The Queen’s Arrows (English-Filipino) COMPLETE

Stupid Kiss

Bahagya akong napaigtad sa lakas ng tugtug ng musika sa loob ng bar. Akala ko maingay na iyon mula sa labas pero may ika-ingay pa pala ito sa pagpasok.

Napalingon ako kina Prim, Grace at Skye na nakaupo sa isang round table with a bunch of other freshies. Prim called me and signaled me to come to their table. So I left Archer who was greeting some of his friends. What? Not like he's my date or something.

"I see you coming in with that senior." Prim teased which made me cringe.

"Is he hitting on you?" Gracey whispered to me but it was enough for the rest to hear. I quickly shook my head and curse quietly.

"s**t, no. I won't let him. He's just bugging me, that's all." I shrugged but looks like the rest didn't really buy it. Whatever.

I started to converse with the other freshies in our table. Turns out, there are students that are not from an elite hunter family here. Like Sid Castrence, who's father is a local hunter but is a businessman as well. Or Jila Mitteneare, she's a french hunter and her mom's filipino.

After a lotta drinks, I started feeling tipsy. It was never my intention to get drunk, but I didn't want to be a buzzkill, plus, my alcohol tolerance is not that high.

We were laughing about a joke that Sid was telling when my eye caught something attractive.

It's bus-guy. He's sitting on the stool at the bar, alone. He's wearing a black hoodie and gray sweatpants. Damn this guy loves to be comfy.

"Excuse me." I slurred as I walk really carefully towards the bar, so I won't trip or fall or something. That would be embarrassing.

I sat down on the stool beside him. He glanced at me for a quick second before looking away again and continued drinking his bourbon.

"Wow, how old are you? Is that allowed?" I giggled, I'm obviously not just tipsy anymore.

Ilang segundong hindi nya ako pinansin kaya napasimangot ako. Nang tinawag niya ang bartender at nagparefill uli ng bourbon, I was quick to tell the bartender to get me one as well. I don't even know what bourbon taste like, or if.. I could take it.

"Hindi mo na ba ako naaalala?" Tanong ko sa kaniya nang dumating na ang drinks namin.

Nagkibit balikat ito. "You're kinda hard not to remember," he said.

Napamulagat ako. "Wow, he speaks? Oh, speak again bright angel." I teased with the line from Romeo and Juliet. I feel so shameless as I run my hand on his biceps which made me realize his hard muscles.

Napabitaw ako sa kaniya nang humagakhak ito. "You're face is on the internet, at palagi kang nakasunod sa'kin. What do you expect?"

Napatanga ako sa sinabi niya. Akala ko pa naman hindi niya ako makalimutan kasi maganda ako o kung ano man.

"Hindi naman ako stalker." I pouted and took a sip of the bourbon. When it reached my tongue, I automatically faked barf and handed the glass to him sabay iling.

He chuckled before finishing the glass. Akmang tatanongin ko na ang pangalan niya nang may narinig ako na pamilyar na boses mula sa likuran namin.

"Yo Pierce!" Napakunot ang noo ko. I tried my best to stay sober and remember the face that went to me and... Pierce?

Inakbayan nito si Pierce at ginulo ang buhok. "Why are you alone here?" The guy asked.

"He's not. I'm here." I smiled sillily. I'm so drunk, my vision is becoming blurry.

I heard the guy scoff so I pouted, he sounded like he was disappointed or something.

"Really?" He unbelievably asked Pierce so I just covered my face and put my forehead against the bar table. He must be embarrassed to be seen with me right now.

Hindi ko namalayang umalis na pala si Pierce at may ibang umupo na sa kinauupuan nito kanina. Akmang aalis na din ako nang malinawan ko ang tingin ko sa taong nasa harap ko.

"Ikaw? Ano na naman ba kailangan mo?" Iritadong tanong ko kay Archer. He smiled at me sillily before putting his elbow against the bar table.

"Ikaw? Anong kailangan mo?" Balik tanong niya sakin. Kumunot ang noo ko at inirapan siya. Napalingon lingon ako sa paligid para hanapin si Pierce pero he was nowhere to be found.

