Redemption

CHAPTER 013

Chapter 9. Target (Edited Version)

Autumn Gu

My first class is Economics II. Masiyado pang maaga kaya inaantok pa akong nag handa ng breakfast ko. Medyo napuyat ako kagabi dahil sa pag advanced reading ng mga subjects ko for today. I'm a transferee here, I should have some stock knowledge dahil nakakahiya naman kung sa unang araw ko ay matawag akong bobo. I admit, hindi talaga ako matalino. I was this type of student na basta maka basa ng "passed" sa card ay masaya na kahit pa 3 ang score niyan.

Pero kapag nagbasa naman ako, natututo naman ako, no! Hindi naman ako ganon ka-bobo. Naging tamad lang talaga ako dati, puro kasi barkada. Pero legit ang diploma ko, ha! Hindi 'yan pinasa dahil lang parents ko ang nag donate ng pang construction sa bagong gym na itatayo noon.

Business Ad ang course na kinuha ko. Hindi ito time consuming at madali lang pumasa. In short, ito ang pinaka madali. I was already wearing my uniform. I'm wearing white longsleeve polo with blue coat and tie on its top. Habang itim na slack naman ang suot ko at magandang boots. I hate wearing skirt, good thing pinahintulutan naman ng admin ang slacks sa babae.

Blue uniform means I'm classified as average student. Kami ang anak ng mga mayayaman na negosyante na kayang magbayad ng malaking halaga. White uniform classified as the commoners. They're the lower class student, scholarship lang ang dahilan bakit narito. While there's the Silver uniform classified as the gangsters. Kahit anong katayuan mo, basta gangster ka, sa silver ka mabibilang. Last, Gold uniform. They're the underground people called Elite. The most dangerous ones.

The admin had warned me regarding them and these type of people. Kung gusto ko raw maging tahimik ang pananatili ko rito, dapat iwasan ko ang mga gangsters since they're huge troublemakers. While I must stay away from the Elite because they can kill me.

Paglabas ko ng dorm, naka ngiti akong rumampa sa hallway. May ibang girls na ang naka tambay sa labas ng rooms nila, ang karamihan ay naghahanda na sa pagpasok. Taas noo akong naglakad at nilagpasan sila. Kahit lumagpas na, ramdam ko pa rin ang mga mata nilang naka sunod sa akin. I smirked at them. Newbie ako, diba? Bago niyong paguusapan.

Paglabas ko ng dormitory building, sumakay agad ako ng cab na nagaabang sa labas. I told the driver my destination na agad naman nitong sinunod. Ng makarating ako sa tamang building, agad itong huminto at tinulungan ako sa pagbaba. Maraming students ang nasa paligid, karamihan mga katulad kong average students. Hindi nakalagpas sa mata ko ang tinginan nila lalo na ng mga lalaki.

Sumakay ako sa elevator. I pushed the right floor for my subject and waited patiently hanggang sa makarating ako. Medyo maingay ang hallway dahil sa mga naguusap na students. Marami rin akong nasaksihan na nagaaway o commoner na binu-bully. I couldn't stand the scene kaya gumitna ako at umawat sa kanila. Tinapunan ko ng tingin ang babaeng lampa.

"Go!" I said. I heard her thanked me bago ito tumayo at tumakbo palayo.

"Wow! How dare you mind somebody's business?!" mataray na sagot nito.

She's also an average student based on her uniform na kapareha sa akin. She look young, spoiled rotten kid.

"Go to your room and study, that should only be your business."

"Is she the transferee?" tanong nito sa back-up girls niya. Two unicorn behind her nodded.

"Kahapon lang siya dumating, Hany." sagot ng isang unicorn.

Hany then glanced back at me, "Look at this b***h! Bagong salta lang pero kung umasta akala niya pagaari na niya ang lahat."

Napailing ako sa sinabi nito. Nagsasayang ako ng oras dito. Hindi ko sinagot ang sinabi niya at nilagpasan siya para pumunta na lang sa klase ko. Hindi pa ako nakaka ilang hakbang ng subukan nitong hatakin braso ko.

"Hindi pa tayo tapos-"

Sinanga ko agad ang kamay niya at pinilipit ito pababa, umalingawngaw ang malakas nitong tili sa buong hallway, "Don't you dare touch me, kid." pabagsak ko siyang binitawan and because of my force, muntik siyang matumba.

