Alphas Legacy

WARNING : Some scenes are not suitable for young readers. Read at your own risk... This is a product of the author's imagination. Characters, names, events, places, and incidents are purely fictional. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, or locales is entirely coincidental. No part of this story may be reproduced in any form or by any means— electronic, recording, or photocopying, remaking, exploiting, distributing, and publishing without written permission from the author. PLAGIARIZING is a crime!!! Prelude "Come on, drink up." Newt cheered Althea as he handed her a beer. Pero si Miguel ang kumuha sa beer na iniaabot nito, Althea is sleeping beside him and looks like she's already drunk. Newt groaned then chuckled. Hinampas ko naman siya sa braso para mapatingin sa akin saka ko siya pinandilatan habang umiiling. He smirked and hug me, bahagya pa akong natawa ng makita ang pag-ikot ng mata ni Riza sa paglalambingan namin at mukhang napansin ni Newt ang pagtitig ko dito kaya tumingin din siya dito. Nakaupo kami sa dulo ng bar. Newt knew the owner of this bar kaya hindi kami nahirapang makapasok dito even though we're all underage. "I have lots of male friends here, Ri. Do you want me to introduce you to them?" Newt teases her. Riza gave him a deadpan look. "No thanks. I'm fine here, Newt." "Stop being so timid and have some fun, Ri." Miguel susurrate playfully. "Bahala ka, tatanda ka niyang mag-isa." I smirked and sipped my beer while staring at her annoyed face. I sneered when I felt the vibration of my phone and I rolled my eyes when I saw dad's name. I turned it off then focused my attention on them then I looked around when I noticed a guy staring at me. Nasa counter siya habang sumisimsim ng alak at mariing nakatitig sa direksyon ko. I know when we enter this bar earlier, men are drooling at the three of us. But he was different, I can't really pinpoint what it is. Ang titig niya ay parang may kaakibat na panganib, panunuri at kahiwagaan. "Sleepy?" Newt asked huskily at my earlobe. I blink and immediately gazed at him. "You okay?" I smiled and nodded then leaned in his arm while he was playing his beer in his lips. Tiningala ko siya at ngumuso. "Yup, I'm fine." He smirked then kissed me on my forehead and hugged me tighter. I simply turn my gaze to that guy but he's gone even when I look around, I can't find him. Lumabas ako ng bar at tinungo ang balkonahe para magpahangin. This is my first time in a place like this so it feels so strange, we're celebrating our graduation. It was actually Newt's idea to celebrate it here. Sumandal ako sa barandilya saka kinuha ang phone sa bulsa ng suot na pantalon at binuksan iyon, countless messages and miscalls from dad greeted me. Umirap ako sa hangin. Ngayon hinahanap mo ako. Kapag nasa bahay ako, kung hindi siya abala sa kanyang trabaho ay nilulunod naman niya ang sarili sa alak. Dad is a doctor and he's always at the hospital than in our house while mom left us when my little brother Ethan was just a baby and I hate her for that. Dad treated her like a queen. He loved her so much that he will do and sacrifice everything for her. So, I don't understand why she left us. Hindi ko na namalayang tinitingnan ko na pala sa file manager ang family pictures namin. Mahigpit akong napahawak sa barandilya saka ipinatong don ang noo at pumikit. "Mom." My lips trembled as my eyes flooded with tears. "Mom." Even I hate her, I still miss her so damn much. Bakit hindi na lang galit at pagkamuhi ang mangibabaw sa akin para madali ko siyang makalimutan? Why do I still love her so much even after everything? Why can't I just