Archanghel: Tale of the Universe

Chapter 3

The reporter was walking fast to the editor’s office. A piece of newspaper in his hand he received earlier from the courier. He was pissed, the look on his face and the way he stomped his feet as he walked gave away. He was stopped by his editor’s guard before he could even reach the office door.

“I’m so sorry, Sir. But you are not allowed to go in. Mr. Ed was busy at the moment.”

That just adds fuel to a fire. The reporter was becoming more pissed each second passed. First, the news he received, and then now, the editor’s guards. He disregards what people might think of him now. He pushed his way through and then shouted the name of his editor.

“Let him in, Baldomero,” a voice said.

The reporter quickly shrugged the guard's hand at him and entered the room. He was greeted by his editor, who was sitting comfortably in his seat. On either side of him stood two women who were both lacking in clothes.

The reporter’s mood worsens. He had not really liked this day so far. Things were just turning worse and worse.

“What brought you here, Eric?” His editor asks. The reporter’s upper lip quirked in disgust.

“This!” He forcefully threw the newspaper on the editor’s table.

The latter straightened his seat. He motions for the two girls to leave before glancing at the paper and fully regarding the reporter.

“Why, are you telling me that I was the one who killed him?” That sentence made the reporter snap.

+++

“Thief died in an ambush. Last night, a thief was found dead after being ambushed by a mob when he was caught trying to steal at one of the Mercury Drugs Store located in Quezon City…”

“People are getting worse every day. You really need to be careful when going out.” Mamang shook her head as she watched the news.

“I’ll be going ahead now!” I said while struggling to get my feet inside my shoes while walking too.

“Text me when you get there. Be extra careful! You can’t trust anyone anymore now!” She shouted back.

I only waved my goodbye because I was already at the gate. Today was the enrolment day and I need to leave early because I know Janus takes too long to prepare. He is worse than a girl. We have decided to go to school together and before proceeding with the enrolment process, we’ll go to the council office first.

When I reached the compound where Janus was living, I bumped into their landlady, *Aling Martha. A sweet woman who treats Janus as her son.

“Xandriel, are you here for Janus?” She asks me with a smile on her face.

“We’re going to school together. Is he still in? Enrollment will start soon.” I asked.

“Actually, Janus hasn’t been home since last night. I didn’t see him enter the compound.” The old lady said.

Aling Martha’s house was just at the gate. They could see who was going in and out of the compound. I furrowed my eyebrows in question. Janus and I were together yesterday at the office and he even walked me home. How come he’s not here?

“He was with me yesterday but maybe he just went somewhere and lost track of time.” I offered.

Worry masked Aling Martha’s face.

“Where could he be?” She asked no one in particular.

+++

“You’re very harsh to your suitor, young lady. You are letting him walk in this scorching sun.”

I was startled when a man walked up to me.

He looked like he was in his forties. He was wearing gray slacks and a white shirt. He looked pretty normal, decent. I looked around me to check if he was talking to me. There was no one in sight.

“Are you talking to me?” I stupidly asked.

“Yes. Isn’t that your suitor? He had been following you.” He pointed his pointer finger at the distance.

True to his words, when I turned around, I saw a man standing a few meters away from me. He was staring at me but I really don’t know if he was really looking at me straight or if he was really following me.

When I turned around to answer the old man about the man’s identity, I was greeted with nothing. The old man was already gone. I turned around to look back at the guy but he, too, was gone.

I shrug my shoulders and dismiss everything. I continue my walk to school. Numbers of students are now flocking to the gate. I hastened my steps.

God! President will kill me. How I wish Janus had been here with me to face her wrath. Ugh! Janus!

I immediately stopped when I saw Kate in the lobby. She had her arms folded on her chest and she was tapping her foot impatiently on the floor.

This is not good.

“Xandriel Escobal. Can you tell me what time it is? Is this how you want students to learn from you? Coming late?” Yup, not really good.

The vice president was there beside her. He had his head bent down before he coughed. He was looking everywhere, but not at the two of us. He was avoiding my gaze. It was a little embarrassing too because it looked like Kate had forgotten that we were still standing in the lobby and there were students who were watching us.

“I think we need to do our job now, Pres. You can scold Xandy all you want after this.”

Kate squinted her eyes at me before she gave me my task. I sweetly smiled at her before proceeding with my task. I also threw Jake a thankful look.

There was no question about our school’s status. It really is an elite one. Aside from the number of students. Almost every one of them was flashing their fortunes on a daily basis. It was really a miracle that Janus and I passed that scholarship.

“OMG! I can’t believe the smell of their toilet. It’s… yuck!” I heard one of the students say as I passed them. My ear twitches.

Come on, Xandriel. The toilet was not smelly. You know that. You and Janus spent days maintaining that. Inhale. Exhale.

I closed my eyes to calm myself. When I felt that I had regained my calmness, I opened my eyes and saw Kate standing in front. She had her back on me.

“Follow me.” She spoke. I looked back at Jake who was standing behind us. He gave me a good luck sign and motioned me to follow Kate. So, I did.

Kate and I reached the toilet. She just barges in while I hesitate. I looked up at the sign and cringed, it was the boy’s toilet. I did clean this toilet but that was when Janus and I were alone. Now, there are students inside. So, I decided to just stand at the door where I could still see Kate.

“President! Are you trying to peep at us?” One of the students said.

“Does something smell foul?” Kate didn’t bother with anything and asked.

The students looked at each other, then they saw me and smiled. I tried to return the smile but I couldn’t help feeling awkward. I really need Janus here.

“Aside from their sweat, we don’t smell anything foul. In fact, this place smells good. Did the secretary clean this place?” The same guy answered.

“Yeah. I only know one person who puts this kind of smell in places. It was the secretary.” Another added.

“I’ve heard some complaints. Especially in the girl’s toilet. Since only two people cleaned everything, I can assume that the places will have the same smell.” Kate said. Calmly. But menace could be heard in her voice.

We all swallow hard. In times like this, when Kate was this mad, it was better to hear it from another person rather than being one to witness it firsthand.

“Go get me that b***h!” Everyone was startled when Kate shouted.

Everyone rushed out of the toilet and ran, probably looking for the one who had been making a complaint earlier, leaving me and Kate. I was still standing in the toilet’s doorway, scared, while Kate was inside, still fuming. She turns to me while I stare at her.

In the span of seven years that I knew Kate, I got used to her temperament. She was strict. Super strict. Ever since I transferred here during third grade, I have already learned that everyone was scared of Kate and her temperament. That is why I am a little nervous now. Not for myself but for the girl who Kate was directing her anger at. I pray for her soul.