Chapter 18- (Maha’s misfortune)

"Hey Sofan did you see where Ran is? Kanina ko pa siya hinahanap." Turan ni Maha pagpasok niya sa kanilang office at inilalapag ang mga kawak niyang mga papel sa kanyang table.

Nagtataka si Maha dahil si Sofan lang ang nasa office nila. Usually naman pag nauuna ang dismissal ni Ran ay nasa office lang ito at nagbabasa ng papers ng mga studyante nito.

"Hindi ko alam ehh baka nakauwi na siya, ang alam ko kasi ay 4 yung dissmissal niya. Sa-sandali, hindi pa pala siya nadadako dito… diba dismissal na niya? Asan na yon e hindi siya nagpunta rito upang ewanan yung mga gamit niya sa pagtuturo? Yung iba naman ay may klase o may ginagawang iba jan sa tabi-tabi." Turan ni Sofan na nag-aayos ng kape sa counter na nasa pinakalikod katabi yung table ni Bri, puno ng pagtataka ang mukha nito.

Lumapit ito sa kanya at nilahad sa kanya yung isang kapeng ginawa nito.

"Thanks Sofan. Where's your boyfriend?" turan niyang nakangiti rito habang tinatanggap yung kape.

"Boyfriend? Si Ram? Ohhh yah nasa Music club at tinutulungan yung team niya na nagprapractice para sa performance nila bukas sa party ng mga Alonzo. Seems like Ran's student, Seth's sister have invited them to sing in the party." Turan nitong iniinum yung kape nito.

"Ahh okay." She said with a smirk.

Umupo siya sa kanyang upuan na swivel chair, halos lahat sila ay swivel chair yung upuan at pare-pareho rin ang kanilang mga table kaya may mga pangalan silang nakalagay sa table nila. Iniisip niya kung nakauwi na kaya si Ran....napano kaya yun.....bakit hindi siya nag-iwan ng sulat sa table niya o nagsabi sa iba para naman hindi siya mag-alala. Well! Dahil din naman sa dami ng ginagawa nila ay nakakalimot na sila...she only hope that she is somewhere safe.

"Why can't I contact people from the city ever since we arrive here?" Turan ni Maha na tinitignan yung cellphone niya. Nagriring naman yung linya tas biglang out of reach daw. Lahat na ata ng sinubukan niyang tawagan ay ganoon. Pati rin daw yung iba….so weird.

Nabalik ang kanyang atensyon sa kasalukuyan nang may narinig siyang kumakatok sa pinto kaya naman tumayo siya at pinagbuksan ito. Nakita niya yung isa sa kanyang studyante sa publication club. Si Dandelia Othreza, yung secretary nung club at nasa 3rd year high school ito.

"Good evening Ma'am, I was sent here by the club president. We want you to check our articles for this week. The editor, Glen has already finished editing and we want you to check it before we publish." Turan nito na namumula dahil mahiyain kasi ito.

Napangiti siya dahil doon, finally she can exercise her skills in linguistics. The club publishes articles every week, they gather news and any announcement for the whole week then they distribute Mondays. I've got to say it again....but this school really is rich and advances more than the schools in the city. She has read the history of the school and she understands why. It seems like the past President who taken over after the founder disappeared has been to different places and have been researching so everything he thinks is really useful...he integrated it and adopted it to this place. When the past President died the next president who bought the school continued improving the school until the school widen and modernized.

"Ma'am?" napabalik ang tingin ni Maha kay Dandelia and she smiles to the girl.

"Okay let's go then." Saad ni Maha na nakangiti.

Kanina pa nakaupo si Maha sa sofa ng malawak nilang club room. Maganda yung room nila like the other school facilities ay may ventilation at may wide flat screen TV doon. Ang limang table rin doon na s'yang ginagamit nila ay may computer at punong-puno ng mga newspaper at mga articles. Kanina pa niya binabasa yung mga articles na mailalagay sa newspaper for the week. Mga balita iyon tungkol sa mga achievements, events na dumaan at mga balita tungkol sa mga studyante na nabubully o mga kasong hinawakan ng SSG council. May isang balita rin doon tungkol sa isang dalagang namatay sa ilog, ayon sa kanyang mga magulang ay nalunod daw ito at Jenny Montrata yung pangalan nito. Napapailing nalang siya dahil doon. Meron din doon yung balita tungkol sa kanila. Mayroon yung litrato nilang pito na nakalagay ang mga information na tungkol sa kanila. Napangiti siya nang mabasa niya yung tungkol sa case na na solve ng mga mystery club, yung club na advisory ni Ran. Seems like her team, the publication club has given them a good interview after that happening.

