13: Madam Koi Koi
(African Urban Legend)

⋆༺𓆩☠︎︎𓆪༻⋆

TODAY MARKS TAVLEEN'S first day of college. The excitement was contagious in her family as everyone got up early to help her prepare: Alohi prepared breakfast, Levi packed her lunch, and Keena, already dressed up, was ready to drive her to school.

Hindi maiwasang matuwa ni Tavleen sa nasaksihan. Hindi mapalis ang ngiti sa mga labi niya nang maupo siya sa hapag upang samahan ang pamilya niyang mag-almusal.

"Kumain kayo nang marami ni Hanako-san, Tav," bilin ng Ate Alohi niya sabay lagay ng fried chicken at maliliit na slices ng hotdog na may scrambled egg sa plato niya at ni Hanako-san. "First day mo sa college. You need all the strength you can get to survive."

Mahinang napahalakhak naman si Levi nang may matandaan. "Huwag kang mag-alala, Tavleen. Based on experience ng Ate Alohi mo 'yan. Pagkatapos ng unang araw niya sa kolehiyo ay nilagnat pag-uwi rito."

"Grabeng culture shock ko no'n. College pa lang pero ang dami na ng mga manggagantsong," umiiling na ani Alohi habang sinasariwa ang unang araw niya sa kolehiyo. "Tsk, tsk."

Keena scoffed and put down her coffee. "Paanong hindi ka lalagnatin pag-uwi? Napatawag ka sa guidance counsel sa unang araw ng pasukan dahil binato mo ng binder ang senior niyo."

"Kasalanan niya 'yon at ng mga kabarkada niyang gago, Ate. Nagtatanong ako nang maayos kung saan ko mahahanap 'yong TBA, tinuro ba naman iyong building sa pinakamalayong bahagi ng university!" paliwanag ni Alohi. "Na-late tuloy ako sa klase at sa halip na pumasok, nakita ko silang nagtatawanan nang madaanan ko habang pinagpupulutan kung gaano raw kadaling mauto ang mga freshman na tulad ko. Gumanti ako siyempre."

Sunod naman niyang binalingan ang bunsong kapatid. "Kaya ikaw, huwag kang magpapauto gaya ko. Tandaan mo, TBA means To Be Announced. Ibig sabihin, sa faculty ka pumunta at magtanong ng final classroom. Hay, naku, hanggang ngayon, nanggigigil pa rin ako sa tuwing naalala ko 'yon."

Tumango naman si Tavleen, determinadong-determinado na sundin ang payo ng kanyang Ate Alohi. College is a battlefield, ang ideyang itinatak niya sa isipan.

Nang matapos silang mag-almusal ay nagpaalam na sina Keena at Tavleen na tutulak.

"Bye, Ate Alohi. Bye, Pa," paalam ni Tavleen sabay beso isa-isa sa maiiwang miyembro ng pamilya. "Aalis na po kami."

"Mag-iingat kayo, mga anak," paalala ni Levi. "Hanako-san, ikaw nang bahala kay Tavleen."

"Opo, Sensei," the Urban Legend politely retorted and tailed Tavleen outside their house.

"Tumawag kayo kung may kailangan kayo ha!" pahabol na paalala pa ni Alohi sa mga kapatid.

Nagpakawala siya nang malalim na hininga at napaupong muli sa silya niya. "College na talaga iyong bunso natin, Pa, no? Ang bilis ng panahon."

"Parang kailan lang ay buhat-buhat ko pa siya habang naka-strap ang baby carrier niya sa dibdib ko tapos hawak-hawak ko naman kayong dalawa ng Ate Keena mo sa magkabilang kamay ko noong sinusundo ko kayo sa elementarya," Levi smilingly reminisced.

Alohi's heart warmed as her father fondly recalled those memories. She couldn't help but smile, fully aware that raising three children alone was no easy feat, especially while managing the Library. She would always be grateful for his patience, love, care, and all that he provided amidst his silent struggles with personal troubles and heartaches.

"Thank you, Pa," taos-pusong pasalamat niya sa ama. She stood up from her seat and hugged him. "Thank you so much for raising us. Alam kong mahirap pero kinaya niyo po para sa amin kahit mag-isa lang kayo."