Natahimik ang mga nanunuod. It's my cue to react and walk away from that scene. Pathetic loosers! I scoffed. Nang makita ko ang silid, hindi na ako nag atabuli na kumatok at agad ng binuksan ang pinto. Bumungad sa akin ang malamig na temperature mula sa loob at mahihinang mga bulungan ng mga students. Pumasok ako at pumili ng upuan sa bandang likuran.

Binaba ko ang bag ko sa katabing upuan at tsaka naglabas ako ng notebook. I noticed some glances but I didn't mind, but I observe them quietly. Sa silid na ito, mas marami ang commoner. May iilan na katulad ko, may dalawang gangster at may isang mafioso. Sa ngayon, hindi ko pa alam kung paano ko sisimulan ang misyon ko. Kung ganito ako kalayo sa mundo ng mga Elite, mahihirapan akong tukuyin kung sino sa kanila ang target ko.

Maya maya lang, dumating na ang professor at nagsimula na ang klase. Nagkaroon ng konting introduction, nag discuss siya ng ilang minuto at pagtapos non, nagsagot na lang kami sa answer sheet sa libro. Napansin ko agad ang pagtayo ng isang average student, at mukhang papunta ito sa akin.

I continue scribbling on my paper until she reached my seat. Nag patay malisya ako sa pagdating niya.

"Hm. Hi!" she greeted,

Taas noo akong ngumiti din sa kaniya, "Hello!"

"I heard you're the transferee. I'm Isle, you are?"

"Call me Autumn." I introduced, with my full confidence and pride making her see that I am on that upper hand. "I'm the successor of G Bank Holdings. Have you heard of it? I'm sure your family is already a client." I couldn't f*****g stop my mouth from spitting 'kahambugan'. This is my character and I'm f*****g loving it.

Napa 'ohh' siya. She smiled, "Probably. My family's line is transportation. We are the owner of Woterloo Station? I'm sure you've been there. It's the busiest station in London."

I smirked, this payabangan is killing me.

"Really? Yes, I have been there. Your train is quite efficient, hm?" plastic kong tugon.

"I know it! Anyway, when are you taking up the company? I heard your bank is lining up against Morgan Chase?"

"Daddy wants me to take over already but I refused. I feel like I need to learn more so yeah, maybe after I finish this, then I will take over." Sagot ko naman. "How about you, then?"

Ngumuso siya, "Oh, no! My brother is going to be the successor. It's fine with me actually since I'm not really onto it. I'm actually purusing my own business career."

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya, "Oh, wow! Really? Do you have business already?"

She smiled widely, "Yes! Cosmetics. I just started with my branch's construction, usually it would take 5 months before it gets done so I'm starting online already. So far, the feedback is good. You can try my bestselling if you want. Free!" she winked

I scoffed. Kaya pala ako nilapitan nito para alukin lang ng paninda niya. Gorl! But I'm rich so yeah I should buy and try it. Naglabas siya ng products galing sa back and man! Those items looks legit and made with expensive ingredients. Kumuha ako ng isang set ng make-up para sa mukha and guess how much that was.

50,000. Man! That's motherfucking expensive! But, I'm rich! Dapat afford ko 'yan. I asked Isle her account number and using my mobile banking app, nag-send agad ako sa kaniya ng payment. Pinahiram niya ako ng magandang salamin at sinubukan ko agad ang lipstick sa labi ko.

This nude is lit! Mas okay pa 'to sa Mac and D&G.

"Wow! Did you made all of these?" I asked, still looking myself at the mirror.

"Yes! Although I had help with my cousin, but those formulas and ingredients came from me. I've ever loved this since I was still a kid. I also have perfumes."

I was busy putting mascara when my phone vibrated. Natigilan ako saglit at napaisip. Ngumiti ako kay Isle saglit. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko mula sa bulsa at tinignan kung sino ang tumatawag. Napakunot ang noo ko.

"Isle, I need to take this call. It's my uncle."

Ngumiti siya sa akin, "Sure, babe. Go ahead!"

Lumabas ako ng silid at naglakad sa hallway. Humanap ako ng space na wala masiyadong tao at doon sinagot ang tawag.

"Why are you calling, Tito? I'm in the middle of my class."

Boe sighed from another line, "Para saan ang 50k, Sasy?"

I rolled my eyes pero hindi ko napigilan matawa ng mahina. "I need to make friends, tito. Let me take care of this, okay? I can handle it." Binaba ko na agad ang tawag.

Ha! Ang damot! Para 50k lang, tinawagan agad ako? Anyway, I need to call him Tito para naman less suspicious. If someone hears it and look up for Boe, mabibisto agad ang cover ko.

