Sleepless Nights(Tagalog)

The troublemakers

"Selena! gising na! Unang araw ng klase, hindi ka pwedeng ma late!"

I twisted and turned on my bed when I heard Lola’s voice outside my room. She even knocked loudly to make sure I woke up before I heard her hurried footsteps down our stairs. Hindi pa sana ako babangon ng rumehistro sa utak ko ang sinabi niya at doon na nag siliparan ang mga paru-paro sa tyan ko. Summer vacation is over and today is my first day in College. Time sure flies really fast. I’m excited but more nervous about facing more familiar people…

Bumangon ako at agad na binuksan ang bintana sa kanang bahagi ng kwarto para pasukan ng sinag na nagmumula sa labas. Sumalubong naman agad sa mukha ko ang sariwa at mamasa masang hangin dahil sa hamog kagabi. Parang naibsan naman agad ang kabang gumagapang sa katawan ko ng matanaw ang maganda ang payapang tanawin mula sa bintana.

I hope this school year is as peaceful as the morning forests. Huni lang ng mga ibon ang maririnig mo at ihip ng sariwang hangin. I just hope that I’ll be able to get through this year without any troubles. But then, ngayon pa lang I doubt it.

Napabuntong hininga na lamang akong umalis sa bintana at nagsimula ng maghanda para sa unang araw ng klase. Naligo ako at nag toothbrush ng wala parang walang gana. Parang ayoko talagang umattend ngayon dahil alam ko namang puro bigay lang ng syllabus ang unang araw at pakilala. Kung wala lang talagang freshman orientation ngayon ay mas gugustuhin ko pang matulog buong araw.

Nakailang buntong hininga na ako bago nakapili ng susuotin. A blue flowery strapless dress na below the knee ang haba at pinaresan ko ito ng manipis na kulay maroon na cardigan. Nakahalf bun lang ang hanggang likod kong wavy na buhok at nilagyan ko rin ng blue ribbon para matching sa damit ko. Nag Lip gloss lang din ako ng konti at face powder.

"Bye Lola! love you po!" Nagmamadali kong sabi at humalik sa pisngi niya bago kinuha ang shoulder bag ko at lumabas ng bahay.

"Mag ingat ka Apo! umuwi ng maaga!" sigaw na paalala naman nito.

Medyo late na ako nakalabas ng bahay dahil sa sinadya kong pagbagal na kilos. Sumakay agad ako ng tricycle papuntang sakayan ng jeep at sumakay papuntang University. Nasa Centro ng Southern City ang HJB kung saan ako mag aaral at medyo malayo yun sa amin kaya dapat ay umalis ako ng maaga. Pagkadating ay tumabad sa harapan ko ang malaking kulay asul na gate ng paaralan at hindi pa gaano karami ang nagsisi pasukan. Mukhang hindi lang ako ang tinatamad pumasok sa unang araw.

I’d been here before, on a school field trip and some school activities since this is one of the oldest schools in the Philippines. And yet, my hands are cold and clammy and the butterflies inside my stomach are swirling again. I took a deep breath first and flattened the skirt of my dress first before entering the gate. This school is still giving me awe even though I visited it several times. It was founded during the Spanish Era so it's kind of old and one of the most prestigious schools in the country. The buildings were painted with a very light shade of blue that 's almost white in color and it's very pleasant to the eyes. The big bold letters of the university name were carved in an arc stone.

Haile Jacques Bellaire University

HJB for short.

Pangalan ng tatlong pamilyang naging dahilan ng pag unlad ng Southern City mula pa noong panahon ng Español mapa hanggang ngayon. Dumiretso ako sa freshman hall at pumunta sa registry office para kunin ang schedule ko ng makita kong may ilang nakapila kaya pumila na rin ako para makapasok. I tried very hard to ignore those who's staring at me but failed when I heard murmurs at my back.

