Owing to Bulletin

Kabanata 11

The sky is a bit shady. Tumigil na ang ulan pero makulimlim pa rin ang langit. The wind breeze was cold. That's why I'm still wearing my oversized hoodie.

Nevertheless, the class didn't suspend. Well, okay lang din naman siguro. Hindi naman bumabagyo pero mukhang may banta.

Pabalik kami ngayon ng Kalasag nila Kaz. We just finished the two given topics of Ma'am Devi. We walked in the midst of cold whiff.

Sumama rin sa amin si Heira dahil wala siyang magawa sa loob. It seems like Ma'am Morales is in a good mood earlier since she just gave them one topic only. The reason why Heira was bored and came along us.

Also the reason why Vren had the chance to pester me all day long. He's the only one who had the guts and audacity to irritate me. He'll be tired soon, it won't last. Like how others did.

"It's so cold here," Heira blurt out while hugging herself.

"True bakla, kahit naka-jacket na," Vance agreed to her.

"Welcome to the United States of Gorostiza," Kaz said before laughing.

"Mas okay pa nga rito mga bakla. Feeling ko lalagnatin ako sa loob ng Kalasag. Ang lamig na tapos nakabukas pa yung aircon," ani Aldrin.

Sumang-ayon naman kami sa kaniya. Ewan ko ba sa kanila. I almost fell asleep earlier while writing because of the cold atmosphere. If just Vren didn't continue pestering me.

We slowly walked through the Kalasag. Nakakatamad ang panahon ngayon kaya mabagal lang ang lakad namin. We looked like a group of tourists who's strolling around Luneta Park.

I suddenly stopped when I felt a vibration inside the pocket of my hoodie. It's just a text message. Hindi ko na sana papansin pero biglang nag-ring, may tumatawag.

"Kanino 'yon?" Usisa ni Kaz.

They all looked at me when I took out my phone. It's a unknown caller. Papatayin ko na sana pero nagsalita si Kaz.

"Hindi mo sasagutin?" She asked.

"Unknown caller, baka wrong number."

"Baka emergency? Just try to answer it." Ani Heira.

I felt something strange. Well, kung wrong number nga 'to ay dapat kanina pa in-end. Tumango ako sa kanila bago saguting 'yon.

"Hello," I said in a monotone

"Nasa amin ang kapatid mong si Leuxia, better to come here or els-"

Napahinto ang nasa linya nang bigla akong tumawa. Nagtataka namang nakatingin sa akin sila Kaz. Inilagay ko 'yon sa loud speaker para magka-ideya sila.

"What a f*****g nice joke. I don't have time for your nonsense shit." I said in a serious tone.

"Seryoso kami rito," a rough voice, it's distorted.

Heira flinched when she heard the distorted voice of caller. Lahat sila ay nakatitig doon at nakikinig.

"Baka maling pangalan ata ang nakuha niyo sa kasama niyo ngayon at wrong number din ang tinawagan niyo," I smirked.

"Levior Alexia Levesque, wanna hear you sister's voice?" she stopped.

My brows shot up, still smirking.

"Ate! Sinasaktan nila ako! Puntahan mo 'ko rito!"

I stopped when I heard Leuxia's voice. Pero may iba, Leuxia won't beg like that. Mataas ang pride niya kaya kahit na mamamatay na siya, hindi siya basta susunod sa isang utos.

"Wait, who are you?"

"Come here to find out. And also for your pityful sister," tumawa ang nasa linya.

"Coming," I smirked.

Nang ibaba ko tawag ay nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad. Sumunod naman sila agad sa akin. I saw the text message earlier, it's the address.

"Teka, hindi ka ba magmamadali? Ang relax mo masyado pre, baka nadukot na kapatid mo?" sarcastic na sabi ni Kaz.

I truned to Kaz.

"I don't believe them. Yeah it sounds like Leuxia but something is strange."

"Why don't you call Leuxia? Just to confirm," ani Heira.

Nagpatuloy naman ako sa paglalakad habang nag-iisip. They followed me again with their concerned faces while I'm just relaxing here.

I turned to them.

"Didiretso akong parking tapos puntahan niyo si Mako sa Kalasag pakikuha yung susi ng motor niya. Kapag ayaw ibigay takutin niyo."

Tumango naman sila. Naiwan si Heira na kasama ko papuntang parking. I took out my phone again when we reached the parking lot. I dialed Leuxia's number. Ni-loud speak ko 'yon para marinig din ni Heira.

