Silver’s POV
Bwisit.
That was my first time letting a prey free.
I really don’t show mercy to my opponent. Laban kung laban, patayan kung patayan.
Ang tanong... Kaya ko ba talaga siyang itratong prey?
Kaya ko pa siyang patayin? Will my heart ever be satisfied if I saw her blood staining my hands? Will my lips smile in triumph if her life ends in my arms?
I don't know.
My feelings towards her are mixed up.
Feelings? Is that the right term to use?
Well, sometimes I do worry about her since she's the definition of stupidity herself.
Ang tanong... Kaya ko ba talaga siyang itratong prey? Kaya ko pa siyang patayin?
Will my heart ever be satisfied if I saw her blood staining my hands? Will my lips smile in triumph if her life ends in my arms?
I don't know.
My feelings towards her are mixed up.
Feelings? Is that the right term to use?
Well, sometimes I do worry about her since she's the definition of stupidity herself. Most times, she's the sole source of my frustrations. Kanina, she made me angry as hell that I almost killed her.
Nonetheless, I can't kill her. No one can.
Ang gulo. Ang gulo-gulo.
"I'm just deadass tired. I need to rest," I said to myself.
Kapapasok ko pa lang sa dorm ay namutawi na kaagad ang hagalpak ni manang. That's her laugh whenever someone's joking around. Whenever HE'S around.
The sound of her laugh came from the right part of my dorm - the kitchen.
Intrigued, I spoke to catch her attention.
"Manang, I'm here."
Mas madalas pa ang minsan kung ipaalam ko kay manang na nandito na ako kaya agad siyang naalerto.
"Hijo! Nagpre-prepare ako ng meryenda niyo ni - "
"Why'd you let him in?"
Nakita ko ang gulat sa mata ni manang. Even I was shocked with my own question. Alam kong dati naman nang welcome si Clint dito. Ako pa nga ang nagsabi eh.
"Nevermind. Just tell him to meet me at the veranda," I sternly said then left.
Basa ako sa ulan at may sugat pa sa leeg. That Pebble's scratch indeed cause me pain. Good thing I'm used to it.
I took my time showering. Bakit ko naman mamadaliin ang sarili ko para kay Clint?
After 30 minutes, I finally found myself stepping on the cold tile of my veranda. Clint is there, indeed. Kasama niyang nakaupo ang kunot niyang noo at isang pinggan sa lamesa na puro crumbs.
"What took you so long? Naubos ko na tuloy 'yong pancakes ni manang," he complained with a pout.
He acts as if there's no tension between us. I kept my stern face on. I'm not in the mood to play pretend.
"Ang sungit mo na naman. Manang can make you some - "
"I don't give a damn about those pancakes," I cut his sentence.
Natigilan siya nang bahagya ngunit nang nakabawi ay binigyan niya ako ng kakila-kilabot na ngisi.
"Cranky as always."
Hindi ko na binigyan ng atensiyon ang sinabi niya. My eyes are directed to his lips. There's something in his smirk that wasn't there for years that we've been together.
I saw a mocking amount of arrogance in it. Mayroong malaking yabang sa ngisi niya na hindi ko alam kung saan nanggagaling.
We're both Diamonds yet in terms of strength and wit, he knows who's superior. Kaya kahit anong pagsusungit ko sa kanya ay hindi niya ako magawang saktan o awayin. Ngayon lang naman siya nagkaganyan nang dumating 'yong kapwa niyang stupid na Pebble ko.
"Anong ipinunta mo rito?" I asked him as if I'm bored to hell.
"Ikaw," he stupidly answered.
"Well, it would be awkward if you said manang," pamimilosopo ko.
I heard a small chuckle from him. "Natututo ka na rin sa kanya. Akala ko ikaw lang ang marunong mang-impluwensiya."
For some reason, I got what he meant to say but I acted otherwise.
"Why don't you just tell me why you're here?"
His smirk slowly widened as a grin. "Why tell when I can show?"
Biglang nag-iba ang ritmo ng pagtibok ng puso ko - mabilis at malakas. Hindi ko alam kung bakit.
Nonetheless, I remained calm.
My heart is palpitating; my breathing is unstable. I feel like there's an inside force causing chaos in me.
"I know you're scared, Silver..." Clint said, still, with that smirk.
"I have no reasons to be," I concealed my unwellness with confidence.
"Your can lie all you want but your heart rate can't..." he said playfully.
My head tilted in suspicion. Is he causing this nuisance? Papaano?