Archer then changed his annoying expression to a teasing one. "Oh, you're looking for my brother?" He asked.

My brows knotted and I shook my head. "No. It's Pi—"

"Pierce right?" He asked again. Tuluyan nang kumunot ang noo ko. "Pierce nga, my brother." He smiled and my eyes widened.

"What the f**k?" I cursed. "He's your brother?" Hindi ako makapaniwala. No wonder he looks so similar to Pierce. Ang hindi ko lang mapaniwalaan ay ang kanilang mga personality, medyo hindi halata na mag kapatid silang dalawa.

"Why do people always act surprised when I say that?" He asked himself before clicking his tongue thrice. "Come on. Hatid na kita sa cabin mo." He offered me his hand but I refused.

Napalingon ako sa table namin kanina pero wala na sila Prim. I roamed my eyes around the bar but they were gone. I groaned before picking myself up.

I tried standing up but I almost fell when I lost my balance. Buti nalang may sumalo sa'kin. And it had to be Archer. Hindi ko alam bakit hindi talaga ako natutuwa sa presensya niya. I feel like he's just some influence to me that I'm not gonna like. Like he's a decoy in my 'mission' here in camp, to disappoint my father and let the family of Argentes down. I mean, our ancestors were kind of a 'thing' back then but it ended there. The feud between the Argentes and Deluna started a few years ago and I swore to live by my name.

"Bitawan mo nga ako," akmang magpupumiglas ako nang hinigpitan pa niya ang hawak sa braso ko. Inakbay niya ang kamay ko sa balikat niya pero nag pumiglas ako.

"Wag ka ngang malikot," reklamo niya pero binigyan ko lang siya ng isa pang pagkakainisan. Akmang bubuhatin niya ako bridal style nang bigla nalang akong umupo sa sahig, angel seat style.

Nakapameywang na tiningnan niya ako. "Alam mo, para kang bata,"pagalit na tiningala ko siya. "Tinutulungan ka na nga, nagmamatigas ka pa ng ulo. Tumayo ka nga diyan," mahina niyang sinipa ang paa ko. "Nakakahiya ka."

With that I immediately stood up. And fixed my shirt that was messed up by my swift movements. Matapos mag pagpag ng damit. Dahan dahan akong tumingin kay Archer at akmang aawayin ko siya hangga't sa lumayo na siya sa'kin nang bigla nalang niya akong binuhat sa kaniyang mga balikat.

Iyong style na ang pwet ko nasa tabi ng mukha niya at ang ulo ko nasa may pwet niya. Tinampaltampal ko ang kaniyang likod at ginalaw galaw ang mga paa ko.

"Let go of me! Jerk! I can walk! You're embarrassing me!" Sunod sunod kong reklamo, pero mukhang hindi parin siya natatablan habang naglalakad na kami palabas ng bar. People were looking and I didn't care, even though I said he's embarrassing me, it was just so he would let me go. But he didn't.

"Embarrassing?" He repeated what I said and scoffed. "You're lucky you got a chance to be on me kaya wag kang malikot kung hindi ihuhulog kita sa lawa." Pananakot niya. Tumigil na lang din ako dahil sa pagod. Lasing na ako at wala na ako sa tamang huwisyo. Nahihilo na din ako kaya gusto ko nang matulog.

Akmang isasara ko na ang mga mata ko nang may pumasok sa isip ko.

"Ang bango mo." Wala sa sariling ani ko bago ako kinain ng antok.

The next day, I woke up with a banging headache. I squinted my eyes and looked around. I didn't realize the glass window above my bed, the sun was bright and it kinda hurt my eyes.

"Good. You're up," I heard Skye speak. She was standing by the stairs and looking at me plainly. "Kumain ka na, princess." She said before going down.

I shook my head before getting up. I washed my face, bathed and changed my clothes. Nang makasalo ako sa hapag, everyone was silent. Which made me wonder why.

"Ba't ang tahimik?" Mahinahong tanong ko sa kanila. Gracey nearly choked from her food. Napalingon ako kay Prim na bahagyang siniko si Grace. Kaya ibinaba ko na ang aking mga kubyertos at nagsalita.

