Chapter 2

ENEMY

We were on our way to our classroom when Joi Cruz came to us blocking our way.

"Pres, vice, sec, pinapatawag kayo ni Mr Principal."tawag sa amin ni Joi na may konting accent. We all grimaced when we saw her thick make up.

She smiled stiffly then turned her back. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan bakit sobra siyang maglagay ng make up. Parang pinaglaruan ng bata ang mukha niya. Ang hula ko ay may angkin siyang ganda. Kung tatanggalin lang sana niya ang make up niya..Tapos ang katawan ay sobrang mahubog pa. Sexy at matangkad. Sobrang puti din.

"Sandali Joi, alam mo ba kung ano ang agenda?" Tanong ko sa kanya. At pinaseryoso ang mukha ko. She just shook her head then flipped her hair before walking away.

"Ewan ko ba bakit siya nagustuhan ni Bryce!"Inis na sabi ni Megan.

"Wala kang magagawa. Baliw na baliw eh."natatawang sagot ko.

Napaismid si Megan.

Nakaalitan na ni Megan si Josiah Marie Cruz a.k.a Joi dahil kay Bryce Silva na dati naming Student Council President. Away na muntik nang ika suspend nilang dalawa.

They never spoke to each other after that.

Dumiretso kaming tatlo sa office ni Mr Principal at kumatok. Isipin palang na papasok na naman ako sa office na ito ay hindi ko mapigilang kilabutan.

We heard his answer so we opened the door. I swallowed hard then walked slowly inside. My friends behind me.

He was so huge with big tummy and tall. He looked like a villain in a movie with his dark aura. Pero ni minsan ay hindi ko pa naranasang mapagalitan niya. Siguro dahil sa laki niyang tao kaya nagmumukha siyang nakakatakot.

"Good morning po Mr Prince epal." Pambungad na bati ni Meg. Napatakip ako ng bibig nya. Ang baliw talaga nito. Ipapahamak pa kami.

He furrowed his bushy eyebrows and looked intently on Megan. I just shook my head when she stiffened beside me.

"Good morning po Sir. Kamusta po ang bakasyon? Mukha pong maganda ang naidulot ng pahinga sa inyo Sir. Mas naging gwapo kayo." pambobola ko na nakangiti ng malaki at dumiretso sa tapat ng lamesa nya para matakpan si Megan.

"Very well Miss Ranoco. I enjoyed it so well that I am looking forward for this school year." He answered me with his deep voice. Then eyed me seriously. Gusto kong sakalin si Megan sa katabilan niya.

Mukhang mapapahamak pa ata kami.

"Do I really look good?" He said then touched his thin hair.

Our jaws dropped from his change of tune. I looked at my friends and they both took my sides and Megan complimented him more.

"Opo Sir. Ang gwapo nyo. Parang may kamukha na kayong hollywood actor."

"Talaga? Sige nga. Sino ba yun?" sabay tingin sa amin na may naaaliw na ngiti.

Hinablot ni Arana si Megan sa buhok para patigilin na. Natigilan si Megan na animo'y nag iisip nang malalim.

"Teka lang sir, nakalimutan ko ung pangalan eh. Kapag natandaan ko na sasabihin ko po sa inyo."nagpapasaklolong tumingin si Megan kay Arana.

Napabuntong hininga nalang kami ni Arana at humarap na kay Mr Principal.

"Sir, may kailangan po ba kayo sa amin?"Arana asked.

"Yes! We have three new students here. Three senior high school. Two girls and a boy. Ang isa ay pamangkin nang senator natin. Kaya aasahan kong itatrato nyo sya ng maayos. Ayokong may maririnig na complaint galing kay Miss Monteverde."

Napalingon kami nang may kumatok sa office ni Mr Principal.

"Ayan na pala sila. Please come in." Nakangiting sabi ni Mr Principal sa mga bagong dating.

Isa isang pumasok ang mga bagong studyante.

The first girl was wearing a friendly smile. She looked like a barbie doll with creamy white flawless skin and long brown hair. She's tall, has hooded light brown eyes, small nose, and thin pink lips. She also had an small oval face. She's really gorgeous.

In the middle was a girl with blond bob cut hair. Skinny, tall and fair skin. Medyo masungit ang dating niya. She was wearing red lipstick and a scowl. But she's pretty.

Sa dulo nila ay ang nag iisang lalaki. He's tall, with broad shoulders. He's very attractive. And sexy. He has grey hooded eyes that could melt anyone just by looking at you. With thick light brown hair, thick eyebrows, high nose bridge and red thin lips. Mala model ang mga bago naming students.

"So this is Miss Shanelle Monteverde, Miss Laila Sigua at Mister Travis Wright." Turo ni Mr Principal sa tatlo.

I smiled at them and offered my hand. Agad agad na inabot nn Shanelle ang kamay ko at pinisil. Sobrang friendly talaga niya. Habang ang dalawa ay parang walang pakialam at mabilisang inabot lang ang mga kamay namin. Halata na si Shanelle lang ang interesado dahil siya lang ang nakipagusap sa amin habang kinikuha ni Principal ang mga schedule nila.

