TRINITY

In my everyday living, it's like a de javu. Everything is repeating. The voting, the killing. Everything! I used to be tough like everyone describes me. Others may think I'm cool and disrespectful. But looking everything, parang nawala lahat 'yon. Ni hindi ko na makilala ang sarili ko dahil sa nangyari.

A lion became a scared cat? Hearing those before, I just laughed and prove them that I'm a woman you shouldn't mess with. But looking by now, I felt the wall I built starts to fall. I don't cry, even if I'm having a severe illness or a deep wound that can cause my life to end. The old Trinity doesn't cry. She's strong... And indeed tough.

Look at me now, I'm a mess. It's because of my sister's death that haunts me even in my dreams or this woman who died helplessly, I can't determine which.

All I can see is I'm running while my tears are falling. I can't bear anymore. This is the... The third time I saw someone's lifeless body with that position. I want to scream on the top of my lungs. I want to punch the wall until my knuckles bleed. I want to end my life, hoping the pain will end here too.

Life is... A bitch. Can't I just live peacefully? Hindi ba pwedeng mamuhay nalang ako ng payapa? Why do I need to experience this shit? I know, I'm acting brave in front of them but deep inside I'm in pain. I just... I just don't want to see them worrying about me.

Huminga ako ng malalim at isinandal ang likod sa pader. Ikinalma ko ang sarili ko, kanina pang hindi tumitigil ang luha ko. I'm not here to cry. I'm here to talk someone.

Akmang hahakba na muli ako palayo nang biglang nanindig ang balahibo ko. Ramdam kong may nakatingin sa akin mula sa likod. This feeling... I only feel it with the only person I know. The one I've been looking for.

"What brings you here?" Someone spoke. Paglingon ko ay ang isang babaeng walang emosyon ang boses. Pinagmasdan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa at muling ibinalik sa akin ang tingin.

"You know her," panimula ko. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin, hindi ko mabasa ang kaniyang reaksyon dahil blangko ang mukha niya. Parang nakikipag-usap lang ako sa pader. "Maybe we should—"

"Maybe we should stop talking, we're not that close anyway." Putol niya sa sasabihin ko. Akmang tatalikod siya nang hablutin ko ang kamay nito.

I look at her in disbelief. Now, I can finally say that it's like I'm talking to myself, literally. "Look, iisa lang ang gusto natin, 'diba? Gusto nating mabigyan ng katarungan ang—"

"You talk as if you know me well, Trinity." Singhal niya. Muli niya akong pinasadahan ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. "I can work on my own, without anyone's help or support."

"You should agree to Trinity, you devilish lady," someone said behind her back. She face it and it was Kace, hawak-hawak niya ang kaniyang pisngi. "Masakit pa din 'yung sapak mo kanina. Parehas kayo ni Trinity."

Unti-unting humakbang papalapit si Lilith papunta sa pwesto niya. May kinuha siya sa kaniyang bulsa, isang kulay ubeng lollipop. Tinanggal niya ang plastic at inilagay sa kaniyang bibig. "Be careful of this devilish lady you called, I can ripped your skin alive with a demo from this girl." She said and glance at me.

Kace look at Lilith before looking at me and smirk. I raised my eyebrows, ano na naman pinapahiwatig nito? Just then, someone grab my waist.

"Be careful of your words, girl. Before you can touch her, you need to face my fist first." Huzein said. Siniko ko ang kaniyang tagiliran ngunit hindi niya ito pinansin. Nagpalitan ng matatalim na tingin sina Lilith at Huzein. Kace and I are... Watching them.

Malakas kong tinulak si Huzein at tinitigan ng masama. Ibinaling ko naman ang tingin ko kay Kace. "You guys, hindi kayo nakakatulong!" I exclaimed. They both sighed.

"You know what, Trinity. Stop your delusions, I can work on my own." She replied. Halatang napipikon na siya.

"We can make a team! Lahat naman tayo may pakinabang, 'diba? Why can't we—"

"In what way?" She interrupted. Humikab pa ito na para bang bored na bored sa sinasabi ko. My lips form sa devilish smirk.

"Uh-oh..." Bulong ni Kace.

Naramdaman kong hinawakan ni Huzein ang braso ko. "Trinity." He warned.

"Chill," I replied. I glance at Huzein and Kace before returning my sight to Lilith. "Maybe you should try harder to hide your emotions. Did I piqued your curiosity? By judging your expression, it looks like your not interested."

Unti-unti akong humakbang papalapit sa kaniya. Nabitawan naman ni Huzein ang braso ko. "You're like me, but the weaker one."