"Isn't that Selena Lucian?" bulong ng isa na abot pa rin naman sa pandinig ko. Halatang sinasadya.

"I think so.." maarteng sagot ng isa. There voice seems familiar mukhang galing din ang mga ito sa Saint Hilton High. Ang dating kong skwelahan kung saan nagtapos ako ng high school.

"Wow! She really enrolled here! Wait till Lauren heard this."

There we go. Sabi ko na nga ba imposibleng payapa ang unang taon ko sa kolehiyo.

"Why? What's wrong? And who's she?" tanong ng isa na walang kaalam alam sa pinag uusapan.

Kung saan talaga gustong-gusto mo ng makaalis sa lugar ay siyang ang bagal ng oras. Nagsisi tuloy ako na hindi ko kinuha ng maaga ang schedule ko.

"Oh well, hindi ka pala taga Saint Hilton High," sagot ng isa sa kasama. "She's Selena Lucian, the belle in our school. She earned her title after she became the girlfriend of the untamable and hot Javi Jacques."

Ugh! that title again. Gusto ko talagang masuka tuwing naririnig ko yan kahit noon pa.

"Correction former belle. Hindi na ngayon, hindi mo ba nabalitaan? They broke up."

I can’t help but clench my fists in annoyance and close my eyes to gather all my patience and silently pray.

Unang araw ng klase ayoko sana ng away please lang tantanan nyo muna ako..

"Well, sabi ko naman sayo, good girl/bad boy couples wouldn't lasts! I'm sure pinagsawaan na ni Javi ang goody two shoes na yan--"

Ok! That's it!

Hinarap ko sila para sana pagsabihan ng biglang may sumingit sa gitna nilang dalawa.

"Excuse me! padaan!" said the familiar voice who came through bumping their shoulder that caused them to spill the drinks they're holding.

"What the heck!" sigaw ng isa ng matapunan ang blouse niya. Napasigaw din at napa atras ang isa dahil nabasa din ang pantalon nito.

"Oops! Sorry!" A smirk curve on my friend’s red lips, mocking them. She’s wearing her favorite black army boots today that were given to her by Kuya Javier on her birthday. Nakatuck in ang dulo ng cargo khaki pants niya at pinaresan niya ito ng black sleeveless shirt. She wears her hair in a high ponytail and she looks glamorous with her olive skin that radiates in sunlight. She towers over the three who have a normal height with her impressive 5’7 height na namana niya sa daddy niya.

"This is new! Are you bli--" Nanggagalaiting sigaw ng natapunan sa blouse at napatigil ito sa pagsasalita pagkakita kung sino ang bumangga sa kanila.

"May sinasabi ka?" Nakataas ang isang kilay na tanong ni Addison habang nakahalukipkip.

Addison Vero is Javi’s cousin and one of my close friends. She’s the most hot-tempered and also the jolliest in our group. Two opposite traits na ewan ko kung saan niya namana. Kaya mahirap talga kong siya ang mababangga mo. Mababaliw ka talaga sa pagka psycho niya.

Napatikom nalang ang mga bibig ng mga ito at hindi na muling umangal pa. Nag alala naman ako dahil sa dami ng nakakita sa nangyari ay umingay na ang bulong-bulungan sa paligid. Nasa harap pa naman kami ng office kaya agad kong hinila ang isang kamay ni Addison para makaalis na sana bago pa kami labasan ng mga teachers ng, hindi ito nagpaawat at humarap muli sa mga babae.

"And next time you gossiped, make sure that I'm not around, because if I heard you again. . ." banta nito sabay turo sa kanilang tatlo.

Napalungo nalang ako sa kaibigan na mukhang high blood na yata umagang-umaga.

"Adi!. . ." pasimpleng saway ko ng hindi pa rin nito inaalis ang matalim na titig sa kanilang tatlo. Agad naman itong humarap sa akin na may malapad na ngiti na parang walang nangyari.

