Chapter 5 - Past

Rhainne Jhammira Alethea Lopez

"It's late."

Agad kong tinignan ang nag salita it was her again.

Akala ko pa naman ay tulog na siya. It's already midnight and yet she's still awake.

But why do I feel like she's controlling me?

"Are you gonna continue ignoring me Ali?" bakas sa pananalita niya ang inis

Is it really a big deal? I'm just not in a mood para sagutin siya. Besides my mind was occupied with what Kai said earlier.

"Oh come on you're not talking again"- inis na sabi nya at nilapitan ako. I just stared at her blankly, my usual face with no expression. Base sa pag kakatingin niya saakin ay naguguluhan siya at nahihirapang basahin ang emosyon at ekspresyon ko.

"See you tomorrow" I said at umalis na. Mabuti nga at hindi niya na ako pinigilan pa.

Pagkarating ko sa kwarto ko ay agad na akong nahiga sa higaan ko bukas nalang ako maliligo tinatamad na ako.

I was wondering what Kai said to me.

What if I let my rage consume me? What will happen? Am I in the wrong path again? How could things be so wrong again and again? Simula nung nawala siya parang wala na ring tamang nangyari sa buhay ko.

They killed him and they should pay for it.

___

"No! Let me go! I need to go!" I screamed, my voice cracking as tears poured down my face. My heart shattered into a thousand pieces as I watched the love of my life being hurt on the screen.

They can't do this to him. How dare they? My body trembled with rage and desperation.

I fought against the men holding me back, but their grip was tight. They were too strong, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't break free. The burning need to save him consumed me. He needs me.

"Lolo, please! Please, you have to help him! I can't do this alone!" My voice was a desperate cry, raw and panicked. I saw my friends and Lolo standing there, their faces pale, their eyes filled with pity. But pity wasn't what I needed.

"Lolo, please... I can't... I can't lose him. You have to save him... You have to!" I begged, my words barely whispering through the sobs that shook my body. The pain in my chest felt like it was suffocating me, and all I could think about was him-his pain, his suffering-and how powerless I was to stop it.

All those training were nothing now. I can't even use it.

The weight of helplessness crushed me as I fell to my knees, the tears blurring everything. They just stood there, unable to do anything. And all I could do was beg for a miracle, for someone-anyone-to save him.

"Let go of me!" Malakas na sigaw ko sabay noon ang pagsipa sa mga tauhan ni Lolo kaya nabitawan ako ng mga ito and I took that opportunity to run as fast as I could, rinig ko ang sabay sabay na sigaw ng mga taong iniwan ko sa Empire.

After I get in to my car ay agad ko itong pinatakbo hanggang sa makarating ako sa kinaroroonan niya.

Maraming lalaking nakaitim ang bumungad saakin at lahat sila ay may hawak na baril na siyang nakatutok saakin

I saw him looking helplessly.

How could they do this? As far as I know we didn't do anything bad on them.

I was about to run towards him when someone talk

"One wrong move and he'll die in front of you" turan ng isang lalaking nakasuot ng tuxedo at mask, he's looking like a boss.

And in that situation I know that he's behind all this.

"What did we do to you?!" galit kong tanong rito. My tears where flowing down on my cheeks as I look at him with rage

"Nothing" he unbotheredly said

I immediately pointed my gun at him, so his men tightened their grip on their guns, and I knew that at any moment, they would start to shoot me.

"Tell me the reason!" I scream at him but he didn't answer me.

"Loveeeee!" sigaw ng taong dapat sana ililigtas. He hugged me and turned me into a different location.

Nakarinig ako ng sunod sunod na putok galing sa baril ng taong nasa harap ko na siyang nahaharangan niya.

He looked at me and smiled at me bakas parin ang maganda nitong itsura kahit na bugbog sarado na ito.

"Everything will be fine" kasabay noon ang pagbagsak ng katawan niyang punong puno ng dugo

"Nooooooooooo!" And there I saw him and his body full of blood

______

"Noooooo!" I scream at my breath. I caressed my chest at agad nag habol ng hininga. My heart was racing.

I was haunted once more by that relentless nightmare.

This is what's happening after I go back to the place we're we have so much memories. I miss him. I really do but I can't have him anymore.

That nightmare keeps hunting me, ilang taon na rin yon pero hindi ko talaga magawang kalimutan dahil patuloy akong binabalik gamit ang pagtulog ko.

Bumangon nalang ako at nag hilamos. Pagkatapos ay bumaba na ako. As usual walang tao, tulog pa sila dahil masyado pang maaga.

