General Direction: No erasure -Xharot! Answer only na lang. Hahaha.

Again, direction. Scroll down ka dali. Tapos, nakikita mo ba yang hugis star na yan sa lower left side? Please hit that. Thank you.

**

~Winter's Pov

SINCE I WAS a kid, I didn't get a chance to see what dad looks like. What it feels to be with him and what does he do for living.

I didn't have a chance to talk to him like other children do and I didn't even hug him.

And that's the worst, I didn't hug my own father and all I know is, he was dead already.

But still I tried to be a good daughter and sister. Spring, my elder sister is a goddess and a genius, mom said maybe it's because of dad. She's always on top and she has a nice and good image at school.

While me, I am her opposite, I'm the black sheep, I feel it. I am stubborn, no need to deny. I am hardheaded and impatient, no need to lie. I am a trouble maker and a naughty daughter to mom, well, that's me.

And at this age, I still feel so incomplete and as if I didn't belong anywhere kaya madalas akong nagmamatigas. Wala akong pagpapahalaga sa buhay ko o kung ano ang mangyari sa'kin.

Until I stepped inside of this closed place. I've encountered such people I didn't know has those personalities. Like gangs, students with full power, like Ceixarder, and other people who kills for fun, like Olivia, and people who kills for rank.

Marami na rin akong nasaksihang labanan at away na may patayan. Mga taong pinapahalagahan ang buhay nila sa kabila ng lahat.

But this time, it's different because the people I used to be with me everyday got hurt. At para akong mababaliw sa isiping lahat sila ay walang malay at nakahiga sa hospital bed at hindi gumagalaw.

Tapos naiwan akong mag-isa at hindi alam ang gagawin.

"Winter, you should eat and take a break. Have rest today for tomorrow."

Narinig kong sabi ni Kiana at may inilapag siyang tray na may mga pagkain sa harapan ko.

"How can I when I can't even have a focus? I'm still shock and I just realized a thing..."

"What thing is it?"

"That I was left alone and a burden was passed on my shoulder temporarily. Ano naman ang alam ko? Sana kasi hindi na lang sinalo ni Ceixarder ang balang para sa'kin edi sana siya ang gising ngayon at alam niya ang gagawin."

Sagot ko dahil naalala ko pa ang sinabi ni Rayven sa'kin kahapon. Na dahil hindi pa nagigising si Ceixarder o ang kahit na sino sa kanila ay ako dapat ang mamuno pansamantala.

Imagine? Ano naman ang alam ko sa pamumuno? Nothing, wala silang maaasahan sa'kin.

"And do you realized as well why Ceixarder saved you? Why he have to catch all the bullets and leave the responsibility in you?"

I looked at Kiana flatly. How could she even ask me why wherein it's so obvious that I don't know?

"Bakit nga ba? Alam naman niyang nabaril rin ang iba tapos nagpabaril din siya. He should've realized that everyone needs him. While his asleep, the enemies might attack again."

"Kaya nga diba? Niligtas ka niya para may maiwang mamumuno habang hindi pa niya kaya. Winter, hindi mo naman kailangan talagang makipag-away sa labas. Alam niya yun, and I know that he knew too well that you can handle this matter. Use your power Winter, use your position, your status. You have the power to command everyone whoever you desire. That's what all he does to lead and manage us for years. As you know, he even used Blake."

Paliwanag ni Kiana. And she has a point. But I still argued with her. I just can't get it straight to my mind. Parang panandalian akong nabobo.

"But it's easier if he just let the bullets to hit me. Not that I'm complaining."

Tumaas ang kilay niya at tinignan ako ng malamig.

"Not complaining? So you're just sharing your opinion as of now? Is that it?" She sarcastically said.

"Okay fine, I'm complaining. Kasi naman eh! He should just save himself and let me! Hindi niya na ako kailangan pa na iligtas! Kasi alam ko na alam niya na mas magiging maayos ang lahat kung siya ang gising ngayon. I'm useless Kiana, I won't deny it but I really know nothing when it comes to leadership. I'm afraid to take a risk. In my whole life, I always played the safe-card. I'm always playing safe."

"Ceixarder is not dumb. I know he do know that and I'm actually amazed of how he even thought of entrusting you the responsibility."

