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TITLE: VENGEANCE

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Jaxon Caleb Ramirez |

In the school halls, my eyes caught a glance, A moment so surreal, left me in a trance, There she stood, a face so divine, Her almond eyes, like stars, began to shine,

Your wavy hair danced in raven black,Her voice is what made me lose on track,Your skin was white as alabaster,It keeps my heart on racing faster,

Her beauty, like a spell, had me fascinated, In that brief moment, I knew I was enchanted, She's that beautiful art that stole my heart, Love's tender flame so good on my part,

Your name is Naomi, For I know that you are meant for me,I didn't realize this affair was possible,As if I won your beauty at a gamble,

That kismet had tied our fates together,I'll love you always and forever,Naomi, don't ever let me go,Sometimes I wish I had met you long ago,

"If it fulfills them, then they should submit to their happiness. Trust in kismet's gamble, and you'll experience a magical feeling, where ya won't mind societal norms or expectations," sagot ko sa professor pero nakatutok ang tingin sa kaisa-isang babaeng pinariringgan ko.

I realized that she was my happiness, kaya madaling sabihin sa akin ang mga salitang iyon galing sa puso ko. Buong pag-ibig ko siyang tiningnan, pinaaabot mismo sa kaniya ang mensahe kong ito.

Naomi, I dedicated those words to you. Choose to be happy but with me, hopefully.

From the moment I laid eyes on her mesmerizing face, I felt something change. It was a mysterious and unexpected change of heart, a magical shift that caught me unaware. There was that someone who gracefully dethroned Selena in my heart, teaching me to love someone better for me—Naomi.

I had no clue kung saang lupalop nanggaling si Naomi. Pati ako, na-weirduhan, ewan. Noong malamang siya pala si Ravier na nagbago lang ang katawan, nagulat ako at natakot na baka mawala si Naomi sa akin. Kaya I was doing my best to get her . . . back!

Naomi was the dream. Natatakot ako na mawala ang gandang nakikita ko at mapalitan ng mapangit na bangungot!

She was the apple of my eye. Competitive ako, e, kaya that time, I would never slip her away again!

Nakatengga lang kaming nakaupo sa cafeteria ng school. I chose the largest table where Naomi, Bella, Christel, and my friends could eat. We were like sitting on top of the world. Being the owner of the school, we owned that prominent space. Puwede kami mag-ingay roon while the ordinary people are just silently munching their own lunch.

I sat beside Naomi. Dinig ko ang pagkalansing ng kaniyang spoon and fork na inaalis sa plastik labo. Binuksan niya na ang takip ng basang tupperware at ang laman niyon ay luncheon meat.

Napakunot ang noo ko noong makitang ketsup lang ang pinapansin niya . . . at hindi ako.

Huh? What had I done wrong? Masyado ko ba siyang na-intimidate sa sinabi ko sa recitation na trust in kismet's gamble? Napanguso ako. I hadn't seen a problem with what I said!

But she remained silent as if I was a ghost. I pinched my rough chin. Hindi ko alam kung nagpapakipot ba o galit. Basta, nakatalikod lang siya sa akin, iniiwasan ang makahulugang tingin ko. Hey, Naomi, bakit? Is there somethin' wrong?

Gusto ko sana siyang kalabitin nang may—"Mukhang may LQ! LQ! LQ sina Naomi! Break na 'yan! Break na 'yan! Break na 'yan! Move one!" petisyon nina Bella at Christel na binabagsak ang mga kamao sa lamesa habang hawak ang kutsara't tinidor.

Nag-knock on wood ako sa table kahit gawa siya sa plastik. We were not gonna break up just because of that minor personal problem!

I gave them a death glare. "What the fuck was wrong with you, two? Nag-aaral lang ako at wala akong ginagawang masama!" Afterward, I raised my hands up in surrender.

I gotta explain my side 'cause women tend to be always right than men. Folks liked to generalize men as jerks based on the imperfections of other men. Iba ako sa kanila.

Gamit ang malapad kong kamay, inalog ko ang balingkinitang katawan ni Naomi. Hindi niya pa kasi nagagalaw iyong MaLing niya.

I grabbed her spoon and playfully soared it like an airplane until it reached her red lips.