Ano na nga ba ang pwede kong gawin?

Should I cook?

It's been a long time since nag luto ako

After an hour natapos nako mag luto kaya naman umakyat nako sa taas para maligo.

Pag katapos ko mag ayos ay bumaba na ako. Nasa hagdan palang ako rinig na rinig ko na ang ingay galing sa baba.

"Woahhh ang dami mo naman atang niluto nanang?" rinig kong tanong ng ate ko

"Hay nako hindi ako ang nag luto niyan, hindi ko rin alam kung sino. Basta pag kapunta ko rito ay nandiyan na yan. Hindi kaya ang kapatid mo ang nag luto niyan?" nanang answered

Isn't it obvious na ako nga ang nag luto. Sabagay naninibago ata si nanang dahil nag luto ako. Pag kakaalam niya hindi na ako nag luluto. Ewan ko rin kung ano ang pumasok sa isip ko at naisipan kong mag luto.

"Marunong mag luto si Jham?"

"Hay nako kung alam mo lang. May ari ng isang rest--"- I cut her off bago niya pa masabi ang sasabihin niya

"Just be thankful that I cooked for all of you" I unbotheredly said at umupo na habang hinihigop ang kape

"So ikaw nga ang nag luto? " amazed na tanong ni ate

Masyado siyang madaldal ngayon. Umagang umaga pinapasakit niya ulo ko.

"Obviously"

" Nako ang batang toh bumalik na sa pag luluto " nakangiting sabi ni nanang.

I just smiled mentally. Yeah I miss cooking for him. Every food that I cooked was his favorite. I miss how he admired every dish that I cooked kahit yung iba don ay failed.

"Ngayon lang yan nanang. Come on let's eat " pag aya ko dito

Tumabi naman saakin si ate habang katapat ko naman si nanang.

"Paano ka natuto mag luto? "- tanong ng katabi ko. Hindi ko man siya tignan pero nararamdaman kong nakatingin siya saakin

" Cooking lesson" no, it's because of him

Everything about me was about him.

I learned how to be soft because of him pero simula nung nawala siya I came back to this cold personality of mine. He's my Missing piece-my Missing piece that could never be here again.

At hanggang sa matapos ang pag kain namin ay dinadaldal nila ako. Minsan naman silang dalawa ang nag uusap. Minsan naman ako ang pinag uusapan nila na para bang wala ako doon.

They're all makulit and I hate people na makulit-but I love being with them though nae-entertain ako.

___

Sa hindi inaasahang pag kakataon nakasulubong ko nanaman ang mga taong hindi ko dapat makasalubong pero wala akong ibang ginawa kundi ang iwasan sila. Minsan gusto kong dumating na ang tatlong bitch para naman kahit papaano ay malibang ako. They were a great entertainment kahit minsan ay hindi ko sila sinasagot.

Dumiretso lang ako sa room namin para naman hindi kung sino sino nakakasalubong ko sa daan.

Hihintayin ko nalang na dumating ang prof namin.

Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay pumasok ang tatlong pamilyar na babae at iniikot ang tingin nila na tila ba may hinahanap. Nang mag katagpo ang mata namin ay biglang umaliwalas ang pag mumuka ng tatlo at agad na napangiti. Agad na tumakbo ang mga ito sa kinaroroon ko

I shouldn't mentioned them earlier. Nandito na agad sila.

" Wahhhhh Ulannnnnnn!!!! Namiss kita " sigaw ni Rayla kaya napatingin lahat ng tao sa gawi namin

Ang aga aga nakakarindi na agad sila. I'm regretting that I wished for them.

"Ang ingay mo!" sita ni Amrielle

Kung makasaway siya akala mo hindi rin siya maingay.

"Mahal, namiss kita" Jenaiah said in a soft tone

Hayst, parang gusto ko bawiin ang sinabe ko kanina.

Kung nag tataka kayo bakit andito sila sa block ko dahil pareho lang naman kami ng course. Hindi naman halatang ayaw nilang humiwalay saakin.

As I've mentioned before kahit saan ako mag punta ay lagi silang nakasunod. Ako lang ata ang napapagod sakanila.

"What's with the long face Ulan? parang you don't want us here ah" nagtatampong tanong ni Amrielle

I rolled my eyes on her.

Even the little bit reaction pinag dududahan niya. Paano ko ba naging kaibigan to.

"Noisy as always. Did you ate already?"

Para kasing kakarating lang nila tapos dumiretso na agad dito. Wala bang jetlag tong mga to? How could I forget sila na pala yan. They didn't get tired, not at all.

