That Gangster is a Princess, for Real?

Chapter 6: Freedom

Shan's POV

Papunta na akong school, sa isang linggo kong pagpasok ng naka-bus wala namang naging problema. Sa school? So far so good. Nasunod naman ang gusto. No one treated me differently, they're oblivious of my existence except for the fact that I am friends with Yana's group.

Grey introduced me to his friends, the Dark Knights. They're also aware that we are cousins. Matagal na din daw nila akong kilala kahit ngayon lang kami naipakilala sa isa't isa. If I remember it correctly, Grey had been nagging me about introducing to his friends but I was too busy to comply.

Si Zander naman hanggang ngayon wala ring bagong kaibigan. Patuloy niya din akong kinukulit sa hindi ko paggamit ng kotse. Until now he can't distance himself from me. I already told him to give time to himself but he won't listen. He won't understand that I won't be in danger here and keep clinging to his duty as my protector. I think the only way to stop him from worrying is to get approval for my freedom while I'm staying here.

I came to school a little bit early today and I decided to go to the canteen to grab something to eat. Yana is not here yet and others.

My phone rang and a big smile forms in my face when I saw the caller ID. "Hi Daddy," bati ko sa kanya pagkasagot ko ng tawag.

"Hi Princess, how are you?"

"I'm fine Daddy, how about you and Mom? I miss you both," I answered.

"Great, but I heard from Zander that since the school started you don't want him at your side? And you're taking a bus when you are going to school. What if something happens? What if there is someone who knows who you are and follow you there?" sunud-sunod na sabi nito.

I continued walking while talking with him on the phone. I didn't mind the students in the hallway who are lining up in the sides making a way for the center. As if a royalty will come and grace them their presence. At dahil sa dakila akong walang pakialam patuloy lang din ako sa paglalakad sa gitna nila, feeling like royalty too. 

Something like this seldom happens, Shandra, so grab the opportunity and just think that you are the queen of this school, I thought to myself. I can't help but grin with what I'm thinking. Of course, I'm just joking. One thing I don't like is being the center of attention but as of now, since I'm busy explaining to my Dad, I didn't mind the students that I can feel eyeing me. What's important for me now is acquiring the freedom I wanted even for a short while.

"I'm perfectly safe Dad. Don't be absurd, I know how to take care of myself," I explained, "Ojiisan made sure of that."

"I know that baby, but we'll be worried if Zander's not in your side. We can only relax if he's there to protect you." he retorted.

"I never said that I won't let him protect me, Daddy," I said almost whining. Bakit ang hirap nila pakiusapan? Ano pa at pinagdaanan ko ang lahat ng pinakamahirap na training kung ayaw din naman pala nila akong pagkatiwalaan na kaya kong pangalagaan ang sarili ko? I understand what they feel though since I'm the youngest and not just that, I am also the last in line. "All I want is to do what I want to do by myself," I continued, "Let Zander enjoy and discover the world too, Dad. He's been protecting me for quite a while. I'm already old enough to take care of myself. I don't want Zander to dedicate all of his time to me. Kuya Shi and Ate Yen need his help too. It's also the right time for him to give time for himself, he's not in Japan and he's not bound by its rules anymore."

I can hear him sigh from the other line, "Are you sure about this? I also want Zander to experience a normal teenager's life, to enjoy. You know how much I love that guy baby, we all do," he said full of affection towards Zander.

"Yeah, I know and I love him too Dad. That's why I'm ask----" what I'm about to say was cut off when I feel my body collide with someone. Before I fall, I feel strong arms sneak in my waist to stop me from falling to the ground. 

I look at my phone thrown away to the ground because of the impact. A c***k is visible even if it's a little away from me. It's broken and I know it's unusable already. With a knotted forehead, I turn to look who I bump with. I'm not blaming whoever it is because I know it's my fault for not looking where I'm going.

When I look up, a handsome face greeted me. My eyes flutter rapidly in an unexpected surprise. Lord, namamalikmata lang ba ako dahil sa nabangga ako o talagang nasa harap ko ang gwapong nilalang na ito? I can't help but think. And why did I feel like my heart is beating faster than normal? Relax Shan, relax okay? I said to my self when I realize i was holding my breath while staring at him.

I calm down myself immediately. Mabuti na lang at hindi ako napasinghap sa harap niya kung hindi ay magmumukha akong tanga. I don't want to look stupid in front of him and in front of our audience. Hindi ko mapigilan ang along mapakunot-noo ng mapansin ko na nagulat at natigilan siya pagkakita sa akin. Oo, alam ko maganda talaga ako pero ganun na ba talaga ako kaganda para matigilan siya? Haba ng hair mo Shan, I whispered making sure I'm the only one can understand. Hindi ko na kakayanin ang dagdag na kahihiyan dahil sa naging taklesa at akala ko na malamang ay mali naman. 

I was able to maintain my knotted forehead and poker face in front of him even though I think I will faint anytime because of the nervousness I felt. I'm not sure why I feel so nervous when all I did is bump into him and he doesn't seem angry at all. This is the first time I felt this way.

Pinaglipat-lipat ko ang tingin sa mga kasama niya ng binalingan niya ito. Ang Dark Knights lang pala. Maybe it's the reason why the students step aside because the royalty of this school is making their way. That means this handsome guy in front of me still holding my waist is their leader. He's the only one who haven't introduced to me yet. Lihim akong napangiwi, akala ko pa naman may nabihag ang kagandahan ko iyon pala mukhang nakilala lang ako. Hindi lang ata inaasahan na makita ako kaya nagulat.