Buti na lang, nakaabot ang pagkain sa bibig niya. Tinanggal niya ang kutsara na isinaksak ko roon.

She moved backward. "Ano ba, freak! Nananahimik ako rito tapos gaganiyanin mo ako?" She shielded her blushing face with her hand.

"I deserve a better nickname. Just call me JC instead of calling me that."

I smiled and gently pinched her cheeks, making them as radiant as sunshine-kissed butter. Her face lit up with what I did. So cute.

Ibinalik niya ang kutsara sa plato ko. Hinayaan ko siyang magngungunguya bago tanungin.

"Masarap ba ang MaLing?" Nilapitan ko ang bad mood niyang mukha.

She crossed her arms. "Kailan naging masarap mapunta sa MaLing tao?" Saka niya ako tinalikuran.

"No, no. Naomi, don't ya try to say that. I've learned already." A worry etched on my thick eyebrows from her cold remarks. Hey, was she still remembering the past of how I chose Selena rather than her? However, I put aside my worries and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a warm embrace. "Like I said, noon na iyon. Do ya have any doubts? Don't be, 'cuz I respect ya as Naomi," I whispered on her tingling ear.

"Hoy, you two! Baka nafo-forgot ninyo na we are here to eat french fries and not to watch you two na naglo-loving-loving?" Bella said while pointin' her fork to us.

Pumalumbaba ako. "Bella, kung naiinggit ka, stay with your Wilson instead," nakangisi kong sabi.

She almost stood on her couch. With eyes popping out she said, "Why dare you bring out Wilson's name here? Nasa iba siyang school. Alangan namang i-force ko siyang pag-aralin here? Duh!"

"Kung gusto mo talaga siyang makasama, wala naman sigurong masama if you will encourage him to study here. Besides, studying here is one of the best decisions that a human person would do. Hindi ba, Jaxon?" Siniko ako ng babaeng katabi ko.

"Y-Yes, I agree, N-Naomi—" My heart went oops when she put her spoon in my mouth. "Hoy! Ano ba, lintik. What was that for?" reklamo ko habang tinatakam iyong ibinigay niyang pagkain.

"Kanina mo pa kasi tinitingnan ang luncheon meat ko. Luto ko iyan. Sana magustuhan mo ang luncheon meat na gawa ng babaeng miniMEAThi mo."

And there goes her mischievous smile carved on her red lips, distracting me completely. Noong ma-realize kong hindi ko nalunok iyong kinain ko, naduwal ako na ikinaalarma ni Naomi.

Malambing na boses ang bumulong sa akin. "Oh, Jaxon, ano ang nangyayari sa iyo? Ayan kasi, hindi nag-iingat. O, tubig." Even though the rice got stuck in the throat, I could not help but witness her beauty. She grabbed a pitcher and carelessly poured water into her glass, lending it to me.

Umangat ang labi ko. Hindi mo ako pinansin kanina tapos ngayon concerned ka na? Umiling ako. Tsk! Just an ordinary habit of Naomi.

She hesitated, and our eyes locked, giving rise to an awkward silence. I took the glass to take a sip while intensely looking at her. After my tongue slurped the water, I could not resist lowering my fucking gaze on her red lips, involuntary licking mine seductively. My heart beated for her provoking beauty. Hay, Naomi, wish I could kiss ya—

May impit na sumigaw. "Uy, nagkatinginan! Mas maganda sigurong picture-an ko kayo, tama? Tama?" putol ni fucking Christel sa moment namin.

"Hoy, kumain na nga lang kayo," reklamo naman ng kapatid kong si Sebastian, jowa ni Christel.

"Bitter ka lang, Kuya, e. Por que't nakita mo lang kaming naglalambingan, inggit ka na?" Umakbay ako kay Naomi, tila may nakakikiliting kuryenteng dumaloy sa braso ko. "Suyuin mo kasi, kuya, 'yong jowa mo." Nginitian ko si Christel na inaayos ang camera.

"Uy, ano ba!" Hinampas-hampas ako ng babae kong si Naomi. Oh? "Kumain ka na nga diyan!" asik niya at pilit kumawala sa akbay ko kahit hindi niya naman magawang lumayo sa akin.

"Magpapa-picture kasi tayo."

