Song: Lost in Japan- Shawn Mendes

Serious

Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ko magawang lumabas ng kwarto pagkatapos ng nangyari kahapon. Kanina pa ako gising at hindi ko man lang magawang lumabas upang kumain na ng almusal.

I was so surprised that Axel was able to make me follow him. And I don't follow anyone. Even my parents. None of them can make me follow them that's why it's surprising that Axel was able to do that without even trying hard.

Damn. There must be something that made me so intimidated by him.

I left my door slightly opened the whole night because that damn guy broke it! I tried locking it last night but it didn't work! Natulog tuloy ako ng bukas ang aking pinto. I just hope that no one broke in or else I'll freak out!

Bahagya naman akong nagulat nang may kumatok sa aking pinto. The person immediately went inside.

"Handa na po ang umagahan, Ma'am."

Tumango ako at nginitian siya. "Sige po. Bababa na rin po ako."

I already took a bath a while ago. Tiningnan ko muna ang sarili sa salamin bago ko tuluyang buksan ang pinto ng aking kwarto. Unang bumungad sa akin ay ang seryosong nagbabantay na si Axel.

Both of his hands are on his back. Diretso lang siyang nakatingin sa akin at walang ano mang emosyon na ipinapakita.

Oh, this cold and boring man!

Nahihiya akong nag-iwas ng tingin at tsaka naglakad na patungo sa dining area. Habang naglalakad ay doon ko lang narealize na bakit ako nag-iwas ng tingin na para bang hiyang-hiya ako sakanya?

The fuck? I should've rolled my eyes or something! I should've showed him that I'm unaffected! Baka kasi may inisip na 'yan agad tungkol sa nangyari kagabi.

Mabilis akong naglakad at hindi na inisip pa kung nakasunod pa ba siya sa akin o hindi. Nang dumating ako sa mismong dining area ay may inaayos pa ang mga naghain ng pagkain doon. Nang mapansin ako ay tumayo sila ng maayos at tsaka ako nginitian.

I smiled at them in return. Pinasadahan ko naman ng tingin ang buong lamesa. Marami silang inihain kahit na ako lang naman ang kakain.

"Kumain na po ba kayo?" tanong ko habang nauupo sa hapag.

Napansin kong nagkatinginan ang dalawa. Nagtulakan pa sila kung sino ang dapat sumagot.

"U-Uh... Opo, Ma'am."

Tumango ako. "Sayang. Aayain ko sananb sumsbay kayo, e. Pero sige, po. Okay na po ako dito."

Nagkatinginan silang muli. Agad naman nilang sinunod ang utos ko at iniwan na akong mag-isa sa dining area.

Nang makalabas sila ay tsaka naman dumating si Axel. I rolled my eyes as he placed himself at the corner.

Nagsimula akong kumuha ng pagkain. I ate quietly and I didn't dare look at Axel because who knows what I might see!

Sanay na ako sa ganito. I always eat my breakfast, lunch, and dinner alone. Kung magkakasabay man kami ng mga magulang ko ay swerte na. Ibig sabihin, hindi sila gaanong abala. Ngunit dahil madalas silang umaalis ng bansa, madalas rin akong mag-isa dito.

Sino ba naman ang hindi kakainin ng lungkot diba?

Tamad akong kumuha muli ng pagkain. Iniisip ko nalang na wala akong kasama dito kahit na nasa tabi lang naman si Axel. Hindi rin naman siya nagsasalita habang nandyan at nagbabantay. I don't think he will ever dare to strike a conversation with me.

Tahimik ko namang iniinom ang aking kape nang mapansin kong nakatingin siya sa akin. I raised my brow and slowly put the cup down.

"What?" mataray kong tinanong.

Ayan! Dapat lang na magtaray ka! Baka iniisip na niyan, e... takot ka sakanya.

Umayos naman siya ng pagkakatayo at tsaka naglakad patungo sa pwesto ko. Kumunot naman ang noo ko. When he stops, he kept a safe distance between us.

"You'll have your self defense training today, Ma'am." he informed me.

I leaned back against my chair. I let out a disappointed sigh.

"Fine... as if I have a choice."

"Just following orders, Ma'am."

I glared and pouted at him. He stayed emotionless. When will I ever see him with a different expression?

"Tss..." tumayo ako at mabilis naman siyang lumayo sa akin.

I scoff. As if naman may gagawin ako sa oras na magkalapit kami? He's not my type!

