Redemption

CHAPTER 19

Chapter 19. Fox (Edited Chapter)

After talking to the old man, I decided to go back to my dorm to get some rest. Ilang oras ang lumipas bago ko nga napagtanto ng mabuti ang nagawa ko. I became too reckless. That old man has a point, hindi malabo na mag suspetsa sa akin ang iba lalo sa pinakita ko. Kung ipagpapatuloy ko, tuluyan akong mabibisto. Hindi ko puwedeng hayaan ang bagay na 'yan.

Hindi lang dahil sa misyon na ito, kundi pati na rin sa kahihinatnan ko kapag nalaman ng lahat na nakakalabas ako katulad ng ganito. Masuwerte na nga lang ako at nagawa ng Feds na kontrolin ang mga may ayaw sa akin, iyong mga taong pinabibilis ang pagkamatay ko. Boe will lose his job, ibabalik ako sa ADMAX and possible ma-silya elektrika agad agad. Malalagay din sa alanganin si M dahil dito. Not because of their mission, but because they get me involved when I should not.

Binuksan ko ang pinto at binato sa cabinet ang susi ko. Nag hubad ako ng sapatos at tsaka nag suot ng pambahay. Doon ko napagtanto na may ibang tao sa loob matapos makita ang isang pares ng sapatos na nasa may pinto na alam kong hindi sa akin. I easily recognized whose shoes is this. I sighed.

Tuluyan akong pumasok sa loob at nadatnan ko nga si Isle na nakaupo sa couch, umiinom ng juice at kumakain ng salad ko.

"Why are you here?" hinubad ko ang jacket at sinampay sa aking stand.

"Are you alright? They hurt you. I saw it." she spoke.

I look at my right arm. May pasa ito hanggang siko. Kumunot ang noo ko. I didn't know I had these, kung hindi lang sinabi ni Isle, I wouldn't have realize kung ano 'yung off sa katawan ko. Pero, pasa lang naman ito. Kaylangan ko na lang talagang bumili ng new set ng uniform dahil napunit ang sleeve.

"You look mess. Anong sinabi ng dean?"

"Nothing. I explained my side, she listened, the end."

"Really?" I nodded, "She didn't give you punishments?"

"No, she didn't?"

Tumango siya, "Well, I got scared for no reason. Marou warned me about our dean. She's scary. We kind of expected you'd be punished."

"She knew too it was self-defense. I only protected myself."

She sigh, "I'm sorry, Autumn. Akala ko okay ang idea natin. He was always alone! We didn't know he had guards lurking behind the shadow! And why did they attacked you? It really looked like a real accident. Ang galing mo palang umarte?"

I almost choke on my own saliva. What is this woman saying to me? Tinatamaan ako ng totoo. I makes me think na pati ang babaeng ito nililinlang ako. What if alam niya ang totoo o kagaya ko rin siya? I shouldn't trust her. I shouldn't trust anyone.

Everyone can be as deceiving as me.

Alas tres ng hapon ng muli akong lumabas ng dorm para bumalik ng cafeteria para kumain. I'm only wearing casual pambahay like shirt, short and slipper. Wala naman problema kasi karamihan naman kapag ganitong oras naka casual na lang, unless may class ka, hindi yata allowed ang hindi naka uniform sa class.

After I ordered my miryenda, namataan ko si Marou at Nerd na magkasama na naman. Mukhang katatapos lang nila kumain. Are these two dating already? Madalas silang magkasama talaga.

Oh, Autumn, remind yourself to stop preying other's business. Baka ibang chika ang makalap ko at sayangin pa nito ang oras ko.

Pagka-kuha ko sa burger and shake, naglakad na ako palabas. I need to find Ajin. Hindi na puweding tunganga pa ako rito. But paglabas ko, nagulat naman ako ng bulagain ako ni Marou. Hay! Nakita pala ako ng maingay na 'to?

"Hi, autumn!!!" she shouted right on my face.

Nakalunok talaga siya ng microphone.

"Balita kanina?" she even twinkled her eyes.

Inirapan ko siya at nilagpasan pero sumunod din naman silang dalawa. I walk to the nearby bench and sat there. Ginawa rin nung dalawa at siniksik pa nila ang sarili nila. Now, we're looking stupid again. Ang isip bata naman kasi ng dalawang 'to.

"I didn't get punished if that's what you're expecting."

Then, I explained her everything that happened. On that part wala naman dapat itago e. Sa buhay ni Autumn Gu, open ang lahat para sa kanila. Ibang usapan kapag makilala ang isang Autumn Niebes. Bukod sa baka ma-in love silang lahat sa akin, wala na. What am I talking about?

"Buti naman. Sa iba kasi, naging malupit ang admin e. Pero mas mabuti na hindi ka kinuha ng Asakura. I heard hindi talaga nila pinalalagpas ang mga ganitong bagay." Nerd,

Marou scoffed, "Hindi talaga, Nico."

"What do you mean?" the nerd asked.

"Iyong mga elite na umatake kay Autumn? Natagpuang patay lahat sa forest."

