Chapter 26: Love is full of sacrifices

Gavin Rock Pablo's Point of View

After the intramurals and a weekend, it's Monday again, it's back to regular school days. Damn. The school is here again to give such a pressure.

But anyway, I know I really need to go to school whether I like it or not. So, I did. I brought my bass guitar with me (as always), and also my red and silver backpack, which is actually designed like my bass guitar.

I took the jeepney for commuting this morning. I waited for a while. My house is a bit near to the school.

I arrived at 6:35. Now, here we go again with a tagalog line, "PARA PO." It totally gives a sudden bad flow in my nerves. But I guess I have to get used to it. I am learning new things about the filipino language everyday, anyway. I headed to Quadrangle 2.

When I reached the place, all of them are there. Even the boyfriends Andrei and Raffy, who are flirting with their girlfriends Gerica and Aila, respectively.

"Hindi pa rin talaga ako makapaniwalang biglang bubuga ng apoy yung isang multong katulad ni Bruce!!!" Aila exclaimed frantically in disbelief of Bruce's strange power.

"Ako rin naman, candy pie. Nakakamangha talaga. Kawawa talaga si Zen. Naunahan pa ng pagsunog ni Bruce sa kanya ang posibleng magiging cremation sa kanya kapag namatay siya sa ibang paraan." Raffy enunciated a statement agreeing with Aila's opinion.

"Ano saloobin niyo, guys? Hey, Gavin." Hade asked them, then we shared kisses on our cheeks.

"Tinanong ko si Anna nung Biyernes. Ang sagot niya, posibleng enhancement ito ng mga multo. Ng mga demonyo, kung magiging mas partikular. Posibleng depende raw ito sa kamatayan niya. At nang tanungin namin si AJ nun, nakonpirma namin. Si Bruce ay namatay mula sa apoy, kaya kung papatay siya, pwede niya gamitin ito. Pwede siya mang-sunog." Gerica answered with a serious look on her face.

"Oh, cuddle cakes, ang galing mo talaga, hanga ako sa kuryosidad mo at yung pagkukusa ming itanong talaga ito.. Anyways, kung ganon, mas nakakatakot na pala ang mga multo ngayon." Andrei replied a bit flirtatiously at first, but later on became serious.

"That's not just it, guys. I also heard from AJ that Zen tried destroying Bruce's ghost with salt, but it didn't worked. Bruce even mentioned that it was their 'training,' given by the Mauleon Brothers, of course. The ghosts really took time to improve themselves." I shared what I know that they might not know yet.

"Which means???" Aila asked.

"Which means that our problems just got bigger and harder. We really have to be ready for anything." Hade answered staidly.

"That's right. Things will get scarier, but remember AJ's motivation for us always. We are one in this. Even Zen's favorite motto is to be used regularly. Let us never give up!" I impelled them.

"You're right. We are one in this. We all need tissue in situations like these! I can't stand it anymore, my nose is blooding, by people spokening english, my english vocabulary is running out while going with the flow." Raffy joked preposterously while holding his nose and claiming that it is "bleeding".

Aila, Gerica, Andrei and Hade laughed. I chuckled, anyway. I know it is my fault, hihi.

"Boys! Want a match on badminton? Three on three!" Hade challenged blissfully.

"Sure, why not?" I accepted it without doubt or second thoughts.

Andrei nodded with two big thumbs-ups.

"As long as there is an unlimited stock of tissue, sure!" Raffy joked again, which made us chuckle before we played.

We had this "BOYFRIENDS VS. GIRLFRIENDS" badminton game. It is I, Andrei and Raffy who should work together in the game against our own girlfriends Hade, Gerica and Aila, respectively.

We played with our best, had the fun but lost. Why? Our girlfriends are all excellent in the sport. Andrei is pretty much excellent too, with Raffy and I having a little knowledge about playing it, but the three of them combined, are more powerful than the three of us combined. Anyways, we, the three boyfriends are proud of our three girlfriends. They are so great! Samuel and Heaven joined in the middle of the game. Samuel is with us, Heaven is with them. Samuel became proud of Heaven's excellence as well.

#HaVin
#GeriDrei
#AiFy
#HeaMuel

We finished at 7:10 AM. The eight of us went to the gym altogether.

And, here we go with a boring morning assembly again. I'm second in the line of the boys, second to Jerome in line. Jerome is 5'7. We, boys are tall, having our smallest one into 5'7, which is technically tall for a height, considering 5'7 as the tallest height for the girls. Asking for my height? I'm just 5'8 which means I am only two inches than my girlfriend Hade. But that doesn't matter at all. We still look good together, as many say and they never even had comments about the height difference. We are still the hottest couple in the campus. What could break it, anyway?