"Okay, what is it?" They seem so secretive. Bakit may ginawa ba ako kagabi? Are they ashamed from last night that they left me at bar? It's fine for me, if that's the case.

Prim and Grace both awkwardly cleared their throats. Ano ba talaga? I tried looking at Skye and begged for her to tell me what's their deal. At mukhang hindi na nakatiis si Skye. She rolled her eyes at me and huffed a breath.

"La—"

"Skye! Nooo!" Pabebeng ani Gracey. "He told us not to tell!" She whispered pero rinig ko parin.

"'He'? Sinong 'he'?" I impatiently asked pero tikom parin ang bibig ng dalawa.

"No one tells me what to do," matigas na ani Skye at nilingon ako with her bored eyes like always. "That senior na naghatid sa'yo dito? He carried you home." She said.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "I was aware of that, thanks." Sarkastikong ani ko. Kinuha ko ang baso ko at uminom ng tubig.

"You told him he looked attractive and you kissed him," napatigil ako sa pag inom at dahan dahang bumulagat ang mga mata ko. "On the lips."

I roughly spit my water out of my mouth from shock. "What?!" Hindi makapaniwalang liningon ko sila. "I did what?!" I repeated.

Binatukan ni Prim si Skye. "You could've just shut your mouth up, you know."

Binalewala lang siya ni Skye at nagpatuloy sila sa pag kain. Mabilis kong tinapos ang pagkain ko bago pumunta sa hidden shelf ko para kumuha ng mga kakailanganin ko sa araw na'to.

We're hunting a body of water in our camp. Cassandra's Lake. Where our ancestors dumped Cassandra's ashes.

"Wait lang.." rinig kong pahabol na ani Gracey habang naglalakad kami papuntang meet up location naming lahat. "Sandali, Ries. Galit ka ba?"

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad at mahigpit na hinawakan ko ang quiver ko at nilingon si Grace, which made her stop walking as well. I put on my calmest face and smiled.

"No, hindi ako galit sainyo—" napatigil ako sa pagsasalita nang makita ko si Archer na naglalakad kasama ang mga kaibigan niya. Hindi ako maniniwala na ako ang humalik sa kaniya. Wala silang proof. I'm sure nagsinungaling lang siya sa mga roommates to make me feel.. ashamed? Idk, basta hindi ako naniniwala.

"Pero sa kaniya. Oo." Sabi ko habang hindi inaalis ang matalim na tingin kay Archer. I went to him and slightly nudged his shoulder which made his friends look at me in acute shock.

"What the hell—"

"Hello, princess." He cut me off with his devilish smile. "Ready ka na ba?"

What does he mean? "Anong ginawa mo sa'kin kagabi, ha? Manyak!" I blurted.

His friends snickered and made an 'oof' sound. "Wala akong ginawa sa'yo kagabi, princess. So if you please.." he lended out his hand in front of me. "Step out of my way?" He politely said.

I was about to curse him to telling me the truth when Pierce came. My expression immediately changed. I was awkwardly standing there as he whisper something into his brother's ear. Archer was looking at me, he clearly isn't paying attention to whatever Pierce is talking about.

"Whatever, P. Ako na bahala." I heard him say to Pierce.

Pierce just rolled her eyes and combed his hair back. Napatigil siya sa pag irap nang makita ako. I gave him a small smile before holding on to my quiver. Before walking away, I made sure I rolled my eyes at Archer. I had to let him know that we're not done here.

"Everyone! Good morning." It was Chandler. "Tonight, we won't be having Penelope with us. She was sent to the hospital after the food poisoning incident that happened, earlier today." Everyone gasped.

Food poisoning? What? How? I thought the chefs here are all trusted and professionals. Everyone was murmuring. I heard some people gossiping about a fellow hunter here that might've initiated a poison. But that's just that right? Just gossip.

"But don't worry. We'll have our senior representative as our mentor for today. He's quite skilled—"

"And good looking!" A junior shouted which made the others laugh. Oh please, here we go again with these privileged men who thinks they're everything with their looks.

