. I can't come I have some errands to do

Errands my ass, it's fucking 12 am and she has errands? tsk she's thinking that she can fool me!

You better pay me for this:

The last thing I said bago binaba ang call.

Gosh, bakit sa lahat ng tao na pwede niyang tawagan to come in that Bar ako pa?.

"Where are you going?" Viper said na kakarating lang

"Going to do favor for someone's who's drunk right now" inis na usal ko

I really am pissed although wala naman akong gagawin. I just don't want to be near with people right now, well except to those bitches. At tsaka bakit ba English ng English mga tao ngayon? Sakit ba nila yan tuwing 12 am.

"Chill Uno, your anger issue. We'll go ahead papaalam lang kami kay King" dagdag pa niya at nag lakad na papunta sa main office ni King. Hindi na ko mag papaaalam, I don't need to anyway.

I drive as fast as I can para lang aasikasuhin ang propesorang lasing na lasing. Bakit ba kasi siya nag papalakalasing?

"Hey staph it, don't tach meeeee!" rinig kong sigaw nito sa di kalayuan, tsk lapitin ng manyak. Rule number 1 don't wear a sexy body con dress if you're drinking alone.

"Ano ba, I shaid don't tach meee!" sigaw ulit nito, tsk. Lasinggera.

"Miss, iuuwi na kita lasing kana oh" rinig kong sabi ng lalaki nang makalapit ako. Iuuwi daw ako mag uuwi diyan, nang aagaw.

"No, I don't know you! Shino ka ba?" asik naman ng propesora. Tigas ng muka ng lalaking to kahit ipagtabuyan ayaw parin umalis, basagin ko kaya?-kidding.

"Gosh babe, you can't remember me cause you're dr--" that's it, I'm done hearing those drama.

"Mister" usal ko na nakaagaw ng pansin nilang dalawa, Miss Presley look at me with happiness in her eyes hindi man siya ngumiti pero bakas sa mata niya ang saya. Nababaliw na ba siya?

"At sino ka naman?" kakapalan ng muka netong lalaking to

"I'm-" I was interrupted by Miss Presley's sharp voice: "She's my girlfriend." Her words hit me like a punch, leaving my heart racing. Confusion swirled in my mind-why had she chosen that answer? I understood she was trying to fend off the man, but of all the possibilities, why claim her as her girlfriend? I felt a mix of surprise and something deeper, an unexplainable connection that had me questioning everything. Kahit ang lalaking sa harap ko ay nagulat sa sagot niya.

"Oh I-I'm sorry" kinakabahan nitong sagot at umalis na, tsk.

I look at Miss Presley she's smiling widely, weirdo.

"You didn't even denied me, why?" tanong niya saakin, bakit nga ba?. Bakit naman papatulan ang lasing? Makakalimutan niya rin yan bukas.

"You're drunk, and I think sinabe mo yon para mapaalis yung lalaking namemeste sayo, Miss." sagot ko dito

Yes yun lang yon, wala nang iba. Pero bakit iba mag react yung puso ko?

Damn this heart!

Para mapaalis lang yung lalaki, yeah right. Pero bakit ang hirap kumbinsihin ng damdamin ko.

"Tsss or maybe......you want it" sagot niya, I mentally facepalm. Calm down Rhainne, lasing yan. Wag papatulan ang lasing.

"Tsk stop those nonsense Miss. Iuuwi na po kita."

"So it's nonsense for you? You sure you don't want me to be your girlfriend?" mapagbiro nitong sabi

God, next time tell me that she's like this when drunk, a flirty one.

Hindi na ako sumagot at kinuha ko na ang mga gamit niya, binayaran ko na rin yung mga ininom niya. Gosh ang dami niya na palang nainom kaya pala she's so wasted.

"Hey stap pulling me! Nahihilo ako!" sabi nito habang hinihila ko, ayaw niya pa kasing umuwi. So I force her.

"Wag na po kasi kayong makulit Miss!. Sumama nalang kasi kayong umuwi!" naiinis kong turan, bakit ba kasi siya nag papakalasing!

"Why are you shouting at me?" mahina nitong sabi. I stop for a moment as she let go of my hand. Ngayon ay nakayuko siya at tila may tintignan sa baba. I heard her sobs. Oh God, Did I just make my Professor cry?.

"I-I didn't mean to shout at you," I stammered, reaching out as she pulled away. Frustration ate away at me; I wasn't sure how to make things right.

"No! You shouted at me. I hate shouting!" she replied, her voice trembling. I leaned in, but she remained firmly in place. In a moment of desperation, I wrapped my arms around her. "I'm really sorry for shouting... Miss. Can we please go home now? It's getting late."

The warmth of the embrace lingered, and I hoped she could feel my sincerity, that maybe this could repair what had just come undone between us.

God she's sweet when she's drunk. Pwede po bang hilingin na sana lagi nalang siyang lasing?

I let her sleep. Alam ko naman kung saan siya nakatira.

___

"Miss, gising na po"

"Hmm" she didn't even open her eyes and remain sleep

Kung bubuhatin ko to baka mamatay ako.

