Gangster High

Shotgun Coronation

Chapter 13

SHOTGUN CORONATION

Tiarah didn't come back at all after she left me, which annoyed me so much. There were questions I wanted to ask her. I tried to call dad either, but he was not answering his phone. I had this feeling, terrible feeling. May nalalaman sila tungkol sa laro ng Rapsodhee High.

Kung totoong may alam ang mga magulang ko sa mga nangyayari rito, ibig sabihin ay naging parte rin sila ng laro. Nagawa nilang lampasan ang anim na taon sa loob ng eskwelahang ito. Ano kaya ang naging posisyon nila sa chessboard?

"Let me out! Open this goddamn door, you fuckin' bastards outside!" I shouted while knocking on the door... with a lampshade.

I was so tired and bored of waiting. Alas otso na nang gabi. Heina said the coronation will begin at seven, pero hanggang ngayon ay nakakulong pa rin ako. I didn't give a s**t kung hindi matuloy ang koronasyon. Who the hell cares? I just wanted to see my mother. Now.

Nabasag ang lampshade na hawak ko. Damn! Fashia would understand and I was certain she's not gonna be mad at me for breaking her customized Hello Kitty lampshade.

"Open the door! Hey!" I shouted angrily. I would love to kill them all as soon as I got out.

Alam kong namumula ang mukha ko sa galit nang tumalikod ako sa pinto. Nahagip ng aking paningin ang swivel chair na nasa study table ni Heina. Binitiwan ko ang basag na lampshade at mabilis na kinuha ang upuan saka galit na binuhat.

It wasn't that heavy kaya nagawa ko iyong ibalibag sa pinto. Malakas na lagabog ang narinig ko, pero nanatiling nakasara ang pinto. Nanggigigil na muli kong binuhat ang upuan at muling ihinagis. That time, something happened. Biglang bumukas ang pinto hindi pa man lumalapat ang upuan doon. It couldn't stop now.

As if it was slow motion, I saw Creed Craw gritted his teeth ang dodged from the flying chair. The men in white tuxedos outside stared at each other as the swivel chair landed in front of them.

I wished they were hit.

"Hey! Wala pang isang minuto si Creed dito, inaaway mo na kaagad s'ya. Bad, Temple." Draven popped out of nowhere. He was teasing me, pero nang makita niyang nakasimangot ako ay mabilis pa sa kidlat na naging pormal ang mukha n'ya.

"b***h," bulong ni Creed.

"Asshole," sagot ko.

Tinaasan n'ya lang ako ng kilay. Natigilan pa ako nang ihagis n'ya sa harapan ko ang isang malaking paper bag. Tiim ang bagang na tinitigan ko s'ya nang matalim, pero binalewala n'ya lang 'yon at humakbang papasok ng kwarto habang nagsasalita.

"Wear that. I'm giving you fifteen minutes to fix yourself," aniya.

"What the hell! Fifteen minutes? Excuse me, but it takes one hour—"

"Thirty minutes," mariin n'yang putol sa sinasabi ko.

Iritadong binuklat ko ang laman ng paper bag at nang makita ko ang laman noon ay kunot-noo ko siyang tinunghayan.

"Ano'ng gagawin ko rito?" Itinaas ko ang damit sa harapan niya.

"Eat it," pabalang niyang sagot.

I swear, kung nakakamatay lang ang titig ko, siguradong kanina pa tumimbuwang ang uwak na ito sa harapan ko.

He smirked. "Next time, don't ask a question if you already know the answer. It's making you sound so stupid."

Namula ang mukha ko dahil sa sinabi n'ya. I didn't know kung dahil ba sa galit o dahil talagang napahiya ako sa sinabi n'ya lalo pa at narinig ko ang mahinang tawa ni Draven.

Nagpupuyos ang dibdib na hinagip ng kamay ko ang hairbrush na malapit sa akin at ibinato sa direksyon ni Creed. It was a lame attack, but I didn't care. I just wanted to hurt him. Pero kagaya nga ng sinabi ko, it was a lame move kaya parang wala lang na sinalo n'ya ang brush saka ako tinitigan nang masama.

