The Alpha's Possession

Estella Idy Demetria I never imagined that I would be able to raise my lips without intentionally moving them. I just realised that I woke up in bed one day, and I couldn't control myself from feeling the emotions of a true human. The sounds of the pack roaring were suddenly replaced by the laughter of the people around me. I used to have a cold and emotionless aura, but that has all changed since I entered the school of elites and... human. "Mag-iingat ka riyan anak ah? 'Wag mong pababayaan ang sarili mo dahil wala ako riyan para alagaan ka." I pursed my lips while roaming my eyes around the school. "You don't have to tell me that. I can take care of myself." I heard her sighed. "Yes. I know, I know. You're no longer my baby." I rolled my eyes before telling her that I needed to hang up the phone. Marami pa siyang pinaalala sa 'king mga bagay at wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang sumagot na naayon sa kagustuhan niya dahil ayaw kong mag-alala pa siya sa 'kin. Nagsimula akong maglakad papunta sa building na kinaroroonan ng silid-aralan na papasukan ko. It's weird because people around me are staring at me as if I didn't belong here, but I chose to ignore them. I continued walking until I stopped in front of the closed door. I could hear the professor's voice, so I assumed that they were already starting the class. I knocked on the door before twisting the knob and pushing it open. All of them were now looking at me with confusion. I kept my face blank while staring at the male professor. "What's your name?" I pursed my lips. "Estella." He arched a brow. "Dito ba ang klase mo?" I just nod because I'm too tired to talk. "Then what are you going to do? You'll just stand there." The whole class laughed. "Introduce yourself before sitting." I let out a heavy sigh before roaming my eyes around the room. "Estella Idy Demetria, 20. I'm sorry I'm late; can I enter now?" Maikli lang ang sinabi ko, pero parang pagod na pagod na agad ako pagkatapos banggitin 'yon. The professor nodded before smiling a bit. I remained in an emotionless state as I proceeded to the last row of seats. Lahat ng mga estudyante ay nanood lang sa pagkilos ko, pero hindi ko sila pinansin at umupo na lang sa hulihang bahagi ng upuan. The professor cleared his throat to get the attention of his students. Hindi ko pinansin ang bulungan ng mga tao, kahit na alam kong ako ang pinag-uusapan nila. The class ended after two hours. I chose to leave the room to go to the library. Hindi ako komportable sa mga tingin nila. I was walking in the hallway when I bumped into someone. Hindi gano'n kalakas ang pagkakabangga pero sapat na 'yon para bumagsak ang lalaki sa harapan ko at magsinghapan ang mga nakakita. "Anak ng! Hindi ka ba marunong tumingin sa nilalakaran mo?!" I didn't reply and just remained looking at him. Inis siyang nag-angat ng tingin sa 'kin bago pinagpagan ang pantalon niya. "Hoy! Sorry, ah, sorry, kase nasaktan ako, e." I didn't know who he was talking about when I walked past him. Hindi ko siya pinansin at nagpatuloy na lang sa paglalakad para makapunta sa library. I don't have enough time to listen to his s**t. Hindi ko naman kasalanan na lampa siya. Nang makarating ako sa library ay agad akong naghanap ng libro tungkol sa asong lobo. I read the book silently, and when I got tired, I left the library to look around the school. I transferred because my mom said so. Hindi ko gusto ang paligid dahil bukod sa maingay ay masyadong matatapang ang amoy ng mga tao. Gusto ko nang umuwi sa 'min, but mom would get mad. Gustong-gusto niya na kong sanayin sa mundo ng mga tao, because once I turn 21, I'll be one of them. Buong maghapon ay wala akong ginawa kung hindi ang makinig sa professor na