Redemption

CHAPTER 22

Chapter 22. Sorry

Autumn Gu

"Isle, are we allowed to go outside the campus? I don't remember them telling me." she looked at me, back to her new polished nails where I did mine too. I recommended that to her. She was even more surprised that I was the first one to know.

"Yes, but you have to ask for their approvals." napa ohh ako sa sagot niya. Paano naman kaya? I haven't tried it before.

Nandito kami sa gymnasium at tumatambay. Actually, may class kami na P.E pero since may priviledge kami, walang problema kahit tumunganga lang kami. Marou is busy learning taekwondo chatting with her best friend who seem not interested with whatever she's saying. I chuckled as I observe them both. It feels like Yohan is the babysitter of this mouthloud kid.

Yohan looks serious and deadly. She's still cold to everyone but I heard she's more colder now because Racliff Adamovich went somewhere far. I don't care anyway. But, natigilan ako ng makita na may lumapit kay Yohan. Umayos ako ng upo at pinagmasdan silang dalawa. It's Prime Aragon, the third in rank. The one who knows my secret. If he's observing me, I should do the same thing too.

"Kaya ba hindi ka interested sa subject na ito ay dahil magaling ka na sa self defense?" Isle asked. Natigilan ako sa iniisip at bumaling sa kaniya.

For a moment, I thought she's literally forgotten what happened at the cafeteria because she never asked me about it.

"Hindi naman. I'm open to learning more everyday but I just don't feel like it."

"I didn't know you had such an amazing skill, Autumn. Were you a gangster?"

I laughed at her, "No, I don't do that. I was an active athlete way back high school. I joined competitions and won some awards but I didn't pursue it because of my goal to the business. I learned taekwondo, jujitsu, and arnis, but I only learned the basics."

She nodded, looking so amazed. Natawa ako, "Why did you ask?"

"Wala naman. But, you looked cool back there. But that was kind of bloody. Hindi ka ba kinilabutan? You literally slashed the blade on his flesh."

I diverted my gaze and think of it. "Of course, kinilabutan. I even got scared? But it was adrenaline. The need to protect myself."

"I wish I could do that,"

"You could, Isle. Start by taking that lesson." at tsaka ko nginuso ang professor namin na bagong dating. Agad sumama ang timpla ng mukha niya.

"Hm, no! I want to be cool like you but never mind that. I'd rather stick my nose to books. And look at my perfectly made nails, I don't wanna ruin this."

I'm shaking my head while laughing at her. I put my attention back to where I saw Prime but he's not there anymore. I look around but I see no sign of him. Si Yohan na lang ang nakita ko at naka upo na ito sa bench. Oo nga pala, she joined the devil's battle and so far she's gaining attention and followers. I wonder if she will win?

After 45 minutes, the professor finally dismissed us. Tumayo na ako at sinukbit ang sling bag ko sa balikat, ganon din ang ginawa ni Isle. Pababa na ako sa side court bench ng sinalubong kami ni Marou. Pawis na pawis siya at halata mong napagod sa pinagawa sa kanila.

"Kain na tayo?" she's looking so messy

"Okay, but please change first." Isle said, Marou rolled her eyes pero sinamahan pa rin namin siya sa girl's rest room just outside the gymnasium.

Pag pasok namin, dalawang girls lang ang nag a-ayos sa harap ng salamin. All the cubicles are empty. Marou went inside to one of the cubicles. Isle went too to pee. Binaba ko ang bag ko sa sink and washed my hands with hand soap. The door opened and a couple entered the rest room. I sighed as they went inside the last empty cubicle.

I started hearing their moaning at sa inis ko, lumabas na agad ako ng rest room. Dito ko na lang sila hihintayin. Those disgusting jerks! Mapera naman sila, why not avail some private room?

"You are still here," I got startled when Prime Aragon greeted me. I was standing by myself getting irritated by those morons at the rest room when this ghost suddenly appear right before my eyes.

Seriously? Kaylan ko mapapansin ang prisensya ng taong ito?

"Of course, I am a student here." sarkastiko kong tugon.

"Nakita mo na ang hinahanap mo?" he asked,

"You're smart. Deduce it for me, can you?" I look at him, "Well at least if you're going to pester me, help me with what you know." para naman silbe ka bata.

"Wow, deja vú."

Inirapan ko siya, "Get lost, will you? Kung hindi mo ako isusumbong, bakit ka pa nandito? I don't think you need something from me." because based on my what I know, he's a very resourceful guy. He's got everything.

Ngumisi siya, "You know how to avoid manipulation."

Natawa ako, "I'm not stupid, Prime."

"Really? I think you are."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "And why is that?"

But he only smiled at me. What a jerk! He waived his hand before leaving. Inalis ko na ang tingin ko sa kaniya, sakto naman pag harap ko ay natanaw ko si Ajin mula sa malayo. I haven't seen him yesterday. And, he's looking at me.

Isle and Marou went out with disgusted face. I smirked as I realized why. They must be tormented by those moans. Oh, disgusting jerks!

We walk to cafeteria for some lunch. Mabuti na lang din at alanganin ang oras ng P.E kaya kapag natapos ito, pasado ala-una na ang lunch namin kung saan naman pakonti na ang students sa loob. Mababawasan ng maingay. Boses pa lang ni Marou sapat na sa akin, ayoko nang madagdagan pa.

Pagtapos namin umupo sa spot, nag order na ako ng mga paborito ko ganon din sila. After I gave my black card, nahagip na naman ng mata ko si Ajin Asakura, nakaupo sa dati kung saan ko siya tinapunan ng juice.

"Hey, Autumn girl!"

Kumunot ang noo ko matapos marinig ang sigaw na 'yon. Just who the hell—

And I see Paxton smiling, walking towards me. The students who heard it suddenly stops and watch him going to me. I look at Paxton. What the heck is this guy doing? Marou slapped my arm.