Chandler chuckled. "Maybe not as good looking as me, but.." the people laughed again. "..Give it up for Archer Delluna."

Right, him again. I forgot about his role in this industry. He must be feeling so boastful about himself.

He went up the stage and spoke. I didn't really listen. His words are kinda like hypnotism to me. Not like I'm lured by his annoying charm. I just feel like he makes everyone like him with that aura of his, that I can't really explain. Like he's 'one and only'.. Oh please, he looks like Pierce, yet Pierce is the more handsome one.

When I heard a whistle. I just realized that I was grouped. I'm in Blue Team. With Gracey and a couple more freshies, sophomores, and juniors. The seniors didn't train with us. They were already educated about this task. It sounded so simple but in reality, it's not. Using spears, arrows and knives to catch fish wasn't that easy. Hindi rin marami rami ang isda dito sa lawa. Kaya buti nalang at limang isda lang per team ang kailangan, para makalipat na kami sa susunod na task.

I slightly squinted when I heard a loud whistle blow as I was busy looking at fishes. Buti nalang at may sports bra at biker shorts ako na suot.

"Keen eyes. Gamitin niyo mga mata niyo. They're there. Timing is also perfect!" Pag sesermon ni Archer sa'min.

"Faster!" Easy for you to say, Mr. Representative. Hindi ikaw ang naghihirap dito.

I rolled my eyes at him. I felt a little tickle from my feet. The water was just up to my butt. The water wasn't that clear either. It made me nervous. Pano kung may piranha dito? Pano kung may serpent dito, o ano.

I slightly squealed when I felt something again. I looked around and held out my arrow, like it was a knife.

"Anong problema mo?" Tanong sa'kin ni Gracey, habang abala din ito sa paghahanap ng isda.

"I f-felt something. Sa binti ko. May something dito." Medyo paranoid na ani ko habang linilibot parin ang tingin sa tubig na nakapalibot sa'kin.

"Girl, chill—" napalingon kami sa kasama namin nang sumigaw ito. She caught a fish. Great! We're now only 4 fishes away to the next task.

Napatalon ako nang may naramdaman ako sa mga paa ko. My eyes widened when something pulled me. It made me lose my balance and I squealed. Naging busy ang lahat sa ka miyembro namin na nakakuha ng isda gamit ang spear, at nagig abala din sina Gracey na nagpapaturo.

It started pulling me even more. My body was already submerged underwater when I felt that 'thing' let my feet go. I swam to the surface when I realized that the ground was unreachable.

Damn it! I can't swim!

Everyone was busy looking for fishes. Their backs were on me. They probably didn't notice me being pulled down, because I didn't really make a sound. It looked like I just went for a dive. I didn't want to be the center of attention but I still shouted.

"Hel—" my words we're cut off by the water. I kept on flapping my arms and legs until I felt my legs stiffen. s**t! I'm going to die.

I couldn't feel my legs moving. I've already inhaled so much water. I felt like giving up when I didn't feel like anyone noticed me. But then I felt a set of strong arms, wrapped around my waist. I didn't get a good look because I lost my consciousness.

Archer's POV.

I put on my sunglasses. The sun wasn't that shady, but I wanted to get my eyes covered so she won't catch me staring. She looks problematic. The task is kind of stressful. She was looking around the water with her eyebrows furrowed. She must be pretty upset that she couldn't find any fish huh?

"Aren't I supposed to be with them?" I heard my brother speak.

I glanced at him before looking back at Aries. "Dito ka lang." I said with finality.

"But why? I'm a freshman, hindi ba dapat I'm training with them too?"

"Sabi ko, dito ka lang. You'll join the next task at the river." I said.

I don't want him to enter the lake. Why? Because he's crushing on Aries. I'm not being a prick and be in the way with the two. Pero in my opinion, hindi sila bagay. Siguro mas bagay kami ni Aries.

"Is this because of that Argente?" He pouted. "Kuya, I just said she looked cute. Hindi porket cute na siya para sa'kin, eh crush ko na agad siya?" Natatawang aniya.