"Wear that or if you want, I can help you." Sumilay ang ngisi sa labi n'ya. Hindi rin nakaligtas sa paningin ko ang malisyosong kislap sa mga mata niya habang nakatingin sa katawan ko.

"Touch me and I swear, that would be the last time you'll see your arms," I warned.

"I really don't like your tongue, you know that?"

"My tongue doesn't like you either."

He laughed. "Really? Because the last time your tongue touched mine in that hotel room—"

"Shut up, you bastard!" I barked.

"What hotel room?" Draven interrupted.

Creed and I looked at him. Creed was grinning and I was hoping my stare really could kill. Draven shut his mouth, but I noticed the dirty smile on his lips.

Ihinagis ko sa kama ang bestida or gown... whatever that dress was.

"Bakit kailangang ganyan ang isuot ko? Mukha akong tanga rito," reklamo ko.

"Hindi ka nag-iisa kaya manahimik ka na lang," asik ni Creed.

Noon lang ako napatingin sa suot n'ya at hindi ko alam kung matatawa o maiinis ako. Peste! Ano ba'ng akala nila sa amin, nasa isang stage play at kailangang magsuot ng costume?

The dress I was about to wear looked like an elegant queen's gown! Talo ko pa si Queen Elizabeth dito. The color was dark red. It was a one-shouldered gown with gold embellishment. It was beautiful, I had to admit, pero hindi ako nagsusuot ng ganito.

Napatingin ulit ako kay Creed. He was wearing armor, a black chainmail hauberk, if I remembered it right. There was a sword hanging in his waist. His fit pants and high boots showed the perfect shape of his legs. He looked handsome, there's no need to deny it.

"If you're done admiring me, you can put the dress on now," Creed said smirking.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at lumingon kay Draven para maitago ang pamumula ng mukha ko. Even Draven was also wearing a costume, but he looked like a priest, which didn't suit his annoying smile.

"I'm not gonna wear that dress," I said.

Creed had had enough. He gave Draven a 'go-out' look na kaagad namang sinunod ng isa pang baliw na lalaking 'yon. After that, Creed closed the door and walk toward me. Muntik pa akong mapasigaw nang bigla n'yang itaas ang laylayan ng suot kong T-shirt.

"f**k! What the hell are you doing?! Bitiwan mo nga ako!" I shouted habang pinipigilan ang kamay.

"Napakarami mong arte. You have to wear that dress now. We are getting late and—" he stopped. Alam ko, natigilan s'ya at tumuon ang paningin sa dibdib ko. My bra was still on, but it seemed I was naked in front of him. Awtomatikong kumilos ang braso ko to cover my body. Dahilan 'yon para kumunot ang noo n'ya at tumingin sa akin. Then he said. "Huwag kang umarte. I already saw every single part of your body. Wala ka nang maitatago sa akin."

"Bastard!" hindi ko napigilan ang pag-angat ng nakaikom kong kamao at tumama 'yon sa kaliwa n'yang panga.

I saw him gritted his teeth. His eyes narrowed. It was the same reaction of him I saw in the detention room and seeing him like this again brought chills to my spine.

I stepped back, but it was too late. In just a second, natagpuan ko ang sarili kong nakahiga sa kama at s'ya, nakatukod ang dalawang braso sa magkabilang gilid ng ulo ko. I was like a prisoner between him and the bed. Naniningkit ang mga mata n'yang nakatitig sa akin at blangko ang utak ko para mag-isip ng dapat gawin.

"Because you're a pretty b***h doesn't mean you could lay a finger on me when you're upset," he said, face too close to mine. "The next time you hit me, I'll turn you into a naked slave on my bed. Do you understand?"

Then he moved away. Mabilis akong bumangon. Iniwasan kong tingnan siya at tumakbo patungo sa banyo dala ang gown na kailangan kong isuot.

