HIDEOUS

CHAPTER 7

~pyo ni sot tun got to

jal mo shin ga yoh

na cha ga un do shi ye

ta dut tan yo jan de~

Sieraj grunted hearing her ringtone. Tinabunan niya ng unan ang mukha niya at matutulog na sana pero mukhang hindi siya hahayaan na makatulog ulit ng kung sino mang hayop na nilalang. Her phone keep on ringing.

~gu nyang jo wa han dan

mal do an dwe nun ga yo

sol jik ka gen na a an

mal ha go ship po yo o~

Hinablot niya ng marahas ang cellphone niya at sinagot ang tawag. "Whoever you are please let me sleep in peace. I have no training and am planning on sleeping more."

"It's me, Airo."

Napatingin si Sieraj sa screen ng cellphone niya. "Why do you have to call me? I'm still sleepy Kuya."

"7:30 na Sie. Sumisikat na ang araw. Get up and come downstairs. Hinahanap ka ng kambal dito," tumingin si Airo sa mga kapatid niyang nakabusangot. Ang aga-aga nakabusangot na mukha ng kambal ang una kong nakita. Akala ko kung sino nang hayop ang nakapasok sa kwarto ko. Nambu-buwesit na naman ang dalawang 'to.

"Sila mag-adjust. Punta kayo dito sa kwarto ko. Manghihiram na naman 'yan ng laptop ko. Manunuod ng movie. My door is not locked so feel free to come inside. Sabihan niyo na lang si Kuya Aki, Kuya Enzo, at Kuya Akita," she sleepily said. "I'll end this call now. Bye," she ended the call and went back to sleep.

Airo had no choice but to tell the twins what she said. "Sinabi sa'kin ni Sieraj na kayo na daw ang mag-adjust. Punta daw tayo sa kwarto niya kasi manghihiram raw kayo ng laptop niya. Hindi locked ang kwarto niya kaya malaya tayong makapasok. But before we go upstairs let me contact our brothers first. Stay seated both of you. Bakit ba ang aga niyong pumunta sa kwarto ko?" he contacted his older brother and informed him that they'll be in Sieraj's room.

"Wait for me. Sabay na tayong pumasok. I'll bring the two with me," Akihito said and ended the call.

"Maghintay tayo dito. Kayong dalawa talaga. Nasasanay na kayong isturbuhin si Sieraj. Bakit ba hindi kayo mapirme, ha? May laptop naman kayo, ba't di kayo manuod do'n?"

Ryouji answered him. "Nando'n sa laptop ni Sie ang accounts namin. We forgot the password."

Airo just mentally face-palmed at what he said. Hindi. Nambu-buwesit lang talaga kayo.

They didn't wait for too long because Akihito and the other two are quick. Sabay na silang lahat na pumasok at pumunta sa room ni Sieraj. Nakarating sila sa room niya kaya kumatok sila bago pinihit ni Airo ang doorknob at pumasok sa loob.

"Sie. Nandito na ang kambal. Sa'n nakalagay ang laptop mo?" Airo asked her but Sieraj didn't respond. Lumingon si Airo sa kambal. "Maybe she put it inside her bag or her suitcase. Tingnan niyo. Natutulog 'yong tao kaya 'wag na nating gisingin."

Hinanap naman ng kambal ang laptop at nakita nilang nasa loob ito ng bag ni Sieraj kaya kinuha nila ito at umupo sa sofa. Si Akihito at Enzo naman ay nakaupo sa tabi ng kama ni Sieraj at inilabas ang cellphone nila samantalang si Airo at Akita ay humiga sa paanan ni Sieraj.

Lahat sila ay gusto pang matulog pero nang dahil sa kambal ay napilitan silang bumangon. They all stayed silent and the only sound they can hear is the movie that the twins watched.

Nakatulog ulit si Airo at Akita habang papikit-pikit na nakatingin sa cellphone si Akihito at Enzo. Both Akihito and Enzo turned their phone off and went to lay down on Sieraj's bed. Malaki naman ang kama ni Sieraj at maluwag kaya kasya silang apat. Tumabi ng higa ang dalawa sa dalawang nakapikit at natutulog na kapatid.

While the five of them sleep on Sieraj's bed (including Sieraj) the twins are focus on the movie. They are so engrossed that they didn't notice Elyse entering the room.

"Huh? Am I dreaming? Bakit may ibang tao dito sa loob ng kwarto ni Sieraj?" she asked to herself and went inside. Pumunta siya sa kama ni Sieraj at tumabi ng higa. Just as what the four are doing, natulog siya na tabi si Sieraj.

It's not the first time that Elyse went inside and sleep beside Sieraj. May isang araw no'n na bumangon si Sieraj na katabi si Elyse.