Don't tell me...
"If you know ... you know..." His voice is playful pero hindi ako natutuwa.
Naduwal ako nang pakiramdam ko'y biglang may humalukay sa laman ng tiyan ko. I gagged but nothing came out.
What the hell is happening?!
"Kailan mo ba aamining natatakot ka na, Silver? Mas gugustuhin mo pa yatang isuka 'yang bituka mo kaysa lunikin 'yang pride mo," pambubuyo niya sa'kin.
"Why are you doing this?"
"To prove who's stronger now," he said that with full blast of arrogance.
"Why don't you tell them you already have your - "
Natigil ang sinasabi ko nang bigla na naman akong maduwal. This time, the gag is more violent but still, nothing came out.
The feeling is a total nightmare.
"Ayoko pa," his voice resembled a cranky child. "I like the challenge here."
Alam kong hindi challenge ang ipinunta niya rito. With that power, he ought to do the opposite - to challenge people A.K.A to manipulate them to do what he wants.
"Isa pa, hindi ko pa nakukuha ang gusto ko eh," his playful voice bounced back.
Alam ko kung ano ang tinutukoy niya. Well, it's not "ano" it's "sino."
Whatever it is, he's not having it.
"Why don't we have a bet, Silver?" he suspiciously asked. "Let's play a game. If you win, I'll follow whatever you want. Just like the old times..."
He raised his brow with that unnecessary last sentence. Alam ko na ang gusto niyang iparating pero hindi ko naman kasalanan 'yon. It's his choice to be my underdog.
"If you win?" I asked, not wanting to acknowledge the anticipation.
The side of his lips rose and his face illuminated with amusement.
"Is that self doubt, I hear?" he asked.
"What the hell are you talking about?" I felt stupid. Hindi ko nakuha ang gusto niyang sabihin.
"You just asked me kung anong consequence kung ako ang nanalo. It means you're considering the chance of me winning."
Nablanko ang utak ko ng ilang segundo. Oo nga...
"Na-discover ko lang 'yong power ng gem ko, humina ka na bigla," he insulted pero di ko na 'yon binigyan pa ng pansin. I immediately composed myself and thought of a comeback.
"I'm just giving you a little courtesy. Masiyado kang trying hard sa pagpapapansin ng discovery mo," I blurted and his jaw dropped.
"Just tell me what's the side of your bet. Ang dami mong dada," I said so I can snap him back to his senses.
"I wanna date Zeighna."
I gagged. This time, hindi na kontrolado ng kakayahan ni Clint. I gagged due to my disgust with his consequence.
Papagurin niya ako para lang sa goal niyang maging girlfriend ang Pebble ko? Just what the hell?!
"If you're gagging like that, why don't you just let me date her then - "
"No."
I said that with full authority and finality.
"Go out so I can change clothes. I'll see you at the gym," I demanded.
"Basketball?" he asked.
"Ikaw na pumili para may advantage ka naman, " painsulto kong sabi sabay pasok sa kwarto ko.
Nang una'y maayos naman ang laro - dikit... Sobrang dikit. Whenever I score, he immediately scores the same. Walang gustong magpatalo.
I must admit na 'di ko rin inaasahang marunong pala siyang mag-basketball. Well, marunong is not the right word... he's also good. But of course, not as good as me. Hindi pa niya nababawi ang 2 points na lamang ko mula sa kanya at nadagdagan na naman yun ng 3 points.
I can feel the tension rising.
"What's with your eyebrows, Clint? Stressing out?" I sarcastically asked.
"Stressin' for you," he said and with that, he scored three.
What the hell? How the hell did that happened?
I heard how the audiences gasped. Tinignan ko sila nang masama kasi hindi nakaka-amaze 'yon! It was confusing!
Kanina'y magkatapat kami't binabantayan ko siya sa gilid tapos ngayon nasa gitna na siya bigla?! Naiwan ako sa gilid na nakanganga!
Mukhang di napansin ng audience yun at lalong di ko rin napansin na magka-score na kami not until i-announce ng scorer. WHAT THE HELL?!
Lamang pa dapat ako ng 2 points!
This sucker is cheating because he knows he'll lose!
"Can't play fair?" Madiin ang pagkakabulong ko sa kanya nang magkalapit kami.
"What fair, Silver? Nag-set ka ba ng specific rules?" Pamimilosopo pa niya.
"We'll you said - "
"You're in Gem Academy, Silver. Trust no one. 'Yan ang lesson na itinuturo mo kay Zeighna, right?"