nagtuturo at makihalubilo sa mga taong may matatapang na amoy. Some of them are spraying something on their neck, and the worst is on their whole body. What the hell was that? It's really annoying, but I chose to ignore the fact that I don't like their smell. Hindi ko na in-expect na may magiging kaibigan ako sa unang araw pa lang ng klase. I don't want to engage with someone and be friends with them. I just want to study alone. "Hoy, babae." I stopped walking when someone called me. I arched a brow when I noticed that he was the man who I bumped into earlier. Hingal na hingal siya na para bang hinabol niya 'ko. May ibang taong tumitingin sa'min, pero parang tulad ko ay balewala lang 'yon sa kaniya. "Ano?" he suddenly asked. "Hindi ka ba magso-sorry?" I kept my face blank. He gasped. "Pipi ka ba?" Hinangin ang buhok niyang pinong itim habang ang singkit na mata naman ay matalim na nakatitig sa 'kin. "Okay. So you're mute." I didn't talk. I just stared at him, waiting for him to finish his comment. "Sa sign language ba hindi ka marunong mag-sorry?" biglang inis na saad niya. Inilagay niya sa bewang ang kaniyang kamay at pinanliitan ako ng mata. "I didn't know that they're accepting PWD here." Parang nainis naman siya dahil wala akong pinakitang emosyon simula kanina. Bumuntong hininga siya bago ngumiti ng maliit. Iniangat niya ang kanang kamay at hindi ko naman 'yon tinanggap. "Miss ganda. Hindi ka manlang ba magpapakilala?" He pursed his lips. "Fine. My name is Ash." Hindi ako nagpatinag at tinitigan ko lang siya. "Woah, iba na 'yan ah!" Humalakhak siya. "Grabe ka naman makatitig, Miss. Feeling ko may gusto ka na sa 'kin, eh." Kahit nagtataka ay hindi pa rin ako nagsalita. Pakiramdam ko ay nasasayang ang bawat minutong nakikinig ako sa kaniya, pero hindi ko naman magawang umalis sa harapan niya sa hindi malamang dahilan. "Teka, saan ka ba pupunta? I think we occupied the same dorm, Miss." As a cue, umalis na 'ko sa harapan niya at nagsimulang maglakad, pero naramdaman ko ang pagsunod niya. Patuloy lang siya sa pagsasalita at kung kanina ay hindi ako naiinis ngayon naman ay nakaramdam na 'ko ng pagkairita. "Ga'no ka na katagal na pipi?" "Mayaman siguro kayo, 'no? Kase pinayagan kang mag-aral dito ni Dean?" "Hayy. Ang sarap naman kumausap sa hangin." Hindi ko na siya pinansin at nagpatuloy na lang sa paglalakad. He was just standing inches away from me. Nang makarating ako sa harapan ng building ay doon ako huminto at tinapunan siya ng blangkong tingin. "Hanggang kailan mo 'ko susundan?" His mouth formed an 'O' and his eyes widened a fraction. Napahawak din siya sa dibdib niya na tila ba gulat na gulat dahil nagsalita ako. Despite his reaction, I kept my emotionless face and didn't leave his gaze. "N-Nagsasalita ka?" He stepped forward and held both of my shoulders. Tinignan ko ang dalawang kamay niya na nasa magkabilang balikat ko. Hindi ako naging komportable, kaya agad ko 'yong tinanggal at pinukulan siya ng masamang tingin. "Mahabagin. Akala ko talaga hindi ka nagsasalita." He chuckled. "Ano? Will you introduce yourself now?" I shook my head before walking, but I stopped when he held my hand. "Bitaw," mahina ngunit madiin kong saad. Muling nan'laki ang mata niya at napapahiyang tinanggal ang kamay sa braso ko. "What do you want from me?" Naglikot ang mata niya at ilang beses na lumunok. He smiled awkwardly. "I just want to be friends with you. Bakit ang sungit mo?" Gusto kong ngumisi dahil bahagya siyang ngumuso at nagkamot ng batok, but I immediately stopped myself to show him that I dislike seeing him around. "I don't want to be friends with you." Hindi ko na siya hinintay na magsalita at pumasok na lang ng malaking building kung nasaan ang dorm ko. It was still inside the school, but miles