Levi held onto Alohi's embracing arm and gave it a gentle pat. "I never felt alone because you three were always there with me."

Lalong hinigpitan ni Alohi ang pagkakayakap sa ama. "Thank you so much, Pa. You did a great job."

DALI-DALING NILIGPIT NI Tavleen ang mga gamit niya at ipinasok sa tote bag niya saka nagtatatakbo na papunta sa susunod na building kung nasaan ang pangalawang klase niya. It was something Alohi never mentioned-college involves a lot of running to avoid being late for classes.

Habang tumatakbo ay sinulyapan niya ang wristwatch at lalong kinabahan nang malamang ang kinse minutos na grace period na lang ang mayroon siya at male-late na n-

"Sorry! Sorry po!" paumanhin niya at tinulungan ang lalaking nakabangga na pulutin ang mga gamit nitong nalaglag sa lupa. "Sorry po talaga!"

Habang nagpupulot ay bumagal ang kilos niya nang mapansing walang kanang kamay ang nakabangga niya. Tumayo siya nang tumayo ito at inabot ang mga napulot na gamit nito.

"Saan ka ba pupunta? Gusto mo ihatid na kita?" alok niya rito.

The young man took his belongings from Tavleen and clipped them on his right arm, as his left hand was occupied, and his amputated right hand could no longer hold them.

"Tulungan na kita?" Tavleen offered once again. Her concerned glances at the young man's amputated hand and condition did not go unnoticed.

"Hindi ko kailangan ang tulong at awa mo," malamig na tugon nito at nilampasan na ang dalaga.

Tinanaw ni Tavleen ang binatang papalayo sa kanya. "Gusto ko lang namang tumulong..." Bigla niyang naalala ang oras at kumaripas na ng takbo papunta sa susunod niyang klase.

Alas-siyete y media na ng gabi nang matapos ang huling klase ni Tavleen sa huling floor ng building na nasa pinakamalayong bahagi mula sa gate ng university. Isa pa 'yon sa mga payong hindi naibahagi ng Ate Alohi niya sa kanya - walang patawad ang mga prof sa unibersidad na iyon kahit na unang araw pa lamang ng klase.

Bago bumaba kasabay ng mga kaklase niya sa minor subject na iyon ay dumaan muna siya sa banyo upang umihi at mag-ayos ng sarili.

It was already dark and quiet as she exited the girls' bathroom. Apart from the lights, nothing else provided comfort, especially since she didn't see anyone else on that floor.

She hastened toward the staircase at the opposite end of the hallway but paused as the lights flickered suddenly.

Tavleen tried calming herself. "Okay lang 'yan. College ka na, Tav. Dapat strong. Fight-Ah!" she shouted in surprise when all the lights suddenly switched off.

She frantically rummaged through her tote bag and searched desperately for her phone. An ominous clicking sound suddenly echoed, reminiscent of a stiletto tapping on the floor.

Koi. Koi. Koi.

The chilling repetition added an unsettling rhythm to the darkness and intensified her fear at that moment.

Koi. Koi. Koi.

"Sinong nand'yan?!"

She hastily flicked on the flashlight upon finding her phone to light the dark hallway. Shock and horror gripped her once more upon glimpsing the figure ahead. Her phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor with a loud thud that mingled with the footsteps drawing near.

Even in the dimly lit corridor, Tavleen discerned the figure of a well-dressed woman with a bright red stiletto that starkly contrasted her already ghastly feet.

The woman advanced swiftly while clutching a bloodied bat. Dread engulfed Tavleen, and her heart raced as she finally recognized the figure she was facing.

"Madam Koi Koi," she mumbled.

Madam Koi Koi and her high heels is an urban legend about a ghostly female teacher in Nigeria. This tale has circulated across various African countries and is now a familiar legend among students. For decades, the ghost of Madam Koi Koi has been rumored to haunt boarding schools in Nigeria, with the origins of this urban legend unclear. While some sources point to the legend emerging in the 90s, it gained online prominence in 2011 when it first appeared in internet forums.

Madam Koi Koi, a beautiful and stylish teacher at a federal government secondary school, was known for her distinctive red high heels that echoed in the boarding school's hallways and inspired her name; Koi Koi mimics the sound of clicking heels. Despite her beauty, she gained a reputation for being unkind and strict, often resorting to brutal and violent punishment, which earned the disdain of most students.

