Code Red : The Series

Chapter 8

Cleiy Santos

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5:02 PM

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“Alright, I'll be waiting~”

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Cleiy was coming down the hallway. It was exciting to see her. Her smile lit up the room, even though it was kind of dark.

"Ate Ark!" She called out, her voice was so nice, it made me feel happy. We were only a couple of steps apart, and I already felt a warm feeling inside.

I smiled and asked, "Ready to go?" She smiled back and said, "Sige po!!"

We didn't have much time before her next class, but we laughed and talked easily. When it was time for her to leave.

I asked, "Are you free later?" I was so happy when she said yes and agreed to meet up. But then she looked a little unsure. She whispered, "Baka kasi, bibilhan mo nanaman ak—."

"Shhhh!~ Or else, I'll do it talaga."

—

It felt like we were in our own little world in the backseat of the car. We talked and talked, and everything outside the windows just looked like a bunch of colors swirling around.

I realized that Cleiy is kind of a mix of things - she's playful and fun, but also really thoughtful. She loves to think about big ideas, and she always has interesting questions.

"If you could erase one emotion from the human experience," she posed, her voice laced with curiosity, "what would it be?"

I paused, the weight of her question settling on me. "Fear," I finally stated, Cleiy's brow furrowed, her gaze fixed on mine. "Bakit?" she asked in a soft murmur.

"Without fear," I explained, "we would be fearless in the face of uncertainty, free of the anxieties that haunt us. We would embrace the unknown, explore our full potential, and live life without the constant shadow of worry."

But Cleiy, who always thinks about practical things, shook her head. "Hmm...Fear is what motivates me to pursue things," she said, her voice rising. "It encourages me to work hard and get through difficult times. It may be discouraging for others, but it helps me grow."

I leaned back, smiling, realizing Cleiy was not what I expected. She wasn't afraid of her feelings, even the difficult ones. I realized I was only beginning to understand her, and it was exciting to consider all the things I still did not know about her.

“Yo-you know, sakin lang po talaga ate...my fear often leads to confidence," she admitted, a playful smile gracing her lips. "When I'm scared, that's when I find myself being the bravest."

I smiled and turned the question back to her. "Alright...so what about you? If you could remove one emotion, what would it be?"

She gazed out the window, a thoughtful expression settling on her face. "Love," she said softly. "Love for me."

"Why?" I asked, curious.

"Hindi ko talaga alam," she replied, turning back to me. "Pero merong tanong sa loob ko na, what if, hindi nakakaramdam ng love ang isang tao?"

"That'd be a disaster," I said, shaking my head. "If there was no love... More pain, I think. Because people would be worse, doing more bad things than good and how could we even have partners, right?" I continued, crossing my arms and gazing at her.

"Pero...hindi bayan mas nakabubuti sa mga nasaktan?" she countered.

I considered her point. "Hmm, maybe. But for me, if there was no love, everything in this world would be a mess." I gave her a reassuring smile.

“Sa bagay, totoo naman, much better if may love diba? Paano na maka gawa ng baby ang mag asawa if walang love?" Her words made me chuckle, what the heck is she thinking?

"Omaygashhh, I think you want asawa na ata and have babies with them," I teased.

"hmmm...," she sighed, covering her mouth with her hand and leaning against the window, her eyes meeting mine. "Babae gusto ko eh."

I tried to act nonchalant, puffing out my chest a bit. "W-wow... that must be tough for all the guys who like you, huh?"

She chuckled, looking out the window. "Mostly sa mga kaklasi ko at mga friends, alam na nila to, kasi umamin ako noong first day of school. Bilib din naman ako sa mga lalaki na nagkakagusto parin sakin kahit alam na nila, at lalo na na albino ako."

"Oh cleiy—it's because you're just like us. Who told you ba you're different?! And they're brave ha!" I agreed.

Her brow furrowed as she turned back to face me.

"Yes they are. Hindi sila takot sakin."

Huh?

"But— anyway! Are you lesbian? I mean, you only like girls?"

"Mas prefer ko lang ata babae" she explained, "Pero I think I'm bisexual. Sana hindi ka po uncomfortable—"

I cut her off and raised my hands in mock surrender. "What?! No, it's totally okay... Even Stel wouldn't care about that."

