Just Like How the Night Falls (del Grico Series #1)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

Darkness

"GenSan Drag Racing," I read the words that were printed on the tarpaulin. The tarpaulin was hung on the archway in front of us. There were traffic cones in the middle of our way, serving as our boundary.

Drag racing has become my hobby since I became a part of Motorista Club led by Kuya Danny.

"I-date mo 'ko kapag natalo kita!" Nawala ang atensyon ko sa tarp nang hiyawan ako ng kalaban kong lalaki ngayon. Kinailangan niyang isigaw ang sasabihin dahil sa lakas ng pagpapaingay ko sa 'king motor. I did it on purpose anyway. I don't want to hear him.

Many people are surrounding us right now. Hanggang dulo pa yata ang dami ng tao but I don't mind as long as there's no one will gets in our way when the game start.

"Ria, na sa 'yo ang pusta ko. Galingan mo! Manok kita! Focus sa daan," dinig ko namang sigaw ni Kuya Bugoy sa gilid ko. Ngumiti lang kaming dalawa ni Kuya Danny. Initinaas ko sandali ang tinted glass visor ng suot kong helmet para tingnan nang mabuti ang mga kasamahan ko sa gilid.

I gave them a smirk and a thumbs up. Mas lumawak naman ang mga ngiti nila at naghiyawan ulit.

Crazy! I just shook my head and then brought back the glass visor down.

Of course, I should win this. I will win this. Malaki ang premyo at dumayo pa kami sa GenSan para lang dito.

Motorista Club members are from South Cotabato while I am from Manila. Sinadya kong sumali sa club na malayo sa Manila dahil hindi ako ganito ro'n. Hindi rin naman problema ang pera.

Today's cloudy day, perfect for drag racing. There is no annoying sun that could blind you with its blinding light and a ray of sunshine that could burn your skin.

While they are checking our tires, I glanced at the side mirror of my two-stroked red Kawasaki Leostar to see myself. I am wearing red protective gears while my shoulder-length black hair is braided and is under the helmet I am wearing right now. Kahit gano'n, halata pa rin na babae ako. napairap ako dahil do'n.

Ever since my Dad slapped to my face that he doesn't want a daughter, I dreamt of becoming a man. Though I know, I can't change that fact anymore, I still did my best.

I tried to forget that I am a lady. I did things just like what guys do. I preferred rock songs, I did drag racing, stunt riding, street racing, I dressed up like a man, and so on. I even tried to shave my hair and copied other man's hairstyles. But... I guess those are still not enough for Dad. Natutuhan ko rin namang mahalin ang mga 'yon. Natutuhan ko ring tanggapin.

I shook my head and just focused my attention on the game. Wala dapat negativity ngayon sa utak ko.

My eyes darted to a so-called tree in front of us. It is called the drag racing Christmas tree which indicates the start of the race. It has 18 light bulbs. The top set of four light bulbs is the 'pre-stage' indicator while the next is called the 'stage' indicator. Sa ngayon ay tuluyan na ngang nakailaw ang walong light bulbs sa taas ng Christmas tree.

I gripped onto the handle of my motor as I lowered my upper body to ready myself. I remained my attention on the green bulbs that are located second to the last in the Christmas tree. Sa oras na umilaw 'yon, kailangan ko nang paandarin nang mabilis ang motor ko.

Sinimulan na nilang paalisin sa daanan ang mga taong nanonood. Kaagad naman sumunod ang mga 'yon.

Okay. Let's do this, Ria!

"Riders, ready!" The first set of two amber light bulbs under the 'stage' indicator bulbs lit. Two more before it reaches the green set of bulbs.

"Ready ka na bang matalo?" biglang singit ng kalaban ko. Hindi ko naman siya binigyan ng kahit kakarampot na atensyon.

Then the second set of bulbs lit up.

I gulped as my sweat trickled down from my forehead.

Umilaw na nga ang isa pang pares ng light bulbs. Sunod na ang berde...

As soon as the green light bulbs lit, I accelerated my motor. I even used my feet to start even faster. Dahil do'n, naungusan ko ng ilang pulgada ang kalaban ko. Malaking bagay na 'yon para sa 'min.

Windblast blew my gears. Pati ang nakatirintas kong buhok na nakalagay sa aking balikat ay nadala ng hangin patungo sa likuran ko. I remained my attention our way as I maximized my speed. Because of that, my distance from my opponent got farther away from me. I saw him using the side mirror. It made me smirk.

