Mhorfell Academy of Gangsters (Book One)

Chapter 8

    "How about you, Alex? Saang school ka nag-aral bago rito?" Again the question was set upon me. I can see that our groups are doing well on accompanying each other and we are doing fine on fixing our terms with each other.

    We even discussed the party that night. I told them I'm not really someone to be frightened about because they just really underestimated me at that time. Jokes and deals rose for another match which we only laugh at. Now, the topic is about alma maters.

    I put the bottle of milk tea down before I answer. "Antrenica University." Then, I reach for the slice of apple from Rennei.

    "Wait. What?" Tila nagugulumihanang tanong ni Alexis.

    Hindi ko naman na pinansin ang tanong niyang iyon at mas nag-abala sa pagsubo ng prutas. I let my friends and cousin do the work. "Yes. Antrenica University wherein you need to pass their admission test with an almost perfect score to enter. Most of the students are foreigners, elites, geniuses, nerds," Sky stated as he reaches for a cup to coffee that the three got for him.

    "Adik, alam ko iyon. Wala namang ibang hindi nakakaalam ng tungkol sa eskwelahan na iyon. I mean, except from their one of a kind reputation and exquisite services to their students, that school is known for being strict when it comes to academic grades. They'll squeeze your brain to death!" Alexis said almost hysterical.

    "P're, try mo naman kumalma, ano? Kalma. 'Yung puso mo nako."

    "Gago."

    The others agreed to what the latter said about Antrenica and ignored the idiotic conversation of the two. Rennei gave me the last piece from the slices of apple to join the conversation. "That's right. Well, you see, before she became a b***h like us, she's an outstanding student. Just like any other young lady out there to expect the expectations of an elite family. Antrenica even tolerated a set of complaints in order to keep her as one of their treasured trophies."

    "Woah. I never expected that I'll be meeting an Antrenica University graduate." Nabulalas na lang ni Marc habang tinatapos ang pangalawang ulit niya ng kanin.

    Inirapan naman ito ni Rennei na sa tingin ko ay hindi rin nasa mabuting pakikisama kay Marc. "Of course, you didn't." Hindi man malakas ang pagkakasabi nito ay mukhang umabot pa rin ito sa pandinig ng katabi niya dahil sa talim ng tingin na ipinukol nito sa kanya.

    "Eh ikaw Rennei?" Nakahalata na rin yata si Kia kaya naman napunta naman ngayon ang tingin ng lahat kay Rennei na nilalaro-laro na lang ang tinidor na hawak.

    She glanced on them with a bored look before she takes her gaze back on her plate. "I spent my childhood days in Korea and America until we moved here to the Philippines. My alma mater is not really that interesting to talk about." Nagkatinginan na lang ang iba sa sagot niya.

    Hindi mo talaga siya matatanong ng matino kapag tungkol sa dati niyang pinapasukan. She's been a loner before we met each other. She doesn't like socializing much because she thinks everyone is only after about the idea of her being the baby sister of the three most handsome and most popular guys in their school. Instead of trying to find a place to belong, Rennei chose to be alone not until she found us four years ago due to an incident.

    "Halata nga eh." Napatingin naman ako kay Marc na pinaringgan din si Rennei. I can't help but to smirk. This guy is trying to go against Renneisme Martin. Our friend who is a silent killer type but very meticulous. Mukhang may aabangan ako sa dalawang ito.

    Napabalik sa usapan ang mga tenga ko nang narinig ko ang pangalan ng kuya ko mula sa mga bibig nina Kia, Thelina, at Courtney na sinasabayan naman ng pagtutol nina Collen at Jonathan.

    "Sky, you didn't tell them that Xander is my brother?" I asked Sky. They fell silent after hearing my question.

    Unti-unting napalingon sa amin ang mga HEADs na nagtatalo tungkol sa kuya ko. "Brother? You're Alexander Kristian's sister? That handsome basketball player?" tanong ni Thelina na animo'y may mga nagkikiningang mga mata.

    Napamaang naman ako sa mga reaksyon nila. Parang hindi sila makapaniwala. I mean, hindi pa ba halata? Sa pagkakaalam ko naman, parehas pa rin kami ng ginagamit na epilyido.

    "I didn't tell them, cousin. They'll be far from being sane if I did tell them that before. Look at their reactions now." My cousin just shrugged her shoulders as he still continues eating from his plate.

    Kaya naman pala. Then, didn't they ask for Sky's middle name? Pero teka nga, paano nila nakilala ang kuya ko? Handsome basketball player? I wasn't informed that my brother is a basketball player. I know he played that a lot on our court but he never mention anything about being a player. Player sa larangan ng mga babae siguro, baka paniwalaan ko pa.