Nagulat ako at hindi naiwasan lumaki ang mata, "Really? How did you know that? Bakit daw?"

"Hindi ko alam! Na-kwento lang sakin ni Yohanie. They found their bodies freshly buried at the forest."

Kung ganon, hindi nga talaga papayag ang Asakura na walang managot. Sa sitwasyon kong ito, hindi ako kung hindi ang mga thugs na 'yon ang nagbayad gamit ang buhay nila. Ibig ba nitong sabihin, naniwala sila sa akin? Bumuntong hininga ako. Mabuti naman.

"All of them had gunshot wounds in their head. Grabe! Nakakatakot talaga ma-involve sa mga tulad nila. Kapag nagkamali ka, wala kang ikalawang pagkakataon." Marou said with her overacting reaction.

"Hindi ka pa involve sa lagay na 'yan ha? Bestfriend mo kaya si Yohan." sabi ko na lang.

"Yes! Pero hindi naman sa punto na malaman o mapasok ako sa mundo nila. Bukod sa ayaw ko, alam kong ayaw din 'yon mangyari ni Yohanie."

"Guys! I have to go. May class ako sa kabilang department." I bid my good bye to them.

Nang matapos ako sa snacks ko, tinapon ko ito sa nearest trashcan at dumiretso na agad sa likod ng Arts and Science building. Marami ang magagandang halaman at bulaklak ang naka tanim sa bandang ito and benches na masarap paglipasan ng oras. The most beautiful thing about this area is that nobody comes to this place aside from one person.

I smiled as I remembered how I used to see him spend his day here. Sa isang linggo kong pag obserba sa buong campus, hindi ni isang beses nag mintis ang pag kita ko sa kaniya rito.

Pag dating ko, napangiti ako. There he is. Sitting comfortably, alone.

"Hey!" I initiated.

Hindi siya lumingon o gumalaw 'man lang. Alam niya ba na nandito na ako sa puwesto ko kanina pa? Or he's this type of walang-pakialam person.

Naglakad na ako palapit sa kaniya. He didn't move a bit. How cold! Nilapag ko ang purse ko sa stone table at naupo sa tapat niya. That was when our eyes met.

"Why are you here?" what a stupid question, Autumn.

"I'm sorry for what happened earlier. I-just wanted to get close to you. Hindi ko inasahan na ganito ang mangyayari."

He's just sitting there reading his book.

"I'm Autumn, by the way."

"Okay,"

Napangisi ako ng sumagot siya. Tinignan ko ang libro na binabasa niya pero hindi ito pamilyar sa akin. Hmp! Bakit wala akong alam sa mga libro?

He look at me, as if asking me to leave. I smiled, not wanting to follow him.

"I did not expect that's what going to happen. I thought you were alone so,"

"I already heard your side earlier at the dean's office. I think that was enough."

"I know, but I still feel guilty about it. I ruined—"

"Miss, what is it really?" he asked, losing his patience over me.

"I told you my name si Autumn," sumimangot ako. "And, I just want to befriend you."

He stared at me for a second. "Friend? I'm sure you're aware of my family background. You want to risk your life just for this friendship?"

I bit my lip. He's hard to talk to. Gusto ko lang naman makipag kaibigan but this brute keeps giving me this nonsense scenario. Risk your life ba agad? Goodness!

But, for the love of God!

I sighed.

"You're always alone, even when there's somebody out there watching you, I feel your sadness. Mukhang kaylangan mo ng kaibigan. Someone like me na hindi matatakot sa iyo?"

"Right, because I saw you fight. Who are you, really?" he asked. He shook his head and closed his book. Nagulat ako ng tumayo na siya.

"Please, don't bother me again. I don't want friendship."

Tumayo ako agad, "But I like you. Hindi ko alam paano, pero- gusto kita, Jin."

Natigilan siya, pero hindi lumingon at nagpatuloy muli sa paglalakad. I sighed. Napaka cold naman niya. Rejected ba ako agad? Well, that was fast. Hindi 'man lang siya magp-pretend na mas okay ang friendship kaysa rejection?

He seriously doesn't know how to communicate with other people. Was he born like this? He was always alone. Maybe he was being bullied because of his current status? He's an Asakura by blood but everybody knew he was thrown out here.

I can't imagine how miserable he was. Wala akong kapatid pero, mas hindi ko naman yata kaya na magkaroon ng kapatid pero kaya itong gawin sa akin just because of the throne. What a family feud. I heard uso ito lalo sa Japan. Hindi nawawalan ng issue sa throne. But, if his brother isn't really worthy, bakit nila hinayaan na si Ajin ang ipatapon dito? Baka wala rin kuwenta ang parents niya?

"Being alone makes him safe and at peace. That was better for him compared to his old life in the palace."

Natigilan ako ng makarinig ng boses. Saan galing iyon? Wala akong naramdaman na dumating.

"I saw what you did at the cafeteria,"

Nagpalinga ako sa paligid pero wala talaga akong makita. s**t! Hindi kaya multo 'yon o may demonyo nang bumubulong sa akin? Does this mean open na ang slot ko sa baba?