away from here. The dorms for the elite and scholars are separated. I opened my room using my key card and walked inside without roaming my eyes around. I don't have time to appreciate the place; I just want to rest my eyes because I'm so tired of seeing humans. I used to live with my pack; they were not spraying weird perfume on their bodies, unlike humans. They are not as loud as if they held a party every day. After taking a bath, I laid my back on the bed and stared at the white, plain ceiling. Unti-unti ay kinain ako ng antok hanggang sa magising ako sa munting kaluskos. Hinayaan kong nakasara ang mata ko at pinagana ang ilang pandama. Mabilis na gumalaw ang tenga ko nang maramdaman kong may ibang nilalang sa silid ko. I tried to smell that creature, and it seems that I'm not familiar with that scent. I fought the urge to stand and let those creatures move around my place while waiting for the right time. Mabagal ang galaw niya at magagaan. Hindi siya gano'n kalaki kung pag-aaralan ang kaniyang kilos. Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang mata ko nang hindi ginagalaw ang aking katawan. I roamed my eyes around to see what that creature was doing in my place. "Hello!" I almost jumped on my bed when I saw a black kitten... she was sitting at the edge of my bed, grinning. I find it weird because this is my first time seeing a cat smiling like that. "Who are you?" I tried to remain calm despite my pulse racing fast. She slowly walked near me, and I immediately left the bed and walked away. "I said, who are you and what are you doing here?" "Wow, English!" she laughed. "Ako si Zein. Ikaw? Bago ka lang dito?" I can't believe that a cat was talking to me right now. "Stop," pigil ko nang muli siyang lalapit sa 'kin. "I can kill you if you'll move again." She laughed and scratched her nose with her small paw. "Weh? Pusa ako ibig sabihin ay may siyam akong buhay." My jaw clenched, and I used my speed to hold her neck and lift her body. "I'm not kidding." "O-he-he b-biro l-ang. A-Aray! M-Masakit na, a-ah!" Mas lalo kong hinigpitan ang hawak sa leeg niya habang patuloy niyang ginagalaw ang kaniyang buntot. "Leave," utos ko matapos siyang ihagis sa kama. Mabilis naman siyang tumakbo gamit ang maliit niyang paa para makaalis. I heaved a sigh before looking out the window to check if it was already midnight. I just confirmed it when I saw the moon shining brightly. Pumasok muna 'ko sa banyo at pinagmasdan ang sarili kong magbago ang anyo. My long, black hair was neatly resting at the back of my shoulder. I was just wearing a white sando and black pajamas. Ang kulay niyebe kong balat na kanina lang ay halos akitin ang mga estudyante sa paaralang ito ay unti-unting nagkaroon ng kulay abong balahibo. My blue eyes were now igniting. Bumigat ang paghinga ko, habang pinagmamasdan ang sarili sa salamin. Lumabas din ang pangil ko hanggang sa mag anyong lobo ako sa loob ng banyo. I let out a silent roar before using my muscles to make my way out of the bathroom. I didn't think twice and jumped on the window, using my speed and strength. I landed at the back of the building without being wounded. Pinagmasdan ko ang tinalunan ko at pasimpleng napangisi dahil sa taas ng tinalon ko. Kinabukasan ay gano'n uli ang nangyari except for entering the class while my professor was discussing. I thought everything would be peaceful, like what happened tomorrow, but I've met an annoying girl. "Hindi ka talaga magpapakilala sa 'kin?" She pouted while playing with her hair. "Ayaw mo 'ko maging friends? You know, we're elites; we should be friendly." She shrugged. I didn't talk; I just remained silent while reading my books. Wala na akong maintindihan sa binabasa ko dahil sa sobrang daldal niya. Simula pa kanina