Fire of Hope (Complete)

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Dalawa lang ang subject ko ngayong araw. I've seen familiar faces on my first subject, including that Bret guy. He was throwing weird glances on my direction together with his friends. I arched my brow at him when our eyes met.

"Okay, class. Before we start are activity on our next meeting, I'll be grouping you into..." Tiningnan niya ang hawak na master list. "Into five. This will be your groupings for the whole semester."

Bawat tinatawag niyang pangalan ay pinapatayo at pinapipili ng magsusulat sa isang papel para sa grupo. I belong on the last group and I was assigned to write my groupmates' name.

I was still writing on a yellow pad when the door opened hastily and Xayvion entered. He was even catching his breath before fixing his eyes in front.

"Sorry, Sir, late," he announced himself with a small smirk.

"Last name?" our prof asked.

"Serrano, Sir," he answered as his playful eyes roamed inside the room.

I instantly remove my gaze on him and finished what I was writing. I saw from my peripheral vision that he was walking... towards my direction.

"Excuse me," aniya nang nasa gilid ko na siya.

I closed my eyes tightly and sighed. Maluwang naman ang daan sa harapan ko kaya bakit nag-e-excuse pa siya?

"Daan na," mariin kong sambit sa mahinang boses.

Tatlo lang kaming nandito sa last row. I was on the aisle and the other girl is beside the window. The brute really did choose to seat beside me.

"Hay, ang init!" sabi niya pagkaupo at lumingon sa akin. "Masyadong hot yata 'tong katabi ko, ah?"

What happened to his 'I'm not gonna bother you again'?

"Miss Mercado?" tawag sa akin ng prof. "Sa inyo na lang si Mr. Serrano. Tutal ay kayo lang naman ang apat pa lang sa grupo."

Pinatong ni Xayvion ang kanyang siko sa desk ko at mas hinarap ako. His hair was unusually disheveled and the side of his face was sweating.

"Uy... sa 'yo raw ako... este sa inyo."

Umismid ako at sinulat na lang din ang pangalan niya sa papel. Sinilip niya iyon at talagang hinawakan pa ang kamay ko para lang makita.

Napapitlag ako at agad binawi ang kamay sa kanya. He chuckled lowly.

"Grabe, ba't initials lang pangalan ko rito? 'Yong iba, kumpleto pa."

Kinuha ko ang papel at padarag na nilagay iyon sa kanyang mesa. Napasandal pa siya sa upuan sa gulat.

"O, ayan, isulat mo nang matahimik ka. Mukhang ang sama ng loob mo, e."

He smirked before he grabbed the ballpen I was holding. Pinaikot-ikot muna niya iyon sa mga daliri tulad ng madalas kong ginagawa bago dinugtungan ang pangalan niya sa papel.

My eyes turned into slit when I noticed that he was adding more words beside his name. Sinapak ko siya sa braso at hinablot ang papel mula sa kanya.

"Oy, 'di pa ako tapos!"

My nose flared up as I read what he added.

Serrano, Xayvion Argus Ynares loves Mercado,

I immediately scratched the last two words using my ballpen.

"Oh, baka isipin mo, ikaw 'yan? Si Claudia tinutukoy ko, ah?" nanunuyang bulong niya sa gilid ko.

When I didn't rebut, he stopped annoying me which made me relax a bit. Though, I couldn't help but still notice his flexing his stout arm on the side of my arm's rest. Plus, he kept on moving clumsily on his seat.

'Di kaya may tae na sa pwet 'tong katabi ko?

The professor left us with a reminder of bringing an index card and 1 by 1 picture.

Palabas na ako ng room nang maramdaman ang mainit na bumalot sa pulso ko. I fixated my eyes on him with creased brows.

"Ano?"

His lips twitched in amused smile. "Anong oras ka uuwi?"

"Depende kung kailan matatapos ang huling klase."

"Can I go to your house later? I'll just check on Claudia," he said carefully.

"Magpaalam ka sa magulang namin, 'wag sa akin."

I pulled my hand from his grasp and turned my back on him. May ilang naiwan sa room pero mas gusto kong sa kubo na lang maghintay. Thiry minutes na lang naman ang hihintayin ko para sa next subject.

