Chapter 4

Dei Pov

I couldn't ask for more hardship, torment, and difficulty than what I have experienced here in this small, obscure town in Monti Alegri Province. Living in this province has already been a source of pain in my life since the day I was dumped here. For me, waking up in an unfamiliar wide white bed was already hard. Waking up at 7 a.m. to catch my early (7:45 a.m.) flag ceremony was a dreadful experience. Flag ceremony attendance is really killing me. Climbing the four-storey building every day was a daily occurrence in my life at our school. Then, there are the rooms without air conditioning. Bitch! What a totally agonizing life I've ever had! I almost forgot about the dusty windows and cheap people around me. The only thing that made my nerves relax and somewhat calm was the fresh and clean air that I freely inhaled. The wide green landscape doesn't calm me. It only makes me more depressed. The tall mountains veiled with green plants, grass, and trees don't set my mood for serenity either. They only bring back the thought that I was left in this province. I cannot find my dose of serotonin in this type of place.

Gosh!

Everything wasn't really going my way. First, I was dumped in this place. Second, my family has not called me all week. Third, Lala Fausta is such a cruel person in the house. Fourth, I hate my school because it is so sultry. And now, the seat that was vacant for a week is now occupied by none other than the guy I called poor, Alcinous, the guy cornered with his pals, or whoever they were. What a dreadful life!

I was happy that the chair beside me was not taken by anyone because it was really hot at our seats. There are wall fans hanging on the two walls, but the wind didn't reach our place. And now that this Alcinous guy is seated at my right side, it's getting hotter. The beads of sweat are now coming out nonstop on my forehead and back.

I rolled my eyes and heaved. My back was now soaked with my own sweat.

Hindi na ako maka-focus doon sa Gen. Chem teacher na nagd-discuss sa harap dahil ang inaalala ko ang basa kong likod. Gosh! I was jotting down some important details from the discussion, but I halted midway when a drop of sweat fell on my notes.

"Gosh!" I grumbled. I put my pen aside to get some tissue paper from my bag when I heard a pen clatter to the floor.

Nang makakuha ako ng tissue sa bag ko. Maingat akong nagdampi ng tissue sa mukha at noo ko na pawisin. When I lifted my eyes from my armchair, my pen had already vanished from where I had placed it. I scanned the room, searching for it, and finally spotted it on the floor. There lay my prized pen near Alcinous's foot.

I glanced over at Alcinous, who was attentively listening to the teacher's discussions. He truly resembled a diligent listener—or maybe he was one.

"Excuse me," I spoke up.

Alcinous didn't seem to notice.

"Ahem! Excuse me."

I rolled my eyes as Alcinous turned to face me. I blinked as his dark eyes met mine. There was something peculiar about them—round and very dark, devoid of any glimmer or sparkle.

"What?" he queried.

"Um, could you please pick up my pen? It's right below you."

He raised his eyebrows and slowly looked down at the pen near his feet, then back at me.

"I can see that you have perfectly good hands and feet. Why don't you pick it up yourself?" His rough, deep voice sent shivers down my spine.

What the!

I stared at him in disbelief, mouth agape and eyes weary. Damn this guy! Nakulot ang tissue paper sa kamay ko dahil sa sinagot niya sa akin. Not minding the cold rushing on my spine.

I gritted my teeth before bending my body to retrieve my pen from the floor. However, before I could reach it near Alcinous' feet, a large, light brown hand had already grabbed it.

I glanced up at the owner of the hand and met those black eyes again. I watched as he placed my pen on my desk.

I scoffed at his actions. Instead of appreciating them, I rolled my eyes, even though his gaze was now elsewhere. I didn't care if he thought I was rude. Bahala siya.

When the bell rang, I felt like I was lifted to heaven with joy. I quickly gathered all of my belongings and stuffed them into my bag. I took out my hand sanitizer and applied a little to my palm before rubbing it in.

Isinukbit ko na ang backpack bag ko na designer's brand, Prada, sa aking balikat. Nagkakaguluhan na ang mga estudyante sa paglabas at nag-uunahan sa dalawang pintuan. We're fifty or more in one classroom, so that scenario was already familiar to my eyes every day.

I was about to stand when I saw Alcinous still sitting in his chair. I rolled my eyes, pushed myself up, and then took my leave.

I halted for a while as I approached the doorway.  Sa labas kasi ng pintuan ay may mga babaeng nakatayo kasi sa gilid no'n.

