Rise In A Revolt

Chapter 1

“Tumahimik ka! Huwag ka ngang iyak nang iyak, naririndi na ‘ko!” she shouted while dancing with her baby to force the kid to sleep.

I’m here hiding at the back of their house, nakasilip ako sa bintana sa likod ng bahay nila. Seeing her suffering in that situation makes my heart melt because of pity to her. Hindi dapat ganyan ang magiging buhay niya kung nakinig siya sa’kin pero that’s her decision and that’s her life kaya hindi dapat ako makielam.

“I miss you so much.” I whispered and smile sadly before walking away. Dumaan ako sa likod ng bahay nila para hindi na nila ako makita.

I hopped on my motorcycle and wore my helmet before turning on the engine and drive as fast as I can.

I don’t want to see her suffer like that but I can’t even do anything for her. Hindi ko siya malapitan o makausap man lang. She’s obviously mad at me, she didn’t even talk to me after I confronted her about being pregnant at the young age. I just opened up to her my opinion about that but then she got mad.

She’s often in the guidance office because of hickeys or other signs that she did s****l intercourse to a man but it stopped when she met her boyfriend, ang tagal mula noong matigil iyon pero akala ko ay okay na siya, hindi pa pala. Lalo siyang lumala, they always doing ‘that’ thing until mabuntis siya.

Hindi ko naman siya kinakahiya bilang kaibigan ko pero ang hindi niya pakikinig sa’kin at hindi pag kausap ang masakit.

“Can’t you stop having s*x to any man around?” I shouted and shook my head in disbelief before pulling her out the bar.

“It’s my life and it’s my decision, okay?” she chuckled and fixed her laced bra. She’s too drunk after getting in to a wild bar party. Someone in here just call me and asked me to bring her with me. Ako pa ang nahihiya para sa kanya.

“Get in!” inis kong sigaw at pilit siyang ipinapapasok sa passenger seat.

“Chill!” she raised her hands like surrendering before laughing again. “You’re too harsh to your bestfriend.”

“Why do I hell have a friend like you? Madami namang matino sa paligid pero ikaw pa ang naging kaibigan ko!” padabog kong sinara ang pinto sa passenger seat bago sumakay sa driver seat.

“Are you disappointed to have a friend like me?” she asked between silence. Hindi ko siya sinagot sa pag-aakalang lasing pa siya. “Hey, I’m asking.”

“N-no,” I answered truly. “I’m just disappointed sa mga ginagawa mo. You’re slowly ruining your life, you know?” I added.

“Ano bang mali sa mga ginagawa ko? Hindi naman ako gumagawa ng krimen, d’ba?” she asked sarcastically. Here we go again. Ayaw kong nakikipag talo sa kanya sa mga ganitong bagay dahil lagi naman kaming nauuwing mag-kaaway pero kung sagot ko ang mag papatino sa kanya, sige.

“Yes, you are doing something wrong! Please give yourself some respect, hindi ka ba nahihiya? Kung kani-kanino ka nakikipag intercourse, gosh Maesya! Can you please listen to me at least once? Hirap na hirap na akong alugin yang utak mo.” I sighed and harshly brush my hair.

“Ano naman ang mali?”

“You’re not respecting yourself, your body and even your parents! What if you get pregnant at the young age? Magmumukha kang pabigat sa pamilya mo!”

“Condom or pull-out naman.” She chuckled.

“Punyeta. Masasabi mo ba yun ha? Ewan ko sa’yo. Paano ko ba tutuktukin yang kukote mo?”

“You don’t have to care to me. You’re just my friend after all.”

I felt a bang in my chest. Alright, yeah, she’s right, I’m ‘just’ her friend. Ano nga naman ba ang ambag ko sa buhay niya? Wala naman kaya bakit kailangan ko pang makielam, d’ba?

“So soft.” I chuckled and wiped my own tears using my thumb after I remembered all of it. Masakit pa rin pala.

“Pumasok ka na dito. Pinuntahan mo na naman yung babaeng yun.” Napatalon ako sa gulat dahil sa bigla niyang pagsulpot.

“Masama ba?” I asked and faced her, nakasilip lang siya sa pinto habang kausap ako.

“Hindi, ang masama is yung pag-iyak mo d’yan. Mukha kang tanga. Pumasok ka na sa loob, nandoon na yung dalawa.” Tuluyan na siyang lumabas at kinuha ang sigarilyo niya sa pocket.