Pagbalik ko ng room, nag pasa na ng notes ang mga students and si Isle ay nasa upuan niya ulit. When she saw me enter the room, she winked at me. I winked back too. Kinuha ko ang notes na nasagutan ko ng maayos at pumunta sa gitna para ipasa ang sa akin. Ngumiti lang ang professor ng iabot ko ang sa akin.

Nagsimula ng maglabasan ang mga kaklase ko. Nagsimula naman ako magligpit ng gamit. Binalik ko sa magandang box ang mga make up na nabili ko at nilagay ito sa paper bag na kasama. Nagulat ako ng may sumakbit sa braso ko.

Isle smiled at me, "Are you hungry?"

I already ate my breakfast but, I nodded and smiled too, "Where's the cafeteria? First day ko e."

Sabay kaming naglakad. Marami kaming nakakasabayan na students at majority ng mga narito sa floor na ito ay average. Konti lang ang naiiba. Saan kaya madalas makita ang mga elites?

"I came here a week ago. Medyo memorize ko na ang mga daanan. I haven't had any friends since I arrived here. Ang tataray ng mga girls!"

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya, "Mataray din naman ako." me, spitting the facts.

"Yes, you were! But, you talked to me so I liked you already."

Isle is petite but sexy. She had a long curly brown hair. Chinky eyes, pointed nose and rosy lips. May freckles din siya sa mukha pero hindi 'yon naka pangit sa kaniya. Actually, those freckles suits her face well. She's also pale as white. I like how her nails done. Hindi rin naman siya napagiiwanan sa fashion.

"Why was anybody not talking to you?" she's very pretty, some of these girls are.

Specially me, kidding.

"Simply because I'm an Ongpin?"

Kumunot ang noo ko, "So, what?" medyo naguguluhan.

Bumaling din siya sa akin ng nagtataka, "You didn't grew up here in the Philippines, did you?"

Natigilan ako sa pagiisip at nabigla. s**t! I was born and grew up here years ago but I spent my twenties years in the united states and whatever's saying, hindi ko iyon alam. Unless it was an old issue?

"I—what do you mean?"

"Nasangkot ang daddy ko sa isang krimen 2 years ago. He was guilty of two counts murder. He was supposed to serve his jail time for 24 years but he was already out of prison after a month of conviction."

Nabigla akong napatingin sa kaniya. She smiled, a bit sad and offended. I understand her. It must have been hard to be the daughter of a criminal.

"What? Pwede pala 'yon?"

Umiling siya, malungkot na ngumiti. "Father paid all the prison guards, judges and policemen just to let him out. He's a british citizen so when he immediately fled there, hindi na siya nahawakan ng bansa. Nakalaya siya ng ganon lang. That's why people are mad at him—at us as his family."

Pagpasok namin sa cafeteria, malamig naman at makikita mo talaga kung gaano kaganda ang kabuoan. Cafeteria lang ito pero para ka nang nasa fine dining restaurant. May servers pa na nakapalibot sa mga tables and chairs. There's also a long table of delicious food that you can avail.

"It must have been hard for you, Isle." malungkot kong sabi.

Nilabas ko ang wallet mula sa sling bag at kinuha ang black card na bigay ng admin. Unlimited swipe daw ito. Totoo kaya?

"I didn't liked what he did. It was wrong. But people thinks I supported my father's evilness and that I deserve all the hate."

Hinawakan ko ang magkabilang balikat niya at hinarap siya sa akin, "You don't deserve this, remember that. You were not at fault. You shouldn't be drag into your father's mess but nandiyan na 'yan. Just don't listen to what they say and you should only care the peope who cares for you too."

Nang may makita akong vacant spot, hinila ko ang kamay niya at sabay kaming naupo. Nagulat ako ng makitang malapit na siyang maiyak.

"What?!" she's about to cry! "Why are you crying?" I didn't do anything.

"Thank you for comforting me, Autumn! Ikaw lang nagsabi sa akin niyan."

"I didn't comfort you, I only said what I know is true. Hindi kasalanan ng anak ang kasalanan ng magulang."

Tatayo na sana ako para umorder ng may mapansin akong Elite na papasok ng cafeteria. He's looking so f*****g good! Boyish ang datingan niya, may piercing sa isang tenga and damn it! Bakit ang hot niya habang naglalakad?

"Autumn—"

Tinapik ko ang kamay niya pero mahina lang, "Sino 'yang lalaki na 'yan?"

Saglit siyang nagtaka sa inasal ko pero nag kibit balikat na lang.

"I think his name is Ajin Asakura."