Umangat ang dugo ko nang may umepal sa amin. "Sama 'ko. Picture-an n'yo nga kaming tatlong babading-bading!" natatawang utos ni Lucas, kaibigan ko.

Siniko ko ito at pinanlisikan ng tingin. Gago, hindi ako babading-bading. No homo.

Inilabas na ni Christel ang kaniyang cellphone para kuhanan kami ng litrato.

"One. . . two!" bilang niya. I noticed her shaking hands. Mukhang blurred na naman ang magiging pic. Tsk!

I was the one in the middle, basking in relaxation and grinning from ear to ear. Lucas was the same. As for Naomi, she refused to smile and just gazed from far.

Bakit siya naka-poker face diyan? Killjoy. I playfully tickled her delicate cheeks, and it was like unlocking a treasure trove of joy. Her smile lit up as the camera flashed upon us.

"Come, lean on me," I whispered huskily.

She leaned on my shoulder with a bang. Ayan tuloy, nadaganan niya ang kamay ko—Heck, ouch! Naomi! My veins screamed in pain.

"Ako na nga ang magpi-picture sa kanila, Christel. You're so magulo. Your hands are nanginginig, o." Pinunasan ni Bella ang mantika niyang daliri para siya na ang maghawak ng phone.

Nagbilang siya bago i-click ang shutter button ng Cherry Mobile.

"Okay, beautiful na ito. Wacky naman next."

I struck a pose with all confidence and pulled the beautiful girl close to me. Her black hair was like raven black, so tempting to stroke. As for her pose, she just flashed a shy simple peace sign as if she were a shrinking violet. But little they know, beneath that innocence was that queenly demeanor, commanding respect and awe that I would always do when I saw that woman's face.

Dati si Selena ang nakakasama ko pagdating sa ganito. Pero that day, si

Ravier.

Si Naomi na ang kasama ko. Now, I wanted everything of her.

Bago pindutin muli ni Bella ang shutter botton, may babaeng sumingit sa likuran niya at ibinato ang cellphone sa sahig!

I frozed. "Selena, what the fuck are you doing?" The air seemed to be quiet, as if a new drama was about to unfold.

As I laid my blank eyes on her, it felt as if her gaze were a beaming laser to penetrate me.

What I saw in her dark brown eyes were weird. Huh? It looked like she felt betrayed.

Well, that was right for her, 'cause she also broke my trust for clinging into that sickening Everette Paolo, who was also a mystery to me! I could not understand why she chose someone we barely knew, and it left me feeling insulted.

Yet, amidst the tension, I bummed out when I saw Naomi's expression. Her eyes remained bored, as if Selena's beauty was very withstandable as paper.

She stood there in a queenly manner. The other side of Naomi was indeed her indifference. Yah, oo nga pala, kaya kay Naomi na lang ako. She was indeed best than any person who liked me before.

I needed ya, Naomi. Siya lang. Iyang gandang iyan ang dapat ko lang makita, satisfied na ako. Something that could never be replaced, degraded, nor changed.

I snapped out when a fucking whore mockingly said, "Oh, I dropped the phone. Sorry not sorry. Since you're using gadgets, kakasuhan ko kayo sa office of the prefect. Naiintindihan ninyo?" Pumamaywang siya. "Alam kong puwede ang cellphone sa college, pero even ordinary students like me should live in their own rules. Hindi lang kayo ang masusunod, mga matapobre."

Tinitigan niya isa-isa sina Naomi, Christel, Kuya, Lucas . . . at ako.

"My precious phone!" naiiyak na sambit ni Bella. "Hala! Its bugging and glitching na." Lumuhod siya para kuhanin ang basag niyang Cherry Mobile na patunog-tunog ang notif. "My lola gave this to me bago niya kami iwan dito sa Earth!"

"Four-thousand lang naman siguro iyan. Not a big deal though. Bumili ka ng bago. Problema ba 'yon?" Selena's laugh began to shred in my nerves. "O 'di kaya." Dahan-dahan siyang nagmodelo papalapit kay Bella'ng nagtimpi. "Hand that phone to me. Aayusin ko, pero para magawa ko iyon, bayaran mo muna ako ng dalawang libo. Promise, susunod ako sa usapan," nakangisi niyang bulong dito.

"B-But, my phone has sentimental value, Selena. You can break anything but not this. I-If you can do it, p-prove it to me that you can fix it."