First, we prayed our morning prayer. Second, we sang our national anthem, which is "Lupang Hinirang." My, oh my, here we go with filipino language giving me a hard time. Then, we recited the "Panatang Makabayan," or the pledge of filipinos, altogether. Next, we recited altogether our school's Vision-Mission statement. Good thing I have already memorized it. Afterwards, here goes a morning talk with Sir Lopez. It was about the recent intramurals that happened. He cingratulated the house of Asia for winning in everything, which we deserve through the hardwork and dedication we filled into. And speaking of dedication, a presentation dedicated to those who died in our section was prepared. It is both in audio visual presentation and in the dance of our school's famous dance group, Terran Ninjas.

It started with Faithlyn Washington. Her pictures flashed in the left screen, while this message was in the right.

Here's what is written:

An ordinary girl with dreams of her own and a secret diary to tell you about how she feels about what she experiences in life. We will never forget a so-called 'weird' yet amazing girl, Faithlyn R. Washington. Rest in peace!

Then, Knowell Peralta followed afterwards. Same thing. Pictures on the left, text in the right.

A laid-back defensive basketball athlete who was revealed upon his death to be secretly a secret spy agent as well, Knowell John O. Peralta. We will never forget such a man like you, Knowell Peralta. Rest in peace!

Next is Seth Evans. Oh my. He was my best friend before! I might cry for this! I saw his pictures, and this message:

An excellent artistic, a very artistic, creative and imaginative one. A foreigner, an english-speaking pure american who noticed signs that the school is haunted decided to embark on a ghost hunting adventure which caused his and others' deaths. We will always remember you, Seth Caeser U. Evans. Rest in peace.

I started crying. I really remember my best friend Seth. Jerome, who noticed me, comforted me.

Then, it was Mich Smith next. I saw her pictures on the left, while this long message on the right:

Krista Michelle "Mich" N. Smith, a girl with her own dreams. Affected so much by the previous deaths occurring, she planned to transfer section but discouragements from her boyfriend, Sandhel Devilles changed her mind, and she and latter fought for love which killed them both, but made them leave a message to their classmates. You will always be in our hearts, Mich Smith. Rest in peace!

After her is her boyfriend Sandhel Devilles. His pictures showed up, and this message:

A young man, a young athlete who is excellent in basketball. He may be having traits of a "siga," but he had concern for the suffering his classmates are having by the death game in the end, at the time he fought with his girlfriend, Mich Smith with their love, to try to put an end to the ghosts' games which caused their deaths but left a message to their other classmates. We will never forget you in our hearts, Sandhel Jake C. Devilles! Rest in peace!

Next person to be presented is Thirteen Sulivan. Pictures on the left, a long message on the right.

A young handsome smart lad who did his best to love a woman who is already taken by his rival. At the last second wherein the woman he loves and the man that she loves, his rival were about to be killed, he sacrificed himself without second thoughts and saved the both of them. Thirteen was a hero in the end, who got himself into a death by the willingness to save the girl he loves and his rival who in the end forgave him and he forgave as well. Rest in peace, you unforgettable hero, Thirteen Matthew N. Sulivan!

After Thirteen was Ashley Buenavantura. Her pictures are on the left and this message on the right:

Ashley Quinn R. Buenavantura. A cold-hearted warfreak girl who joined the Ouija Board session but after an attack of the ghosts, got killed cruelly and violently which actually saved a classmates of hers with her that time selfishly. We will never forget a woman like you, anyway, Ashley. We hope you are happy with your cousin Alexandra who was also a victim of a death game like you, Ashley. Rest in peace. You will remain in our hearts.

Then, it was now Sam Huego. I already saw many of her pictures presented, while this touching message appeared:

Samara Leondale "Sam" G. Huego was a regular young woman who has our own dreams and own life to run. Not only that, she also has something about "love." She got killed by sacrificing her life in the name of love, to save a man she loves all along. We will never forget such a memorable person like you, Sam! Rest in peace!

After Sam was Faye Herrero. Same thing like the others. Picture on the left, message on the right.

A young lady who loves reading books and does it always, which caused her death but helped as well. Getting affected by the deaths occurring, she decided to read books which may help, wherein she was able to think of smart ways, but however, grabbed the attention of the ghost killers that caused her death. To the power of books, she got killed but helped a lot before that. Rest in peace, Faye Herrero. We will never forget you here in our hearts!