Padabog kong isinara ang pinto saka sumandal doon. Napakabilis ng t***k ng puso ko. God! I never, not even once, felt this s**t before. Creed was really scary. His devilish smirk and stare were so hard to be countered. Next to Tiarah, Creed was the second person who gave me chills with just a single look.

"Time is running!" I heard him shouted outside.

I heaved a sigh and calmed myself. I should be calm. I should be calm.

Naiiling na pinagmasdan ko sandali ang gown na isusuot ko. I really didn't want to wear this, but I had no choice.

Napipilitang nagbihis ako. I couldn't imagine myself wearing a feminine outfit. Sanay ako sa mga jeans and shirt. I already knew it wouldn't fit me, but when I saw my reflection in the mirror, I was amazed.

God! Was this really me?

"Hurry up!" Malakas na katok sa pinto ang bumulabog sa panonood ko sa aking sarili. Oh, let's say, kinalampag ang pinto kasabay ang sigaw ni Creed.

Maghintay ka. Bwisit.

Inayos ko ang buhok ko, sinuklay using my fingers then, it's done. No makeup. Oh, I forgot. Where were my favorite Sneakers? What did you expect, huh? Magsusuot ako ng wedge or high heels shoe? Oh no! Not my fashion. Sneakers were the best, very comfortable for me.

After putting on my shoes and checking myself in the mirror for the last time, lumabas na ako ng banyo. Nakabusangot na ang mukha ni Creed. Ilang sandaling pinagmasdan n'ya ako bago walang sali-salitang lumapit sa akin at hinawakan ang braso ko. Hinila n'ya ako palabas.

Hindi man lang pinuri ang suot ko.

"Damn! This is why I hate women," pabulong n'yang sabi na sinadya naman yatang iparinig sa akin.

Naiinis na ipiniksi ko ang braso ko saka s'ya tiningnan nang masama. He didn't say anything. Instead, he grabbed my arm again, harder this time. I almost stumbled when he pulled me out of the room. Draven gave us the 'what-happened' look while staring at my arm that was being squeezed by this monster. Inirapan ko lang s'ya. Paano pa ako magpapaliwanag gayong halos madapa ako dahil sa paghila ng uwak na ito. Napailing na lang s'ya at sumunod sa amin.

Hindi n'ya binitiwan ang braso ko hanggang sa makarating kami sa entrance ng hall sa loob ng main building ng school. Sigurado akong namumula na ang braso ko. Gusto ko sanang magmura, pero hindi ko na nagawa nang biglang bumukas nang sabay ang malaking pinto ng hall.

Napatda ako sa nakita ko.

Parang nasa panahon ako kung saan ay buhay pa ang mga kaharian sa mundo. Everyone was wearing their elegant but too vintage style of gowns and suits. Even the area was designed na para bang nasa lumang panahon ako. In front of me was a long red carpet na patungo sa isang magarang upuan or let us say a throne because of its design. Sa magkabilang gilid ng carpet ay nakahilera ang mga lalaking estudyante na nakasuot ng armor costume nila. They had their swords up forming an arc na para bang nagbibigay-pugay sa pagdaan ko. I noticed that the students on the right side of the red carpet were members of Gods Gang and at the left were Dark Empire.

Masasabing pinaghandaan talaga ang event na ito base sa pagkakaayos at gayak ng lahat.

Impressive.

"Walk," mahinang utos ni Creed Craw na nasa likuran ko.

Humakbang ako papasok habang pinagmamasdan ang unahan. The School Administrator was staring at me. He was standing at the right side of the throne, also wearing a costume: a black robe with fur around its neck. Beside him was Dr. Chris Levesque in his navy blue suit. Sa left side ng trono ay nakahilerang nakatayo naman ang lahat ng teachers ng Rapsodhee High kabilang si Ms. Meira at ang magaling kong ina.

Tiarah avoided my stare. Her face was unreadable. I looked away. Perhaps she was not here for me. Perhaps I was just hoping.

Creed and the Student Council were escorting me. Nakasunod sila sa ginagawa kong paghakbang. The Player's bodyguards left at the door as if they were guarding the place.

Speaking of the Player, I wondered if he was here.