This is a sure win, as I thought.

And that is what happened. I arrived at the finish line, seconds before my opponent did. Technically, I win.

My other co-members are waiting for me at the finish line and they all screamed when they saw me coming. Inasar pa nila ang ibang tao sa paligid na siguro'y kapustahan nila.

"Manok namin 'yan!"

"Boo!"

Sa sobrang bilis ng pagpapatakbo ko, lumampas pa 'ko sa finish line bago tuluyang napahinto ang motor. Kaagad kong inalis ang helmet na suot dahil init na init na. Napangiti na rin ako at nakisaya sa kanila. Nawala na rin ang kaninang kabang nararamdaman ko.

"Babae 'yan pero mas magaling pa sa 'min 'yan! 'Wag niyo i-small-in!"

They immediately ran toward me and congratulated me. They look so happy about my achievement. Little did they know, I am happier because they are here, supporting me even when we are not blood-related.

"Ria, nasa'n ka ba? Balita ko may ibibigay nang bagong tao sa 'yo si Miss Cecil, ah? Nag-aalala na rin sa 'yo 'yon dahil isang linggo ka nang hindi nag-te-text sa kanya!"

I was busy remembering what happened earlier when Miyuki, one of my colleagues called. Kanina pa natapos ang game at ngayon ay abala na 'ko sa pag-aayos ng gamit para makauwi na.

Dahil busy ako sa pag-aayos ng gamit, inipit ko muna ang cellphone ko gamit ang pisngi at balikat para makausap siya habang nag-aayos ng gamit. Naghahanda na kasi kami para maihatid na ako ng mga kasamahan ko sa Motorista Club sa General Santos International Airport. Kailangan ko pa kasing bumyahe pa-Manila dahil mag-s-start na ang second sem.

This is our usual situation whenever I traveled to South Cotabato from Manila. I bought a motor here which is the one I used a while ago pero mayro'n din naman akong mga koleksyon ng motor sa Manila. Si Kuya Danny, ang founder ng Motorista Club, naman ang nag-uuwi ng motor ko sa tuwing umuuwi na 'ko sa 'min. Hassle but I don't mind.

"I'm on my way. I'll text Cecil. Thanks for the info though," I said before I hung up the call. I'm busy folding my gears when someone called me again.

"Hey! Azria Sei Texon, right?" The voice from a familiar guy slowed me from folding my things. I don't need to take a glimpse behind me just to know whose voice is that. I'm sure, it's from my opponent a while ago.

"What do you want?" I asked using my cold voice. Narinig ko naman ang pagtikhim niya bago magsalita ulit.

"Gusto talaga kitang yayain maka-date. So... natalo man ako kanina, p'wede pa rin ba kitang yayain lumabas?" Ramdam ko ang pag-aalinlangan niya sa paraan ng pagsasalita niya. Tuluyan naman akong natigilan sa pag-aayos dahil do'n.

I stopped folding then faced him and examined him. Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay habang pinagmamasdan siya.

Actually, he's good-looking. He has kind eyes and thick eyebrows. When he smiles, his dimples even show but I don't give a damn.

"Really?" Sinadya kong magtunog interesado kaya naman nakitaan ko ng pag-asa ang mga mata niya. I took that as a hint before I said my real answer. "I don't date losers, e. Sorry."

Immediately, his smile faltered as he chuckled shyly. Muli ko namang ibinalik ang atensyon sa paglalagay ng gamit sa compartment ng motor ko. Though, I readied myself for the outburst rage of the man I just turned down, it didn't happen. Dumating na rin kasi ang mga kasamahan ko at niyayaya na 'kong bumyahe pabalik.

"Oh? Ba't nandito 'tong batang 'to? 'Di mo matanggap pagkatalo mo, brad?" pang-aasar ni Kuya Bugoy. Napalingon tuloy ako sa kanila at napailing na lang habang nakangisi.

Inakbayan siya ni Kuya Nognog na siyang kapatid ni Kuya Bugoy. "Bobo mo. Malamang, nanliligaw na naman sa Ria natin. Alam mo namang maalindog 'to eh." Inirapan ko na lang si Kuya Nognog.

"Ano, boy? Busted ka, 'no?" dagdag pa ni Kuya Bunso.

