Paper Planes

Kabanata 20

KABANATA 20

"Ang daya mo talaga, Kai! Hindi pa nga ako tapos sa paghahanda, bigla ka na lang lumusob!"

"Not my fault that you're so slow."

"You could have given me some time!"

"It was war, Kou. You don't give your enemies time to win."

"But I'm your brother!"

"In the game, you're not."

"Ugh! Aya-chan, o... Pagsabihan mo nga si Kai. He's so unfair!" Bulalas ni Kou.

"All is fair in love and war," Kai said and his brother grunted in frustration.

Nasa garden uli kami para kumain ng tanghalian. Kanina pa nagtatalo ang kambal tungkol sa nilaro nila kagabi.

"Hindi ba pwedeng mamaya niyo na lang guluhin si Arianne tungkol diyan? Nandito tayo para kumain, hindi ba?" Sagot ni Himura para sa akin na banayad na nilalatag sa harap namin ang dalang mga pagkain.

"Whoa! Your food preparation is grand as usual, Shun-san," puna ni Kou bago pumulot ng isang pares ng chopsticks at kumuha ng isang hiwa ng egg-roll, "And the taste is on point as well!" Dagdag pa nito bago muling kumuha.

"Arigatou. Our Head Chef will know of your kind words," anito bago ako hinarap, "Please go ahead and have a bite, Arianne," sabi pa niya habang inaalokan ako ng pinulot nitong sushi gamit ang sariling chopsticks.

At dahil ilang buwan na rin akong hindi nakatikim ng Japanese foods, sabik kong pinulot ang isang platito at isa ring pares ng chopsticks. Akma ko na sanang tatanggapin ang inalok nito nang may biglang tumulak sa amin patagilid at puwersahang naupo sa gitna ng aming inuupuang bench. Bago pa kami makapag-reak, walang pasabi nitong nilamon ang inalok na pagkain para sa akin. Ngunit ilang sandali lang, agad din naman iyong iniluwa.

"Pucha, hilaw pa iyon ah?!" Asik ni Ren bago hablutin ang isang pitsel ng juice at direktang uminom mula rito.

Agad na sumimangot ang mga mukha noong tatlo sa kanyang ginawa pero wala pa rin ni isang umalma. Pagkatapos noon, pabalang na ibinaba nito ang pitsel at saka galit na hinarap si Himura.

"Ikaw ang nagdala nito, hindi ba? Alam mo bang hilaw pa ang mga ito? Bakit mo pakakainin ng hilaw na isda si Aya?! Gusto mo bang sumakit ang tiyan niya?!"

"Tama na, Ren," agap ko rito.

Nilingon niya ako gamit ang isang iritadong ekspresyon. Tumikhim ako bago imuwenestra ang lamesa.

"These are Japanese foods. This is sashimi, maki, tempura, gyoza, egg-rolls, and these ones, like the one you just threw up, are called sushi," mahinahon kong tugon, "Hindi sasakit ang tiyan ko kapag kinain ko ang mga ito."

Kumuha ako ng isa pang sushi at marahang isinawsaw sa soy sause. Iprenesenta ko pa ito sa nag-aalalang hari bago isinubo sa aking bibig. Nalasahan ko ang matamis na lasa ng preskong salmon bago kumalat ang masarap na anghang ng wasabi paste sa gitna nito at ng kanin.

Lalong lumalim ang kudlit sa noo ng hari habang pinagmamasdan akong nguyain ang pagkain.

"We love to eat our fish meat raw and fresh. This is normal for us Japanese."

Napalingon kami sa sinabi ni Himura. Kumuha naman siya ngayon ng isang sashimi, isinawsaw sa soy sauce pagkatapos ay banayad na isinubo.

"You knew that Aya-san's Japanese, right? So that means these are also her favorites," sabi naman ni Kai na kumuha ng tempura.

"Kumain ka pa, Aya-chan," tugon naman ni Kou na inaalokan ako ng gyoza.

"Arigatou," sabi ko bago tinanggap ang inalok sa aking rice bowl.

Sinilip ko ang natahimik na katabi at nakitang mariing tinitigan ang mga pagkain, tila sinasaulo ang bawat isa. Doon ko lang napansin ang hawak nitong drawstring bag na paniguradong naglalaman ng kanyang baong pagkain.

"May baon ka pala, Ren. Anong ulam mo ngayon? Ikaw uli ang nagluto?" Tanong ko at akma na sanang kukunin ito mula sa kanya nang bigla na lang siyang tumayo.