unlove her? I played a song and wore my earphone. Humawak ako sa barandilya at tumingin sa ibaba ng balkonaheng kinaroroonan, medyo may kataasan din iyon pero kahit nakaramdam ng takot ay nagpatuloy pa rin ako. Ngumiti ako at ipinikit ang mga mata ng tumama sa mukha ko ang malakas na hangin, it actually calms me. Humawak ako ng mahigpit sa barandilya at tumaas sa baitang non saka itinaas ang mga kamay, sumigaw ng malakas. Medyo hiningal at natawa pa ako sa huli. When I looked at my side, my eyes widened in shock that I almost lost my balance when I saw the guy at the counter. He said something but I didn't hear it. I don't know if my mind is playing with me but his moves are so fast, in an instant, he's already beside me. Napatili na lang ako at naramdaman kong pumalibot ang kanyang kamay sa baywang ko at agad niya akong binuhat bago pa ako tuluyang mahulog. Pumalibot sa batok niya ang kamay ko at nanlalaki ang matang tumitig sa kanyang mata. Takot at kabadong-kabado. Nasa kaniya lahat ng bigat ko pero hindi ko man lamang siya nakitaan ng paghihirap. His lips moved again but I didn't understand what he was saying because of the earphones on my ears. "What?" Malakas kong tanong at humawak sa balikat niya. "I-Ibaba mo na ako." Kita ko ang pag-igting ng panga niya bago niya ako ibinaba. I removed my earphones and glared at him. He sigh heavily and lean against the balustrade as he crossed his arms over his chest and stared at me. "You know what you just did was dangerous." "I'm not going to jump, don't worry. Even my life sucks." Nag-iwas ako ng tingin saka inayos ang sarili. "I still love m-myself." Narinig ko ang pagbuntong hininga niya na para bang hindi nagustuhan ang inasal ko. He shook his head disappointedly and averted his gaze at the city's lights that seems like constellations. He faced the city then placed his elbow at the balustrade and slightly bow down. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ko kayang alisin ang mata sa kanya. Dahil sa nakatagilid, kitang-kita ko ang katangusan ng kanyang ilong. He really has this dark mysterious aura even though his presence and posture are scary and his stare is intimidating. "Ash." Napabaling ako sa pinto ng lumabas don sila Althea at Riza, tila takot na takot. "We need to get the hell out of here." Althea grabbed my hand and pulled me. "Hey! I thought you were drunk." I murmured. "What's wrong?" "We don't have time, kailangan na nating umalis." Si Riza na mahahalata ang pagkabalisa sa boses. "Wait—" Natigilan ako ng lumingon at hindi na makita ang lalaki don, inilibot ko ang tingin sa paligid ng balkonahe pero wala ito don hanggang sa mahila nila akong dalawa paloob ng bar. "Where's Newt and Miguel?" I asked as I got my bag. "Alam na nilang aalis na tayo." Hinila ulit nila ako palabas ng bar, walang nagawa kundi ang sumunod na lang sa kanila kahit nagtataka sa inaasta nila. They looked scared of something or maybe... Someone. Napasinghap si Althea. "Holy shhh." Riza held my hand, I looked at her face when I felt her cold and shaking hand. Sinundan ko ang tinitingnan niya at nagulat ng makita sila Newt at Miguel na kausap ang lalaking kasama ko kanina sa balkohane. "Come on." Althea held both of my shoulders like she was telling me to walk to Riza's car but I didn't move especially when I saw Newt push the shoulder of that man and he started yelling and cursing at him. "Newt, he's just a waste of time. Come on." Sinubukan ni Miguel na pigilan si Newt pero dahil sa lasing nga ito ay mas naging agresibo at mayabang ito. "No, man. Ang mga tulad sa lalaking ito." Sabay duro niya sa lalaki. "Tinuturuan ng leksyon. Ano? Porke't