HIDEOUS

CHAPTER 9

"Aunt Akira dito ba siya titira? Palagi ko siyang nakikita these past few days. I know I should just shut up my mouth but I can't help but to get curious."

Napalingon si Akira kay Sieraj na bumubulong sa kanya habang nakatingin kay Yakiro na nakikipag-usap kay Akihito.

It's been five days since they have arrived from the Philippines. And since then she always saw Yakiro in or outside the house. Sieraj, as curious as she is, asked her aunt about this since she's been wandering why he is staying in their house.

Akira chuckled at her. "His parents are so busy that they can't take care of their only child. They decided to let Yakiro stay here since nandito din naman ang mga pinsan niya."

"Eh?! Only child?! Siya?!"

Nanlalaki ang matang tiningnan ni Sieraj si Akira. She didn't expect him to be the only child in their family. Akala niya kasi ay may nakakatanda o nakababatang kapatid ito. You really can't judge a book by its cover.

"How old is he Aunt Akira? Is he 23 years old?"

"Hmm. Are you sure it's your fist time meeting him? You just guessed it right just now. He is one year younger to Akihito."

"It's my first time. And I guessed it right because that's part of my charm." Sieraj smirked proudly at her aunt. Naiiling naman si Akira sa kanya.

"Siiieeeraaajjjj!"

Napalingon si Sieraj sa tumawag sa pangalan niya. It was none other than Airo. He is excitedly running towards Sieraj.

"What is it Kuya?"

"Here. I saw it in the bookstore today. Thought you might like it. Bagong labas. Fresh pa."

Ipinakita ni Airo ang isang plastic na may lamang libro. Sieraj couldn't help but squeal. Her eyes are sparkling as she looked at the book.

"Thank you, Kuya. You're an angel. Hulog ka ng langit."

Sieraj hugged her cousin. Airo smiled and hugged his cousin tightly.

"Don't worry. Updated 'ata ako sa mga newly release na libro. Nagpasama ako kay Hiroshima kanina. Sakto naman na bibili din siya."

"Oh? Isasali mo na naman ba 'yan sa mga collection mo Sie? Should we buy another shelf for you? Baka hindi na 'yan magkasya." Lumapit si Akihito at Yakiro sa kanila.

"Nah. There's no need for that Kuya Aki. I still have some space left on the shelf. Don't bother buying another one. And I don't have any space left in my room. Puro bookshelves nalang ang nakikita ko sa kwarto ko." Sieraj said. "Also, I need to minimize on buying books right now. Sobrang dami na ng mga libro ko. Sa sobrang dami niya hindi ko na alam kung ano ang uunahin kong basahin. May iba na hindi ko pa nababasa."

Napailing naman si Akihito sa narinig niya. Sieraj and her love for books.

"Nga pala. Yakiro told me na may ipakilala daw siya sa'yo. They're going to be your bodyguards from today onwards."

Sieraj abruptly turn her head to Yakiro. Bodyguard? Ang dami ko ng bodyguard kung ganon.

"But I already have plenty of bodyguards though?" Sieraj said and tilted her head.

"No need to worry, Miss Sieraj. They will be your permanent bodyguards. You're previous bodyguards are just temporary." Yakiro smiled at her.

Sieraj pouted at him. "But I don't like to replace them? I'm already closed to them."

"Well they can still guard you but you will see them less since we already found guards guarding you permanently."

"Is that so?" She said boredly. "Oh. Can you drop the Miss? It's making me uncomfortable. You can just call me whatever you like. You're older than me but you're calling me Miss."

"Talaga?! Uncomfortable? Hindi ka ba nasanay na tawagin kang ganyan? The maids have been calling you Miss all this time."

Sieraj looked at Airo. "They have been calling me Miss in Japanese, Kuya Airo. Iba ang Japanese sa English."

Blankong tumingin si Airo sa kanya. "Tao ka ba? Anong iba? Parehas lang din naman 'yon. Iba nga dahil sa lengguwahe pero parehas din naman sila na Miss."

