Gifts xxx Malice

•| Xianrei's POV |• I always have known na may kakaiba noong nakilala ko siya. First day of school. Pero kung ikokompara sa mga normal na estudyante na naliligaw at naghahanap ng mga kwarto nila, I'm completely holed up in my personal space and leisure, away from all those annoying chatterings and forced socializing. Sa loob ng opisina ko, nagtratrabaho ako bilang now, almost 4 years college division president and I prefer that much kaysa umuwi ng maaga sa bahay.  Not that I can disobey. Mukha mang hawak ko ang paaralan, I was merely a puppet for someone above. I sighed nang tumunog ang intercom ko. "College Student Administration president Castrellano speaking." "Mr. Castrellano, the first ceremonial senior assembly is about to start within twenty mintes. " "Noted." Namatay ang intercom at sinimulan kong buksan ang files ng fourth year enrollees. A good candidate for a combined vice president and secretary of the school. Yes, ako ang namimili, as there are certain fiascos na napilitan akong mawalan ng katulong sa naunang tatlong taon ng aking termino. I frowned at the selection of enrollees sa ngayong taon, finding most of their description papers uninteresting. Bagama't may mga matatalino, I can already oversee their incompetence in socializing, a key ingredient in being a vice president. Per strand ay dapat may maging candidate, and as far as I'm overlooking, I'm seeing nothing. Son of a b***h, magiging mas busy na ako ngayong final year na sa kolehiyo at nangangailangan talaga ako ng katulong. Hanggang sa dumako ako sa isang kurso. BS Astronomy in fact. I sifted through the papers, at tumigil sa isang special case student. Agustin, Charmaigne Erina My eyes widened a little bit at the surprise, naalala ko pa ang maingay at napakakulit kong kaklase na kinuhanan ko ng halik noong Grade 12. Nasa STEM siya noon habang naghahabol ako for HUMMS that time. "Charmaigne..." "XIAN!!! HOW DARE YOU! IBALIK MO TOBLERONE KO!!!" Grabe. Ang liit nga naman ng mundo. But how much time has passed? I laughed as I pictured her looks back then. Mataba, maliit, borderline negra at malalaking cute na mga bilugang mga mata na nagpapahulog sa akin sa kanya. Same girl that rejected me. "Alam mo naman na hindi ako bagay sayo, bubugbugin lang ako ng mga linta mo." Oh, but I didn't give a single random f**k about it. She was such an astounding little girl. Yet what she lacked in looks gave her the brains, being our first honor and often outside campus representative sa halos lahat ng competitions. Kasa-kasama niya ako noon sa karamihan ng mga kompetisyon. And also gave her the heart. "Xian, nakiusap ako kina mama kung pwede sa amin ka mag-christmas. Pwede naman daw, magpaalam ka lang sa parents mo at dala ka lang daw damit na pamalit kasi gagala tayo sa Luneta!" She was so young and naive, pero nawala ang tawa ko nang makita ko ang ID niya na nakadikit sa profile paper. Dear gawd, she's f*****g beautiful. I gaped at her picture. Her short braided natural black frizzed hair turned into shoulder-length luscious voluminous locks of black with deep violet and blue undertones. Her fried skin with little blemish marks dissipated into pure cool freezed chocolate color with the blemish adding a cute factor to her. Those large rounded formerly brown eyes however transitioned into abyss black, and those pale lips are filled with color more than ever. Those sweet cheeks remained, isang bagay na ikinatuwa ko deep inside. Alam kong makatotohanan ang picture na iyon, dahil bago ang photo profiling ay mismong ang photographer ang nagtatanggal ng make-up nila gamit ang isang mamahaling cleanser under my commands. I shifted through her papers. She never lost the first spot in her elementary years, graduating with impressive records. Kahit nang ma-enroll ito sa no top-up academy for junior high school, all of her grades are a perfect line of 9 with 4 chances of having a grade of perfect 100 in science. In senior high, I f*****g knew her. Siya lang lagi kong kaaway pag