Life vs Death (2)

Tinulungan ko si Rick na ayusin ang mini stage na andito na naman sa gitna ng field. Another group is performing later, The Lavender group led by Franco. "Ms. Treasurer." That voice. I turned my back and stopped decorating the stage when I heard his voice. "Sabi ko, Pangalan nalang ang itawag mo. At nagsalita ang, Hindi former treasurer." Natatawang Sabi ko. "Ikaw na may hawak 'nun eh! At bagay nga sa'yo!" He poked my waist kaya napadaing ako. Binatukan ko nga.

"Oo nga pala, Asan si Walter? Hindi ko ata sila nasilayan dito." Isang ngiti lang ang isinagot ko at itinuloy ang aking pagdedesign sa stage. The stage becomes a mess after the performance of Magenta Group, though I didn't have the chance to watch it personally I can say that they did great from the eyes of the crowd.

"No idea." Sagot ko. Tumayo ako galing sa sahig atsaka tumango kay Rick. He gave me an 'Ok' sign before he let me leave. It's early in the morning and I haven't taken a bath yet. Pumunta ako sa tent namin para Kunin ang mga dala kong gamit at ang coat ko. I heard laughter from outside the tent and I had no plan to eavesdrop on what they are laughing about. It's Walter and Victor though.

I stepped out of the tent and clutched my chest when someone approached me. "Did I startled you?" Tanong ni Ethel sa akin. I replied with a soft smile. "Yes, you did. " I answered. "Aren't you supposed to practice? It's your brawl later." Tanong ko sa Kanya. She's still wearing her pajama and it looks like, she just got awake and headed here hurriedly.

"I still had a lot of hours to practice. Mamaya pa namang 12 pm ang brawl. " Sumabay ito sa akin palabas sa field. It's kinda new to me since, Hindi mo siya masyadong nasasabayan. Unlike Franco. "Ganoon ba? Galingan mo mamaya." Nakangiting bilin ko. "Hindi ka nanuod kahapon. May nangyari ba?"

"Wala naman~" I gave him a smile and pat her shoulder for the last time. "I gotta go back to the dorm and fix myself. I'll be watching your brawl later either you win or lose." She smiled so I smiled back. Dumiretso ako sa hallway papunta sa main building and I am surprised when I didn't saw the silhouette of the young man that appears in my dream, near the tree. Bakit kaya?

I did my morning ritual and after that, I wore my off-shoulder shirt. There's a text written on it and it said "Girl's Rule" which is true. Kidding asides. I am wearing my white jeans and comb my hair in front of my mirror. I got startled when someone knocked on my door.

I am not expecting any visitors now. So who might this be? "Coming." I frowned and took my wand. Pinihit ko ang doorknob ng Dahan-Dahan and open it widely nang maaninag ko, Kung Sino ang kuma-katok. "Bakit nandito kayo?" Tanong ko sa kanila bago ko sila tinalikuran. I am not in the mood to start a conversation with them, but I appreciate their effort to drop by in my room.

"Papasukin mo muna kami, Hazel! Dalawang beses na kaming pabalik-balik dito eh." Hindi ko sinagot si Walter at pinagpatuloy nalang ang pagsusuklay ko. "We bought foods. I and Walter are planning to eat breakfast with you." I fix myself in the mirror and nodded my head.

Pumunta ako sa kama ko para kunin ang sapatos ko sa ilalim. "Ilagay mo na!" Victor commanded. Every time I heard him, boss, around than messing with us, it makes me think deeply that he's part of an Intimidating group of people. But when he is messing around, I am doubting either he's part of an Intimidating and Manipulating group. After all, Victor is Victor and he only applies that intimidating tone when he is solemn.

When I turn my body to face them, a bunch of food filled my mini couch. They are standing behind the couch, hands in their back, and looking down. I puckered my lips. "I am supposed to be a mad hooman until the competition ends but.... you guys are making me soft." They tilt their head to glance at me. "AHHHH! HAZEL!!"

They are puckering their lips when they gave me a tight hug. I gave back a tight hug too. They are rubbing my back. "I'm sorry~ I didn't mean what I said yesterday. Nadala lang ako, kasi part naman talaga ang kamatayan sa kompetisyong ginaganap natin, but then again, I realize my mistake. I'm really sorry" Sinampal ko ng Mahina ang likod ni Victor na ikinatawa naman nito. "Bati na ba tayo?"

"Oo!" I replied, giggling. "Sorry din, Kung nag walk-out ako kahapon."