Napangiwi ako kasi hindi ko siya maintindihan. At talagang naa-amaze pa siya kay Ceixarder dahil naka ngiti siya.

"The heck? Anong sinasabi mo diyan? "

"What my point is he's honing you."

"Honing me? Can I cuss? I think I want."

Umiling siya at mas ngumiti pa. Tignan mo'to.

"He's honing your skills in leadership. He's testing you if how far you can reach. He's like giving you a chance to change your slightly ill perspective in your life. Cause as I've listen to you, you're like revelling to your own life. "

Napa-iwas na lang ako ng tingin sa sinabi niya. Kasi totoo yun, hindi ko ididinay. Because my life isn't good as they thought it is.

Oo nga at hindi kami naghihirap, wala kaming problema financially and even in our home. We're okay, yeah? But the hard part of being Winter Valkairie Montreal is, I don't feel like I am recognized. Mom only saw my mistakes, kesyo palagi raw akong gumagawa ng gulo. While ate Spring, she always get what she want, trust, respect, love, care and mom is always proud of her. Eh ako?

"I'm not just revelling Kiana, I'm also finding myself, I feel so lost but don't worry, I can handle things out."

"Yes maybe you can, we all know you can but I saw that you have a low self-esteem. And as an advice, please take the risk just once. May nakapagsabi sa'kin dati na ang mga taong nawawala sa mabuting landas ay nahahanap ang sarili sa isang partikular na lugar, tao at pangyayari. People who think and feel that they are not worth it eventually find their worth at a particular events of their lives that they didn't imagine they will experience."

Alam ko naman yun pero di ko alam kung paano. Because I don't feel like those are true. Kasi di ko nararamdaman yun or maybe not yet.

"So you want me to take the responsibility? I feel so special, ako talaga? "

Sinamaan niya lang ako ng tingin dahil sa pagiging sarkastiko.

"Yes you're special and you know why?" Nakangising aso na siya ngayon.

"Bakit?"

"Because it's the first time that Ceixarder saved someone with his life. Yes maybe he save lives but not this way..." Napakunot na naman ang nuo ko kasi hindi ko na naman siya maintindihan.

"Parang nagiging bobo ako dito ah." Natawa siya bigla sa tinuran ko.

"Do you know what was his way to save lives? "

"Definitely not."

"Yeah because he saves life through power. Just his words or he'll order his Armies or anyone he trust but everyone knew better that he won't risk his life. Because he knew everyone need him more than anything else and he badly wants to take Olivia and her allies down. And he has to be alive, that's why I'm so shocked when I heard that he laid his life for you."

Ganun? Bakit niya naman ginawa yun, kung pwede naman pa lang hindi niya yun gawin bakit pa niya ginawa? Bakit pa niya hinarang ang sarili niya sa mga balang dapat ay sa'kin.

I don't know why but I feel guilty, all this time I am just talking back to him as if he's just an ordinary student like me, wherein dapat ko siyang igalang dahil mas nakakataas siya. And he saved me, I should say thank you and sorry when he wakes up.

And fine, if taking care of his beloved Council—no, it's the students, teachers and staffs whom he love because he's protecting them at all cost, and if taking good care of them will make him feel better and relief, then I will. I'll try to take the risk even just once.

"Kung ganun sige, ako na muna ang bahala sa mga mahal niya habang tulog siya. Nahiya naman kasi ako sa pagiging bayani niya." Puno ng sarkasmo kong sabi na ikinatawa na naman ni Kiana.

"Still stubborn, mulish and hardheaded. Hindi na ako magtataka kung pagkagising ni Brain ay sipain ka niya paalis ng Council."

"As If he will, dapat matagal na niyang ginawa lalo pa't parati ko siyang minumura."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Kiana sa sinabi ko at parang di siya makapaniwala. Napakurap-kurap pa siya at napalunok.

"What?! You cursed him?!" I nodded.

"And you're still breathing?! Wow! I'm so proud to be your friend Winter. Praise you."

Eh? Ano daw? Seriously? Ano bang pinagsasabi na naman niya.