•~•~•~•~•

"Nasa'n ang iba? Bakit ang konti lang natin ngayon? Ma gumising na ba si Elyse?"

Napatingin si Alessandra sa anak niyang si Kael. Nasa harden silang lahat ngayon para kumain ng agahan. Hindi pa sila kumpleto kaya naghihintay sila sa ibang pinsan nila.

"Si Elyse 'yong maagang gumising 'di ba? Asan siya? Dapat kanina pa 'yon nandito e," nagpadala si Xaf ng mensahe kay Elyse para ipaalam na mag-aagahan na sila.

"Keith call Airo. Sabihin mong bumaba na dito sa harden. Sila nalang 'yong kulang," inutusan ni Kleighton ang kapatid niyang si Keith. Keith called Airo right away.

One ring. Two rings. Three rings. No one picked up. Tinawagan ulit ni Keith si Airo, nagbabakasakaling sagutin ni Airo ang tawag. But he failed.

"Walang sumasagot, Kuya. Tingnan niyo do'n sa kwarto niya. Kanina pa 'to ring ng ring e," reklamo ni Keith habang pinadalhan ng mensahe si Airo.

Ang hindi alam ng lahat ay nasa kwarto sila ni Sieraj at natutulog pa hanggang ngayon. Walang ka-alam-alam si Sieraj na tumabi pala ng higa sa kanya ang mga pinsan at ang kapatid niya. Kaya paggising niya ay nagtaka siya.

•~•~•~•~•

Gumising si Sieraj na habol ang hininga at parang may nakadagan sa kanya. Iminulat niya ang mga mata niya at natagpuan ang mga pinsan at kapatid niyang natutulog sa kama niya. Pinapagitnaan siya ng mga ito at talagang sumiksik pa sila sa isa't isa.

She carefully get up while catching her own breath. Napatingin siya sa ate niya na tinandayan siya. Tumingin naman siya sa mga pinsan niyang sarap na sarap sa pagkakatulog.

Since when did they come and sleep in my room? Wait. What time is it?

She get up from the bed and went to the bedside table where her phone is. She opened it and send a message to her brother.

Sieraj Ckazh Wilson: Kuya why is Ate Elyse sleeping in my room? Kuya Aki, Kuya Airo, Kuya Enzo, Kuya Akita and the twins are here as well.

Napatingin siya sa kama niya at napag-desisyonan niyang kumuha ng picture. She send it to his brother and went inside the bathroom. Nanghilamos siya at nag-toothbrush na rin. She checked herself on the mirror.

—BEEP—

Napatingin si Sieraj sa phone niya. His brother replied to her.

Maxx Tarek Wilson: Gisingin mo. Kayo na lang ang kulang dito.

Sighing, she went to her bed and wake them up. She woke up late today because of one and only reason. She stayed late at night to read the books she bought from the bookstore yesterday.

"Oww~ my back," Airo grunted and get up from the bed. He still had his nest hair.

"Tayo nalang daw ang wala. Come on. Let's go. Kailangan ko pang libutin ang buong siyudad. Can't postpone it."

Nauna na si Sieraj na lumabas sa kwarto niya at sumunod naman sila. Hindi gaya ni Sieraj na nakapanghilamos na, bagong gising at halata pang tulog pa ang mga isip nila.

•~•~•~•~•

Maxx put his phone down. "Kuya pababa na sila dito. I just texted Sie right now. Nasa kwarto silang lahat. Ewan ko nalang kung bakit napadpad si Elyse sa kwarto niya."

"Ah. Nakalimutan ko. Pangalawang punta niya 'yan. May isang gabi na tumabi siya kay Sieraj matulog. Proud pa nga," Kale sighed and massaged his forehead.

Let's think positively today. Don't think negatively. Keep your cool, Kael.

"Good morning."

Napalingon silang lahat sa bagong dating na Sieraj. She looked exhausted.

"Anong meron? You looked exhausted. May nangyari ba?" tanong ni Savi na nagtataka sa hitsura niya.

"I slept late last night. Ilang oras lang akong nakatulog," she said and sit next to Maxx.

"Puro ka kasi basa. Ayan. Magiging uod ka na niyan," biro ni Enzo sa kanya.

"Not because I'm a bookworm—" Sieraj stopped and looked at her cousin. His probably teasing me so let's just stop and let him be. She thought and focused on the food being served in front of her.

Kael clapped that made all of them to turn on his direction. "I can't come with you all touring Sieraj around the city because I have a meeting. As a substitute, I'll let our parents come with you. May tiwala naman ako kay Kleighton, Akihito, at Adí. Pero dahil matigas ang ulo niyo ipapasama ko na ang mga magulang natin. Please behave yourselves. Kung ano-ano pa naman ang maiisip niyo. Okay lang naman sa inyo, 'di ba?" walang sumagot sa kanya kaya ngumiti siya. "I'll take that as a 'yes' then."