"I will assign each one of you to our new students, guide them and help them in each subject and tour them around. I will count on you."

"Miss Ranoco and Miss Monteverde, you will be partners until Miss Monteverde gets used to our school. Please let me know if you need something and we'll try and give it to you."he said in his friendly tone then glanced at Travis and Megan then Arana and Laila.

"Miss Relano and Mr Wright you'll be partners and Miss Ruiz and Miss Sigua. Here's your schedule. So, you may go now. Have fun while learning."he said dismissively.

Nang makalabas kami sa office ay inilibot na namin sila.

Si Shanelle ay sobrang palakaibigan at madali naming nakagaanan nang loob samantalang si Laila ay halatang iritado na at gusto nang pumasok sa classroom. Si Travis naman ay parang may sariling mundo at nakahead set na.

Nagmadali kaming pumasok sa building namin nang magbell na.

Kaklase namin ang tatlo kaya mabilis akong nakapag request ng mauupuan nila at nagkatabi tabi kaming apat nina Megan.

Bagong student. Bagong kaibigan.

"Pres, mauna na kami. May kailangan ka pa ba?"Megan asked while getting up from her chair. Arana stood up too and both of them came to me. I looked at the clock and I found that it was nearly five o'clock in the afternoon.

"Okay na ako. I-tidy up ko nalang itong desk ko and ready to go na." I answered. I knew that they were worried about me being alone here, but I had to assure them that i would be fine.

"Salamat besties." I waved them goodbye. They smiled and waved back. They walked slowly then disappeared in my sight.

Mabilis kong kinuha ang mga paperbags na binigay nina Megan sa akin at inilapag sa table ko para hindi ko na makalimutan ulit. It has been a week now since our school started. At hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin nakikita ang laman ng mga ito dahil naging busy na ako sa nagdaang linggo.

I sat and leaned on my chair when I felt my head throbbed. Sumasakit ang ulo ko sa mga request ng mga kapwa ko estudyante. Kada taon ay may panibago silang hiling.

Tumayo na ako ang inimis ang mga kalat. Tambak na agad ang mga babasahin kong papers tungkol sa mga gagawin ngayong taon.

Nang matapos ay nagwalis ako at tinapon ang basura sa gilid ng building namin.

Our school has main six four-storey buildings. One in each grade. In the middle was the fountain. Sa likuran naman nang grade seven to nine buildings ay ang gymnasium. Sa likuran namin ay ang mini forest. The gymnasium and the forest were connected by rough tiled pathways with old victorian lamp posts. On each side were stone benches and table and flower boxes full of different flower varieties. There were lots of tall trees and fruit trees. They give fresh air and shade if you wanted to be out and be with the nature. It was so romantic especially if you would walk along the pathway at night with your partner..

Napapangiti ako nang makita ang mga namumulaklak na mga bulaklak. It was like paradise.

Napakunot ang noo ko nang may makita na bulto ng lalaki na nakahiga sa ilalim ng puno nang mangga.

Napalapit ako sa kanya para gisingin. Nang makalapit ako sa kanya ay hindi ko siya mamukhaan dahil may nakapatong na libro sa mukha niya. He looked big and muscled. Parang may ideya na ako pero ayoko namang mag assume. Mahirap na. I tapped his arm that was on his forehead. When he didn't move, I knelt on his side and tapped him again.

"Kuya, gising na po kayo. Magsasara na ang school."panggigising ko.

Nang walang kakilos kilos ay inuga ko na ang braso nya. Inilapit ko ang bibig ko sa tainga niya at sumigaw.

"Kuya!! Magsasara na ang school!"

Napabalikwas ang lalaki kaya natanggal ang libro sa mukha. Si Travis!

"Fuck!"he swore then looked at me sharply.

Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mga mata. Kaya pala hindi na namin siya nakita ulit maghapon!

"Bakit nandito ka?" Naiinis na tanong ko.

"Ipapaalala ko lang sayo Mr Wright na may pasok maghapon dito at hindi ito gaya sa Manila na pinanggalingan mo!"

"At nakalagay yong schedule mo sa papel na binigay namin. Hindi kaba marunong magbasa?"sunod -sunod kong sinabi.

Bigla niyang ipinasok ang daliri niya sa tainga niya at ngumiwi.

Napatigil ako sa balak kong sabihin. Aba't ang magaling!

"Damn. You're worst than my father's mistress."he said then scowled at me.

Pinandilatan ko siya at tumayo na.

"Kung ayaw mong makarinig mula sa akin, umayos ka! Kabago bago mo palang binibigyan mo na ako ng problema!"sabi ko habang pinapagpag ang mga tuhod ko.

Napatili ako nang bigla niyang higitin ang kamay ko at nadaganan siya. Humampas pa ang noo ko sa noo niya.

Napatungkod ako agad sa damuhan at lumayo nang nakangiwi sabay hawak sa noo kong kumikirot. Nang makapa ang bukol ay mas lalo akong nainis.

"Punyeta ka!"mura ko sabay hampas sa kanya.

"Ouch!" Daing din nang walang hiya at isinangga ang isa niyang kamay.