"Ang weird mo ngayon Ishino. Ano bang nakakagulat dun? Sa gaspang ng ugali niya malamang na marami ng taong minura siya."

Agad siyang napailing-iling.

"No, none does. Because last time that one of the student cursed him, he ended up on the Dark cell. We heard he was tortured and got beaten up like hell and got killed for disrespecting Brain."

Napaawang ang bibig ko sa kanya. O shit! I'm so lucky for being alive till now. Hindi ko akalaing ganun yun. Dahil lang sa minura si Xarder naparusahan na agad. Bakit parang martial law lang? Bakit parang may dektador ulit dito?

"I'm so lucky. I'm indeed special."

"Downright lucky and special. Hmm, I wonder why he didn't even kick you out."

"But he threatened me several times!"

Naalala ko pa nun, noong nasa dorm kami at ilang beses ko siyang minura, winarningan niya ako.

***

Nakatayo lang ako sa paanan ng hospital bed ni Ceix. It's been two days and they're still asleep.

When I saw them one by one two days ago, halos naliligo sa dugo si Blake dahil may tama siya ng baril sa may balikat malapit sa dibdib, at maraming gasgas. Habang si Zen, he was also shot at the back twice, buti naagapan agad sila ng doctors. Si Martina, di naman gaanong nasugatan at napano. She wasn't shot but the doctor said, she was hit on the back of her head but not as severe as Alastair. Si Alas kasi, nabaril sa may sentido banda, and the doctors almost lost him, actually they do, several times before he got stable. Nakuha agad nila ang bala dahil kompleto naman sila sa kagamitan at mas marami at high tech pa ang mga ito.

While Ceixarder, he's still unconscious. Apat na bala kasi ang tumama sa kanya at lahat malapit sa puso. May isa pang tumagos sa may dibdib niya.

And seeing him now, na maraming aparatos na nakakabit sa katawan, parang nanghihina ako. Because of me, he's now suffering for a coma. Yes he's in coma, but the doctor said it's just for a week, maybe.

But I still feel guilty. He should've just let the bullets. Ang hilig kasing mag-pakabayani eh.

Nakatutok lang ako sa gwapo niyang mukha na kakalinis ko lang. At heto na naman ang galit na nararamdaman ko. Muntik na rin akong mapuruhan eh, pero palagi na lang may lumi-ligtas sa'kin.

"Xarder, I will only say this once, kaya makinig ka ng mabuti dahil hinding-hindi ko na 'to uulitin pa. Kaya makinig ka."

Parang baliw na pag kausap ko sa kanya. Nasa iisang kwarto lang silang lima dahil yun talaga ang sinabi ko. Ako lang kasi ang mag-isang nagbabantay sa kanila at sinasamahan lang ako nina Kiana at Isabelle.

"Thank you...for saving me again. And sorry for being so rude towards you..." Mas mahina pa sa bulong na wika ko at di ko namalayang nakalapit na pala ako sa kanya.

Umupo ako sa kanyang tabi hindi ko napigilang abutin ang kamay niya at hinawakan yun.

"...promise, magiging mabait na ako. I mean susubukan kong hindi kana sagot-sagutin at murahin ng patago. Susundin ko na ang mga iuutos mo sa'kin ng walang angal. Di na ako magrereklamo at promise, di na kita sasapakin kahit na may utang ka pa sa'king isang suntok."

Mahina ko paring usal at mas humigpit ang hawak sa kamay niya. Gusto ko siyang alagaan dahil kung hindi dahil sa kanya malamang na ako ngayon ang nakaratay.

Ako ang nahihirapan at ako ang tulog. At hindi naman ako ganun ka walang utang na loob. Kaya pagnagising na siya susubukan ko na talagang maging mabait.

I leaned down closer to him unnoticed and I blinked when I realized that I was about to kiss him.

Fudge! Winter! Are you serious? Talaga?

Napangiwi na lang ako at napa ngisi, okay lang, di naman niya malalaman eh. Kahit isa lang para makatikim—ay este makabawi.

And yes! I was really out of my mind when I continued and is about to kiss him when someone entered the room.

Mas mabilis pa sa pag-iwan sa'kin ng ex ko na lumayo ako sa kanya at walang emosyon ang mukha na nilingon ang pangahas.