"You are beautiful," I heard Dr. Levesque said. Noon ko lang napansin na nakarating na pala ako sa harapan ng trono.

When I looked back, I saw everyone moved. They were forming circles on both sides of the red carpet.

What now?

"You can sit down, Miss Strawford. This party is for you," sabi ng School Administrator.

I didn't speak, pero sinunod ko ang sinabi n'ya. Besides, the throne was nice. Kasabay ng pag-upo ko ay biglang nagkaroon ng musika sa paligid. It's an old folk song. Students began to move. Boys and girls, who were in a circle, faced each other and they danced. As far as I know, in the medieval era, this kind of dance was used to play to entertain the royal highness. Or maybe I was wrong.

Lahat ng estudyante ay sumali sa sayaw. Even Heina and Fashia were dancing. Creed Craw and the Student Council were the only students who did not dance. Nakatayo lang sila sa unahan ko, like they were guarding me.

Deep inside of me ay natuwa ako sa pinapanood ko. This was the first time na nakasaksi ako ng ganito palibhasa ay hindi ako mahilig dumalo sa mga disenteng parties. If only I had a video camera here, I would take this chance to film this one. One of my first experiences.

After almost one and a half-hour of performing ay mukhang natapos na ang palabas. Everyone formed a row at sabay-sabay na nag-bow.

I wanted to clap my hands, but I stopped myself. Something was bothering me. I secretly looked in Tiarah's direction. Her face was too serious while looking at the crowd. I heaved a sigh. I really couldn't believe we were both here. Alam kong misteryosa s'ya, pero hindi ko akalaing aabot sa punto na mapapasok ako sa sitwasyong sa palagay ay pinagdaanan n'ya noong kabataan n'ya.

I was still thinking about what secret Tiarah might be hiding when Creed snapped his fingers in my face. I frowned.

"What?" I hissed.

"Dance with me," he replied as he grabbed my hand even before I could realize what he just said. Hinila niya ako patayo at iginiya patungo sa dance floor, kung saan ay may ilang pares ding nagsasayaw na hindi ko napansin kanina.

I thought of stepping back, but it seemed that Creed read my mind dahil humigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay ko.

He looked at me and said, "Be nice even for tonight."

Hindi ako nakapagsalita. Even when he placed my arms on his shoulder and his hand on my hips, I couldn't speak. Creed's emotionless eyes were just staring at me. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang iniisip n'ya at wala rin akong lakas ng loob para magtanong. I was fascinated by the feeling. 'Yong pakiramdam na para bang walang ibang tao sa paligid maliban sa aming dalawa; na parang may spotlight na nakatutok sa amin. There was a song playing, but I didn't understand the lyrics at all. Dahil siguro wala sa kantang 'yon ang atensyon ng isip ko.

"So, how does it feel that you will be the new queen?" The question brought me back to reality.

"Tell me, why you said that I couldn't replace Mikki?" hindi napigilang tanong ko na pinagsisihan ko rin agad. Pangahas na dila.

Nakita ko kung paanong nagdilim ang mukha ni Creed na kanina ay walang reaksyon. Bakit? Dahil ba nabanggit ko ang pangalan ng dating queen? Was that a big deal? Ano ba sa buhay n'ya ang babaeng 'yon?

"You are really good at ruining good moments," mariin niyang sabi kasabay ng mariing paghapit sa bewang ko.

I held my breath nang mapagtanto kong halos nakayakap na s'ya sa akin.

"Are you always like this?" naiiritang tanong ko. I tried to push his chest para magkaroon ng pagitan ang katawan namin, but it seemed like I was pushing a giant rock. "Let me go, will you?"

"I'm always like this to everyone who always gets in my nerve. Put that in your head," he said. That was too straight and harsh. Gusto ko sana s'yang supalpalin, pero nagambala kami ng isang boses.

"All ears here." That male voice wascoming from the speakers at halatang gumagamit ng voice changer ang sino mangnagmamay-ari noon dahil sa monotone at nakakakilabot na timbre nito; parang nagmumula sa malalim na hukay.