Napatawa nalang siya sa nabasang pahayag ni Ran tungkol sa tanung na "What do you think of your first case with the club? What can you say about Sahara's actions?" and she answered "Being in a new situation is a little nerve rocking but taking in the challenge given to me is what I look forward to. So far nag enjoy naman ako and by now I'm already proud to my team. All I can say about Sahara's action is that she made her choice, her wrong choice. I know Sahara might think and blamed Dedania or Matt. She might think that if only they have told her sooner, then that all could not happen. But everything we do is based on the choices we make. It is not your parents, your past relationships, your teacher, your friends, and your studies that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for the decisions and choices you make. Always remember that children, before you make the decisions for yourself." Napangiti nalang siya saka niya sinara yung folder na naglalaman ng mga articles ng club at inilapag sa coffee table sa harap niya.

"So what do you think ma'am?" tanung ni Glenvert Bane, ang editor ng club.

"I got to say; right now I'm already proud of all of you. Glen you have edited it so well. This is ready for printing." Nakangiting turan ni Maha.

"Ga-ganon po ba ma'am, thank you po." Turan ni Glen.

Lumapit sa kanila si Myka Sabado isa sa mga news writer at field reporter nila. May hawak itong tray na naglalaman ng kape at nilapag iyon sa harap niya.

"Thank you Myka." Saad ni Maha saka kinukuha yung tasa sa table at dahan-dahang ininum yung kape.

"Ma'am kaming mga field reporters po ay dadalo sa party ng mga Alonzo. Kailangan daw po nating icover yung tungkol doon, personal request of the President. Yung iba naman po ay susubaybayan yung balita tungkol sa nawawalang first year, kailangan naming interviewhin ang mga taga Mystery club. We heard that the librarians have asked the mystery club's help." Turan ni Helen.

Si Helen Pawn ang kanilang tagahawak sa mga schedule at taga assign ng gagawin ng iba. Isa rin itong field reporter nila. Oh did I forget to mention that the newspaper they are printing will also be delivered outside the school, everyone will read their report so the club need to make sure that they cover the right news. Nakaka amaze diba na sa lugar na iyon ay ang mga newspapers na binabasa ng buong lugar ay ginagawa ng club na handle ni Maha. Ganoon nagproprogress ang lugar despite sa mga mga mesteryong tinatago nito.

"Ahmnnn I'm sorry I'm not aware of that news about a missing boy." Turan niyang nagtataka habang inilalapag sa table yung kape niya.

"I believe his name is Joey Tallefer, he is in first year high school student who love reading books. He is the 3rd son of the family who owned the flower shop in this place. They are so devastated and desperate to find him. He was last seen in the town's book store and I heard about a mysterious book that he have acquired on the library before he was gone missing for 4 days. The last thing I heard is that that book was found again by Ms. Kayle, one of our librarians on the same place she found it before. I heard that they have given it to the mystery club as a clue to where they can find Joey." Report ni Helen sa kanila habang matamang nakikinig yung iba.

"Oh I see. I hope they can find him sooner. Mukhang magiging madalas ang pagcocover natin sa club ng Mystery club ah." Nakangiting turan niya at nakatingin lang sa kanya yung team niya.

Tahimik si Mahang naglalakad pauwi. Napapabuntong hininga siya dahil sa pagod na nararamdaman. Pagkatapos niyang nakipag-usap sa club niya ay bumalik siya sa office niya at nakitang wala na doon si Sofan. Nakita naman niya yung sinulat nito sa white board nila doon na sinasabing mauuna na sila nina Jovy at Bri na uuwi, na dapat umuwi siya agad o magpasama sa mga patrol officers na nagbabantay sa school kung uuwi siya na magagabihan. Naisip niyang magcheck muna ng mga papel ng kanyang mga studyante. Saka nalang niya narealize na 9 na pala at gumagabi na, looks like she was caught on her work again the good thing is that she have finished her paper works ang masama ngalang ay ginabihan siya at pagod na pagod na siya. Hindi na siya nagpasama kahit may mga nagpresentang sasamahan siya, Maha thought that she will be fine dahil usually naman siyang ginagabihan at naglalakad pauwi noong nasa city pa sila

"Next time I'll set an alarm. Nakakainis naman ohh gabi na at walang katao-tao, weird walang ni isang naglalakad dito sa daan." Turan niyang iniilaw ang kanyang cellphone sa dinadaanan niya.

