Match Made in Hell

"Heaven!" I flinched when I heard my name. Napasinghap ako at ibinaba ang librong binabasa ko. What's her problem? Geez! "What?! Kita mong busy ako dito!" inis kong sabi. Lumabas ako ng kwarto ko at sisigawan pa sana siya nang nakita kong nagdala na naman siya ng lalaki niya dito sa apartment. "Jeymi! Who the hell is that?" I asked then I glared at the guy that she was holding on to. Minsan nandidiri rin ako sa kaibigan ko eh, kung kani-kanino kasi sumasama. "This? This is Nixon. Got him from the Gangsters World. You should come next time, andaming pogi roon," sabi ni Jeymi then winked at me. Inirapan ko siya at napatingin naman doon sa lalaking kasama niya. Nakangisi ito sa akin and I think he was checking me out. Agad akong nagtago sa likuran ng pinto since naka-shorts lang ako at tank top, pambahay na suot ko. Mas lumaki ang ngisi niya sa akin nang bigla akong magtago. "Jeymi, ilang beses ko na bang sinabi sa'yo, don't bring any strangers in!" inis kong sabi. "He's harmless, Heaven. Calm your t**s. And besides, he's hot," humalakhak si Jeymi while nasapo ko naman ang ulo ko. "Whatever! Just clean up after you're done with whatever you're doing, okay?" I added at sinarado ng malakas ang kwarto ko. "She looks like an angel but she's fierce! Who's your friend, Jey?" Narinig kong tanong nung lalaki kay Jeymi. Agad akong napailing. "Oh, stop thinking about her. She's innocent as a baby. And don't think about touching her, 'cause I'll break your bones if you do," banta naman ni Jeymi. Nakangiting lumayo ako sa pintuan at humiga sa kama ko. Ganyan ang kaibigan ko. She may not look like she care, but she does, and I love her for that. Hindi ako nagsisisi na naging kaibigan ko siya, pero sana hindi na lang siya naging gangster. Yup, gangster. Gasgas na ang word na 'yon. But they still exist. I'm not one of them, but all of my friends are. Ni hindi ko naman kasi alam na gangster pala itong kinaibigan ko. But they're not so bad. H'wag mo lang silang babanggain because they turn into ferocious devils. I flinched nang narinig ko ang mga ungol ni Jeymi. This is one thing I didn't like about her. Kung sino-sino ang inuuwi niya from that. . . that place and then maggaganunan sila! I'm not that innocent but I certainly don't want them doing it live! I gasped when I suddenly realize, they were doing it on the couch! Oh s**t, lagot ako kay mama nito. Pero, once a month lang naman siya bumibisita. But still! Kadiri! I will never sit on that couch again! Napatayo ako at nagdadabog na lumabas ng pinto. Halos mapanganga ako nang makita kong nakapatong na sila sa isa't isa. Nagtago ulit ako sa loob ng kwarto at tsaka sumigaw. "Jeymi! Don't you dare do it on the couch!" I heard her chuckle. "Sorry sweetie, I believe this is the second time I've done it." Oh s**t. I'm never sitting in that couch, ever. After a few hours, nakatulog na rin ako sa kabila ng ingay na ginagawa nila. I shuddered with just the thought of it. Pagkalabas ko ng pintuan, naririnig ko na ang mga ingay nila. This just means na kakauwi lang nung dalawa at umalis na 'yung ka-one night stand ni Jeymi. "Joy! Jam!" bati ko. "Good morning, angel-faced. How was your sleep?" Nagulat na lang ako na hindi lang pala silang tatlo ang naroon sa apartment, pati itong lalaking 'to! "W-wh- Jeymi! Why is he here? Bakit hindi mo pa pinapalayas?" I almost shouted. I suddenly remembered what they did last night. Hindi ko na tuloy masulyapan 'yung couch. "Meh. He doesn't want to. Let him. If he wants to suffer, then this isn't our fault," natatawang sabi niya. Agad akong