Oh my!

Nagulat ako ng may bumulusok pababa sa harap ko. Muntik talaga akong tumili! What the heck! Diba? Tumingala ako at nakita ang makapal na sanga ng puno sa taas. Hula ko ay about 10 ft. ang taas nito.

Did he just jumped from there straight to this solid land?

What is he, superhuman? Wait! That doesn't exist in real life.

"You looked like an owl." he joked, yeah, I consider that a joke.

But, he looks younger than most of us. Based on his uniform, he's definitely an elite pero, ang bata naman yata taong 'to. Mukhang high schooler pa lang ito e.

I heard nasa malayo pa ang high school department. Why is this kid lurking around here? Nag cutting siguro ito katulad ko?

"Kanina ka pa nasa taas?" I asked,

"Yes? It was my hideout. Now, I have to change my location since you disturbed my peaceful sleep."

Tumaas ang kilay ko, "Ako pa? I didn't do anything."

"Well, you just shouted saying you like that man. You're a bit loud, hindi mo 'yon alam?"

Ha! Napa buga ako ng hangin. Parang gusto kong pumatol sa bata pero huwag na lang.

"Alam mo, hindi lahat ng tao rito outdated sa balita. You didn't even disguise yourself. You have to be careful, Autumn Gu, or Niebes, your real name?"

Nanigas ako sa puwesto ko. I look at him. Naramdaman ko ang kaba na mabilis dumaloy sa buong katawan ko. I could even hear my heart beating. How did he know?

I remained passive. I didn't let him see I got surpised. He can't manipulate me. Hindi niya ako puwedeng kontrolin. This secret, he may use it against me. I have to know this man and his dirty secrets. Kaylangan ko na gawing patas ang sitwasyon.

"Don't worry, I know how to keep a secret." he smiled,

Hindi ako umimik at hinayaan lang siyang nagsalita. He even waived his hand before leaving me. I swear I remember his face. Ang kaylangan ko lang gawin ay ang makuha ang pangalan niya, alamin ang pagkatao niya at gamitin din ito laban sa kaniya.

But the problem lies within the truth that what if, he's clean as f**k? But, he is an Elite. And every Elite has a dirty and dark life.

I need to see Isle and Marou. Malakas ang kutob ko na isa sa kanila ay kilala ang lalaking 'yon. The way he confronted me like that makes me think he is no ordinary man. If he isn't, hindi siya magiging ganon ka reckless sa harapan ko by revealing to me kung ano ang alam niya.

He confronted me for a reason. Maybe to scare me, use me or warn me. Hindi ko alam. Pero kaylangan kong mag ingat. f**k! This is getting serious. Mahirap nang kumilos nito. Kung noon pakiramdam ko ay malaya ako dahil walang nakakaalam sa totoong pakay ko, ngayon ay hindi na.

"Marou, may kilala ka ba na Elite na mukhang bata?" I asked her nang madatnan ko siya sa dorm ni Isle.

Isle is cooking pasta. Kanina pa pala nila ako hinahanap.

Marou seem to think something, "Maraming bata na Elite, Autumn. Be more specific."

I sighed. "He's tall, mapayat pero gwapo naman. Medyo cold ang dating—" naputol ako ng sumabat na siya.

"Biglang sumusulpot?" she asked,

I nodded, "Yes!"

"Isa lang naman ang batang elite na biglang sumusulpot. My guess is Prime Aragon?"

Kumunot ang noo ko, his name doesn't ring the bell. Umiling siya at may dinukot sa bulsa. Naglabas siya ng mobile phone at may ini-scroll doon. Nang makita ang hinahanap, agad niya itong tinapat sa akin. Isang litrato. Nang makita ko ang mukha, agad akong kinabahan.

"That's him!"

"His name is Prime Lixon Aragon. He's the top 3rd in rank, Autumn. He's an observer. Wala pang nakakaalam ng kakayahan niya pero sa angking talino niya, marami ang natatakot sa kaniya. Kaibigan niya si Racliff."

Napabagsak ako sa couch at napaisip. Kabilang siya sa Top 10. Hindi nga naman malabo dahil sa prisensya niya, ramdam mong hindi basta. Wala akong duda sa katalinuhan niya dahil sa paraan pa lang na ginawa niyang pang gugulo sa utak ko, mukhang nagtatagumpay na siya.

Marou said he is an observer. What does that mean? Observer as in literally?

"Why? Did something happened? Nagpakita ba sa iyo si Prime?" Nerd,

"Hindi nagpapakita si Prime kung kani-kanino, Nic. Palagi lang siyang nasa malayo at inoobserbahan ang mga bagay kaya halos alam niya lahat. He is always behind the shadow. Kung nagpakita siya sa'yo, posible na may dahilan." mariin akong tinignan ni Marou,

Ngumiti ako, "Hindi siya nagpakita sa akin. I saw him outside the library. He was with Racliff. He's cute, almost my type but thanks to you I found out he is a kid." sabi ko na lang.

I need to contact Boe.