“Minsan babaeng-babae ka kumilos pero minsan lalaking-lalaki, ano ba talaga ang kasarian mo?” I rolled my eyes bago tumakbo papasok, baka ako pa ang mapagdiskitahan niya. She’s not in the mood.

“Saan ka galing?” salubong ni Aaron sa’kin. He’s sitting on a sofa while playing something on his phone.

“Somewhere.” I glanced to Zecharech and as I expected he’s reading a book na naman as always, he’s sitting on a high chair placed on our mini bar. I was about to greet him pero naunahan na niya ako.

“She went to her ex-best friend’s house, obviously. Aren’t you sanay, Aaron?” he said without looking to us.

Hindi pala pagbati yun. Sisinghalan lang pala niya ako. This guy.

Nasanay na lang ako sa ganyan treatment niya, he’s cold as ice. But I’ll admit it, he’s good-looking. I just can’t stand his cold treatment to everybody, or may I say ‘to me’? He’s not like that to others sometimes.

“Alright, sasanayin ko na rin ang sarili ko.” Aaron grinned and sat properly kaya nakatalikod na siya sa’kin. Napailing na lang ako bago ilagay ang helmet sa table malapit sa pinto kung saan nakalagay ang kanya-kanya naming helmet.

“I-im going to rest.” I said to excuse myself to them. Wala din naman silang imik kaya umakyat na lang ako.

I turned on the light and clean myself before lying down on my bed. I glanced at the window, kitang kita kung gaano kadilim kahit hindi pa naman gabi.

Tago ang lugar kung nasaan kami. All of us known each other since we’re a kid, in short, we’re childhood friends. May mga times na hindi kami magkakasama dahil may sari-sarili din naman kaming family to bond with.

Pero ngayon, nakatira na kami sa iisang bahay. This place is hidden because that’s what she wants. Hindi ko din alam kung bakit kailangan pa niyang magtago.

All of us four is a group in an organization that helps the community to have good surroundings. The rule was changed because the generation also change. The higher ranks changed the rule because they want to have a peaceful community. Not like the last generation, they just want wealth, power and money.

“Andria Tenleigh.” I felt volts in my spine when I heard Zecharech’s voice calling me. It’s full of authority and so much power. I felt like he’s not deserving to belong with us eh.

“Ano?” tamad kong tanong pabalik. I know that he’ll hear me naman.

“Open this f*****g door.”

Makautos naman ‘to! May pa-f*****g f*****g pang nalalaman. Siya na nga ang maguutos tapos ayaw pa ayusin. Give me respect, dumbass.

“Now!” napaigtad ako sa bigla niyang pag sigaw. Dali dali akong napatayo.

“Sandali lang naman!” sigaw ko habang natatarantang buksan yung pinto. “Hi sir. Welcome to my room. What can I do for you?” I sarcastically said and fake a smile. I hope he feel the sarcasm but tatanga tanga ata siya kaya ‘di na-gets.

“Thanks.” Naglakad siya papasok ng kwarto ko. Walanghiya talaga! Kung pwede ko lang siya ihagis palabas ay kanina ko pa ginawa. Kainis!

“What the heck?” angil ko ng makita siyang prenteng nahiga sa kama ko. Pabagsak kong sinara ang pinto at inis na lumapit sa kanya. “Get the hell out of here, ano bang kailangan mo?” inis kong tanong.

I don’t overreact, I just don’t want someone invade my privacy. Yes, laying on my bed is invading privacy for me. Galawin mona lahat ng gamit ko pero ‘wag kang humiga sa kama ko. Baka magkamatayan tayo.

It’s the most comfortable place for me to rest kaya ayaw ko na may ibang humihiga sa kama ko, tapos siya ganun ganun na lang? Kingina!

Kinuha ko ang unan at ginawang pang-hampas iyon sa kanya. Ginamit niya ang braso niya para salagin ang mga hampas ko. Sinampa ko ang tuhod ko sa kama para mas mapalapit ako sa kanya at mahampas ko siya ng mas malakas pero hindi ko naman alam na pwedeng dumulas yung tuhod ko!

“s**t!” I heard him curse before holding my waist. Nakakabinging katahimikan ang bumalot sa’ming dalawa. Titig na titig ang mata ko sa kanya at ganoon din siya sa’kin. He’s eyes looks so dark and it’s so beautiful, he has thick brows and lashes. It’s so precious and so jewel. Wait, what the f**k am I saying?