nagtaka. Suffer? Why is he suffering? "He's one lucky guy. Seeing four gorgeous women after waking up. Too bad he can't touch them or else we'll send him to the hospital," sabi naman ni Jam. "I won't," nakangiting sabi nung guy and then he winked at me. Inirapan ko siya at dumiretso sa small kitchen where Joy cooked breakfast. "I'm off. May klase ako ng 7. Bye guys, see you later," paalam ni Jeymi na hindi ko namalayang nakabihis na pala. "Bye Jeymi! Ingat!" sabi ko. Pagkaupo ko sa mesa at nagsimulang kumain, nagkwento naman itong si Jam. "Hey, Heaven. Too bad wala ka kahapon," sabi niya habang nakangiti. "That's because bawal ako doon? Since I'm not a gangster or anything," balewalang sabi ko. "Kaya nga iniinggit kita eh. We had this g**g fight kahapon. Kalaban namin ang Blazing Hot," pagtutuloy niya. Napanguso ako para pigilan ang tawa. I hate those g**g's names. Ang ko-korni pakinggan. "Is he one of them?" I asked at sumenyas doon sa guy na pinapanood lang kami. "What? Of course not! Actually, Nixon here is a member of the rank 3 g**g!" sabi ni Joy. "Who would've thought that he would hook up with Jeymi? Ang galing talaga ni Jeymi!" sabi ni Jam. My 3 friends, Jam, Jeymi and Joy is the 3Js g**g. Tho is sounds short, isa 'yon sa pinakamatinong g**g name na narinig ko. "Hey, Jeymi's hot. Who wouldn't hook up with her?" singit naman ni Nixon. "No one's asking, idiot," inis kong sabi. He whistled pero bigla namang ngumiti. "You've got some sharp tongue. Too bad you can't fight," sabi niya then shook his head. "Stop, Nix or I'll kick you out of the apartment," pagbabanta ni Jam. "Sorry," sabi ni Nixon. "Continue your conversation, girls," dagdag niya then ngumisi. "The Devil's Tribe is their g**g name. Ang alam ko, they were supposed to quit, but I guessed they changed their mind. Ang nawala naman ngayon ay 'yung Unknown g**g," sabi ni Joy. Devil's Tribe? Bagay sa kan'ya. It would be ironic if I decided to join their g**g. Heaven is a member of the Devil's Tribe g**g. "Okay, stop. I should get going. And also, stop talking about Unknown g**g," sabi ni Nixon at dire-diretso na ito sa paglabas. Malakas rin ang pagkakasarado niya sa pintuan. Nagkatiniginan kaming tatlo. "What's wrong with him?" tanong ko. Sabay silang nagkibit-balikat. "Sige, kain na. Maaga pa pasok niyong dalawa right? 10 pa klase ko so. . . Bleh!" Natawa na lang ako dahil sabay nila akong inirapan. Pagpasok ko ng kwarto ko, parang iba ang pakiramdam ko. Tingin ko, may nawawala. Something's missing. Hindi ko lang alam kung ano. Nagtingin-tingin ako sa paligid. Ay teka! Baka nag-text si Jeymi sa'kin! Lagi pa namang nagtetext 'yon after niyang umalis. "Ah s**t. Alam ko na kung anong nawawala," inis kong sabi. Nagdadabog akong lumabas ng kwarto and I barely made it. Nasa labas na kasi si Joy at Jam. "JJ!" tawag ko sa kanila before they rode on their motorcycles. Yes, motorcycles. These girls. Tsk. "Oh, Heaven? What's wrong?" tanong ni Joy. "That a*s of a hole took my phone! It's missing!" I nearly shouted. Napatawa naman silang dalawa. "Okay, we'll deal with that later. You should get ready for class, Heaven. Or you might be late. Again." "Ugh, whatever." Like they said, I should've got ready. But I didn't. So I was late. Yet again. This wasn't new. I always hated going to class. On mornings. But not on afternoons. Because that's when Gabriel and I are classmates. Gabriel Marshall is one of the hottest guy in the Univ and he's the guy I like. Napaka-mysterious kasi ng dating. And he's not annoying, not like that Nixon dude. Kaya halos 'di ako nakinig sa morning classes namin. Pagdating