CHAPTER 16- THE PLAYERS
2382 Words
CHAPTER 16- THE PLAYERS
“Ladies and Gents! Welcome to the Big Day. We will witness the entourage of our lovely and handsome players in a few moments,” dinig kong anunsiyo ni Hajjis.
Nandito kami sa loob ng aming sasakyan at nakaabang na pagbuksan ng pinto at pumasok loob ng dome. Maingay kung ilalarawan ang loob ng dome dahil mismo rito sa labas ay dinig ang mga hiyawan nila.
The interview will be our last challenge. Malamang na ang mga nanonood lamang ng live sa loob ay ang mga pinakamayaman sa buong city. However, those people who reside from different zones can only watch us on the monitor screen flashed in the zone’s arena.
“Welcome to our 32nd Ready Set Kill Annual Festival!” matunog na pagbati ni Hajjis.
Malakas na palakpakan at sigawan muli ang bumulaga sa loob ng arena ng biglang bumukas ang pinto. Ito na ang hudyat upang pumasok ang sasakyan patungo sa loob.
Nagsimula ng umandar ang sasakyan kung saan kami nakalagi kasabay ng mga sigawan ng manonood.
Kinakabahan na ako. This is not the celebration I am longing for.
Nakarating na rin kami sa harapang bahagi ng entablado at pinagbuksan ng pinto. I am wearing the most elegant dress I never dreamt to wear in my entire life. It is indeed amazing yet surprising. This is not an ordinary cocktail green dress with a design of our logo. My hair is in braid and I am wearing a green high heel.
It seems that I am attending a date. Luckily, there’s Giero to accompany me because I am not used to wear this six inches heels. For somebody who used to see this dress, it is quite common, but for me it is beyond ordinary.
Nagtungo na kami sa itaas ng entablado at pinapasok sa isang sound proof machine.
Napakarami ng tao ayon sa nakita ko kanina. Hindi ko man sila maaninag ng maayos ngunit alam kong may nanggaling sa zone namin na ngayon ay nandito. Isa-isa nang kinakanayam ang bawat manlalaro.
Now, it is my turn.
Lumapit ako kay Hajjis ng nakangiti ngunit parang maduduwal na ako sa sobrang kaba. Hindi ko pa rin masyadong maaninag ang lahat dahil sa ilaw na tumatama sa aking mata. Ngunit, dinig ko ang kanilang hiyawan, iba ay tila lait at iba ay galak.
“How are you Ms. Retoda?” bati sa akin ni Hajjis.
Napalingon ako sa lalaking nakasuot ng white suit at naka tuxedo. “Mabuti,” maikling tugon ko.
“Mukhang kinakabahan ka ata?”
“M-medyo.”
“Mas kabahan ka sa RSK Festival kaysa sa interview, Ms. Retoda. Hahaahaha!" natatawang saad niya.
Hindi ko siya sinagot at pinagmasdan na lamang ang mga tao. Ayaw pa rin mag sink-in sa isip ko na nararanasan ko na itong interview.
“I heard Zone 3 never won in the RSK Festival, isn't? So, can you assure that this year you will get the victory?” panimulang tanong niya.
“Yes, I will and I can,” I confidently replied.
“What a confidence. Well, hindi naman masama ang umasa diba?”
Nagsigawan naman ang lahat.
"I'm not fond of hope," I sarcastically answered.
“Oh! Anyway, what do you think is your asset in the upcoming 32nd RSK Festival?”
“I want you to see how I am going to win the battle. I am equipped with experiences, I swear! And, the asset you are asking for? I’ll give you time to discover,” I smiled.
Unti-unti na ako nabubuhayan ng lakas ng loob. Hindi ko pwedeng ipakitang mahina ako.
“That's all for this day Ms. Retoda. Thank you! Your confidence looks you more braver!”
“Can... I see you something?” nauutal kong tugon.
“Aha? And what’s that?” manghang tanong niya.
Tumayo ako sa aking upuan at humarap sa crowd. I clapped three times.
Namangha rin ako sa aking nasaksihan. Lumabas ang maraming ahas kasabay ng pagbabago ng aking damit mula sa cocktail into a gown.
It is unbelievable.
“Just clapped three times on the Big Day and it will give you remarks,” bilin sa akin ni Zyn Sin.
Hindi ako makapaniwala na nakagawa siya ng ganitong kakaibang damit sa loob ng isang araw. Namangha ako sa kaniya ng mabatid na siya ang magsusulsi ng aming susuutin. The Rank 7 of the city designed my dress.
I am too lucky enough.
"I can't believe I met you personally," laking gulat ko ng makita ko siya.
"I'm not expecting too," she replied.
Nagsimula na siyang kunan ng sukat si Giero at itinala ang size nito sa kaniyang dalang kwaderno.
"I know there's something with you," she said.
"What? I mean, how assured you are Ma'am?" natataranta kong tugon.