Leaning back in her chair, she had a playful sparkle in her eyes. "Sure ka, ate Ark?"

"Absolutely," I assured her, a smile spreading across my face. "No worries at all."

It felt good to finally have someone to talk to. I have not had a proper conversation with anyone in a long time, not even Stella. My quiet nature, especially when driving, has resulted in her receiving less attention lately. To be honest, I'd rather just enjoy the silence than talk to her and since Stella will not be leaving until six, I did not even consider asking her.

We were on our way to the mall again, and I was already planning what to buy for the girl sitting next to me. Earlier, she'd insisted on just eating and playing at Quantum, but I knew she was just trying to avoid me spending money on her.

Well, she was wrong about that. I was going to buy her even more than yesterday.

For a while, we didn't say much. She was just resting, and I didn't want to bother her. But now we were at the mall, and I was just waiting for her to get out of the car.

"Tara na, ate Ark?" she asked, stepping out of the car.

"Let's go!" I replied, my right arm automatically reaching out to offer her my arm. But as I realized what I was doing, I quickly pulled it back.

To my surprise, she swung her arm around me and clung to me. "Ang init!!" she exclaimed, beaming as she looked up at me.

My heart was a rollercoaster. One minute it felt strange, the next I was annoyed, and now... I was completely smitten.

We ran together, our arms still linked, laughing hysterically until we reached the entrance of the mall.

"Ano, ate? Quantum tayo?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Sure!!" I replied, a grin spreading across my face.

"Oyy! Albino ata yan"

"Nga eh, pero infairness... Ang ganda nya."

"Mamaa!! She's so white!!"

"Shhh anak"

Cleiy's smile was a fragile thing, a mask barely concealing the storm brewing beneath. Her eyes, darting nervously, betrayed the truth – she heard them, the whispers that slithered through this big room like venomous snakes.

"Cleiy?"

"Okay lang yan ate, ano magagawa natin eh, ang ganda ko!" she said, her voice a defiant whisper against the tide of negativity. My forced laughter felt like a betrayal of her silent struggle.

"Well well... It's soooo true naman!! Ang ganda mo."

"Hehe, sanay na ako nyan, yaan na natin." she repeated, her voice trembling slightly. The tears welling in her eyes weren't tears of sadness, but of weary resignation, a testament to battles fought and scars hidden beneath a veneer of strength.

—

“Doon ka sa kabila!!!”

“The heck is that zombie, they look so ugly”

Cleiy and I were having a blast here at Quantum, battling zombies with our laser guns. It was super hilarious talaga because she was about to lose her mind sakin because all I did was complain about how ugly the zombies looked.

But—Ughhh, I really hope I never turn into a zombie.

"Hayyyy, Grabe ka! Kanina pa kita sinasabihan na tingnan mo din side mo, yan tuloy... Una kang namatay." she complained, a touch of exasperation in her voice.

I smirked.

"Oh love, at least I was protecting you, right? I'd rather die protecting you than have you be the first one to go." I said, leaning in close.

She stared at me blankly and suddenly "Edi wow." she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Wait nga, bili ako dun" she added and pointed to the ice cream machine.

"Alright, careful love!" I said, giggling.

TING

Just as Cleiy left to get ice cream, my phone buzzed in my bag. Stel had left 3 missed calls and 6 texts.

Galvanize Stel

5:45 PM

Where are you?

5:50 PM

HEY!! Napa early dismissal kami kasi pagod na daw si ma'am.

Where are you, girl? Pumunta ako sa private place mo, katok ako ng katok, parang wala ka naman dun

5:55 PM

Hey gga!!! Mag sa-study pa tayo!!

5:58 PM

Did you forgot may sched tayo ngayon?

6:00 PM

Crazy!

"I totally forgot," I muttered, suddenly remembering. "Gosh, I'll just have to study later when—"

"Hi miss sexy! " a guy in a plain black shirt and pants, wearing a cap, approached me.

"Wag mo pakialaman yan, ggo!" his friend said, punching him a bit.

"Suss, wala ka atang kasama eh. Pwede naman ako, laro tayo! Gusto mo nga, bahay bahayan pa eh" he said, trying to make a sleazy move on me and I knew exactly what he meant.

