Nkri's Point of View

Inis akong bumaba sa kama nang marinig ko ang sunod-sunod na pagkatok sa pintuan ng aking kuwarto. I told them not to bother me at this time when I am reading a book. Pinihit ko ang door knob at pinagbuksan ang taong kanina pa kumakatok. Tumambad sa aking harapan ang nakangiting mukha ni Violeta.

"What?" naiinis kong tanong sa kaniya. "I told everyone of you not to bother me when I am busy re―" Hindi ko natapos ang aking pangungusap nang itaas niya ang kaniyang dalawang kamay.

Senyales ng kaniyang pagsuko. "I know. I know. And I am sorry for that. Pero nandito ako para sabihin sa 'yo na kailangan nating maghanda sa welcome party, remember?"

Kaagad kong nakuha ang gusto niyang ipahiwatig. Right. Today's the day we should prepare ourselves later this evening. Yesterday after we went to the clinic, we went straight to the director's office. As we arrived there, the director told us that we have two days to prepare ourselves for the upcoming welcome party. Dahilan para suspended ang aming klase kahapon.

"Right, I'm sorry. I forgot. I am too busy reading books regarding Olympians and other information I should know about," I sincerely apologized.

She smiled. "It's okay. You better prepare or else we all face the daughter of Zeus' wrath." She made scared puppy eyes before excusing herself.

Hindi na ako nag-aksaya ng oras at naglakad pabalik sa kama. Sinara ko ang libro. Iniligay ko ito sa mini-bookshelf bago maghubad. When I finally undressed all my clothes, dumiretso ako sa banyo upang maligo. Hindi naman ako mabagal maligo kaya't lumabas ako ng banyo makalipas ang isang minuto't kalahati.

I am just wearing a simple plain gray t-shirt and a black pants. Nang makarating ako sa living room, napansin kong ako na lang ang hinihintay. The girls smiled at me, of course except with Chry and Heshiena.

Nasa kalagitnaan kami ng paglalakad nang biglang magsalita si Violeta. "May ka-date na kayo sa party?" she excitedly asked.

Napatingin ako sa kaniya nang hindi makapaniwala.

"Wala pa nga eh." Nakabagsak ang balikat na sagot ni Zuki.

Others looked at him in disbelief. Particular with the old Anostatos. It's as if Zuki said something the opposite. Isiniwalang bahala ko na lamang ito.

"Dapat meron bang maging ka-date?" I asked.

They all nodded as a response. Surprisingly, Chry included. Napatingin kaming lahat kay Violeta nang bigla siyang humagikgik. Kagat-kagat pa niya ang kaniyang ibabang labi na tila ba'y kinikilig. I slightly nod my head when I realized the reason why she giggles.

"Alam ko na kung sino ang magiging ka-date ni Chry, guys." Tumili naman siya dahilan para makita kong umirap si Chry. Nanatiling tahimik ang lahat. Hinihintay ang susunod na sasabihin ni Violeta. "Of course si Ace. Sino pa ba?"

Napatingin muli ako kay Chry. I mean, yeah, I am just curious with her reaction. But, I was flabbergasted for a second when I saw her smiled. Akala ko ba may limitations ang pagngiti niya? Well, totoo nga ang sinasabi ng karamihan.

No matter how cold you are, or merciless you are. There's still a vulnerableness within each and every one of us. We are still human, well, at least a half of it. I cursed myself when she caught me staring at her. She quickly throws her death glares at me.

She tsked. "What?" May inis sa boses niyang tanong.

"Nothing."

"Isn't it a good idea, Chry?" Punong-puno ng pananabik na saad ni Violeta, habang si Chry naman ay patuloy pa rin siya na magwalang-bahala sa mga naririnig niya.

She just shrugged in uninterested way. Nagpatiuna siya ng paglalakad. But we were surprised when rain started to poured down. Napatingin ako sa ilang pulgada kung nasaan si Chry. And realized, hindi naman pala talaga umulan. Chry manipulated the weather to pour the rain down to where we exactly standing.

"Oh my god, my dress!" gulat na gulat na bulalas ni Violeta. "I am all wet. Better stop the rain, Chry. You don't have to ruin my outfit just because you dislike my suggestion!"