"Prove it." She replied. Hinawakan niya ang stick ng kaniyang lollipop at inilabas ito mula sa kaniyang bibig. Tinitigan niya ito ng maigi bago ibalik sa akin ang tingin. "I'm challenging you, the badass of Heilianthus University."

I smiled wildly. "So sweet of you, darling."

The boys scoffed. Hindi naman nabawasan ang tensyon sa pagitan namin. I'm tired of watching them. I'm not a audience. I own the show.

Binalingan ko ng tingin si Kace. "A school president."

Inilipat ko ang tingin kay Huzein. "A smartass guy with a principles."

Panghuli ay binalingan ko ng tingin si Lilith, "a devil who can make everyone obey her words."

"And the scorpion's target." Someone said. Not me, not Huzein either Kace and Lilith. Who's that?

Just then, napalingon kami nang makarinig ng yapak mula sa staircase. Malapit lang kasi sa amin ang hagdanan. Bakit hindi ko naisip na baka may makarinig sa amin?

A tall guy, grey eyes and messy hair. May hawak-hawak itong Yakult. Ininom niya ang laman at itinapon sa malapit na basurahan. I felt chills from my spine when our eyes met just like what happened awhile ago. He's the guy who can hurt everyone, even Kace, without getting his hands dirty. He's... He's the guy who winked at me!

His voice... It's familiar.

"W-who are you?" Nauutal na tanong ko.

"It's passed an hour since we met, did you forget me already?" He said. Inilagay niya sa kaniyang mga kamay sa kaniyang bulsa. He tilted his head while scanning my body. Nahinto siya sa binti ko kung saan may sugat. "Geez, woman. You need to drink Memo Plus Gold."

It's him! Siya ang humawak sa akin kanina, I can't recognise his face. Saan siya nagpunta kanina? Bakit hinayaan niya lang akong sumalampak sa sahig? Uh, hindi naman niya ako obligasyon.

"Lucifer, what are you doing here? You should stay in your dorm." Lilith said. Sa kaniya naman nabaling ang atensyon ng lalake.

Wait. Lilith and Lucifer? Isn't that Lucifer and Lilith are couples? Lilith is a devil and— oh my.

"Are you guys in a relationship?" Kace interrupted. The guy named Lucifer and Lilith glare at him. Same question, Kace. Mabuti at nandito ka.

Lucifer glance at Lilith and then met my eyes. I raised my eyebrow when he started to walk in my direction without cutting the stare. Hindi ako makaalis sa kinatatayuan ko hanggang sa makarating siya sa harapan ko. Akmang magsasalita siya nang may humigit sa kamay ko at inilagay niya ako sa kaniyang likod.

"Know your boundaries, dude. Not my girl," Huzein said. The latter just chuckled at him. Tumalikod ito at dahan-dahang naglakad saka muling ibinaling ang mukha sa amin.

"It's right, she's the target of scorpion." Panimula niya habang nakatingin sa akin. "Looking back, Tiffany—your sister— died. Mrs. Sylvia Castro died which is your adviser when you're in Grade ten. All the victims are your previous classmates. Isn't that obvious?  The murderer wants to play with you. He wants to destroy you emotionally."

Unti-unti siyang bumaling kay Lilith. "Lilith's bestfriend died because she stick her butt in. Binigyan ka niya ng letter kung saan namatay si ma'am Sylvia, right? In exchange, her one and only bestfriend died."

Napakunot ang noo ko. "Can you please introduce yourself first? You're talking as if you know everything what's happening. In my whole life staying here in Heilianthus University, I never saw your face, even your shadow. Tell me, who the fuck are you?"

He chuckled. "What a curse..." He whispered. He cleared his throat before answering. "I won't introduce myself, sooner or later you'll know who am I. The answer of your second question is yes, I know everything. I'm fully aware of what's happening. The last question, seek the answer to feed your curiosity. I'm not obligate to explain who am I to everyone."

Kace also step in. "If sticking your butt in this problem can cause one of your love ones life, why are you still helping us? Aren't you scared?"

For the nth time, Lucifer chuckled. Binaling niya ang kaniyang tingin kay Kace. "I'm not scared of dying." Maya-maya ay sinalubong niya ang aking tingin. "I'm doing this for her."

Akmang magsasalita na ako nang may sumigaw. "KACE! TRINITY! HUZEIN!" It's Alliana.

