Gifts xxx Malice

2 | Heaven in Hell

•| Charmaigne's POV |•

The first day was blurred for me at the least. Xianrei's approach had been odd, and I prefer to not think about it na lang. Umuwi na lang kaagad ako and proceeded to do my daily errands, since around four hours lang naman ang schedule for this week. Orientation week pa lang para ma-familiarize ang mga bagong students sa pasikot-sikot ng paaralan.

The following day, pumasok ako ng mas maaga. Dahil may extra pa naman akong thirty minutes, I just stayed at the open empty library --- pretty f*****g humongous I dare say, --- hanggang sa tumunog ang speakers sa buong school, announcing the second batch of activities for all. Nakakatakot tumambay sa open grounds, makakita na naman ako ng mga bags at damit na mahihimatay ako sa original price tag pag inusisa ko pa.

I received the instruction manual for new senior collge students. Binuksan ko ang unang pahina, and a paper almost slipped from it.

It seems that after every first period of classes, maghahanapan na ng clubs.

Nakatitig lang ako sa malaking bulletin board, punong-puno ng pamphlets for advertisement ng kanya-kaniyang clubs. Students swarmed around me, kahit mayroong halos ibang sampung bulletin boards sa paligid containing the same things.

I scanned everything. It was divided into two categories; Academics and Extra Curricular inclination - I don't know why the f**k they would put that tag Extra curricular considering the term club itself is inclusive on Extra-Curricular activities. Of course, ang walang kamatayang Musician's Club na puno na kaagad ang registration sheet of aspiring singers. Songers na lang for cringy people. Then the Photography club, only para sa mga nagmamay-ari ng pinakamamahaling cameras for no apparent reason kundi dahil sikat kahit di naman alam galawin ang settings. Dance Club, for the most bendable of bodies and tiniest of chests to fit in. Arts club, I'm pretty sure na kabilang dito ang mga nagcacalligraphy writing at mamahaling dip pens for no absolute reason other than writing. Last one would be Sports Club, the most filled out registry dahil alam kong sa admission process pa lang ay may nakalagay nang papel para sa mga gustong sasali.

I opted for the Academics, at nakita kaagad ang variety. Theoretical Minds; a mixture of mathematics and science braniacs which I am positively sure hindi ako kabilang. There is also the Literature Millenia, a fan favorite for language and writing compositors. Historia Reiss, a history and politics to culture combination. It was a good thing, dahil it means mas open ang communication ng subjects na may similarities.

2 clubs at the very least kung flexible ka. And as much as I want to just join Literature Millenia, alam kong mas maganda sa records ko kung kasama rin ako sa club na mas aakma sa kukunin kong kurso.

Hinanap ko ang mga nakaassigned na rooms para sa club, at nauna muna sa TM. Si Professor Dowaris tas around tatlong professors ang advisers para roon.

Namula ako sa nakitang requirements na nakasabit sa pinto. Kung isang

student from any science courses, then automatically kasali na siya. If coming from other courses like Politics and Business, ipapasagot ang isang basic 30 questions level test kung saan passing score ang 20.

Kumatok muna ako ng tatlong beses bago pumasok, seeing a small group of students na nakaupo na. "Good day," pasimple kong bati.

"Ms. Agustin, you're here to join?" Ngumiti sa akin si Professor Dowaris, inabot ang listing sheet.

"Yes Professor. May I also be notified about my score?"

Binuksan niya ang drawers ng lamesa niya and filtered through seams of envelopes. "I have the assessment of your test, unfortunately hindi mo muna matatanggap ang essay since hiniram muna iyon sakin ng mga ibang professors. I can tell, you have the blood of a linguistician in you sa magandang construction ng essay mo."

Namula ako sa papuri. I received a small half-sheet containing my new schedule and another at nakita roon ang score ko.

Lady luck must be on my side today dahil 882 out of 900 ang score ko.

"You're a genius, young girl. Kahit si Mr. Castrellano nataasan mo making you the top student of the assessment test. Not too surprising, since under BS in Political Sciences naman talaga ang sakop ni Mr. Castrellano."

"Political Science si President Xianrei?" Bakit nasa science course building kahapon?