"See you at the headquarters, Ma'am." aniya bago ako tuluyang lumabas ng dining area.

I look over my shoulder. He just stood there like a dull boy that he is. Umiling nalang ako at nagpatuloy sa pagpunta sa aking kwarto upang makapagpalit na ng damit.

I don't have anything else to do today except with that self defense shit. Hindi na rin naman na ako makakatakas pa dahil lagi nalang sumusulpot sa kung saan itong si Axel.

I went to my drawer and picked out my clothes. I chose to wear a sports bra and a pair of athletic shorts. I put my hair up in a high ponytail.

I went to my door and opened it. Walang bodyguard ang nagbabantay doon. Siguro naghahanda na para sa training na gagawin nila para sa akin. Axel must've ordered them to get ready.

I went to their headquarters alone. I stopped in my tracks when I heard Axel said something.

"Just a reminder... Don't go too hard on her. Be gentle. Think of her as a fragile thing that you are not allowed to break. You understand?"

"Sir, yes, Sir!" Sigaw ng mga kasama niya.

My forehead creased. So, what does this man think of me huh? Weak? Baka magulat siya dyan mamaya kapag pinakitaan ko siya!

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad at agad naman akong napansin ng ibang bodyguard. Binati nila ako.

"Good morning, Aria."

I smiled. "Good morning."

Nilingon ko naman si Axel at nakitang nakatingin na rin siya sa akin. Pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang suot ko.

"What?" I snap. "You got a problem with this?"

He pressed his lips into a thin line before he shakes his head.

Hindi ko na problema kung hindi siya komportable sa suot ko! This is what I usually wear whenever I go to the gym or train with my previous bodyguards. I'm already used to wearing this and I'm also comfortable with what I'm wearing!

Kaya kung may nararamdaman siyang kung ano sa loob niya. Itigil na niya 'yan because I'm not asking for it!

Wait...

Sino ba ang nagsabing ganyan ang iniisip niya?

Oh my god, Aria! Feelingera ka lang talaga!

"Hello, Aria!" maligayang bati ni Damon nang makalapit siya sa akin. I waved at him.

"Hi!"

"Excited ka na ba?"

I rolled my eyes. "What's so exciting about this?"

Natawa naman si Damon at umiling. "Di bale, ayaw ka naman masasaktan ni Sir Ocampo kaya magiging easy lang kami sa'yo."

"Tss... how will I learn if you'll go easy on me?"

"I don't know. Ask him." aniya sabay turo kay Axel.

I rolled my eyes. As if that man would dare to talk to me! Wag nalang noh!

Natapos lang ang pag-uusap namin ni Damon nang tawagin na ni Axel ang atensyon namin. My bodyguards started to walk towards him, habang ako naman ay nanatili sa kinatatayuan ko.

Axel turns to me. He raised a brow.

"Come here." he commanded. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Humalukipkip ako. This disrespectful man!

"Come here... Ma'am." Ulit niya.

Napansin ko namang halos lahat sila ay nakatingin na rin sa akin. Malamang hinihintay na akong humilos. I let out an exaggerated sigh.

Nang pumwesto ako sa harap niya ay tinitigan niya ako ng mabuti. It's like he's studying every part of me. I find that weird though but I think he's trying to figure something out. I waited for him to speak. 

"Show me how you punch." he commanded. 

"What?" I understood him correctly but I just can't believe of what he's asking me to do now. 

"Punch, Aria. Show me." 

I creased my forehead and pouted. So weird. But in the end, I just followed him and lazily swing my arms in the air. 

"Do it seriously." aniya na para bang nauubusan na ng pasensya. 

I punched the air again. But this time, as hard as I could. He shakes his head disappointingly when I finished. 

"You're weak." 

I was taken a back with his remark. Hindi makapaniwala ko siyang tiningnan at sa huli ay natawa nalang. 

"Did you seriously asked me to do that so you can insult me?" tanong ko. 

Hindi naman niya pinansin ang sinabi ko. Nabigla nalang ako nang lumapit siya sa akin at kinuha ang aking braso. Sinundan ko naman siya ng tingin. He positioned himself behind my back.

"Don't just put tension in your arms. Put tension all over your body." sabi niya habang inayos ang posisyon ng katawan ko. He held my waist and positioned it properly. 