"Aiyah! Kahapon is kahapon, iba ngayon okeey? Ang importante ay bati na kayong dalawa! Kumain na tayo!" Nagsimula na kaming kumain habang itong dalawang kasama ko ay nag-uusap tungkol sa brawl na nangyari kahapon. White VS Green. White group won because they use their swords before the fight starts. Mabilis siyang nangyari.

Pagkatapos naming kumain, sabay kaming tatlong lumabas sa kwarto ko at lumabas sa dorm. They wrapped their arms around my shoulder and I looked like their sibling. Pagdating namin sa main field, dumiretso kami sa tent namin at hinubad ang suot naming coat putting our wands inside our pocket.

"We meet again. So sad." I clicked my tongue before I composed myself to ignore him. Tuwing ba nagkakakross ang landas namin ay parati niya akong aasarin sa pagiging pure-blooded ko? When will he stop? He's already 19 years old. Tumabi si Keith sakin since his chair is beside mine. He takes off his coat and places it on his monoblock.

"I saw what you did. I can console the panelist. It's a foul though." I tie my hair into a ponytail just for a change and headed to the exit of our exit. "Sabihin mo lang. Hindi rin naman ako magdadalawang isip na pagbigyan alam ang panelist sa ginawa mo sa akin." I turn my head to him and smile.

"Let's go, Haz- Ikaw na naman, Keith? Ano na naman ang ginawa mo sa kaibigan namin?" Hinawakan ko ang braso ni Walter bago pa niya masapak si Keith at umiling. "Tara na. Magsisimula na ang brawl maya-maya." Wala nang nagawa si Walter kundi ang tumango nalang at nagpadala sa akin.

We stepped out of the tent and headed to the bleachers where we seat yesterday. The alignment changes since katabi ko na ngayon si Mr. Rico U and beside me is Walter waving to his father. "My friend, papie" Papie? Tumingin ako kay Victor pero tinawanan niya lang ako. "He is childish, what do you expect?" He said. Binatukan naman siya ni Walter. "Ampupu narinig ko 'yon!"

"Victor! Long time no see!" Victor shows respect to Walter's father and bows his head politely before he took his hand at nagmano. Mabait naman pala. "Same to you po, Tito. Magreserve po kayo ng kwarto ah. Sa inyo po ako u-uwi pagkatapos ng klase."

"Aysus! Walang problema aba! At ikaw naman si Hazel?" Tumango ako atsaka inilahad din ang kamay ko. Pogi ang tatay ni Walter at kitang-Kita na, Hindi namana ni Walter ang Mukha sa tatay niya. "Oo, po. Nice to meet you po" He nodded and patted my head. Yes, Walter didn't inherit the appearance of his father but he inherits his soft attitude. "Ikaw din ba ay doon din sa Bahay titira pagkatapos ng klase? May 3 years pa kayo bago gumraduate." I shook my head.

"Nako! Hindi po! Uuwi po ako sa amin at babalik next school year." Ngumiti ang tatay ni Walter atsaka tumango. "Kamukhang-kamukha mo ang tatay mo!" I frowned. He know my father? Mukhang nabasa naman niya ang facial expression ko kaya ngumiti na naman siya. "Oo, iha. Kilala ko ang tatay mo. Katulad lang din siya sa'yo. May intimidating aura, cold at, Hindi masyadong palangiti. Pero, mabait siyang tao. 'Yon ang isinisigurado ko. Kaya nga minahal siya ni Rowena. Haha"

"Paano po?" He was about to spoke nang umingay ang main field. The horn is making a sound and likewise, Rick is the one who did the opening and introduction. "I'll tell you soon. Sa ngayon, e Kailangan ko munang mag-focus dito." Tumango siya sa direksyon namin bago ibinaling ang kanyang attention sa field.

Kahit anong gawin kong pagkokoncentrate ay, Hindi ko parin ito magawa. Kilala ng tatay ni Walter ang tatay ko. What's between them? Ano ba talaga si daddy? Nakapagtapos din ba siya dito? Ano ang ginagawa niya nung buhay pa siya? Nung araw na madalang siyang umuwi sa bahay?

"Hazel. Focus." Tumingin ako kay Victor atsaka tumango. I need to focus on the brawl. Ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko at huminga ng malalim. Napakahirap naman. "Nabobother talaga ako." Mahinang bulong ko sa sarili ko. Napatingin silang dalawa sa akin at hinaplos ang likod ko.