Don't fall for it, Bella. I stood for her. "Selena, you said you promise to fix her Cherry Mobile if Bella paid you first? That's what all the scammer says." A cheater was always a cheater.

My vision of her darkened and pointed her against such arrogance. Why the fuck did she become such wicked?

Napaatras ako noong binangga ako ni Naomi para lapitan ang ex ko. Kita ko sa kamao at mata niya ang pagpipigil sa inis. Pinigilan ko siya sa pag-aalala.

"Woah, there! Naomi, ako na bahala dito." Halos mawalan ako ng balansee noong tiningnan niya ako nang masama.

Maraming estudyante ang pumalibot sa amin! Ang mga iba ay isa-isang tumayo sa kinauupuan, inaalam kung ano ang ganap.

I sighed, accepted that I had nothing to do about the mess they made in the cafeteria.

Ngumiti si Selena sa amin at kumaway. "Oh, hi, Naomi!" bati niya habang lumalapit sa akin. "Uh, Jaxon, ayan na ba ang bago mo?" Nandidiri niyang itinuro ang katabi niyang si Naomi at saka pekeng tumawa.

My thick brows furrowed and my vision flared. Everything she did that day was utindness no calmnessons saint buttoo.offensive, s.akordinary students like me should live in their own rulterlyes. beyond annoying. I wasn't expecting her to be a saint, but her words offered no kindness. I clenched my jaw, controlling my rage at bay. My heart tensed. She was spreading her bitterness and I would like to return it back with my harmless hatred towards her!

"Do you know guys that Jaxon is flirting with a gay that was disguising as a beautiful woman?" Tinuro ni Selena si Ravi—No! Si Naomi pala.

I protested, "Don't you dare call Naomi a fucking gay! She's a girl . . . in heart!"

Susugurin ko na sana siya nang hinawakan ni Sebastian ang kamao ko. "Kuya, huwag! Baka nakakalimutan mo?"

A pleading look written over his face turned me back on my senses. I inhaled deeply to regain my cool, leaving me calmer like an extinguished fire.

Oh yeah, she's a girl, not a boy. Why would I hurt her? But that was not an excuse to tolerate her actions!

Halos napalundag ako nang sumabat si Naomi na galit na galit. "Go to hell, bitch. E, ano naman kung bakla ako? Ikamamatay ba natin?"

"Oo!" Ngumiwi kami sa pag-agos ng luha niya. Tsk, what kind of drama was she tryin' to prove again? "When Jax and I broke-up, I felt like I'm dying inside. Parang may gumuho rito sa puso ko, and I hate it much! And ang mas masakit pa, ipinagkasundo siya sa isang bakla at saka iniwan ako ni Everette Paolo sa ibang mundo. Por que't mayaman kayo, e, iiwanan n'yo na kami! Dahil kay Ravier, may mga taong katulad ko nawawalan at napagdadamutan!"

Naglakad nang matulin si Naomi, parang maninipa na. "Wala akong kinalaman sa mga kamalasan mo. Puro ka paninisi, walang logic." Hindi niya na makontrol ang damdamin.

Pinatahan siya nina Bella at Christel, samantalang binantayan ako ni Kuya at ni Lucas sa tabi.

Selena's knees buckled, and she clasped her chest in pain. My heart felt a slight ache witnessing her weakness, as if she became a slave in her own problems. Although it was just an act, I could not deny that I still had that compassion towards her. May pinagsamahan pa rin kami and it was already written in history. We shared our flaws and virtues of what it meant to be humans. She just needed to fix herself. If I could help her, I would, but she had to start on herself first.

"Selena, tumayo ka na diyan. Nakakahiya sa tao, o." I gave her a helping hand.

Nagbulungan ang lahat sa eksena namin.

"Totoo ba 'yon? Na bakla si Naomi? Ang ganda niya, a! In fairness, akala mo talaga babae siya kung titingnan. Parang natural lang sa kaniya."

"Why does that Selena shaming someone for being gay? And kung may atraso si Selena sa kanila, nasa'n ang evidence?"

"'Yong luha niya daw beh 'yong ebidensya."

Lumingon ako sa mga nagbubulong-bulungang sibilyan dahilan para tumameme sila.