"Then more bodyguards please," suhestiyon ni Sieraj sa Kuya niya.

"What do you mean?"

"I felt like someone's watching us yesterday. Nasa mall pa lang kami feel ko may nakasunod na sa'min."

Kael, knowing that he sent Harvey to spy on them, frozed on his chair. He didn't know that Sieraj can feel his presence very well. He cleared his throat and took a quick glanced to his cousins. They understood and secretly nodded at him. "Kain na tayo. My meeting starts at 10."

•~•~•~•~•

"Sa'n pala unang pupuntahan natin? Ang pangit naman kung wala tayong plano, 'di ba?" sabi ni Elyse habang inaayos ang kanyang seatbelt.

"Where do you want to go Sieraj?" tanong ni Maxx kay Sieraj na nasa tabi niya.

"Ma told me that there's somewhere she want to show me. Do'n muna tayo."

"Oh right. I forgot about that. We'll go there first. Hon, naalala mo pa ba iyong nilipatan namin noon? I heard may mini lake na doon. I want to visit that place," bumaling si Alessandra sa asawa niyang si Jordan. Jordan took a glanced of her and nodded.

"How about we visit our school? Matagal-tagal na din."

Alessandra clapped in excitement. "Yes. Let's do that. I'll call Kara and Samantha."

"Malapit lang ba ang school niyo sa bahay ni Mama, Pa?" Elyse, as curious as she is, asked her father about it.

"Medyo may kalayuan ng konti. I have visited their house twice. The fist one is when your mother introduced me to her family as friends and the second one is noong niligawan ko ang mama niyo."

Silence came after that. Elyse waited for her father to continue but he kept his mouth shut.

"And? That's it? You won't tell us about your love story?"

"That's a story to keep Elyse. No need to tell you about our story." He sternly said as he focused on driving.

Elyse just pouted and looked outside the window. Tall buildings, heavy traffic, noisy street. Typical scene of a city.

•~•~•~•~•

"I thought I already told all of you here to report to me immediately. Paano nalaman ng Melfiore ang pagdating ng kapatid ko dito? Didn't I told you to monitor their movements?"

Kael's angry voiced echoed around as soon as he entered the room. No one dared to speak and answered the angry beast. Tahimik silang yumuko at hindi nag-angat ng tingin. Silence filled the room.

Kael sighed and massaged his temple. "If all of you make another mistake again you know what to do. Don't make me kill all of you without a second thought. Tighten the security."

Lumabas siya sa silid at dumiretso sa training room. Agad naman sumunod sa kanya ang right-hand man niya.

"Come on, Kael. You're so harsh towards the monitoring team. Hindi naman nila kasalanan na nalaman ng Melfiore ang pagdating ng kapatid mo dito. At isa pa, alam mo naman siguro na tahimik lang sila gumalaw, 'di ba?"

Aries Rahj Gontemner. Kael's right-hand man. One of the less person who talks back to Kael.

Hinubad ni Kael ang suot na coat at necktie at ibinigay kay Aries na nakasunod sa kanya. "You know me Aries. Ayoko kong malaman ng Melfiore na buhay si Sieraj. They all think that she didn't survived wherein fact, she did." He rolled his sleeves up and observed the newly recruit members training inside. "And you know how dangerous this world is."

"Then how about we appoint Shantia as her temporary guard. It is just until her 'team' is ready." Lumingon silang dalawa kay Shantia na nasa gilid lang at nakikinig sa kanila.

Shantia Ussiedl Zoarnt. One of Kael's most trusted subordinate.

"I don't think Klaus will approve to that Aries. You know how overprotective he is to his twin."

Napabaling sila kay Rafaelo na nakapamulsang naglalakad patungo sa kanila.

Rafaelo Ryja Dominique. The skilled and professional sniper of their group.

"He will not know not unless you tell him. Come on, Raf. It's just temporary, okay? So don't tell Klaus about this." Saad ni Aries at tinapik pa si Rafaelo.

"Kaya mainit ang ulo ni Klaus sa'yo e. For once Aries, stop being childish." Aries frowned at him.

"Alright. Stop that. Kanina pa sumasakit ang ulo ko." The two of them shut their mouth. "I will not appoint Shantia to be Sieraj's temporary guard. There's no need for that because they are ready."

They all looked at the newly recruits training hard as if there's no tomorrow.

They should be ready now. By tomorrow, they will depart to Japan together with my sister and my cousins.

•~•~•~•~•

"Woah. Ang ganda dito. I didn't know such a beautiful place exist." Manghang sabi ni Elyse.

Gaya ng sabi ni Alessandra sa mga anak niya, pumunta sila nilipatan nila noon na may mini lake.

