CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 4

A/N: forgot to mention but Aarde is a Dutch translation of Earth.

***

Nakatitig lang ako sa kaniya, hindi alam kung anong sasabihin, kung anong magiging reaksiyon.

Aarde. This is Aarde, not earth. This is— Fuck!

"Wait a minute... Shit..." I whisphered and closed my eyes firmly.

He sighed and didn't dare to speak. Good, he's cooperating.

I did think we are somewhere wild. Somewhere that is already obvious but I didn't dare to name. Fuck. Letting the truth slap you hurts.

One leads to home.

Home. This is a facade. We were all tricked again! Damn it!

What are the other choices again? Death. Lost. Rocks.

It all looked suspicious. Death is the only clear choice. The three are like enigma's. Lost, Rocks, and Home.

"Mei? Still there?" He asked, concern is visible on his voice. I nodded weakly.

"Can I ask something? How did you guys end up here?"

"Our ship was sucked by the whirlphool. Then I woke up here, in the street, alone and was chase by some crazy dudes with their whips and rods, ready to beat me. Why?" He asked like what he experienced meant nothing.

I gaped at him. But then, he's an ex navy seal. That's normal for him but if he was me, surely he'll die in a heartbeat.

"Aren't you given a choice what whirlpool to choose?" I questioned.

His brows creased. "No." He answered.

I cussed. "Shit. What was the government trying to instruct you again?" I asked.

He clearly looked weirded out but answers me anyway. "We were looking for the Lost city of Atlanta. We followed a certain book that they gave, Can you answer my questions now? Why are you asking this petty things?" He asked, clearly irritated.

Now, that makes sense. A book. So they were deceived too huh? Did he just mention Lost city of Atlanta? Now... That really makes sense.

That means the other two leads to another place that we aren't aware of.  Aarde and the lost huh?

"So... Mind telling me?"

I nodded and told him the things he needs to know briefly.

"...and that's how I ended up in the street that night."

Lahat ng importanteng detalye ay sinabi ko rito. Except of course some of my on going plans. He doesn't need to know that. Sure I can see that he's trustworthy but he still doesn't have my trust, not until he can prove it.

"Fuck." He reacted after I finished telling him my story.

I didn't speak for a while, letting him recover after hearing the story. I want every details to sink in his mind.

"So you were saying there's an old lady who tricked you all?" He asked and I nodded. He cussed again.

"You don't?" I asked, I still don't know his story.

"No. We just follow the instructions." He answered.

I sighed. There's no point in questioning. One thing is for sure, His government fucked up.

The only thing that relates his story to us is the book.

"Do you still have the book?" I asked, he shake his head so much to my disappointment.

I sighed and looked away. Damn, I thought I had a lead already...

"You know..." Panimula nito. Tumingin ako sa kaniya at sinenyasan siyang ipagpatuloy ang sasabihin.

"After hearing your story, my conclusion about you was proven. You are really—" I cut him off.

"A manipulator?" I guessed.

His brow creased and answered. "No, careless. You are careless, bossy and damn selfish." I gaped at him. Wow, that's too many adjectives.

"You want what's best for your friends without knowing if it's best for them. You are a selfish person. Self-centered, and Oh! What's more? Afraid. You are afraid. Pretending and manipulating. Yes that's you." Tuloy tuloy na saad nito habang nakatingin sa akin.

"E-Excuse me?"

"You want to save them right?" He asked and I eagerly nodded.

"Did you ask them if they wanted to be save by you?" He questioned.

"I don't need to ask them that because who doesn't want to be save?" I asked, slightly irritated. Ano ba ang gustong palabasin ng lalaki? He doesn't make sense at all.

"Wrong. You are so much wrong, how disappointing Mei." He replied and shake his head like he's really disappointed at my answer.

I glared at him. "Oh? What's right then Mr.-Who-Knew-What's-Right?"

"It's wrong to assume that they wanted to be save by you. It's wrong to assume that their lives are in your back. It's wrong to assume that they are okay with you not giving them a chance to prove theirselves. All you think that is right is actually wrong. You are so self-centered that you didn't even gave others the right to decline, to choose. You snatch that privileges to them. How you think is already wrong and everything you decide or will plan is wrong. Very." Saad ng lalaki.