nang mag-break ay hindi na niya 'ko tinantanan. "Are you aware that all of our classmates are afraid of you?" I mentally arched a brow. Why would they? She giggled. "To be honest, me too! Kaso, you looked so lonely, e? So I decided to be friends with you, ayaw mo ba?" I sighed when she gave me a puppy eye. "Can you please shut up your mouth?" I tried my best to be calm. Her mouth formed an 'O'. "O. M. G! You talked to me!" Nagtatatalon siya sa kinatatayuan. Hindi ko maiwasang tahimik na magmura dahil nakakaagaw siya ng atensyon ng mga tao. Kung titignan at pagbabasehan ang hitsura niya ay mahahalata mo ngang may kaya siya sa buhay, but she acted differently. She's annoying and irritating. Her smile widened, and she gave me puppy eyes. "May I know your name? I already know your name, but duh, we're not yet friends, so I want to introduce ourselves formally 'cuz 'di ba para sosyal?" I sighed. "Why would I do that?" I looked around when people started entering our room. Maybe ilang minutes na lang ay time na. She pouted. "Because I said so!" Pakiramdam ko ay hindi siya napalaki ng maayos ng magulang niya. She acted like a child, but at least her scent was not irritating. "'Wag mo 'kong idamay sa kabaliwan mo." Isinara ko ang libro at iniwan siya sa room, pero mabilis din siyang nakasunod. I remained patient because if I let my anger consume me, blood would be all over this pathway. Dumiretso ako sa canteen para bumili ng tubig, she was following me from behind and whispering something that I could obviously hear. "Nakakainis! Ako na nga nakikipagkaibigan. How dare her?! She should be grateful." From my peripheral vision, I could see her pouting. Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Bumili na lang ako ng isang boteng tubig at hindi pinansin ang mga estudyanteng nakatuon ang tingin sa'min. That annoying girl was still following me. Hindi ko maintindihan ang sarili ko kung bakit hinahayaan ko siyang sumunod kahit na nakakaramdam na 'ko ng pagkairita. "Hi, Miss Ganda!" I stopped when a man blocked my way. "Hala! Kakilala mo siya? I thought I'm your only friend." That girl sounded so sad while looking at me. Palihim akong napamura dahil napapalibutan na 'ko ng mga baliw. Ganito ba ang mga tao? Sa amin, if you keep on bugging someone, you'll surely face your death. But I couldn't do that here; killing people is against the law of werewolves. Naalala ko siya. Siya 'yung siraulong lalaki na sumunod sa 'kin sa dorm kahapon. He was grinning while raising his brow playfully. "Miss mo 'ko? Titig na titig ka ah." Humalakhak siya. Pilit kong pinakalma ang sarili ko at nilampasan niya. Kahit na naiingayan ako sa kanila sa likod ay hindi ko maiwasang makaramdaman ng kung ano. It was a strange feeling; I had never felt this before. I just knew that their presence wasn't dangerous, and at the same time, it didn't bother me. "Hoy! Anong miss? Miss mo mukha mo! Eww. You? Mamimiss niya? No freaking way!" "Anak ng-bakit ba ang ingay mo?" "Excuse me? Do you have some manners, Mister? This is a school of elites, meaning all of us should act with class and elegance. Your mouth is so- eww! Full of dirty." "Hoy babae." I stopped walking when I noticed that they were no longer following me. They were exchanging glares. The guy was looking at the girl; he seemed pissed. Nakaangat naman ang mukha ng babae at matapang na nakatingin dito para pantayan siya. "What?" Sa totoo lang ay wala akong interes sa ginagawa nila pero limang minuto pa bago matapos ang thirty minutes break, kaya hindi naman masa kung pagmamasdan ko muna sila, 'di ba? The girl stomped her feet. "You're so annoying!" "You're so annoying!" The guy mocked her. Nakarinig naman ako ng tawanan sa paligid at napansing hindi lang pala ako ang nanood sa