"Kakausapin natin ulit si papie after ng brawl mamaya. Okay? 'Wag ka na ma-bother." Tumingin ako kay Walter atsaka tumango. "Thank you" I mouthed ngiti lang ang isinagot niya sa akin bago ulit tumingin sa field. I did the same with my squint eyes. I need to focus most of the time. In case something happened, my memory will be useful.

Ethel fished out his wand to summon her white sword. I was amazed at how did she manage to join the white group and knowing, Ethel she is a skilled person. How did I say so? She can't get the vice-president position if she didn't brawl with someone right? And besides, It took a while before Walter claims the position though.

Valerie darted her arrow to Ethel but Ethel avoided it hurriedly. Wizards have senses that they can read what's their opponent's methods inside their head. Hope all wizards. I smirked when Ethel uses a spell for herself to fasten her speed. She's now behind Valerie.

Even though Valerie also has a quick sense, It looks like she has forgotten to read the mind of her opponent. "Tonnerre et éclair!" I gasped when Valerie's bow turned into a wand and was pointed directly to Ethel.

A loud thunder with lightning surrounded the field as it starts raining. Agad namang inilabas ng boys ang kanya-kanya nilang payong at pinatayo ako. I had no choice but to obey them. Walter is holding his umbrella and was seating on my left side beside his father while Victor is on my right side beside Warren. Both umbrella's edges pointed in my direction. I ended up getting more soaked because of this. Nagpatuloy ang brawl habang ako naman ay binalewala nalang ang pagka-basa ko sa ulan.

The brawl is getting tensed since I can smell tension between the two. Magenta had 4 members and White had 6 members but they remain lowkey and fight leader x leader. "Is it necessary to knock down your opponent like kill them to regard you as a winner?" I whispered to Victor. He shook his head. "Not really. You just need to make sure that your opponent will be unconscious for three to five days." He replied.

Then, "What about Z?"

"We told the panelist about that and they still declare Green Group as the winner. Since they understand that you just did it because you owe your life to him, they consider it a fair game. Excluding Mr. Arson and his son. They are furious for the reason that what you did is favoritism." So that's why Keith confronted me with that issue earlier.

I heave a sigh before nodding. "Thanks."

"Anything for our only girl." I smiled at him before I draw my attention to the intense brawl.

Burning eyes in anger, Ethel turned her sword into a wand to bring back the sunshine. The gray sunshine rather. I tilt my head up and smiled when the rain stopped. They start to heat the fight again and I must confess that Ethel had a strong chance of winning right now. I promised her early in the morning that I am going to watch her brawl in which I did right now.

I missed watching his brawl with Walter, and I didn't get the chance to see and witness her skills, and at this point. She left me speechless. She is a lady with a lot of methods and techniques to deceive her enemy by this, I might give her a round of applause when she won this round. While Valerie is busy roaming her eyes around on how did Ethel turned the sky back into gray. The wise Ethel attacked her from the back.

I smirked. "Game over."

--

"Naubos ang boses ko." Tinawanan namin si Rick. He spend all his time to kick in and host the competition. I feel bad. Kung may ganon lang akong talento ay baka natulungan ko na siya sa pagho-host pero sa kasamaang palad ay wala naman akong ganong talento. "I still can't believe that she attacked her from the back." Manghang sabi ni Walter. Ako rin naman, Kung ako rin siguro si Valerie ay mamamangha din ako kung paano naibalik sa dati ang kalangitan.

Ethel deserves her last name. "What do you expect from Ethel Wise?" Victor said. I smiled before I continue eating my late lunch. It's already 2:50 pm and we are expecting White vs Lavender later. In short, Ethel vs Franco. Tuwing naalala ko 'Yung sinabi ni Rick na si Ethel at Franco ang magba-brawl mamaya ay napapatawa nalang ako. Ang Sabi ni Rick ay ayaw na ayaw niya daw kay Ethel dahil sa husay at galing nito. Akalain mo nga naman. Mapaglaro Talaga ang tadhana.

"Magaling no! Talaga naman! Hindi na ako makapaghintay mamaya!" Pagkatapos kung kumain, kumuha ako ng dragon sed sa plato ni Rick at inilagay ito sa akin. Hindi naman siya naka-imik sa ginawa ko at napailing nalang.

They talk a lot and poor Warren can't relate. I peel my dragon sed using my teeth and throw the peel away. They throw some questions at me and when I was about to answer them, they'll be the ones answering their own questions so I just nodded every time they asked me questions.

Time check; It's already 3:30 when we arrive at the main field. My wet clothes were now dry. Victor helped me to dry them and he also gave me a cup of hot coffee so I won't catch a cold. Rick gave me his coat in case the brawl will end up like earlier where there are rain and shine, he gave his coat to me in advance to protect myself from the rain.