"Nakalimutan ko. May tatapusin pa pala akong project. Mauna na muna ako, Aya," malamig nitong tugon.

"Ha? Lunch break pa ngayon, a. Kumain ka muna ng tanghalian," sabi ko sa kanya.

Nilingon niya ako at saka malungkot na nginitian.

"Pasensiya na. Next time na lang uli," sagot nito bago nagmamadaling umalis.

"Ano naman kaya ang drama ng isang iyon? Siya na nga itong bigla na lang sumulpot..." Narinig ko pang anas ni Kou

Nanatili naman ang mga mata ko sa papalayong bulto ng hari, nagtataka kung bakit naging ganoon ang kanyang inasta.

"Is this seat taken?"

Wala sa sarili kong tiningnan ang nagsalita at agad na namangha nang makilala iyon. He was wearing the uniform for the School of Business. His white, marked, long sleeves was carefully tucked in his black, custom-fit, Armani trousers. And of course, that signature, deceptive smile of his was plastered on his face like usual.

"Kira?" Magkahalong kaba at galak ang namayani sa kalooban ko.

Hindi siya umimik at tahimik na umupo sa bakanteng upuan. Nilingon niya si Himura bago imuwenestra ang mga pagkain.

"May I?" Tanong nito.

Hindi agad nakasagot ang aking kaibigan. Tulad ko, hindi niya rin inasahan ang presensiya nito sa lamesa namin.

"O-of course, Akira-san. Please have some meal," alok nito sa isa pa ring banayad na tono matapos ang ilang sandali.

What is he doing here? Shouldn't he be avoiding me? Or, is he expecting me to leave? Naisip ko at akma na sanang tatayo nang muli siyang magsalita.

"Just so you know, I didn't come here to take you back to the Kendou club. It so happens that I love the Japanese foods that the Himuras prepare."

Nagbaba ako ng tingin sa sinabi nito. Kahit hindi ko na inaasahang makabalik pa sa Kendou Club, may maliit na bahagi sa loob ko ang patuloy na umaasang pwede pa rin akong makabalik sa pag-eensayo ng Kendou.

Kahit na doon lang sa bahay. Kahit isang beses sa isang linggo o isang buwan. I bit my lip as I knew this would never happen. I gave him my word, I should keep it like a real samurai.

"The Masters have decided to make Master Ryu their champion after all..." sabi pa nito.

I quickly shoved that ebbing pain away from my system and just tried to focus on eating. Kumuha ako ng isang tempura at ibinaling sa bawat detalye noon ang aking atensiyon.

"Personally..." narinig ko pang sabi nito habang isinasawsaw ko ang hawak na pagkain sa nakalaang sawsawan, "...I think you won that match."

My hand stopped midair, before I could take a bite off my tempura. Mabilis ko siyang tiningnan. His eyes were on the sushi he was idly dipping in a sauce. When he raised them and found mine, the corner of this mouth slightly turned upwards.

"What are you looking at, witch? Aren't we here to eat lunch?"

Ilang beses pa akong napakurap bago marahang tumango, hindi pa rin tuluyang makapaniwala sa narinig.

"I can't believe I'm doing this," narinig ko pang bulong nito habang umiiling na kumuha ng ibang putahe.

Lihim akong napangiti. Kahit na may halong insulto ang kanyang mga sinabi, hindi ko pa ring maiwasang matuwa dahil rito.

Dumaan ang ilang araw, hindi na nawala sa mga kasalo tuwing tanghalian si Kira. Hindi naman siya palaging nagsasalita at kalimitan ay agad umaalis pagkatapos kumain. But if he did talk, the other boys that were with us would suddenly fall quiet and let him take the spotlight. The usually loud twins would attentively listen to him.

Either because they're very interested about the things that Kira talks about or, as the tradition around the empire goes, it's because he is a... I shooed those thoughts away and tried to focus on the things that I should do at the moment — find out about what's really going on with the empire and... be his friend.

"Kurozawa!"

Napalingon kaming lahat sa biglang tumawag. Hingal itong lumapit sa aming mesa.

"Yes, Rama-san?" Nakangiti namang tugon ni Kira.

"The Dean was looking for you. He said he wanted to talk to you regarding the upcoming conference in L.A."

"I understand. I'll be there right away. Thank you, Rama-san," sagot nito bago tumayo.