Napangiti siya nang makita niyang malapit na siya sa lumang mansyon sa gilid ng daan at nakita niya yung liwanag ng ilaw ng poste sa kabilang gilid ng daan. Nang nasa mesmong harap na siya ng mansion ay biglang umihip ang napakalakas na hangin at nililipad ang kanyang mga buhok na pilit niyang tinatakpan upang hindi magulo. Napasinghap siya nang biglang nagpapatay sindi yung ilaw sa poste.

"What the heck!" gulat at takot na nautal ni Maha saka binilisan ang lakad.

"Saan ka pupunta? Maglaro tayo...ikaw ang taya."

Napalinga-linga siya dahil sa narinig, napakunot noo siya dahil wala namang ibang tao doon. Nangilabot siya dahil sa nagdadagsaan na naman ang mga imahe sa isip niya sa kung sino yung nagsalita. Ghost, monster, dwende, aswang name them all at napangilabot siya.

"Oh ano, maglalaro pa ba tayo?" nanigas siya sa kanyang kinatatayuan ng bigla nanamang may nagsalita at ngayon ay naririnig niya iyon mula sa kanyang likuran.

Nanigas si Maha sa kanyang kinatatayuan thinking if she will look back or to run away.........dahan-dahan siyang tumingin sa kanyang likuran. Pinagpapawisan siya at naririnig na niya ang mabilis na tibok ng kanyang puso. Napabuntong hininga siya nang wala siyang nakita na kung ano sa kanyang likuran. Hahakbang na sana siya paalis doon nang biglang may parang kamay na humawak sa kanyang kaliwang paa kaya napasubsub siya sa lupa.

"Ahhhhhh....Ouch." Turan niyang dahan-dahang tumatayo.

"We are not done yet. Where do you think you're going?" napasinghap siya nang biglang may nagsalita ulit.

Lumingalinga si Maha upang tingnan ang kanyang paligid. Dahil sa matinding takot ay hindi niya namamalayang pumapatak na pala yung kanyang mga luha at nanginginig ang kanyang buong katawan sa takot. Niyakap niya ng napakahigpit ang kanyang bag at dali-daling humakbang palayo doon nang biglang may nakita siyang isang babaeng nakaputi na nakatayo sa tabi ng poste na lalampasan na sana niya. Nanigas siya sa kanyang kinatatayuan. Dahan-dahang tinaas nung babae yung mukha nito at napasigaw siya dahil sa nakita. Nakakatakot yung mukha nung babae, wala yung isang mata nito at nakatahi yung bibig nito. Nakita niyang ngumiti yung babae ng nakakaluka at dahil sa takot ay napapikit siya.

"Ahhhhhhhhh tu-tulongan ninyo ako!" Napasigaw siya nang may maramdaman siyang nakahawak sa kanyang likod at parang may humihinga sa kanyang batok.

"Hahahah ayaw ko nga. Now your mine." Narinig niyang parang may bumulong sa kanya. Napatakip siya ng tinga at napasigaw ng pagkalakas-lakas. Pakiramdam niya ay unti-unti siyang naghihina at lumalamig ang kanyang pakiramdam.

"TULONGAN NINYO AKO!" napapaos niyang sigaw.

Lalo siyang napasigaw nang biglang may nakita siyang papalapit na isang itim na parang tao ang itsura. Dahil sa matinding takot ay hindi niya namalayang nandilim na ang kanyang paningin at nawalan na siya ng malay. Ang huli nalang niyang naramdaman ay ang pag-angat niya sa ere.

"Let's go you still haven't seen the place....the reason why I brought you here." Ngiti ni Ashton kay Ran na masayang tumitingin sa mga libro.

Naglakad sila nang biglang may humarang sa kanila.

"Mr. Brimstone I think I can take it from here. I can show her around and bring her home. I believe you were being called by your friends at the old Panriche Mansion. They said you are really needed." Ani ni Seth na biglang lumabas sa isang pinto doon. Napakunot noo si Ashton ngunit alam naman niyang ligtas si Ran dito kaysa naman sa mag-isa lang ito.

The only thing he hates is that this man pisses him off. Dahil ba kay Ran? Yah perhaps.....or dahil gwapo ito at parang isa sa mga Greek Gods...well! He to can compare but......the way Ran act with him is perhaps the reason why he is pissed with the guy. Ran looks relaxed with Seth while she is always pissed with him....well! siguro nga kasalanan nya rin yun. He took a deep breath and look at this firm guy.