Unable to endure her harsh treatment any longer, the students took matters into their own hands. They captured, gagged, and fatally beat Madam Koi Koi. To cover up their crime, they disposed of her body over the school fence, hoping to shift the blame.

However, their actions triggered a vengeful return. The students who participated in her death began to disappear mysteriously. With the last person connected to the incident dead, the school closed permanently because it was unable to halt the former teacher's wrath. Transferred students carried the chilling legend of Madam Koi Koi and spread the tale of the haunting teacher in boarding schools.

Madam Koi Koi whistled a haunting tune as she approached her target. The scared Tavleen ran away, only to be chased by the notorious Urban Legend. Her face was now covered in tears and sweat as she ran for her life.

Things went from bad to worse when she slipped and fell on the floor. The Urban Legend's menacing laughter echoed in the air. It would only take four steps for Madam Koi Koi to reach her, and the young woman could only imagine the horror that would follow.

Papa, Ate Keena, Ate Alohi, she called repeatedly in mind for help.

Madam Koi Koi came to a halt when she reached her target. She lifted the bloodied bat and prepared to strike the youngest Sagrado on the head. However, before she could land the blow, a massive three-headed lizard appeared out of nowhere and lunged at her. The force of the impact broke the windows and shattered concrete walls as the lizard pushed Madam Koi Koi off the building.

Tavleen quickly pushed herself up and wiped away her tears before she looked out of the window from the fourth floor of that building. She covered her mouth to muffle her sobs. She was so scared, but her relief was evident when she saw Hanako-san standing on top of the now-impaled Madam Koi Koi, who would take a while to recover.

The giant three-headed lizard that attacked Madam Koi Koi and protected her was none other than her friend, Hanako-san of the Toilet, in its original form.

Nang makabawi ay tinawagan ni Tavleen ang kanyang pamilya upang sunduin siya at ibalik si Madam Koi Koi sa mga kulungang pahina ng Monsters Playbook.

Tavleen opened her textbook to allow her father to teleport through it as quickly as possible. Levi swiftly sealed Madam Koi Koi back into the Monsters Playbook before calling Raegan for assistance with cleaning up the scene.

Raegan noticed that Tavleen was still trembling with fear and suggested that Levi take her home and leave any further discussions until the following day. Levi expressed his gratitude to Raegan before taking his daughter home.

Sa sasakyan ng Ate Keena niya ibinuhos ni Tavleen ang lahat-lahat ng mga luhang kanina niya pa pinipigilan. Takot na takot siya at kung wala si Hanako-san ay baka natuluyan na siya ni Madam Koi Koi. Niyakap ni Levi ang bunsong anak at marahang hinagod ang likod nito upang patahanin ito.

"I'm sorry, anak. I'm really sorry about causing you this much fear," he sincerely apologized.

Maagap na umiling naman si Tavleen. "Wala po kayong kasalanan, Pa. I just... I just need to be stronger to protect myself and be able to help our family, too. Tinanong ko po iyong sarili ko kanina kung paano ako magliligtas ng ibang tao kung hindi ko kayang protektahan ang sarili ko mismo."

Mahigpit na kumapit si Tavleen sa manggas ng suit ng kanyang ama upang makiusap, "Sanayin niyo po akong maging karapat-dapat na Bibliokinetic, Pa. Please..."

Tumango si Levi upang pumayag sa pakiusap ng anak. "I will train you and your Ate Keena to seal these Urban Legends into a different book and transfer them to the Monsters Playbook later on when you get home. I will also teach her how to teleport and hide inside the pages, and you, I will teach you how to tame and control book characters, just like what you did to Hanako-san."

"Your Ate Alohi may be stronger in a fight, but I can teach you skills to gain an advantage, especially against the next Urban Legends," he reassured his daughters, who relied on their Bibliokinetic powers.

BUONG AKALA NI Levi at ng mga ate ni Tavleen ay liliban sa klase ang bunso kinabukasan. Kaya laking gulat nila nang maabutan nila itong positibo at ganado habang kumakain ng almusal bago tumulak sa unibersidad nito.