"Sieraj. Come over here. Kunan ko kayo ng picture ni Mama. Pose beside her," hinatak ni Elyse si Sieraj na nakasunod lang sa kanya at tumingin-tingin sa paligid.

"Come here anak."

Nagpaubaya si Sieraj sa paghatak ng mama niya sa kanya. Since today is my last day here, might as well let them do what they want to do with me. She smiled and posed with her mother while Elyse kept on taking pictures.

Tiningnan ni Elyse ang kuha niyang picture and she noticed something. "Sieraj. You should smile more often. Bagay sa'yo. Mukha kang friendly."

"Masakit sa panga, Ate."

"Oh come on. Ngumingiti ka naman siguro kapag naglalaro ka nang volleyball, 'di ba?"

Sieraj just looked away and went to her mother taking pictures at the beautiful scenery infront of her.

"Ma. Marami bang property sina MamaLa at PapaLo? I remember living with them near the sea."

Napabaling si Alessandra sa anak niya. She stared at Sieraj for a second before looking infront.

"Yes. If I remember correctly they have a total of 20 properties? I don't know. Meron pa doon sa ibang bansa."

Napatingin si Sieraj sa ina niya kung nagbibiro ba ito but she's not. She's far from joking. "That's why Atty. Laceedra told me that I'll inherit all the properties which can cause chaos within the family."

Nagtatakang lumingon si Alessandra sa anak niya. "What do you mean?"

Sieraj just shrugged and smiled at her. Tumakbo siya papunta sa mga pinsan niyang parang modelo kung maka-pose. Alessandra was left full of questioned in her head.

•~•~•~•~•

"Tumingin ka sa kanan, Kuya Airo. 'Wag kang ngumiti dapat malungkot ka."

Akihito stared blankly at his brothers. Airo is posing while Kyouri and Ryouji are taking pictures of him. Lumapit si Adí sa kanya at natatawang tumingin sa kanila.

"What's wrong with Airo? He really give it his best in posing. May nakapagsabi na ba sa kanya na nagmumukha siyang baliw d'yan?" Adí said while shaking his head.

"Hindi ko alam kung bakit 'yan ganyan. Normal naman 'yong pagbubuntis ni Mom sa kanya. Nabagok yata ulo niyan." He just looked at the other direction. Siya ang nahihiya sa mga pinaggagawa ng mga kapatid niya. Tatlong normal (Akihito, Enzo, Akita) at tatlong abnormal (Airo, Kyouri, Ryouji).

"Saan pala si Sieraj? Kanina ko pa siya hindi nakita." Lumingon silang dalawa kay Yuriel na naglakad papalapit sa kanila.

"Kasama 'yon nila Tita Sandra, 'di ba?"

"Sabi ni Tita umalis. Tumakbo daw 'yon papunta dito. 'Yang tatlong 'yan lang naman ang kumukuha ng picture sa'tin."

Napatingin silang tatlo sa isa't isa. Hindi nakita o napansin ni Akihito na lumapit sa kanila si Sieraj.

"Let's split up. Baka nagtingin-tingin lang 'yon sa paligid. Don't tell the others yet." Yuriel and Adí nooded at what Akihito said.

They split up and looked for Sieraj. It's not normal for Sieraj to go all by herself. Nagsasabi pa nga 'yon. Akihito thought while looking for her.

•~•~•~•~•

"Wow. Ang lawak ng harden nila dito. This garden looked like those fantasy comics I once read." She mumbled to herself.

Habang naglakad-lakad si Sieraj kanina para tumingin sa paligid, napadpad siya dito sa harden. Balak niya sanang tawagan ang mga pinsan niya pero nakalimutan niya ito dahil nakapokus ngayon ang atensiyon niya sa naggagandahang mga bulaklak.

"I can't believe this is one of MamaLa's property. Ang ganda dito. This place is perfect when I want peace."

Wait. If this is MamaLa's property then does that mean. . . .

"This sure looked like trouble. Should I call Atty. Laceedra? But what should I tell him? Bakit pa kasi pangalan ko ang nakalagay sa last will ni MamaLa? Pati na din 'yong kay PapaLo. I am just their granddaughter."

Sieraj was deep in thought when her phone beeps.

—BEEP—

Akihito Ry Hajjar: Where are you? Kanina ka pa namin hinahanap.

Right. I forgot to tell them.

Sieraj Ckazh Wilson: Garden. Sorry I forgot to tell you, Kuya. Come here. Ang ganda dito.

Akihito blinked at what Sieraj texted him. Garden? Ah right. She loves peace so garden is the number one option for that.

"Now that I told Kuya Airo where I am there's no need to worry about. I just have wait for him to come here."

Umupo si Sieraj sa upuan na nakita niya habang hinihintay ang pagdating ng kanyang pinsan. Peace is the best.