A suspicious smile plastered upon my lips. Kinilig ba siya? After Chry heard what Violeta said, itinigil niya ang ulan. Sumunod naman ang napakalakas na hangin. Seconds have passed, tumuyo na ang suot-suot kong plain gray t-shirt.

Wow, how cool is that!

Tahimik kaming naglalakad hanggang sa makarating kami sa mall. At alam ko kung para saan ang katahimikan na 'yon. They don't want to upset the daughter of Zeus. Or else we will experience anything catastrophe.

Nang makapasok kami sa mall, isang aurai ang aming nakasalubong at ngumiti sa amin nang matamis.

"Young masters, you all are lucky. Dahil may mga bagong stock na ball gown at suits ang mall. Just hurry, baka ma-unahan pa kayo ng iba." Nakangiting saad nito.

Napa-clasp sa kamay si Violeta. Her eyes were glowing in excitement. Well I guess, that's one of the traits of being an offspring of a goddess of beauty and love. Napansin ko ring ganoon din ang reaction ni Ace.

Nagsipasukan na kaming lahat. Maliban na lang kina Violeta at Ace na nauna na sa amin. Habang si Zuki at Fuego naman ay nakangiting umiiling-iling. The four of us girls entered the women section, while the boys are in the opposite, of course.

A slight smirk plastered upon my lips when these extravagant ball gowns met my eyes. It would be perfect if I had a date. Iniling ko ang aking ulo. Like, seriously? Why would I expect to have a date when I am content with myself?

Lakad, pili, lakad, pili lamang ang ginagawa ko. Bumuntonghininga na lamang ako. For the very first time not even one caught my attention. Not even one passed my taste. Kung wala akong mapipili, hinding-hindi ako a-attend sa party.

Swear!

Paikot-ikot ako rito sa loob at tumitingin sa mga gown. I slightly gasped. Napahinto ako sa tapat ng isang eleganteng gown na kulay gray. May mga maliliit na diamonds pa ito sa pinakadulo dahilan para kumikislap-kislap ito.

Napatingin ako sa isang kamay na nakahawak sa gown. And to my surprise, it was the hand of a man. Seriously? His eyes grew twice wider. He bowed his head as a sign of respect, I guess. He paced backwards and fear plastered upon his face. My forehead furrowed.

"You like this?" I asked him in a friendly tone.

Fear upon his face slowly faded. "Y-yes . . ." he stuttered.

I was slightly flabbergasted after hearing his response. Ayokong mang lumukso kaagad sa konklusyon, pero 'yon 'yong pumasok kaagad sa isipan ko. Nakita ko naman siyang napangiti sa naging reaksyon ko, dahilan para mapahiya ako.

And I don't like it.

"I like this dress for my sister. And I guess you like it too, right?" he asked. Pinasadahan ko siya ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. I don't know why, but he have an angelic black eyes. A pointed nose and a perfect jaw. "Are you alright, mi lady?" tanong niya sa akin na siyang nagpabalik sa akin sa reyalidad.

"Y-yeah. Yeah," utal-utal kong sagot.

Another sweet smile plastered on his lips. "You can have this gown. It might suit you," sabi pa niya sa akin.

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. I felt guilty all of a sudden. He came here just to buy his sister a gown for later. "No, no. You can have it. I bet your sister will like this." Nakangiti kong saad.

"Are you sure?" paninigurado pa niyang tanong sa akin.

I give him an assurance smile. "Like seriously, I mean it. Don't worry may maraming gowns pa naman diyan na puwede kong pagpipilian."

I didn't wait for his response until I was lost in his sight. Hindi nga ako nagkamali dahil nakakita naman ako na much better pa sa unang nagustuhan ko. My heart almost leaped out of my chest when Blei suddenly appeared on my side.

Tinawanan naman niya ako na kaagad ko naman siyang binigyan ng warning look. She just shrugged and raised her hands as a sign of defeat.

"Are you done?" she asked. Tumango ako bilang sagot. "Alright then, meet us in the counter," dagdag niya't tinalikuran ako.