Damn him!
The following seconds got serious. Hindi ako nagpakampante at lalong di na ako nagpauto. I'm treating this game as a death match kaya habang nakaapak pa ako sa court ay pinaplano ko na kung paano ako titira sa taas.
When I finally found the perfect timing to snatch the ball, I immediately executed the plan but something went out of hand. Siniko ni Clint ang ilong ko!
Ang pinakanakakabwisit ay ang pamimilit niyang dampi lang 'yon. Ayoko naman sabihing masakit kasi ayaw kong magmukhang mahina.
Damn this ego.
Another thing went unexpected - Zeighna. She stood up for me... against Clint.
Damn I sound like a pussy when I said that. Pero I can't help it! This is the first time na ako ang kinampihan niya at hindi ang hinayupak na 'to.
Pero 'di dahil kinampihan niya ako ngayon ay babait na ako sa kanya. Lalo na at binigyan na naman niya ng problema ang sarili niya.
Pebbles can't meddle with anyone's arguments lalo na kaoag Diamond. There was once a case na nakapatay ng Pebble ang isang Sapphire dahil sa pakikielam nito sa argument nila ng pinakasigang Ruby. The student council considered the Pebble as "just a collateral damage" together with other facilities and materials that the two affected.
Pera lang ang hiningi sa Sapphire para sa buhay no'ng Pebble. They didn't treat him like something to be worried of. They even gave death threats to his family to prevent them from saying something.
I need to double my protection pero bago 'yan... pinasakit ko pa muna ang ulo niya mula sa court hanggang sa dorm until we landed on this .... awkward position.
Stupid kasi ng babaeng to! Napaka-clumsy!
But this is a good chance to look at her features closely. Hindi pa rin naman siya gano'n kaganda pero hindi na siya pangit. Nae-enhance na rin ng aircon ang kutis niya pero di hamak na mas makinis 'yong akin.
I made a mental note to buy her some skincare products para naman magmukha siyang presentable.
'Di ko namalayang tumagal pala kami sa ganung sitwasyon not until my phone rang and flashed Derek's name.
It was a call for Zeighna.
Biglang kumabog nang malakas at mabagal ang dibdib ko. I felt the mental torture as she decided to take the call outside.
Ano kayang sinasabi niya?
Shit! Don't tell me he's gonna tell her the truth! Hindi pwede!
Technically, ire-reveal din naman pero this is not the best time for that!
Gusto kong pakinggan ang pinag-uusapan nila pero hindi ako chismoso. I have to keep my cool and -
"Mr. Fulgencio - "
"Yes? What did he say? Tell me ..." Medyo nag-lie low ako nang mapagtantong nagtutunog desperado ako.
Desperation is very out of my character. So, I cleared my throat and asked her again.
"Baka gusto mong sumagot?"
"Ang sabi lang niya ay may sasabihin daw siya sa'kin - "
"He didn't tell you that over the damn phone?" The frustration kicked in again.
I can't help it!
"Sabi niya kailangan daw niyang sabihin sa'kin 'yon personally - "
"So, you'll wait for months or probably years before you can actually hear about that! That's nonsense!" I stood up in frustration and walked back and forth as I spoke.
"Sabi niya ngayon na raw - "
"What?!" I am going hysterical! "We're not allowed to see someone from the outside and this damn academy is f*cking guarded! Every inch has surveillance! Tell me how the f*ck can we meet him! TELL ME!"
"I WILL! ONLY IF YOU LET ME FINISH TALKING!" She equalled my anger and that humbled the shit out of me.
We're both panting from the sudden kick of adrenaline. Pareho kaming napagod sa pagsigaw at sa pagkainis.
"Kung hinayaan mo sana akong magsalita, kanina pa sana tayo nakapagsimula. Isang oras lang ang ibinigay niyang - "
"Oh now we're being timed." My hands flew to the air, mockingly giving up on this shit. "Ano pang sasabihin mo? Baka naka-record pa bawat galaw - "
Hindi ko na natapos ang sinasabi ko nang bigla niyang pinaputok ang labi ko gamit ang kamao niya.
"WHAT THE - "
I wasn't even damn able to finish my curse when she forcefully pushed me to sit on the sofa. My eyes grew wide when she humped on me... on my thighs... close to my thing. Maagap niyang tinakpan ang bibig ko ng palad niya saka ako tinitigan nang mariin.