On my peripheral vision, I saw Alcinous also tracing my footprints.

Bumuntong-hininga ako saka nagpatuloy sa lakad. Nakahinga na sana ako ng maluwag nang paghakbang ko palabas ng classroom ay may pumatid sa paa ko.

"My eyes started to bulge, and I yelled, 'Ohh, noooo!!!' while closing my eyes.

With my eyes closed, I waited for my epic fall on the polished yet dusty floor, but a moment passed, and I didn't hit the ground."

Isa-isa kong binuka ang mata ko at doon ko nakita ang mga babaeng estudyante na laglag ang panga at bumilog ang mata na nakatingin sa akin.

I wondered why they were staring at me with awe. I followed the trails of their big eyes and found a familiar hand—an arm around my waist. When my mind finally returned to its normal state, I realized someone was behind me. Turning my head to confirm my suspicion, my prediction proved right. Alcinous, the whatever-guy, stood behind me with his arm snaked around my waist, preventing an epic fall.

Collecting my thoughts, I lurched and stood straight. I felt several eyes following my actions, but I didn't care. Alcinous finally withdrew his hands and looked at me flatly.

"Thank... thank you."

He simply nodded. Before I left, I glanced at the four girls gathered around Alcinous. Bitches!

My phone beeped as I descended from the fourth floor. Tumigil ako saglit at kinuha ko ang phone ko sa pocket ko.

From: Hansel The Bungangera
Nasa canteen na ako, Dei. W8ing 4 u ;)

Umikot ang mata ko nang makita ko ang text ni Hansel sa akin. Nagtipa ako ng reply.

To: Hansel The Bungangera
OTW

I shove my phone into my pocket after sending my reply to Hansel.

Wala ako sa mood nang dumating ako sa canteen. Una, dahil sa nangyari sa classroom noong nahulog ang pen ko. Pangalawa, ang mga bitches na pumatid sa akin at muntik na talaga akong madapa doom sa sahig. At ngayon sumama pa ang timpla ng mukha ko nang makita ko si Handell na nasa mesa ni Hansel. Why is he sharing table with us again? Where the hell is his posse?

"Deiiii!" Hansel yelled my name, and Handell, who had his back turned to me, turned his head. He flashed a smile, and I rolled my eyes at him

Umupo ako sa tabi ni Hansel at ang kambal niya naman ay talagang puwesto sa harap ko at ngumisi. What the hell?

"What the hell are you smirking at, Handell?" Inis kong saad sa kambal ni Hansel.

"Nothing you're just adorable as F!"

"Oh! That damn line was really worn out already. FYMI."

He shook his head and slid a box of cookies across the table. My eyebrow arched as I eyed the box of cookies on the table. Obviously, it was imported.

"For you."

"Do you really believe I can't afford a bunch of these?"

Although I really like cookies, I love chocolates more.

"I know. I know that very well. Gusto lang kitang bigyan since nabanggit ni Hansel gusto mo ang mga cookies."

I heaved and looked at Hansel. Her mouth was already full of food, and she could only show me a peace sign. I glared at her, but she only pouted her lips.

"Thanks."

"You are really bizarre," I remarked.

Handell left when one of his friends called him out. He left us but plastered a smile before jogging towards his friends.

"Gosh! What's wrong with Handell, Hansel?"

Hansel drank her water before answering me.

"E-ewan ko d'yan kay Kuya. Saka hayaan muna. Di ka naman maya't maya na dinidisturbo."

"Hmm." I choke up and open the box of cookies and start eating it.

I share it with Hansel, but she forthwith declines because she just finished eating her lunch.

"Pero, Dei, bakit pala di maganda ang timpla ng mukha mo kanina?" tanong ni Hansel na kinababa ko sa isang pirasong cookies na kinagatan ko na.

Binigyan ako ni Hansel ng wet wipes niya at pinunasan ko ang kamay ko doon bago siya binalingan.

I cannot help it but to rolled my eyes while remembering the accident earlier.

"...Alcinous help me. I don't know how he did it but he really hold my waist to prevent me from falling off the ground."

Tumaas naman ang kilay ko nang pagkatapos kong ikuwento kay Hansel ang nangyari dahil bigla siyang tumili ang may pa hampas-hampas pa sa braso ko at indak sa paa.

What the hell?

"Gosh! Hansel please wag ka gumaya kay Handell. I had enough of his undecipherable behaviors." I breathe out.

