MAGIC SHOP

Chapter III

Chapter III

Aire woke up in an unfamiliar room. It smelled like sunflower perfume with a faint smell of a man's perfume—kind of similar to his brother's. She eyed the place and a giant poster of the The Neighbourhood on the wall caught her eyes, it was impossible to miss it because she listens to them and the other stuff in the room wasn't as eye-catching as it is and the only thing she noticed aside from the poster is the fact that everything inside is tidy and organized. Bigla niya tuloy naalala kung gaano kagulo ang kwarto niya dahil simula nang lumipat sila sa bagong bahay nila ay hindi niya naasikaso ang paglilinis ng mga gamit niya dahil madalas siyang hindi umuuwi roon.

She turned her head towards the door when she heard it open and Harrix came in. Seeing him triggered her brain to remember what happened, "Hi," bati niya sa binata.

"Buti naman at gising ka na. I thought you're going to sleep until tomorrow," pang aasar ni Harrix. Umiling si Aire at umalis sa kama saka itinuro ang poster sa dingding, "Is that yours?" she asked.

Harrix looked at it for a second, "That's my sister's," he answered.

"I see," Aire replied and eyed the room once more to search her bag only to find it nowhere in there.

"Your stuff is in the living room if you're looking for it," Harrix spoke making Aire reply with a slight nod. "Would you mind if I walk you home?" he then asked politely.

It was quite a shock to Aire but she didn't want to be rude so she just agreed. Besides she might need a little help after what happened. Pagbaba nila sa living room, nadatnan nila roon ang isang babae na nakasuot ng magarang night gown at nakahiga sa couch. Mukhang pagod na pagod siya pero napakaganda niya pa rin.

Pinaningkitan ito ng mata ni Aire at inilapit pa niya ang mukha niya sa babae.

"Why? You know my sister?" Harrix's voice rang from behind her. She turned to him and to the girl again, "I don't know, she looks very familiar. Maybe I've seen her before," Aire answered.

Tumango si Harrix at isinuot ang bag ni Airee sa balikat niya, "Baka nakita mo na siya sa mga ads or billboards," tugon ng binata sa dalaga at naglakad papunta ng pinto, "Let's go?" he smiled at Aire.

Mabilis itong sumunod sa kanya, "I didn't ask you to carry my bag, Harrix. Akin na 'yan," she said stopping him.

"Ayaw mo 'yon, may tagabitbit ka ng bag?" turan nito, na ikina-iling ng dalaga.

"Thank you but no need. Let me hold my stuff, please?" inilahad niya ang kamay niya kaya ini-abot sa kanya ni Harrix ang gamit niya.

"A'right, sorry," he said which Aire only answered with a smile.

They started walking, it was slow and quiet. When Harrix was about to start a conversation, Aire spoke, "We're here!" she pointed at the house in front of them which is just a few blocks from the Valdez residence. It's not as big as the Valdez's mansion but it's too big for only two people who are not even home most of the time.

"Kayo pala ang bumili ng bahay ng mga Alonzo, but it's been 2 years since the house was sold, binili niyo ba ito sa bagong onwer?" Harrix asked and Aire immediately shook her head.

"No, we bought this 2 years ago, but we just moved in here 4 months ago," Aire explained.

"Diko nabalitaan, magkapit bahay lang naman pala tayo," Harrix responded with a hint of excitement in his voice.

"Tahimik yata masyado ang paglipat namin," saad ng dalaga, "But that's what we want since mom's quite—nevermind," she paused realizing she's probably going to overshare again about their personal problems, "My mother is a doctor and I rarely see her around the house, dala na rin siguro na parati akong nasa bahay ni lolo kaya parang walang tao rito madalas."

"Doctor Aixza Celeste...yeah, your mom's quite famous," saad ni Harrix na ikinatigil ni Aire. She looked at him for a moment, "How did you know? We're not even using the same surname," the lady asked.

"Ethan mentioned it," he answered and looked at Aire with confusion in his face, "What do you mean you're not using the same surname? Isn't your name Aire Celeste?" he asked.

Aire then just remembered that she didn't mentioned her surname during their introduction at school. She gave Harrix an awkward smile, "No, it's Yushiko," she clarified, "Aire Louisa Yushiko."

"Lolo mo si Takeshima Yushiko?" gulat na tanong ni Harrix, "No s**t, Sherlock," she answered."Oh my—that means he's the grandpa of yours Ethan was talking about!" he looked happy figuring that out.

Natawa ng bahagya si Aire sa kanya, "You look like a seven year old who just got a new toy," saad niya sa kasama dahilan para matigilan ito at tingnan siya. "Anyway, I'm going in. I can't invite you tonight so maybe next time?" paalam niya.

"It's fine, anong oras na rin naman," Harrix smiled and waited her to get inside their front yard before he leaves.

