The b***h Mafia

Chapter 6: Concern

6

Concern

"Angel wake up its 6:30 already." 

Margaret keep on shaking me and I really hate her right now. My eyes won't open. 

"I want to sleep pa!" I tried to open my eyes but it's just really hard to open both eyes. 

Ugh! I tried to sit but I can really feel my body going back to my bed. 

"You need to. Remember, the instructor caught you galing passing out. Kapag hindi ka pumasok at nakinig sa klase nya, she'll make you live in hell."

Yeh right. Xian and I were dumb and got caught with our scheme. 

FLASHBACK

I tried not to yawn while the instructor is in front.

"Sleepyhead!" I hear Xian whispers. Napatingin ako sa kaniya. His eyes were sleepy rin.

"Coming from you." I sarcastically said. He yawn a bit and turned his head to my direction.

"Gusto mo ulit tumakas?" That caught my attention. As if a sudden magic, his words woke me up. 

He whispered the thing that I should do. Right.

I raised my hand to excuse myself. 

"Miss can I go out?" Tanong ko

"Sure, you may." She said and continue with her lesson. 

"Thank you." I simply said. 

I excused myself and was about to exit the room but I suddenly collapsed my body. 

I heard them gasp while some doesn't seem to care. 

"Hindi na naman ba sya nagbreakfast?" Tanong ng iba. 

"What happened? Miss Hamilton." She said trying to wake me up. My eyes remained close while she's trying to wake me up. 

"Miss she haven't eaten yet. She woke up late na rin po kasi." I heard Margaret. I almost smirk. Naalala ko, hinimatay nga pala ako.

"We should bring her to the clinic. Volunteer?" Tanong ni Miss. 

"Ill bring her." I heard Xian. Later on, I felt my body floating. I tried to open my eyes bit and saw Xian's face near my face. 

Oh God! I immediately closed my eyes to avoid awkwardness. I heard him groan as he fully lift me. 

I secretly pinch his arm. Is he trying to say that I'm heavy.

"Ah," Xian almost scream. I bit my inside cheek to hidemy laughter.

"Is there any problem Mr. Hartford" si Miss.

"No. I'm fine. She's heavy." I almost rolled my eyes. I heard some of our classmates laughed. 

"Ang bigat mo" sabi ni Xian nang ibaba niya ako. Medyo malayo na rin kami sa room. 

"What is the meaning of this? Miss Hamilton and Mr Hartford." Oh s**t. 

Dahan dahan kaming lumingon ni Xian.

"Uh-u-I woke up." Pagdadahilan ko. 

Sumingkit ang mata niya. She's also gritting her teeth. Probably getting mad. 

"You two, to my office!" Oh no! My records!!!!

"Miss anong kasalanan namin??" Tanong ni Xian. 

"I heard from your classmates that it was just a play." mahinahong sabi niya. She's trying to calm herself I think.

"But..."

"No buts. Now I'll let this pass but once you do this again ibabagsak ko kayong dalawa."

END OF FLASHBACK

Kahit antok na antok pa, I tried to lift my body so I can take a shower. When we arrived, we are already late. God! Why do I have a seven am class again? 

I took my seat and wait for everything to end. I'm so sleepy. I almost fall a sleep when the instructor ended the discussion. 

"Understand?" agad agad akong tumango. Baka magtanong pa siya or may sabihin pa siya.

"Yes Miss." I don't even know if I can recall everything she said. 

"You'll have applied homework. I want you all to work on your inner wisdom. The topic that you need to explain, the vague concept of love, happiness, and sadness." WHAT THE EFF? 

"I'll group you into three." Binanggit niya lahat ng names sa bawat group. Luckily, kind of alphabetical ang pagkakagroup niya. I'm in the same group with John, Ryan, Xian, Michael, Margaret, Matthew, Shyna, Jasmine, and Nicole.

Can you believe that? I am group with them. 

Parang nagising ako bigla. Staying with Jasmine in the same room? Oh God! Sana naman hindi na siya bitchy diba?

"So," Michael trying to break the awkward atmosphere.

"Saan tayo gagawa?" Shyna asked. Shyna and I became a bit closer, since she's close to Margaret and they tend to hang out a lot. 

"How about library?" Nicole said in a formal tone. Am I allowed to call her Nicole? 

Anyway, we have decided to all go to the library. It's the best place we can all gather. We found ourselves inside the library without the boys. We reserved them seats na lang. 