may argumento sa hallway. In college, her teachers spoke highly of her especially in socializing people, quite a befitting candidate for the position. Her mental health is in perfect condition. She's incredibly useful, no doubt about it. Sa lahat ng choices ko, siya lang ang natatanging hinihiling kong manalo. Oh f**k it, hindi ako nangangailangan ng maputing makinis na lampang katulong. I adjusted my seat, feeling the room warm up a bit for a moment. I didn't give another thought at nagstamp sa papel niya on the bottom left corner of her credentials. Candidate for Ambassadry Why is it I feel as if I made the wrong decision? ××× 5h3 f84ß 5làdy ××× I went out of my personal office at mula sa fourth floor viewing tower ay nakitang punong-puno ang open podium ng mga bagong senior students. Yet my eyes deceived me nang hindi ko makita ang pamilyar na mukha ni Charmaigne. Where the hell is she? I raised a brow nang makitang pumasok ang isang asul na harlem motorcycle sakay-sakay ng babaeng estudyante. Nakatingin ang lahat ng students sa kanya, cause of course that's way too much legs in sight sa pagsakay niya sa mamahaling motorsiklo. "What the f**k?" Napakislot ang mga mata ko. "Yep. Kahit naka-leg warmers siya ang daming legs sa view niyan." Narinig kong humalakhak si Erick sa likuran ko. For a reason, gusto ko siyang sapakin sa komento niya. My eyes glanced at her form. Tama naman ang pagsuot niya sa dress code ng school. White long-sleeves polo shirt and navy blue necktie. Her black pleated skirt however, looks way too f*****g short. Calculating, it was the normal 30-36 inches handspan na required ng school para sa mga female students. How the hell can she kickstart that kind of a vehicle with three inch black heels? She looks quite badass for it. Natuyo ang lalamunan ko nang tinanggal niya ang helmet niya to reveal a portion of pure white hair, and the blackened eyes. Charmaigne?! I looked over my shoulder to Erick at nakitang matiim pa rin ang titig niya kay Charmaigne, hindi ba niya napapansin ang puting buhok--- Kumislot ako. The white hair transitioned into black, but I steadied my eyes on her. It returned back to it's pure white coloring. "Erik? Don't you notice something odd in her features?" "What President? Magandang katawan na sobrang mature na sexy, itim rebonded hair na ang sarap magpasakal? Mahabang legs na ang sarap magpa-Batista bomb?" I flinched. "There is no need to remind me of the day you confessed to me you're a masochist." "Pero President, ang ganda niya!" Inwardly I was absurded by Erik's masochism, bagsak ang panga at kung tututalin ay halos maglaway na. But he told me black hair. So it means ako lang nakakakita ng puting buhok ni Charmaigne. Maybe kulang lang ako sa tulog? I returned my sight and I can't blame him. Tinanggal na ni Charmaigne ang coat niya at tinupi sa braso ng maayos, her black parisian bag straps swung over her shoulders tightly dahil sa bigat niyon — honestly she brings all of her books and items to school  everyday like a diligent student, quite a lifter — and all I can see are her breasts straining against the poor bindings of the white buttoned shirt. I felt tempted na sampalin si Erick, but for what reason? Natural na lamang ang hormones at testosterone lalo na't virgin 23 tong hinayupak na to. Narinig kong tumunog ang school bell, a signal for the start of the yearly ceremony for first semester enrolees. Tumalikod ako at nanguna sa podium grounds. "Mr. Erikson. Balik ka sa office at ayusin mo ang lahat ng papeles na nasa lamesa ko in categories order of year — classes — sections — alphabetical names." "What!? President!" Nagmamadali akong bumaba sa podium grounds, surprisingly lucky na ang pwesto ko sa stage ay saktong nasa harapan lamang ako ng strand ni Charmaigne. I took my seat, hinihintay na dumating ang ibang faculty staffs ng college divisions at si Principal Markov. But the whole event was a blur for me as I eyed her discreetly in the corner of my eye from afar. She was intently looking