Nilabas ko ang biniling inumin habang naglalakad patungo sa kubo na malapit sa Acacia. I halted on my track when someone shouted from the soccer field.

Bago pa ako makalingon sa kung ano man iyon ay naramdaman ko na ang pagtama ng matigas na bagay sa aking noo. I was taken a back by the sudden solid force that I stumbled on the ground and dropped the bottle I was holding.

I held my head wirh closed eyes, enduring the pain it caused me.

"s**t! Miss, sorry!"

Nakayuko pa rin ako at iniinda ang ulo. I felt like my brain left my head alone.

"Gago ka, Alden! Tulungan mo, tanga!"

"M-Miss... ayos ka lang?"

"Tanga talaga. Natamaan mo na nga ng bola, tinanong mo pa kung ayos lang?"

"Puwede bang manahimik ka, Ross?"

Nag-init ang pisngi at tainga ko nang marinig ang samu't saring pahayag ng mga taong hindi ko kilala. I opened my eyes and adjusted my sight. Ilang pares ng paa ang naabutan kong nakapaligid sa akin.

"Miss?"

May naglahad sa akin ng kamay. I didn't know who it was but I still accepted the help. He pulled me up using his arm. Parang umaalog pa ang ulo ko nang makatayo na nang maayos.

"Miss, gusto mong dalhin ka na namin sa clinic?"

"Sorry nga pala. Hindi ko sinasadyang mapalakas ang sipa," anang tumulong sa akin.

Umiling ako. May nag-abot ng inumin kong hawak kanina kaya kinuha ko iyon sa kanya.

"Thanks..." I mumbled without looking at them.

"Samahan ka na po namin sa clinic?" someone offered again but I shook my head.

"No, thanks. Kaya ko naman..."

"Oway, oway, oway!" someone chanted playfully from afar. "Anong nangyayari dito, mga bata? Akala ko ba ay maglalaro tayo?"

Balak ko nang umalis doon pero natigilan dahil sa pamilyar na boses. Nilingon ko ang kalalapit lang na nagsalita habang akbay-akbay ang dalawang nasa harapan ko.

My eyes went wide.

"Itong si Alden, natamaan ng bola si Ateng-"

Natigil sa pagsasalita iyong lalaki nang patagilid siyang tinulak ng kausap sa mukha.

"Eona..." Lalong lumawak ang ngisi ni Echo habang lumalapit pa sa akin.

Napaatras ako. He tilted his head a bit on the side and raised his hand.

"Balik na kayong field. Kilala ko 'to. Ako nang bahala," aniya.

The boys were scratching their head as they turned their back on us. I looked away from Echo who maintained his melting stare on me. I stepped again to go to the nipa hut when he held my forearm.

The tiny hair on my nape stood up.

"Saan ka pupunta?"

I pointed the nipa hut without looking at him.

"Saan ka natamaan?"

He went in front of me and lowered down his head to level mine. Napasinghap ako nang hawakan niya ang bangs ko at bahagyang hinawi iyon.

"Dito?" He touched my forehead. "Lah, namumula, oh. Sakit?"

My stomach tightened. Iniwas ko ang mukha sa kanya dahil sa nang-aasar niyang tono. Habang tumatagal sa ilalim ng mataas na araw ay namumuo na ang pawis sa noo ko.

And he even brushed my skin there!

His lips curved upward. Hinila niya ang pulso ko at kinaladkad patungo sa kubong kanina ko pa gustong puntahan. Umupo siya sa tabi ko at kinuha ang bag sa pagitan namin para ilagay iyon sa mesa.

Pinatong niya ang braso sa may bintana at hinarap ako. His undercut hair was messy and wet. Siguro ay dahil sa pawis.

"So, Miss Eona, ito ba ang tambayan mo kapag wala o tapos na ang klase?" he inquired as he raised his brow.

"Why are you here? Akala ko ba ay sa Manila ka nag-aaral?" I asked back.

Napakamot siya sa kanyang batok at ngumuso.

"Oo nga. Wala akong klase ngayon saka hindi kita nakita kanina sa labas kaya pumunta ako rito."

"Paano ka nakapasok?"