Napaawang ang labi ko at hindi agad nakaimik.

"How old are you all?" He asked again.

"Mid twenties." I whisphered.

"There. They're already old to think what to do next yet you stole that right from them. Can't you see how wrong your decisions turned out? How your choices back fired at you? Can't you still realize it?" The corner of his mouth turned up.

I looked down. He's right.

"You always rely to yourself because of two things. You don't trust their capabilities and you grew up being self-reliant." He added and sighed.

I unconsciously nodded, He smirked. I bit my lower lio to surpass my cry. Damn it.

"What's more is that you were actually afraid. You were afraid that you will fail, that you can't save them all. You are afraid of everything. That's why you did this drastic moves. You were afraid," He continued.

"Damn it! Yes! I'm afraid! I'm afraid of everything! I'm afraid that when they realized how wrong my decisions were, they'll leave me! I'm afraid of everything! I am damn afriad to be alone! So what?! Will my fear help me? Will it?!" I shouted at him, he doesn't even move at all.

Ridiculous. This is ridiculous. I am out of here. Damn it.

I tried to stand up but he pushed me in the bed, hard. I shouted in pain and shoot him glares.

I wipe my cheeks to erase the evidence of my tears but he stopped me. He put his hand on my shoulders, lean on and looked at me straight in the eyes.

I gulped and tried to stop myself from crying.

"It's okay to be afraid. But you aren't alone. You won't be if you'll realize how important your friends in the situation. You aren't alone Mei, You were never when you set your foot in this. Instead of being the one leading them, step back and hold each others hand. Fight it while leaning on each other," He whisphered and smiled, a genuine sad smile.

"And remember, People don't abandon someone they love but abandon someone they were using. Clearly, you aren't the latter," He added.

He let go of my shoulders and stand up before turning his back at me.

"Realize it before you end up like me, really alone and forgotten. Don't snatch my title from me." He chuckled and walks back to his seat.

I laughed, a genuine laugh after a very long time. I feel like someone snatch the heavy feelings in my heart.

I hate it that he's right but I like it also when he made me realized it all.

You're wrong Clay. It won't take a toll on me, because someone already let me understand what you kept saying. What you all kept trying to make me understand.

And I'm very thankful I met you. Now, how the fuck will I go to the house?

I looked at Asta who is busy looking at the map and encircling some drawings. He bit the pencil's eraser while looking at the paper.

Ew, That's gross. But maybe he's so focused that he forgot that it's not a food? Maybe or it's a mannerism, which I don't really need to focus at, Do I?

I smiled when he cussed because after biting the eraser, he erased something in the paper and since he bite it, It's wet and you already knew what happened next.

"Hey Asta..." Pagkuha ko sa atensiyon nito.

He hummed, still focus on saving his mighty work.

"Thank you... Thank you for everything, for knocking my hard brain. I owe you one." I said and smiled.

He looked up to me and smiled back before shrugging.

"No worries, just give me a hot chick in return. Damn, I miss girls and their booties." He mumbled and closed his eyes.

I grimaced. Boys will be boys.

"Sure. I'll try to find a chick that has big butt then I'll cook it for you." I sarcastically answered.

He glared at me. "You don't mean that. On  second thought, I miss eating chicken though. I guess that will suffice temporarily." He replied and shrugs.

I laughed and nodded. He went back on looking on the map afterwards.

"Oh, Can you help me go to the house? You can meet someone your type there, yah know," I stated, tryinf to surpass a smile.

Nagkukuhamog na lumapit ito sa akin at tiyaka mabilis na ipinakita ang mapa. "Here. Where's your house?" He asked agitatedly.

I chuckled and flicked his forehead before focusing his handmade map.

Let me see... Our house is somewhere near in the middle of the village and has the most simpliest model of the house. We don't really like luxurious looking house. Mainit sa mata ng magnanakaw kapag gano'n.

Besides, It's a friendship house which we will stay until we found our man and get wed. We don't need something luxary if it will end up as a resthouse after many years. Well, that is if we'll found our own man soon.