at the stage, pero nakikita ko ang pagkabagot sa mga mata niya. No wonder na habang nagsasalita ang principal ay nagsimula siyang makipagdaldalan sa isang bagong kaklase niya, as she radiated a warm gentle and inviting aura that coaxed others into mindlessly bringing up a conversation with her. Within the first 15 minutes of the ceremony, she has already talked to twelve people at karamihan doon ay lalaki. I'm betting half of my annual tuition fee na 65% sa mga makakausap niyang lalaki ay kalaunan liligawan siya. It tasted bitter on my tongue kahit naiisip ko lamang iyon. Even as the ceremony donned at nadismiss na ang karamihan papunta sa klase nila ay nanatili sa akin ang kaisipang iyon. Her profile strongly screamed one thing: no relationships unless parental approval. I'm incredibly proud of her. Gaano ba kalaki ang suwerte ko ngayon at nakasalubong ko siya dito sa hallway? She glanced at me with second thoughts and I raised a brow. Namula siya, and I almost scoffed. Of course I can't deny I'm a little good looking better than the rest of the mutts here in the campus. But her reaction quite disappointed me. I was expecting na hindi siya tulad ng ibang babae dito sa campus. Charmaigne closed her eyes for a second and when she opened those lovely bell eyes, nawala na ang pamumula niya. With a small professional smile she approached me in small paced steps, like a powerful noble dignified woman of a royal court. Now that she's right in front of me, I realized the top of her head can level to my nose without those heels. Sa ngayon, pantay ang tingin namin sa isa't-isa. "President Castrellano, I apologize for disturbing your time, but may I ask for directions to the senior's orientation building?" She asked, no. Hindi sweet ang boses niya. It was akin to pure, unadultered professionalism. Of course she f*****g knows me, nakadikit ang pangalan ko sa handbooks and she's the kind of girl na nagbabasa ng expository manuals pag walang magawa. It kinda sounds bitter na tinatawag niya ako sa apelyido ko, hindi sa napakaoriginal kong name. "All senior orientation classes for the first week is held at the conference hall, fifth building second floor. Come with me na lang, Charmaigne." She nodded. "Thank you, President Castrellano." Damn, ang sakit pakinggan sa tenga. Without another word, tinungo niya ang tinuro kong direksyon. I followed her silently from behind, cause oo nasa iisang klase kami for the whole first week. Damn these motherfucking testosterone hormones. Kung kailan nag-22 ako, saka lang umakto. Good f*****g job, you stupid late puberty. You helped me adjust my height and body but you kept me down for many years until I met this girl again. Nice. 'Kasalanan ko bang complete package siya?' napangiwi ako nang bumaba ang mga mata ko sa likuran niya. Maybe I should start petitioning for longer skirts like siguro lagpas tuhod? No, sa tangkad ni Chantelle na 5'9 at laki ng likuran, malabo rin matakpan iyon. Mas malala iyon nang umakyat kami ng hagdan, but thankfully mahaba pa rin pala ang palda niya para matakpan ang ano niya. Fuck. She was silent at the whole journey, until it is so I thought nang makapasok na kami sa building. She looked over her shoulder to me, at nagtama ang mga mata namin. Her curious ones over my cold eyes. "President Castrellano—" "Xianrei for you, Charmaigne." "President Xianrei, how come you know my name?" I sighed. Bakit nga naman ako aasang maalala pa niya ako, it's been freaking nine years. Bakit ka umaasa? "We were in batch 20**-20** in second grade at Liandreda High School. Top 2 mo ako noon." It was a split second bago siya ngumiti nang maliit, and damn did it look so heavenly for me. "Such a small world, President Xianrei." Indeed. Those are her only words bago niya binalik ang tingin sa daan, what the f**k. Hindi siya madaldal samantalang baliktad ang nakalagay sa profile niya. Hanggang sa narinig ko siyang bumulong. Napakahina. In fact, kung hindi kami nag-iisa at hindi soundproof ang lahat ng kwarto sa