I scoffed. "Kilala kita, Pierce. At hindi ako papayag na dadamayin mo pa siya sa mga kaguluhan mo. Understood?" Hindi makapaniwalang umiling lamang si Pierce.

I looked back at the lake to shamelessly stare at Aries again. But she was nowhere to be found. I squinted my eyes and looked around. Baka naghanap siya sa ibang parte ng lawa? It wasn't that covered. It was like a lagoon, surrounded with rocks and trees, but that's it. You can easily find someone here. Unless...

I quickly turned my head towards Pierce when he swiftly took off his shirt and ran towards the water. Everyone was looking at him. I was a bit confused as well. So I took my shades off. I was about to shout at my brother when I realized what he was doing.

Fuck! She was drowning?! Why didn't I see her? I looked at my shades, maybe something was covering it? Hindi ko alam kung bakit iyon ang iniisip ko. I threw my shades and I heard it break, but I don't care. I immediately went to Pierce as he carry Aries to the shore.

She was unconscious. Why didn't she say anything about not knowing how to swim? I could've excluded her in this task. The lake is kind of deep.

Nang makalapit na ako. Hinahawi na ni Pierce ang buhok niya. He did CPR and mouth to mouth on her, and I was just.. staring. I couldn't butt in. It was so stupid of me. I could've given them some life jackets. Did she shout for help? I didn't hear her. She was just near, how did she end up at the deeper end of the lake? I don't understand how this happened.

Bahagya naman akong napalingon sa isang junior na noon pa lang, kinakainisan ko na. Maximo, the biggest trouble maker in camp. He's silently snickering with his best friend. Is he that evil that he thinks a drowning person is comedic? Aba gagong 'to-

I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard her cough out the water she inhaled. I immediately went to my bag to get a towel and I gave it to her. She was holding her chest and carefully breathing with her eyes closed. I was kneeling in front of her, while slightly rubbing my hand on to her shoulders.

That s**t made me nervous. My heart was beating so fast, and I didn't know what to do. Why wasn't I looking after her correctly?! I felt so stupid, doing nothing! I'm a senior! I should be doing something.

When she opened her eyes she immediately faced Pierce. I was about to smile but then it faded.

"Okay ka la— Oh," she cut him off with a tight hug. I looked away and cleared my throat. Pierce was nervously eyeing me so I gestured him to let her go.

"Thank you. You saved my life." She praised my brother.

I'm not in the position to be jealous. I just met her, she doesn't mean anything to me. I didn't save her either. All I did was shamelessly stare at her, then not notice her suffering, and gave her a towel afterwards. I don't deserve a 'thanks' right?

"Are you done?" Wala sa sariling tanong ko. Gulat na napatingin si Aries sa'kin.

"I'm done drowning, there's that." She sarcastically said. Which made me smile, but I didn't show her that so I just pouted. "Thanks to Pierce." She added. I frowned and looked away to stop myself from rolling eyes.

Pierce just chuckled. I heard the mocking in that laugh. I raised a brow at him before helping her up.

Aries' POV

The rest of the tasks was cancelled and I felt ashamed. The day went on until it was time for dinner, and everyone dined together. Nasa garden kami ngayon. Malaki nag garden dito. It fit 4 big, long tables, one table for each batch.

I felt the stares from my co-hunters. Some were saying that I was doing that for attention. So I'd be a damsel. Believe me, I'm far from wishing to be the damsel in distress.

While eating. I felt the person beside me stood up. Hindi ko na siya nilingon. Then someone replaced him.

"Okay ka lang?" Archer whispered, he sounded sincere, like he was actually worried about me. I sighed softly before sipping on my apple juice.

"I'm fine, thank you." I tried to avoid being ungrateful. I appreciate him caring for me. But I can't just pretend that he lied to my friends about last night.

He cleared his throat before giving me a cup of hot cocoa. There was a cute marshmallow floating, shaped like a deer.

"To warm you up." He whispered.

"I'm warm," I said while still not looking at him. "But.. thanks." I softly said before sipping on to the hot cocoa.

It was awkward silence at first. All I can hear was the spoons and forks hitting the plate subtly while eating, and soft talking from other people.