ng afternoon, dumiretso muna ako ng girl's cr para mag-ayos. I know, but girls do want to look presentable in front of their crushes, right? Kahit na hindi naman sila papansinin, nagpapaganda pa rin para sa mga crush nila. Pagbalik ko sa 4th class ko, malapit ng magsimula so I took my usual seat. Sa may window. Kaso nagulat ako nang may nakaupo na doon na lalaki. "Uh, excuse me?" tawag ko doon sa lalaki. Agad itong napatingin sa akin at halos tumigil ang mundo ko nang nalaman kong si Gabriel Marshall pala ang kausap ko! Walang emosyon siyang nakatingin sa akin and nung hindi ako nagsalita ay umiwas ulit ito ng tingin. Oh s**t, what am I gonna do? "U-uh, hi? But that's my seat, mister," sabi ko, pagkukunwaring hindi ko siya kilala. "Do you mind if I sit here today?" mahinang sabi niya. I almost jumped for joy dahil kinausap niya ako, but I remained my composure. "Uh, okay. But where am I gonna sit?" Bigla niyang itinuro ang upuan na katabi niya. "But this seat is occupi-" "It's not." Napalunok ako at tumango na lang sa sinabi niya. Lihim akong napangiti habang pinagmamasdan ang likuran niya. I cannot believe this is happening. Katabi. Ko. Si. Gabriel. Marshall! Mas hindi ako nakinig sa afternoon class ko since I'm busy watching Gabriel who's staring out the window. Bakit kaya nito naisipang lumipat ng upuan? But it's fine with me. I'm not complaining. At least I had the chance to sit beside him. Can this day get any better? "Class dismissed." Naunang tumayo si Gabriel while ako naman itong sumunod sa kan'ya. Well, not really. Baka didiretso lang siya sa canteen gaya ko. Napatigil siya nang mapansin niyang nakasunod ako sa kan'ya. "Are you following me?" tanong nito. "No?" I said and nilagpasan na siya. Ang feeling naman nito. Yes, I like you, but I'm no stalker. "Heaven!" tawag nila Jeymi nang nakapasok na ako sa loob ng canteen. Nagmamadali akong nagpunta sa kanila habang may malaking ngiti sa labi ko. "You look happy today, Ven. Did something happen?" sabi ni Jam. "Well, except getting my phone stolen, nakausap ko si Gabriel! OMG, guys!" kinikilig na sabi ko. "What? Crush mo ang lalaking 'yon?" gulat na tanong ni Joy. "And you didn't even tell us?" angal ni Jeymi. "Are you sure you want to 'like' that guy?" nakataas-kilay na tanong ni Jam. "Why? What's wrong with him?" kunot-noong tanong ko. Nang mapansin kong tumahimik ang buong canteen, that's when I notice the group of guys walking inside. "See anyone familiar?" I heard Jam asked. Napatingin ako sa grupo ng mga lalaking 'yon and saw Gabriel. "OMG, it's him! Si Gab!" I shrieked but not loud enough for them to hear. "Anyone else?" tanong ni Jeymi. Napatingin ulit ako at nanlaki ang mata ko nang nakita ko si Nixon. "Matthew Ramos a.k.a. Nixon from Devil's Tribe g**g," bulong ni Jam. Nanlalaki ang mga mata ko habang nakatingin kay Jam then kay Joy then kay Jeymi at bumalik sa limang lalaking 'yon. "T-they're gangsters?!" Mukhang napalakas ata ang pagkakasabi ko no’n because I got their attention. That Nixon guy looked at us and immediately, he walked towards us. “Hey!” he greeted while flashing a smile. “Hey sexy,” Jeymi flirted then winked at him. Then I remembered. I pointed my finger at Nixon dude and he was shocked, but quickly recovered. “Whoa there, pretty,” natatawang sabi niya. “Where the hell is my phone?” inis kong tanong. “Give it back, idiot!” sabi ko. I heard gasps within the crowd pero inirapan ko lang sila. Ang O-OA naman nila magreact. I’ll pull their tongue out! “I didn’t steal it,” nakangiting sabi niya sa’kin. Agad na kumunot ang noo ko. “Then who