building ay hindi ko maririnig ang susunod niyang sinabi. "God damn it, akala ko nakalimutan na kita." I didn't like the fact na sinabi niyang sinubukan niya akong kalimutan - in whatever f*****g way it is. My frown deepened na nakalimutan kong puro poker face ang ginagawa ko para makaiwas sa wrinkles, but I couldn't retract my worsening mood. Oh please. Paano nga ba naman niya ako mapapalitan sa memorya kung ako ang first kiss niya? It brought uncanny satisfaction to my pride. Ako na ang nanguna sa pintuan at kumatok roon ng tatlong beses. She seems to know her etiquettes better than most, waiting for three more seconds bago siya na ang kusang nagbukas ng pintuan. The conference hall of GIAU has the same room components to an american college seminar, at sa bawat set ng pews with pathways dividing them from the ground floor to the seventh stair ay naglalaman ng halos 10 students each. Looks like it na hindi lang si Charmaigne ang naligaw dahil may iilan pang bakanteng upuan. Tons of eyes fell on the both of us and stared so f*****g long. Most likely on Charmaigne, dahil iniilagan ako ng tao at iilang beses ko nang pinagsabihan ang mga students that it's rude and senseless to stare at a newcomer on the door for no absolute reason. I closed the door and she nodded at me. "Thank you President Xianrei." "You're welcome." People whispered as she got up the stairs to the highest seat, and umupo na lang rin ako sa tabi niya for less hassle of finding a better seatmate for the whole week. Charmaigne wore her coat immediately dahil nasa likuran namin ang airconditioing units, and to my surprise she has black handwarmers to follow. She's a neat seatmate as well, isang school journal, 0.3 ballpen lang ang nakalapag sa parte niya sa lamesa. The next minutes were silent, and the atmosphere's thicker and tense on every minute that passes. Oddly, kahit ang katabi ni Charmaigne ay hindi siya kinakausap. Nakikita ko lang talaga ang pagpipigil ng nasa harapan namin na lumingon at ngitian si Charmaigne. "President Xianrei, just to touch your business, but aren't you feeling cold?" Tinanong ni Charmaigne. "Would it kill you if I said yes?" I replied with sarcasm. After all, hindi ko gustong pinapakialaman ng tao ang preferences ko sa buhay. She just smiled with concern na halos ikalumpo ko na sa upuan. Ah yes. The motherly nature. Kahit sa pagkabata pa lang, dala na iyon ni Charmaigne. "No, I'm just plain amazed by your penguin ability to stand the cold." Is she f*****g sarcastic or talagang concerned lang siya? ________________________ ××× 5h3 f84ß làdy ××× •| Third Person's POV |• The moment na tinawag ng bagong estudyante si Xianrei sa unang pangalan, no matter the prefix, nanigas sa kinauupuan ang mga estudyanteng nakaranas ng pamumuno ni Senior Highschool Student Government President turned College Student Administration President Xianrei Castrellano. It meant a simple memo of a really strong sticky note stuck to their heads. Hindi nila pwedeng pakialaman si Charmaigne Erina Agustin, kung magegets pa nila ang pangalan niya. Pumasok ang guro, at nanahimik kaagad ang lahat. Professor Dowaris, despite being a bubbly science professor on trend kasabay ng mga kabataan, is simply known for his first day quizzes, at gustong umungol ng karamihan sa kaalamang iyon. "Good morning future scientists!" He chirped, at uneasy na natawa ang old students niya. Thankfully, dahil sa mga baguhan they started a short introduction of the school itself. Charmaigne pocketed small bits of information into her little journal, inaalala kung ano ang mga susunod na gaganaping festivities at ano ba ang naiibang grading system ng paaralan. It isn't her first time on a private university, but this is a high-class one na pakiramdam niya'y sinuwerte siyang makakuha ng full paid scholarship. Charmaigne loved the silence surrounding her, at ang katahimikan ni Xianrei sa tabi niya. It surprised Charmaigne to see a childhood friend again after almost 3 years pero mas pipiliin niyang manahimik si