***

Zavier Yutsuko

AFTER a couple of minutes driving in a fast pace, nakarating na ako sa hideout namin noon. The TIL, The Three Idiots' Lair. Which is basically me, Laurence and Jiro.

Hinubad ko na ang helmet na suot ko at medyo nagulo pa ang buhok kong hindi nakatali kaya inayos ko ito. As I landed my eyes in front of the wall full of vines, I suddenly felt the feeling of nostalgia.

It's really been awhile. Nakakakalma ang tunog ng kalikasan. As the crickets made noise with the slight sound of the wind, it sent chills down my spine. Hindi ko inakalang, babalik ako sa lugar kung saan ko muntikan nang napatay ang sarili ko.

I entered our property, only to be welcomed with the tree house na nakasindi ang lahat ng ilaw. Nandito na siguro sila. So I proceeded inside at dumeretso sa sala. Nadatnan ko ang dalawa na nakaupo sa couch with bowls on their arms filled with popcorn.

Nanonood sila ng isang horror movie. I walked without making any noise. I made sure to walk slowly so they won't notice me. Sobrang proud ko sa sarili ko dahil nagtagumpay akong maglakad na parang hangin lang.

1..

2..

3..

"Boo!" Sigaw ko sabay tulak ng mga likod nila. "Ahh!!" Halos sabay nilang sigaw at nabitawan pa ang hawak hawak nilang popcorn. I was laughing like I'm going to lose my breath anytime. Their reaction is just so hilarious.

In short mukha silang tanga. Ke lalakeng tao, ke tatakutin. "H-hi." I managed to greet them pleasantly after ko silang gulatin. And why would they watch a horror movie na halos maghahating gabi na, tas matatakutin pa.

I bet they would their best nightmares later.

-

WE are currently watching movies when suddenly my phone rang. So I picked it up, nasa gilid ko lang naman kasi ito and then I swiped the green phone icon. As the time I accepted the call by Celian, I can clearly hear some murmurs.

Takang tinignan ko ang cellphone ko while the call is still on going. Hindi naman ako napansin ng dalawang kasama ko dahil tutok na tutok sila sa pinapanood naming Despicable Me.

"Pakinggan mo to..." Hindi na ako sumagot and ate some strawberries na nasa bowl ko.

"Hindi na ba talaga siya dadating? Awww, I want to make her watch pa naman on how we make talo to her minions."

Hindi ko pa naman nakikita ang pagmumukha ng nagsasalita sa kabilang linya ay gustong gusto ko na siya sakalin. A lot of girls chuckled on her remark, and I know it wasn't them, from my teammates.

"Why are you natahimik na ha? Thinking of backing out?" The same conyo girl asked marahil ay nanahimik nga ang mga kasama ko. I'm kind of happy for them, alam talaga nila kung saan ilulugar ang mga ugali nila.

I crossed my legs and listened intently. "I hope you'll not cry after this, masakit pa naman to." A new voice spoke. Napangiti naman ako. I like how brave they are.

"Where is she na ba? Is she afraid sa amin? And why are you wearing mask ba kasi? Are you takot ba na makita namin ang ugly faces niyo?" The side of my lip rose. Amazing, so amazing.

"Sasa? You still there?" Napatango naman ako kahit hindi nila ako nakikita.

"Yeah, still here. Let them talk, their very amusing."

"Sakura! Show yourself! We are challenging you on a battle! Kaya wag kang maging duwag at pumunta ka rito at harapin kami!" I chuckled. Napatingin sa gawi ko sina Jiro at Laurence so I gave them a thumb sign telling I'm good.

Huminga ako ng malalim. "I really love hearing child talks, it amuses so much of how creative their minds are." I clicked my tongue.

"Guess.. death is approaching."

-

"Guys, I need to go," paalam ko sa dalawa sabay tayo mula sa couch. Napatayo sila at taka akong tinignan. Their faces our showing disappointment. Well me too, I'm disappointed, minsan na nga lang ako makapagpahinga ng maayos, napupurnada pa.

