Annika's POINT OF VIEW

"Whaaaat? Why are you guys transferring her to my school?!"

Bulyaw ni ate Sophia right after niyang mabasa ang nasa envelope na inabot sa kanya ni Dad.

"It's for your own good, Sophia." sambit ni Mom while she's holding ate's left arm

Walang humpay na irap ang inabot ko kay ate habang sapilitan niyang pinirmahan ang mga papeles.

Padabog niyang inabot kay Mr. Sanchez ang papeles, Dad's secretary.

"You guys are so unfair. Annika has been transferring from school to another school for the past 10 years now. 2 years na sya now sa school niya, bat hindi nalang siya magstay sa current school nya?"

I continued to eat my breakfast at hindi na nakipag eye contact sa kanya. Whatever their decision is, I'll just go with the flow.

"Sophia, hindi naman 'to bago sa'yo eh. We're doing this because we need to, not because we want to. Annika has been suffering from—."

"What? Bullying nanaman? Come on, mom. Hindi na uso yan sa panahon ngayon. We're no longer kids. She should grow up and stand up for herself." pagputol ni ate kay mom at kitang kita ko ang mariin na paghawak niya sa spoon and fork

Mom took a deep breath before she responses. "This is not something that's new to us, especially to you Sophia. Why are you grumpy kapag schoolmate mo ang kapatid mo?"

I grabbed a glass of water and forced myself to finish it.

"Because nadadamay ako sa miserable niyang buhay." she paused to look at me straight to my eyes

"Why am I always the one who needs to adjust here?! Is it my fault that people don't like her? Look at her... I mean... she's too freakin' boring, weird and ugly that's why—"

"Enough!" sabay sabay kaming napapitlag sa paghampas ni dad ng palad niya sa lamesa

He pinched the bridge of his nose habang nakapikit. Wala ni isa samin ang nagsasalita dahil para bang bombang sasabog si dad.

"I...I don't want to hear any violent reactions regarding Annika's transfer. Lilipat siya ng school, tapos ang usapan. Like what your mom said, hindi na bago 'to satin. Kaya Annika, next school year sa Maxthon University ka na papasok."

Parang pinako ang bibig ko, tanging pagtango lang nagawa ko. I watched ate Sophia stood up and walked away from the table.

It's been 5 years simula nung maghiwalay kami ng school ni ate. Understandable why she's against on the idea of me transferring to her shcool.. Ever since mahiwalay siya sakin, she became a complete different person.

From her looks, her style, her taste sa music, her beliefs, her way of thinking and her character. They all changed and hindi ko na siya masabayan.

Who wouldn't want to stand out there? That school is hella prestigious. Dun mo makikita mga anak ng politicians, sikat na artista, rich— you know what I mean here.

It feels like I ran out of schools to transfer to. Our parents don't want us to attend to an average school lang. Kaya lang because of what happened to me 3 weeks ago, it was very alarming.

Alarming enough para magdesisyon sila mom and dad to transfer me where ate Sophia is currently studying. They believe na I'll be safe and hindi na muling mapapahamak if ate Sophia is around.

But ate is correct, it isn't her fault and it's unfair for her para sya ang palagi ang magadjust. I know she's sick and tired of hearing my concerns since we were kids.

Pero wala akong magagawa. Wala akong magawa. Para bang tattoo na permanenteng nasa balat ko ang kapahamakan.

I don't know if transferring to her school would be my escape from this or would worsen my situation, but I'm hopeful.

*

2 years. 2 years lang naman ako magtitiis dito sa bago kong school, and I'll be free eventually!

Huminga ako ng malalim kasabay ng mga hakbang kong pabagal ng pabagal. As usual, ate Sophia walked as fast as she could just to avoid walking with me. Alam ko naman balik kami sa dati, where she will ignore me and pretend that she doesnt know me.

Room 345. Thats the room I've been looking for the past 30 minutes and pawisan na ako from head to toe! Who wouldnt if malelate ka sa first class mo on your first day? Nakakaloka, napakalaki naman ng school ni ate Sophia! At napaka... intimidating. I mean... the students are all dressed up nicely, the teachers look very professional, I havent seen anyone who looks like me or has the same vibe as me. Like what ate Sophia said, I look boring, weird and ugly. Ugly in a way that I look like I'm the type of person who wears whatever clothes is available in the world.

Hays! Ito struggle ko kapag new student eh! Nasan ba student council office dito para itatanong ko nalang?

Ok. Last na. Kapag di ko mahanap, didirecho na ko sa student council office. Nilibot ko ang tingin ko dahil base sa map malapit na ako sa room ko. Ohh look, nasa pinaka dulo ng hallway pala yung room k—

"Aaahhcck!" Inda ko the moment I fell on the ground.

"Oohh that looks painful!" I heard someone laughed and it sounds like a group of guys saw what happened to me as they walk past me.