Xianrei kaysa ibulgar nito ang pagiging first kiss niya. She stole a glance to his side, nakikitang nakalabas ang laptop nito at tila may iniscan na papeles. She isn't surprised na hindi ito pinapagalitan ng propesor, dahil kung natatandaan niya'y higit na mas matalino si Xianrei sa kanya at naturingang teacher's pet rin ito. Now, he's a senior student government president of GIAU, while she's another lowly student riding on scholarship. He kept a cold impassive aura around him, fitting na nakapwesto ito sa pinakagilid at gustong— Napatingin si Charmaigne sa pagsagi sa binti niya at nakitang aksidenteng tinamaan iyon ng sapatos ni Xianrei. Nag-dequatro ito tulad niya at sa sobrang busy ay hindi napansin ang pagsagi sa kanya. A greyish white gash formed on her leg warmers at yumuko si Charmaigne para punasan iyon. "Ms... the one beside President Castrellano." Kaagad tumalima si Charmaigne sa narinig na description at nakitang nakatitig ang lahat sa kanya. Of course, siya lang naman ang nag-iisang may ganoong highlights sa buhok. She blushed in embarrassment at the attention she received. "I apologize for not giving much attention on your lecture, Professor Dowaris." Tumawa ang guro and he wagged a finger in her direction. "No, Miss...?" "Charmaigne Agustin." That name stuck to their heads like again, like a superglue adhesive. "Miss Agustin. That is equal to one punishment." Dumiin ang kapit ni Charmaigne sa lamesa, her fingers almost cracking the wood. Please huwag kumanta or sumayaw please anything huwag lang iyon--!!! "What is your course dear?" "BS Astronomy, professor." "Universe thing, eh? Could you give examples of the greatest phenomenas in space that could be understood in a simple context?" Napayuko na lang ang karamihan ng mga kasabayan niya. Expect Professor Dowaris na pagtripan sa unang linggo ang mga baguhang estudyante. Akala nila'y bibigay kaagad si Charmaigne at hihingi ng ibang parusa o magbibigay ng utal-utal na sagot, pero sa gulat nila'y nagawa nitong sagutin at magbigay ng napakaiksing examples. Magnetars, the Belarus, Diamond exoplanet, Super Nova, she included all and made a straight example without any run-ons. Tahimik ang lahat nang matapos si Charmaigne sa pagsagot. Pumalakpak si Professor Dowaris, halatang tuwang-tuwa sa sagot niya. "I am hoping to become one of your teachers Ms. Agustin. You are such a promising student!" "I'm very flattered, thank you Professor." She sat down. "Now who can recite the whole periodic table of elements in order with the corresponding family and metal type?" Three to seven raised their hands in a class of 125 students. Kabilang na roon si Charmaigne at Xianrei. Professor Dowaris chuckled. "Well, kakailanganin niyong humingi ng tulong sa kanila. We're having a pop assessment today!" Binaba ng ibang mga estudyante ang ulo nila, gusto kaagad lumabas ng silid. To Charmaigne's surprise, nagpasa kaagad ng mga papel ang propesor. 'Wala man lang review review? Anong klaseng first day of school to?' At umabot sa kanya ang papel. Yes, isang papel na parang election papers tuwing halalan kasama ang isang booklet. Sinilip niya ang mga laman. If she remembers correctly, masakit sa ulo ang laman ng pop assessment kaysa sa entrance at scholarship exams niya. On the - slightly - brighter side, multiple choice ang style. Yeah, limang choices na magkakamukha sa unang sampung tingin. Nothing she can't handle. "The contents of the paper will serve as a basis for your teachers to determine kung ano ang learning style niyo at kung saang field ng course na ito kayo nahihirapan. Use the provided No. 2 pencils only, no questions, no erasures, right minus wrong ang system—" 'For f**k's sake' "Bawal rin mag-toilette hangga't di naipapasa ang papel. After matapos ang phase one ng exam niyo—" 'Phase one lang ang 1000 items?!' "Come forward and pass your paper para makuha ang phase two which is an essay and theorization part through word software. You will need to have a laptop with you on this and connected sa main system ng school, pero don't worry you can borrow our school provided equipments if you don't have one. Automatic na blocked ng phase two system ang access to any other sorts of app and internet so don't try to cheat since hindi rin kayo makakaalis sa tab liban na lang pag ipapasa niyo na." Napakamot si Charmaigne ng ulo sa narinig. 