"Kuya sanay na ako na tawaging miss pero sa Japanese hindi sa English. Ang awkward kaya. Iyong matanda sa 'yo ng ilang taon tinawag kang miss? Sige nga. Sinong hindi ma-a-awkward-an niyan? Unless kung sanay ka na." Saad ni Sieraj habang nakapameywang.

"Anak ng. Ayaw mo talagang magpatalo, 'no? Palagi kang may sagot. Patalo ka naman minsan, Sie. Para naman akong kawawa."

"Totoo naman ang sinabi ko, ah? Matanda siya ng ilang taon sa akin. Oh diba? He's 23 years old while I'm 18 years old. He is 5 years older than me." Sambit niya habang nakaturo pa kay Yakiro.

The two keep bickering while Yakiro tilted his head sideways. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang pinag-uusapan nila but he's sure that he is involve as he heard his name a couple of times.

•~•~•~•~•

"Ugh. My shoulders." A groan escape from Ashiro's mouth.

"Hindi ka pa ba sanay? We're always training hard so why do you're shoulders hurt everytime?"

"Come on, Claude. You know that I am not the type of person who loved to exercise. Kaya kahit gaano pa 'yan kalala ang training my shoulders will be and always be hurt. You hear me?"

Claude waved his hand and Ashiro. Kanina pa niya naririnig ang mga daing ni Ashiro. Kahit ilang beses pa silang mag-training sasakit at sasakit talaga ang buong katawan ni Ashiro.

"Reklamo ng reklamo pero ang dami namang mga muscles sa katawan. 'Yan ba ang tipo ng tao na hindi hilig mag-exercise?!"

Napalingon ang lahat kay Shalani na nakaturo kay Ashiro habang nakapameywang. Ashiro sighed at the sight of her. Pagod na siyang kausapin ang isang 'to.

"Shalani My Cortez. Please stop bothering me and get out of my sight. I am not in the mood to play with you." Ashiro waved his hand at Shalani like shoo-ing a dog.

"You f—"

"What's going on here?"

Napalingon ang lahat sa pintuan. Akihito and Yakiro looked at them, confused. While Airo and Sieraj are still bickering behind them.

"Masanay ka na na tinatawag na Miss. Hindi porket sanay ka sa miss na 'Japanese' version ay hindi ka magpapatawag ng miss na 'English' version."

"I told you again and again Kuya Airo. It is uncomfortable for me knowing that I almost grow up here in Japan. It almost felt like I was really born here wherein fact I'm not. So please excuse me for debating this nonsense topic with you. I even don't know as to why am I still arguing with you. You should have agreed with me para matapos na 'to. Kanina pa tayo nagtatalo. Sumasakit na ang lalamunan ko." Sieraj said as she hold her throat with a crumpled face.

"No! Call me hard-headed but I won't let this slide. You should be able to push aside your awkwardness. Not because you live here half of your life means you really have to adapt. Hindi kami o sila ang mag-a-adjust sa'yo Sie. You should adjust as well. Remember that."

"Tsk."

Pumunta si Sieraj sa tabi ni Akihito at hindi pinansin si Airo. She's pissed. Napailing naman si Akihito sa kanilang dalawa.

"What? Is this another cold war between you two? Hindi na naman ba kayo magpapansinan ng ilang linggo, buwan, taon? Ganon?" Tanong ni Akihito sa dalawa. The two remained silent that made Akihito sighed. "I'll give you one week to reconcile. At kapag malaman ko na hindi pa kayo nagkabati alam niyo na ang susunod. You always fight endlessly. Para kayong aso't pusa."

"Should we postpone it right now? I don't think Sieraj is in the mood." Yakiro whispered at Akihito.

"Nah. We shouldn't. Let's just continue." Akihito whispered back and straighten his back. "Alright everyone. I know all of you here knows who Sieraj is but introduce yourselves to each other. Alam niyo kung sino si Sieraj pero hindi niya alam kung sino kayo."

"I actually knows one of them Kuya Aki." She mumbled and pointed at someone. "He is actually one of the guards when Ate Elyse and K— when we went to the mall to shop."