I suddenly found an excuse to be alone with him.

"That's right! Kailangan ko rin palang magsauli ng mga libro sa library. Sabay na lang tayo tutal pareho lang ang dadaanan natin," sabi ko sabay tayo at bigay ng pasasalamat sa natanggap na pagkain.

Napansin ko ang pagtitinginan ng kambal sa isa't isa bago ako binalingan. Akma na silang magsasalita nang aking inunahan.

"Tara na!" Sabi ko sa nakangiting Kira.

Nakangiti man, pansin ko pa rin ang bahagyang pag-angal nito sa aking iminungkahe. But since it left him with no choice, he just widened his humorless grin as he nodded his head in agreement.

We were already halfway to the library and yet I still wasn't able to gather much courage to strike a conversation with him, who was humming along the way. Hindi ko rin alam kung anong sasabihin o kung anong magandang pag-usapan.

Should I ask him directly? No. He would automatically shut me down. Hmm... Paano kung simulan ko sa pakikimusta? Small talks? s**t! Nagsimula na akong mataranta nang natatanaw na namin ang gusali ng library.

"U-um, how's everyone in the Club? A-are they doing alright? Are they still letting the newbies practice? Or has the hall already been dedicated for the tournament players?"

No response.

I bit my lip as my destination drew near.

"H-how about Watanabe-shishou? He must be excited for this year's line up, huh? I bet he's relieved that Drake returned to his team. He's finally got his ace back—"

Agad akong natigil at bumangga sa likod nito nang bigla na lang siyang huminto sa paglalakad. He turned around with a big smile on his face.

"Why should I tell you? You have nothing to do with kendou anymore so it isn't your business to know."

"But I..."

"I don't want to keep the Dean waiting so I'll be going now," pagpuputol nito sa aking sasabihin bago tumalikod at bumalik sa paglalakad.

Mabilis ko siyang sinundan, determinadong magkaroon ng kahit konting impormasyon tungkol sa pamilya.

"Naiintindihan ko. I gave you my word and I intend to keep it," I said and immediately dismissed the sting of my own statement, "Kumusta na pala si Hans? Balita ko may bago na naman siyang venture ngayon. If it's him, I'm sure it will also be successful."

Muli na naman siyang tumigil.

"You don't really get it, do you?" He asked before turning around with that humorless grin on his face, "You are not a Kurozawa nor a child of the empire; therefore, you don't have any right to be talking or asking me anything in connection to anyone or any issues surrounding it. Ilang beses pa ba kitang sasabihang itigil ang pangingialam sa amin para maintindihan mo?"

Nagbaba ako ng tingin. I knew from the beginning that my first objective would have a lesser chance to happen. We were both bound by the rules of the empire.

"I understand. I'm sorry for imposing too much. I just wanted to make sure that everything's alright within the clan. Alam kong kasalanan ko kung bakit ginigipit ng alyansa ang pamilya."

"Where did you get that information? Hmm?" Tanong nito. Naroon pa rin ang kanyang ngiti pero ramdam ko ang nakatagong inis sa likod nito, "Who told you? Himura? The Yazakis? Kaya mo ba sila kinaibigan, ha? Para makakalap ka ng impormasyon tungkol sa imperyo?"

Bahagyang kumunot ang aking noo sa kanyang paratang.

"I didn't ask them to become my friends for that purpose. Sila ang nagkusang samahan ako at maging kaibigan."

"Really? That's so nice, isn't it? Bigla ka na lang kinaibigan ng mga tagapagmana ng dalawa sa tatlong angkang kasapi ng alyansa," he mocked, "Ah, that's right! You even caught Master Ryu's eyes! That's so wonderful, so convenient, isn't it?"

"Nagkakamali ka kung iniisip mong sinadya kong kaibiganin sila."

He made a humorless laugh.

"Madali sanang paniwalaan kung hindi ganoon ang prinepresenta ng sitwasyon mo ngayon. I'm not worried though," anito, "I'm pretty sure those boys were just curious about the little girl with a blurry background and once carried the celebrated family name. One of these days they'll wake up and finally see what monster that little girl really is. They'll realize that it was a mistake befriending you."

His words stung but my resolve was stronger.

"Why do you hate me so much? Anong naging kasalanan ko sa iyo?"

He scoffed.

"Kailangan ko pa bang sabihin sa iyo?" Tanong nito bago tamad na humakbang palapit sa akin. He bent a little so his monolid eyes could level mine, "Itong pagiging buhay mo ang iyong pinakamalaking pagkakamali. So long as you're breathing, we will all be miserable."

