Chapter 15: Miserable at Best

I felt the burden upon me.

The professor was discussing what subjects she handles. She's our English & History for this school year.

I really do think that since this school is out of the ordinary, we will just be taking tests and skills subjects. But, my thoughts prove me wrong. Of course, there will be minor subjects just like any other educational institution out there.

"So, for the enlightenment of our transferee. I supposed, you are Ms. Morgana Simmons right?" the professor called my name. She beamingly smiled.

I straightened in my seat. Here we go again. "Yes, ma'am."

"Nice to meet you, dear, I am Lorna Proteus and I already said what will be my task here. But aside from that, you will be much seeing me around the campus." She said.

Yes, my grandmother is our professor now. Just wow! Who could have thought that she teaches? I wouldn't on my behalf. Sad to say that everything was hidden right in front of me. Lahat na lng pinagkait sa akin ang katotohanan.

The class was interrupted when Earl suddenly raise his hand. "Prof, isn't ate Morgana your granddaughter?"

An invisible facepalm act in my thoughts. I rolled my eyes in disbelief.

Tumawa lang ang professor. "Yes my dear, pero within school premises we're thought to be professional. Everyone is fair."

I didn't look her eye to eye. In fact, I'm avoiding her gaze. Upset? Maybe. Mad? Maybe.

"Are you alright?" Harry whispered diverting my thoughts.

"Y-yeah," I said with half baked smile.

"Everything will be fine." While he said tapping my shoulder. I just smiled bitterly.

"Oh right! Class, before I forgot, the lesson proper will resume next week. As you all know, the assembly is going on and our department is busy handling the upcoming acquaintance." My classmates gushed with their excitement.

"Settle down. So, enjoy the rest of the week. But for now, directly go to the hall for the assembly. I'll meet you there." She landed her sight on me as if telling me she will talk to me later. She then leaves the room by walking towards the door.

"Let's go?" Harry said.

"Hermano, I want to be alone for a while." I said bitterly. "Pupunta na muna ako ng C.R tapos susunod na lng ako."

His worried face plastered again. "Are you sure? Hindi mo pa kabisado ang buong lugar dito baka mawala ka-"

"Is Sangster & Cuthbert around?" A man in his 30s said while opening the door.

"Coach?" Jerson & Harry said in unison.

"Let's go. The team is ready." He said.

Tinignan naman ako ulit ni Harry na parang nag dadalawang isip. "Pumunta ka na, okay lang ako." ngumiti ako na nagsasabi na kaya ko mag-isa.

"Molly, alam ko yung mga ganito mo. Hindi kita pwede iwan lalo na ngayon." Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko.

Hindi na talaga to nakikinig. Kaya lumakad ako papunta sa direksyon ng tinatawag na coach nila at sumunod naman siya.

"Hello sir, mawalang-galang lng po. Pwede po ba pakikuha itong naliligaw na bata na kung makalingkis sa kamay ay parang linta? May balak pa yata na hindi sumama sa inyo. Kaya, para sa ikakabuti ng lahat paki-claim po." sabi ko.

Tumawa naman siya ng malakas. "Sige iha, kami na ang bahala. Nag iinarte lng yan si Sangster."

"P-pero sir, kayo na lng. Presentation lng naman yan." mas hinigpitan pa niya lalo ang paghawak.

"Let go Sangster, nasasaktan na si Morgana. Ang OA mo naman pre para sa ngayon lng." sambat naman ni Jerson.

Niluwagan naman ni Harry ang pagyakap. "Sorry, babe." malumanay niyang sabi.

"Hermano, okay nga lng ako. Naiihi lng ako tapos ayaw mong mag isa ako eh kaya ko naman." I said in annoyance. "We're wasting too much time here, kaya susunod ka sa kanila oh ikaw ang susunod sa mga yumao?"

"B-babes naman." nagmamatigas pa rin.

"Hermano, you're making out of this nonsense scene. Tayo nlng natira dito sa room oh?" I gestured to him to the empty room where my classmates one by one had probably left a while ago.

"Hindi mo talaga to mapipilit si Sangster pag ganito. Why you can't just go with us Miss? There's a comfort room in the hall instead." Infairness din tong coach nila, ang haba ng pasensya. Talaga pang sinubaybayan ang pag iinarte ng mokong na ito.

Left with no choice, "Fine. And please stop acting like a kid." I said irritated. But the other hand, Harry's face is just like he won the lottery.

In mere seconds we're in their so-called gymnasium hall already. We're on the bench side where Harry's teammates gathered. The center was packed with monobloc chairs as well as the rest of the students sitting. The benches also pack with them. I eyed everything. The center stage has empty chairs in front. Must be where the head or something must be seated. I notice a few glances and talk in my direction but I didn't mind it.