Little later, sabay sabay silang dumating. Bago kami magsimula, Michael and the rest, except for Xian open their bags and handed us some foods. Nagreklamo pa si Nicole, baka daw may makakita at pagalitan kami. She cannot really break some rules, she's part of the council organization of the academy.

Hindi na rin naman napigilan ni Nicole because everyone is just eating, of course I am included.

"Calm down, no one will see this." Margaret said and pat her shoulder.

"Don't worry." Shyna said and giggled. She's the by far neutral in our circle right now. Balancing us.

"I agree. Just relax and try to break some rule." Jasmine said. 

Sabay kaming napatingin ni Margaret kay Jasmine at nagiwas din ng tingin.

"Fine. Please eat discreetly." She whispers. I just gigled, hindi naman siya mananalo with them.

"Happiness?" Nicole asked and pointed John. Napakamot pa siya ng ulo bago nahihiyang sumagot.

"Playing basketball." I almost laugh and rolled my eyes at the same time. 

"How about you Iniquez?" Nicole asked him. 

"If she's happy then that is my happiness." I saw Nicole rolled her eyes while Shyna shrugged to keep herself from laughing. I also saw Ryan glancing at me and when he saw me staring at him, he gave me a small smile. Which I really find awkward. I mean girl, matapos siyang magbitaw ng ganon. What do you expect everyone to feel? Awkwardness.

"Whatever! You Hilton? Please make it right." Nicole said and rolled her eyes. Hindi pa nga nakakasagot si Michael ay binalaan na agad siya ni Nicole. I saw Margaret laughing while Michael whispering rants.

"GRABE! Wala pa nga akong sinasabi!" Pagrereklamo niya. 

"Yeah right!" Walang emosyon na sabi ni Nicole. Kaya lalong ngumuso si Michael. 

"Whenever I ditch class. I find the solitude satisfying." Diretsong sabi ni Michael.

"Solitude daw." Bulong sakin ni Margaret while keeping a smirk on her face.

These two, next time na magsabi silang dalawa na they're together, hindi na ako masa-shock. After all the asarans? 

"Hartford?" Nicole asked. I can't help but to stare at him. I'm kind of curious in what makes him happy?

"When I'm eating and sleeping." he simply said and shrugged. 

"Siraulo." Hindi ako natawa sa sinabi ni Xian, i don't really find it funny. What I am laughing with is Margaret's side comments. Palagi na lang talagang may side comment itong si Margaret. 

"Medina," Matthew is the clown of his circle. I always find him funny and teasing. 

"When you're getting pissed, like now." Matthew let out a teasing laugh which makes Nicole groan out of frustration. Kaya naman natawa rin kami. 

"K...Chua!" Nicole asked.

"Hmmm.. Shopping" she said and wink. Well, I kind of agree naman.

"Jasmine."

"Shopping too." Simpleng sabi nya. I guess she's a silent person. Doesn't like to talk much.

"Hamilton".. then tumingin sya sakin

"Shopping, eating, sleeping and adventure time." i said with full of enthusiasm. I mean who doesn't feel the happiness with those things right?

"Hampshire.."

"When there are no classes!" Proud na proud na sabi ni Margaret. She's so cute talaga!

"Obviously, I'm happy when students are respecting me and last I'll be really happy if Matthew would stop pissing me off." then she threw a killer look to Matthew.

If the saying is real, if looks can kill, Matthew is probably dead by now. 

"And guess what? We came up with nothing. I can't see any substance in our answers." Nicole said out of frustration. She really wanted to finish this off.

"I feel like, those vague things are connected." Margaret suddenly said. She's said that while biting her nails. 

"Connected with what?" Nicole asked. Pabalik balik ang tingin namin sa kanilang dalawa. I mean it's awkward to talk about these vague concepts. 

"How about with love?" She simple said and shrugged.

"It's very personal and subjective." I commented. 

"And awkward to talk to." Jasmine said almost agreeing with me. I just nodded. That's how I'm feeling right now while talking about those things, awkward.

"Pang-in love naman pala yan." Michael suddenly commented. Medyo totoo? "How Iniquez! Diba in love ka? Share ka naman!" Natatawang sigaw ni Michael kay Ryan. 

Nicole hushed her because we're in the library. Michael put his hand on his mouth trying to keep himself quiet. Any time, sisipain na siya palabas ng library ni Nicole.