'Essay part, seryoso?' Nararamdaman niya nang gustong magmura ng malakas ng katabi niya. "Don't worry, ang unang makakatapos ang unang makakakuha ng susi niya sa locker niya sa room. Ang score naman mabibigay rin within the same day, just look for me at the Theoretical Minds club. You have four hours to finish that, good luck!" Charmaigne felt like dying there and then. 'Please sapian ako nawa ng espiritu ng kasipagan!' ====== Huminga ng malalim si Charmaigne at sinara ang locker niya. Five minutes ago nanginginig niyang ipinasa ang theory niya about the start of the universe at inabot ni Professor Dowaris ang susi ng locker niya. With the twinkle in his eyes, alam ni Charmaigne na hindi ipapasa ng propesor ang gawain niya para macheck ng ibang staffs kundi ito mismo ang titingin at susuri. The thought made her tremble more, fearing what if she had not lived up to his expectations at isipin nitong pasikat lamang ang ginawa niya kanina. But past is past, all Charmaigne hopes is hindi siya gaanong mamromroblema this year. She wrapped the back of the door of her locker with transparent sheen para maharangan ang peephole ng kaniyang locker, at binalutan ng pulang velvet wallpaper ang buong loob. She carefully stuck a folder organizer inside at nilapag roon ang iilan sa mga gamit at pamalit niya bago sinara ito. Charm replaced the school provided lock with her own lock at maingat na isinilid ang duplicate key sa loob ng damit niya away from the CCTV camera. "Quite overprotective, yes?" Napitlag siya sa narinig na boses. It was Xianrei, ang natatanging estudyanteng naunahan siya sa test. The hallway is empty, dahil sa pagkakaalam niya'y may 30 minutes pa bago ang first free period ng buong building. And if she recalls correctly, halos one hour ahead natapos si Xianrei bago ang free period. She wishes she can be as smart as him in his answers. "It's better to be safe than sorry." Sinabi na lamang ni Charmaigne, nagbigay ng maliit na ngiti. "This is a school equipped of 24/7 high quality roving CCTVs and strict disciplinary measures wherein 25 absences results to expulsion immediately. Do you have no trust?" "Enemies will make nearly every impossible a possible, President Xianrei." Xianrei sighed, his silken black locks flipping to every direction. "Not if you make one, and you were such a goody two-shoes in high school. Your records say the same thing." He was surprised nang mahinang tumawa si Charmaigne at tuluyan siyang hinarap. "The record is an observation of a teacher never 24/7 around me." She mused with sarcasm and a matter-of-fact tone in her voice. "So why not avoid making enemies?" "Dead saints have living enemies." He grinned wilder in realization of her profile. "Let's have lunch by the east corridor together, Charmaigne." "I'd rather not for the meanwhile," Dahil iisipin nilang kumakapit ako sayo, it went unsaid, but her voice implied it heavily to both of their ears. Her reasoning was unmatched, something na gustong pagtripan lagi ni Xianrei. He observed her smiling form, noting his realization. Charmaigne made things to sweetly realistic, so sweet na hindi mahahalata ng iba na masakit na ang sinasabi nito. Not even the most fragile and sensitive souls can catch up. Bagay. The seat of presidency was a seat of power, and even in lower levels it was a hot seat. "You astound me Charmaigne, kakaiba ka." "So do your intentions of approaching me. Tell me, what is it that you need from me?" He laughed. "Liars don't escape me, Charmaigne." Umalis si Xianrei palayo, iniwang matiim na nakatingin si Charmaigne sa likuran niya. She wasn't up for games this early. Kakatapos lang niya. She snapped her locker shut.