Natigilan ako nang may babaeng yumakap sa akin. "Jaxon! You've returned for me. Please come home," ani Selena. Home? What home? You were not my home. Tiningnan ko lang siya sa puting manggas ko na hinila niya.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita kami ni Naomi. I could not read her lifeless almond eyes, but seeing us in such a state was not what I wanted for her.

Tinulak ko nang marahan ang malilikot na kamay ng babaeng umangkla sa akin. Mahigpit ko itong hinawakan sa magkabilang balikat. "What do you want, Selena? Ha?" nakakunot-noo kong tanong sa kaniya. "Kung gulo ang dulot mo, please, don't ever fucking attack us sa kamalasan mo! You brought this to yourself. Wake up, respeto naman!"

Sapagkat OA si Selena, kunwari nadapa siya at hinawakan ang tuhod.

"Tulong! Saklolo! I've been verbally abused so many times!" matinis niyang pakiusap at umikot sa sahig na parang nangingisay. Bruh, she was even more dramatic than I thought!

Mas lumakas pa ang mga bulungan.

"Pa'no siya nadapa, e, tinulak lang naman siya nang mahina ni Jaxon?"

"Acting lang siguro. Akala mo naman nasa indie drama."

"Patingin nga kung may sugat." Napalingon ulit ako kay Naomi, who was acting like a boss. "Sa tingin ko, hita lang naman ang natamaan, hindi 'yong tuhod mo." Pinalo niya si Selena sa puwetan dahilan para matauhan ito. "Selena, hindi sa lahat ng sinasabi ng magulang mo ay dapat mong sundin. Sometimes you have to develop your own discernment para hindi ka nila ginagawang parang puppet na minamanipula." Matalim niya itong tiningnan dahilan para mapaatras ito sa takot. "Dahil sa kabobohang ginagawa mo ngayon, wala ka ring kaibahan sa kanila na hindi alam kung ano ang tama at mali."

Napatayo si Selena na parang hindi nag-hysterical kanina. "S-Seriously, h-how did you know—"

I did not know what the fuck they were saying. Basta niyakap ko na lang si Naomi para maprotektahan siya sa masasamang espirito.

I pity Selena; her hair was a tangled mess, and her checkered skirts had gathered a few stains from the dirt on the floor.

Tinabihan kami nina Bella, at Christel. Sina Lucas at Kuya naman ay hinarangan si Selena.

"Hawakan n'yo nang maigi 'yong kamay! Arestuhin na ninyo! Nanunuklaw 'yan!" sigaw ni Sebastian sa mga nakikiusyoso.

Hinawakan nila ang mga braso at hita ni Selena para hindi na siya makawala.

"We will go the room para ma-report natin sa prof about Selena's scandal," sambit ni Bella na ikinatango namin. "I need hustisya for my Cherry Mobile!"

"S-Selena, why are you doing this? Stop it. Fuck it, alam mo naman iyon? I'm tired," I gasped out. There was no point in prolonging that discussion any longer, especially when someone chose the path of ignorance, leaving me feeling hurt and frustrated. "I don't wanna be inclined with your troubles anymore."

"J-Jaxon, I-I'm sorry, but how can I get anything without you? My Mama wants me to be with you—"

Umiling ako. "Then that's your problem, Selena. Sad truth, different people want different things at different times. Naomi over anyone else. You can't fool me in your schemes again." Ibinuhos ko ang lahat ng mga gusto kong sabihin sa kaniya. Malungkot ko siyang tiningnan, pahiwatig na ayun na ang huling lungkot na ipapakita ko sa kaniya. "Let us put everything in an end, Selena. You lost me, but ya fought well." Inakbayan ko na si Naomi at saka umalis na roon.

Dinig ko pa iyong tawag paulit-ulit na tawag sa akin ni Selena, pero wala siyang kawala sa pagpipigil sa kaniya nina Kuya at Lucas.

As we walked through the crowded school corridors, it was already afternoon. The sun had mellowed. Its golden-yellow rays casted through the windows, which absorbed by the white walls and red lockers. The atmosphere more peaceful and warmer than we experienced in the cafeteria. We were on our way home.

Naomi blurted out of nowhere while gripping the strap of her bagpack. "Sana piliin mong maging malaya, Selena." An idea struck me.