"Okay, everyone! Listen up! We have company here," the professor gestures in my direction as all the other guys look toward me. I just nod in response. "So, be good at there. Show everyone what we got! What we can do!" the professor and his team said with determination and cheer.

"Let's go change, Molly." My face turned sour. Harry just laughed. "I meant, I will change in our own changing room and you in the girls' comfort room just nearby ours. Get it?"

"Magpa-palit muna kami coach!" Sigaw ni Harry kasi naging maingay na lalo sa hall. Isa nlng talaga magkaka black eye na tong kumag na to.

"Wag niyong tagalan! Bilisan niyo!" I turned my head towards the professor with irritated look. He just laughed at sinasabayan pa niya talaga ang gago na 'to.

The whole team whistle and cheers. "Sangster! Galit na! Naku!" pagtutukso nila. I swear, my patience has been tested lately. If looks could kill they could be dead right now.

"Don't mind them." Harry drag me out with a big smile on his face.

Within walking distance, we separated ways to our own destination. I look for an empty cubicle. I close the lid. I don't plan on peeing. I just wanted to be at peace for a while. I sat there and calm my nerves for a couple of minutes. Probably, Harry has gone to his teammates so I'm good now.

I was about to step out when I heard some girls enter the room with loud gossip and sneaky voices.

"Hey, have u guys heard about the outsider?"

"The transferee?"

"Yes! And guess what! She's been stealing attention away!"

I rolled my eyes. Ahh, marites and their agenda with no concrete proof and just making up stories.

"I heard, she's the lost heir and the last bloodline of Proteus. Means, everyone has the desire to keep an eye on her obviously."

Another girl said. They're probably three. But with her remark na alarma ako. What's with my ancestors? Bakit big deal sakanila?

"Shush! Someone might hear you and you don't want to end up being one in exiled!"

"I don't care, my dad is also in high rank so why would I be scared?"

"Also, don't you guys know she's also put in the top class?"

"Baka nagpasipsip. Alam niyo naman lolo niya ang headmaster and of course ancestors nga niya nag patayo ng school na ito diba?" sagot naman nung boses ng babae na sinasabi niyang nasa high rank ang ama niya.

"But don't you think it's unfair? Paano tayo gusto makapasok dun pero hindi tayo kailanman nakapasa?"

"Baka nakalimutan niyo, all our ranks are useless unless our ability is part of the main system. This means the highest ability and skills are much respected. And so, ilang taon din inaantay ng lahat ang pagdating niya. Her seat in that class is already destined." Another girl spoke.

"Are you with us or against us?" An irritated voice one said.

"I'm just saying. Let's go, the assembly is about to start."

I heard footsteps going outside. When the coast is clear, I unlock the cubicle door. Greeted with my face in front of a big mirror, I washed my face in the sink.

I look at myself. Even they, know this much about mine, but what about me? I sigh in disbelief.

Inayos ko muna ang sirili ko at lumabas na. May pa hallway kasi itong madaanan namin bago makapasok sa gymnasium. And the comfort room was at the end of the hall. I notice the different portraits hanging on the wall. All of them are wearing medieval clothing with luxuries around them.

But one portrait caught my attention. It was a woman with dark braided long hair sitting on her throne. As if it's calling me to look it up. Her eyes are bluer than the sea. She's wearing a silk gown that is also the same color as her eyes.

She looks very young and somewhat familiar. I don't know where I met this woman but my guts and instincts tell me that I'm longing. I shrug off my thoughts.

The Queen Aurelius of the Kingdom of Raskovux

I whispered the words that were written on the plaque below the portrait. Ka ano-ano to ni Maynard ba yun?

Naputol ang pag iisip ko ng may bumangga sakin at nabuhusan ang uniporme ko ng ice coffee.

"Oops! Paharang-harang kasi sa daanan ayan tuloy." I look at her confused. Nabosesan ko yung boses. Ito yung babae kanina sa comfort room na high rank raw ang kanyang ama.

"Next time, tumabi ka nang may makadaan." She walked away with pleased smug on her face.

Tinignan ko ang daan. Malaki ang hallway at nasa tabi lng ako nakapidpid. It's not just coincidence, sinadya niya talaga. Ang clumsy at halatang scripted, hindi man lng nag sorry.

I breathe in and out to let out my frustrations. Going to the bathroom and cleaning this wouldn't even help me. Hinayaan ko na lng ito at bumalik sa loob. I roam around for vacant seats. Ayaw ko muna tumabi kina Harry baka mas lalo akong pag initan.

"Besty!" she called my attention. I saw Florence waving in my direction and tapping beside her in a vacant seat. She's sitting in front of the line with my other classmates.