"Ganito kasi 'yan," he said and shifted on his seat as if he was going to say a sensible explanation. "May tinatawag tayong gate, 'di ba? Tapos may paa ako. Ang ginawa ko, naglakad ako papasok ng gate-"

I smacked his arm lightly. He chortled.

"Wow, close tayo? Bakit ka nanghahampas?" he said jokingly.

I was about to retort when he slided on his seat until his knees touched the side of my thigh. Even when he's sweaty, I could still smell a men's perfume from him.

"Ayan, close na close na tayo. Kahit hampasin mo pa ako ng ilang beses, ayos lang." Kumindat siya at tinapik pa ang braso.

Umirap ako at pinigilang ngumisi. God, why do I find this man so annoying yet amusing?

"Ano ba't lagi mo akong iniirapan? Magsalita ka naman uy. Gusto kong marinig ang boses mo," he urged me.

"Anong sasabihin ko?" I asked in a serious tone.

"Sabihin mo, 'Salamat, Echo.'" He grinned, showing his perfect set of teeth.

"I like your teeth," I commented.

Humalakhak siya. "Grabe, sa lahat ng mapapansin, 'yong ngipin ko pa talaga? Buti na lang at hindi ako si Savi. Ayos lang sa akin punahin ang ngipin dahil alagang Colgate 'yan."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya at nag-iwas ng tingin. I really don't like talking with someone who mentions a name I don't really know. Kunwari kong tiningnan ang oras sa wrist watch.

"My next class-"

"-will start by 4 o'clock," pagtatapos niya sa sinabi ko. "I got your sched. 'Wag ka nang magtaka."

Nalaglag ang panga ko at hindi agad nakapagsalita. Bahagya na siyang umusog palayo sa akin at pinaglaruan ang labi gamit ang daliri habang tanaw ang soccer field.

"You know, I don't get you. Why'd you do that?" Irritation laced my voice.

"Hmm... syempre, para alam ko kung kailan ako puwedeng pumunta rito para makita ka..."

I closed my mouth and stared at him. His dark and thick brows are very appealing. His nose is guaranteed on its highborn. The angle of his jaw is simply on the right place and his Adam's apple is stouting and moving slowly.

Kumurba paitaas ang kanyang labi. Nilagay niya ang dalawang bukas na kamay sa gilid ng mukha.

"Nice, boy!"

Napatingin ako sa direksyon ng tinitingnan niya. He was watching the soccer game. I returned my eyes on him. I noticed that he's wearing almost the same outfit of those players. Only that his top was a plain white shirt.

"Do you play soccer?" The words came out from my mouth absentmindedly.

Nakaparte ang kulay rosas niyang labi nang hinarap ako.

"Yup. Since highschool. Kaming dalawa ng kapatid ko."

I nodded.

"Ikaw? May sports ka ba?"

"Well, I just play volleyball but not really on a team. Minsan, badminton."

His eyes brightened up like he had think of something ridiculous.

"Kumakanta ka ba?" excited niyang tanong.

What? Anong connect ng sport sa pagkanta?

"Ganda ng speaking voice mo, alam mo ba 'yon? Iyon una kong napansin noong unang beses kang nagsalita. Walang arte. Hindi matinis at lalong hindi conyo." He chuckled.

"I only sing in the bathroom, though..." I murmured.

Claudia is the type of singer between us. Her voice was solemn, soft, and angelic. Those are highlighted whenever she sings. While I on the other side chose to learn different instruments since we were both young.

"But I can play musical instruments," I added.

Nanatili ang mata niya sa akin. "Tulad... ng?"

Tumikhim ako. "Guitar, drums... keyboards."

Tumango-tango siya. His intense gaze was making me quite uncomfortable so I averted my eyes from him and stood up. Tumayo rin siya at siya na mismo ang kumuha sa bag ko bago isinukbit iyon sa kaliwang balikat niya.

My mouth hung open.

"Hatid na kita sa next class mo."

I breathed in deeply.

"Why are you really doing this, Echo?"

He faced me with his whole body. I blinked twice when he stepped forward and crouched a little on my side. My breathing went irregular as his scent attacked my nostrils.