The man he pointed smiled at bow slightly at her. "It's a pleasure to meet you again, milady. I thought you already forgot about me. I am Ashiro Ken Yamamoto. Pleased to meet you again."

Sieraj smiled at him. "Sorry for my attitude when we first met. I don't actually talk to strangers. Sorry."

"No it's okay milady. I understand."

"Oh? You knew each other?"

Shalani interrupted between the two. Sieraj awkwardly smiled at her.

"Ah. He actually guard us when we went to the mall to shop."

Shalani turned her head to Ashiro. "Woah. Really? Why didn't we know this?"

"Wala ka kasi sa meeting kaya hindi mo alam. Nagpapa-cute kasi sa ibang team. Ayan ang resulta. Absent pa sa meeting, Shalani."

Shalani glared at what Claude said. Totoo na nasa ibang team siya pero hindi siya pumunta do'n para magpa-cute. Pumunta lang siya kasi nagda-drama na naman ang pinsan niyang akala mo limang taong gulang.

Claude didn't mind Shalani glaring at her and just introduced himself to Sieraj. "Hi. I am Claude Gabriel Mendez. Nice to meet you, Miss Sieraj."

Sieraj flinched at what Claude address her. 'I already forgot the fact that Kuya Aki's cousin called me miss.'

"Ah yes. Nice to meet you." She awkwardly shake hands with Claude. 'Damn it.'

"I am Shalani My Cortez. Nice to meet you, Sieraj."

The introduction went on and all Sieraj can say is, "Huh?!"

"I know you're shocked right now. Pero lima lang naman sa kanila ang mag-e-enroll, Sie. It's not a big deal. At tsaka isa pa, para na din mabantayan ka nila ng maigi. Don't worry. I had already talked to the principal."

"Lima lang?! LANG?! Kahit dalawa o tatlo okay ako Kuya pero lima? Grabe attention makukuha ko sa school, Kuya. Ayoko maging center of attention." Sieraj scratched her nose.

Akihito sighed. Sieraj scratching her nose means one thing. She don't like the idea. "I know, I know. But I can't do anything about it since it is also Kael's order. I already told him to lessen it to two or three but he insist on five."

Sieraj frowned and turned her head into the other direction. 'Should I call Kuya Kael now? I should try persuading him. Five guards is too much.'

She was about to make a call when she recieve a call from someone. She excused herself and went a little far away from them to answer the call.

Tiningnan muna ni Sieraj ang tumawag. It was an unknown number. She is contemplating whether to take the call or not. Ang sabi kasi ng mga pinsan niya ay huwag sasagutin ang tawag kung hindi naman naka-rehistro ang pangalan. She was about to ignore it when it stop but the caller seemed persistent. Tumawag ito ulit so she have no choice but to answer the call. Who knows? Baka kapatid niya o mga pinsan sa Pilipinas ang tumawag sa kanya.

"Hello? Who's this?" She answered the call coldly.

"Oh? Why the cold voice Sieraj? I thought you know me. Ah. I think I know why. Hehehe. I'm sorry. I thought I gave you my number. This is Aviana Kryl. Sorry for the sudden call."

Nagulat si Sieraj at napatingin sa cellphone niya. She didn't expect that Aviana will call her. And more importantly, 'how did she know my number?'

"O-oh. It's you, Aviana. How did you know my number? I remembered not giving you my number."

"Ah. I asked your cousin, Xaklier. I'm sorry I didn't texted you beforehand."

"No, no. It's okay. Nagulat lang ako. I thought it was someone else. Anyway, you called?"

Aviana straightened her back and nervously bite her fingernails. "I heard from Xaklier that you have a volleyball match? When will it be held and where? I wanna watch it."

Sieraj chuckled. "Two days from now. I'll text you the details. Oh, wait. Are you even allowed to come here? I mean, how about your school? Wala ba kayong pasok niyan?"

Aviana stopped and realized she was right. "Oh no. I forgot about that. But Sieraj. I wanna watch your match. Pwede naman siguro akong um-absent. I'll just tell my professor that I have a stomachache."