Matapos kong sabihan ang isang aurai na bibilhin ko ang gown na nasa harapan ko, kaagad niya itong kinuha. Umalis muna siya. Pagbalik niya ay nakabitbit na siya ng isang malaking paper bag. Binigay niya sa akin ito't nginitian ako pagkatapos.

After that, naglakad na ako papuntang counter para bayaran ito. Pagkarating ko'y nakita kong nandito na silang lahat, hinihintay ako.

"There you are." I was greeted by Heshiena's warm smile.

I flinched for a second. Of course, I am just surprised that she greeted me with that smile. I mean, it's pretty obvious that she always distances herself away from other people. I just can tell by observing her actions.

I gave her a smile as well as a response.

Matapos namin mabayaran lahat ng binili namin ay nagsiuwian na kami. Nasa hallway pa lang kami, pinagtitinginan na naman kami ng ibang estudyante. May mga nagbulong-bulungan pa akong naririnig.

"For sure mas lalong gaganda sila mamaya."

"Ang gaganda nila 'no?"

"How I wish to be one of the offspring of the major deities."

By the phrase 'ganda', yes, kaming mga girls na lamang ang naiwan sa mall kanina. Sabi sa akin ni Blei ay nauna na sa dorm house ang mga boys. Zuki, on the other hand, may nilakad daw. Pero hindi nila alam saan pupunta.

Nilapitan naman ni Chry ang babaeng nagsabi sa huling mga salitang narinig namin. Napailing ako. The way she said those words, she sounds disappointed to end up as the daughter of a minor deity. Geez, these people are being people.

"What did you just said? Aren't you proud of your deity?" medyo may inis sa tono ni Chry.

Napayuko siya dahil sa hiya. "Proud po, mi lady," sagot nito.

"Then so be it. Do not idolize someone like us nor hope to be an offspring of a major god, because it might be the start of your dissatisfaction with your self-identity and self-image. You might seek something you don't have until you are blinded to see the beauty you possess. Before idolizing someone, better discover the things you have that we don't have." Pinagsabihan naman ni Chry 'yong babae dahilan para mapayuko ito lalo dahil sa kahihiyan.

Well, she has the point. If we continuously idolize someone better than us or wishing to be like them can lose our trust and belief in ourselves. I mean, I am not saying idolizing someone is bad. It is okay to idolize them and serve it as our inspiration to do better.

Idolizing any other person pulls us away from our own needs and desires as we try to imitate the other person in every aspect. We should understand that no person is perfect. Even if the other person is happy, it is because he is following a path that suits him.

Idolizing has both good sides and downsides. Idolizing and comparing yourself with that person can lose your confidence and could make you feel disappointed. Until you are dissatisfied and it leads to something bad. Just be proud of what we have and be proud of being who we are.

"I'm sorry, mi lady," panghihingi ng paumanhin nito kay Chry.

Walang ka-emosyong tinalikuran siya ni Chry at naunang maglakad sa amin.

Dash's Point of View

Mabilis na tinampal ni Fuego ang kamay ni Ace. Kanina pa ang mga gag*ng 'yan. Eh kasi naman 'tong si Ace sobrang likot kanina pa. Ayan tuloy naapektuhan si Fuego. Siya kasi ang nagluto para sa amin at para na rin mapa-oo namin ang babaeng gusto naming maka-date mamaya sa party.

"Pwede ba Ace, umupo ka nga! Ako ang nahihilo sa 'yo e," malamig na sabi ni Mavros.

"Kinakabahan ako e," parang batang maktol niya.

Natawa ako ng mahina dahil sa sinabi niya. Ganoon din ang iba. Maliban kay Mavros na umiiling lang. Sinundan niya naman ito ng marahas na buntonghininga.

"Torpe ka pala e," pabirong sabi ko sa kaniya.

Tiningnan niya naman ako ng masama.

"Luh, hindi ako torpe, Blaze!" Tumaas ang boses niya dahilan para mapangiwi kami. "Malaki 'to." Sabay turo sa ano niya.

Dahil sa ginawa niya ay nagtawanan na kaming lahat.

"Kaya mo 'yan." Sabi pa ni Blaze, sabay tapik sa balikat niya.