did? Give me back my phone or else. . .” Napatingin ako sa 3Js, “they’ll beat you up!” “Whoops there missy. We can’t. They’re stronger than us, remember?” bulong ni Jam sa’kin while umirap naman ako. “Like they can,” nakangising sabi ni Nixon dude. “Look Nix—“ Nanlaki ang mata ko nang lumipad ang kamay niya sa bunganga ko. “Shut the f**k up, missy.” Nagbago ang demeanour niya and I was actually afraid. But of course, who am I to tell him that? Bumaling siya sa mga kaibigan ko. “Haven’t you told Ms. Big Mouth over here the rules of Gangster World?!” he hissed. “We did. But she never listens. She always tunes us out,” malamyang sabi ni Jam. “Maraming beses na. I couldn’t even count how many times we’ve said it,” dagdag ni Joy. What the hell are they doing? Bakit nilalaglag pa nila ako? They’re supposed to help me out! Such useless friends! Tsk. Tumingin ulit sa’kin si Nixon dude at ngumiti. Pero iba na ang ngiti niya ngayon. I felt scared. Really scared. “Listen here, missy. I’m only telling you this once. No one, I mean no one is allowed to mention their code names especially when they’re not in the Gangster World, you hear me?” Kahit natatakot ay tumango ako sa kan’ya. I kept a straight face kahit na gustong-gusto ko ng umalis sa harapan niya at magtago. “Good.” In a split second, he changed, again. What?! Gano’n lang kabilis magbago ang character niya. It’s like he was used to it. “And, by the way, the name’s Matthew. How ‘bout you?” nakangiti nitong tanong. “H-heaven,” sagot ko. “That’s a nice name with a bitchy attitude,” pang-aasar nito. Agad kumunot ang noo ko. “I’m not bitchy!” bulalas ko. Narinig ko ang mga bulong-bulungan sa paligid. Pero umirap lang ulit ako. “Who told you you weren’t?” nakangising sabi nito. Bago pa ‘ko makapagsalita, lumapit na ang mga kaibigan niya sa amin. “Anong nangyayari dito?” tanong ng isa sa kanila. Bago pa ulit ako makapagsalita, narinig ko ang mga pigil na tili ng 3Js sa likuran ko. “Omygahd! Lumapit sila sa’tin! Ang swerte natin, pa-autograph kaya tayo?” Narinig kong sabi ni Joy. “I know! I can’t help it! I want to hug them!” bulong naman ni Jeymi. “You can hug us all you want babes,” sabi ng isa sa mga lalaki while nagtilian na naman ng mahina ‘yung mga kaibigan ko. I rolled my eyes. Seriously? What do they see in these guys? They are just good for nothing gangsters who loves fighting and hurting people! Siguro dahil gangsters rin sila kaya ganyan. “OMG! T-that’s Felix! I think I’m gonna faint,” bulong ni Jam. Shit lungs. Ang lalandi nila! Ugh! I can’t stand them! “Hey, idiot. Give me back my phone so that this conversation is over,” inis kong sabi habang nakalahad ang kamay ko sa harapan niya.  “Too bad, babe. He’s got the phone,” sabi ni Ni— I mean, Matthew. Napatingin naman ako sa lalaking itinuro niya. Halos mapaatras na ako sa titig niya sa’kin, para kasi siyang papatay. Pero kumarap lang ako. He’s not so bad. H’wag kang matakot, Heaven. He’s not so bad. Okay, I need to calm myself because I think I’m gonna piss if I don’t. Huminga ako ng malalim at tinaasan ng kilay ‘yung tinuro niya. Lumapit ako dito at inilahad ang kamay ko. “Excuse me, mister? I think you have my phone,” I flatly said. Nanatili lang siyang walang ekspresyon. “Are you deaf?” inis kong tanong dahil I don’t want to repeat myself. “Are you stupid? Why would you fall for that guy’s motive? Tsk,” sabi rin niya nang magsasalita ulit ako. Gulat akong napatingin sa kan’ya habang pinapanood ko siyang tinalikuran ako at naglakad palayo. “Don’t turn your back on me when I’m talking to you!” sigaw ko. Napatigil siya sa paglalakad