"Gaga 'to bawal bang kiligin? Waahh! Nakakakilig kaya ang ginawa ni Alcinous sa'yo. Isipin mo hinawakan ka niya sa baywang. He saved you, Dei. He saved you." She chanted on the air.

"Tsk! Hindi ko pa rin gusto ang ginawa niya kanina sa klase namin sa Gen.Chem, Hansel."

"Kahit na 'no. Sabi ko naman sa'yo mabait si Alcinous sadyang seryosong tao lang."

"I cannot see his kindness." I opposed.

But my friend defended the guy.

"Kasi ngayon mo lang siya nakilala."

The following day, thursday, at sa kasagsagan ng hapon. Sa gitna ng matirik na araw ay gusto ng P.E teacher namin na maglaro kami ng volleyball. Pinagwarm-up pa kami ng ilang rounds sa quadrangle bago sinimulang hati-hatiin kami. Huli akong maglalaro kasama ang mga ka-teammates. Kaya habang naghihintay ay sumilong muna kami sa malaking puno ng Mahoganny na nasa gilid lang ng quadrangle.

Sa gym sana kami kaso lang may nagpa-practice doon ng badminton kaya dito kami sa labas at ang init. Namumula na nang husto ang mga balat ko at sa tingin ko namamaga na ang mukha ko dahil sa init.

Hindi talaga ako sporty. I'd rather be a cheerer than a player. Noon nga kapag PE namin minsan nagrarason ako na hindi mabuti ang pakiramdam ko. Minsan naman naglalaro ako pero ayos lang kasi airconditioned naman ang gym namin. Hindi kagaya dito.

At nang ang team na namin ang maglalaro. Nagsimula na akong kabahan. Sa nakikita ko kasi kanina ay magagaling silang maglaro. Magaling silang sumalo ng bola. Magaling silang humampas ng bola. Tapos ako... hindi ako marunong at takot pa dahil ang lalakas nilang humampas. Parang competition talaga.

Nang tumunog ang whistle ng PE teacher namin. Tanda na magsisimula na ay parang pinako na ako sa pwesto ko. Ang unang nagserve ay ang team namin at gladly hindi ako kasi hindi talaga ako marunong pumalo ng bola. Baka saan ko matama iyon.

I just move along the waves. Kapag sinabi ng teammates ko na move. Saka lang ako gagalaw. Hindi ako sumasalo ng bola at mabuti na lang ay sinasalo naman ng mga classmates ko kahit na panay ang irap at simangot nila sa akin. At nang dumating ang pwesto ko sa harap mismo nang net. That means blocker ako. Tama ba? I don't know. Nag-serve na ang isa sa mga teammates ko at ewan ko nanginginig ako. Siguro sa sobrang init na rin na parang kinakain na ang balat ko at ang mata ko ay nanlalabo na rin dahil sa sobrang init.

Hindi pumasok ang serve ng team ko kaya sa kabilang team ang bola. Napalunok ako nang makita ko kung sino ang mags-serve. Si Alcinous. Nakita ko siyang hinahampas ang bola sa ground at pinapaikot niya pa iyon sa ere pagkuwan. Gamay na gamay niya ang paghawak sa bola.

Kilala siya dito dahil athlete siya noon dito. Volleyball player, spiker at captain ball.

Kilala siya dito dahil athlete siya noon dito. Volleyball player, spiker at captain ball.

Kilala siya dito dahil athlete siya noon dito. Volleyball player, spiker at captain ball.

Hindi ko na alam ang sunod na nangyari basta ang narinig ko na lang ay ang pagpito ng teacher namin sumunod naman ang tunog ng hampas ng bola. Hindi ko na masundan pa ang nangyari dahil unti-unti nang nanlabo ang mata ko at di ko na maramdaman ang katawan ko at ang paligid ko.

"Deimos tabi!" May narinig akong sigaw pero di ko alam kung sino at saan iyon galing. Saka dahan-dahan na bumigay ang katawan ko.

"Aldejar!"

"Deimos!"

Mga sigaw ng tao at tuluyan ng umikot ang mundo ko at unti-unti nang nawala ang ulirat ko sa mundo. Marami pa akong narinig na mga sigaw sa paligid ko pero di ko na masyadong naririnig ang mga iyon.

"Excuse me." The familiar voice calms the crowd. Before consciousness left me, I felt being held, and my body seemed to float in the air.