"Where are you going?" Tanong ni Jiro. Hindi ko naman maitago ang inis sa mukha ko.

"I still have things to settle." Lumapit ako sa dalawa and hugged then one by one.

"Pasensya na ah, babalik din ako rito whenever I have my free time." Ngumiti sila at pinadiskitahan pa ang buhok ko, but I let them. Mabuti na lang at naiintindihan nila ako. I know there are some things circling in their minds right now. Alam kong gusto nilang magtanong, but I'm thankful that they still keep themselves shut.

Hindi pa ako handa para sabihin ng buong buo at kompleto kung ano na nga ba ako ngayon. Knowing them? They're righteous and obedient kind of people. Hindi ko masisikmurang makita silang lumalayo sa'kin because of what I become.

Pumunta ako sa kwarto ko and got my katana.

(At the GW...)

Doon ako tumungo sa likod, may puno kasi roon na maaaring gamitin para maka-akyat ka sa bubong ng GW. Inakyat ko iyon, mga tatlong minuto lang, ay nakarating na ako sa isang sanga, na isang talon lang mula roon ay makakarating ka na sa bubong.

Hindi masyadong naririnig ang ingay mula sa loob dahil, sound proof. Para makapasok dito, dadaanan ka sa isang maliit na bahay, sa loob ay may isang steel na pole. Gamit nag card mo, of course your Gangster Card, gagamitin mo yun for your entrance.

After using your card iilaw ng blue yung led light sa baba nung scanner. Lalabas ka sa bahay and the welcome rug sa harapan ng pinto ay mawawala and a tunnel will appear.

After going through the tunnel, enter the gate at maglalakad kapa sa isang gubag bago mo mismong makita ang stadium. Small tip para hindi ka maligaw, follow the blood stains.

I proceeded to the stadium dumaan ako sa likod. Ipinatong ko ang katana ko sa balikat ko and walked like I own the world. Ang dilim dito, hindi na siguro nila ginagamit. Nang makarating sa harap ng isang double door na metal pero hindi naka lock ay hindi ako nag-atubiling sipain iyon.

I heard some gasped and the noise stopped na para bang may anghel na dumating. I fixed my mask na hindi ko kinalimutang suotin and walked my way to the center of the battle ground. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang halos tumatagos nilang titig sa'kin.

Inilibot ko ang ulo ko sabay hinga ng malalim. The scent of fresh blood is really alluring, and I want to shed some tonight. Papitik kong nilingon ang mga kalaban namin habang nasa tabi ko na ang mga kagrupo ko. Even Kiara beside me got startled.

"Hello there," malamig na ani ko sa kanila. The crowd started to shake the stadium with their noise. And my instincts are telling me na nababahag na ang buntot ng kalaban namin.

The emcee spoke recovering from shock. "Sakura!" I chuckled. I turned on the button on the edge of my mask and walked towards the guys holding the mic. Wala oa man akong ginagawa ay kitang kita ko ang bahagyang pag nginig niya.

How disappointing, ang tapang tapang nila sa call earlier then now they're giving me fear vibes from them. Not a good start for an easy win. "It's good to be here, with a fight, to shed blood, to crush someone in my homeland in this battle ground."

With my cold changed voice, everyone went silent. Yung ingay kaninang nakakabingi ay napalitan ng ingay ng katahimikan. Napakurap kurap pa ang emcee bago siya pekeng umubo. Alam kong mas lalong dumagdag ang takot na nararamdaman ng makakalaban namin ngayon.

Who wouldn't? I have never lost a fight of my own. Losing isn't in my vocabulary.

"S-so, let's start this fight!" Akmang pipito na siya when I stopped him by pointing my katana on his head.

"Wait, let me fight alone. Just me versus them, " patukoy ko sa kalaban namin. "I don't mind shedding a sweat tonight." I said in a playful tone.

"Sasa! What are you doing? Anim sila!" Celian exclaimed  sounding like a mom scolding her kid.