Nasan na ba yung bwisit na map ng school na 'to? Hindi ako tumatayo hanggat hindi ko nahahanap ang brochure ng school until nakita ko ito na nasa ilalim ng sapatos nitong... I looked up.

A tall, blonde hair and tanned skin guy was stepping on the brochure and it looks like he doesnt have plans on moving so I could get it.

Unti unti dumadami ang nakiki usisa but he remains silent, yet intimidating. I tried to grab it but he was too heavy and mas lalo niyang diniinan ang pagtapak dito. What's wrong with him?!

I bit my lower lip and bumwelo ng lakas para mahatak ko ito. It's too early to get bullied.

"Aaaccchk— aray kooo." I uttered, rubbing my elbow.

Hinayupak! He let go of the brochure before I pulled it kaya ako napahiga sa sahig!

Ano bang meron sakin?! First day ko dito sa school ni ate and wala pa akong isang oras dito binubully na ako?! What did I do wrong para maging kabully bully?! College student na ako ha pero I'm still experiencing this kind situation.

Ansakit talaga ng elbow ko, nakapikit ako at hindi na makagalaw because of the pain I felt. I know it's my fault, I wasnt looking where I'm heading pero pwede naman madaan sa usapan 'to eh! Ang violent naman ng mga tao ngayon.

"Get up." napadilat ako when I heard a deep, husky voice. He's offering his hand but he isnt looking at me. Is he for real? Baka pagabot ko, bitawan niya ako bigla. I can see the veins on his hands all the way up to his arms, his adams apple and his jaw are very attracting na para ba siyang disney prince pero salbahe! I could even smell his perfume– ay hinde! Hindi tayo magddaydream ngay—

"Bi—bitawan mo ko!" sigaw ko pero wala rin ako nagawa when he put me on his right shoulder na para akong isang sako ng simento!

•

"Annika." I answered the Nurse question about my personal information.

Hindi ako makapaniwala na first day of school, nandito ako sa clinic. I don't have any choice but to stay here for a while because my elbow really hurts!

"Annika?" the Nurse continued and waiting for me to answer her

"V-Villacorta." halos machoke ako when I said it, I felt his gaze the moment I answered the Nurse kahit na malayo sya at nakatanaw sa bintana. My freakin' last name is... my sister's last name too.

I don't know why this blonde guy is still here. Seriously, I thought he would throw me in the garbage area, pero laking gulat ko nang dito niya ako dalhin.

"She got her elbow injured."

That's the only thing I heard from him, at never na siya nagsalita or react. Hindi ko rin siya kinakausap because obviously I'm focused on the bandage that the Nurse put on my elbow and I'm kinda scared if mas sumakit siya maling kilos ko lang.

Napalunok ako when I saw on the wall clock na 15 minutes nalang, start na ng first class ko.

"If hindi mawala in a few days, please let me know so we can check." I nodded lang sa Nurse at kinuha ang clinic form sa kanya.

Napaka gandang bungad nga naman talaga ng unang araw ko sa school na 'to. Ang paulit ulit na bilin nga ni mommy, umiwas sa kahit anong attensyon para iwas gulo. Ayan, ito na talaga ang patunay na kahit wala kang balat sa pwet, pag malas ka malas ka!

Napadiin ang hawak ko sa strap ng bag ko when someone accidentally bumped into me.

Hindi ko na pinansin if nagsorry ba ang nakabangga sakin dahil nakafocus ako sa kirot na naramdaman ko. Dahan dahan akong naglakad sa hallway at napastop din when I saw someone ng hindi kalayuan na nakatingin sakin.

"A-ate sophia!" kumaway pa ako sa kanya kahit na hirap ako

"Tsk." hindi nya ako kinibo, she just shook her head in disappointment, at inirapan ako bago umalis sa kinatatayuan niya

Ilang segundo rin akong napatigil sa gilid at napahawak sa pader. This is so disappointing. I promised them nothing bad will happen to me here. I promised them na... I will do my best to have a normal life here. I promised ate na I won't let her down...I wont make mom and dad worry.

I guess... uuwi akong may bitbit na disappointment.

"Hays! Nasan nga ulit ang room na yun— ay palaka!" hiyaw ko at agad na nilingon ang kumuha ng bag ko na parang snatcher lang sa bilis.

"I-ikaw nanaman?!" agad kong tanong, akala ko nagpart ways na kami sa clinic. Was he... was he following me?!

"H-hindi mo na kailangan gawin yan. I'm all good na, quits na tayo for bringing me sa clinic. Alam ko namang h-hindi mo naman sinasadya yu— ho hoy kuya san mo dadalhin ang bag ko?!"