mamahalin at mas maganda lang iyang kotse mo?" "God! This is embarrassing." Natampal ni Althea ang noo. "Hindi maayos na naka-park ang kotse mo at nakaharang ka pa sa daan—" "Gago! Sa tingin mo hindi ko alam ang mga patakaran sa kalsada? Ano ang tingin mo sa akin? Bobo? Bulag? Huh? Sinasabi mo bang tanga ako? Nakakainsulto ka ah." Bumuntong hininga ako, kumawala sa hawak ng dalawang kaibigan at humakbang palapit sa kanila. "Ash." Pigil ni Riza. The guy immediately looked at me but I just glared at him and held Newt's arm. "Let's go home, Newt." He chuckled and snaked his arm around my waist. "No, babe. May tuturuan lang ako ng leksyon." "Please, Newt." I looked around and saw some people were now looking at us. "Later, promise—" "You're already drunk, come on." Sinubukan ko siyang hilain pero talagang ayaw niyang umalis don. Sinipat ko ang lalaki at nahuli ko itong nakatitig sa baywang ko kung nasaan nakapulupot ang braso ni Newt. Umigting ang kanyang panga, nag-angat ng tingin sa mata ko. I raised an eyebrow at him. "Alam ng lasing, papatulan pa." His eyes darkened while his mouth set in a hard line and jaw tightened. "Tayo na, Newt. Don't waste your time on useless things." "You're right, babe. You are damn right." Sa wakas ay sumama na siya sa akin papunta sa kanyang kotse na nasa harap lang ng kotse ng lalaking iyon. Pagkaupong-pagkaupo niya sa passengers seat ay nakatulog agad siya. I closed the door and looked at Miguel. "Pakihatid na lang. Ingat!" "I will. Sige." He smiled and started the engine of the car. Nang makalayo ang kotse ay lumapit ako sa kanila Riza at Althea na hindi makapaniwalang nakatitig sa akin. "What?" I asked confusingly. "Oh! God! We are really in trouble." Hindi nakaligtas sa akin ang ibinulong ni Althea bago siya pumasok sa backseat ng kotse ni Riza. Sumunod naman na pumasok si Riza sa driver seat kaya wala akong nagawa kundi ang umupo na lang sa passenger seat, agad inayos ang seatbelt. Nagulat ako ng makitang nakatayo pa rin ang lalaking iyon sa gilid ng itim na kotse habang sinusundan ng tingin ang kotse namin hanggang sa tuluyan na namin siyang malagpasan. "He's so scary." Riza trembled. He was still there when I glanced at the side mirror, hindi ko na napigilan ang sariling lumingon at kumabog ang dibdib ng magtagpo ang mga mata namin. Napaayos ako ng upo at ramdam ang pag-iinit ng pisngi. Tama lang naman ang ginawa ko, 'di ba? Wala naman akong masamang sinabi pero bakit nakokonsensya ako? "Bakit mo pa kasi sila nilapitan at sinabihan pa siya ng ganon?" Medyo iritadong tanong ni Althea. Umayos ako ng upo para maharap silang dalawa. Hindi makapaniwalang ako pa ang sisisihin nila. "Hmm, because Newt is my boyfriend?" I said like it's the solution to all the blames she's throwing at me. "Newt is drunk, he was being irrational, Ash. Are you blind? Nakita mo naman 'di ba iyong kotse niya na hindi maayos na nakaparada." "Althea." Pigil dito ni Riza. Althea eyed her in the rearview mirror as she crossed her arms and pouted like a child. "What? Ako na naman ang may kasalanan? Great!" "I didn't say anything, you're now being the irrational one." "Whatever!" "God! Althea, stop being a selfish brat." I growled as I shook my head. "I don't get it, why are you so mad at me—" "Dapat kasi hindi mo na lang sila nilapitan." She fired. "Enough you two." Riza demanded "I'm just defending my boyfriend." I can't control my voice and feelings anymore. "Oh! Your boyfriend who is an asshole, a d**g addict, and a fxxkboy." Uminit na ang ulo ko. "What did you just say?" She laughed tauntingly. "Didn't you know that he was fxxking Maggie behind your back, Ash? While he's still