    Sky then pat my shoulder. "I'm sure Xander didn't mention it. Panigurado kasing hindi siya papayagan ni Uncle. Alam mo naman kung gaano kasensitibo ang pagiging exposed ng isang tagapagmana sa maraming tao di ba?" Napatango-tango na lang ako. But there's still one question here.

    "You mean Xander studied here before?" Dereen already put the words out from my mouth.

    The HEAD exchanged looks from me to my friends and to Sky. "Yeah. He spent his third and fourth year in junior high here." And he drinks from his bottle of water to finish up his meal.

    "Damn. Bakit hindi kaagad natin napansin sa epilyido pa lang? Anyway, it's an honor to meet his sister. Magaling na player ang kuya mo. Siya ang idol ko nung freshman pa lang ako." Tumayo si Jonathan para abutan ako ng kamay na inabot ko naman nang medyo nag-aalinlangan. Halos magkalas-kalas ang buto ko sa pagyugyog niya sa kamay ko.

    Wala akong kaalam-alam na nag-aral din pala rito si Kuya at kilala pa siya. Hindi ko naman kasi siya natatanong tungkol sa school niya dati. Laging pag-uwi niya, maglalaro kami sa bahay o kaya tutulungan niya ako sa mga homeworks ko. Alexander is very smart and cunning sometimes though he's really overprotective when it comes to me.

    Gosh, these are all new to me.

    "Nasaan na nga pala siya ngayon?" usisa ni Edward na mabilis ko rin namang sinagot.

    "Ah. He's on Spain for some projects."

    Nalipat naman ang atensyon namin nang mapabuntong hininga si Courtney sa isang tabi. "Buti pa kayo nakakaya niyong i-kwento 'yan. Si Spade, madalas tahimik kapag pagdating sa pamilya na ang pinag-uusapan eh. Ang alam lang namin, tatay na lang ang meron siya ng kapatid niyang si Sean. Pero base sa database na kami ang nag-aayos, apat talaga silang magkakapatid." Pinahiran naman niya ng tissue ang ilang parte ng labi niya.

    Nagkatinginan naman kaming apat sa narinig namin. So even with his friends, he's still somewhat mysterious and secretive, huh? When we were able to talk through our stares, we drifted our looks back on the other HEAD members.

    "Perhaps, an assassination? The Vantress family is a mafia, am I right?" Hininaan bahagya ni Fiacre ang boses niya nang magtanong. Maliban kasi sa mabigat na paksa ang tungkol sa mga mafia ay isa rin itong sensitibong tanong tungkol sa pamilya nila Spade.

    We can't let our guards down if we're on a school filled with people connected to mafias and such. Issues like this are way big deals for them.

    We thought the HEADs will give us an immediate answer after we laid the question but they didn't. Instead, they steadily keep their mouths shut about it. Since Fiacre is not the kind of person to give up on something, she tried again but stopped when the school's official tone signal for announcements echoed inside the whole cafeteria.

    The mini speakers attached to every corner of the school which is controlled from the control room by the administrators, officials, teachers, and other authorized personnel.

    Aakalain mong tila nahulugan ng malaking karayom ang buong lugar nang magsitigil sa kani-kanilang mundo at mga ginagawa ang mga estudyante at prenteng napaayos upang making sa kung anumang pahayag ng sasabihin ng may awtoridad. Gayun na rin kami.

    "Good day, Morphousses. For those who didn't know, Morphous is the official name for every student of Mhorfell Academy. We apologize for this sudden announcement and to interrupt you on your respectful break. As you all know, our academy and the other elite schools' representatives have gone to an important meeting regarding our schools' connections and coordination. We are requiring everyone to attend the assembly in our auditorium now. That's all for now."

    A sudden assembly? I guess they're going to announce something big about the meeting that happened. Anyway, we're still required to go so we let the topic about the assassination go and stood up to have our way to the Hoary Hall where the auditorium is located.

    Our way to the auditorium has been quiet. We're not talking about anything, I mean. When we finally arrived, the first long row of seats have been especially reserved for the HEAD. Dahil may mga hindi naman sila maookupa ay niyaya na rin nila kaming umupo kahilera nila. We gladly accepted the offer, of course.

    Paupo na kami nang mapansin namin na nandoon na pala si Spade. Mukhang kanina pa siya rito. I thought he was busy? This guy sure hides a lot of things that seriously arouse my curiosity.

    Natanggal na lang ang tingin ko sa kanya nang dumating na ang principal sa entablado at inangkin ang mikropono. Sumunod naman sa kanya ang iba pang opisyal na umupo naman sa mga nakahandang upuan kung kaya't napakuha na lang kami isa-isa ng kanya-kanya naming pwesto.