Inilahad ko na lang ang kamay ko kay Grey at nagsalita, "phone mo? Akin na, bilis."

"Cellphone ko? Bakit?" Nagtatakang tanong niya. Mukhang naguguluhan pa siya at nagulat sa mga pangyayari. Pero binigay din niya ang hinihingi ko.

Kinuha ko ito at tumalikod na. "Balik ko mamaya," sabi ko habang nagsimula ng maglakad paalis.

Agad kong tinawagan ang ama ko na siguradong nagtataka kung bakit biglang naputol ang usapan namin. 

"Why did you put down the phone? And why I can't contact you?" Nag-aalalang tanong niya.

"My phone is broken, someone bumps me awhile ago," paliwanag ko agad bago pa siya mag-isip ng kung ano.

"Be sure to buy a new one later and call us your new number, okay?" mahinahon nang sabi niya.

"Yeah, I'll buy a new one later. Back to what we're talking about, will you allow me? Daddy, please?" I pleaded.

"Okay," he agreed. "You know I trust you, princess. I only want to make sure if you're really certain about this. It seems you already made up your mind. Besides, your brother will be there too by the end of this month. Just be safe, okay?"

"Thanks Daddy. Bye, love you both. Tell me Mom I miss her so much," I happily said and put down the phone before he will change his mind.

Tinago ko na sa bulsa ko ang phone ni Grey. Tumuloy na ako sa canteen na siyang talagang pakay ko kung bakit lumabas ako ng classroom. Bumalik din ako kaagad nang mabili ko na ang kailangan ko. Itatago ko na lang muna dahil bawal kumain sa klase. Few minutes more and the class will start. Though I'm not afraid of our terror English teacher, I still don't want to be late.

Zander's POV

I'm here in class already but I haven't seen Shandra yet. She left first so it's unusual that she's still not here. The class almost starts but still, she hasn't arrived. I started to feel anxious thinking something might have happened. I already ask Yana but she said she didn't know. Shandra wasn't here when she arrives. 

I saw the - what did they call their group? Ah, I remember. It's Dark Knights. Someone is with them I'm not familiar with. It's the first time I saw him with the group. Why are they glancing at me? Being a protector its only natural for me to sense and feel everything. From things, down to people and circumstances around me. that's why I feel the secret glances and different look they're giving to my direction. Are they having a problem with me?

Before the teacher came I decided to look for Shandra. I was about to stand up and leave when she came in. I greeted her, "hey! Where have you been? Are you okay?" I check her from head to toe finding any hint that something happened to her.

"Chill Zan," she stops me. "I'm fine, I just bought something to eat. You're being paranoid again." She raised the bag where the snacks she bought are in.

Because of the scene I did, our classmates started chatting about us. They didn't even bother to lower down their voices. They are starting to assume things about my relationship with Shandra. I really don't care whatever they say so I let them. It's their problem for butting into something aren't their business.

"Shut up, all of you. I don't want to hear any noise or else!"

Someone shouted and the whole class falls into silence. I check out who shouted and it was him. The one I just saw together with the Dark Knights. I don't know who he is but it seems like our classmates are afraid of him. No one spoke and move at all.

In the middle of everyone's silence, Shandra suddenly spoke. "Zan, Dad called up. He already approved, so, I have my freedom starting today," she said happily. She moved to turn her head towards me at back and made a noise.

Our classmates look at her as if telling her she shouldn't have moved. They secretly glance towards the seats of the Dark Knights. Well, we really don't care.

"Okay, but how come he agreed?" I said shrugging my shoulder. There's nothing I can do if the decision comes from Dad. "What about His Ma--?" I stop, I know she understands who I mean.

"Nah, no need to tell him about it. Besides Oniisan will be here in a month, I think. We're not in Japan anymore, so, don't worry," she said as if dismissing the topic.

"But ---" I was cut off with a shout when someone shouted again.

"Didn't I tell everybody to shut up? Why the hell there's still --" 

It's the same guy. He stopped in mid-sentence though. Shandra's cousin stopped him.

"Chill Chase, sweetheart ko ang nagsalita, yun nga lang ibang lalaki ang kausap. It hurts you know, pero ayos lang nag-uusap lang naman sila," Shandra's cousin with a sad expression.

He may have a sad expression but his voice is saying a different thing and his eyes have a glint of playfulness. The one he called Chase just looks at him with a knotted forehead. I saw him smirk at Shandra's cousin in annoyance but didn't say another thing. I shook in disbelief. I can't believe he let it go just like that.

Shandra on the other hand just sighs with what her cousin did. She let it go for now because if she won't the issue will take long with how playful her cousin is.

I turn back to Shandra, letting the others be. "Hey Shan, what if he knows this, what we will do?" I asked. I'm little bit hesitant since the most important person doesn't know about what Shandra wanted.

"Dad will settle that, okay? From now on I will do things my way," she cleared to me. "Do whatever you like Zan. You know, you can focus on helping her now and do your duty at the same time but still try to enjoy what life has to offer," she said with her sweet innocent smile.

How can I say no with that kind of smile? "Okay," nodding my head, I finally give in. I have a lot of things to do too with regards to the guild. AJ will be busy and I'll take over in supervising the GSU too since staying here. Shirou will surely need help in managing the business too since Shandra's cousin aren't ready to do it yet. Then, there's that thing too. I don't think I have time to enjoy when my hands are full of things that need attention. I just sigh and settle in my seat.