Parang nabasa ni Prof ang tanong ko sa utak. "He's tasked with observing the science course orientations kaya siya nandoon kahapon. Ngayon pa lang ang orientation class ng mga political students. Though being the best student with boredom at its finest, he does answer tests."

"Ah, thank you for the information Professor."

"Hindi ka ba muna magstastay to meet your new companions?"

"Sasali rin po kasi ako sa Literature Millenia,"

"Hmm, okay then. I'll see you tomorrow again then."

"As well Professor."

Tumango ako at naramdamang nakatitig sa akin ang mga tao sa loob. I could hear faint murmurings, at nagmadali akong lumabas.

A simple turn to the left corner directed me to my intented room. And again, whispers followed me. Both men and women alike.

"Siya girl, I tell you girl, siya yung nakakuha ng pinakamataas na score sa assessment!"

"Lutang na lutang si Ms. Vasiliez kanina habang binabasa yung essay niya dai. I'm telling you, mas okay siya kung major in literature siya."

"Huy nakatabi rin daw niya si President Castrellano?"

"S-seryoso? "

"Tinawag pa nga niya na President Castrellano."

"Lakas ng loob, pabida at pa-social climber."

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako. I knew I should've called him the last name.

Then again, golden trashes still be nothing but trash.

Binuksan ko ang pinto sa LM club at nakitang mas maraming tao roon, siguro kalahati ng malawak na room. Lumapit kaagad ako sa front desk registry.

"Hola La Niña! What can I do for you today?" Binati siya ng isang adviser, si Professor Almiroy if she remembers the tag outside.

"Buonasera, I'd like to join the club as my second." Pinakita ko ang club registration form ko kasabay ng report card.

"Ms... Agustin? As in Ms. Agustin?"

"Yes I am?"

"Good grades from the beginning, outstanding written and oral works. Tell me do you know any other language aside from English and Tagalog?"

"I'm familiar with the Italian works, and a bit of Spanish."

Pinakita ko sa kanya ang registry ko sa language lessons noong senior high.

"You're a member of the club now. Since you chose this as a second club, your time here will only be during Thursdays."

He signed on my sheet, at tumango na lamang ako. I hurried my way outside, nagsuot na lang ako ng earphones to ease my tension and block all the noises. Puno pa rin ang hallways, sure ako roon dahil may dalawang oras pa bago uwian. It was like 'find people with similar interests' period and 'avoid getting picked on' time, dahil nahahalata ko na kung sino ang may kanya-kanyang legion rito.

I was content on minding my own business, konting iwas dito, iwas doon. Hanggang sa may tumapik sa balikat ko. Lumingon ako, and it was a few girls. Mga around apat lang sila, nahihiya ang tatlo samantalang determinado ang isa. Mas matangkad ako sa kanila ng isa hanggang dalawang pulagada.

"U-uhm... a-ano..."

"Pwede ka po bang sumali sa volleyball team namin?"

Huh?!

Nagtaas kaagad ako ng dalawang kamay. "Sorry, but I'm not really into sports."

If you exclude those halfway gay themed sports animated series that I watch.

"Pasensya na talaga sa abala, pero kulang na kulang po talaga kami ng miyembro!"

"Pero... di ako marunong magvolleyball."

True it was dahil nung sinubukan ko magvolleyball, umatras kaagad ako. First and last time I dare say.

Kasi masakit. I'm not poetic on that. Getting hit in other body parts I can endure except for jumping and hitting on that certain area.

"Pwede ka naman namin turuan? Madali lang naman ang basics."

"I really wanna help you out on that, pero baka..." napakamot ako ng ulo.

Nag-uusap sila sa isa't-isa, halata ang pag-aalala.

Curse those f*****g puppy eyes and those worried concerns they voiced out.

"Kailan ba ang entrance matches?"

Napangiti sila.

"Tomorrow, after breaktime sa gymnasium. Cycling shorts at white t-shirt lang uniform Ate...?"

"Charmaigne Agustin. I'll meet you sa gymnasium siguro mga bandang simula rin ng breaktime. Sorry talaga magpapaturo p ako, di kasi ako marunong."