"Gago." Pabiro ngunit mahina na sabi ni Ryan bago tumingin kay Margaret. "But I second the motion, it's kind of connected in a way. But doesn't mean it falls to one category of love. As Jasmine said, it's very personal and subjective. If we'll see love as a romantic kind of feeling, then the thing that I said earlier is true kahit subjective." Napatango naman kami. As if he said something so alluring. I can't really utter a word. I'm not really that vocal when it comes to things like, love. 

It's difficult to understand.

"How is that? We're not in love," I said. Parang I said something so disturbing, lahat sila ay tumingin sa akin. "What?" I mouthed.

"You're not... in love?" Putol putol na tanong ni Shyna. 

Kumunot ang noo ko. Do I look like I'm in love? 

"Uhmm... No." I answered awkwardly. I mean, it's true naman. 

"Shoot Ryan." Matthew even held his chest. Playfully acting like his hurt. I just look away to avoid the awkwardness.

"Let's resume this tomorrow. How about sa dorm na lang namin? Well if that's okay with you?" Margaret look at me. 

"Of course, I'm fine with that." I have Margaret an assuring smile. 

We ended the meeting and went out on our own. It's already dark. 

I am walking in the corridor when someone bump on him.

"Sorry." I simple said. I bent down to get my things. I'm not in the mood to b***h around. Tumakbo na palayo yung nakabangga sakin. Hindi man lang nagsorry! Hindi ba tinuturo dito ang manners? O masyadong privilege ang mga tao dito dahil mayaman sila? 

"Let me help you." I manly voice said. Without looking, I know it's Xian. He help me gathering my things. 

"Thanks." He placed his hand on his pocket and wait for me to walk. "I can walk myself." Mahinang sabi ko. 

"It's okay. Baka bumalik pa ang mga 'yon." He said while looking behind me. Kaya napalingon ako, yung mga nakabangga sakin ay naroon pa. 

Humarap na ako sa kaniya and saw him staring at me. He look away and turn around. He started walking, so I walked beside him.

"Love," he suddenly said. Did he just said what? What again? 

"Huh?" Nabingi ata ako sa kaniya. Lumingon ako sa kaniya to see his reaction, trying to read if what he meant is thing that just came up to me. He has no emotions at all. It isn't evident on his face.

"Ikaw? What do you is love?" I blink twice? thrice? He scoff and laugh, "Don't look at me like that." He said and pushed my face playfully. 

"Sorry. I'm just correcting myself if I heard you right." I said trying to justify my action. "But to answer that, if romantically," I paused a bit thinking if I have felt the feeling of love in a romantic way. "... I haven't felt that. But I know the kind of love that my family has given to me. It's pure and holistic in a way." He stared at me as I said something pure and heartwarming. 

I pushed his face playfully, like what he did to me. He just chuckled.

"You're heart is pure." He said without looking at me. 

"What? Why? Because I've never been in love, romantically?" I asked almost accusing him.

He scoffed. 

"What? Where that came from?" He asked almost saying he's innocent. 

We remained silent until we reach the floor of our dorm. 

"Are we friends?" He suddenly asked. As we reach our room,

"Bakit hindi pa ba?" I asked. I couldn't believe him. I'm always everyday with him-- of course with Margaret and Michael. 

He simply nodded. Confirming our friendship. Our friendship is kind of blurry pala to him. I didn't know that. 

I'm about to open the door when Michael suddenly appeared behind the door. 

"Hey! Bakit kayo magkasamang dalawa?" Michael accusing us of something. I can't help but rolled my eyes. He's so mapang-asar. 

"Why do you care?" I asked. Bitching around. He held his hands up, surrendering. 

"Silly. Delinquent bumped her. Just making sure she's safe." Xian explained. 

"Nice move bro." He let out a funny laugh.

"You're so malisyoso. Magkasama lang, nice move agad. You move." I said. Tumabi naman siya, he's blocking the doorway kaya. As I stepped inside the room, humarap ako kay Xian. 

"And you, thanks for helping." I said and get my things on his hands. I gave him a fluttering smile.

"Always welcome." He gave me a small smile. Enough to make my heart flutter. Damn. Wala bang police officer here? I want them to arrest this man for stealing my breath. God!what did he do in his past life to be this handsome. 

As i closed the door, I screamed my heart out. f**k! 