"Good luck bro, alam mo na ang ugali ni Chry." Pananakot naman sa kaniya ni Fuego.

Bumuntonghininga naman si Ace at padabog na umupo.

"Tapos na!" Fuego announced.

Gumawa kasi kami ng mga pagkain na tiyak na magugustuhan nila. Napatingin ako sa pagkaing nakalatag na sa lamesa. Fuego said Chry's favorite is lasagna, the reason why Ace ask him a favor to cook for her. Chicken lollipop naman ang ni-request ni Blaze for Blei.

Ang niluto naman ni Fuego for Violeta ay egg rice with pasta. Sabi niya paborito raw ito ni Violeta kainin especially kapag lunch. Minsan naman daw ay breakfast. On the other hand, ang akin naman ay special adobo for Nkri.

Hindi si Fuego ang nagluto nito. I am the one who did it. Besides, alam ko naman kung paano gawin ito dahil palagi kong napapanood si Papa noon. Bago ako may makalimutan, kay Mavros naman ay roasted chicken for Heshiena. Siya rin mismo ang nagluto nito.

Bigla akong kinabahan nang bigla kong narinig ang pagbukas ng pintuan ng aming cabin house. Sh*t, they are here already.

"What's that smell?" rinig naming tanong ni Blei.

Biglang dinampot ni Ace ang lasagna at itinago ito. Ano'ng pakulo na naman naisip ng gag*ng 'to? Bahala nga siya sa buhay niya. Sunod-sunod na pumasok sila sa kitchen at kaagad nagulat sa nabungaran nila.

The three of them raised their eyebrow. Heshiena, on the other hand, was confused. Si Chry naman ay tila parang walang interes sa mga pangyayari. Before Chry could excused herself, Fuego grabbed her.

Of course, Chry looked at him furiously. Fuego just smiled awkwardly and gesture his hand to the seats we prepared. Chry rolled her eyes and heaved a sigh before sitting down.

"I know you all are going to ask us to be your date later this evening, do you?" I was caught off guard when Nkri suddenly spoke.

Fuego laughed softly. "I guess wala kaming kawala dahil alam mo na. But we really prepared this food for all of you. There's a name on the plate at the back. It signifies that person is asking you to be his date. If you eat that food we prepared, it says your answer is yes."

Napatingin si Fuego kay Ace. Ace just looked at him innocently while nervous. Siniko ko siya nang mahina sa tagiliran niya dahil magkatabi kami. We all give him a warning look, made him sigh as a sign of defeat.

Inilabas niya ang kaniyang lasagna at iniligay ito sa harapan ni Chry. Chry was surprised, but couple of seconds, she quickly revoked her reaction. She give Ace a death glares that made him more terrified. But, in the corner of my eyes, I saw Chry smirked secretly. I don't know if others see it too, but she definitely smiled.

Violeta is the first one who moved and ate Fuego's egg rice with pasta. Hanggang sa maubos niya ito. Sumunod naman sina Blei at Heshiena. I noticed Heshiena's face were flushed in red. And Mavros keep on smiling and scoffing.

Tila kinikilig.

When Nkri looked me in the eye, she smirked. I don't know what that means, but I remained calm. Later on, she ate the adobo I made for her. Her eyes even grew wider. She keeps on eating it, until there's none left on the plate.

A sigh of relief escaped from my lips. Akala ko pupunta ako mamaya nang walang ka-date. After that, we all looked at Chry. She didn't even flinched and continued staring the lasagna in front of her for about couple of minutes.

When Chry moved her hand to grab the fork, we all heard Ace's giggles. But Chry just stopped a few inches away from the fork, Ace's shoulders quickly dropped. His eyes were about to cry out.

When Ace eyes dropped upon the floor, Chry ate the lasagna. Before Ace could notice, Chry excused herself and went straight to her room. Sumunod naman ang iba kay Chry at kaming dalawa na lamang ni Ace ang naiwan sa kitchen.

"Look at the plate," binulungan ko si Ace sa aking tabi bago umalis.

As I finally climbing the staircase, I heard Ace's giggles echoed in the house. Iniling ko ang aking ulo't napangiti na lamang.