kanila. They both stopped and opened their eyes. Halatang parehas silang natigilan sa ginagawa at tila natauhan. They both act as if nothing happened and walk in my direction. I just shook my head before proceeding to our room. "Idy!" "Hoy, sinong Idy?" "Malamang, siya. Tanga!" "Malay ko ba kung may kaibigan kang hindi namin nakikita." "Tumahimik ka nga kase naiirita ako sa boses mo. Panget!" Humalakhak ang lalaki. "Hindi mo 'ko salamin kaya 'wag mo kong sabihan niyan." "Ahhhh!" Napatigil ako sa harapan ng room ng tumili ang babae. She was breathing heavily while glaring at the guy. "I hate you!" Umawang ang bibig ng lahat ng nakakita at maging ang lalaki. She stomped her feet before entering our room. Hindi niya rin ako pinansin, mukhang nagalit talaga siya. Napansin kong kanina pa nakatingin sa 'kin ang lalaking nagngangalang Ash, kaya tinaasan ko siya ng kilay ngunit blangko pa rin ang mukha. Hindi ko pinahalatang nagtataka ako, pero parang tuwang-tuwa pa siya na may taong nagalit sa kaniya. "A-Ano, sabay tayo mamaya mag lunch?" Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit namumula ang mukha niya at hindi na ngayon makatingin sa 'kin ng diretsyo. May kakaiba rin sa kaniya na hindi ko mawari. I tried to scan his face to look for something, but his ears reddened even more. He cleared his throat. "Idy, that's your name?" he suddenly asked. I didn't speak; I just stared at his face. I find it amusing because I didn't appreciate his appearance last time. Wala namang pinagkaiba sa ibang tao, pero hindi ko mawari kung bakit. I didn't feel the feelings towards him when I was confronted by other people. "A-Ah." He scrathed his nape when I didn't respond. "Basta sabay tayo mamaya, ah?" "Sige bye, Idy." Nagpatuloy ang klase na wala sa huwisyo ang utak ko. Paulit-ulit na nagrereplay sa utak ko ang sinabi ng lalaki kanina. He was asking me if he could eat with me later. Is he for real? Hindi kaya siya matatakot kapag kumain ako ng hindi lutong karne sa harapan niya? Of course, he will be terrified. Hindi ko na lang siya muling inisip at tinuon na lang ang paningin sa babaeng professor na nagtuturo sa harapan. I don't like her; naamoy ko sa kaniya ang amoy ng isa naming lalaking professor. When realisation hits me, I almost p**e. Umiling na lang ako at tumingin sa harapang bahagi ng mga estudyante para makita ang babaeng nangungulit kanina. Usually maingay siya sa klase, but now hindi siya makabasag pinggan. Nakasimangot din siya at parang pinagbagsakan ng langit at lupa. Siguro gano'n talaga siya at sobrang nainis sa lalaki, but I couldn't blame her. Nang dumating ang lunch ay mabilis akong lumabas ng room para dumiretso sa dorm ko. Nandoon ang pagkaing inihanda ko nang umalis ako kagabi. I can't bring my lunch here because people would be shocked. Hindi naman kami kumakain ng tao, but we usually eat raw foods. We eat mostly fresh meat from cows and sheep, and we drink blood twice a week. Hindi pa 'ko nakakalabas ng building ay may humarang na sa 'kin. Hindi na ko nag-abalang huminto dahil sabik na 'kong makain ang pagkain ko sa dorm. "Sakit naman. Hindi ako pinansin." I heard him mumbled. "Idy!!" Hindi ko pinansin ang babae at nagpatuloy lang sa paglalakad dala ang maliit kong itim na bag na nakasabit sa likod maging ang dalawang makapal na libro. "Ikaw na naman?!" "Wow. Sawa ka na rin agad sa mukha ko? Sakit naman sa heart, Miss." "Stop. You're so annoying as hell." "You too. A-Aray! Aray ko naman, ang sakit ng kuko mo ah!" Hindi ko alam kung anong ginagawa nila, pero hindi ko na sila pinansin at nagpatuloy na lang sa paglalakad. May nakita akong golf cart malapit sa bench, kaya mabilis ko 'yong nilapitan at sumakay. "A-Aray! Ano ba, masakit ah! Hindi na 'ko nakikipagbiruan!" "Hala, aalis na