pero nanatiling nakatalikod. “Too bad, already did,” sagot nito at tuluyang naglakad palayo. I can’t believe the guts of that guy! Oh my god! Walang respeto! Nakakainis siya! Pagtalikod ko, nakita kong pinagtatawanan ako ng mga kaibigan ko. “Oh god, Heaven, that was priceless!” natatawang sabi ni Jeymi. “Finally, you’ve found your match!” dagdag ni Jam. “I can’t believe that Andriel Knight is that person! Someone who can resist Heaven Fajardo’s charms!” sabi naman ni Joy. Napatigil silang lahat at nagkatinginan, pero nagtawanan na naman. “Someone who has the guts to talk to Andriel like that?” Biglang sabat ni Matthew. “The one and only Heaven,” nakangiting sabi nung Felix guy. “What?! Close ba tayo!? Why are you calling me by my first name?” inis kong sabi. Nagtinginan naman ‘yung apat na guys and ngumiti sa’kin. I was suddenly crept out. What’s wrong with these guys? Narinig kong umubo si Jeymi at natahimik ang maliit na grupo namin. “Excuse me, but I believe we don’t know each other’s names.” “How could you not know our names? We’re famous,” nakataas-kilay na sabi ni Matthew. “I’m Jeymi. This is Jam, Joy and Heaven,” pagpapakilala niya na para bang hindi narinig ang sinabi ni Matthew dude. “I’m Felix and this is Matthew, Gabriel and Ezekiel. Of course, who would forget Andriel?” nakangiti nitong sabi. Agad akong nanigas nang narinig ko ang pangalan ni Gabriel. I almost forgot, he’s one of them! And I lost my temper in front of him! I’m so embarrassed! “Hey, aren’t you my seatmate in Class 4?” sabi ni Gabriel at nanlisik pa ang mga mata niya. Inirapan ko siya, on impulse. It was a reflex, and I regret doing it. How could I act like this in front of my crush?! “Yeah, you’re the one who stole my seat.” Hindi ko na naitago pa ‘yung sarcasm sa boses ko. Guess kahit anong gawin kong pa-bebe ay hindi gagana. Ganto na ako eh. Can’t change it. “Sorry, I just wanted to see the view from the window,” seryoso nitong saad. “Okay dude, sayong-sayo na ‘yong upuan ko. Basta hayaan mo ‘kong tumabi sa’yo since I want to see the view from the window too,” sabi ko at pasikretong ngumiti. Yes, Heaven! Pasimple ka lang! “Sus, if I know, you only want to sit beside him. It’s all over your face, dummy,” natatawang sabi ni Jam. My face fell when she pointed it out. “Hindi kaya!” I blurted out. “Oo kaya, kilala ka namin, Heaven,” nakangiting sabi ni Joy. “Stop making up stories!” sabi ko at sigurado akong pulang-pula na ako ngayon. “You’re the one who should stop lying,” natatawang sabi ni Jeymi. “Hey, Gabriel, right? This Sunday, Central Park, 8 am. Meet Heaven there. It’s a date, a’ight?” nakangising sabi ni Jeymi sa kan’ya. “Who are you to tell us what to do?” sabat ni Matthew. “Shut up, sexy. I’m going to deal with you later,” sabi ni Jeymi at tumingin kay Gabriel. “What are you doing! I don’t want to go on a date with. . . that dude!” sabi ko. At hindi ko sinasadyang lakasan ang boses ko. “You heard her. She doesn’t want to,” malamig na sabi ni Gabriel at nag-walk out na rin gaya ng kaibigan niyang si Andriel. “Oh god. What have I done?” Horrified, I looked at my friends for help, but they don’t want to meet my gaze. “You’re one of a kind, Heaven Fajardo. Who the hell turns down, Gab? It’s definitely the first time for him. You probably crushed his ego,” umiiling na sabi ni Felix. “And crushed his chance of liking you,” sabat naman ni Ezekiel. “This is your fault!” sabi ko kay Jeymi. Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ni Jeymi at kumunot ang noo niya. “How is this my fault?” inis niyang tanong. “You tried to set me up on a date with him!” “I was trying to help you score.” “I don’t need your help! Now look, I’ve panicked and I said things I shouldn’t have said,” nalungkot ako at tinignan kung saan huli siyang lumabas. “I’m going home. Meet you there,” sabi ko at tuloy-tuloy sa paglabas. Hay! Andaming nangyari ngayong araw na ‘to. I can’t believe that the guy I like is gangster! Now that I think of it, lahat ata ng kakilala ko ay gangsters! Ako lang ba ang hindi? Ako lang ba ang naiiba? Napatigil ako nang may humigit ng kwelyo ko. “Hey!” angal ko at magmumura na sana nang nakita kong mga babae pala ‘yong humila sa akin. “Ang lakas ng loob mong sigaw-sigawan ang mga pinakamalakas na gangsters sa school!” sabi ng babae. “Who cares? Wala akong pakialam sa rank nila,” I flatly said at aalis na sana kaso bigla niyang hinigit ang buhok ko pabalik. I flinched dahil sa lakas ng hatak niya sa buhok ko. “Well sad to say, b***h, pero kami mayroon. And we won’t tolerate your kind of actions. Hindi lang ‘yon, kinausap mo pa sila ng walang galang! Akala mo kung sino kang mataas? Ni wala ngang nakakakilala sa’yo!”  sabi nito at mas hinila pa ang buhok ko while binabaon ko naman ang mga kuko ko sa kamay niyang nakahawak sa buhok ko. “You b***h! Masakit masabunutan! Tanggalin mo ang kamay mo!” I shrieked pero hindi siya tumigil. Maya-maya lang, may sumampal ng pisngi ko. “Wala kang karapatan dahil isa ka lamang sa pinakamababang tao dito sa school! Don’t you dare think you’re high like an official since sikat ka lang naman dahil kasa-kasama mo ang 3Js!” “Who the hell cares?! Bitiwan niyo ako!” sigaw ko. Kaso isang sampal na naman ang nakuha ko. What is wrong with these girls!? Biglang may sumuntok naman ng sikmura ko na dahilan para maubusan ako ng hininga. “We’re not ordinary bullies, missy. We’re gangsters. And that time when you messed with the Devil’s Tribe g**g? You’ve messed with us,” sabi ng isang babaeng kararating pa lang. Ramdam na ramdam ko na ang mga pasang namumuo dahil sa mga sipa at suntok nila sa’kin, but I remained emotionless. Kahit masakit. This is worse than what I imagined. “Wala akong ginawang masama! Ano ba, are you out of your mind? What do you think of those gangsters? Like gods? Christ!” sarkastiko kong sabi kahit hirap na hirap akong huminga dahil sa suntok kanina. “At sumasagot ka pa?! Tumahimik ka na lang!” sabi ng isang babae at sinampal na naman ako. Wow, 3 slaps in one day. I’m gonna get these girls someday. I’ll have revenge. “What do you think you are doing?” Napatigil silang lahat sa ginagawa nila sa’kin nang narinig ang boses na ‘yon. I can’t believe I’m so relieved just by hearing her voice. “Heaven? f**k! Anong ginawa nila sa’yo?!” sabi ni Joy. “You little bitches!” sabi ni Jeymi at sumugod sila doon sa mga babae. Ipinikit ko ang mata ko habang nagco-concentrate para hindi ko masyadong madama ang sakit ng katawan ko But hell. . . it hurts like hell! It stings like hell! Ugh, parang gusto kong magbabad sa yelo para lang mawala ang sakit na ‘to! Napadilat ako at nakita kong halos lahat ng mga babae ay napatumba nila. Is this how they feel every night? After every g**g fight? Wow, they must be strong. At siguradong higit pa dito ang naranasan nila. I feel weak. Very weak. I just wished I was strong enough. Hindi ‘yong puro salita lang. I never knew there would be a time I’d like to be a gangster. Pero alam kong walang maidudulot na maganda sa’kin ang paghihiling ng gano’n. I hate fights. I absolutely hate people who thinks highly of themselves. And that’s a definition of a gangster. I will never, ever, become one of the people I hate.