I can't help but get surprised by his sudden move. Tila ba natigilan ang buong sistema ko nang dahil sa ginawa niya. I regained my composure when I saw a teasing smirk on one of my bodyguard's lips. I acted like nothing happened. 

"Damon," tawag ni Axel. Damon took a step forward. 

"Yes, sir?" 

"Show Aria how to punch properly." 

Damon nods his head like an obedient child. Lumakad siya patungo sa akin. Nakita ko namang itinaas ni Axel ang kanyang palad, pinapahiwatig na doon sumuntok si Damon. The scariest part is, Axel positioned his damn palm near my face! 

Paano pag ako ang nasuntok at hindi ang palad niya? Is he freaking serious about this? 

"Are you trying to kill me?" mataray kong tinanong si Axel. 

Sinubukan kong umalis sa posisyon na iyon pero pinigilan niya ako. He placed his other hand on my shoulder to keep me in my position. Magrereact pa sana ako nang bigla namang sumuntok itong si Damon. I gasp in surprise. 

"If someone punches you like this, this is how you dodge from it." 

Umalis si Axel sa likuran ko upang ipakita sa akin ang dapat gawin. My eyes widened when I saw how good he is. Damon tapped him on his shoulder. Axel stopped. I figured that it was a sign that Damon is hurting already. 

Pagkatapos niyang gawin iyon ay itinuro niya sa akin ang step-by-step noon. I followed like an obedient child. 

"Your turn. Try it." utos ni Axel. 

"What? No!" 

Bumagsak ang balikat niya nang dahil sa pagkadismaya. 

"How will you learn if you're not going to try it?" 

I pouted. He's got a point but... what if I get hurt? Ayaw niya pa naman sa akin at baka gamitin niya pa itong pagkakataon para saktan ako! 

"Raise your palm." ani Axel. Inilibot ko naman ang aking paningin at nakitang nakafocus talaga ang atensyon nilang lahat sa akin. All of them really wants me to learn. 

Gosh! What did I get myself into? 

"You're not gonna hurt me, right?" I asked like this is going to be my last day on earth. I probably look like a scaredy-cat right now. 

Sino ba naman ang hindi matatakot?! This man is huge! He's three times bigger than me! And his arms... my god his arms! Isang suntok lang niya malamang bumagsak na ako sa sahig at nawalan na ng pulso!

Axel shrugged and did not answer my question. I licked my lips. I tried to motivate myself in my head. 

Come on, Aria... You can do it. They're only trying to teach you, of course they're not gonna hurt you. 

I slowly raised my palm. Napangisi naman si Axel nang dahil sa ginawa ko. When he fixed his posture, that's where I heard my heart beating so loud. Pumikit ako ng mariin nang makita kong handa na siyang sumuntok. 

But instead of dodging his punch, I screamed. 

"Ouch! Are you trying to break my arm!?" I shouted. Nilakihan ko siya ng mata at hinawakan ang aking kamay.

Shit! That hurts!

"That's not even full forced." he said like he wasn't guilty of inflicting me pain. 

"But at least... try to be gentle? I'm not like your comrades who's capable of enduring your punch! Come on, try it again. But this time... be a little gentler." 

I almost laughed at the way I sound. Wow! Parang ako 'yung nagtetrain ah? 

Nakita ko naman ang bakas ng pagkamangha sa mga mukha ng aking bodyguards. Ayos ba? Kaya kong pagsabihan ang boss niyo diba?

Now... choose your fighter. 

I raise my palm again. Umayos si Axel at hindi na naghintay pa ng hudyat upang sumuntok muli. His punch hurt my palm a little but I think he just couldn't control his strength. Maybe he's just that strong. 

Ginawa ko ang tinuro niya sa akin. I smiled to myself when I did it flawlessly. I pinned Axel on the ground. Tinulungan naman ako ni Damon na tumayo. 

"That was awesome!" anito. 

"Thanks!" I smiled happily at him. 

"Come on, back to work!" ani Axel na galing pa ang tingin sa amin pagkatapos sumigaw. Damon pat me on my shoulder and went towards his station. 

They continued teaching me some self-defense techniques until Axel came up with a plan to test if I really did learn something today. 

"Let's see if you learn. You go against everyone. Including me." 

Tumawa ako ng malakas. I wipe my sweat away. Umiling ako. 

"What? You're being ridiculous!" tumawa akong muli. 

He's being impossible, right? He couldn't be serious. Doing that means I would get hurt. I'm pretty sure he doesn't want that. Or else, he'll lose his job. 