And it's Rox, the Council Army's leader or head. He's one of our trusted men.

"Secretary Winter, I have come here to tell you a bad news."

Nagtatagis ang panga na tinignan ko siya para sabihing nababadtrip ako sa kanya.
At Ano na naman?! Masamang balita na naman.

"What the hell is that?! At bakit ba hindi ka kumakatok? Rox, saang bundok ka ba tinago ng nanay mo at di uso ang pagkatok sa inyo?" Iritadong tanong ko sa kanya.

At ang tang'na, natawa pa.

"Sorry. My bad, naexcite lang naman ako sa dala kong balita Miss Secretary. Next time I'll knock."

"You should really knock. Kasi dati may iniumpog akong ulo ng kaklase ko dahil hindi siya kumatok habang nag-C-CR ako. Btw, Anong balita ang dala mo?"

Nakangiti pa siya, "The students are asking about the condition of other Council members especially Brain. They're asking questions and they're on panic."

Napangiwi na naman ako dahil dun. Nakaka-stress ah. Paano ko ba to susulusyunan? What should I do? Di pwedeng makita nila ang kalagayan nina Blake lalong-lalo na ni Ceixarder. They'll just panic even more.

Better feed them lies.

"Tell them they're all getting fine and in rest. They don't want to be disturbed."

"Some teachers are asking if they're awake. Should I tell them the same thing?"

"Tell them Blake is awake, and Ceixarder just woke up but badly needs to rest. And did you tell to all doctors and nurses here to keep their mouth shut?"

"Yes we did. They know what to do anyway."

"Good. Now leave bago kita hambalusin."

Inis na sabi ko sa kanya. Kilala ko na siya at medyo may pagka mapang-asar talaga siya. Kaya alam na niya na kanina pa ako naiinis.

"Okay and don't worry, I won't tell Brain that you planned on kissing him--"

"May baril ka Rox?"

"Bakit? Anong gagawin mo sa baril?"

"I'll fucking shot you. Your mouth is fucking noisy and annoying as fuck. "

"No way! I don't have a gun!"

"A knife?"

"I don't bring knife. Shit. I'm leaving and yeah I will shut my mouth."

Ako naman ang tumawa sa kanya.

"Now you're leaving. Akala ko mag dadaldal ka pa eh." Tawa ko pa at nang wala na siya napabuntong hininga na lang ako at naupo sa sofa na malapit sa may bintana.

Malaki naman ang kwarto at di ako natatakot. I used to sleep here in two days.

**

"LOKI! STOP THAT!"

Rinig kong sigaw ni Isabelle kay Loki. Maingay na naman at hindi ko alam kung anong mayron. Nasa hospital pa rin ako at nang magmulat ay nakita ko sina Blaise, Zetro, Loki, Isabelle at Kiana.

They're fighting again and cussing each other. May mga pagkain na sa mesa at mga tubig. I even saw other things like pillows, Blankets and folding bed.

Napa balikwas ako bigla nang maalimpungatan. Nagbabangayan pa rin sila at napaawang ang labi ko sa nakikita ko ngayon.

It's Loki and he's holding the oxygen of Ceixarder that doctor Wilson put earlier and Isabelle is stopping him from pulling it away.

While Blaise is holding a pillow above Zen's face and Kiana and Zetro is pulling him away.

At napatayo ako sa kinahihigaan kong sofa para awatin sila.

"Loki ano ba?! Wag mong hilahin ang oxygen ni Ceixarder KO! He'll die!"

"That's the fucking point! I wanna kill this bastard! He's an asshole! I'll kill him."

Nakangising-aso na wika ni Loki at pilit hinihila ang oxygen ni Ceixarder tulog pa rin.

"Gago ka ba?! Kapag namatay siya paano na lang?! Tumigil ka nga!"

"Ano bang problema mo Isabelle! Nakaratay na siya kaya wala na siyang silbi. Wag mo'kong pigilan. Matagal na akong nagtitimpi sa gagong to eh."

"He'll die Loki. Tumigil ka kasi!"

"I'll just tell to the doctor that he suddenly seizure so I help to stop him but unluckily, I accidentally pulled the oxygen."