"Sabi ko naman sa 'yo, gusto kita. Kaya magpapapansin ako kahit magmukha pa akong tanga." His hoarse voice sent shivers down to my spine.

Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan. He let out a sexy chuckle against my ear before he brushed his knuckles on my left check.

Itinulak ko siya sa balikat bago pa tuluyang manlambot ang mga binti ko at mapaupo. I parted my lips to say something but then closed it abruptly. Nagtaas siya ng kilay habang hinihintay ang sasabihin ko.

"M-mali-late na ako sa klase ko. Give me my bag now..."

"Hatid na nga kita. Alam ko naman kung saan ang next class mo. E, ikaw, alam mo ba?" he retorted.

I scoffed. "I'll just ask someone-"

"Edi ako na lang tanungin mo. 'Wag ka mag-alala, mas reliable pa ako sa source ko." He winked mischievously.

Umirap ako at tinalikuran na siya. Pagkalabas namin ng kubo ay agad siyang umakbay sa akin kaya agad ko rin siyang itinulak sa baywang.

"Ano ba?!" My chest was heavily rising.

This isn't funny anymore. Anong karapatan niyang akbay-akbayan lang ako na parang close kami? Not because I've talked to him means we're already friends. He's still a stranger to me. That, I keep on reminding myself.

"Sorry..." Pumungay ang malamlam na mga mata niya habang nakatingin sa akin.

I slowly drifted away my eyes from him. His tone sounded sincere but still, he should know his place.

Nauna siyang bahagya sa paglalakad hanggang sa nakarating kami sa room ko. He handed out my bag on me so I checked my registration form and the room number.

"Pasok na ako," I told him coldly without looking at his eyes.

I was afraid to see things I should not. Tinalikuran ko siya at pumasok na sa loob, neverminding the stares and glances of students had throwing at us.

"Mag... te-text ako mamaya..." mahinang pahabol niya.

I lifted my shoulders, not looking back. "Bahala ka."

"Mag-reply ka, please?" Now his voice became louder.

"Ubos na ang load ko."

"Palo-loadan kita. Kahit 500 pa."

"Wala na pala akong sim-"

"May extra sim ako-"

Nilingon ko siya at naabutang nakasandal ang parehong kamay sa hamba ng pinto. I glanced on the student behind him whom I think waiting for Echo to move away from the entrance.

"Wala akong phone. Tinapon ko na sa ilog. Kinain na ng buwaya. Ano? Bibilhan mo ba ako ng phone para lang ma-text ka?" sarkastikong sabi ko.

Umawang ang kanyang labi at natulala sa akin. Napasuklay siya sa buhok at tinalikuran ako nang walang sinabi pa.

I heaved out a sigh and found my own seat. Pinagkaguluhan agad ako ng mga hindi ko kilalang kaklase sa hindi malamang dahilan.

"OMG! You know Echo? Close kayo?"

"Paano kayo nagkakilala? Mutual friend? Relative? What?"

"'Te, ang guwapo pa rin ni Kuya! Sayang kasi at hindi sila rito nag-aral ni Loke!"

"Nililigawan ka ba ni Echo? Hindi naman yata 'yon pupunta rito basta kung wala lang, e. Ikaw ba ang pinuntahan? Waah kainggit!"

"Hmp! Mas maganda naman ako sa 'yo!"

I was bombarded with irrelevant question about Echo. Panay lang ang iling ko sa kanila para tumigil na hanggang sa ako pa ang nagmukhang masama.

"Nagtatanong lang. Damot naman!"

"Kala mo naman ang ganda. Paglalaruan ka lang din no'n, 'te. 'Wag feelingera!"

I restrained myself from hurling back at them. Tinapatan ko ng tingin ang masasamang titig nila sa akin. Damn these crazy girls. Uhaw na uhaw sa impormasyon tungkol lang sa lalaki? And when they didn't get what they want, they have the audacity to be mad?

If they hate me because of that, shame on them because I don't care. I'm not born to please everyone, nor to fill their hunger for gossips.

What I just hated in this situation is when the instructor asked us to form a group on our own by five.

God damn. Ethics pa man din 'to tapos mga walang ethics kami. How's that?