Sieraj lips tugged upward. "Nah. Hindi pwede." She heard Aviana groaned in frustration. "Don't worry. I'll ask someone to record our match. Huwag kang um-absent. Baka ako ang pag-initan ng kuya mo."

"Nandito naman ang kambal ko. I'm sure Klyr will explain to Kuya."

"Nah. I won't let you. Basta I'll ask someone to record our match. I'll send it to you immediately. Don't worry Aviana. Sasabihan naman kita sa mga upcoming match ko. Ah wait. This year will be my last."

"The more I want to watch. Ba't mo kasi sinabi na last mo nalang ngayong year?"

Sieraj smirked. "I have to hang up. May meeting kami ng mga pinsan ko. Ciao."

Sieraj hung up and texted Aviana the details.

'Huwag matigas ang ulo, Aviana Kryl. Kapag nalaman ko na nandito ka patay ako sa kuya mo. Ayaw niya akong maging kaibigan mo. Focus on your study. I'll update you everytime.'

Pagkatapos niyang i-send ang message niya ay ibinulsa na niya ang cellphone niya. She walked to where her cousins and newly appointed guards.

"So? Final na? Lima na talaga?"

Akihito sighed and massaged his temple. "Yes. Final na. Kahit pa tawagan natin si Kael ngayon sigurado akong hindi na natin mababago ang isip niya. You should just endure it Sieraj. Ilang buwan lang naman."

Blankong tumingin si Sieraj sa pinsan niya. "Since wala naman akong magagawa pasok na ako. May practice kami ngayong hapon. I have to ready my things."

Tumalikod si Sieraj at itinaas ang kanang kamay niya. Pinanood nila si Sieraj na naglakad papasok sa bahay.

As soon as they lost sight of her the atmosphere around them changed. From being light to dark.

"Report."

"Three suspicious people are outside the house. Palaging naka-park ang itim na kotseng gamit nila sa labas. Kapag lumalabas si Sieraj saka pa sila kumikilos. They're observing her movement."

"Of course. They're observing her whether she's harmful or not. Malakas ang impact ng presensya ni Sieraj sa kanila. It's just what Grandma told me. Si Sieraj ang makapagbabago sa takbo ng organisasyon. Her only presence can change everything. And right now they're wary of her."

Malungkot na napatingin si Airo sa nilakadan ni Sieraj kanina. "Her fate is sealed. But it's up to her if she'll walk to the path that is already planned for her or she'll walk on her own path."

Akihito sighed. "Wala na tayong ibang magagawa. All we can do right now is to protect Sieraj until the right time comes." Akihito sighed again. "Sumasakit ang ulo ko. Ashiro, Claude, and Fourth. Bantayan niyo ng maigi ang nasa labas. Hindi natin alam kung ano ang gagawin nila. For now observe them and report to me immediately if there is anything suspicious."

"Yes, sir."

"You're dismissed. Ha."

Umalis si Akihito at sumunod sa kanya si Airo at Yakiro habang si Fourth, Claude, at Ashiro ay lumabas. Ang iba naman ay pumunta sa iba't ibang parte ng bahay.

•~•~•~•~•

"So this friend of yours won't allow you to go and let you watch her match. Am I correct?"

Tumango si Aviana sa kambal niya. Right now, they're inside their bedroom.

"I really wanna go, Klyr." Ngusong sabi ni Aviana. "Ang sabi niya last year nalang daw niya. Which means ilang laro nalang ang makikita ko. Pero sabi niya h'wag na raw akong pumunta."

Napabuntonghininga si Ariana sa kambal niya. "Alam mo Kryl, totoo naman ang sinabi ng kaibigan mong hindi-ko-alam-ang-pangalan-kasi-hindi-mo-sinabi. Why can't you just stay here? She'll send you a video, right?"

Tumango si Aviana sa kambal na nakanguso pa rin. "Lagot daw siya kay Kuya. I don't know what's the reason kung bakit siya napasabi na ayaw sa kanya ni kuya."