"Frenny!" She hugged me in excitement.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes and hug her back. Bipolar talaga ang babaeng to. Agad ko siyang hinila paalis ng bumitaw kami pareho sa pagkakayakap papunta sa isang sulok kung saan walang masyadong tao at tsaka pinagsabihan sa nangyari.

"Nah, don't worry. Hindi sila lalaban," confident na sagot nito before she dismissed the topic and dragged me into the now crowded hallway telling me how she got my schedule earlier and what subjects we can attend together with the rest of my friends.

"So… how are you?" She awkwardly asks me while walking towards the canteen where the rest of our friends are.

"I'm fine, you don't have to worry about me," I assure her with a slight smile and she just nods in response. We never really talk about what happened because they respect my wishes.

"Just so you know, I punched that bastard in the face," she grinned proudly and I can’t help but gape at her.

"You did what?!" hindi ko makapaniwalang tanong ulit.

"Well.. he deserves it, and… besides he needs my help to talk to you anyways, so I took the chance to bargain." Pareho kaming napatawa sa sinabi niya. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na kaya niyang gawin yun.

"You two are cousins! Ayokong mag away kayo dahil lang sa akin," sa huli ay nag aalala din ako na baka may samaan din sila ni Javi ng loob.

"Relax! that bastard accepts it with open arms," she replied and laughed hysterically, probably remembering the moment. I just shake my head in disbelief.

Agad na nagsalubong ang mga kilay namin ng makarating kami sa lamesa kung saan nakita namin si Leni na parang iritado ring nakaupo sa lamesa. Nakayuko itong minamasahe ang noo at magulo ang maikli nitong kulot na buhok.

"May problema ba Len?" nagtatakang tanong ko kaagad sa kanya pagkaupo namin sa bakanteng upuan.

"Hey guys you're finally here!" Hindi pa ito nakakasagot ng dumating din Claire sabay bigay sa amin ng maiinom. Mukhang galing ito sa counter at siya na ang nag order para sa aming lahat.

Isang baso ng malamig na orange juice at sandwich. Kumaway ako sa kanya sabay ngumuso para ituro si Leni ng naunahan ako ni Adi sa pagtatanong.

"Claire! What happened to her?" Adi greeted her and asked, pointing at Leni.

"Well. . . She's mad because she spilled her half empty drinks on someone inside the restroom," nag aalangan nitong sagot at hindi makatingin ng diretso.

"You too?!" Addison exclaimed and laughed.

"Bakit Len may nangyari ba?" nag aalala kong tanong at parang may kutob na ako kung ano ang dahilan nito.

"We went to the restroom earlier when we heard someone talking about you and what happened last school year. dapat yung tubig ng basahan ang ibuhos ko dun eh," Leni finally spoke.

I sigh and just shake my head in disbelief. Sabi ko na nga ba.

"Guys, please. . just let them be. I know you just want to protect me and I'm thankful for that, but! It's the first day of school! new school!" Alam ko naman na kahit anong gawin namin ay hindi maaalis ang mata ng mga tao sa grupo namin pero hindi pa rin na aalis sa akin ang umasa na sana ay maging mas payapa ang school year na ito dahil hindi na kami mga bata. “I don’t want you to get in trouble because of me! lalo kana Adi! Remember your family’s reputation. Kailangan natin mag double ingat,”

"Sel, we understand that they cannot live without fresh gossip but calling you names was never ok!" Leni exclaimed in agitation, "And We don't also want you to roam around hearing murmurs about what happened when we all knew that you're trying to move on. "

The three of them looked at me with worry visible on their faces.

"Ba't kasi parang halos lahat ng taga SH High ay dito nag aral, ganito na ba kaliit ang Southern City?" nakasimangot sa dagdag naman ni Claire na halatang irritado.