"Ayos ka lang ba talaga? Pwede ka namang hindi pumasok," nag-aalalang mungkahi ni Alohi sa kapatid.

Umiling naman si Tavleen. "Okay lang ako, Ate. I need to go through that horrifying experience to grow. Hindi naman po pwedeng iyong buhay niyo lang tatlo ang palaging manganib. I have to face my fears to become stronger for our family and the people of Westwood City."

Napangiti ang tatlo nang marinig iyon at makita ang determinasyon sa mga mata ng pinakabatang miyembro ng pamilya. Levi reassured his daughter not to worry about the incident last night. He and Raegan will take care of it. Ituon na lamang daw nito ang atensyon sa pag-aaral sa araw na iyon. Bagay na tinalima naman ni Tavleen.

The other family was disappointed because their supposed divide-and-conquer strategy yielded no positive results. They had hoped to defeat the Sagrados by unsealing Urban Legends while they were apart these past few days. But instead, they witnessed the power of the Librarian and the youngest Sagrado member, who could control an Urban Legend and even unleash its actual form.

"Ano nang susunod nating gagawin, Kuya? We have to defeat them," Mindy insisted.

"We will defeat them, but our top priority is to reclaim Westwood City," paglilinaw ng pinakamatanda nilang kapatid. "We should focus more on it."

"But who do you think owns Westwood City? The Sagrado clan! That's why we have to defeat them, Kuya!"

Malamig na tinitigan ng lalaki ang kapatid dahilan upang manahimik ito at mapayuko.

"We'll get there, Mindy," anito at binalingan ang dalawa pang mga kapatid. "Marami pa tayong mga alas laban sa kanila."

PAUWI NA SI Tavleen isang hapon nang mamataan niya mula sa labas ang pamilyar na mukha sa loob ng café ni Griffin. Pumasok siya roon at agad na lumapit sa counter.

"Good afternoon, Kuya Griffin!" she smilingly greeted.

Griffin smiled and quickly pointed out, "One iced caramel macchiato for our college girl."

Mahinang napahalakhak naman si Tavleen at tumango-tango. Dahil nasa kolehiyo na siya ay ipagsi-serve na siya ni Griffin ng bestselling nitong produkto at ang paborito ng Ate Alohi niya.

Paglapag ng binata ng order niya na sinamahan pa nito ng isang slice ng tiramisu cake ay kagyat na nagtanong si Tavleen dito sa pabulong na paraan. "Kuya, iyong lalaki po ba na nagdo-drawing sa tablet niya ro'n, madalas po ba siya rito?"

Griffin's eyes shifted towards the young man sitting on the corner to whom Tavleen had been referring. "He's Kiho, one of my recent regular customers here. Why?"

"Nakita ko po kasi siya sa university namin."

"Oh, so you probably knew he was called the One-Hand Virtuouso of Fine Arts?" he asked smilingly. "That young man can create incredible masterpieces using only his left hand. And did you know that only 10% of people around the world are left-handed?"

"Hindi ko po alam. He doesn't seem really friendly, too," pag-amin naman ni Tavleen.

"Tavleen."

"Bakit po, Kuya Griffin?"

"Can I ask you a favor?"

"Sige, ano po 'yon?"

"Kiho isn't the friendliest person, but do you think you could be his friend?" He smiled and continued while looking at the boy, "The kid often appears to be a walking void, sad and empty. Despite his artistic talents, he has yet to turn his life into a masterpiece."

Binalingan din ni Tavleen ang binatang pinagmamasdan ni Griffin. "Do you think his feelings stem from losing his right hand? Lalo na at isa po siyang artist?"

"It's not just about the missing hand. There's a deeper emptiness in him. The kid is simply lost," he replied.

Tavleen's compassion for the young man turned to hesitation as she remembered his rejection of help and pity. She no longer wanted to pity him but desired to find a way to make him feel less worse.

"Susubukan ko po, Kuya Griffin."

Griffin smiled and handed her another small plate with three putos as a token of gratitude for fulfilling his simple request. "Thank you, Tavleen. Please help me reach his full potential."

「 ✦ 𝓛𝓸𝔀𝓵𝓪 𝓟𝓲𝓷𝓴𝓸 ✦ 」

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