Hingal na hingal siyang lumapit sa amin habang may hawak-hawak na itim na envelope at may logo ng scorpion. Agad na lumukot ang mukha ko dahil sa nakita. As I remembered, nasa swimming pool area ang isang biktima base sa letter na ibigay.

"Hinahanap ko kayo kanina! Dumiretso na lang ako sa swimming pool area. Wala kasi kayo." Sabi niya at pinunasan ang mukha, tagaktak kasi ang pawis niya. "As I entered, madaming basura ang nakakalat. Lalo na 'yung puro bote ng softdrinks."

She paused and sat down on the floor. Ipinagpatuloy niya ang pagk-kwento habang kaming lahat ay nakikinig. "Nakakapagtaka nga, 'diba? Palaging malinis ang swimming pool pero ngayon madaming kalat. So as a vice president, nilinis ko 'yon without anyone's help" she proudly said.

"Then I found a bottle of mineral water with an envelope. Perahas nung nakita natin sa table mo, Kace?" Sabi niya. Nakita kong tumango si Kace sa gilid ng mata ko.

"Then... Doon ko lang naisip na baka nandoon si Agape Mendoza, a HUMMS student. Isa sa mga nabiktima ni Scorpion."

She paused for a while. "Naisip kong puntahan si ma'am Ria. Alam nating wala siya sa dean's office pero wala din siya sa teacher's dormitory. To my surprise, walang tao sa buong building ng teacher's dorm. Pati din sa ibang grade level. Wala."

"So it means..." Bulong ko. "Tayong grade twelve students lang ang nandito? But how? I mean, how did that happened? 'Diba bawal ngang lumabas dahil mamamatay?"

She nodded. "Yes. We all know that and same question in mind, Trinity."

I heard someone yawned. It's Lilith. "Isn't that obvious? Pinaalis niya ang lahat at itinira tayo dahil tayo ang gagawin niyang biktima. Like in the murderer's words, pipili siya sa atin ng tatlong kandidato at magbobotohan. Isa sa kanila ang mamamatay."

"I'm agree with you, Lilith," Huzein commented. "Pinaalis niya lahat ng students at teachers dahil tapos na niya ito pakinabangan. Or worst, baka pinatay niya din para mapabilis ang trabaho niya."

Lilith scoffed. "I thought you are a man with principles and obeys law? Look at you, a criminal mind? Woah, I shouldn't believe to you girlfriend." She said and glance at me.

"For the nth time, he's not my boyfriend. Stop imagining things which is not gonna happen." I said without emotions.

"I'm just stating the facts here, Lilith." Huzein fired back. Lilith playfully shrugged her shoulders. Bumaling naman si Huzein kay Alliana. "Continue."

Alliana cleared her throat. "So hinanap ko kayo, I can't contact Kace's phone kaya hinagilap ko kayo sa iba't ibang building hanggang sa makarating ako dito." Sabi niya at nakangiwing tumingin sa akin. "I heard Trinity's voice, so it leads me here."

Lucifer stepped in. "Did you search the entire swimming pool area? Or you just clean all the mess and when you saw a black envelope inside a bottle of mineral, you ran to teacher's dormitory, thinking that ma'am Ria can help you but you felt disappointment when you found she's nowhere. Until you decided to find this three instead. Which one?"

"Uh... 'Yun nga, parang ginawa mong english 'yung sinabi ko." Alliana replied. "Anyway, the second one. I'm scared to be alone searching to that victim. Malay ba nating ako isunod nung scorpion, 'diba? Maigi na may kasama ako. At least, hindi ako lonely kapag namatay." She said and laughed like it's the best joke ever.

Napatingin ako kay Lilith nang tumikhim ito. "Mr. President, can you lead us to swimming pool area?"

Nakita ko ang pagkalito ni Kace. Bahagya pang kumunot ang kaniyang noo. Nang tignan ito ng masama ni Lilith, he sighed and nodded.

Tahimik lang kaming nakasunod. Sa unahan ay magkatabi si Alliana at Kace. Sa pangalawa naman ay sina Lilith at Lucifer. Nasa dulo naman kami ni Huzein. Hawak-hawak niya ang braso ko habang pinagmamasdan ang paligid. Nang mahuli niyang nakatingin ako sa kaniya, ngumiti ito na para bang ayos lang ang lahat.

"Trinity..." Bulong niya sa akin. Sa kaniya naman nabaling ang atensyon ko.

"Hmm?"

"May hindi ka sinasabi sa akin," sabi niya at sumimangot pa. Maya-maya ay ngumiti ito. "Pero okay lang, baka... Baka ayaw mo lang sabihin, 'diba? It's okay, baka privacy lang."