Then, here comes Xander Pangilinan. I saw pictures of him wherein most of it are him in his varsity days. A message was on the right. Here it is:

Parker Alexander "Xander" F. Pangilinan. A young man, a young excellent basketball athlete. A young man who decided to relax for a while with his girlfriend in spite of the bad events happening to his classmates which are deaths, in particular. He gets killed while making love with his girlfriend, Seren Hancher in the car, but they're able to show how love can be both dangerous, and wonderful. We will never forget a man like you, Xander Pangilinan. Rest in peace!

After him was Seren Hancher. I can see pictures of Seren, wherein I suddenly thought of Aila who looks like her identically since they are twins.

Serenity Drea "Seren" E. Hancher. A young woman, a young athlete with her owns dreams and own things in love. She herself is getting affected by the death game happening to them, like all the others, but he and her boyfriend, Xander Pangilinan, just decided to live life to the fullest before they became victims as well, which eventually happened while they are doing it. Making love in the car, they both got killed but have probably left a message how dangerous love can be aside from being wonderful to us. Rest in peace, Seren Hancher, we will always have you here in our hearts!

And lastly, we have Zen Castaño, the most recent victim. I saw his pictures, before he was burned into ashes. I also saw this message:

Zenke Blaze "Zen" Y. Castaño, a young man with secret stories of his life which he felt sorrow and grief after the second day of the recent intramurals. He cheered himself up by playing basketball while waiting for his fetcher. All of a sudden, he gets killed, and gets burned into ashes. His remains may be only ashes, but we will always remember a person like this man, Zen Castaño. Rest in peace, Zen, you will always be in our hearts no matter what!

Many applauded after the presentation and we, 11-Asia were in tears mourning it grievously. I honestly didn't mind the dance of the Terran Ninjas. I focused on the presentation of the pictures of our deceased classmates and the touching messages for them.

After the school day, me and Hade had practices for an upcoming performance of ours. It was for the upcoming birthday celebration of the school's founder, owner and director, Sir Dexter Lopez. We are going to reenact the love story of him and her wife, Miss Daniella Lopez. Hade is going to act as her wife, and I, as him, of course. They believe we are the hottest love team of the campus, which is so awesome! I also get to rock with my bass guitar in a different part of the celebration.

The practice finished at 6:00. Hade and I were together in going home.

"That was great, Gavin sweetie, that was great!" she uttered, while holding my hand tightly.

"Yes, it is. These things, these performances are the only thing I love about school, all with you!" I replied, then started flirting with her while walking. This is so dun!

"I want to kiss you. Your handsome face is glowing in the dark. Can we?" she insisted a kiss.

"Yeah, sure." I approved.

We then kissed in the dark night. After this, we continued walking while flirting.

We felt the air getting colder and colder.

"It's cold. I forgot my jacket at home. Let me just lean on you." she told me, then leaned on me. We are so sweet, oh yeah!"

"Sure thing, darling, sure thing." I replied.

Suddenly, I sensed something unusual. I seemingly heard sounds of upcoming explosions, like..from grenades. And I can feel how near it is to us. Uh-oh.

"Watch out!!!" I said, then pulled Hade away very far from the areas I can sense there are explosions. The explosions happened, and both of us rolled in the ground.

"Sweetie! What was that?" she asked horrifiedly.

"Some sort of grenade explosions." I answered, while helping her rise.

"So what now, Gavin? We run?"

"Yeah. Listen to me, Hade. No matter what it takes, just hold my hand and run. And if needed, I will hold this joker whoever he or she is. Just run for your own life, okay?" I told her.

"But. The last part is —" she tried objecting for the last part, but I stopped her.

"We have no choice, Hade. Now, let's go!" I dragged her away already.

We ran while holding each other's hands, until we both were stunned by a female ghost suddenly appearing in front of us.

"IDIOTS!!! HERE I AM, ICEZIANA AZRAEL TYCHE YEOUN TO ELIMINATE YOU! YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT THE NAME 'AZRAEL' MEANS ANGEL OF DEATH WHICH YOU WILL EXPERIENCE RIGHT NOW, YOU STUPID LOVEBIRDS!!!" she angrily exclaimed, then threw many grenades.

Me and Hade ran our fastest, until she tripped, she fell on the ground. The grenades caused damage in the landscape of the ground.

"Are you okay?" I asked for her condition.