"Sinong ayaw ko?"

"Ahhh!!"

Napatili si Aviana sa biglaang pagpasok ng kuya niya habang napatingin lang si Ariana sa kapatid niya.

"Sinong ayaw ko, Aviana Kryl?"

Napalingon si Aviana sa pinto ng kwarto nila. Naka-krus ang braso habang nakasandal sa pintuan si Sean. He raised his left eyebrow to his sister.

"Ah. Nothing Kuya." Aviana smiled and averted her eyes from her brother.

"I heard my name. Hindi kita titigilan hanggang hindi mo sinasabi sa akin." Matigas na sabi ni Sean.

Aviana groaned. "Fine. Remember the girl we met at the store Kuya? 'Yong namimili ng volleyball keychains? She actually have an upcoming match. It will be two days from now."

"And?" Tumitig si Sean sa kapatid niya. " You want to go and watch it but you can't because you have school. Am I right?"

Tumango si Aviana at tumingin sa Kuya niya. "I really want to go Kuya. This year will be her last because she'll graduate."

Bumuntonghininga si Sean dahil parang alam na niya kung anong sasabihin ng kapatid niya. "My answer is no, Aviana Kryl. Hindi ka pupunta do'n. You told me that you have an upcoming test. Mabuti pa at mag-aral ka."

"But Kuya."

"No buts."

Umalis si Sean sa pagkakasandal at lumabas ng kwarto nila. Humaba naman ang nguso ni Aviana sa sinabi ng kuya niya.

"You should listen to Kuya Sean, Kryl."

Nanlulumong humiga si Aviana sa kama ng kambal niya. "Palagi nalang. Who does he think he is? Parang isang araw lang naman."

"Alam mo naman siguro kung bakit hindi ba? We're not financially stable as of now. Kung bakit kasi nagloloko pa si Papa."

Natahimik si Aviana at napatingin sa kambal niyang pilit pinipigilang maiyak. Sa kanilang dalawa si Ariana ang pinaka-close sa papa nila. Kaya naman sobrang sakit sa damdamin ni Ariana nang marinig na may ibang babae ang ama nila. She didn't expect her father to cheat on her mother. Ang akala niya ay kontento na ang papa niya sa kanila pero naghahanap din pala ng iba.

"Nga pala. I heard from Mama na titira na tayo kasama sila Lolo at Lola. Magta-trabaho si Mama sa kompanya ni Tito Gab kaya do'n na muna tayo titira."

Napatingin si Ariana sa kanya. "That's right. Narinig ko din 'yan. Nakapag-impake ka na ba?"

Ngumiwi si Aviana sa kanya. "Oo. Tapos na. Ang dami ko palang gamit."

Tumawa si Ariana sa kanya. "Ipamigay mo 'yung hindi mo na magagamit. Ayan ang napapala mo sa kakabili ng maraming gamit."

"Kasalanan ko ba? Si Kuya kasi. Palagi ba namang bumibili ng mga damit."

Sa narinig ni Ariana at ngumiwi siya. "Ibig sabihin kay Kuya 'yong ibang damit na sinusuot mo?"

"Oo. Pero hindi naman niya na kasya kaya akin nalang. Hehehe."

Napailing nalang si Ariana sa kambal niya. Tumayo siya at naglakad papuntang labas. "Sa kusina lang ako."

Tumango si Aviana sa kanya at tumitig sa labas ng bintana.

I wonder why are we going to live with Lolo and Lola. Okay lang naman na dito lang kami titira.

Napanguso si Aviana. "Tsk. Makatulog nga. Sumasakit ulo ko kaka-isip."

•~•~•~•~•

"Confirmed. They tighten their security even more now that they know we're putting a tail on them."

"Tell them to retreat. For now."

"Yes miss."

The man bow down his head to his 'boss' and get out of the office.

The woman smirked and looked at the pictures they send.

She may be powerless and harmless right now but time will come that she'll be harmful and will be a threat to us. Just you wait, little Sieraj. We will slowly make you miserable.