"You're improving ha. You can speak ng mahaba na" argh her with her conyo

Hate that conyo tone of her. Hindi bagay.

Hindi naman ako pipe para hindi mag salita. May panahon at pag kakataon lang na nakakatamad mag salita lalo na kung hindi naman ako interesado sa kausap ko.

"Ganyan talaga pag walang kausap " singit naman ni Jenaiah

"Have you eaten already?" tanong ko ulit dahil parang hindi naman nila pinansin ang tanong ko kanina

"Hindi pa dahil inuna ka naming hanapin our Ulan "  Rayla answered me na parang hindi talaga siya interesado sa pagkain

"Nakaramdam tuloy ako ng gutom punyeta ka talaga Ulan" and there goes Amrielle the most noisy among us ang lagi rin kaargue ni Rayla

"Kain tayo?" And there is Jenaiah the mother of our friends. She's an observant and a person who's always on your side.

"Go eat your breakfast before our professor arrives," I urged, glancing at them. Their eyes flashed with irritation, a mix of annoyance and disbelief. It was clear they were not pleased with my insistence, but I couldn't let them skip another meal.

I mentally smirked because of their reactions.

"ULAN!!!! " sabay sabay nilang sigaw kaya napatakip na lamang ako ng aking tenga

So noisy!

"Stop shouting motherfucker. Just eat!" I irritatedly said kaya naman sabay na nag pout si Jenaiah at Rayla while Jenaiah still remains her usual face

"Hindi pa kami nag breakfast and your telling us na baka dumating yung prof "  inis na turan ni Amrielle

I looked at my wrist watch. Yeah, anytime our professor will arrive.

"It's not my fault," I said with a frown. "If you're hungry, just go to the cafeteria."

Here they are again looking at me na parang hindi makapaniwala sa sinabe ko.

"Hindi mo na kami mahal ! " nagtatampong sabi ni Amrielle

How could I forget this side of her.

Ang sarap niyang sapakin.

"Good Morning Miss Presley" sabay sabay na bati ng mga ka block namin

I looked at the person in front and I could say that she's gorgeous. Her cold stare that can make you feel uncomfortable. Her brown eyes that matches her brown long hair. Her reddish lips that is so tempting. Her small and pointed nose that is perfectly fine. Especially her curves that is so perfect and fine.

And me, what I was even thinking? Why did I just suddenly compliment and check her.

Tinignan naman aki nito ng nakataas ang kilay. I look around and everyone was on their sit already. What the fuck?

Unbelievable!

"Yes Miss Lopez? "Why aren't you sitting down yet?" Her voice was cold.

"My apology Miss" pagkatapos kong sabihin iyon ay naupo na ako saka tinignan ang nga kaibigan kong nakangisi.

How dare them!

I rolled my eyes on them kaya pigil namang natawa ang mga to. Ibinalik ko rin ang tingin ko sa propesorang nasa harapan na ngayon ay may sinusulat.

Celine Claire Presley

Suits her.

Argh why do I even complimented her many times already. This isn't the usual me!

Pagharap nito ay agad na nagtama ang mata namin kaya agad rin akong nag iwas and this is for the first time!

I can't believe this!

"Three new faces? New students?" she continued, glancing at the front of the room. "Okay, go here and introduce yourselves"

I turned to see them standing there, a mix of nervousness and excitement in their expressions. They stepped forward, ready to introduce themselves.

"Hi everyone, Good morning. Heaven Rayla Anderson here " - naunang mag pakilala si Langit

Morning, Jenaiah Flame Ramirez is the name "

" Wassup Guys and miss ma'am beautiful. Amrielle Sea Lee nga po pala "

"Alright, you may take your seats now," Professor Presley said, her voice calm yet authoritative. "I'm Celine Claire Presley, but you can call me Prof Presley or Miss Presley."

Tumango lamang at tatlo at bumalik na sa pwesto nila, which is sa tabi ko

Nagsimula na mag discuss si Miss Presley at lagi kong nakakatagpo ang mata niyang nakatingin sakin, so weird.

After nang discussion niya ay nag pa quiz naman ito

"Ulan anong answer sa 5?" - tanong ng katabi ko na hindi ko alam kung naubusan na ba ng brain cell or sadyang bangag lang

Hindi ko nalang siya pinansin at kunwari walang narinig. Hindi kasi nakikinig kanina, puro siya complain na nagugutom na siya. If I have bread na hawak kanina ko pa napalunok sakanya iyon para manahimik siya.