"Yes. But I don't think we will survive, honey." she answered.

I held her hands.

"No. You will survive. I want you to walk away from this alive, which may take my life. Please. Just accept it. I will hold her off and try to stop her. If I will die,  I want you to live on but never forget me. If I will survive, then better. Here, take my bass guitar and pack. It is for remembrance. Go, go, she's here!" I said abruptly, then forced her to go already.

"But -" she tried to stop me, but I just kissed her on the lips. After this, she already ran, bringing my bass guitar and backpack and I dodged a grenade explosion Iceziana have caused again.

Hade ran, while I prepared myself. I checked my scapular that I wear and put it out to expose it, then wore my long rosary as well that is originally in my pocket. Then, I grabbed the bottle of holy water from my pocket.

Before I was able to get the bottle of holy water I got from a priest, Iceziana threw another grenade which I dodged.

"HA! KEEP DODGING, YOU COWARDLY ROCKER BOY! AND WHAT'S THAT YOU ARE GETTING NOW, A BOTTLE OF SALT? FOOLISH MORON, WE GHOSTS ARE ALREADY IMPROVED AND ENHANCED TO BE IMMUNE FROM THAT!" she uttered, while preparing another grenade

"Not quite. I know you are already immune to salt, but not yet, and never will be TO GOD!!!" I exclaimed, then threw the whole bottle of holy water to her. She was stunned, but while I was doing it, she have already thrown the grenade on me, which I failed to dodge.

I got killed, but in my two eyes, I saw two things: Hade suddenly stopping from running and begins crying, and Iceziana getting burned.

Before I die, I hope I have showed Hade, my friends, my family and God how much I loved them. I know I have been a little bit of a bad boy, most specially because of my frequent language filled with bad words, but I hope I will be forgiven.

GOODBYE.

Status: (21/35, thirteen dead)

Boys

(04-016) 1. ABEAR, Noel L.
(17-001) 2. ANG, Arnold Arvin A.
(17-095) 3. AUSAN, Juan Samuel W. 
(07-150) 4. BUENAVISTA, Axle Blaze A.
(06-301) 5. CABANILLA, Kane Jacob H.
(17-068) 6. KIM, Vince
(04-100) 7. MAGNIFICO, Antonio Jonathan D.
(17-154) 8. PABLO, Gavin Rock X.  † (Deceased)
(17-002) 9. PAMULAR, Jerome Drake V.
(17-119) 10. PANGILINAN, Adrian Raphael F.
(17-182) 11. PEREZ, Andrei Q.

Girls

(17-055) 1. CASTILLEJO, Heaven Jean K.
(17-249) 2. DELA FUENTE, Alexandra Cane B.
(17-021) 3. GREY, Diana Alice J.
(17-131) 4. HANCHER, Aileen Grace E.
(17-125) 5. LAYONISA, Anna Kirsten Z.
(13-177) 6. MONTGOMERY, Charity Faith I.
(17-189) 7. QUEBRAL, Queen Gerica G.
(17-218) 8. QUINZEL, Harleen Jade S.
(04-078) 9. SANDOVAL, Yuri Arissa M. 
(17-072) 10. STA.JUANA, Myla P.
(05-005) 11. YUKIKO, Chantellia D.

Author's Note: First update of the day. Sorry for the typos and other errors. I hope you like it. I noticed that you are becoming silent readers every time there is a pure-english chapter. Please don't be. Try your best to give comments, because I am trying my best to work on this story no matter what. Anyways, enjoy reading. Have a blessed Wednesday, everyone. =) ;) :D

But before you stop reading, please answer this question first. I really need it! Can I ask that from you? Please, I really need it!

Question:

Now that #HaVin, the hottest love team is destroyed, I want you to rank the next other love teams which would be the next hottest love teams after #HaVin. Which do you like the most? Please rank them, from 1-9. State the reason why you set that ranking and suggestions for each love teams, if ever there are.

For example:

No.9: #MyRome

I ranked them into number nine because they aren't exposed much yet, and are only seen once as a potential love team. I therefore suggest to give them more exposure.

Here are the choices:

#AJYuri (AJ and Yuri)
#VinceYuri (V and Yuri)
#NoeChi (Noel and Chachi)
#GeriDrei (Gerica and Andrei)
#AiFy (Aila and Raffy)
#HeaMuel (Heaven and Samuel)
#DaXle (Dana and Axle)
#KaneTellia (KJ and Chantellia)
#MyRome (Myla and Jerome)

Thank you, everyone! May God bless you all!