"Look my friend I invited her so it's unmannered for me to just leave her here." Turan niyang nakatingin sa walang kaemo-emosyong mukha nito.

This man really is mysterious and it pisses him off. He really likes to punch this cold man's face if only there is a strong reason where he may do so. NApatingin siya kay Ran, he wants to protect her from this guy. Ewan niya, hindi naman pagmamahal sa isang babae ang nararamdaman niya. It must be a love for a sister or a friend? That must be it.

"Don't worry about it Ash I can manage. Go to your friends they might need you so badly." Ran smiles at him and he has no choice but to listen to her. He gives off a sigh and he look at that man who seems not to care on what is around him.

"Alright, are you sure you will be fine with him?" he said and he hold Ran's shoulder that almost made her shudder, tumango ito kaya nawalan siya ng choice kundi and sundin ang sinabi nito.

Naglakad si Ashton paalis doon ngunit nang nasa tapat na siya ni Seth ay nagsalita ito ng pabulong sa kanya.

"Don't worry she will be safe with me than with you. You almost destroy the place, challenging her temper. Just make sure that if you do that next time, be sure that you know how to control her. She doesn't yet know her own strength, yet." Seth said that made him look at him suspiciously.

Who is this guy? How did he know about Ran's hidden strengths? Who is Seth? These questions are imbedded in his mind. One thing is for sure, this man is not a normal human. Seth walks pass him and approaches Ran. Ashton fought with his urge to look back. He continues walking when he heard Ran calls his name.

"Ash." Ran said that made him turn again.

He saw that Seth is walking with his back on him and Ran. Ran smiles at him before waving.

"Thank you." She said and she smiled as she waves at her hand.

"See yah." Turan niyang nakangiti rito, he gives her a salute and he left.

Napatingin siya sa kanyang relo at nakita niyang 9:10 na at palapit na siya sa mansion. Anong ginagawa ng kanyang team sa mansion ng wala siyang nalalaman? Meron pa kaya sila eh masyadong gabi na. Naglalakad siya nang makarinig siya ng isang sigaw. Sigaw iyon ng isang babae at mukhang malapit iyon sa mansion. Dali-dali siyang tumakbo sa mansion upang tingnan kung sino, nag-aalala siya at baka sina Lilbenia iyon at may masamang nangyayari sa kanila.

"TULONGAN NINYO AKO!" Narinig niyang sigaw nung babae at ngayon ay napakalakas yung sigaw nito.

Dali-dali siyang bumaba sa kakahuyan upang makarating sa kalsada. Nakita niyang may babaeng nakaupo sa daan at sumisigaw. Nagulat pa siya dahil sa nakikita niya. Hindi lang yung babae ang nandoon. He saw swards of spirits roaming around her, holding her shoulder and touching her hair. It is as if they are feasting on her human light. He runs towards the girl and using his ability he waves his hand together and a light of blue came out of his hands. Itinutok niya sa mga iyon yung ilaw at dali-dali naman silang nawala.

Oh didn't I also mention that HE has this special ability that he uses. That is the reason why he is a ghost hunter, he can summon light and he is far stronger than any average man. The question is.....who is he? John is not really his biological brother.....in short he is adopted. You might be wondering where his biological parents are. Well! He already stopped asking that. Perhaps they abandoned him because of his unhuman abilities. Who can blame them? A freak for a son....para ka lang nakalunok ng tinik na pilit kang pinapatay paunti-unti. Pero pakiramdam niya ay tadhana niyang mapunta sa Vengeance at makilala si Ran, but why?

"Miss, are you okay?" Ashton runs towards the girl, nagulat nalang siya sa nakita.

The girl is wearing the same uniform as Ran and when he turns her around he is beyond shock. The unconscious girl is none other than Ran's best friend........Shemaha Brayle or Maha as they call her.

Ashton carries her and he was stunned that he manages to. Maha have the same feature with Ran but Maha seem taller and chubbier. He was amazed that she weighted a little less despite of her body structure. Kung ibang lalaki ay baka hindi nila kakayanin, he is lucky that he kept himself fit all this time. Maha is still unconscious and as he look around he realize that his team are not there. He slowly kneels down to pick Maha's bag. As he walks towards the town he can't help but to look at the unconscious girl's face. Her clothes are stained with dirt and her hair is a mess yet.....she looks cuter that way. Her lips are peach of red and her cheeks are pale. There is a tiny drop of tear in her closed eyes and her face is too cold. Ashton look again to her tempting lips just to feel his face redden because of the chain of thoughts that suddenly run to his stupid brain.