"You know HJB is the best option if you don’t want to go to Central City so don't be surprised anymore. Given the fact how bad the Central’s reputation, walang masyadong parents ang papayag na doon mag aral ang mga anak nila,” sagot ni Adi na ang tinutukoy ay ang mga balita tungkol sa lifestyle sa Central na ibang-iba sa Southern at kung gaano kataas ang crime rate doon.

Kaya nga ganun din ang pagtataka ko kung bakit na mas gusto ni Lola na doon ako mag aral at hindi dito. Kahit nga ang mga taga Central na gustong mag aral dito ay salang-sala. Balita ko ay pinapacheck pa ang family background ng bawat isa bago makapasok. Ilan linggo ko din siyang kinumbinsi lalo na ng nalaman niya ang tungkol sa amin ni Javi. Lumuhod na ako sa harap nya at nagmamakaawa na dito ako mag aaral ng mga panahong yun. Mabuti na lang at nakatulong ang pagkakuha ko ng scholarship dito kaya napapayag ko din naman siya sa huli.

“I'm sure those brats will be here too, so we need to be ready," mahinang sabi ni Leni na nanlilisik ang mga mata. Nakuha ko naman kaagad kong sino ang tinutukoy niya.

"Let’s be more patient please... You know them, they're just pure barks not bite. So please . . No more spilled drinks, okay?" I firmly said to the three of them.

Claire just shrugged. Wala akong problema kay Claire dahil mas gugustuhin niyang ireport ang mga ganito kaysa sumali. She’s the sweetest in our group at pinakamabait.

"I’ll try." Leni responds, rolling her eyeballs.

"I'll be the one to bite them," Adi replied with a devilish smirk. I gave her a pleading look and she instantly promised.

"And. . . Speaking of patience, nasaan pala si Morgana? hindi ba siya a-attend?" Claire interrupted and I immediately felt alarmed. Oo nga, mas walang pasensya ang isang yun.

Si Addison ang sumagot matapos itong mag sip sa juice niya, "I'm sure bukas pa yun, her first day syndrome remember?"

Parang narelax naman agad ako at napatango nalang ng maalala na ayaw pala noon sa first day ng school dahil puro lang daw introduction kaya second day na ito laging pumapasok.

"Speaking of the devil. ." Claire murmured and I thought she was pertaining to Morgana pero nuong tumingin ako sa pintuan ng canteen ay iba ang nakita ko.

In Southern City, though it was well known for equality rights and strictness when It comes to discrimination of one’s social status. There is an unspoken hierarchy rule that everyone follows both out of respect and fear. And the one who’s at the top of the food chain is the same three family who’s dominating the City from Businesses, Medicine and Governance. Their family legacy is unquestionable and majority of the people respect and admire them for decades of clean records and good reputation. They are the Haile, Jacques and Bellaire or as everyone called them the Triad.

So it was given that anyone who bears the name was respected without any questions. Kahit na hindi pa makain ang ugali mo, spoiled ka, at laging naghahanap ng gulo. Katulad ng isang to.

"Well, well, well, look who's here. You really came inside the rabbit hole?" sabi ng babaeng tumigil sa mesa namin ng nakahalukipkip at may nanggagalaiting ngiti sa mga labi.

Naniningkit sa galit ang kulay itim nitong mga mata na madalas nang i-intimidate sa tao. She's glamorously wearing a body hugging dark dress that accentuates her hourglass figure. Kaya marami ring nababaliw sa kanya lalo na ang mga kalalakihan kahit na parang aso ang ugali niya dahil sa taglay din nitong kagandahan. Sa sukat pa lang ng dibdib niya ay mapapanganga ka na.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako bago nagsalita, “What do you want Lauren?"

May diin na pinatong nito ang isang kamay sa mesa at yumuko ng bahagya para magpantay ang mukha niya sa mukha ko bago bumulong, "I warned you, didn't I? Don't you ever step in here but you did! Your audacity!"

"Selena got the scholarship Lauren," Claire chimed in.