Kaloka! Nagsasalita ako hindi manlang ako pinansin at nilampasan lang ako at nagdirecho ng lakad habang ang isang kamay nya nakapasok sa bulsa nya, hawak naman nya sa kabilang kamay nya ang bag ko na ang bagkakabuhat nya eh parang sako lang ng basura bitbit nya

Napakamot ako ng marahas sa anit ko. What does he want this time?!

Ang lalaki ng hakbang niya sa tangkad nya rin mahaba ang mga biyas niya. Takbo lakad ang ginawa ko makahabol lang sa kanya.

Hindi ko naman maiwasan mailang sa mga students na biglang napapatigil at tumatabi sa daan kapag nakikita nilang padaan itong blonde guy na to.

He seems popular here. Halata sa mukha ng mga babae ang kilig at paghanga sa kanya. Pero even the guys are stopping from what they are doing at nag gigive way sa kanya sa hallway.

Sino ba 'tong tao na 'to?!

Hays! Why is he doing this? Hindi na nga ako nagsalita at reklamo sa kanya sa clinic eh. Kung ibang tao ito, nireport na sya sa dean's office eh.

So...ano pa bang gusto nya? Awang awa ba sya sakin? Kasi he doesnt look like he's sincere eh, ni hindi nga ako nakarinig ng salitang SORRY!

Para akong nachoke kahit wala naman laman ang bibig ko nang makita ko si ate Sophia na nasa labas ng pinto room nila at nakacross arms na nakatingin sakin...then she looked at this guy na hawak ang bag ko.

"Hi-hindi ko sya kilala ate...p-promise!" sambit ko kay ate nang tumapat ako sa pinto ng classroom nila.

Aaarrrggh! Mas lalong galit na si ate!

Hinayupak na 'to baka sa sobrang galit na ni ate Sophia iwan ako nun dito sa school paguwian na! Ay hindi pwede dahil hindi ko kabisado pa ang lugar!

"I can't believe he's still single. I mean... look at that majestic figure.. I want that man."

"As if you can have him. Ni eye contact nga sa babae hindi nya ginagawa eh! Yan pa kayang pangarap mong makuha natin sya? Kahit maghubad ata tayo sa harap nya he would ignore us!"

Binagalan ko talaga lakad ko sa part na may dalawang babae na halos lumuwa ang dibdib sa sobrang pagkaka bukas ng uniform nila. Kahit ako mapapansin ko sila kasi they are really pretty and they smell good. But I guess they didnt succeed on their plan of getting this blonde guy's attention kaya yung isa napapadyak sa inis.

Hhmhmm... baka may problema sa mata lang tong lalaking to. Kanina nga naapakan nya yung brochure ko eh— "aray!" bigla ba naman nagstop ng lakad

"K-kuya ano bang ginagawa mo? Akina yung bag ko san mo ba dadalhin?!" lintek naglakad nanaman sya

"Hoy kuyang blonde haaaair bakit parang lalabas ka ng building?!"

Lintek imbis na lumiko sya, dun sya dumirecho sa exit ng building!

"K-kuya—"

"Where do you live?"

Bigla syang humarap at dahil nga sa hinahabol ko sya hindi ns ako nagkaron ng pagkakataon makontrol ang sarili ko at dumurecho ako sa chest nya!

"Ang hilig mong...mag stop over." i uttered, rubbing my forehead na nauntig sa chest nya

"Where do you live?"

Mahinahon but has authority in his tone

"Bakit?"

"Iuuwi kita."

"Ikaw bahala kung—ay b-bakit?!"

Napahawak ako sa poste dahil nanlalambot ang tuhod ko.

He just adjusted his neck tie using his one hand at lumapit ng bahagya sakin. He looked at me from head to toe.

"B-bakit?"

He grabbed my hand at hinila ako ng tuluyan lalabas ng building.

Red Theo's POINT OF VIEW

"Whatever you do in life, you'll never succeed Red Theo! Don't ever come back here! You're no longer part of this family! You're such a disgrace!"

"Oh don't fuck.ing worry, I've got no plans of going back here!"

"Pare! Pare!"

"Aah f.uck!"

I felt someone was slapping me.

"Taena naman pare akala ko binabangungot ka na eh!"

"Dammit!" hinawi ko mukha ni Borjorge at dumirecho ako sa fridge to get some water. My throat is f.ucking dry.

"Pare, kinabahan ako sayo akala ko sinaniban ka ng masamang elemento. Bubuhusan na sana kita ng tubig kanina eh." sinundan ako ni Borjorge at kinuha sakin ang pitsel

"Pinagsasabi mo?." umupo ako at nagtimpla ng kape, umupo naman sya sa tabi ko.

"Tignan mo! Tumataas balahibo ko! Wag ka kasi dito matulog sa sofa! Hays! Pare, akin na kamay mo titignan ko kung(—"

"Tantanan mo nga ako Borjorge! Ba't ka ba andito sa pamamahay ko? Ang aga aga! Diba may schedule ka today sa mga Santos? Ano pa tinatanga mo ngayon?"