"Aw! b***h!" I yelled at her but the kid just giggled.

Nainis ako sa pag taas baba ng kilay ni Isle. Iyong mga tingin nila parang nanghihingi ng explanation. Like how they missed something and I need to fill them whatever they missed.

"What happened? Bigla mo akong iniwan kagabi." unang bungad niya paglapit sa lamesa. He sat on one of its vacant chair and that is beside me.

Isle and Marou gasped. This girls, I think I know what they're thinking.

I sighed, "I got an emergency call, Paxton."

Truth is, I tried to reach Boe but I can't. Ilang beses ko siyang tinawagan kagabi, maging si M ay hindi sumasagot. I got tired actually but I went back to the ice cream shop but he wasn't there anymore. Siguro ay nainip siya dahil matagal akong nawala.

"Thanks for the ice cream by the way. Let me return the favor by treating you lunch." then I handed him the menu.

"Wow! That was again a quick transition from you. But I'll accept the apology." nag order siya ng pagkain niya at sinabi ito sa waiter.

The air suddenly became awkward when Isle and Marou kept switching their eyes. Crazy!

"Girls, this is Paxton. He's a gangster as you see." walang gana kong pakilala sa asungot, "And Paxton, meet my friends Isle and Marou."

Isle and Paxton shook hands. Nahiya pa si Marou pero nag alok din. Takot kasi 'yan sa mga gangster e. Alam mo naman kasi ang mga nerd, laruan sila ng mga bully ever since.

"You want to go outside, diba? Maybe you can ask Paxton?" Isle spoke. Napatingin ako sa kanilang dalawa.

Paxton look at me too, "Really? You're gonna have to ask for approval, Autumn."

"Elites are allowed to go out even without the approvals." Marou said,

"Really? How?" Isle asked,

"Simply because they are elites? They basically run this school." Paxton.

"You're the second strongest gangster, Paxton. Pwede mo akong samahan na pumunta sa admin."

Mangha siyang bumaling sa akin, "Wow, Autumn! You know how to properly use a friend."

I smirked, "You're useful, anyway."

"Since you're beautiful and sexy, fine."

The food arrived kaya hindi ko na muna sila pinansin. One thing I love it here is the food. Masarap talaga mga luto nila. Siguro dapat lang dahil sa mahal ng binabayad dito. But seriously, ang sarap talaga. Pang world class!

Nang matapos kumain, ilang minuto lang ay iniwan din nila ako. Isle went back to her dorm dahil may live selling daw siyang naka schedule. Si Marou naman ay may class so we decided later for dinner na lang kami ulit magkikita-kita. And Paxton bid his good bye dahil may class din siya. He's a gangster and a role model student. May grades daw siyang gustong i-maintain dahil sasali raw siya ng devil's battle next year.

So, after I finished my avocado milk shake, lumabas na ako ng cafeteria at naglakad lakad patungong likod ng Arts & Science building. Nakagawian ko na ito tuwing katatapos kumain. I find it digestively healthy.

Pag dating, nagulat ako ng makita si Ajin na nakaupo sa kung saan ko rin siya madalas makita noon. Nagulat ako dahil ilang araw ko siyang hindi nakita rito. I heard Elites are free to go anywhere they want. Maaari kayang bumisita siya sa Japan?

Lumingon siya kaya nakita niya ako. Nagulat ako kaya napatayo ng diretso. I met his gaze but that was quick only. Ako na lang ang nag desisyon na lumapit muli. Katulad noon, umupo ulit ako sa harapan niya at nilapag ang bag ko sa wooden table kung nasaan din ang libro niyang naka lapag.

"Hey! Where have you been? Ilang araw kitang hindi nakita."

He looks at me, "Why should you know?"

Wala sa sarili akong napa tingala at nilibot ang paligid ng mga puno. Baka mamaya ay nandito na naman ang Prime na 'yon.

"Nothing, Jin. Do you have a girlfriend or what?"

"No, I don't."

I smiled widely, "Really? Ang gwapo mo! Sure ka ba?"

I noticed how hot he is when he frown. My god!

"For a woman, you are quite bold." he said,

Hindi ko mapigilan ang ngiti ko, althought that line seem familiar to me, I think I heard it somewhere. Anyway! What important is he's talking to me already!

This could be it.

"Only with you because I like you."

"You just want to use me." he said.

Nawala ang ngiti ko sa labi ng marinig 'yon. May alam na ba siya? Damn it! Parang gusto kong pagpawisan ng malamig. That word just struck over my body like a f*****g lightning! If this plan works then I will really use him but then wait, what is the use of this plan kung alam ko na ang hinahanap ko? I already knew its syndicate name and everything about the Company, I just need to find the son.

But once I succesfully contact Boe or M and I told them about what I found out, baka hindi ko na kaylanganin pa na hanapin ang anak na 'yon. Kaya lang naman nila pinahahanap ang anak na 'yon na nakausap ng senator dahil siya ang malapit sa information na magtutukoy sa likod ng mga ito.

He stared at me. Naisara ko ang bibig ko sa gulat.

"That was uncalled for, Ajin." I smiled,

"I apologize if I offended you."

Umiling ako, "No, I understand."

I sigh and get my bag. Tumayo ako at sinukbit ang bag sa balikat. "I'm sorry for pestering you. I promise hindi na ako lalapit." tumalikod na ako at naglakad paalis.

Nakakasama ng loob, but he's smart. Hindi 'man niya alam ang totoo, maaari na naramdaman naman niya ang pakay ko.

Nagulat ako ng may kamay ang humawak sa braso ko. Pag lingon ko, it was Ajin-standing in front of me while still holding my arm.

"I'm sorry. Don't leave."