"Just let her be," it was Leni who said next while smirking "and by the way, sa pagka alala ko, walang pang pinapasok na butas si Sel, sayo ba ren? butas na ba?"

The three of them Laugh very hard while I urge them to stop. We also heard gasps and chuckle all over the place and I saw how Lauren’s face turned red like a tomato. She gave everyone a death glare and the room became silent again.

“What if it was Leonor? at least hindi patago diba?” sagot nito kay Leni ng makabawi sa pagkahiya. Nabigla kaming lahat sa makahulugang sinabi nito bago napatingin kay leni na hindi makatingin ng diretso. “Huwag mong sagarin ang pasensya ko dahil lang anak ka ng bestfriend ni daddy, marami akong alam na hindi alam ng mga kaibigan mo tandaan mo yan,” banta nito.

"Stop it Bellaire! you can’t make empty threats like that! what can you even do now that Selena’s here? huh?" Hindi na napigilan ni Addison na tumayo sa kinauupuan at buong hamon na tinitigan si lauren.

"Wow! You're trying to intimidate me Vero? You don't even hold the name. So shut up!" lauren said shouting in Addison face.

They are sending death glare with each other and the tension in the room deepens. I saw how Addison was ready to plunge at her so I immediately grabbed Addison’s hand and squeezed it a little. She looked down at me and I gave her a pleading look. I was relieved when she sat angrily with gritted teeth.

Now.. What does this b*tch want?

I’m thinking of a way to get rid of this brat when she speaks again.

"So you'll depend on your friends again? How pathetic,” She was standing straight now and her friends were surrounding her now giving her a boost. “A piece of advice, don't lean too much on them, you might lose them too Sel.." she grinned, still continuing to provoke me.

Hindi ko na nakayanang mas pahabain pa ang pasensya ko sa narinig. Biglang nag init ang puno ng tainga ko kaya ako na mismo ang tumayo at sinalubong ang tingin nito.

"Oh thank you for your advice.. but don’t worry hindi naman sila mawawala. unless.. may plano ka din ba kunin? Kulang pa ba ang binigay ko sayo?”

Agad umasim ang kaninang proud na mukha nito pero biglang bumalik ang mala demonyong ngisi nito.

"I don’t need them, thank you. Ayoko ko namang mawala lahat sayo diba?"

I gave her a fake laugh that confused everyone.

"Mawala? bakit may nawala ba sa akin?" tanong ko ng may nang uuyam na tingin. "Oh? he didn’t tell you that he keeps seeing and begging me to come back?" I lied and it works. Hindi na maipinta ang mukha nito. "Oops wait! You didn't know that he came back, did you?" dagdag ko pa at mukhang tama ang hula kong hindi niya alam na bumalik na nga si Javi. "You're supposed to be his girlfriend!" I widened my eyes and mouth to act shocked and Lauren’s face now is redder than Mars.

Gusto ko ng matapos to para makabalik na kami sa kinakain namin at makaalis na ang bruhang to sa harapan namin kaya tinitigan ko siya ng seryoso bago nagsalita

"Remember this Bellaire, you won because I let you but I can take it whenever I want to, So. . . don't be cocky. I don't want to deal with your b*llshits anymore so please. . . let this year pass peacefully for the both of us, okay?"

I heard everyone murmuring at how speechless she was so I decided to fix the empty chairs next to me and go back to where I’m sitting when she grabs one of my arms and pulls to face her.

"You wish b***h!" She raised her one palm and I waited for the slap to land when her hand froze in the air followed by her loud scream.

"Aaaaaahhhh! What is this!!” She's screaming hysterically and everyone is shocked.

A red liquid was dropping from her head to her body making her clothes wet and it looked sticky. My eyes widened in shock too and then I heard all of the people in the canteen started to laugh including my friends.

Someone just poured a drink over Lauren's head!

"Calm your nerves brat, you don't want to get in trouble, do you?"

It was Morgana Haile, who poured the drinks.

When did she even get here?!