“I-im sorry.” Dali dali akong tumayo ng ayos at humiwalay sa kanya. I don’t want the ambiance to be awkward for us because we’re leaving in the same roof and we’re also friends, hindi lang halata, for god sake!

“F-follow me down stairs. Time to eat.” Aniya at tumayo bago ako iwan doon.

“Ang kalat tuloy!” inis kong singhal nang makita kong nakakalat na ang mga unan ko, pati ang comforter ko ay nagulo dahil sa pang-iinis niya sa’kin kanina.

Inis at padabog kong iniligpit ang mga iyon bago lumabas, naabutan kong naghahain na si Aaron kasama si Ana, si Zecharech naman ay nakaupo na ulit sa high chair ng mini bar, nagbabasa.

“Hindi man lang tumulong.” Pailing-iling kong parinig. Lumapit ako sa dalawa para tulungan silang maghain pero bago pa ako makalapit ay kita ko sa peripheral view ko ang masamanag tingin ni Zecharech. Madadaanan ko kasi ang mini bar bago ako makarating ng kusina, halos nasa harap lang ng mini bar ang sala at sa gitna naman ang daan papunta sa kusina.

“Oh? Anong tinitingin-tingin mo d’yan?” Pagsusungit ko at inirapan siya bago tumuloy papunta sa kusina. Nakakainis lang siya. Matapos niyang dumihan ang ihagaan ko ay siya pa ang titingin ng masama, dukutin ko kaya ang mata niya?!

“Jayle, pre. Tara na dito, kakain na!” pag tawag ni Aaron kay Zecharech, they call him Jayle pero hindi ko feel na tawagin siyang ganun. Parang Greek god pakinggan ang Zecharech, call me weird pero ang ganda pakinggan para sa’kin kahit hindi magandang pakinggan para sa iba.

Hinila ko ang upuan sa gitna ni Aaron at Ana, our table is circle type kaya malamang kaharap ko yung kumag.

“I’ll eat later.” Rinig kong tugon nung isa. Napairap na lang ako sa kawalan, siya na nga ang inaayang kumain pero siya pa ang nag-iinarte.

“Come here, we’re going to talk about something.” Ana commanded, full of authority.

Wala nang nagawa ni Zecharech kung ‘di sumunod na lang. All of us obey Ana all the time, maybe because we’re scared to her or something. Basta kapag siya ang nagsabi ay bigla ka na lang mapapasunod.

“Early Pregnancy,” panimula niya. Alright, I know this. She did have found a main problem in the community and that’s we’re going to talk about right now. She’s always like that. She like solving problems and mysteries. “What do you think about it? It is good for us or not? Am I going to never mind this topic or we’re going to solve this? I don’t even know if this is a problem or not.” Sunod sunod niyang tanong.

I don’t know if a smart person is really inquisitive or siya lang because she like investigating things.

Try ko nga din maging inquisitive, baka sakaling tumalino din ako like her.

“Obviously, it’s not good. Sino ba naman ang may gusto na mabuntis ng maaga?” Aaron said bago sumubo ng pagkain niya. 

Natahimik ako, hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin. Hindi sa kinakahiya ko yung kaibigan ko pero nasasaktan pa rin ako tuwing ganito ang napaguusapan. I’m sensitive and Kim was my best friend, she didn’t listen and it ended up like that. I hope I can help her but Ana says ‘wag na raw akong mangielam.

“It’s good the make the population large. It’s a blessing you know? Early blessing.”

“Zecharech, what the hell?” I whispered in disbelief.

“You didn’t know what is sarcasm, ‘no?” I saw him rolled his eyes. Hiyang-hiya naman ako ‘no? Siya din naman ganoon!

“So, we need to have a solution in this.” Ana crossed her arms and looked at something from a far pero wala naman siya talagang specific na tinitignan, she’s thinking.

“Ano ba ang pwedeng maging dahilan kung bakit sila maagang nabubuntis? Maybe because of having a relationship to someone at the young age? Or what?” Aaron shared his thought again.

“No, what if they’re r***d? Don’t accused immediately without knowing what they really know.” Agap ni Ana. I adore her for that, she’s really smart and always consider what other will feel. She can be a lawyer, or a detective, pwede din naming policewoman. She’s too smart eh.

“Okay, sorry boss ha.” Aaron raised his both arms and laughed, Ana rolled her eyes and chuckled a bit.