"No thanks, I'm with someone." I replied, gathering my things and Cleiy's bag but when I was about to leave, he grabbed my arm.

"The heck!! Let go of your fcking dirty hand!!" I yelled, trying to pull away that made Cleiy's bag fall to the ground.

"Ano ba, nakikisama lang naman..." he said, stepping closer and almost whispering in my ear.

"Pre, wag yan, lagot tayo, mayaman ata yan!" I heard his friend whisper to him.

"Kaya nga eh, pero miss, kahit pangalan lang!" he said, turning to his friend and then back to me.

He even acted like he was licking his thumb, looking me up and down. "Miss, sige na, sayang naman... pogi din naman ako ah, may abs din ak—"

And then, a fist flew across his face.

A collective gasp rose from the crowd and I looked down at the creep, who was now unconscious on the floor.

“Ikaw, gusto mo din?!”

“Hin-hindi, hindi ako kasali sa trip nya!”

“Bakit di mo pinigilan!?”

"Cleiy— it's okay now!" I said, trying to stop her from taking another step towards the guy. It was her, Cleiy, who had punched him. While her other hand was still holding two cones of chocolate ice creams.

"Bastos! Isa talaga sa pinaka ayaw ko sa mundo mga ganito!!" she burst out, her voice filled with anger.

"No, look, I'm okay now. Let them be." I said, trying to sound angelic, though I knew those guys wouldn't be getting home anytime soon.

I saw Cleiy sighed. It must have been hard for her, and I noticed blood on the hand she had used to punch him.

"Cleiy, your hand..." I said, concerned, taking her hand in mine.

"Okay lang yan, ate..." she replied calmly. Just then, the bodyguards arrived.

"Sorry po, ma'am, hindi na po ito mauulit" one of the guards said, but I was about to say it was okay when Cleiy cut me off.

"Dapat lang!" she exclaimed, making me turn to her.

Damn! This little girl is so brave!! She had just punched a guy, knocking him out cold, and now she's talking to the guard like a giant, not because she was disrespectful, but because I could sense she's galit!! Yet, her height was so damn cute.

It made me chuckle, and Cleiy looked at me confused. "Love, it's okay na." I said, holding her waist.

I saw her face shift from angry to relieved in a second, but then she looked away, frowning.

"You're so cute, don't be mad na nga~" I whispered in her ear, smiling.

"Ah, ma'am, pasensya na po talaga." the guard said again, interrupting us.

"It's really okay, it's not like I'm not coming back here anymore." I said, mocking them.

"Nakakahiya lang po kasi eh, lalo na sa girlfriend mo."

After he said that, I immediately turned to Cleiy, and we both looked at each other for a few seconds, laughing secretly.

Cleiy hid her face in my chest, about to burst into laughter. Meanwhile, I was doing my best to hold back my laughter while keeping my arm firmly around her waist.

"Oh, uhmm, it's okay na daw sakanya" I said, smiling at the guard.

As quickly as I could, I grabbed Cleiy's bag and her arm, pulling her outside. I noticed people with their cameras, and I didn't like it.

"Yung bag ko!!" Cleiy exclaimed, snatching her bag back from my hand.

"Wow, you're strong ha! I didn't know you could do that!" I teased, playfully prodding her side.

"Deserve lang nila 'yon!" she remarked, her attention still in her bag.

"Well, should we grab a bite now?" I suggested, offering her my arm once more.

"Pwede naman," she replied, "pero to'ng ice cream!?" She adedd.

"Give me the other one then, let's sit here muna and finish this."

—

As we rode the escalator, I discreetly took out my phone and sent a photo of those guys' faces to one of my dad's men. I managed to snap some pictures using my watch earlier, so they knew what to do next.

Later, Cleiy and I had an argument because she wanted to eat at Jollibee in the mall despite the crowd.

So, I persuaded her to eat elsewhere, and I took her to my restaurant. It’s the only place I wanted to dine with her that wasn't too far from the mall.

"What do you think of this place? Hm~?" I asked. I could see her astonishment as her arm slipped from mine.

"Mamahalin to" she remarked, making me smirk.

"Of course. Most of the time when Stella and I dine out, we make sure it's high-end!" I proudly stated.

"Wow, pero pwede naman po sa mga karinderya." she replied, looking around.