My chest constricted at the familiar pain. My airways were beginning to tighten as well, making it difficult for me to breath. I balled my fists as I resisted to succumb to his words.

"Master Ryu will realize this and then he will leave you faster than you can blink your eye and without so much as a backward glance."

Sumimangot ako sa kanyang sinabi.

"I don't really care if that evil Drake leaves me alone. In fact, I'd be thankful if he does."

Siya naman ngayon ang sumimangot pero hindi ako tumigil. I wished that I did.

"Paano mo nagustuhan ang isang iyon? I mean, everyone knows that he's evil, selfish and egoistic! He's mean and cruel to his own little sister! He doesn't even treat you with rightful respect. Anong nagustuhan mo roon?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata nito at agad na napaatras sa aking mga sinabi. Agad ko iyong pinagsisihan. Hindi pa ito ang tamang panahon para pag-usapan ang tungkol doon.

"I'm sorry, Kira. I didn't mean..."

"So he told you..." Wala sa sarili nitong tugon.

"Kira..."

"And you thought because he did, you have the right to rub this in my face? That you have the upper hand and I'm suddenly under your mercy?"

"Hindi iyon ganoon, Kira. Wala akong ganoong balak..."

"Keep wishing, witch! I won't let that happen even in your wildest dream. Go ahead and tell everyone. Tingnan natin kung sino ang katawa-tawa sa huli," he challenged before turning around and walking away.

"Kira, hindi iyon ang intensiyon ko!" I yelled but he didn't stop this time, "I just want us to be friends. Mahirap ba talaga iyon?" Mahina kong sabi, kahit alam kong hindi niya na maririnig.

"Bakit ba palagi mong gustong kaibiganin ang mga taong tila ayaw naman sa iyo?"

Muntik akong napatalon sa biglaang pagsulpot ng isang tao.

"M-Miyu-san? Kanina ka pa ba riyan?"

"I'm sorry if I startled you, Moritake-san. Hindi ko lang napigilang magtanong," she gently replied, "Kararating ko lang nang marinig ko ang huli niyong pag-uusap ni Akira-senpai."

Lalo akong nakonsensiya sa pagbanggit tungkol sa bagay na iyon. Hindi na sana ako nagpadala sa inis ko.

"I'm sorry, Miyu-san, but please don't tell anyone about what you've heard. Ayokong mapahamak si Kira, I mean, Senpai."

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang marahan siyang tumango.

"Thank you—"

"Akira-senpai clearly dislikes you. Why do you want to befriend him still? Aren't you hurt by his constant rejection and sharp tongue?"

I was caught off guard by her unusual bluntness. Her clear, light brown, chinky eyes reflected the sincerity of her words.

Humugot ako ng hininga.

"Nasasaktan din..." Mahina kong tugon, "Pero hindi ako pwedeng sumuko."

"Why? If it hurts, then why don't you just stop?"

Ilang sandali ko pa siyang tinitigan bago sumagot.

"Because you don't quit on people you care about."

Puna ko ang bahagyang pamamasa ng kanyang mga matang hanggang ngayon ay matamang nakadirekta sa akin.

"Even if those people don't really care about you?"

Malungkot ko siyang nginitian.

"My sincerity towards them isn't based on their opinion of me. They could hate me all they want but that won't stop me from caring for them."

Ilang sandaling hindi umimik si Miyu, tila pinag-iisipan ang kahulugan ng aking pahayag.

"You are wrong about me, Moritake-san," she began, "I am not an amazing person as you claimed me to be. Ryu-niisama was right when he said that I am an embarrassment to our family crest."

"That's wrong—"

"Like the Kurozawa clan, the Sanada clan is also a distinguished samurai clan since centuries back. Yet, I'm the only one in the family who doesn't know how to handle a sword even when I tried my best to learn it. Years of practice didn't do much to my uncoordinated limbs."

"Miyu-san..."

"When I saw you fight Ryu-niisama, I understood that I will never have a chance at kendou. I also understood why Ryu-niisama is attracted to you."

Kumunot ang noo ko binalita nito.

"I never want him to..."

"I've quit kendou."

"What?!"

"What you said to Ryu-niisama back then comforted my discouraged heart. But I realized that kendou is not for me. I have decided to try other things that I have put aside in order to learn the art. Unsurprisingly, our parents gave me an earful but they knew there's nothing they could do for me on that matter. So now, I am giving myself a chance to discover the path that I was meant to take."