"However, you lack concentration and strong foundation. Work for that two factors if you really wanted to win the festival," pagpapaliwanag pa niya.
Hindi ko siya maintindihan sa mga sinasabi niya. Nais kong magtanong pa ngunit alam kong wala rin akong exact explanation na makukuha.
Nanatili lamang akong nakatayo at sinusunod ang utos niya. Abala siya sa pagkuha ng sukat ng aking katawan.
"I hope you'll win the festival. The dress I'll make for you is different because I know you deserve to wear it. Good luck." Iyon ang huli niyang saad bago nilisan ang headquarter kahapon.
“Ito pala ang ibig niyang sabihin,” bulong ko sa aking sarili habang pinagmamasdan ang aking damit.
Hinila ko naman ang stick na nakatusok sa aking ulo at nag-iba rin ito nang ayos. It was like a one-time princess for a day. Nakabagsak ito at may halong berde na kulay.
“Hindi mo talaga kami binitin Ms. Retoda! Mukhang nais mo talagang mamangha kami. You look very elegant,” aniya ni Hajjis.
“Thank you!”
"What do you call with that dress?"
"Green Tempted Venom Gown," I replied.
Naghiyawan ang lahat ng tao. Naririnig ko na halos lahat ay naging masaya sa nasaksihan nila at ganoon rin ako. Bumalik na ako papasok sa aking sound proof machine.
This moment is really an awesome day.
Rinig ko pa rin ang hiyawan at palakpakan ng mga tao. Malaki talaga ang aking pasasalamat sa gumawa ng aking damit.
"Thank you, Ma'am Sin!" bulong ko.
Hindi ko iyon inasahan dahil hindi man lang ito naisukat sa akin pero mabuti at kumasya.
Natapos na rin kaming lahat sa interview and finally we will about to know the result by tomorrow. It is the last day of our training individually and also recognition of the advantage weapon.
I headed in my room. Nakahinga na rin ako ng maluwag.
“Rumi!!!” rinig kong tawag ni Giero.
Nagmadali naman akong lumabas ng pinto. Nakita ko ang pag-flash ng mga profile ng players sa 32nd RSK Festival. Kabilang rin kami rito ni Giero. Umupo ako sa kaniyang tabi at nawili sa panonood.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered.
Hindi na ako sumagot pa at nagpatuloy lang sa panonood.
Name: Sing Namon
Nickname: “SING”
Birth date: May 01, 2000
Age: 20 years old
Sex: Male
Blood Type: A
Zone: 1
Zone ID: 0066
Special Ability: TELEPHATY
Description: He has the ability to read minds. He can kill his enemy using only his mind and focus. He is a serious guy whose passion is reading minds and books. His potential is associated for his character of being curious about something. He wants to know how people think and react towards him. He rarely trusts someone instead prefer to be alone.
Name: Vinc Doz
Nickname: “VINC”
Birth date: September 17, 2001
Age: 19 years old
Sex: Male
Blood Type: AB
Zone: 1
Zone ID: 0086
Special Ability: TELEKINESIS
Description: He is a basketball player who loves to date every girl from their school. He has the ability to move objects using his body gestures. His ability is associated on his character of being materialistic and idealistic. He shows eyes redness when too much using his potential.
Name: Xixi Seraf
Nickname: “EX”
Birth date: July 06, 2000
Age: 20 years old
Sex: Female
Mobile: #09367542871
Blood Type: O
Zone: 2
Zone ID: 0012
Special Ability: SUPERSENSES
Description: She has the ability to sense everything using her five senses. It is associated on her character of being sensitive, fearful, and clumsy. Her hair is always in ponytail. She experiences headache when using her potential in greater extent.
Name: Jaddy Kilos
Nickname: “JAD”
Birth date: January 28, 1999
Age: 21 years old
Sex: Male
Blood Type: AB
Zone: 2
Zone ID: 0094
Special Ability: SUPERSTRENGHT
Description: He possesses extraordinary human strength with enhanced agility and coordination. He loves to play badminton and volleyball. His potential is associated on her character of being sports enthusiast. He always wears her amulet in arm as her source of strength.
Name: Rumi Jane Retoda
Nickname: “RUMI”
Birth date: October 31, 2000
Age: 19 years old
Sex: Female
Blood Type: O
Zone: 3
Zone ID: 0102
Special Ability: HEALING
Description: She is a cheerful yet brave girl at age 9. She loves to kill her prey using her ability to weaken someone’s system. Her potential was being associated for being loner in school. She discovers some of unexplainable potential she can use. She can talk to animals, wind, and even multiply itself.
Name: Giero Macz
Nickname: “GI”
Birth date: August 14, 2000
Age: 20 years old
Sex: Male
Blood Type: A
Zone: 3
Zone ID: 0042
Special Ability: SMOKE POISON
Description: A stubborn and serious guy who wants to live a normal life. However, he was being challenged when her sister died on the selection process. He has the ability to enter someone’s body and control it. By using his potential too much, he released too much blood from his nails. He usually wears eyeglass and love to play tricks. He is a substitute to their player who died because of him.