"We can help, and besides we haven't fought together for some time," saad naman ni Keana..

"Oh come on, Sasa! I'm so excited pa naman to break their bones and to hampas their heads on the floor," pagmamaktol ni Kiara na ginaya pa ang tono at ka conyohan nung nagsalita kanina.

Napa-iling na lang ako and flicked each of their forehead. Dumaing sila ng konti dahil doon but I didn't mind. "Geh na, you disturbed my rest earlier, I just wanna make sure that calling me is worth it. And besides," nilingon ko ang kalaban namin.

They got startled with just my stare, tumingin lang naman ako ah wala naman akong ginagawa. "I don't like the sharpness of their tongues, makes me want to rip it off from their mouths." Mabilis na umiba ang emosyon ko and changed into a deadly one.

Napatawa na lamang si Celian at tinapik ang kanang balikat ko. "Don't go too far, mkay? Make sure to win this, okay?" Napatango na lang ako and smiled beneath my mask. Celian is really one of the best people to have.

Aside from you can really count on her, she has always the right words for you. Para rin siyang nanay saming apat, hindi naman siya mukhang nanay, asal nanay nga lang. They walked away and went to the bench where we should sit.

Napalingon ulit ako sa mga makakalaban namin and swung my katana. Someone gasped, and the emcee stepped back while his knees are trembling. "O-okay! The long awaited is now starting! Once again! Death Sakura Versus.. Fiesty--" before he could even finish his words.

Tumakbo na ako, my blade is pointing on the ground tilting. Anim silang kalaban ko, wearing tubes with different colors. Hinding hindi ko makakalimutan ang pagmumukha ng napag alaman kong pinsan ni Arkin.

How lucky, naranasan niyang makalaban ang isang gaya ko. She's nowhere my league. I dashed through them making them separated. Napaatras silang anim, and I stayed in the center of them. Get ready bitches, Queen Bitch is in the house.

Sumugod sila sa'kin, with daggers on their hands. Sabay sabay silang umatake sa'kin, and I swiftly dodged all of it. Yumuko ako nang sisipain sana ako nung naka black tube. Nang tumayo ako ulit ay tinawanan ko siya, yung tawang nakakaasar.

"Too fucking slow!" Tukso ko sa kanya at umatras para bumwelo. I moved my body on the right and kicked the girl in red tube right on the face. Napaatras siya habang hawak hawak ang kanyang ilong na dumudugo.

Seeing the blood coming from her face made my lip rose up forming a smile. "You do less than you speak, missy," panunudyo ko sa kanya. I somewhat felt something is coming from behind me. Natural kong ipinilig ang ulo ko pakaliwa at tatlong sunod sunod na punyal ang nakita ko.

Iwinasiwas ko ang katana ko at bawat natatamaan ng talim nito ay nasusugatan ng malalim. Halos dalawang minuto ko silang sinugod. Hihingal hingal silang lumayo sa akin hawak hawak ang iba't ibang parte ng kanilang katawan.

Natawa ako sa sitwasyon ng pinsan ni Arkin, yung naka violet na tube. "Tired already? I'm just getting hyped up!" Ngumisi ako sa kanya. Halos sumiklab na sa galit ang mga mata niya at walang ano ano'y sinugod ako na parang asong nauulol.

I moved my body to the left, swayed my katana and the tip of my katana hit her right cheek. Hindi makapaniwalang nagpalit palit siya ng tingin sa'kin at sa dugong tumulo sa sahig mula sa pisnge niya. Her face screams horror.

"Where's your braveness now, miss." Sinigurado kong makikita niya ang mata ko as I mock her with my eyes. "I want to see it, I want to see your face having braveness on it," panghahamon ko sa kanya.

"I will kill you!!" Sumugod ulit silang apat sa'kin, hindi na kinaya nung dalawa at umatras na lang. Habang ang apat ay pilit pa ring pinipilit ang sarili na talunin ako kahit alam naman nating lahat na imposible yun.

"As if you can."

***

Thanks for reading 🖤

PRES.