Aire stopped for a moment and turned around, she smiled at Harrix, "Thank you," she said and rushed inside their house and just as about she shut the door she heard him yell, "No worries."

In the morning, the first thing that greeted Aire is the smell of her favorite cuisine—sinigang. Napangiti siya nito dahil alam niyang naka-uwi na ang mama niya kaya nagmadali itong bumaba, "Maaa," the first thing she said when she reached downstair.

Medyo inaantok pa siya nang maupo siya sa hapagkainan, pero nawala iyon nang yakapin siya ng ina, amoy ospital pa ito dahil hindi pa siguro ito naliligo at suot pa nito ang uniform niya.

"Good morning, anak ko!" masayang bati ni Aixza sa kanya pero halata sa mukha ng doktora ang pagod. "Mama, you should've changed your clothes first," turan niya sa ina na tinawanan lang siya kasabay ng pag-abot ng pinggan para sa kanya, "Kumain ka na lang at nang makaligo ka na."

"By the way, your brother's coming this weekend," Aixza said while Aire is eating which made the latter's face lit up. "Really mom?" she asked with a hint of excitement in her voice. "Yes, he called and he told me he misses us, especially you," her mom answered making her even more excited.

Naglalakad ngayon si Aire papunta sa school. Papasok na sana siya sa gate ng school nang dalawang kotse ang muntikan nang magbanggaan sa entrance dahil sabay sana silang papasok. Mabuti at wala pang tao dahil maaga pa. Hindi nagtagal ng isang minuto at lumabas ang nasa isang kotse—si Annie, na ikinagulat niya. Annie is really furious as she continuously slams the other car's hood.

"You come out there!" she yelled and when she was about to hit the carhood again, the owner came out, Samyra and June.

Medyo natigilan si Annie nang makita sila pero kalauna'y sinigawan niya ang dalawa, "Damn it, you stupid reckless driver!" sigaw niya at kaagad bumalik sa kotse niya saka mabilis na nagmaneho papasok ng school.

"Oh my gosh! I can't believe that girl. Akala ko mabait siya, ang sungit pala," 'di makapaniwalang saad ni June Lee kay Sam nang pumasok silang muli sa kotse nilang kakukuha lang nila kahapon sa condo na kung saan dapat sila nag s-stay ngayon kung hindi lang sila lumipat sa Brooklyn.

"Hayaan mo na sigurado naman may dahilan yun noh," pagtatanggol ni Sam sa sektarya ng student council na ikina-inis ng kaibigan nito. "Hay ewan ko sa 'yo!" saad ni June Lee at iniwan siya mag-isa sa kotse.

Naunang maglakad si June Lee na iritado pa rin sa kaibigan, kaya hindi niya napansin ang hahakbangan niya dahilan upang siyang matapilok. Tumayo siya kaagad pero naramdaman niyang sumakit ang paa niya, ngunit pinilit niya pa ring maglakad nang may nagsalita sa likuran niya, "Don't force it, baka mas lalong sumakit iyang paa mo," it was Jedric.

Nilingon niya ito't tinignan ng masama, "Wala kang pake," masungit niyang sambit at dahan-dahang humakbang. She heard him heave a sigh. "You really don't need help?" he asked, walking slowly behind her. "Hindi na, kaya ko pa naman maglakad. Thank you na lang," madyo mahinahon nang sagot ni June. "Also, I'm sorry."

Tumango ang binata, "Okay, and it's fine. I'm just gonna walk with you in case you trip again."

Pareho silang naglalakad ng dahan dahan nang may mga nagtatakbuhang freshmen ang nakabunggo kay June dahilan para bahagya itong mawalan ng balanse, mabuti at hinawakan ni Jedric ang balikat niya bago siya tuluyang matumba. "Look where you're going!" he yelled at the freshmen who didn't even bother to stop and apologize. He looked at June, "Are you okay?" tanong nito sa kanya na sinagot niya lang ng pagtango. "Are you sure you don't need help? Or go to the clinic?" he asked, visibly worried.

"No, I'm fine. Let's just go, malapit naman na rin tayo," pagpupumilit ni June.

Pagpasok nila sa classroom ay tumingin ang mga kaklase nila sa kanila, kasama na ang mga kaibigan ni Jedric na tila nang-aasar na kaagad sa mga titig nila pero hindi niyo ito pinansin at inihatid pa si June sa upuan nito. "Just approach me if you need someone to carry you to the clinic," biro ni Jedric. Natawa roon su June, "Thank you, Jed."

Natigilan siya sa ngiti ni June, hindi niya mapigilan ang ngumitin rin, "Always welcome," sagot niya at umalis na sa harap nito. Nakangiti siyang umupo sa kanyang upuan na naging dahilan ng mas malalang panunukso ng mga kaibigan niya.

"Grabe ba 'to, hindi pa nga officially nagsisimula ang school year, nagpapapogi points ka na kay June?" Rashed started.