“There are many reasons kung bakit at paano nabubuntis ang mga kabataang babae ngayon.” I looked at Zecharech in shock. Kaya naman pala niyang mag tagalog ng buo! It’s my first time hearing him talking like that.

“I agree.” Pag-sang-ayon ko. “And I think being r***d is the worst.” I added.

“What’s the best solution?” It’s Aaron again. “What can they do? Or us? Or the government? To stop this shitty thing, it’s making the world’s situation worst.” He shook his head and continue eating.

Patuloy lang sila sa pag-uusap habang ako naman ay tahimik lang na nakikinig habang kumakain. I didn’t experience that but I feels heavy. Maybe because I’m putting myself on my friend’s shoes. I’m thinking about what If she’s here and matamaan siya sa pinaguusapan namin, right? Parang nakaka-guilty kasi tuwing ikaw or nangyari na sa’yo ang pinaguusapan ng iba. Parang nakakahiya lang or ang awkward ng feeling. That’s what I exactly feeling right now.

“Excuse me.” I said and laughed after I burped so loud. Hindi din naman na ako nahihiya sa kanila, alam na rin naman naming ang amoy ng utot ng isa’t-isa, gosh. We’re already living in the same roof for a year.

“Puro ka kasi kain. Ang dami na naming napag-usapan habang ikaw ay kain ng kain.” Parinig ni Aaron, nakatikim naman siya ng batok galing sa’kin.

“You shut up.” Saway ko.

“Tenleigh, can you open up what really happened to your ex-friend? How did she end up like that? Alam mo ba talaga ang dahilan?” Ana suddenly asked. Hindi ko talaga maramdaman ang presensya niya tuwing may gusto siyang i-solve na case or problem.

“S-she did just open up to me that she’s pregnant and syempre nagalit ako at nainis kaya nagkasagutan kami and nauwi na sa malaking away hanggang sa hindi na niya ako pinansin hanggang graduation naming. I always visit her secretly to check if she’s alright.” Nahihirapan kong pagkwento. I sighed when I finished stating my side.

“What? Anong nangyari?! Who’s the father?!” napatayo ako sa gulat at inis, hinarap ko siya at masamang tinitigan. We’re just in grade ten! My blood is boiling, I can’t resist this. I hope she did just listen to me, damn it!

“M-michael.” She answered while sobbing. Hearing her sobs makes me want to hug her but I can’t, I want her to feel my anger.

“The f**k? I thought your boyfriend is so responsible!” I sighed deeply and looked away. “Did he know? Papanagutan ka ba niya?” I calmed myself kahit kabang-kaba na ako sa magiging sagot niya.

“He knows but hind-“ I cut her off.

“What the f**k! Ano? Anong hindi? Kawawa sila Tita dahil sa kagagahan mo, Maesya!” I scoffed. Naawa ako sa mga magulang niya. She’s too young to have a baby to carry, siya na lang ang pag-asa ng mga magulang niya para makabangon pero ganito pa ang ginawa niya.

I hope I can help her family but I can’t. Hindi pa naman ako ang bumubuhay sa sarili ko.

“I don’t know what to do. I’m so lost, my life is a mess. I hope I just listened to you.” She hugged her knees and lean on the trunk of the tree.

“What’s your plan? You need to let that baby live, but how?” I calmly asked. “Sana kasi ay nag-isip ka muna, sana pinakinggan mo ‘ko, wala ka sanang problema ngayon.”

“Don’t say such things to me. You know nothing.” She looked at me intently before leaving me there alone.

The feeling is so heavy. I felt my knees are trembling, hindi ko na kinaya, lambot na lambot ako. Napaupo na lang ako sa damuhan.

“Did I do something wrong?” I whispered.

Pakiramdam ko ay wala talaga akong alam sa buhay niya, na hindi talaga niya sinasabi sa’kin ang lahat. She’s right. I really know nothing.

Through the days, I tried to talk to her but lagi siyang umiiwas hanggang sa napagod na lang ako. Simula noon ay nawalan na ako ng ganang makipag kaibigan at pumasok sa school. I only talk to Zecharech, Aaron and Ana because I’m comfortable with them.

“Saan kayo mag-aaral?” I asked. We’re here in the park to bond. Even though we have our own lives, hindi pa din kami nakakalimot na makasama ang isa’t-isa.

“I won’t go to school. Maybe homeschooling is enough.” Ana answered and sipped on her Chuckie.

“Why?” Aaron asked to Ana. Ana shrugged.