"Hello ate?" she calmly said.

I knew it. It's a voice phishing. That dumbass s**t.

"Nasa labas ka ba ng GNHS ngayon?"

"Ah, uh- oo..." nag-alangan niyang sagot.

Maybe she thought I'll scold her for cutting classes. Hindi ako maiirita ngayon, isasama ko siya. Dapat turuan ng leksyon ang taong 'yon.

"Good," sabi ko at narinig ang pagtataka niya. "15 minutes from now, go to Ventura's Garage."

"What- nice!"

I can feel her smirking in triumph.

She really likes fighting. Well. we are taught well by Lucien and Kuysa Almiro. Natanaw ko na rin ang tumatakbong sila Kaz.

I heard Heira's chuckle.

"It's a voice phishing? Wow weakshit."

I gott the keys when Kaz threw it. I nodded at Heira. Sumakay na ako sa motor ni Mako. Papalabasin ako dahil training naman, pwede kong sabihin na maaga kaming pinauwi

"Ikaw na bahala," huling sabi ko kay Heira bago humarurot paalis.

Tinutukoy ko ang pagpapaliwanag kila Kaz. Baka mag-alala pa sila kahit alam nilang kaya ko naman. Pinaharurot ko ang motor nang makalabas na sa Gorostiza.

I can't avoid smirking. The scene of them thinking that I believed their s**t. What a pityful dumbasses. I bet they were celebrating their stupidity right now. Their bait was a s**t like them.

Even though it excites me, I tried to slow down. The road is still wet, it's slippery. Baka dito pa ako mapuruhan tsk.

Tanaw ko na ang malaking gate ng Ventura's Garage. Tambakan ito ng mga lumang sasakyan at mga parte nito. Isinuot ko ang hood bago bumaba ng motor.

I slowly walked inside, calculating the time. I look around to search them. Inilagay ko ang mga kamay sa bulsa ng hoodie habang naglalakad.

Nang makarating ang gitna ay nakita ko ang pamilyar na mukha. She's smirking on me. Oo babae siya, may kasamang dalawang babae rin sa gilid niya at grupo ng mga lalaki sa likod nila. Hindi siguro lalampas ng bente ang bilang nila.

"Shane," I called her seriously.

It's been a while since the last time I saw her. She smirked at me.

"Levesque,"she called, grinning.

I wore my bored expression.

"Ano na naman 'to? Nasaan na ang kapatid ko?"

I'll pretend first that I didn't know their muffed trick. Nang marinig ang tanong ko ay nagtawanan sila ng malakas. I smirked inside my head. Tingnan natin kung sino ang luluhod mamaya.

"Stupid b***h, you think I didn't forget what you did?" she said and smiled sarcastically.

I smirked.

"Hindi ko alam na ganoon ka pala katagal magdamdam."

"Ayusin mo ang pananalita mo! Huwag mong kalimutan na marami kami rito. Iisa ka lang," she said before laughing.

Nagtawanan din ang mga kasama niya. Medyo malayo pa ang distansya namin kaya lumapit ako. They stopped laughing on my first step.

"I'm used to it Shane. Malakas ka lang naman kapag maraming kasama."

"Malakas naman talaga ako, stupid."

"Iba ang malakas sa nagmamalakas. Aminin mo man o hindi, alam kong natatakot ka rin makabangga ako kapag mag-isa ka," ngumisi ako sa kaniya.

"Stop it Alexia. Don't change the topic.," iritadong sabi niya. "After ni Rash, si Yuno naman? Layuan mo siya."

"So you're fighting with me now because of a boy? What the f**k? I don't even know who's that Rash? Maybe a trash like you?" I sarcastically said.

"You b***h-"

I cut her. "And one more, I thought this is all about your druglord father who was detained by Leuxia."

"Tingin ko dapat mo nang tapusin 'to Shane," sabi ng katabi niyang babae at umirap sa akin.

Shane nodded at the boys as the signal. Sunod-sunod na pumunta ang iba sa akin. Agad din silang huminto nang marinig ang harurot ng motor. Nagtaka ako saglit dahil dalawang motor ang naririnig ko.

I stayed calm standing in their front, just meters away. Gulat silang napatingin sa mga dumating. Natulala ang iba at naka-awang ang bibig.

"s**t, s-si Leuxia at A-azea."