"Hey, hey, hey, stop it will you!" Sabi niya habang panay iwas. Nang hindi ako tumigil ay mabilis siyang lumuhod palapit sa akin at tinulak ako pahiga sabay hawak sa mga kamay ko gamit ang isa niyang kamay.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang maramdaman ko ang mainit at matigas niyang katawan sa ibabaw ko. Napatagilid ako ng mukha dahil ramdam ko ang mainit niyang hininga na pisngi ko.

Mahahalikan pa ata ako nitong lalaking 'to!

"Talk some more and I'll kiss you." He whispered on my ear. Naramdaman ko siyang mas lumapit pa sa mukha ko kaya napalunok ako.

"So you know how to shut up!"I could see his smirk in my peripheral vision. Naiinis na pinigil ko lang ang paghinga ko.

Nang ilang minuto ang lumipas ay dahan dahan na niya akong binitiwan at umalis sa ibabaw ko.

"I was waiting for you to move sweetie."he huskily said then sat down beside me.

"Fuck you!"Sabi ko sabay tayo at pagpag ng uniform. Nanginginig ang mga kamay ko na itinago ito sa likuran ko at hinarap siya nang seryoso ang mukha.

"Kailangan mong magpasa nang letter sa akin kung bakit ka hindi pumasok nang kalahating araw. Kapag walang kwenta ang rason mo, magco community service ka. Bukas ang deadline." Sabi ko nang kalmante at nagsimula nang maglakad. Pati tuhod ko ay nanginginig sa nerbyos.

Paano ba naman? Akala ko makukuha na niya ang first kiss ko na para sana sa future husband ko.

"Hmm, interesting. I thought this will be another fucking boring year for me." He whispered to himself but it reached my ears. Hindi ko na lang pinansin. Siguro mas maganda kung hahayaan ko na lang siya at baka totohanin na niya ang paghalik sa akin.

"Nice lips Miss President!"Pahabol pa nang hudyo.

"Ulul!" I showed him my middle finger without looking at him. I heard him laugh.

Nang makabalik ako sa student council room ay agad-agad kong kinuha ang bag at paperbags ko. I locked the room and went down the stairs in hurry. I was afraid that Travis would still be hanging around here.

I was passing through the parking lot when I saw a parked car at the farthest side of the car park. Then I heard some cries so I immediately ran towards the car.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita ang isang lalaki na sinampal ang payat na babae kaya napasubsob ito sa sementadong sahig.

Kinuha ko agad ang nakakalat na dust pan at sumugod para tulungan ang babae.

My eyes went wide when I saw Laila with swollen lips and her left eye was forming some bruise around it.

She was crying and begging for the guy to calm down. When I checked the guy's profile, I've never seen him before. He was an intruder.

He grabbed Laila's neck and strangled her. My instinct kicked in so I hit his head hard enough with the dust pan. The guy let go of Laila and fell on the floor unconscious together with her. My heart was beating so hard. I tried to help her stand up but she pushed me away weakly. I was dumbfounded with what she did but I couldn't let her stay with him.

"Halika na at tatawag ako nang security. Hindi siya taga dito Laila."lumapit ako at inalalayan siya.

Mas ikinagulat ko nang tignan niya ako gamit ang nanlilisik nyang mga mata sabay tulak ulit sa akin.

"Brent! How dare you do this to him!" Hiyaw niya sa akin. Nanginginig ang kamay na kinuha ang ulo ng lalaki at pinatong sa kandungan.

"You bitch! Don't you know what you've done to him? You good for nothing mother fucker! You could have killed him with that blow! Are you thinking?! I thought you're the smartest here but you didn't even know what you were doing! And will you mind your own business? Don't stick your nose to something you're not supposed to be. And stop being so friendly to me. I just wanna puke whenever you come near me! So plastic!" She screamed while crying.

I stepped back and looked at her feeling hurt with what she said.

"Gusto ko lang namang tulungan ka eh. Wala namang masama dun. Hindi mo kailangan sabihan ako ng masama. Minamaltrato kana nya. Hindi-"she cut me off.

"Umalis ka na sa harapan ko! Hindi ko kailangan ng tulong mo!" Yumakap pa siya sa lalaking walang kwenta at tumingin sakin nang masama. She pulled out her phone and dialled someone.

I stood there quietly. Feeling hurt and sad.

For trying to help someone, I ended up with an enemy. Hindi man lang niya naisip na kung wala ako ngayon ay baka siya na ang pinaglalamayan o nasa hospital at nag-aagaw buhay.

"Hindi ka aalis? Ipapakulong kita! Alis! Alis! Go away! You filthy bitch! You will regret this" sigaw niya at dinampot ang nagkalat nang basyo ng bote at binato sa akin. Napaatras lang ako para iwasan ang mga binabato niya. Tumigil siya nang may sumagot sa tawag niya.

"Hello Tom, please there's an emergency here. Yes.. Saint Yves High School. Please come quick." Umiiyak siya habang kinakausap ang nasa telepono.

Laglag ang mga balikat ko na tumalikod na at dumiretso sa guard house para i-report ang nangyari sa may parking lot.

Nakakalungkot lang na pati sa school ay may taong galit sa akin.

But I still wished for her to be well..