Kapag napaligiran ka nga naman ng mga lalaki, oo.

"'Wag mo ismolin 'yan, boy! Kahit mayamang negosyante, bina-busted n'yan. Mapili 'yan e. 'Di ba? 'Di ba?" tukso sa 'kin ni Kuya Bakong at ginulo pa ang buhok ko. Napairap tuloy ulit ako at iritadong inalis ang kamay niya sa ulo ko.

"Let's go. I need to go home," aya ko na lang sa kanila bago sumakay na sa nakaparada kong motorsiklo. Nagtawanan naman sila sa naging aksyon ko.

I am the only daughter of my mom and dad. Though I never felt lonely when I joined the motorista club because they have become my brothers—my second family as well.

Mom died early. Since then, it felt like Dad died too. Palagi na siyang umiinom, nagsusugal at pati nambababae. Hindi ko na rin siya makausap nang maayos dahil galit ang palaging isinasagot niya.

Though I lack biological families, I have two other families who never failed to make me feel like I am a lucky person despite of everything. Una ay ito, ang pamilya ko sa motorista club. They all treat me like their true younger sister. Ako lang din kasi ang babae sa club namin.

Last, ang mga kabanda ko. I am a part of a band named Ace. Guitarist ako. I play the electric guitar. Nakapag-composed na rin kami ng mga sarili naming kanta at nakakapag-gig din sa iba't ibang bars.

"Libre mo kami, Ria, a? Halos masira lalamunan namin kaka-cheer sa 'yo kanina," ani Kuya Nognog noong nasa byahe na kami at naabutan kami ng red light. Kinailangan naming huminto sandali.

"Of course," sagot ko naman nang nakangisi.

"Yown!"

"'Yan ang gusto namin sa 'yo eh!"

Nag-ingay sila at naghiyawan habang hinihintay mag-green ang traffic lights. Natahimik lang nang sinita sila ni Kuya Danny.

"Parang mga 'di kayo nanalo sa pustahan, a? Tigilan niyo si Ria," sita ni Kuya Danny na nagpahupa sa katuwaan nila.

"Si Nognog, Kuya. Masyado," asar ni Kuya Bugoy sa kapatid niya.

At nagkantsawan pa sila kaya naman hindi naging boring ang byahe pauwi. Hindi ko naman maiwasan na hangaan ang pagkagat ng dilim.

I don't know if I am just weird but I love nightfall more than daybreak. I find it cool while seeing how bright some things are when the night falls, and how simple things become special.

I'm not fond of being noticed by people. It's the least that I want in life. Mas gusto ko nang walang nakapapansin sa 'kin. Mas gusto kong manatili sa dilim.

Also, almost every special moment in my life happened at nightfall. When Ace, my band, finally finished a whole album, when I raced with Kuya Danny last year and I won, and so on. Lahat ng 'yon, nangyari sa pagsapit ng dilim.

We arrived at General Santos International Airport safely. There, I gave them my goodbyes.

"Bumalik ka ulit a!" utos ni Kuya Bunso na siyang tinanguan ko naman.

"Sa susunod, kami naman ang pupunta sa Manila kapag nakapag-ipon-ipon na. I-tour mo kami a!"

Marami silang ipinayo sa 'kin na kesyo mag-ingat, mag-aral nang mabuti, 'wag magpapaloko sa mga lalaki at marami pang iba. Tinawanan ko na lang ang ka-OA-han niya.

I'll miss them. For sure, magiging busy na naman ako pagbalik ko sa Manila. For sure, makababalik na naman ako rito kapag bakasyon na ulit.

When I arrived at our house, si Dad kaagad ang nakita ko.

"Dad," bungad ko sa kay Dad.

He's there, sitting in front of our balcony while sipping on his glass of wine. His hair is a mess right now and he looks like a different person. Walang gana niya akong nilingon sandali.

"Nakauwi na po ako," sabi ko kahit niya naman niya tinatanong. I stayed standing behind him.

"I didn't even notice that you're gone." Here he goes with his words like acid. Nagtiim bagang na lang ako bago walang imik na dumiretso na sa 'king kwarto.