siya. Wait! We're going with you!" I scratched my nape. Hindi na silang dalawa nagpatigil at sumakay na rin sa golf cart. Tumingin ako sa babaeng nagmamaneho no'n at nginitian niya lang ako ng malaki. "Sa Elite dorm po?" I nodded before avoiding my gaze. "Hala. Doon ka rin Idy? Magkadorm pala tayo eh!" "No one asked," pambabara ng lalaki, hindi naman siya pinansin nito at dumikit pa sa 'kin at binigyan ako ng malaking ngiti. "Hindi mo ba tatanungin ang pangalan ko?" Ngayon ko lang napagtanto, kanina pa niya 'ko kinukulit pero hindi ko alam ang pangalan niya. She pouted her red lips. "Ayaw mo ba malaman ang magandang pangalan ko?" "Hindi siya interesado." Hindi niya pinansin ang lalaki at mas lalong nagpaawa sa 'kin. Hindi naman ako nakaramdam kahit na kaunting awa, pero sinakyan ko na siya para hindi na siya mangulit pa. "Fine. Who are you?" Mas lalo siyang sumimangot. "Ang panget naman ng pagkakatanong! Parang stranger ako sa 'yo, Idy. I'm hurt na, arouch." Sa puntong ito ay hindi ko na mapigilang kumunot ang noo. Paano ba dapat? Humans are indeed weird. "Sige na nga!" biglang bawi niya. "My name is Nisha. How 'bout you?" she asked as if she didn't have any idea about my name. I stared at her coldly before licking my lower lip. Narinig ko naman ang mahinang pagmura ng lalaki na katabi namin, pero wala sa kaniya ang atensyon namin. "Estella Idy." Tuwang-tuwa siyang nakipagkamay nang iabot ko sa kaniya ang kamay ko. My mother told me that I should be friendly and act as a human. I should train myself because I will be turning 21 years old next year. "Walang bang magtatanong kung anong pangalan ko?" Tinaasan ng kilay ni Nisha si Ash. "It seems like no one is interested." Ngumisi si Ash bago ako tinignan. "Ikaw Estella. Kanina ka pa tahimik ah. Okay ka lang ba?" I nodded before swallowing the lump in my throat. It felt suddenly dry when I heard him calling me by my first name. "Hindi ka ba natatakot mapanis laway mo?" curious na tanong niya at mas lumapit pa sa 'kin. Kahit nagtataka ay hindi ako nagtanong at muli na lang siyang tinignan. He laughed awkwardly. "'Wag naman ganiyan, Miss, bka lalo akong mahulog, e." Nisha laughed sarcastically. "Korni mo, panget!" Pinandilatan siya ng mata ni Ash. "Tumahimik ka, ang bantot ng hininga mo." Hanggang sa makarating kami sa dorm ay hindi sila tumigil sa pag-aasaran. Ang buong akala ko ay sumabay lang sila sa 'kin papunta, pero gano'n na lang ang gulat ko nang malamang sasama sila sa mismong dorm ko. "You can't do that." Sinubukan kong maging kalmado. Nisha pouted before clasping her hands. "Please... sige na, Idy. Sama na kami. I promised we'd behave." Ash looked at me too, with puppy eyes. I almost rolled my eyes because he doesn't look cute. "No, just leave me now," muling tanggi ko. Mas lalong sumimangot si Nisha. "Ayaw mo ba sa 'kin? Sorry if I'm forcing myself too much." She was obviously trying to stop herself from tearing up. Kagat ko ang labi habang pinagmamasdan siyang maglakad papalayo sa'min. Was I being hard? Tama lang naman ang ginawa ko dahil hindi ko pa naman sila gano'n kakilala. Hindi naman siguro masama kung tatanggi ako. This is the first time I've met someone as annoying as her. Hindi ko alam kung paano ako aakto dahil ngayon lang ako muling nakasalamuha sa mga tao. "Do you want me to follow her?" Ash whispered. I sighed before pinching my index finger with my nail. "Why would you do that?" Umawang ang labi niya. "Because of how your face looks, you seem guilty." "I am not," mabilis na sagit ko at nag-iwas ng tingin. He sighed before smiling a bit. "Is this your first time having a friend?" "Having... what?" gulat na saad ko. Para namang siyang nakakita ng multo dahil biglang nan'laki ang mata niya at napahawak pa sa bibig. I cleared my