"Listen, Mr. Fulgencio. Derek gave us an hour to get to the boundary between the academy and the city next to it. Sabi ni Derek ay alam mo 'yong lugar na 'yon kasi tinawag niyang 'meeting place' niyo 'yon. He said he'll meet me at the darkest part - alone. Stop making yourself pathetic kasi hindi mo bagay and time is obviously ticking."
Dire-diretso ang pagkakasabi niya at ang nakakabilib ay hindi manlang siya pumikit kahit minsan!
"Get off me," I mumbled under her palm.
The moment I said that, her eyes slowly widened - she realized something. Alam ko kung anong tumatakbo sa isip niya. Unti-unting bumaba ang tingin niya mula sa mukha ko papunta sa kinauupuan niya.
There's where she got her tomato face.
Well, kahit sino naman ay mamumula kapag pumatong sa'kin. Ako na 'to eh. It's just that I won't give the same reaction kasi siya lang 'yan. Isang Pebble na bossy.
"I'm gonna take my hand off but promise me that you'll -"
"I don't do promises," I cut her sentence and pushed her off me.
"If you wanna pin someone somewhere, make sure they're properly pinned. Ano naman sanang magagawa ng body weight mo laban sa'kin?" Nagawa ko pa siyang bigyan ng tip kasi productive akong tao. Unlike her.
She look offended as she sat on the floor. She doesn't have the right to feel that way. Pinalampas ko nga 'yong ginawa niyang pagsuntok sa'kin eh.
Kumuha ako ng itim na longsleeves mula sa cabinet at inihagis sa mukha niya. Sakto naman at naka-black siyang leggings.
"Wear that so you can blend in with the environment. Hindi sapat yung maitim lang na budhi, dapat pati damit," I teased and she just replied with an eye roll.
Nagbihis din ako sa loob ng bathroom at pagkatapos ng limang minuto ay lumabas ako na naka-black turtle neck sweater, black slacks, and black leather belt.
My confidence is oozing when I stepped out of the bathroom but the flow stopped when this bitch opened her foul mouth.
"Tatakas lang tayo, ganyan pa suot mo?"
The guts of this woman to tell me that!
Tinignan ko siya mula ulo hanggang paa at pabalik.
"You'll never understand elegance because you're not a subscriber," I said that with the kind of grace that she can't reach.
"Wear these para 'di ako mairita sa mukha mo," kako sabay tapon sa kanya ng mask at cap sa kanya.
In just a few minutes, we managed to get to the end part of the academy garden.
"Time check, Mr. Fulgencio, we only have 15 minutes left," she blurted out of nowhere.
"Magpahinga muna tayo saglit," I said.
"What? Pero baka - "
"Kung nagmamadali ka, mauna ka na. Sunod na lang ako," pagpuputol ko ulit sa sinasabi niya.
Nasulyapan ko pa ang pag-irap niya pero 'di ko na binigyan ng maraming atensiyon. Baka madukot ko pa kapag nainis ako.
I just rested my ass on the green welcoming grass of the garden and patted my hand next to my position.
"Upo," utos ko dahil obviously, hindi na naman niya na-gets.
"Tatayo na lang ako - "
"Uupo ka o babaliin ko 'yang mga - "
"Leche!" Sigaw niya sabay padabog na naglakad palapit sa'kin. Pagalit din siyang umupo kaya....
"PUSANG GALAAAA!"
Her scream went down with her.
Oops! I forgot to tell her that I have my own secret slide here.
Sa sobrang dalas kong labagin ang batas, gumawa na ako ng way para maging convenient ang disobedience ko. Derek would come and see me here every end of the month.
He's still doing that though... just not for me.
Kaya nang marinig ko 'yon kanina kay Pebble ay naramdaman kong may nalukot na parte sa puso ko pero 'di ko na 'yon ipinahalata pa. I'm expecting him to come and visit today but I didn't see this one.
Si Zeighna pala ang bibisitahin niya.
Naputol ang kadramahan sa isip ko nang marinig ko ang sigaw ni Pebble. Bat naman kaya nasaktan 'yon eh may foam sa dulo ng slide na 'to?
Well, to see is to figure out.
My secret slide has a grass cover that'll only be simulated when I step on it or when I'm near it.
Mahigpit sila rito pero matalino ako.
"Ano, Pebble? What happened to - "
"Quiet."
That was almost a whisper but because of the deadly silence, it was loud enough for me to hear.
"Don't move, Mr. Fulgencio," she said as if she's taking the lead.
Wala na nga ang foam na inilagay ko. Mukhang na-discover na rin nila ang lagusan ko. I'm not expecting to hide this forever though.