in a relationship with you?" I gritted my teeth. "Bawiin mo ang sinabi mo." "What? Can't accept the truth, Ashley Brycin?" "You biatch!" Hiyaw ko saka inalis ang seatbelt at sinugod siya. "Oh! God! Ash, Althea." Hindik na hindik na sigaw ni Riza pero hindi namin siya pinansin. Pumatong ako kay Althea at sinakal siya. "You are the biatch, Ash." Nakuha niya pang isigaw at hinila ang buhok ko. Wala naman akong pakialam doon sa pinagsasabi niya tungkol kay Newt. Ang ikinais ko lang ay parang pinapalabas niyang hindi ako marunong pumili ng lalaki. "Please stop you two." Riza stammered. We slapped each other's faces, kicked, punched, and tweaked each other's hair while Riza was busy driving and trying to stop us at the same time. Natigil lang kami ng bahagyang gumewang ang kotse. "Ri-Riza." Althea panicked, then pushed me and scanned Riza's condition. I sat down and raked my hand through my hair while staring at them, clueless about what was happening and I didn't know what I should do especially when I saw that Riza was breathing so hard while punching her chest. "What's happening? You're just acting, right? Riza? B-Because you want us to stop, right?" I trailed off. Lumingon sa akin si Althea at puno ng panunuya akong tiningnan. "News flash, she's not acting, Ash. Are you really her friend? Huh?" I ignored her and moved to the passenger seat. "Ri, what's wrong?" I held her hand and squeezed it. "Tumigil na kami ni ni Althea, okay na kaya hindi mo na kailangang umarte pa, Riza." Si Althea na ang humawak ng manibela. Riza smiled at me weakly. "I-I'm... Fine— this i-is not your... Fault." Tumulo na ang luha ko. "I d-don't get it." "Are you stupid, Ash? Can't you see she's having a heart attack? She has a heart problem. A heart disease." Confusion and pain transfixed my face. "Hindi ko... A-Alam. B-Bakit? Bakit hindi ko alam? Why didn't you tell me?" "Because you hate losers." "But you are not a loser, Riza." Hinaplos ko ang kanyang pisngi at banayad na ngumiti. "Althea is." "Bxxch." Althea murmured. Niyakap ko si Riza at tinapik ang kanyang likod para kahit pa paano ay mabawasan ang paghihirap niya kahit sa totoo lang nagpa-panic na rin ako. "Althea." Sigaw ko ng makita ang ten-wheeler truck na makakasalubong ng aming kotse. Bahagyang napapikit dahil nasilaw sa headlight ng truck. "Sxxt." Sinubukan niyang kabigin pakaliwa pero huli na dahil humampas na ang kotse namin sa truck. Napasigaw na lang kami sa takot at pagkabigla. I immediately put on Riza's seatbelt and tried to capture Althea's hand but our car hit the truck again. Dinig ang paggasgas ng kotse namin sa kalsada at pagbangga sa truck. Tumama siya sa bintana samantalang ako ay sa bubungan bago tumilapon palabas ng windshield. Naramdaman ko pa ang pagbaon ng maliliit na bubog sa kamay ko at pagdaplis non sa mukha ko. I yelled Riza and Althea's name as tears fell from my eyes. I closed my eyes, preparing myself to whatever things would happen. I'm expecting that I will fall from the hard pavement or anything that will surely kill me but instead, I float and when I opened my eyes I saw a man carrying me. Ipinikit ko ulit ang mata dahil nanlabo ang paningin ko, sa muli kong pagmulat ay medyo malinaw na ang nakikita ko pero hindi ang lalaki. "Who a-are you?" I squinted my eyes then tried to raise my hand to touch his face but I'm too weak. Pakiramdam ko, nanigas ang katawan ko. Para ding umiikot ang paligid ko. Nanginginig at pinanghihinaan. "Just sleep. In time, you will know me." He said in an undertone. Gagalugarin pa sana sa utak kung saan ko unang narinig ang boses na iyon ng mapapikit na lang ng dumampi ang kanyang labi sa noo ko.