I want to punch Loki in annoyance. Kagaguhan talaga ang alam niya.

Napatingin naman ako kina Blaise na ganun rin ang eksena.

"Stop it Blaise. Di tayo pumapatol sa lumpo at tulog. Come on! Tigil na." Pag-awat ni Zetro kay Blaise na gustong takpan ng unan ang mukha ni Zen para malamang hindi ito makahinga pero pilit siyang pinipigilan ni Kiana at Zetro.

"Pumapatol na ako ngayon sa tulog Zetro. I'll kill him for stealing my date three years ago. I'll kill him for using his position to failure me at di ako naka-graduate last year. Kaya papatayin ko na siya. "

"Asshole ka Blaise. Itigil mo na kasi ang kalukuhan mo. Kung hindi ako na talaga ang tatadyak sayo."

"Ayuko nga—Kiana the pillow! And Zetro let go! Wag kang kapit ng kapit para kang babae!"

"Jerk!"

Napailing na lang ako habang tinitignan sila. And now Isabelle and Loki are facing each other and shouting.

"Isabelle tabi. O baka gusto mo ikaw nalang ang sasakalin ko imbis na ang tang'nang yan?!"

"Loki! Alam mo naman ang nararamdaman ko para sa kanya! I l-love him. And I will lay my life to protect him!"

Napalatak ako kay Isabelle. Halos sabay kaming napa'eww' ni Loki sa kaartehan niya. Umakto pa siyang naiiyak at ang sagwa ng sinabi niya kanina.

Maging sina Blaise ay natigil na rin at naka tingin kay Isabelle ng masama.

"You're gross Isabelle, that's your line that I hate the most." Ani Blaise na nakangiwi.

"Ang sagwa nga eh, ang arte. Eww! Ate Sabel, tigil-tigilan mo nga yan." Ani Zetro at umarting nasusuka pa.

And I can't hold my laughter anymore. I blurted out making them tsked.

Nagsi-sampahan na lang sila sa malapad at malawak na folding bed na dala nila na kasya ata kahit kaming anim.

"Tama na ang ingay niyo. Nagising tuloy si Winter." Saway sa kanila ni Kiana.

Pero sana kasabay kong nagising sina Ceixarder. That would be nice.

Ano kaya ang sasabihin nila at magiging reaksyon kapag nagising silang ganun ang eksena kanina? Tiyak na mag pupuyos rin sila sa galit.

"Nandito pala kayo, at ano to? Dito kayo matutulog lahat?"

"Yes. May plano kasi kaming i-assasinate ang iba diyan. Alam mo naman na ayaw namin sa mga pangit. " Saad ni Blaise na nakadapa sa malambot na foam at mattress.

Nakahiga at nakunan naman si Kiana sa likod niya. Habang si Zetro naka una din sa tiyan ni Kiana at si Isabelle naman naka sandal kay Loki na nakaupo lang at tahimik na ulit.

"Wag naman Blaise. Mawawalan ako ng mapag-titripan niyan eh. " Biro ko pa at lumapit sa kanila.

Di pa naman nagigising ang mga tulog kong kasama.

Naupo rin ako sa tapat lang ni Loki.

"Ehm, pero naiinis pa rin ako sa kanila lalong-lalo na kay Zen Arsenal. Alam ko namang siya ang nag bagsak sa'kin last year kaya hindi ako naka graduate. Natalo ko kasi siya sa basketball. Weak eh."

"Yabang mo Blaise, eh ilang beses ka nga ulit bumagsak kasi nasagi ka niya? Tapos dinugo ang ilong mo kasi nasiko niya?"

"Fuck you Zetro."

"Fuck you too Blaise."

Palitan nila ng mura at humagalpak naman sa tawa si Isabelle at Kiana.

Maging ako. Paano kaya yun noh?

"Eh Ikaw Zetty? Diba pinatid ka rin naman ni Zen kasi inis siya sa'yo? Tapos binagsak ka rin, hindi ka galit?"

Tanong ni Isabelle kay Zetro na nagpapa-baby kay Kiana. Pinapasuklay niya kasi ang buhok niya kay Kiana.