"Okay lang po! Salamat talaga!" Nakipagkamay ako sa kanila at pinirmahan ang papel --- while reading it of course. They started running to the right corridor, presumably ang direksyon papuntang Sports club.

I mentally cringed. So much for a peaceful day. Iba ang pambato ng university panlaban sa ibang schools sa loob ng campus. The campus has their own inter-major festivities.

I didn't bother much to make friends for the rest of the time frame, umupo na lang ako sa ilalim ng mga puno at tahimik na nagcellphone. Hindi naman makatotohanan na sa unang araw pa lang may mahahanap na kaagad na kaibigan. I prefer to be the one being approached.

One thing I did not appreciate was the tons of notification on my social accounts. Lahat friend requests.

Seriously ba't nila ako iaadd kung di naman nila ako kilala bukod sa nasa iisang balwarte lang kami ng paaralan?

Ugh.

I waited for the time to pass, nanahimik na lamang sa gilid. It seemed no one wanted to approach me, dahil sa isyu ko sa presidente nila.

I did a rereading of my new schedule.

From Mondays to Thursdays 7 am to 12 pm ay ang non-stop na classes, 12 pm to 1 pm would be the one hour free period and the next three or fours for like an open grounds para sa mga students. Apparently, nag-iwan rin sila ng hour for recreational period, the club settlements. Friday was reserved wherein first four hours ang classes tas the next four hours ay isang... madugong P.E.

Pero bukas na ang P.E. for this orientation week, it was just like a normal health assessment. Sucks to see it na kahit ang school na ito hindi makatakas sa ROTC implementation. But I'd rather have it than bloody Arts and Music.

2:00 pm, saktong uwian. Dumeretso na ako sa parking lot para makauwi.

Annoyingly though, may nakatambay sa motor ko na iilang mga junior college alaskador bad boys. Yung bad boys, na parang mga rugby boys, in a rich but still unsophisticated version.

Uminit dugo ko, dahil una sa lahat tang ina alam ba nila mahal maintenance ng motor na yan?

Lumapit ako at kaagad silang tumitig sa akin. Sumipol ang isa. "Excuse me,"

"Wow, Ate what's your name?" Nagtanong ang isa.

Ngumiti ako nang matamis. "Sorry, pero kailangan ko nang umuwi."

"Pero ano muna name niyo?" Makulit tong mga putang inang to.

"Boys, I don't think it would be wise to prevent me going home."

"Pero ate, name mo lang naman kailangan namin..." Naglabas na yung isa ng cellphone and they started crowding around me.

"Baguhan pa lang kayo. Pangarap at disiplina kailangan niyo, hindi babae." I sweetly gestured.

Honestly, young morons these days. I swear, lahat nang pinanganak lagpas 2005 parang mga feeling deserving na.

Naoffend sila, halata sa mukha nila. "Aba't ano ka sa palagay mo special?!"

"Ooh, feisty. Ate wild ka ba sa kama?" One of them stated.

Kahit sa pinakamamahaling mga unibersidad, money can't buy manners. Sadly, it can buy education and status.

I kept my hands ready at my sides, stepping on the puddle of water in the middle. The warm air radiating from the cars fumed around us and I clenched my fists. Electricty snapped around me.

Bago ko pa mapakawalan ang enerhiya pinalo ng isa sa kanila ang matabang lider nila. May binulong ito na hindi nakaligtas sa pandinig ko. "Pre nakatingin siya."

I looked away from them for a few seconds, obscuring my environment, wala naman? Wala na nga halos kotse sa parking lot.

Pagbalik ng tingin ko kumaripas na sila ng takbo.

Well at least problem solved, no need to dive deeper into a mystery. Salamat na lamang sa kung sino man yung nakatitig.

Sumakay ako sa motor at nagsuot ng helmet. I slung my bag on the backstraps at pinaandar ang motor.

Pauwi na sana ako hanggang sa maalala kong may mga kailangan ako. Dumaan ako sa drugstore para bumili ng mga kinakailangan, at nag-grocery na rin para sa halos two months worth na supply. I crossed by a clothing shop at namili ng cycling shorts dahil pag sinuot ko yan parang panty lang rin sakin. Damn my thunder thighs. Within one hour, I reached my house in the Miravilles subdivisions. It was a faint, quiet neighborhood malapit lang sa GIAU.