"Mei. Mei. Mei." Pagkuha ng lalaki sa atensyon ko. Napabalik ako sa reyalidad at napailing bago itinuro ang bahay.

"Here. Can we find safe places near the house? I need to gather foods for the nine—no, ten. I include you by the way," I said.

"Wow. That's so nice of you," He replied sarcastically, I elbowed his stomach.

"Anyway, that's hard. There's no safe place near your house. All are dangerous areas and some I haven't discovered yet." Sagot nito habang pinagmamasdan ang mapa.

I sighed, he's right. Ang swerte nga naman talaga ng pwesto namin, tsk.

"I need to return there after seven days to strengthen the security. Damn," I muttered and tightly closed my eyes.

"Why wait for seven days if we can broke out now?" He asked curiously.

"No. I need to gather resources and they are in sort of training right now." I answered.

He looked at me bewildered. "You didn't said that," he whispered like what I did was betrayal.

"Tired of talking." sagot ko nalang.

"If they're training, how 'bout you? You badly need it. You didn't even last in a night," His mouth twitched into an annoying smile.

"You know, sometimes I hate your bluntness but you are absolutely right," I sighed. "I was hoping I could train while fighting them. Who knows I'll end up being surrounded by damn doppelgangers?" I added, he laughed.

Tuwang tuwa ang gago pag umaamin ako sa kagagahan ko, pansin niyo? Nevermind.

"I hate doppelgangers now, I was fascinated by them before. Ugh. Wait for my revenge damn copycats!" I mumbled and clicked my tongue.

He nodded and laughed. I glared at him so he can shut up but he laughed harder.

Kahit nahihirapan ay kinuha ko ang unan na nasa likod ko at hinampas ito.

Natatawa naman itong umiwas at tiyaka lumayo ng kaonti sa akin.

"F-Fine. Stop hitting me Mei! I'Ill help you okay?

I'll help you train but recover first." Sagot nito habang umiiwas sa hampas ko.

Nakangiti naman akong tumigil at  tinanguhan ito.

"You owe me a lot now," He said, chuckling.

"Don't worry, I'll reto you to my friend," I replied and chuckled.

"You'll what?" He asked, confused.

I shake my head and chuckled. Bahala siya diyang isipin kung anong sinabi ko.

"Yah! What do you mean?" Pangungulit nito na tinatawanan ko lang.

"My mouth's lock, Can't tell," I told him and laughed again earning a groan from him.

"Yeah? Want me to find the key?" He asked, feigning his irritation.

"Nah. It's in the imbornal." I replied and chuckled because I knew he wouldn't get it.

"What? Abnormal?" He asked, scratching his forehead and a british accent in his last word.

I never laughed so hard in my life like this. Oh God. This guy! This guy will be the end of me! Someone! Help! I can't stop laughing!

NAALIMPUNGATAN ako dahil parang may malamig na tumutulo sa ibabaw ng mukha ko.

Pagmulat na pagmulat ko ay binulaga ako ng nakangangang si Henry.

Wait... Nakanganga?!

Napabalikwas ako ng bangon at hindi sinasadyang nauntog sa nakangangang bibig ng lalaki.

We both cussed by the sudden impact. Ako ay nakahawak sa nasaktang noo ko at siya ay nakahawak sa nagdudugong labi niya na paniguradong tumama sa ngipin nito.

"Bloody hell Clay," Naiinis na wika nito habang marahang kinakapa ang nagdurugong labi.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at pinahid ang basa kong pisngi. "That's what you get for drolling at me, inahin!" I shouted and stand up quickly to run in the bathroom before he throws a tantrum.

Damn that guy! Ang tanda tanda na naglalaway parin. Tsk.

Dahil nasa banyo narin naman ay naghilamos na ako at naligo. After cleaning myself, that's when I realized that I didn't bring my clothes with me.

I sighed before wrapping the towel in my lower body. Paniguradong tulog pa ang iba kaya malakas ang loob kong lumabas nang nakatapis lang ng tuwalya.

Besides, I have a body to die for so what's the problem in that?

I frown when I open the door and didn't find the girls lurking around.

Tsk. Naghanda pa naman ako nang magandang pose.