Freedom.

I patted her head. "Have you remembered what happiness is, Naomi?"

She gaved me a bored look with arms crossed. "Ayan na naman? Hindi ka na ba maka-move on sa topic na iyan?"

"Alam kong mukhang natamaan ka sa sinabi ko kanina sa recitation. Sorry, if it's too long to for ya to absorb."

"It's fine. It's a nice answer though."

"But do you know what happiness really mean?" She tilted her head in full curiosity. "In other words, happiness is about choosing to be free."

"Mukhang malaya na ako dahil nagagawa ko nang maging masaya." Napangiti siya habang sinasabi iyon. Ano kaya ang nasa isip niya?

III Napakagaan sa pakiramdam ni Naomi noong sinabi ni JC na ipaglalaban siya nito magpakailanman. Akala niya nga ipaglalaban nito si Selena, ang dating kasintahan. Bagkus, natuwa siya kay Jaxon na pinanindigan niya ang kanilang pagkakaibigan. Pagiging loyal ni JC kay Naomi ay isang nakapupuring katangian.

Parang nakalimutan na ni Naomi ang masakit na nakaraan. Nahanap niya na nga ang tunay na kaligayahan sa pamamagitan ng kalayaan. Malapit na rin ang kaniyang labinwalong kaarawan. Since tapos na ang mga hidwaan, oras na para ipagdiriwang ang tagumpay na naranasan.

Umangat ang tingin niya sa roof window ng kanilang eskuwelahan.

Tila may kababalaghang hindi inaasahan nang biglaang nagbago ang kalagayan ng kalangitan. Naging rapido ang pagdilim ng nagkumpulang kaulupan, isa muling phenomenang hindi pangkaraniwan.

Nakapagtataka naman! Wala namang bahid ng pag-ulan, pero bakit biglang dumilim matapos ng maaraw na tanghalian? Mayroon ba iyong negatibong pagpapakahulugan?

Naalala tuloy ni Naomi ang sinaad ni Amelia bago sila nito iwanan. Nanlaki ang mata niya sa pagbadya ng kadiliman.

"Naomi, huwag kayong lumapit sa 'min. Pinaalis na namin sina Bella rito. Pumunta ka na sa kanila. Aba, hindi mo naman sinabi sa aking nagpaparamdam na pala 'yong Tempiros na 'yon sa 'yo! Kailangan naming makalayo para 'di ka agad mahanap sa susunod. Magpaplano kami para mailigtas ko kayong lahat sa paparating na delubyo na maaaring mangyari sa katapusan ng taon."

Chapter 33 Teaser

November 25, 2022

Ravier's 18th Birthday

"Happy Birthday, anak," she greeted me in all smiles.

Si Mama Sofie, ang dati kong nanay, pero tinuturing ko pa ring pamilya.

"Since malapit na ang Pasko, your gifts are placed under the Christmas tree." Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya. I think I'm ready to go. Pumunta na ako sa entablado para ipakita ang sarili sa lahat. Everyone was indeed waiting for this grandiose event.

. . .

"E-Everette? Ikaw ang kasama sa 18 roses? Oh, my! You returned! Thank God. S-Si Amelia? N-Nasaan?"

"Everette, wait—"

. . .

Noong pinagtatawanan ako ng mga tao, nabasag ang aking puso noong tinalikuran niya ako.

. . .

"Jaxon!" Please explain kung bakit ganiyan ang mga tingin mo sa akin!

"Y-You look gorgeous, Naomi. I wish I could see that face forever like my attraction to ya."

May napansin akong kakaiba sa sinabi niya. Nakakalimutan ba niyang si Ravier pa rin ang kaluluwang ito? "But promise me to stay with me kahit pumangit pa ako."

"I will, 'cuz you're Naomi. A face couldn't even change the fact that I loved you."

. . .

Lightnings in the sky were like white paintings sketching the blackish canvas.

Kadiliman. Puro kadiliman ang nakita ko. Napakatahimik kung ito ay pinagmasdan. Pero kung papasok ako rito ay puros kaguluhan ang aking mapakikinggan. Mga sigawan at pagbasag ng pinggan. Hindi maalintana ng mga tao ang kanilang nadaanan. Gumagawa ng paraan para tumagal ang buhay na minahal.