I grinned.

"Hindi ako bobo, Shane. Tandaan mo 'yan."

"Naga-amok ka na naman Shane? Sawa na 'ko sayo sana ikaw din," tamad na sabi ni Leuxia nang makababa sa motor.

Lumapit siya sa akin at tumabi. I looked at my right side and saw Azea. Malamang ay magkasama sila nung tumawag ako.

Azea chuckled.

"Nagsama ka pa talaga ng mga..."

Hindi itinuloy ni Azea iyon pero pinasadahan sila ng nang-iinsultong tingin.

Leuxia was wearing a hoodie too and Azea's in sweatshirt. Mas kilala ang dalawang 'to rito. So I don't doubt why they reacted like that.

Halos matawa ako nang marinig ang malulutong na mura ni Shane. Frustation can be easily seen on her face. What a pityful b***h.

"Tatlo lang kami, ang dami niyo. Don't be so frustrated, Shane," I said, mocking her. "Or you can't? Because you already know the truth."

"Ano pang hinihintay niyo?!" sigaw niya sa mga kasamang lalaki.

Nag-alangan pa sila nung una pero sumugod din naman. Leuxia and Azea started walking towards while I stayed at the back and waited for them.

Tumingin ako sa dalawang lalaki na papalapit sa akin. Pero binalik ko rin agad 'yon kay Shane na masama ang tingin sa akin. Tinitigan ko siya habang sinasalag ang atake ng mga bata niya.

I just looked away when I punched the one on his face. Only one left hand then he blackout. I kicked the other one on his precious thing before doing a turning kick again.

Nang humarap ako'y may umamba na agad ng suntok. Agad kong napigilan ang kamao niya. I took the advantage to punch him hard. I heard Shane's loud curses.

Lumakad ako papalapit sa kaniya habang nasa gilid ko sina Leuxia at Azea na lumalaban. I wore my cold expression, like how a single glance can make you feel creep.

And I saw it on her face. I enjoyed watching her reaction. She looked like a coward kitten abandoned by her mother. I did a cut down kick when one of her boys intercepted my way.

I suddenly stopped walking when I heard a footsteps behind my back. I turned and saw Vren. Hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang lalaking naglalakad sa gilid niya at may hawak na kutsilyo.

Kumuha ako ng bato at inihagis iyon. Tumama 'yon sakto sa kamay niya kaya nabitawan niya ang kutsilyo. Agad akong bumwelo papunta sa lalaki. I did a 360 high turning kick and hit his head causing him to fall asleep.

Paglapag ko sa lupa ay napatingin agad ako kay Vren. He's looking at me with a shocked face. Naka-awang ng bahagya ang bibig niya at nakatulala sa akin.

I glared at him. "Bobo ka ba?"

Nagulat ako nang bigla niyang hapitin ang bewang ko at pinaikot. Kahit gulat ay naging alerto ako nang bahagya niya akong itaas ay agad akong sumipa. Tumama iyon sakto sa mukha ng sumugod pa sa amin.

His hands didn't leave my waist when he put me down. I looked at it before talking.

"You can let go now," I commanded but he didn't.

"Levior," he whispered at the back of my ear.

Kung hindi ko siguro suot ang hood ko ay naramdaman ko na ang hininga niya mula sa likod. I should thank this hoodie and give the clothing line a high rate.

Dahil sa bulong niya ay dumiretso ang tingin ko sa harap. I forcedly removed his hand on my waist before walking fast. Nilibot ko ang paningin pero hindi siya makita.

Where the hell is Shane and her friends? She's nowhere to be found around the garage. It think she took the opportunity to escape when my attention deviated on Vren.

"Where is she?" Azea asked.

I shrugged and continued walking while looking around. I can sense that Vren was following me. Sinigurado naman nila Leuxia na wala nang gising pa sa mga kaaway.

Bumalik din ako agad sa pwesto ni Leuxia at Azea. They looked confusedly to Vren. I'm confused too. How the f**k did he knew?

Lahat kami ay napatingin sa b****a ng Ventura's Garage nang makarinig ng tunog ng mga sasakyan. Sunod-sunod na mga pamilyar ba sasakyan ang dumating.

I felt relief when I saw Kaz and the group getting off their cars. My brows furrowed when I glanced at Jethro who's holding a baseball bat.

"Nasaan na? Iharap niyo sa akin at lulumpuhin ko!" Jethro said while banging his baseball bat.