"Pare tang.ina wag mo baguhin usapan, sana pala na-video-han kita. P.uta pare nagenglish ka. Hindi lang basta english, fluent ka may accent pa!" I remained silent at hinayaang magtaka si Borjorge. Pilit ko inaalala ano yung panaginip ko na sinasabi niyang nagenglish ako.

"Seryoso pare, first time kitang marinig magsalita ng ganun kalupet. Eh parehas tayong laging tagilid sa English subject eh! Kaya sigurado ako may masamang—parwe narmawn!"

Sinungalngal ko sa kanya yung pandesal at pumasok na sa banyo

"Pare! Pare tawagan ko na ba si mang kanor? Papatawas kita pare seryoso ako sa narinig ko sayo! Ang galing mo magenglish nung tulog ka, malakas kutob ko may sapi ka!"

F.uck!

It's been 2 years since I left home, but it still haunts me kahit sa panaginip. I left without any trace, but their f.ucking hatred visits me in my dreams.

I was able to take a bath ng hindi ako ginugulo ni Borjorge. But I couldn't stop myself from thinking about why the hell I dreamed of them.

Napalingon ako sa cellphone ko na biglang may nagpop ng notification. Kinukha ko ito from the side table.

"Birthday...ni mom today?" napaayos ako ng upo at napatigil sa pagbibihis habang binabasa ang buong email na nareceive ko

The email is from my mom. I blocked all of them in the family from all of my social media accounts. But I didn't change my email, as I was hopeful that mom would reach out to me.

And there she is! After 2 f.ucking years, she has finally decided to reach out. But why? What's going on? Isn't she the one who begged me not to spill everything I heard the night they decided na itakwil ako?

I turned off my cellphone and continued to wear my school uniform.

"Mygooosh! Sabi sayo dito siya sa business administration building makikita eh."

"Stop. Sya lang ang bad boy na papatulan koo ang pogiii."

Natulak ko ng wala sa oras si Borjorge dahil kanina pa siko ng siko sakin habang naglalakad kami sa hallway pero wala akong imek.

"Pambihira naman pare, deadma ka talaga sa mga chikababes na naglalaway sayo?"

"San?"

"Tsk. Nakalampas na tayo, andun na sila sa dulo."

"Ah." sagot ko and dumirecho nalang lumabas ng building

"Lam mo pre, kinakabahan na ako sa'yo eh. Ikaw ba may lihim na pagtingin sakin kaya wala ka parin girlfriend?"

Inakbayan ko lang si Borjorge hanggang makarating kami sa likod ng abandoned building ng school.

"Akala ko ba 4pm?"

"Oo, 4pm usapan. Malinaw pa sa mata ko usapan namin last week." pagtataka rin ni Borjorge

"Oh asan na sila? Titigas ng mga mukha nun para maghamon tas—"

"Tang.ina talaga ibang klase, Boss Theo!"

Napalingon kami ni Borjorge sa tatlong mukhang lampa.

"Tsk. Akala ko aatras na kayo sa usapan, hindi pa nga kayo nakakausad." mayabang na sambit ni Borjorge at pinatong na ang black brief case sa lamesa

"Tsk, what makes you think we will not show up? Eh kayo lang supplier namin ngayon lalo na nabalitaan namin your guy has been missing since last week sa Tondo."

I looked at Borjorge but he seems more clueless than I am.

Nang matapos ang transaction, pinauna na namin sila lumabas.

"Mabilis lang pala kausap mga yun eh. Sigurado ka ba talaga taga Maxthon University yun?" Tanong ko kay Borjorge because those faces... they dont seem they came from that freakin' school. Oh baka marami lang bagong students ang nadagdag sa school na yun.

"Oo naman, mukha ba hindi ? tignan mo fresh from bank pa yata tong pinambayad nila satin." binilang ulit ni Borjorge yung binyad ng mga tanga.

"Sa tingin mo uulit pa yung mga yun?" Tanong sakin ni Borjorge.

"Mukhang mga pacool kid lang pero... yung isang mukhang japanese... sa tingin mo sino yung tinutukoy nya na kasama daw natin na nawawala na isang linggo na?"

Inabot sakin ni Borjorge ang sobre na laman ay pera na pinambayad samin, nilagay ko agad sa bulsa ng jacket ko at nagpatuloy na kmi lumabas ng building.

"Sino yung may balat sa bandang noo?" I nodded

"Parang first encounter natin sa kanilang lahat. Hayaan mo boss papasipat ko yung mga yun kela Andie at Vlad. Medyo... alanganin mga galawan nila eh. Pero dun sa sinasabi nilang nawawala? Wala akong alam dun."

Tumango nalang ako. "I gotta know these assholes." bulong ko sa sarili ko out of frustration