It was kind of lonely again nang pumasok ako. I live on one entire floor, and I redecorated it myself similar to an inside of a condominium unit. Binaba ko ang mga pinamili ko at umakyat sa rooftop, my other personal haven, para magdilig ng chrysanthemums at morning glories.

My whole day of living alone consisted of simple things. If it weren't for the fairy lights, I would consider the whole area dimly lit. I watched a few volleyball videos, at napangiwi na lang ako sa nakitang mga slides at dip ng mga players para lang mapalo ang bola. Granted a few skills were easy pero di ko gets yung rotation ng players.

I slept peacefully, only to wake up at the intense pain like a sledgehammer slamming and crushing my head repeatedly. Ang sakit ng ulo ko. Like a clustered migraine of some sorts.

Fuck!

Damn it ang sakit!

Shit!!!!

Tang ina!

I can't take it!

Tumakbo ako paakyat ng rooftop, and I shot up my hand in the sky. Energy pulsed throughout my veins.

That night, a heavy rainstorm flooded the gates of the subdivision.

________________________

××× 5h3 f84ß làdy ×××

•| Third Person's POV |•

Prior to the parking lot incident a few hours ago, matiim na nakatitig lamang si Xianrei sa limang estudyante. They all fidgeted under his blank gaze, pawis na pawis kahit sa napakalamig na silid na iyon. They could feel all eyes on their forms, mixed emotions from amusement to downright anger.

Malaki ang takot nila nang makitang nakatingin ang presidente mula sa bintana sa ikaapat na palapag ng paaralan. In that room, all of the six officers were looking at them in disdain and fury. Common knowledge na rumoronda ang mga parte ng GIAU College Student Administration para magbantay sa mga pasaway, pero mas kinatatakutan ng marami ang mahuli ng mismong President Castrellano.

Idiots thought na dahil may klase ang mga Political students, he was out of commission that day.

But veteran students know na lagi niyang maagang natatapos ang lahat.

Paano pa ang matawag sa intercom ang pangalan mga pasaway, naka-anunsyo sa buong school iyon. Nakatingin na lamang ang iba nilang mga kamag-aral sa kanila, halata ang awa. Now, they're facing the one thing that from highschool up to college students fear the most. Nakatayo lamang sila, nakayuko at tinitingnan ang malambot na sahig. It was decorated of a beautiful Iraquian red carpet, along with the expensive Armani black shoes of the seething president.

"Uwian na't lahat pinaabot niyo pa rito katarantaduhan niyo? Merde..." Mahinang ungol ni Zenadia, inikot-ikot ang payong sa kamay.

None of the officers looked happy. Lalo na ang presidente.

"I don't tolerate any form of harrassment sa mga nasasakupan ng administrasyon ko dito sa unibersidad, brats. Tell me, saan niyo nakuha yang kapal ng mga mukha niyo to enact such thing." His voice was cold, hard, stern and promised vengeance.

"Quite an unbelievable level of disrespect, maawa naman kayo sa dignidad niyo. Porke't walang pumapatol sa inyo na kasing-edaran niyo aakyat kayo ng hagdan sa senior students, your standards won't even reach the soles of their shoes let alone bare feet." His statement bruised their deflated egos.

"H-hindi naman po namin---"

"Don't stutter. Look straight into my eyes and answer firmly. Nakakahiya para sa pangalan ng pamilya niyo iyon. Tagapagmana ng malaking newspaper firm dito sa Manila, nauutal?" Xianrei stressed.

"Hindi naman po namin hinaharass yung babae, yung name niya lang po h-hinihingi namin."

If looks could kill, they mise well be obliterated and incinerated into ashes and nothingness in a mere second.

"Should I replay the CCTV camera at the parking lot? Again? Ate wild ka ba sa kama?" Inulit ni Xianrei, pinindot ang speaker sa lamesa niya. The mocking voice of the instigators bounced off the walls of the room.