"That's a nasty body you have, bud." Pangaasar

ni Henry na nakangisi sa akin at may sampay sampay na tuwalya sa balikat nito.

"That's also a nasty lips you had, buddy," I retaliated and hit his left shoulder with mine.

"Piss off dude!" Sigaw nito habang papasok ng CR. I raised my middle finger even though I know he wouldn't see it.

"Back at yah buddy!" Sigaw ko pabalik.

I was humming while walking back in the living room when I saw Gray and Trav still in their deep slumber.

Nagbihis muna ako bago gisingin ang dalawa na madali ring nagising. Dahil iisa lang ang banyong ginagamit namin ay parehas ang mga itong nakaupo sa sofa at hinihintay na matapos sa pagligo si Henry.

Just their luck. Sharing the bathroom with them made me realize that I should be the one to wake up first. Si Henry na ang nakilala kong pinakamatagal maligo. Worst, He's a guy.

Here's my opinion, He's maybe jacking off his sperms first thing in the morning or he's pooping.

But that's my opinion, Haven't prove it yet. I don't really care. I'm just being nosy as of the moment.

Nagtimpla ako ng kape sapat para sa aming apat. Hindi pa bumababa ang mga babae. It's already 7 am in the morning though.

I gave them their cup of coffee before sitting with them and staring nowhere.

Hindi makakausap ang dalawa hanggat ang kalahati ng kaluluwa ng mga ito ay gusto pang matulog. Henry and I always bicker in the morning, nakasanayan narin. Though this is the first time that he drolled in my face. Well, I get my revenge.

ALAS DIYES na ng umaga nang magbabaan ang mga babae. Nakahanda narin ang almusal na niluto ni Trav at Hen.

The problem is, Joy isn't here again and they're all looking at me.

I sighed and stand up. Damn this people making me their page who runs errunds for them.

I walk towards Joy room and knock her room loudly—more like banging her door.

I'm hungry.

Minutes passed and no one answered. I called her name for about 5 minutes but she's not opening the door.

That's weird. She's not that heavy sleeper.

"Joy? You there?" I asked again yet no one answered.

I sighed and head back to the kitchen only to see them fighting for food.

"Geez. What's taking you so long? Where is she?" Travin asked while biting a piece of bacon.

"She's not answering no matter how loud I call her," I answered and sit down to get my share of food. If I didn't do that, there will be no food left on me.

"Yeah? Maybe she's in her hidden room? But it's only 10 am—Hey! Damn it Gray!" Naiinis na sigaw ni Kris nang magtagumpay si Gray na makuha ang hotdog sa fork war nila.

"Can't you all share the food fairly?! I'm concentrating here you know," naiinis na sigaw ni Chipher pero plato niya naman ang punong puno ng pagkain.

"Oh? Talks about fair. You want a lesson on that Chi?" Cha asked and sips her cup of Ice coffee.

Napasimangot nalang ako habang tinitignan sila. Ang tahimik at matiwasay lang na kumakain dito ay ako, si Nica, Hen and Trav na walang pakielam sa iba.

Yep, That's how our breakfast turned out.

Napailing iling nalang ako. They were concern in Joy's whereabouts a minute ago pero pagkain lang ang makakatalo sa babae. Pity.

After we finished eating, I was assigned to wash the dishes which I hardly obliged. Well, at least I'm with Cha.

Napangisi ako sa naiisip. Come to think of it, When was the last time that I flirted?

"Dishwasing liquid ka ba?" I asked, trying one of my newest made punchline.

"No," she answered and continue washing the plates before giving it to me so I can dry it off before putting it in it's proper place.

"Kasi—" I replied but she cut me off.

"Try to continue what you're about to say and I'll make sure you'll have many charges press on you," pagbabanta nito bago ako sinamaan ng tingin at inabot ang basang mangkok.

I pouted, trying to be cute in her eyes but she looked at me sharply before focusing in her plates.

"Sungit. Is it the tine of the month or—" Again, she cut me off.

"Shut up. One more word and I'll really shove this in your noisy mouth." She glared and hand me the knife carelessly.

I gulped and nodded. Fine. Clearly she's not the flirty type.

Well, I was just having fun around, She's not my type anyway. Although she has a nice ass.