I almost jumped when Xian and Michael kept on knocking. I immediately open the door. They didn't heard that, don't they? Oh Angel. Why are you so stupid at this very moment? And why is our room not soundproof? 

"What happen?" Their face looks worried and bothered. 

"Uh-- I- uh saw-- I saw a cockroach." Putol putol na pagdadahilan ko. Why should I say? Kinikilig ako? Hell no. 

Their face calm and Michael even face palmed.

"Sorry. I was just afraid of cockroach. You, whenever they fly like a butterfly. I said trying to gesture how cockroaches fly like a butterfly. Ugh! Stupid me. 

"Hey! What are you two doing here?" Margaret asked. Kakarating niya lang. 

Oh right, she isn't inside the room? So bakit nasa loob kanina si Michael? 

"Itong si Angel, tumili kanina may ipis lang pala. Kinabahan pa kami." Diretsong sabi ni Michael.

"Ipis-- what?" She said almost screaming. She looks pale? 

"Yeah Cockroa--" hindi natapos yung sinasabi ni Xian.

"No." She said trying not to believe in him. Tumango tango pa si Xian. "No, no, they're so scary." She said. Lumayo siya sa pinto at parang ayaw pumasok. 

O my god. What did I do. 

She cling on Michael as if she's a koala. 

"Kill them." She said in a very serious tone. Michael laugh at her. She looks hilarious.

"What's funny? Wlamg nakakatawa. We should kill every piece of them. Oh God! Baka lumipad sila mamaya habang natutulog ako. Michael!!!!" I can't help but to laugh. Halatang takot na takot siya na parang anytime hihimatayin na.

Kahit si Xian na laging seryoso ay hindi naiwasan at tumawa. 

My jaw dropped when Michael carried her. 

"Ill protect you from them" sabi ni Michael. Makahuluguhan, parang hindi na ata tungkol sa cockroach ito ha!

"No! What if they ---" O my God! 

What did I witnessed??

Michael shut her out by kissing her. 

I gasp! Xian look away while laughing. While I'm just staring at them. He really made Margaret quiet.

Her pale face became red. 

"PDA offense bro." Xian commented. Michael pulled himself and cleared his throat.

"Ang ingay niya kasi pare. I'm just trying to shut her mouth." Inosenteng sagot niya kay Xian. Humarap naman siya kay Margaret na hanggang ngayon ay namumula.

"They won't attack you girl." Maarteng sabi niya kay Margaret at naglakad papasok ng dorm. Binaba niya si Margaret sa kama nito. 

He looks ate her before he took a step to leave the dorm. Margaret stop her as she pulled the hem of his shirt. 

"Wala na yun." He calm her down. It took him awhile bago kumalma.

"Sorry you have to see me freaking out." Sabi sakin Margaret. Michael just left the room and she's already calm.

"It's okay." I said. 

"I have a phobia. It really scares me whenever I see or hear about them." She swallowed hard as she said that. 

Oh God! What did I really do? 

Lumapit ako sa kaniya to naupo sa tabi niya. 

"I'm sorry I made you freak out." I held her hand and tried to console her. 

"It's not your fault." 

"It is. Actually, wala naman talaga. It's just an excuse." I admit. 

"An excuse?" She asked curiously. Okay Angel, you have to tell her this or else, I'll trigger her phobia. 

"Yes. Uhm, I had a moment with Xian." Sabi ko gamit ang maliit na boses. Oh geez! This is so embarrassing. But I have to. You have to Angel. 

"What moment?" She asked. But then she gasps. Gets n niya siguro. "Omg," she couldn't utter a proper word. A smile form on her lips, kind mischievous. 

"Hey, it's okay." She said and squeezing my hand a bit. "Are you starting to like him?" She asked in Avery careful manner. She tried to choose her word word properly but obviously not getting it the way she wanted. 

Do I? Her eyes are wondering. Waiting for my answer. 

"I think so." Impit siyang tumili. "But hey, we shouldn't tell him." I said trying to calm her down. Mas kinikilig pa ata siya sakin. 

"Okay okay. I won't." She even gesture zipping her mouth but not leaving a smile. 

I just laugh at her. 

"We should get ready to sleep." I said. 

She went to the bathroom first while I prepare my clothes and stuff. When she walks out of the bathroom, she's already in her PJ's.

I entered the bathroom with my clothes and quickly took a bath. It wasn't long as I'm tired and just want to sleep. 