There's a cam bot in front of us. I know how this one works, Clint begged me to help him with this project. This robot has a sensor and the camera only works when it senses a movement.
Nakatutok man ang ulo nito sa amin ngayon, alam kong hindi ito nakasindi dahil walang ilaw. One soft movement, makikita na kami. Although our faces are covered, it'll still be possible for the administration to discover who we are.
"Ilang minuto na lang?" I asked.
"That's not important right now - "
"Answer my question, stupid," I demanded while my teeth gritted.
"Ten," she answered.
"Sit down," I instructed.
"What? I can't - "
"One... Two... Three... Sit!"
As soon as she sat down, the cam bot's head lit red and the camera immediately went on. Siniguro kong ang paanan ng sapatos ko ang unang makukuhanan ng camera pagkabukas nito.
Hindi naman gano'n kalakas ang sipa ko pero natanggal kaagad ang ulo ng cam bot.
"How many times should I tell Clint that durability matters?" Hanggang dito ba naman ay sinusundan ako ng stupidity ni Clint.
Papaano kaya magpapatakbo ng business 'yon?
When the head dropped on the floor, another head popped up. This time, it's not a camera - it's a damn loud siren! They installed changes on Clint's project.
"Tumayo ka, stupid," I told the Pebble. "Listen closely. I need you to go to that dark part over there kahit anong mangyari."
"No, Silver. Bumalik na lang tayo - "
"Ayokong nasasayang ang effort ko, Pebble and trust me, you won't like it kapag walang nadatnan na Zeighna si Derek doon," mariin ang pagkakabigkas ko ng bawat salita para maramdaman niya kung gaano ako kaseryoso.
The siren attracted guards to come near us but little do they know, they just did a step that'll take them closer to their death.
"Pumunta ka na," I demanded.
"Pero ang daming -"
"Sa tingin mo papabayaan kita? Stupid." Inirapan ko lang siya. Kahit kelan talaga ay katangahan ang pinapairal.
I can sense one coming near. Kaso, papunta pa lang siya ay pabalik na ako. Agad kong hinila ang Pebble palikod saka sinipa sa leeg ang unang sumugod.
"Susugod na silang lahat sa'kin. Tumakbo ka na. Bilisan mo!"
Right after I said that, sumugod nga sila sa'kin. Well, if you'll ask, I've mastered the art of multitasking. Kaya kong manakal habang sumasangga ng suntok.
There were five of them but only four are here with me. Nang ilibot ko ang mata ko ay nakita kong nakasunod ang isa kay Zeighna.
Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita kong may binubunot siya mula sa bewang kaya agad kong iniwan 'yong apat para lang baliin ang leeg ng sumusunod sa Pebble.
The Pebble heard the crack so she stopped running.
"No, Pebble. Don't you dare look back," I warningly said.
Dapat na siyang masanay sa ganitong eksena pero alam ko namang 'di ito madali para sa kagaya niyang inosenteng bobo.
As expected, she didn't listen. Stupid, right?
Tumingin nga siya saka nanlaki ang mata nang makita ang patay na mamatay tao sa harapan niya.
"Anong ginawa mo?!" There goes the drama.
"I saved your life, idiot!" I exclaimed then turned my back. I still have businesses to deal with.
Now, I'm back to these four.
Haven't I mentioned that Gem Academy has high-end security? Well, that's true. Wala pang intruder na pumasok dito na nakalabas nang buhay. 'Yong iba nga kahit bangkay na di pa rin talaga nakakalabas.
Ang dati ko pang tanong ay kung bakit kumukuha ang Gem Academy ng guards na undertrained - 'yon bang less trained kumpara sa mga students nila?
That's another fishy thing that I have to discover this month.
Magaling 'tong apat na 'to kung ikukumpara sa ordinary guards pero dahil sa training na nakuha ko sa loob ng academy, they're no match for me kahit magpatong-patong pa sila.
I was busy strangling the last one when...
*Bang!*
That's a loud gunshot.
Agad kong kinapa ang katawan ko kung saan man ito banda tumama dahil wala akong naramdaman. After seconds of searching, I found nothing. My heart immediately raced when I realized na may kasama ako.
Don't tell me...
My eyes flew to Zeighna's direction. I'm not gonna lie. Iniisip ko na talaga kung paano ko siya isusugod sa hospital pero bumagsak ang panga ko nang makita ko ang ang hawak niya niya.
She's the one holding a gun.
She shot someone.
She killed someone.