Walang gustong makigrupo sa akin na mga babae. Honestly, ayos lang naman dahil mukhang mas wala naman silang mga utak kaysa sa akin.

"Eona, dito ka na lang sa amin!" sabi ng isang lalaking kaklase ko rin sa naunang subject.

Ngumiti ako nang tipid at lumapit na sa grupo ng limang lalaki. Ayos lang naman daw may sobrang isa sabi ni Ma'am. Nagbigay lang ng instructions sa amin bago kami nag-usap-usap. Thankfully, matitino naman ang mga kasama ko.

"Uh, Eona, may f*******: account ka ba?" tanong ni Manuel.

Natigilan ako habang nagsusulat ng pinag-uusapan namin para sa report. My grip on the pen tightened.

"Wala," I replied cooly.

"Deactivate or wala talaga? Kahit messenger lang. Gagawa ako ng group chat."

I sucked in my lower lip and looked at him. Nakaabang din ang mga kasama namin sa sagot ko.

"I'll... make one..."

Of course, I had an account but it was already deactivated. I have no plans of reactivating it anytime. Actually, I don't even want to create one again. My fingers would just lead me from them or... they would soon find me.

Pero bakit nga ba ako natatakot magbukas? Because of the video and those persons I trusted behind that? Hindi ba dapat sila ang matakot? Because I was not the one who did wrong. It's them.

Maybe it's about time to face the real problem. My Uncle and parents have been working for the case for a couple of months now it's taking too long. Plus, I've not talked to our lawyer yet.

The class ended thirty minutes before its due. I rolled my eyes when most of them left the room without even taking back the chairs to their respective places.

"May next class ka pa, Eona?"

I looked at Ram before shaking my head no and continued lining up the chairs. Nang mapansin niya siguro ang ginagawa ko ay tumulong na rin siya.

"May pasok ka bukas?" he asked.

"I'm not sure..."

"Kung meron, hingin ko na ang f*******: name mo para ma-add sa gc."

Tumigil ako saglit sa ginagawa at hinarap siya. "What's your name in there? I'll just add you."

His eyes lightened up a bit. "Ram Solomon Jr. Mukha ko 'yong profile picture."

Tumango ako sa kanya. Nang matapos ay sabay kaming lumabas ng room. Gamit ang tali na nakasuot sa aking pulso ay inipon ko ang buhok at itinali iyon nang mahigpit sa tuktok ng ulo. Hinawi ko ang bangs na bahagyang humaharang sa mga mata ko bago ibinaba ang braso sa aking gilid.

"U-uh... E-Eona..."

I took a glimpse of Ram who's keeping his track beside me. Pababa na kami ng building ngayon. I only arched my brow at him.

"Kambal mo si... Claudia? Claudia Mercado?" he asked hesitantly.

"Oo. Bakit?"

Sa gilid ng mata ay nakita ko ang pagkamot niya sa kanyang batok. I tried so hard not to sneer at him. 'Wag niyang sabihing crush niya ang kapatid ko o ano?

"E-Eh kasi..."

I ceased to face him. Namumula ang kanyang pisngi at bahagyang nakayuko, hindi makatingin sa akin nang maayos.

"If you're gonna ask if I could help you with her, the answer is no, Ram. Good bye."

I flipped my hair resting on my shoulder before marching passed him. Kung iniisip niyang mataray ako dahil sa sinabi at ginawa ko, wala na akong magagawa roon. I'm not gonna trade my sister to anything, that's for sure.

Palabas na ako ng gate nang may humablot sa braso ko. Marahas at may puwersa kaya nahila ako palapit sa taong may gawa no'n.

"What the actual-"

Nanlaki ang mata ko at nalaglag ang panga nang makita kung sino iyon. My eyes then dropped on his hand in between us. Kinagat niya ang kanyang labi at binitiwan ang braso ko para punasan ang pawis sa kanyang noo. His broad chest was rising heavily.

Kinuha niya ang kamay ko at ipinatong doon ang isang kahon.

It was a damn brand new phone!

"May sim at load balance na one thousand na rin 'yan. Naka-save na rin ang number ko. Text ya later, babe!" He smiled and winked before jogging away from me.