"Uh.." I glanced at him when he spoke but it was only quick. "I wasn't lying. Primrose told me about your.. belief."

Kunot noong tiningnan ko siya. There was still some mashed potatoes and steak in my mouth,

"You're really making me believe that I.." I gave emphasis in 'I'. "..kissed YOU?" I pointed at him. He nodded while playing a little smirk on his lips. It made me laugh.

His brows here knotted while looking at me laughing. He was still serious. I thought it was joke. I mean, isn't it?

"Wait.." my laugh started to calm down. "Seriously?" My father taught me how to determine when someone is lying to our faces. He looked me in the eye and nodded. So he was serious. He wasn't lying. I did.. kiss him?! What the hell, Aries?!

"I was that drunk?" I whispered. I didn't want anyone else to hear. "How drunk?!" I couldn't believe it. Akala ko mga tatlong baso lang ang ininom ko. Maybe it was more than that?

He tapped his chin like he was thinking. "Hmm. Let's see." It made me nervous. What the f**k did I do?!

"Nothing much, really. I was carrying you, then you complimented my scent..." okay, now that's weird, I furrowed my brows even more, which made him snicker. ".. Nang naihatid na kita sa cabin niyo. Sabog na din mga room mates mo. Except kay Skye. She helped me put you to bed, she changed you and all that. Nang magpapaalam na sana ako. Umiyak ka.."

"What?!" I said in a low voice. "Ba't ako umiyak?!"

He laughed. "Will you chill yourself out? Hindi ka makukulong."

"Just continue." I rolled my eyes at him and finished eating while listening to him talk.

"Sabi mo, miss mo na ang mga kapatid mo. You also told me how much your little sister loved Sofia the First. So you sang the freaking theme song," he laughed. "Oh my god, that was embarrassing. Hindi maganda boses mo, alam mo ba yun?" Tinampal ko siya sa balikat at napatawa lamang ito.

"Pero inaya mo ako. Maganda naman boses ko, pero hindi ko kabisado ang lyrics. Tapos sabi mo, pag hindi ako kumanta... hahalikan mo ako." I glanced at him. Bahagya akong nagulat nang ilang dangkal nalang ang layo ng mukha naming dalawa. He was gazing my face shamelessly, until his eyes landed on my lips.

"Well?" I tried cancelling the beating of my heart. "D-did you sing?" I said in a low voice. I was still holding on to some hope, that he did. To make myself believe that I didn't really.. kiss.. him.

He smirked. "Yes, I did." Inilayo na niya ang mukha niya sa'kin and he rested his back comfortably on the backrest of his seat.

So if he did, then why would he make me think that I kissed him?

"Pero sabi mo ang galing kong kumanta kaya hinalikan mo ako.." he said out of nowhere. Like it wasn't such a big deal.

My eyes widened as I look around, buti nalang walang nakinig. Prim and Grace were sitting across us, and they were trying their best not to laugh or something. s**t!

"That's..." I huffed a breath. "That's not true! Tell me that's not true." I faced Prim and Grace pero nag kibit balikat lamang silang dalawa, which made my jaw drop. I did that?! Seriously?!

Bahagya akong napaatras nang bigla niyang tinusok ang steak na hinihiwa ko, at sinubo para sa sarili niya gamit nag tinidor ko.

"Mmm, sarap." He said whilst chewing the steak. He then held my chin and made me face him. I realized he had already swallowed the steak.

"Don't worry..." using his thumb, he wiped off the gravy from the side of my lips. It must be from the mashed potatoes. "You were a good kisser." He said before licking the gravy off of his thumb and taking off.

I was dumbfounded as I stare at his well-built back walking away from our table. He had his hand inside her pocket while walking towards their table at the other end of the garden.

"Psst.." Nilingon ko si Prim. "Kilig ka no?" Pang-aasar nito.

Inirapan ko lamang sila habang tinatawanan ako. I finished my hot cocoa before standing up and getting my stuff. I need to clear my mind. Tomorrow's the day. I have to be focused. A stupid kiss is not going to be a bother to me, right?