I cross my legs, place Rick's coat on my lap. I tie my hair into a bun and rubs my nose. White Vs Lavender started and even though, I'm far from the field since I sat beside the juries. I clearly saw the bitter smile that Franco made. "If worse come to worse, can I help?"

Tumingin sa akin si Victor at tinitigan ako ng ilang minuto bago tumango. "Just make sure, na balido ang rason mo." I smiled and turns my hands into fists. "I'll assure you that." Ngumiti lang si Victor bago itinuon ulit sa brawl ang attensyon niya. Hindi ko naman mapigilang mapangiti din. Tumunog na ang horn kaya naman tumayo na sa kanilang mga upuan si Franco at Ethel.

Whoever won this brawl, ang makakalaban nila ay Pink. Ang buong akala ko ay nang lumipat ako sa SS group(yellow) mawawala na ang pink pero mali ako. Mukhang may ibang naghahandle ng pink. I am a hundred percent sure that he/she is a mortal. Who might it be?

"Ilag!" Sigaw ng mga estudyante. Agad naman naman akong yumuko at sakto namang nakarinig ako ng mahinang pagcrack sa likuran ko. Dahan-Dahan kong iniangat ang tingin ko at tumingin sa likuran ko. The wall cracked. I... WHAT THE HELL!?

"Ang dami mong iniisip." I frowned. "Huh?" Tumawa si Walter atsaka umiling. "Your expression explains what you're thinking right now." Napakamot nalang ako sa braso ko atsaka ngumiti ng tipid. Ganoon ba kahalata na madami akong iniisip? Napabuntong hininga nalang ako at ibinaling ang attensyon ko sa laro.

Ethel is panting while Franco is after her. They look like they are planning tag but in death circumstances. I squint my eyes when Ethel shakes her wand to the air composing airs. Geez. Are they fighting for the prize or they are fighting with their emotions? Napahawak ako sa coat ni Rick na nasa binti ko dahil sa malakas na ihip ng hangin.

"Their emotions are so strong. I know they are not on good terms but, they might kill each other." I mumbled to myself. I can't see their exchange of spells because of the strong wind. Sometimes, I can't help but close my eyes. I thought only Green Group can produce this kind of spell. It's universal. "Someone is...." Parang narinig ni Victor ang ibinulong ko kaya inilabas niya ang wand niya and spell everything back to normal.

I cover my eyes from the bright light. It took many minutes before everything went back to normal. "Franco! Ethel!" A loud thump in my chest when I recognize the two people laying on the ground. Mabilis akong bumaba. Sumunod naman sa akin si Walter at Victor. They had no idea what's happening but just earlier. When the field is filled with strong wind, someone is using a wand. I can see it clearly! The tip of the wand lights. Who might that be...

"Ethel is still breathing." Hinawakan ko ang balikat ni Franco atsaka pinulsuhan ito. "He's still alive. Let's bring them to the campus hospital." Bumaba na din ang mga estudyante para tinginan kung ano ang nangyayari. Mr. Arson stopped me at first to bring them to the campus hospital but I just ignored him.

Nagising si Ethel after some minutes kaya nagpa-iwan si Victor doon sa field. I am with Warren and Walter. Tinakbo na namin ang campus hospital para masagip si Franco. My chest is beating pound and it struggles me to take a breath. We waited outside and I clasp my hands. "Who did this... Maayos naman kanina. Oo, mainit ang laban nila pero bakit pareho silang nawalan ng malay?" Exactly what I am thinking right now.

"Nakita ko ang gumawa nito sa kanila." Napatingin ako kay Warren atsaka huminga ng malalim. "Sino?"

"Othelia..."

--

After finding out that Franco's now resting. Nakahinga kami ng maluwag. The doc and nurse allowed us to come inside and visit him but we told her that Victor needs our company in the field in which she understands. She said, she'll just gonna spill to Franco what happens as soon as he gets well.

Bumalik kaming tatlo sa field. Naglakad na kami papunta sa upuan namin. Everything went back to normal and it's already 5 pm. Ethel Vs Pink Group. Saktong pag-upo ko ay in-announce ni Rick and leader ng Grupo.

"And now students, I am pleased to welcome everyone. The President of Elf Club in Valmer Junior High. Our new exchange student, The leader of Pink Wand, is the only group for mortals. Oishi Gamalo." Napatigil ako sa pag-titiklop ng coat ni Rick at ini-angat ang tingin ko.