Hindi ako nakapagsalita. I stood there listening to her, watching her determination radiated all over her.

"I'd like to have the expression your face made as you were battling Ryu-niisama on that floor. The face which declares that that is where you belong and no one has the right to say otherwise."

Uminit ang pisngi ko sa sinabi nito. I didn't know that my face looked like that while I was trying to strike her brother.

"You left so abruptly that I never got the chance to properly thank you for the words you said that day so..." she said before bowing her head a little deeper for me, "Thank you for the kind words and for befriending me even though I don't deserve your friendship. I am grateful that, even for a while, I had someone who truly cares for me. Hontou ni arigatou gozaimashita."

My chest constricted, this time, for a different kind of pain. I raised her chin up and saw her tear-stricken eyes.

"Why are you talking like we are not friends anymore?"

"Are we?" Malungkot niyang tanong, "You don't come to my classroom to see me. You don't even talk to me when we pass by one another. Pero hindi naman kita masisi kasi alam kong hindi ako karapatdapat—"

Hindi ko na siya pinatapos at agad na lang na niyakap nang mahigpit.

Kinabukasan noon, nadagdagan na naman ang mga taong kasalo namin sa tanghalian.

"Umusog nga kayo!"

"Doon ka sa kabilang lamesa, Ryu. Kita mo na ngang wala ng mauupuan, nakikisiksik ka pa rito."

"What did you say, Kou?"

"You heard me!"

"Gusto mo bang basagin ko iyang pagmumukha mo?"

"Ryu-niisama, please calm down."

"Tumayo ka riyan, Kou!" Hamon ng demonyo.

"Kung mag-iingay ka rin lang dito, mabuti pang umalis ka na lang. Wala namang nag-imbenta sa iyong sumali sa amin," asik ko habang tinutulungan si Miyu sa pag-ayos ng dala niyang mga pagkain.

Natigilan ang dalawang nag-aalitan at parehong napatingin sa akin.

"Oh, come on, kitten! You know I was only playing around. Right, Kou, my friend?" Patawang sagot nito habang pilit na inaakbayan ang umaangal naming kaibigan.

"I'm so sorry for this, Moritake-sa— I mean, Aya. He insisted in joining us when he heard I've prepared a meal for you," Miyu apologetically whispered.

Mabilis akong umiling.

"Don't worry, Miyu. Hindi mo naman kasalanan kung pangit ang ugali ng kuya mo."

She bit her lip and worriedly glanced at her brother who was still in the middle of negotiating a seat in between the twins.

"Master Ryu, you can take my seat if you like."

Lahat kami ay napalingon sa nagsalita. Nakatayo na si Kira at kasalukuyang minumuwestra ang kanyang upuan. Drake scoffed at his efforts then turned to Kou.

"O, Kou, may bakante na. Doon ka na umupo!" Sabi nito bago itinulak sa upuan ang kausap.

Napamura si Kou nang bumagsak sa damuhan. Tumayo ito at handa na sanang makipagtalo nang magsalitang muli si Kira.

"You can take the seat, Kou. I'm not hungry anyway."

Tumayo ako para habulin ito nang umalis.

"Kira," tawag ko.

Saglit siyang tumigil at bahagya akong nilingon. Naroon pa rin ang kanyang ngiti pero nakaguhit ang isang pangakong panganib sa kanyang mga mata.

"Enjoy the attention while you can, witch, for this may be the only time you get to experience this. I'll make sure of that," he promised, every word was dripping with pure hatred, before walking away.

"Aya, are you okay?"

I turned my head and found Miyu at my side, comforting me. I smiled at her before slowly nodding.

Ryu had become a regular member of our lunch squad. He also found a way to pester my day. He kept bringing unnecessary things to our table. The twins, like always, would block him off for me and that usually ended in tiring conflict among them. Not even Himura, being the SGO President, could stop their petty arguments.

Kira, on the other hand, hadn't join us after that. I was silently hoping that he would suddenly turn up, requesting a seat like he did the first time, but he didn't.

Biyernes iyon at papauwi na ako nang mapansin ang isang nakaipit na papel sa isa sa aking mga libro. I looked around to see if there was anyone who might have placed it there. When I opened the paper, I instantly recognized the handwriting.

It read, Unsheathe your sword for I will. Blood shall spill. - K