Naramdaman ko ang pagtigil ng lahat. Lahat ay halatang naalarma dahil sa boses. Even the School Administrator and all the teachers got that uneasy look. Napapitlag pa ako nang mabilis na hagipin ni Creed ang braso ko at mahigpit na hawakan. Dama ko ang tensyong pumuno sa buong silid.

What was happening?

"Another night has come, Rapsodheenians," muling sabi ng boses.

Nagpalinga-linga ako. Maraming speakers dito kaya napakalakas ng boses. Nagdulot iyon ng kaba sa dibdib ko.

"Where the hell is that guy?" naibulong ko.

Naramdaman ko ang lalong paghigpit ng hawak ni Creed sa braso ko. Nasaktan ako sa ginawa n'ya, pero hindi ko pinansin 'yon. Sa halip ay tuluyan nang tumuon ang atensyon ko sa boses. Kung tama ang hinala ko, ang nagmamay-ari ng boses na 'yon ay walang iba kundi ang Player.

"Miss Temple Strawford, welcome to Rapsodhee High," sabi ng boses.

"Don't do anything stupid," mariing bulong ni Creed. "He is watching us."

It took a couple of seconds before I realized what he meant. I looked around to check if my hunch was right, but I couldn't see any camera around. Perhaps it was hidden.

"I know you're smart enough to figure out who I am, but I still want to introduce you myself in a proper way," the Player said. The music that was playing minutes ago was annoying, but I'd rather choose that than this silence. Everyone seemed like swallowed their tongue all of the sudden. Everyone seemed pinned on where they were standing. "I am the Player of Rapsodhee High. You don't see me, but I can see you. You don't know me, but I know you. I'm not yours, but you are mine. In this game, your life is in my hand. Move right, you will live. Move wrong, you will die."

I didn't realize that my hands were shaking until Creed caressed my arm, silently telling me to calm down. It didn't help, to be honest. I was scared, I had to admit it. The Player's voice was like a knife ready to slit my throat.

"Start the coronation," the Player commanded.

Sa sinabi n'ya, lahat ng nasa paligid ko kumilos. Lahat sila ay lumisan sa gitna na parang ibinibigay sa akin ang buong lugar. Lalong kumabog ang dibdib ko. Naramdaman ko, may hindi magandang mangyayari.

"Just do what he wants," pabulong na sabi sa akin ni Creed bago marahang binitiwan ang braso ko. Iniwan n'ya ako sa gitna at bumalik sa pwesto n'ya malapit sa trono.

All students were just watching. Mr. Hontraver, Dr. Levesque, Miss Meira, Tiarah, and all the teachers were staring at me. Walang reaksyon ang mga mukha nila.

Ilang sandali pa ay napalingon ako sa bumukas na pinto ng hall. Iniluwa roon ang dalawang lalaking nakabantay sa kwarto ko sa dorm kanina. They were still wearing a white tuxedo, but now they were carrying a steel box. I didn't know what exactly that was. Nakatuon ang paningin ko roon nang ibaba 'yon sa mismong harapan ko.

"Give her the crown," utos ng Player.

Binuksan ng lalaking nakasalamin ang steel box at ganoon na lang ang panlalaki ng mga mata ko nang makita kung ano ang nasa loob no'n. The box was containing an electric branding iron. The design was cool. It was round, could be the size of my palm. In the middle of it was a crown, which was pierced by the twin sword making an X form. The crown was beautiful, but...

I stepped back. The branding iron looked like death in my eyes.

"That gesture is telling me that you did not like the crown," sabi ng Player. For God's sake! Sino'ng tanga ang matutuwa o gugustuhing magkaroon ng ganitong klaseng korona? "Rejecting my gift is disappointing. Unfortunately, Miss Strawford, you have no right to say no. You are one of my pieces now. I own you."

"Own?! Damn you! Hindi mo ako pag-aari," malakas kong sagot. Pakiramdam ko ngayon ay nasa isang fraternity ako na kailangang dumanas ng sakit sa katawan bago tuluyang maging myembro.