throat before composing myself. I shouldn't have reacted that way. Hindi ko lang maiwasang magulat. Kaibigan ko sila? How does it happen? Gano'n ba 'yon? He chuckled lightly before ruffling my hair. Umawang ang labi ko sa gulat. "Why the f**k are you touching me?" "You're so cute." Hindi ko alam kung paano magre-react sa sinabi niya. He doesn't sound joking and he was looking at me seriously. Muli siyang humalakhak nang hindi ako nakasagot sa kaniya. He bit his lower lip before tilting his head while staring at my face intently. I felt uncomfortable, but I managed to stay still and composed. "Don't look at me like that." "Why?" he playfully asked. "Does it make you feel uncomfortable?" he added. I tried my best to meet his eyes. I didn't show any emotion and gripped my books tightly. "No. How 'bout you? Does my stare make you feel uncomfortable?" I asked back. I know what he's doing. He was flirting with me. He gulped before blinking his eyes. "N-No," he stuttered. "Then stop bugging me, Mister Ash Adler." Tumalikod ako sa kaniya at nagsimula nang maglakad, pero naramdaman ko ang kamay niyang humawak sa braso ko. Tila may sariling buhay ang mga kamay ko at iniwan sa ere ang dalawang mabigat kong libro. I used my speed to knock him down. I twisted his arm and made him face the white tiles. He was too stunned to speak. I heard him grumble in pain, and he tried to escape from my grip, but I immediately tightened it. "I already warned you," I whispered in his ear. His Adam's apple moved downward before I met his gaze. "How did you do that?" Hindi pa rin makapaniwala ang mukha niya habang nakatingin sa 'kin. Nanatili kami sa ganoong p'westo. Hindi ako komportable dahil nakaluhod ang isang tuhod ko sa sahig at magkalapit ang mga mukha namin. Namumula rin ang tenga niya pababa sa leeg, siguro gano'n siya katakot. "Tuwing lumalapit ka sa 'kin, nilalapit mo rin ang sarili mo sa kamatayan." He tried to open his mouth, but no words came out. I trace my finger to his chin down to Adam's apple and neck. "Your presence is making me uncomfortable and uneasy. I don't want that kind of feeling. So please don't make me do this again; I might hurt you more than this." Binitawan ko na siya at pinulot ang nahulog kong libro. Naglakad ako sa elevator at agad pumasok, sinubukan niyang humabol pero nagsara na agad 'yon, tanging nakikiusap ngunit gulat pa ring mata niya ang naiwan sa 'king ala-ala. Hindi ko namalayan na pinipigilan ko na pala ang paghinga ko. Lumabas agad ako ng elevator nang huminto ito at pumasok sa dorm ko. Tahimik akong pumasok sa kwarto ko, pero agad akong napasigaw nang may makitang kakaibang nilalang sa ibabaw ng kama ko. "What the hell are you doing here?!" Mabigat ang paghinga ko at hindi namalayang kusang kumilos ang mga paa ko para tumungtong sa ibabaw ng lamesa. I was panting while sweat was forming on my forehead. "Oops. Sorry po! Toy ko siya, bakit ka naman nagagalit agad?" Umawang ang labi ko nang makita ang pusang itim na kagabi rin ay nandito. "Get that thing out of my room or I'll f*****g kill you?!" puno ng galit kong saad. Lumabas ng ang pangil ko maging ang mahahaba kong kuko. Nagliliyab din ang kaninang kulay yelo kong mata. "Sure! Tanghaling tapat ang init ng ulo, tsk tsk." Pinagmasdan ko ang pusa na kagatin sa leeg ang walang malay at maliit na daga. Kusang ngumiwi ang labi ko dahil sa pandidiri. Kung may lakas ng loob lang ako ay ako na mismo ang tumapon sa dagang 'yan. Unti-unting akong kumalma nang makitang nakalabas na sila. Nawala rin ang pangil ko maging ang mahabang kuko at bumalik sa dati ang kulay ng aking mata. Mabilis akong bumaba ng lamesa at hinanap ang phone ko. I immediately dialled my mom's number. "Mom, I want to go home. I think I'll die here before I turn 21."