    "I'm glad that everyone did come. For you not to lose patience, I shall announce now the thrilling news that we've received." Pag-uumpisa nito na halatang halata na ang pagkasabik na sabihin sa lahat ang dala nilang impormasyon.

    Huminga pa muna ito ng malalim habang hindi natatanggal ang abot tengang ngiti. "Students, we're on a battle." Napataas kaagad ang isang kilay ko.

    "A battle of skills, intelligence, strategies, and agility. Of course, as a school that is very active when it comes to these kinds of competitions, there are no more questions to ask about our attendance. Not to mention that we are the host! Most of you are expecting a generous compensation for your participation and hard work so we are going to give points and bonuses for all the participants such as permissions, favors, and requests will be allowed to consider if the contestants requested. This will be a great opportunity for Mhorfell Academy to gain more sponsors and donations for our future projects. That is why we are expecting a lot from you, our beloved students."

    Sa unang parte pa lang ng anunsyo ay sumiklab na ang sari-saring bulungan mula sa iba't ibang dako ng auditorium. Iba't ibang opinyon at iba't ibang reaksyon. May ilang sabik din katulad ng mga matatandang nasa harapan namin na animo'y ito na ang pinakahihintay nilang break sa buong buhay nila samantalang may iilan namang dismayado at walang interes sa naturang paligsahan.

    Kung sa akin lang naman, masaya rin ang mga ganitong kompetisyon. Maliban na lang kung hindi nakakatuwa ang magiging kalaban. Although I look anti-social sometimes, I still search for you know, thrill and excitement.

    "The categories are a piano recital, archery, swimming, basketball, dancing, quiz bee, gun shooting, taekwondo, fencing, painting, and since we are very aware that our students are not your ordinary children, we decided to have a fighting match for this year! The rules will be posted on our respective bulletin boards later on. Classes for fifteen days will be suspended as a cue for your practices and meetings. Teachers will give you hand-outs or PDFs to make you updated with the lessons!"

    What the hell. No classes again.

    Ibuburyo na naman namin ang mga utak naming sa self-study. Pagkatapos naman ng sampung araw na iyon ay paniguradong mga pagsusulit ang kasunod. Talagang walang kawala. Kahit na ba sabihing ang eskwelahan na ito ang tagatanggap ng mga itinakwil na o pinatapon, hindi nila tinatanggal na pagdidisiplina para matuto pa rin ang bawat lumalagi ritong estudyante.

    "This academy will also accommodate visitors from the outside for you to enjoy even if you are not a contestant and the event will happen here in our grounds so there will be various booths arranged by our student council and other clubs. The Heired Eminence Approbate Decarchy is automatically included on the list of participants. They will be the ones who will decide for the other categories as well."

    So all in all, it will be the HEAD's responsibility for the victory or defeat of our school. May ganitong silbi rin pala sila. Akala ko puro paghahari-harian at pagrereyna-reynahan lang talaga ang Gawain nila. Mukhang dito ko makikita kung karapatdapat nga sila sa tinatamasa nilang mga pagtrato.

    "That's all, you can now go back to your dorms."

    Mabilis na nagsialisan ang mga kapwa ko estudyante na parang walang nangyari. Ni walang nagtanong man lang ukol sa inanunsyo. Given that my friends and our new friends are not standing yet, I stayed on my seat. Hearing the rampage the students' feet are making towards the two exits of the auditorium at the back.

    Habang nawawala ang presensya ng mga taong 'yun isa-isa ay sumagi na naman sa isip ko ang mapait na alaala. Ito rin ang nagtulak sa akin na mag-alala sa gagawing kompetisyon. They're going to welcome outsiders.

    Paano kung—

    No, they won't be able to get me. Sky is here. A relative of mine. Xander knows this school as well. Uncle Johan brought me here.

    I convince myself that I'm just being paranoid about things, however, the fact that the school has been strict with visitors and the students' request to go outside, it's a little bit alarming for me. The academy only allows 2-3 times for you to go outside the school for the whole school year and there should be a valid reason to get an approval such as house emergencies, family issues, personal matters, and if you're going to die.

    Maaari namang lumagpas sa tatlong beses pero kailangan ng formal letter na ipapasa sa office ng Principal.

    Then another thought came in to my brain. Paanong nakakalabas-masok si Spade rito ng walang pagdaan sa proseso? Kung katulad nga ng kwento ng mga kaibigan niya na simula first year pa lang sila ay ganito na siya na maraming inaasikaso, ibig sabihin ay lumagpas na siya sa dalawa hanggang tatlong beses.

    Oh, I forgot! He's the king of this school. Tch.

    Kalaunan ay kami na lang ang naiwan at doon kinuha ni Spade ang pagkakataon upang pangunahan ang isang pagpupulong. Tumayo siya mula sa kaninang kinauupuan niya at nagtungo sa harapan namin.