I mentally smack my head. She will slit my throat if she knews what I'm thinking. Yeah. That's for sure. No doubt.

Sa halip na harutin pa ang babaeng kaysungit ata ng matandang dalaga ay tahimik ko nalang na pinunasan ang mga pinggang inaabot nito sa akin.

Ilang minuto pa ang nakalipas at natapos narin kami. Kanina ay sinabi nitong magtipon tipon sa sala para sabay sabay kaming pumuntang kwarto ni Joy kaya naabutan ko ang mga itong tahimik na nakaupo sa living room.

Tumabi ako kay Henry na binulungan ako agad.

"Did you try flirting with her? I did yesterday but she threatened me that she'll slit my throat. Dude that's really scary. Good thing you survived," He whispered. I chuckled, Damn. That also happened to me.

"Yeah, Barely. She's damn scary, good thing she's not really my type so it's not biggie," I whispered to him and he nodded while smiling.

"Yeah! Me too! Although if we're going to rate the girls asses here, hers stand out the most," he whisphered and I mentally agreed.

Hindi pa ako nakakasagot nang may bumatok sa aming dalawa ni Hen.

Napaaray ako at sinamaan ng tingin ang may sala only to gasped when I realized who it was.

It was Cha, looking gloomy and scary. I don't know if it's only my imagination but there's a black aura surrounding her, and what's more was a murder intent in her eyes.

Napatakbo agad kami ni Henry palayo sa babae at nagtago sa likod ni Gray at Trav na nagtatakang nakatingin sa amin.

God lord, I haven't scattered my seeds yet, I don't wanna die.

Huminga ng malalim ang babae at hindi na tumingin sa gawi namin bagkus ay umupo ito sa inupuan namin ni Hen.

Oh hell. This is Hen's fault! Remind me to knock his head when I have a chance.

"Now, where are we?" She asked and we instantly got serious.

Nagpulong kami ng ilang minuto bago sabay sabay na tunayo at umakyat sa ikalawang palapag ng bahay, exactly in Joy's room.

Kumatok si Cha pero walang nagbubukas kaya napatingin ito sa akin. Nagkibit balikat lang ako dahil wala naman talaga akong ideya kung bakit walang sumasagot sa kwarto ng babae.

Ilang minuto pa kaming naghintay sa labas ng pinto habang patuloy na kumakatok pero patuloy rin kaming nabibigo dahil wala namang nagbubukas nito.

"Don't you have spare keys with you?" Naiinio na tanong ni Trav.

Umiling ang mga babae. "No, Our spare keys are well hidden, We're the only one who can find it.

"What? What's the purpose of your spare keys then?!" Henry asked, slightly iritated.

"Can't you tell by the name itself?" sagot naman ni Chipher sa lalaki at inirapan pa ito.

Napailing iling nalang ako. What's with girls today? They were all masungit.

"No choice then. Step aside girls, Let the boys handle it," pagaawat ko sa dalawa habang pinapaputok ang knuckles ng kamay ko bilang paghahanda sa katawan ko.

Nagstretching pa ako para magpakitang gilas.

I gaped at Gray who easily kicked the door open when I was about to do that.

What the hell?

"Ang tagal mo," paliwanag lang nito.

Narinig kong naghagikgikan ang mga babae bago pumasok sa loob. Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Gray who just smirked at me.

Damn him! Pahiya ako doon ah?

We entered the room only to see the girls standing in front of the side table.

Nagtataka naming tinignan ang tinitignan ng mga ito.

Nanlaki ang mata ko ng mabasa ang nakasulat sa nakalagay sa laptop.

I'm sorry. Train your body and mind. See you after 7 days, was the first note.

The laptop blink and showed us a riddle that I know we need to answer.

You can rest on my pad without touching the keys. I will sing all month as long as you lay your fees. What am I?

The question is for what? What is she saying sorry for?

What's the answer?

****

Special credits to 500 riddles for this riddle. What do you think is the answer?

I don't know when will be the next update. Stay safe! Good luck sa mga nag oonline class na, Gambatte!

Supposedly, 2K words lang dapat ito kaso hindi pa ako kuntento kaya nakaabot ako ng almost 4K, lol.