I laughed so hard and waited for them to join my laughter but that didn't happen. Tumigil ako sa pagtawa at nawala ang ngiti sa labi. Ibinaling ko ang aking tingin sa iba kong bodyguards at nakitang seryoso lang rin silang pinanonood ako. 

Are they already expecting this to happen? Oh god! 

"Wait... you're serious?!" I asked exaggeratedly. Axel nods his head. 

"This is to test if you really did learn. And I wanna see how you defend yourself in case of attack." 

My jaw dropped. Wow! He really is taking advantage of this training huh? Sabagay... minsan nga lang naman makasapak ng anak ng presidente. 

"Joseph, you go first." utos niya.

Sinundan ko sila ng tingin. They formed a circle around us. This looks like we're in some form of illegal underground fighting or something. Joseph moved forward and stopped in front of me. 

"Hello, Ma'am." he greeted. I creased my forehead. 

"You're really doing this?" 

"I'm afraid so." 

Oh my goodness! Okay, Aria. Do it. Just freaking do it. You're a fast learner, right? And prove this Axel Ocampo wrong! You're not weak! You're capable of defending yourself so show him that! 

I positioned myself and waited for Joseph to attack first. There is no way I would be the first one to attack! He's going to read my moves! 

Joseph didn't give me a warning or anything... he just attacked me all of a sudden. But thank god because I have fast reflexes! If it wasn't for that, I probably have a black eye now. 

Agad akong nakailag sa suntok niya. He punched again but this time, I caught his arm. Kinuha ko ang braso niya at inipit ito sa kanyang likod. He tried attacking me again but I'm quicker. Bago pa siya makabwelo ay sinipa ko na ang kanyang binti, dahilan kung bakit siya napaluhod sa sahig. 

I pulled his arm farther until I felt him tapping my hand. 

"Stop. Stop. Stop." binitawan ko siya at lumayo sakanya. 

"That's it?" tinaasan ko ng kilay si Axel. Ngumisi naman siya.

"Ah!" napasigaw ako.

Hindi ko naman inaasahan na susugod na si Damon sa akin. Umilag ako. Damon bowed his head a little at me when we are already face to face. 

To say that I can defeat him easily is an understatement. In fact, he's really good at making strategies. Hindi agad basta basta sumusugod. 

"Go, Damon!" one of his colleagues cheered. 

Bumagsak ang balikat ko at binaba ang aking braso na handa na sanang sumuntok. Dismayado kong binalingan ng tingin iyong sumigaw. I pouted. 

"That's unfair! No one's cheering for me-" 

I was about to complain when Damon launched forward at me. Hindi ko naman inaasahan na sa pagkakataong iyon ay susugod na si Damon. I was distracted, okay? No one's trying to boost my confidence!

"Focus on your opponent, Aria!" sigaw ni Axel. 

"Fine!" 

Damon swing his arm and it almost hit my shoulder. I tried to attack him but he was quick.

Sa tingin ko nga ang tagal ng naging laban namin ni Damon. Feeling ko lahat na ata ng muscles ko sa katawan ay nagamit ko na. Fighting him was just tiring. 

Kung hindi lang siguro pinatigil ni Axel iyon ay wala na talagang mananalo sa amin. I tried to catch my breath when we finished. Damon ruffled my hair and smiled. 

"You did good." he said while breathing hard. I smiled at him.

"Thanks. You, too." 

Damon nods his head and smiled. Ramdam ko naman ang paninitig sa amin ng isang pares ng mga mata. Ibinaling ko naman ang tingin doon at nakitang mataman na nakatitig sa amin si Axel. He removed his gaze at us and informed everyone that he's next. 

"I'm not even resting yet. I'm still tired." reklamo ko. 

"Then don't let him take advantage of that." ani Damon. He taps me on my shoulder before he proceeded to join his comrades. 

I let out a sigh and turn to Axel who's now waiting for me to get ready. 

"Excited to kill me?" I asked with a smirk.

Hingal na hingal pa ako pero kung gusto na niyang makipaglaban ngayon, edi tara! Agad namang nawala ang ngisi sa labi ko nang makita ko ang itsura niya. 

I was hoping he'll get irritated with that but what happens is that, I only got more scared of him. He's dead serious and he looks like he's not taking any jokes from anyone. 

My heart started to beat faster. Did I do something wrong? I hope this is not going to be the end of me.