"Mga galawan talaga ng isang Malton," segunda naman ni Grey.

"Give me a break! She was just so stupid to trip herself while walking, 'di naman porque tinulungan ko e nagpapa pogi ako, isa pa 'di ko na kailangang magpa pogi kasi pinanganak na akong ganon," depensa ni Jedric.

"Napaka defensive naman Jed," turan ni Grey.

"Pero tama ka, inborn nga talaga sa 'yo 'yun," sabat ni Harrix na gumagawa ng report.

"Alin? 'Yung kapogian?" tanong ni Lei

"Yung kahanginan," sagot niya kaya natawa ang iba pa nilang kaibigan.

"Wow, I didn't even know you were born, akala ko hinulog ka ng langit kasi ayaw ka roon," pang aasar naman ni Ethan.

"Stupid to trip herself you say? Edi pinapanood mo pala siya habang naglalakad?" singit ni Yves na kanina pa tahimik sa gilid. Pinagmulan na naman ito ng panibagong tukso mula sa mga kaibigan niya pero hindi niya na lang pinansin pa dahil alam niyang naririnig sila ni June Lee.

A few minutes later, Aire and Sam came in together. Nagkasalubong kasi sila kanina kaya nagsabay na lang silang pumasok dahil iniwan naman ni June Lee si Sam. She asked Aire if she saw the encounter with Annie and the latter didn't lie. Pinaki-usapan niya itong huwag ipagkalat iyon na tinanguan lang ni Aire.

Nang makapasok sila sa room ay napansin niyang nakanap si June Lee sa arm chair niya kaya agad niya itong tinungo, "Bakit?" she asked her friend and lightly kick her foot.

"Ah-" Junelee exclaimed. Kaagad naintindihan ni Sam ang sitwasyon ng kaibigan niya. "Ano nangyare d'yan?" tanong niya sa kaibigan nang maka-upo na siya. June Lee told her everything while whining how her ankle hurts so bad.

"Aww, poor Juni," Sam said patting her friend's head.

Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas ay pumasok si Annie kasanod ang teacher nila na ikinatahimik ng lahat.

Nagkasalubong pa ang mga tingin ni Annie at Sam kaya kapwa nila iniwasan kaagad.

Hindi pa tumatagal ng dalawampung minuto ang klase nila nang isa-isang tumunog at nagvibrate ang bawat cellphone ng mga estudyante, pati na rin ang kanilang guro na si Miss Harieth. They all recieved an email from an unknown sender and a ten second video was attached to it. Nang buksan ni ma'am Harieth ang kanyang cellphone, palihim ding binuksan ng mga estudyante ang kanila at nagulat ang lahat sa nakita nila, samantalang sina Aire, Sam at June Lee ay halatang natigilan.

Sa video, makikita kung paano hampas-hampasin ni Annie ang hood ng isang kotse na hindi masyadong makita at ang pagsigaw niya sa kanyang kausap na tinawag niyang 'stupid reckless driver' pero hindi rin kita kung sinong kausap niya. Lahat sila nagulat at tumingin kay Annie pero walang nagsalita ni isa. Annie, who didn't receive an email stood up and stormed outside the room, she probably already knows what's happening and that the faculty wants to see her.

"Stay here." Utos ni Harieth at kaagad na sinundan si Annie.

Pagkalabas niya ay nagsimulang magbulungan ang mga estudyante.

"OMG, she is so mean, hindi naman maganda!" "Sinabi mo pa."

"Kung magsungit akala mo kung sino e kung hindi naman 'yan kaibigan ni Trisha at Harrix, hindi naman magiging secretary yan ng student council." "For real, it's giving kapit sa kaibigan."

"Totally disappointing!" "Right"

Pinatahimik ng sigaw ni Harrix ang lahat. He looks really mad right now that his friends needed to calm him down.

"Who did this?" inagaw naman ng sigaw ni Trisha ang atensyon ng lahat. Maging siya ay halatang naiinis na rin.

"So what is this? Protecting your little b***h friend again? Tell me, Ms. Heiress, does your friend still deserve her position as the student council secretary after this?" Ruth asked and smirked at Trisha. The latter fixed her glasses and firmly faced Ruth, "Annie is not just a b***h, she's the bitchiest and what can I say, she deserves her position more than you deserve yours," she glared at her. "I'm honestly a fool for asking who spread the video when it's obviously you."

Umupo na lang si Trisha dahil wala naman siyang magandang mapapala sa kausap.

"Bakit naman ako agad ang pinagbibintangan mo?" asked Ruth to stir another drama. She switched her glance from Trisha to Aire who was quietly sitting at the back.

She crossed her arms on her chest, "You guys really are just fast when it comes to blaming me, e si Aire ba hindi niyo manlang ba tatanungin kung bakit niya pinagkalat ang video?"

Ruth asked making everyone turn their heads to Aire especially the two in front of her, Sam and June Lee.