    "I think we should decide the representatives now so that we can prepare for that competition. The officials are rooting for us."

    Itutuloy na sana niya ang iba pa niyang sasabihin nang dumako sa aming apat ang tingin niya.

    "Bakit niyo kasama ang mga 'yan?" may tunog ng pang-iinsulto sa boses niya.

    Nagkatinginan naman kaming lahat na nakaupo. Napansin ko naman na kaagad ang pag-arko ng mga kilay nina Fiacre at Rennei.

    "It's because we became friends. So maybe there's nothing wrong if they will join us, right? Let's just proceed to the selection of contestants to every category. Masanay ka na lang sa presensya nila." Mabilis na pag-iiba ng usapan ni Sky para sa ikatatahimik ng lalaking ito.

    Buti na lang at gumana ang utak ngayon ng pinsan ko. Matalim na napabuntong hininga na lang si Spade na akala mo ay iniisip niya na wala rin naman siyang magagawa dahil ang mga kaibigan niya na ang nagsalita.

    Hindi na rin kami umimik. The meeting went smoothly and we were able to insert our own existence along with the talk. I thought the king will ignore us but he considered our suggestions and opinions. He also listened to our explanations when we are trying to give them tips for strategies and plans for the competition day.

    On that moment, I realized that he's very professional. Ugh, leader-like? Yeah, like that. He has the ears and attitude of being a leader. Separating personal issues from responsibilities.

    We spent about three hours constructing the list, plans, and other preparational outlines for the whole event. It's really a pain in the ass to host the event here. Pero wala eh. Nadamay na kami rito sa balak naming ayusin ang kung anong iringan na mayroon sa pagitan ng mga grupo namin.

    May isang kategorya na hinatak naming si Riell kahit na hindi pa namin siya natatanong. Papayag naman siguro siya kung malalaman niyang para sa gaganapin na event 'to. Sasabihan na lang naming siya mamaya total isang tao lang naman ang kulang naming at siya na ang napili namin. Wala namang naging ibang pagtutol dito ang iba marahil ay kilala nila si Riell bilang katuwang ng mga guro rito.

    Sa sandaling panahon na iyon ay nakita naming apat ang sarili naming nasasanay sa presensya at pag-uugali nila. Mas nakakasalamuha namin sila at gayon na rin ang pagkakilala naming sa kanila. Kahit nga ako, hindi ko rin inaasahan na may mga pagkakataon na magkakasundo rin kami ng ungas na 'yun.

    Kilala naman na kung sino 'yun.

    Spade almost adjourned the meeting when he suddenly brought up something.

    "Guys, we should win this. I mean...we need to win this competition," he said while gritting his teeth. Each one of us became curious about the determination Spade is showing.

    Somehow, those cold orbs spark with a tiny piece of different expression that I cannot define.

    Napalapit na lang kami sa kinatatayuan niya at pinaikutan siya nang marinig naming lahat ang pagkaklaro niya sa sinabi niya.

    "We will encounter the defending champion, the Reighzine Academy. Their leader knows something about the murder case that I'm getting busy for. We need to win this game so that I can find a lead for my sister, Lorraine's death four years ago."

    Suddenly, my body stiffened.

    It's as if a very sensitive scar from the past has been revived once again.

    Lorraine?

    Lorraine ba ang pangalang binanggit niya? Imposibleng mali ako ng pagkakarinig. Lorraine. Lorraine nga ang sinabi niya.

    No, they're different to one another.

    Magkaiba sila. Huwag kang maalarma. Nagkataon lang. Nagkataon lang na parehas ang pangalan nila.

    But why? Why do I have this strange feeling?

    Am I really getting paranoid?

    Hindi pa rin ba talaga ako matapos-tapos sa nangyari noon?

    Argh! Sumasakit na naman ang ulo ko!

    "Alex? Is there something wrong?" mahinang untag sa akin ng katabi kong si Alexis.

    Napatingin naman ako sa kanya nang walang wala ang mga kalasag ng mga mata ko. Hindi ko kaagad natago ang pagtatanong, kaba, at takot sa mga mata ko. Naramdaman ko na lang na hinawakan niya ang balikat ko upang yugyugin ng kaunti.

    I know the king is still speaking so I told him I'm okay but it felt like I just mouthed those words out. Sounds are starting to fade and impossible for me to hear anymore. Little by little, my senses are shutting down.

    "Oh my God! Alex, your nose is bleeding!" Ito ang huling narinig ko na sa tingin ko ay galing kay Dereen bago tuluyang mawala ang pandinig ko.

    I unconsciously try to check my nose with my hand only to find red liquid.

    Shock and surprise start to register on me as I look to these people's faces but then, my last sense left me and everything went black.