"Ulan" pangungulit niya

"Hoy ulan"

"Shut up Amrielle. Just answer that damn fucking question bumawi ka nalang sa susunod." Diin kong bulong dito, I saw her in my peripheral vision na nabusangot naman ang muka nito.

"Fine. Damot." pilit niyang sabi alam kong mag poprotesta pa siya dapat pero mas pinili niya nalang na manahimik

Good girl.

Pinag patuloy ko na ang pag sasagot ko hanggang sa matapos ko ito. Hindi naman mahirap kung nakinig ka sa discussion

Baka tinatamad nanaman mag aral.

"Times up. Okay, pass your papers," Miss Presley said, her gaze fixed on me once again.

What was going on? Did she plan to melt me with that piercing stare? Bakit ba ganyan siya makatingin?

I hate it.

"Pass it" sabi ko at inabot ang papel kay Amrielle

Amrielle look at me na parang nanghihingi ng permiso na mangopya. Kahit kelan talaga

"Make it fast"

And this bitch ay nag madaling mangopya.

After niyang mangopya ay pinasa niya na ang papel namin.

"Lopez" and there this professor.

I looked at her with questioning eye at muka namang nakuha niya ang gusto ko iparating

"Come with me" huling sinabi nito bago tuluyang umalis

Come with her? Saan?

"Come with her daw"

"Are you close with her?" Nagtataka namang tanong ni Jenaiah

"It's impossible. Ulam would never have some close people except for us" sagot naman ni Rayla kay Jenaiah

"I think you should follow her na Ulan kasi muka pa namang nangangain si Miss. Parang ikaw rin tumingin eh, nanlalamig" dahil sa sinabing iyon ni Amrielle I realized that I didn't know her office fudge

"Here" I handed them my card.

"What's this?"

"It's her card obviously"

"Suits yourself" agad na nagliwanag ang mata ni Amrielle dahil sa sagot ko

"Hayst our Ulan is mabait ngayon" sagot nito at dali daling kinuha ang card ko

"You should go now" at dahil sa sinabeng iyon ni Jenaiah I realized that I was going to Miss Presley's office pa nga pala at ang malala pa doon ay hindi ko alam kung saan iyon

"Mata o ai shimasu! (See you later)" Sigaw ni Amrielle ng makalayo ako sakanila

I bet people are staring at her already. Ang ingay talaga ng isang iyon.

I was walking somewhere when I realized hindi ko nga pala alam ang direction ng Academy na to kahit na kami ang nag mamay-ari nito.

Why so messed up Rhainne?

I was walking ng biglang bumukas ang pinto sa tabi ko at lumabas dito ang propesorang nagpatawag saakin.

Nakataas ang kilay nitong nakatingin saakin. Seriously what's her problem?

"Are you planning to make me wait for so long?" malamig ang boses nito at nakapoker face naman ang muka nito

"My apology again, Miss. I didn't know the map of this Academy" hindi naman ito sumagot at pumasok na sa opisina niya, I think?

"Come inside already Miss Lopez" sabi nito mula sa loob ng opisina niya. I thought she'll never said that.

Agad naman akong pumasok sa opisina niya. I was mesmerized by how it looks. Malinis ito at nakaayos din ang mga gamit.

Tumikhim naman ito kaya napatingin ako dito at may inilapag naman ito and I think it's the Map of this Academy.

"It's not from me. I was doing this for your sister" ng dahil sa sinabi niya I realize na siya iyong babaeng kasama nila Rhianna and our older sister.

They're close, I see.

"Gracias, Miss. I'll go now" hindi naman ito sumagot kaya I get that sign to get out of that place.

I used the map para masundan ang mga kaibigan ko na baka nasa cafeteria na. Pagkarating ko ay agad kong inilibot ang tingin ko just to see them with the people that I wanted to avoid.

"Ulan! Kocchi ni kite (Come here)" sigaw ni Amrielle na nakakuha nanaman ng attention ng mga tao.

She always did that.

Jenaiah looked at me as if she was asking if I'm fine.

I walk towards them kaya narinig ko rin ang pagsita ni Jenaiah kay Amrielle

"Urusai! Koe o dasu na (Stop shouting, Don't raise your voice)" sita nito kay Amrielle

"You know how to speak Japanese?" singit ng isa sa mga taong iniiwasan ko

"Hindi lang japanese" proud na sagot ni Amrielle sa mga to

"And I bet kayo rin?" She look us, the just shrugged while me? I didn't answer and got my attention on the food

They're busy chitchatting with each other and I didn't even mind joining them.

My friends.

They filled everything missing piece in my life with their love and joy