Sa pinaka taas pa ang penthouse niya! God what should I do? My brain isn't working at all!

Yeah great I have no choice but to bring her home. Siguro rin naman akong walang mag aasikaso sakanya sa penthouse niya.

How beautiful she is.....Lord kaya mo naman pala gumagawa ng ganto kaganda bakit hindi mo pa ako sinali?

__

"Miss?" tawag ko dito, wag niyong sabihing bubuhatin ko siya papasok sa bahay? No way highway. Masakit katawan ko!

"Miss" tawag ko ulit pero walang kibo, niyuyogyog ko na wala parin. Aba!

"Hmmm, wer are we?" lasing parin, kala ko naman gigising na siyang matino. Hindi parin pala

"At my house Miss, let's go inside. Wag mo na ako pahirapan" sabi ko ngunit pabulong lang ang huli.

"Am I really a burden to everyone?" malungkot nitong turan, fuck narinig niya yung sinabe ko

Inalalayan ko na siyang papasok sa bahay. Ngayon ang problema ko pano kami aakyat.

What a life.

"Answer me, Lopez" di parin siya nakakamove on sa tanong niya

"No, Miss" what a beautiful burden you are, if you're considering yourself as one Miss, sigaw ng utak ko

........

Nandito na kami ngayon sa kwarto ko, wag niyo na itanong paano ko siya naihatid dito. Ang likot niya kanina, ang kulit rin.

Gosh what should I do? Pano ko bibihisan to?

Bahala na siguro siya?

Pupunasan ko na lang siya, tama, tama.

Alam kong gising pa siya.

Pag kakuha ko ng towel ay agad naman akong lumapit sa Professor na to, gosh bakit ba nanginginig ang kamay ko?

"Lopez" tawag nito saakin habang busy akong punasan ang kamay niya. Hindi man lang ako pinigilan na hawakan siya

"What is it Miss?"

I was waiting for her respond but I didn't get one hanggang sa matapos na akong punasan siya. Now what? bibihisan ko ba to?

"Lopez" tawag niya ulit, ang kulit niya nanaman

"Miss, kaya niyo bang bumangon? Kayo nalang magbihis sa sarili mo" turan ko, oh God please remind me to use my brain next time, obvious namang hindi niya kaya diba. Bakit pa ako nag tatanong

"You can......ikaw na mag bihis sa akin" sagot niya na siyang nag patigil saakin. Seryoso ba siya? I can't.....I don't want to..... she's drunk....

"Miss, I can't" mahinang sagot ko

"Okay I'll sleep nalang" she said at umikot pa tagilid, the heck?

"Fine, I'll change your clothes Miss. Wag ka sanang magalit bukas pag nalaman mo to" sagot ko

Ayokong matulog kasama ang amoy alak no. Kahit naman nag iinom ako namamanage ko paring mag bihis on my own. I can manage myself.

Kumuha lang ako ng damit sa walk in closet ko at lumapit na kay Miss Presley. Pikit mata talaga akong nagbibihis sakanya.

"Why does your eyes are close?" tanong nito saakin

Seriously? She's asking me why?

"I have a sexy body, Lopez" she said in seductive way! fuck.

Lord help me! Alam ko pong nilalandi ko siya. Pero nakakapanghina po pag siya yung gumaganon.

Naramdaman kong hinawakan niya ang kamay ko, nakapikit parin ako. Pero anong gagawin niya sa kamay ko? Don't tell me? Wahhh Lord!

Patawarin niyo nalang ako sa kasalanan ko Lord.

Naramdaman kong nilapat niya ang kamay ko na hawak niya sa.......tiyan niya, fuck!

"Open your eye's Lopez" bulong nito

"M-miss, stop this" nauutal kong sabi at pinilit na bawiin ang kamay ko pero parang wala akong lakas

"L-let go o-of m-my hand Miss"- gosh Rhainne get yourself together!

Why am I being affected by her actions?

"Why would I?" ramdam ko ang pang aasar sa boses niya. Fuck.

Hindi niya parin, binibitawan ang kamay ko. Pano ko siya bibihisan ng damit?

"Miss isuot niyo na po yung dam-" hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin ko ng bigla niya akong hilahin papalapit sakanya kaya naman napahiga ako ibabaw niya, fuck ang lapit niya. She wrapped me around her arms.

"M-miss l-let g-go, please" mahina kong sabihin parang anytime mawawalan ako ng hininga. My heart is racing for fuck sake

Hindi naman siya kumibo kaya pinilit kong alisin ang kamay niya niya

"N-no, please let me" turan niya

"B-but Miss"

"You're uncomfortable, I know" mahina niyang turan, sadness is visible in her tone

Alam naman pala niya eh-kidding. I was just nervous by her sudden actions. Nakakapanibago, parang hindi naman na siya lasing dahil sa mga kinikilos niya. Pero hindi pa rin ako sigurado kung hindi na ba talaga siya lasing

Hindi ko nalang pinilit na alisin ang kamay niya na nakapulupot parin saakin mas lalo lang kaming nag kakadikit everytime I tried to. Hindi na rin ako gumalaw galaw, hinayaan ko na siya sa gusto niyang gawin saakin.

........