I walked towards her, her gaze fixed upon my wet clothing with stains. "What happened?" Pag aalala niya habang pinapahid ang kanyang panyo sa basa na parte sa dibdib ko.

"Just some lost rat, accidentally spilled her ice fucking coffee." I said bitterly at diniin ang pagkasabi ng "accidentally" remembering the scene.

"Who?" Kim butted in beside her. I just shrug. No sense in finding that bitch. I have no time for these.

Nagmamasid ako at hinahanap yung babae na bumangga kanina. Hindi man lang ako hinayaan makapagsalita at tumalikod na. Ang bastos talaga.

Nang mamukhaan naka upo pala siya sa ikalima na row sa likod namin. Tinitignan niya ako habang sumisipsip sa kapeng dala niya na halata naman ang kalahati ay pinaligo niya sakin. I shoot her with deadly eyes. I'm mad furious as heck, hindi ko gusto ang ganitong pag uugali kung hindi ako nakapagpigil baka pinalunok ko na yung cup na iniinom niya. Umiwas naman siya ng tingin.

Florence hold my hand and smiled. I think she knows who I'm looking for and who's the culprit. I sigh. Ayoko din ng gulo kaya hinayaan ko na lng.

"Good afternoon everyone!" A voice of a girl and a man loudly speak in front of the podium and filled the speakers. Naghiyawan naman ang lahat.

"As you all know today is our much-awaited welcoming assembly to make way for our upcoming acquaintance and for the rest of the school year!" Sabi nung lalaki na si Ken pala.

"Yes partner, as part of the student council. We're very thankful to each one of you for being cooperative. We can't wait to celebrate the rest with all of you." The girl with tall height, long hair, and chubby figure said.

"But, today is much more exciting! Can anyone tell what it is?" Ken reaches his microphone to the audience. Gossip starts to voice out.

"Exactly! We have our special guests for the first time! It is a privilege for the school to have our respected guests just for this assembly! We're deeply honored." Ken excitedly said.

Confused, Florence started to speak, only to feel the lump in her throat that kept her from it. Somehow, most people don't know who it will be.

"Without further ado, Please rise for the Kings and Queens of HIRAWEI!" they both said in unison.

"What? The royalties?"

"What are they doing here? Isn't this the first time?"

"Wow! Who made them come this far just for this!"

Naging maingay ang hall sa mga usap-usapan. Hindi nakaligtas sakin ang pagkabigla nila. Nagtataka ako bakit big deal to sa kanila pero hindi ko batid malaman ang dahilan.

Nagsipasok ang mga guwardiya na nakahilera sa bawat sulok ng gymnasium. Tinignan ko lng sila na nagtataka. At sa sulok ng stage lumabas ang isang matandang lalaki na naka-uniporme na may mga medalya at korona sa ulo nito. Nagsimula naman lumuhod ang lahat. Hinila naman ako ni Florence kaya sumunod na lamang ako.

Umupo ito sa destinasyon ng kanyang upuan at sunod-sunod namang ginawa nang ibang panauhin. Nang maupo na silang lahat. Nagsenyas sila na pwede nang tumayo.

"Who are they?" I whispered to Florence.

"As much as possible, Besty, avoid making contact with them. We don't know what's their reason by making it this far. They're the rulers of each realm in HIRAWEI. They're the supreme royalties. I know for sure, they aren't just here to witness the assembly. That's impossible for everyone especially this is isn't an important event." pag aalala na sabi ni Florence na agad ko namang initindi.

May point naman siya. Halimbawa kung ako ang presidente, hindi naman ako dadalo sa mga ganito at ipapadala na lng ang assistant ko o kahit na sino as representative. Ano kaya nag udyok sa kanila?

Sumilip ako sa gawi nila at na pamilyar ang isang babae na katulad sa painting na nakita ko kanina. Hindi ko namalayan nakatingin rin pala siya saking gawi kaya bigla akong umiwas at tumingin sa sahig.

Bakit parang ang pamilyar niya sakin? I hope my gut is just twisted feeling for this time.

A man in his 60s with a black robe and any other royalty clothing with glittering luxuries. The difference is that they have signed in colors. On him, there's a ruby gem sparkling on his crown.

But, I was left shocked in my seat when I know who it was.

"No, freaking way!" I blurted silently out my thoughts.

It was no other than my uncle. My grandfather's sibling whom I thought passed away in another country. Who owns a multi-million company and is now walking and fucking alive??

"You've got to be kidding me!" I scoffed in disbelief.

"What's wrong, besty?" Florence's brow wrinkled as he looked down at me with concern. Kim eyed me worriedly. She knows. She fucking knows.

I sniffed. "Nothing. I just recently discovered that the world I once lived in was full of lies."