Napitlag ang grupo.

"Tama nga naman ang hinarass niyo, disiplina ang kailangan niyo."

"P-president, wait..."

"Consider your posts removed from the junior college basketball team and a guidance letter to be sent by the school head. Half a year's worth of ban from any extra-curricular activities and prepare a sorry note to Ms. Agustin. Erik, inform mo si Coach Melandrez na maghanap ng mga bago. He'd want none of that attitude in his team after all."

"Yas president," patamad na nagsalute si Erick sa gilid.

One of the boys blew up, kuyom ang nga kamao. "That's biased! Masyadong mabigat ang opensa na yan para lang sa ganito!"

"Mabigat for s****l harrassment and improper misconduct? Oh no, you know you did something far worse."

Umangat ang gilid ng mga labi ng Event coordinator habang nakasandal sa kakambal na si Erik. She knew well ang mga ganoong palusot. But the power laid on their hands, not on them. Sa halos limang taon na pamamalakad ni Xianrei sa paaralan, hindi pa ba sila nasanay? She wanted to tease the president na dahil lang sa pagseselos ang rason nito, hell she would tots go gay for the woman as well. But the young man had other reasons up his sleeves to prove his point.

Despair loomed their faces nang magtaas si Xianrei ng isang bungkos ng papel sa harap ng mga mata nila. But the front page, it was a simple two by two picture of the same woman they encountered in the parking lot.

"Charmaigne Erina Agustin"

-

Approved of Board Legislation; student to College Ambassador promotion

They harmed a new member of the CSA government.

The punishment was immediately filed sa profiles ng mga estudyante per se Xianrei's commands.

It was a power he owned as the school's student president.

But there was another power he held.

"Yo President, di ka pa ba uuwi?" Erik's head popped out of the door.

Xianrei waved back. "May ginagawa pa ako."

"You know you should have informed that new Ambassador of yours for training today para di ka laging nag-iisa pag uwian. Halos ka-overtime mo na sina Mang Tiben eh."

"Uuwi ka o babatuhin kita ng stapler?"

"Bagong bili lang---" Sumara ang pinto bago umabot sa mukha ni Erik ang stapler.

Xianrei skimmed his fingers on the smooth wood of his desk, feeling for any thump of any heartbeat nearing his office. Once the coast became clear for him, naglabas siya ng isang bagong bungkos ng papel. A complete file record.

It was a record with a name Dr. Helena Isabelle Gutierrez printed on the front.

Dr. Isabelle Elizabethian Gutierrez, is a young Filipina Scientist with one of the highest recorded intelligence quotients. She was only 5 when she graduated highschool, pursuing biology before graduating at the very top of her class in America in the age of 8. 6 years later marks her excellence in the field of specialized Medicine in par with the most experienced delegates and seniors. Her most powerful contributions however were the HIV dormancy pills sooner distributed after her death. Unfortunately, a helicopter crash that killed the whole Gutierrez family in the Pacific comprising of the missing parents and 4 younger siblings. Unable to handle the grief of losing her whole family, she committed suicide by jumping in the same waters the vehicle crashed into, carrying the secrets of her inventions and chemicals supposedly about to change the medicine world. The whole world mourned for the loss of such an aspiring young lady...

He pulled out a picture. It was Dr. Isabella in the day she received a Nobel Peace Prize, saktong isang araw bago ang petsa ng pagkamatay ng pamilya nito.

Her hair was white as snow, an effect mula sa Marie Antoinnette Syndrome nito. Pale skinned at mataba, but no one can deny her cutesy beauty with the perfect sharp V-line face and short stumped nose. Ang kakaiba rito ay ang napakagandang abuhing mga mata nito, another side effect from her own syndrome. She was a serious woman, dala ang dangal ng buong pamilya sa mga balikat.

Surprising enough, only her body was found in the waters a year after her death, decomposing beyond saving.

But none of her whole family.

Xianrei swiped his thumb over the papers and it combusted into flames, his black eyes watching it turn into ashes right into his hands flying into the cold air of his office.

Charmaigne, liars go to hell.

Kung alam mo lang na bumalik ka lang ulit sa patibong nila.