"Kumalma ka pre, akala mo talaga," Kaz sarcastically said.

Natahimik naman si Jethro hindi dahil kumalma na, kundi sa gulat. He looked around with a shocked face. Tiningnan niya isa-isa ang lalaking tulog sa lupa na naka-awang ang bibig.

"Kayo ang may gawa niyan? Gago baka may hindi na humihinga dyan?" tanong ni Jethro sa amin na nanlalaki ang mata. "Sabihin mo Vren, may ambag ka rito no?"

Vren shook his head. "Kararating ko lang din."

"You look dumb, Jethro," Leuxia said.

"Anong Jethro? Mas matanda ako sayo no, kuya dapat!" bahagyang sigaw ni Jethro.

And then he realized that he shoudn't shout at Leuxia. Napamura siya at bahagyang naglakad paatras habang nakaturo and baseball bat kay Leuxia. The group laughed on him.

"Calm down," Leuxia chuckled. "I won't call you kuya because I'm younger than you. Baka patusin mo pa ako."

"You're right, Leuxia," Heira said before laughing.

"Hindi no, ayokong mabugbog ni Lexi," Jethro said before letting out a laugh.

Huling lumabas ng sasakyan si Thalyra. She was holding a first aid kit while walking toward us.

"May nasugatan naman siguro?" tanong ni Thalia nang makalapit.

"I got a small cut," Azea said and pointed the side of her lips. "A bandaid will do."

"Hi Azea..." Jethro laughed when Azea glared him. "Joke lang."

Inasikaso siya ni Thalia. My glance shifted to Vren when he walked towards Thalia. Nalipat din 'yon nang makita ko si Mako at Owen nakararating lang. Inihagis ko ang susi ng motor niya.

Napatingin ulit ako kay Vren na naglakad pabalik sa akin. He was holding a bandage. I stiffened when he suddenly grabbed my left hand.

I looked at my hand, it reddened. Maybe because of the punches I released earlier. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang kirot nang hawakan ni Vren, hindi na 'ko nakapalag. His big hands seized mine.

He slowly rolled the bandage around my hand. He was looking on it seriously. I stared at his near face for a while. How did he know that I'm a left-handed?

I immediately looked away when his head tilt. Tumango lang ako nang bitawan niya ang kamay ko at tumingin sa akin. I turned my back to look for Kaz. She's with Vance and Tanya, they were looking at the boys sleeping peacefully.

"Kaz, where's my things?" I asked her.

She pointed at my back.

"Nasa kaniya."

"What?" I knew it was Vren so I didn't turn my back.

Napalingon ako kila Xeya at Von na papalapit.

"I think we should go already. Baka may makakita pa at ipa-baranggay tayo," Xeya said while pointing the prostrated men.

"Oo nga, tara na," Jethro said while waving his hands.

"Yeah, let's go. Na-check ko na naman sila. Humihinga pa naman silang lahat," Thalia said casually.

Even though it's not a joke, they laughed. Ako lang at si Leuxia ang hindi. I turned to Vren who's chuckling.

"Nasaan ang gamit ko?" I asked him.

"My car, let's go. Ihahatid na kita," he said without looking away.

"I'll go home with Leuxia. Where's your car? I'll get it."

He nodded before walking. Tumingin ako kay Leuxia at tinanguan siya bago sumunod kay Vren. Hindi naman ganon kalayo ang kotse niya. Narinig ko ang sunod-sunod na busina ng sasakyan nila Kaz, kumaway ako roon.

Tumigil kami sa shotgun seat noon. He knocked at the window twice. May kasama siya? Nang bumaba ang bintana ay bumungad ang isang lalaki.

He's good looking like Vren. But more dangerous and heavy aura. Napatingin siya sa akin bago kay Vren. His features looked mature but I think he's young?

"Trevan, pakikuha ng bag sa backseat." Vren commanded him.

"Okay," he coldly said and looked at me before turning to backseat.

I turned to Vren.

"Kapatid mo?"

"Bakit?" his brows furrowed.

"I'm just asking."

He leered.

"No, cousin. At mas bata sa akin kaya mas matanda ka dyan."

"I didn't ask. I don't care about his age ," I said in a monotone.

"Tss, bakit? Kasi age doesn't matter motto mo? Bata type mo?" he sarcastically asked. "Dapat pala late na 'ko ginawa."