"Goodeve ma'am—Ma'am?!!" My staff noticed me, but I quickly signaled them not to say anything.

"Goodeve po..." Cleiy greeted them with a bit of shyness. I then subtly shook my head, signaling to my staff.

"Ah, uh... Magandang gabi po, magandang gabi po sa inyo!" My staff greeted. I was glad they understood.

"Hm, this way po."

—

I glanced at the clock: 6:13 PM. The city outside, a breathtaking panorama of dark clouds and glittering lights, was almost a distraction from the even more captivating view before me. Cleiy, lost in her own thoughts, watched the cars pass. Her quiet contemplation was more beautiful than any cityscape.

It was as if the world outside was a mere backdrop to our private drama, a silent witness to the unfolding of something precious and fragile.

The waiter's arrival, with its polite greeting and the clatter of dishes, was a momentary disruption, a brief interruption in the flow of our quiet communion.

The bill came, PHP 5,320 for the two of us. Totally worth it, though! I made sure to order the most expensive items on the menu – high-quality ingredients, 'yung tipong worth it ang gastos!

But just as I was about to take my first bite, I saw Cleiy discreetly adding a white powder to her water. My eyebrows shot up.

"Excuse me," I said, trying to keep my voice casual. "What's that?" She grinned, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Pampataba, aerobic acid vitamin C ba? Ready to drink naman eh, kaya nilalagay ko na lang." she explained, holding up the flute glass as if it were a trophy.

"Where did you buy that? Are you sure it's safe for you?" I asked, my voice sharp with concern.

"so you wanna be fat?"

"Obvious naman ata, kaya nga iniinom ko, 'di ba?" she said nonchalantly, bordering on sassy.

I almost choked on my perfectly seared foie gras.

—

"Arkhava, where have you been? It's almost eight!" The air crackled with tension as my father's voice boomed through the grand office here sa mansion.

His words were a thunderclap, echoing off the polished marble walls and sending a shiver down my spine.

I stood before him, my heart a frantic drum against my ribs. He had summoned me to his office immediately upon my arrival, but it's almost eight pangalang... He's so oa!

Haysss, my late arrival the night before, coupled with my unexplained absence from the group study session, had ignited a volcano of disapproval. He was a man of order, of routine, and my deviation from his carefully constructed world was a crime against his very being.

"Yesterday, you also came home late! Luckily, I asked rui, and she said you were probably with your cousin. But today, I asked stella, and she said you weren't with her! Where were you!!?" he roared, his hand slamming onto the massive mahogany desk, the sound like a gunshot in the hushed stillness.

"Don't tell me you have a boyfriend!" he bellowed, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"No! I would never!" I cried out, my voice cracking with frustration. He wouldn't even let me speak, his fury a wall of sound that suffocated my words.

"Really? Then where were you? And who were you with?" he demanded, his gaze piercing me like a laser.

"It was a friend." I whispered, my heart a tangled mess of emotions.

"Ha! So you're trying to replace stella with some bad influence?" he scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain.

"That person is not a bad influence! And stella is not being replaced!" I retorted, my voice rising with indignation. I had made a choice, and I wouldn't be bullied into regretting it. My heart burned with a fierce, defiant fire.

"Really, Arkhava. I saw the post on your school's page. You're not on the overall list anymore. Now what?" he pointed a finger at my head, his face a mask of disapproval. My eyes open widely.

"Dad, I'm doing my best." I pleaded, my voice barely whispered.

"Really? Then go and do the REAL best of yours," he declared before turning away, leaving me alone in the suffocating silence of his office.

His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken expectations and a chilling reminder of the power he wielded over my life.

"No worries Cleiy, nothing bad happened naman" I said to Cleiy through a phone call...

I called her kasi, maybe her parents would also be mad na late na naman us umuwi. But gladly, her parents said daw na as long as safe daw sya, they just let her have fun.

"Sure ka? E-bat ganyan boses mo?" she asked.

"Why? Are you perhaps in love with my voice?" I teased.

"Huh?

"Ahh, I mean-"

"Mauna napo ako, maaga pa kasi ako bukas." She continued.

"Ohhh...Alright Cleiy I'll see you tomorrow" I said, while smiling.