Dad hates me. He despises me from being a lady. Aniya, ako raw ang nagtapos sa paglaganap ng apelyido naming mga Texon. Dad's the only living son of our Lolo. All of his brothers didn't able to have a son too before they died. Tuluyan ngang matitigil ang paglaganap ng apelyidong Texon dahil ako na ang huling anak ni Dad kay Mom lalo pa noong namatay si Mom. Unless, mag-aasawa ulit si Dad para lang magkaroon ng anak na lalaki.

Kung may magagawa lang talaga ako... ginawa ko na.

Bumuntong-hininga na lang ako bago humilata sa malambot kong kama. Mabilis naman akong hinatak ng antok dahil sa pagod.

Maaga akong nagising kinabukasan kahit sobrang late nang nakatulog. Maaga pa lang din ay tinawagan na 'ko ni Miyuki.

"Ria, where are you? You didn't contact Miss Cecil yesterday? She's worried about you!" bungad sa 'kin ni Miyuki sa telepono noong nagising ako para maghanda sa pagpasok. I turned the loud speaker on while readying for school.

Today's the first day of our second semester. Ayaw ko pa sanang pumasok pero kailangan kong makausap si Cecil para malaman ang sunod kong "subject".

"I didn't. I forgot. I'll just talk to her later at school," I answered as I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

I am wearing a simple white oversized shirt tucked messily in my black jeans. My naturally wavy hair is tied simply. Nakasuot lang din ako ng puting sneakers. Wala rin naman kasi akong pakialam sa kung anong itsura ko kapag papasok sa school.

After I prepared for school, I used my KTM 390 Duke ABS motor which was a gift from Tita Monic, wife of Dad's friend. Its color is a combination of orange and black. It looks so cool and I really love it. I feel superior every time I use it. 'Yon nga ang ginamit ko papuntang Arquero University.

Pagkarating ko sa school, dumiretso ako sa faculty kung nasaan si Cecil. Though students are not allowed inside any faculties, I didn't mind. Cecil immediately stood up when she saw me entering their faculty.

"Miss Texon!" kunwaring bati niya sa 'kin na may halong pag-iingat. Bago pa man ako makalapit sa cubicle niya, kaagad niya na 'kong sinalubong sa pintuan at hinatak palabas.

"Where have you been?! Huh?!" When finally, we were out, she started scolding me like a mad mother to her stubborn children.

"It's been what, Ria? One whole week without telling me where you are? Talagang sinulit mo ang semester break a!" mahinang singhal niya sa 'kin.

"GenSan lang. Now what? Kanino ako nakatoka ngayon?" malamig na tanong ko pabalik sa kanya, hindi na sinubukang idetalye ang mga nangyari.

"GenSan lang?! Really, Ria? Halos sa kabilang sulok na 'yon ng Pilipinas!" I remained silent till she finished scolding me. "Ano'ng sabi ng dad mo?"

I averted my gaze as I clenched my teeth. With that, she already knew the answer.

"Anyways. Zanrellius del Grico will be your subject," she stated that making my mind fly.

Del Grico? A del Grico is my subject?

"Here's a little info about him." Cecil handed me a folder. When I opened it, I saw a familiar face of a good-looking guy with an adorable and unique pair of amber-colored eyes.

"He's a model and the future heir of Lealde Records. Our client wants to ruin del Gricos and I decided to start with him especially since he's at your range." I glanced at Cecil because of what she added.

"At my range? What do you mean?"

"He's studying here, of course." I pursed my lips as I darted my gaze back at the picture of a guy inside the folder.

The guy has a black comb-over hair. His eyebrows are thick as well as his long eyelashes. They emphasized his gorgeous amber colored eyes. Perpekto rin ang pagkakaanggulo ng kanyang matangos na ilong, bagay na bagay sa kanyang natural na mapulang labi. His defined jaw and obvious Adam's apple made him even more handsome.

Hmm. To tell prankly, mukhang mas guwapo pa siya kaysa sa mga artistang napapalabas sa TV. Hindi naman na kataka-taka dahil isa siyang del Grico.

"Anyway, be a little careful this time. They have lots of bodyguards. Baka mahuli ka. Also, I know you're not that kind of girl but... still. We're not sure." Cecil successfully caught my attention because of the last sentence she said.

"What is it?"

"I just want to warn you about his expertise on girls. He's like a bright moon who uses his moonlight to lure his prey." My eyebrow rose in disbelief. I'm not sure if Cecil is just exaggerating things but if ever she's telling the truth then...

"Then I'll be the darkness that will trap him instead."