"Men what's wrong with me?" he shook his head and directed his eyes to the road.

He walks towards the house where the new temporary teachers are staying. He was already breathing heavily when he approaches the mini gate. Luckily it was not locked that he just kicked it open, he stop right in front of the door. He can see the bright light inside and some worried voices talking inside.

"THAT'S IT; I'm going to look for them. Sofan, come with me. Mark stay with Jovy and Bri, call us if they are home already. I can't just sit here and wait." Ashton heard a man's worried voice.

He was about to call them when the door suddenly opens and 2 guy with worried faces pops out. They stop on their track upon seeing him and they worriedly look at the unconscious girl he is carrying in his arms. He smiled and took a deep breath.

"What the hell happened? What did you do to her?" nakita niyang nag-iiba yung mukha nung isang lalaki.

"I found her on the road.....near the old mansion. Ahmnnnn can you at least help me with her bag and let me in. Baka hindi ko kayanin at mahulog ko siya." he said and the 2 men stir at what he said.

"Here give me her bag." The man he remembers as Sofan said and he grabsbed Maha's bag from Maha's abdomen where he have put it.

The guy who seems to be the acting elder brother to the group and they call as Ramhil widen the door and guided him in.

"Sorry for the trouble and thank you. Pasensya na, ano ba kasing naisip ng babaeng yan at nagpagabi ng walng kasama. Here I will guide you to her room." Ramhil worriedly said and he walks ahead up the stairs as he follows.

They stop on the 3rd door and Ramhil opens it and went in, Ashton follows inside the dark room and the light spread to the room when Ramhil turn on the switch.

"Thank you ones again, Mr. Ashton. Pasensya na rin sa abala." Turan nito.

"Please just call me Ash. No problem, just please next time tell her not to go home late." He said as he laid her on her bed.

Nakita niyang sumunod pala sa kanila si Sofan at yung dalawa pang kasama nila. He thinks the gay one is Brian or Bri and the lovely sexy lady is Jovy. Nakita niyang inilagay ni Sofan yung bag ni Maha sa gilid at hinawakan nito yung balikat ni Ramhil.

"Thank you Ash, now then where is Ran?" Sofan said in almost a whisper.

"So hindi pa rin pala sila nakakabalik." turan niya na naglalakad palapit sa kanila.

Nakasalubong naman niya si Jovy na lumalapit sa kama.

"Oo kanina pa kami nag-aalala sa dalawang yan. What happened to Maha anyway?" turan ni Sofan na napapakunot noo.

"I found her unconscious on the road. I think she fell and hit her head on the ground." Turan niya.

"What? I'll check." Turan ni Jovy at napatingin silang lahat dito.

"Nope she's not hit at all. Ngunit yung damit niya....she's a total mess. Lumabas kayong lahat at papalitan ko ang damit niya. Bri help me; please bring some warm water here and a face towel. I need to wipe her off with that dirt. She looks so terrible....namumula rin yung kamay niya at gasgas yung braso niya." Turan nitong nakatingin kay Maha na parang luluha sa nakikita.

"Okay." Turan ni Bri at bumaba agad ito.

Napatingin ulit sila kay Jovy nang nakita nilang tinanggal na nito yung blazer at sando ni Maha ay namula silang tatlong lalaki at dali-dali silang tumalikod at lumabas sa pinto na agad naman na sinara ni Ramhil. Napatingin sila kay Ramhil nang nagring yung cellphone nito. Nakikipag-usap ito sa tumawag at saka nito ibinulsa yung cellphone ng matapos.

"That is Ran she said she is fine and she might come home late. She said we need not to worry...may maghahatid daw sa kanya pauwi." Turan ni Ramhil.

"I guess that's it. We need to rest. Maraming salamat ulit Ash." Turan ni Mark at tumango siya.

"Yap....I have to go to. Good night to you all. Ahhh by the way.....para hindi matakot si Maha, ones she wake up and ask what happened. Mas magandang sabihin ninyong nakatulog siya sa office ninyo at sinundo ninyo siya roon. When I found her she was so terrified.....it is as if she saw something there. It's better for her to forget it so just do what I said." Ashton said as the 2 look at each other and they nod, he went down the stairs and head back to their temporary home.