I glared at him. I was about to answer back but I heard Leuxia's motor. Lumingon ako sa kaniya na papalapit. Saktong pagdating niya ay ang paglingon ulit sa amin ng pinsan ni Vren.

Leuxia was looking at the front with her hood on. Just a little part of her side view face was shown. I turned to Vren's cousin to take my things then I saw him looking at Leuxia. He's staring her with brows furrowed and slight wide eyes. He look suprised. Iniabot niya kay Vren ang gamit ko habang nakatitig kay Leuxia.

Lumingon ako kay Leuxia dahil tatanungin ko sana. Maybe they knew each other? But Leuxia didn't bother to look, she's just waiting for me.

I heard Azea's motor, I looked around to confirm it. Vren handed me my things. Napatingin ako sa kaniya at tumango.

"Salamat," sabi ko bago sumakay sa motor ni Leuxia.

Leuxia waited for me to be settled. Azea too on the other side, waiting us. Isinuot ko ang hood nang makaayos na. Hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang pinsan ni Vren. Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa amin ni Leuxia.

When I tapped her shoulder, she looked at Vren. His cousin immediately looked away to avoid Leuxia's glance. Tumango siya kay Vren bago in-start ang motor.

"Ingat kayo, bayaw," Leuxia chuckled mockingly.

When they heard that, Vren and his cousin looked on us, gaping. Tumingin lang siya saglit sa kanila at humarurot bago pa sila magsalita. Nakasunod naman sa 'min si Azea na tumatawa rin.

"Do you know him?" I asked her.

"Who? Your crush? Oo natatandaan ko," she said while driving.

"Hindi siya, yung kasama."

She chuckled.

"Edi crush mo nga? Hindi mo tinanggi, o hindi siya? Yung kasama talaga?"

"Grabe ang ganda mo kausap. Ang logical mo sobra," I said sarcastically.

"Kidding," Leuxia laughed. "He's familiar, I think nakita ko na siya sa karera? Ain't sure."

I just nodded on her answer. Napansin ko na palipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa daan at sa side mirror. My brows furrowed when I saw his familiar car following us. I glanced it for a long time then Leuxia noticed it.

"They are?" she asked and looked again on the road.

"Yeah, why the f**k they are following us?"

"Sa mansion pa rin?"

Nakita niya sa side mirror ang pagtango ko. Humarurot siya kaya napahawak ako sa likod ng motor. I almost thought I'm riding on a roller coaster, the f**k. Baka nakakalimutan niyang nasa kalsada kami hindi racing track? Hinayaan ko nalang siya, I trust her.

Ibinalik ko ang hood sa pwesto nang tangayin 'yon ng malakas na hangin na sumasalubong sa amin. The car behind maintained to follow us.

Nagtaka ako nang makarating kami sa village at nakapasok sila agad. This village in Gorostiza was exclusive, maybe they have a house here too? I looked at the back again before getting off on Leuxia's motor.

I just nodded on Leuxia when she looked at me. She's checking me if it's okay with her eyes. Leuxia nodded too before going inside our mansion.

When I turned my back to the road, I saw the car slowly going on my way. I composed myself and waited for him to get off.

"Why did you follow us?" I asked without a second.

Vren handed my notebook.

"You left this."

Kinuha ko 'yon at tumango. Tumalikod na ako para sana pumasok na sa mansion. I stiffened when he suddenly grabbed my arm.

"Wait Levior," he said in a serious voice.

I turned to him.

"What? Anything else?"

"I like you, date with me."

I smirked. "What the f**k is this? I know you're fooling around, stop it."

"I have a concrete evidence to support my statement, Levior," he while smiling like a fool.

He suddenly put my hand on his chest. I felt his heart beating fast. I looked at him.

"Oh, you're palpitating, maybe you drank coffee earlier," I faked my emotion.

Pinilit kong bawiin ang kamay pero hindi niya hinayaang mangyari 'yon. He stepped closer while staring at me intently.

"What?" I hid my nervous reaction with a bored expression. Well, I wish I did.

"It's not that, Levior," he smiled. "The heart has reasons of its own which reason does not know."

Binawi ko ang kamay sa kaniya at tinitigan siya.

"Pwede ka nang umalis, wala akong pakalam,.

"I know that, Levior," his smile faded. "Pero hahabulin pa rin kita, hanggang sa matunaw ka. I'll do anything, even the things that's against the law when it comes to you."

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