“I bought a house that is hidden to all, where I can be hidden. Doon muna ako titira.”

“What?” Bakit naman niya kailangang magtago?

“I need to hide and to be distant to my family for a while.”

“Bakit? May ginagawa pang hindi maganda nila Tita Amanda sa’yo?” I asked. We know that she’s adopted and we’re not sure If she’s treated right there. “You can stay in our house.” I offered.

“My apostle parents treated me right.”

“That’s good.” I smiled and raise my thumb to her, she smiled back and nod. I looked at Zecharech, he’s reading again. “Hell.” I whispered and rolled my eyes before looking away, baka mahuli pa niya ‘ko. Mabuti nang safe.

“You don’t know the reason why did she got pregnant? They made love or she’s r***d by her own boyfriend?” Zecharech asked that gave me chills.

I can resist that thought of my best friend being r***d!

“Are you hearing yourself?! Give my friend a respect!” inis kong sigaw at binagsak ang kutsara’t tinidor na hawak ko dahilan upang lumikha ng malakas na tunog.

“I’m just asking.” He shrugged and evilly smirked. Lalo akong nainis! Kanina pa siya ha!

“He’s right, Tenleigh. But please clam down.” Ana interrupted. “Who knows? I need to check on her for me to know if that’s made of love or not.”

“I’ll come with you.” Agad ni Aaron.

“I’ll come with Ana too.”

“I’m going.” Si Zecharech.

“Alright, we’re going out at 7 PM sharp.” Ana stood up and left us in the dining. Ako na ang nagligpit at naghugas ng pinagkainan naman habang sila ay nag-prepare na.

“Shet, may pasok na naman sa Lunes!” I heard Aaron shouted while I’m wiping my hands with a towel na nakasabit sa ref. Pumunta na ako sa sala nang matapos.

“Pumapasok ka ba?” pambabara ko. She’s a study boy, hindi lang halata.

“Tanga, malamang!” I laughed with that. I sat beside him and glance on his phone. He’s playing COD again.

“Ay ang bobo.” I said when he died on the game.

“Epal ka ha,” he rolled his eyes and looked at me from head to toe. “Bakit hindi ka pa bihis?!”

“Ay, nakalimutan ko.” I laughed and run up to my room. “What are you doing?” I crease my forehead and looked at him full of irritation. He’s standing in front of my door.

“I was about to call you. I though you’re inside your room already.” He normally said and left me there. I hissed and went inside my room to prepare.

I wore black leather long sleeves with a zipper on the breast part and a black leather leggings. I took my gun, even though it’s not necessary. For self-defense lang if bad thing happened.

“s**t, ang sakit sa tenga, Aaron!” sigaw ko ng bigla niyang ipaharurot ang motor niya para masundan si Ana. Nauna na silang dalawa, kami na lang ni Zecharech ang natira.

“You go first.” Aniya.

“Alright.” Sagot ko at iniwan ko na siya doon. Pinaalalahan ko naman sila na sa forest part na kami dumaan para hindi kami mapansin ng kung sino.

“Where to park?” Ana asked when we’re in my friend’s house already.

“Kung saan madilim na lang.” Aaron answered her. I nodded as an agree. After we parked, naglakad na kami palapit doon at isa-isang sumilip sa bintana nila. Iwas na iwas kaming gumawa ng ingay.

“Hi po. We’re here to give you something to help you. It’s just a small thing but I and my cousins hope that it helps.” Someone said in a soft and sweet voice. Hindi ko makita kung sino yun dahil sa mga nakaharang sa cabinet sa tapat ng pinto.

“Fuck.” I’m shocked when I heard Ana cursed.

“Why?” I asked.

“Nothing,” she sighed. “Can we, uh, go home?”

“What? We did nothing.” Zecharech said, as a matter of fact.

“I-I think I know the answer to my questions already. I just need to, uh, connect the dots? L-lets go home.”

We just follow what she wants even though we’re confused about her actions.

“What was that?” Aaron asked to Ana as we enter our apartment. “You are confusing us.”

“She’s not raped.” She said without any second thoughts. I felt relief when she said that. The thought of her being r***d give me chills, paano pa kaya kung nagkatotoo? I’m thankful that she didn’t experience that.

“Thank God!” I shouted in happiness. “Are you sure? How did you know that in just a minute?”

“I’ll explain it later. I need to rest.”

“Explain to us first, why did you act like that? You immediately know the answer in just a couple of minutes?”

“W-we need to hide.”