Name: White Pawatee
Nickname: “WHITE”
Birth date: May 28, 2000
Age: 20 years old
Sex: Male
Blood Type: AB
Zone: 4
Zone ID: 0028
Special Ability: SOUND CONTROLLER
Description: He is half of the identical twins of Zone 4 representatives. His ability is to control sounds of nature or technology. His ability is anchored to his love in music and nature. He always wears headphones in his neck.
Name: Grey Pawatee
Nickname: “GREY”
Birth date: May 28, 2000
Age: 20 years old
Sex: Female
Blood Type: AB
Zone: 4
Zone ID: 0027
Special Ability: EMOTION MANIPULATION
Description: She is a twin of White. Her potential is to control emotions. Grey is a bipolar girl and always in mood swing. She only chooses whom to be friends with. She is a childish girl. She can also identified emotions based on the symbols she pictured in the person. She can spot for symbols on someone’s forehead. Black Spade for Hatred and Red Spade for Sadness, Black Heart for Love and Red Heart for Happiness, Black Diamond for Anger and Red Diamond for Fear, Black Malunggay for Calmness and Red for Purity.
Name: Jaxon Natoni
Nickname: “JAX”
Birth date: August 21, 1999
Age: 21 years old
Sex: Male
Blood Type: O
Zone: 5
Zone ID: 0162
Special Ability: ILLUSIONIST
Description: He is a clingy and hopeless romantic gay. He loves to think out of the box and make an illusions based on her ideals. It is where his potential is associated.
Name: Lob Rayvan
Nickname: “RAY”
Birth date: February 14, 1999
Age: 21 years old
Sex: Male
Blood Type: B
Zone: 5
Zone ID: 0049
Special Ability: SHADOW MANIPULATION
Description: He loves to play in the dark. He always wear black cup. He can control shadows which being anchored to his potential. He loves reflections too. He can’t control someone if there is no shadow at all.
Name: Azi Akil
Nickname: “ZY”
Birth date: September 05, 1999
Age: 21 years old
Sex: Female
Blood Type: B
Zone: 6
Zone ID: 0044
Special Ability: PLANT CONTROLLER
Description: She is a botany lover. She has leaf like carved in her left ear. Her love in plants anchored to her potential. He can control plants.
Name: Quen Manola
Nickname: “QUEN”
Birth date: December 30, 1998
Age: 21 years old
Sex: Male
Blood Type: AB
Zone: 6
Zone ID: 0009
Special Ability: WEATHER CONTROLLER
Description: He is a weather controller. He loves to create something out of weather. Quen’s passion to draw abstract images was a key to his potential discovery. What he draws is what will happen. He can draw in 30 seconds.
Name: Asro Casuse
Nickname: “ARS”
Birth date: June 11, 2000
Age: 20 years old
Sex: Male
Blood Type: B
Zone: 7
Zone ID: 0103
Special Ability: ANIMAL CONTROLLER
Description: He loves animals which associated to his potential. He has a bracelet which sculpted different kind of animals. It is being used to control animals.
Name: Mish Shift
Nickname: “SHIFT”
Birth date: May 14, 2000
Age: 20 years old
Sex: Female
Blood Type: B
Zone: 7
Zone ID: 0201
Special Ability: SHAPESHIFTING
Description: She loves to play hide and seek. It leads her to discover her potential to mimic the color of nature or anything that she touched. She can transform in anything she wants to be.
Name: Elaine Wat
Nickname: “LAI”
Birth date: March 19, 1999
Age: 21 years old
Sex: Female
Blood Type: A
Zone: 8
Zone ID: 0051
Special Ability: WATER CONTROLLER
Description: She is a water controller. She loves to play with water. She has a hair like waves. If there has no droplets of water in her surrounding, she finds difficulty to use her potential to the extent. She has one of the dangerous potential controller in their zone.
Name: Ury Iversonn
Nickname: “URY”
Birth date: January 1, 1999
Age: 21 years old
Sex: Male
Blood Type: AB
Zone: 8
Zone ID: 0034
Special Ability: FIRE CONTROLLER
Description: One of the great elemental users in the history of RSK Festival. He won the last 31ST RSK Festival. He’s an introvert. He is always in anger. He doesn’t have much friend due to his attitude. He is a very dangerous enemy. He wears red cap and his stares can kill you if he wants to.
“Good luck tomorrow,” huling tugon ko kay Giero bago magtungo sa aking kwarto. "We can use those description as an advantage," huling paalala ko pa.
“Nice to see you again, Ms. Retoda!”
Napatingin ako sa pinto ng iniluwa nito ang isang nilalang na aking kinatatakutan. Marami sila at hindi lang siya nag-iisa.
“A-anong pong ginagawa ninyo rito?”
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- Writer