Katahimikan ang naging sagot sa sinabi ko.

Napatingin ako kay Tiarah. Umiling s'ya na parang sinasabi na sumunod na lang ako sa gustong mangyari ng Player.

"Give her the crown," muling utos ng Player.

The man, who was not holding the branding iron, grabbed me. I moved. I swayed and kicked him in the stomach. He stepped back. Sinamantala ko ang pagkakataon at tumakbo patungo sa pinto, pero hindi pa man ako nakakalayo ay may humablot sa suot kong gown. Nawasak ang tela at lumantad ang kahubaran ko. Kasabay noon ay paluhod akong bumagsak sa sahig matapos akong itulak ng lalaki. I tried to fight back again, but he twisted my arm and pinned it on my back. Then I froze. Something cold touched my head and even if I didn't look, I knew it was a gun.

"You are wasting my fuckin' time," the Player dangerously said. "Now, I'm giving you a choice: a bullet in your head or a crown on your head."

I gritted my teeth. Ayokong tanggapin ang sakit na ibibigay sa akin ng korona, pero ayoko rin namang mamatay. Bullshit! Muli akong napatingin sa paligid. Karamihan ay kakikitaan ng takot sa mukha. Heina and Fashia were giving me a silent sign to choose the crown. Tiarah nodded at me. I knew what she wanted: choose the crown. Creed mouthed the word 'do it'.

Napatungo ako. God! Ano'ng gulo ang pinasok kong ito?

Perhaps this was just a dream. This was not happening. Please, wake me up. I was just dreaming. Pero paulit-ulit ko mang ipikit at imulat ang mga mata ko, isang eksena lang ang nakikita ko: ang paglapit sa akin ng isang lalaki habang hawak na branding iron.

"No," sigaw ko nang mahulaan ang gagawin niya. Nagpilit akong kumawala, pero malakas ang humahawak sa akin. Sa bawat palag ko ay humihigpit ang hawak niya sa akin. At ang baril na nakatutok sa ulo ko...

"I proclaim you the new queen of my board." The Player recited. "The queen who will protect the king, who will dominate and behead the enemies, who will wear the crown as an armor."

"Damn you! Stop this bullshit," sigaw ko. Sa sinabi ko ay lalo lang dumiin sa ulo ko ang baril na hawak ng bodyguard n'ya.

"From now on, you will be called Scarlet Queen," he added.

Alam ko, bakas na bakas sa mukha ko ang matinding pagtutol, pero wala akong nagawa nang makita kong pumwesto sa likuran ko ang bodyguard na may hawak na branding iron. Ilang segundo at napasigaw na lang ako nang maramdaman ko ang matinding sakit sa kanang parte ng likod ko. I felt the goddamn pain I couldn't name at all. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang pagkasunog ng balat ko. Masakit. Sumisigid sa bawat parte ng katawan ko.

"Stop! That's fuckin' hurt! Damn you," I shouted. I felt my tears fell to my cheek. I couldn't help it. I didn't wanna cry, pero kusang bumagsak ang mga luha ko dahil sa matinding sakit na naramdaman ko.

At that moment, I realized how weak I was, how scared I was, how fragile I was. I wasn't that strong that I used to believe. All of a sudden, I saw myself ten years ago; when I was crying, bloody, and scared. That night when I lose everything I had...

That night—

"Stop," I shouted again.

Hindi ko na namalayan na binitiwan nila ako. Ang alam ko lang, nagpilit akong tumayo at pilit na kinapa ang likuran ko. Napapikit pa ako ng mariin nang sumigid ang kirot sa parteng 'yon ng katawan ko. I didn't care that I was naked. I didn't care that I was crying.

I was shaking. I was shaking so badly.

So, this was the torture my mother was talking about.

"Welcome to my board," the Player announced.

I wanted to shout! God knows how much I wanted everything... everyone para lang hindi na mapakinggan ang boses n'ya. But with my situation now, I couldn't do it all. I couldn't even move. I felt so weak and pained.

I swear... this new queen will kill you someday.