"I'm not. Mas gwapo naman ako sa kanila. At tsaka okay lang naman na binagsak niya ako...." Naka ngiti pa si Zetro habang nagsasalita.

Buti pa siya walang hinanakit. Mabuting bata. Papalakpak na sana ako nang may dinugtong pa siya.

"....kasi nahulog na siya sa man-made kanal ko nun na puno ng maduming tubig na galing pa sa mga dorms. Kinulekta ko kasi ang mga tubig na ginagamit nila sa paghugas ng pinggan, kaldero, tubig na pinanlaba nila, pinanligo at ginagamit mag-tooth brush. Inipon ko at ng dumaan siya dun habang nagrurunda bigla na lang siyang lumubog at nakaligo ng wala sa oras."

Halos lahat kami humagalpak ng tawa sa kwento niya. That was epic for sure! Akala ko siya na ang pina kamabait sa kanilang lahat pero mali ako, he's the worst! Sekretong bunal eh.

"And you didn't tell us? We should've help you execute your plan back then. Edi sana naka ganti rin kami." Natatawa paring sabi ni Loki.

"Sana mas malala pa ang inabot niya nun. You could have brought us there! Sana nakita namin kung paano siya nag puyos sa galit." Natatawa ring gatong ni Blaise.

Hindi na rin ako nakapagpigil. Kahit Kailan talaga sila.

Seriously? Ginawa nila yun, yan tuloy hindi sila naka graduate.

"You are all so gago. Pati kami ni Isabelle nadamay tuloy. Kaya hindi rin kami naka graduate eh." Pagalit pang sabi ni Kiana.

Wala na lang akong nasabi dahil sa kakatawa. Ngayon ko na lang ulit sila nakita na mag bangayan dahil palagi akong nasa Council office. And it's nice to witness their kahayupan.

"Eh ikaw Winter, Ano ang pinaka hayup na ginawa mo?"

Napangiwi kay Kiana. Hindi naman sa panghahayop talaga ang ginagawa ko pero may naalala agad ako sa tanong niya.

"Hmm, when I was in the party of my classmate. Actually di niya ako inim-vite nun, kaaway ko kasi siya pero pumunta pa rin ako at binigyan siya ng regalo."

Sunod-sunod silang nagsi tanguan at palakpakan.

"Ang bait pala. Kahit kaaway binigyan ng regalo."

"Parang gusto rin kuyang awayin sa birthday ko ah. "

"Pero ano naman ang regalo mo?"

Lumapad ang ngisi ko sa tanong ni Loki. Well, Ano nga ba? I grinned widely as I tell them what my gift was and I think I shocked them to the core making them cuss one by one.

"I gave my classmate a box full of German cockroaches, spider crab, lizards and rat snakes with matching rabbits and crab spider. She's standing near her giant cake that time and the moment she opened my gift, the pest and reptile freak out and she screamed so damn loud making everyone look towards her. At sa sobrang takot dahil sa mga daga at malalaking gagamba na pumasok sa damit niya naitapon niya sa cake ang regalo ko at nagtatalon-talon siya sa takot. She even roared at me and she accidentally stepped on her gown making her dropped to her cake and then boom! She was beneath her cake afterwards. Bumagsak kasi sa kanya."

And till now, I'm still so darn enjoying that craziness I've made.

Di sila maka paniwalang tumitig sa'kin at sabay na humagalpak ng tawa.

"Shit!"

"Fuck!"

"That's scary!"

"Fuck. I didn't thought you'll make a scene in a birthday party."

"I can't believe you. Masyado kang masama!"

Tawang-tawa lang ako sa kanila dahil di sila makapaniwala sa sinabi ko. Maging ako man, I can't believe I still executed that plan of mine that I really planned for four weeks. And after that I was kicked out because my classmate's father is the principal. At di man lang ako naka ramdam ng hiya nun.

"You're bad, Winter. So bad."

"Oh? My bad." Tawa ko pa rin sa kanila.

"That was epic, for sure." Blaise is still laughing but we all stopped when we heard someone cough.

And we all look towards the door then the lights went off but the moonlight gave us a chance to see and to know who was it.

"Leader." Blaise, in a serious voice said.

The fuck? Why is he here?

***
Thanks for reading!

Edited