I wore my own PJ's and a white shirt for top. I didn't bother to wear a bra. I don't sleep with my bra on. It's uncomfortable. 

I was blow-drying my hair when I heard Margaret screamed. I did not bother to turn off the dryer and immediately went out to see her.

Sakto, kakapasok lang din nila Xian and Michael. 

Michael went straight to Margaret. Nagkatinginan pa kami ni Xian but he shifted his gaze and immediately went to Margaret.

She's over the bed with a scared face. 

"What happen?" sabay na tanong namin ni Michael. Nagkatinginan pa kami saglit pero nag-iwas din siya ng tingin sakin. 

I didn't bother to ask to why they're avoiding looking at me and went to Margaret. 

"Hey," I called her out using a concern tone. 

"What happen?" Michael asked her again and sat beside her. I felt Xian went closer to us, stopping beside me. 

"Kasi, I think I saw ipis eh" sabi nya. She started crying. Omy! I suddenly felt so guilty. 

I didn't know that she's scared of ipis. I've only been here for a couple of months. How would I know? Hindi rin naman namin napag-uusapan. 

"Margaret, I already told you, walang ipis." I said in my little voice. She seems consoled a bit.

"But I think I saw it talaga." She said trying to point where she saw the ipis. 

"Where again?" I asked. Tinuro niya ulit ang gilid ng cabinet. Hinubad ko ang slipper na suot ko para gamitin at patayin ang ipis, if there's any. 

Tumalikod ako kay Margaret which makes me face Xian. I was about to pass over him when he grabbed my arm while not looking at me. Mabilis niyang hinubad ang suot ni jacket at sinuot sakin. 

"Wear that." He simply said without looking at me. 

"I'm not cold." I said. Trying to make sense why he gave me his jacket.

"I didn't say you were." He said. Nakatingin lang siya sa gilid, until he look at me then down to my clothes. That's the only time I noticed myself. 

"Shit." I whisper. Mabilis kong sinuot ang jacket niya at sinara. Nag-iwas na rin ng tingin si Xian. I cleared my throat. 

"Where ulit Margaret?" I asked. Trying to avoid the awkwardness. She pointed the cabinet and I went there. 

Tinignan ko mabuti. 

"Wala naman." I said. Also, this is a prestigious academy. I don't think an academy like this would have ipis behind cabinets. Ang arte pa naman ng mga tao dito. Including me of course. 

"See. Wala namn ipis. You should sleep na." Michael said and tried to make her calm.

"Please stay! Kahit hanggang sa makatulog lang ako." She pleaded on Michael. Kanina pa siya nakahawak sa kanyang braso, hindi bumibitaw. 

This is the first time I saw her so fragile. The different side of Margaret. 

"But," tears started forming on Margaret's eyes..

"I think she need you to make her calm." I just can't make her calm but Michael can. Who am I to stop that?

"But what if curfew time hindi ako makauwi?" Pagdadahilan ni Michael.

"You can sleep here. I don't really mind." Nagpabalik balik ng tingin sakin si Michael papunta kay Margaret. He sighed.

"Sige. You sure you're really fine?" He asked one more time. Tumango lang ako. Margaret mouthed a thanks. 

Hiniga na siya ni Michael at naupo sa gilid ng kama, letting Marga to settle. 

"Mauna na ako." I heard Xian.

"Hatid na kita sa pinto." I said. He just nodded. Nagpaalam lang siya kay Margaret and Michael bago naglakad palabas. Sumunod lang ako sa kaniya.

"Your jacket pala." I said and trying to remove his jacket. 

"Keep it." He said. Makes me stop from removing his jacket. 

"Thanks." He's about to walk away when I called him again. "Good night." He looks at me for a moment. As if wanting to say something. 

"Goodnight." He simply said and walk away. I closed the door and went to the switch to turn off the lights.

I silently giggled as I saw Margaret hugging Michael and sleeping soundly. 

I went again inside the bathroom to continue drying my hair. I saw myself smiling. Just can't keep it to myself. 

After fixing myself, I cleaned everything I used and went out to sleep on my bed. 

I saw Michael switching on the lampshade. 

I turn around to face the other side of my bed. I don't want to watch them cuddling no! 

I didn't bother to turn on my lampshade and just hugged myself. 

I can smell Xian's perfume through his jacket. 

Oh God! Why am I sniffing a man's jacket? 

I should sleep na lang.