Napakunot ang noo ko at bumaling sa kaniya. "Pinagsasabi mo?"

"Nothing, don't mind me. Kahit hindi mo sinabi na si Kace ang first kiss mo, okay lang. Baka kasi ayaw mong sabihin sa akin. It's okay. Even if he's your first kiss, sa akin ka pa naman din umuuwi. Okay na ako do'n. Hindi naman ako maghahangad ng mas higit pa doon kung 'yun lang kaya mong ibigay, 'diba? Though it breaks my heart a little, but it's your choice. Play with it, break it, keep it. It's for you to decide—"

"What the motherfucking fuck you want say?" Inis kong sabi. Dahil napalakas ang boses ko, napalingon sina Alliana at Kace sa amin at ang dalawa naman ay walang pakialam.

"I told you, don't mind it," he said with a soft voice. Narinig ko ang pang-aasar ni Alliana.

"Respeto guys, respeto. Look oh, may single dito! Ilugar niyo naman kung saan kayo maglalambingan, 'diba Trinity at Huzein?"

I rolled my eyes. "For the nth time, stop imagining things which is not gonna happen."

"I mean, Trinity. Bagay naman kayo 'diba? You and Huzein can be a perfect couple at maraming maiinggit sa inyo— aray, Kace! What was that for?!" She exclaimed. Hinawakan niya nag kaniyang brasong namumula. Halatang kinurot ito ni Kace.

Lucifer interrupted. "Unfortunately, the word "perfect" does not exist in this world. You can be the serotonin of your significant other at the same time, you can diagnose because of too much serotonin. The word "love" will never ever be associated with the word "perfect". Every relationship has a rocky journey so you're relationship will be stronger than before. Love is consist of choice, plans, future and everything except for the word perfect. Love is a battle, a war. There's no such a relationship has a perfect war—"

"Lucifer, learn to shut up sometimes. Walang connection ang sinasabi mo. Let them do whatever they want to do." Lilith interrupted.

"I'm just saying that there's no perfect in this world—"

"Just shut up, don't mind them, will you?" Lilith said. I can feel she's about to shout at Lucifer. The latter sighed. May binulong pa ito ngunit tanging si Lilith lang nakakarinig.

"I'm still curious, magkaano-ano kayo ni Lilith, Lucifer? Mukhang close kayo," Alliana changed the topic.

"You'll know sooner or later," Lilith said. Nakita kong may kinuha itong lollipop sa kaniyang bulsa at binuksan ito.

Dahil nasa pinakalikod kami, pwede ko silang pagmasdan habang nakatalikod. Una kong pinagmasdan ay si Lucifer na nasa harapan ko. I'm still confused, bakit Lucifer pangalan niya? Sigurado bang Lucifer pangalan niya o hindi? Maybe it's a nickname? Base on how he walks, may pagkakahalintulad siya kay Lilith. You can feel the chilling effect when you're near them.

A twin? Maybe. Sabi niya kanina, tanging grade twelve students lang ang natira dito. Maybe he's one of us. Pero anong track? He's not an ABM student. HUMMS? Bakit hindi siya kilala ni Huzein? STEM? Even Kace, hindi niya kilala ito.

"Are you interested at him?" Dinig kong bulong ni Huzein sa akin. Kunot-noo ko itong hinarap. "Uh... I see."

"Why do you say so?"

He tilted his head while looking at me. "The way you stare at him. It's like he's under test. Do you find him interesting? Or for you, he's still a mystery you want to unravel? A theory you want to be proven? A hard mathematical problem you want to solve? Maybe you want to know him more? Uh... It's okay if you don't answer one of my questions. You're not obligate to do it."

"'Yan ka na naman..." Bulong ko. I rolled my eyes before looking at him. "For the last time, stop imagining things which is not gonna happen. Romance is not for me and I know that."

"Yea, romance is not for you because I'm for you..." He whispered pero dinig ko pa din 'yon.

"Dream on, Huzein."

"You're the dream, Trinity." He replied. "Okay... I'm not J word anymore."

Maya-maya ay nakarating na kami sa swimming pool area. Gaya nga ng sinabi ni Alliana, may ba ditong nakakalat na mga bote. Itinuro niya pa kung saam niya nilagay ang mga basura at kung saan niya nakita yung letter.

"Hiwa-hiwalay tayo," Huzein said. "Me and Trinity and Lilith will roam around the first floor. The rest, on the second floor."

"What? What am I? Third wheel? Geez!" Lilith exclaimed. "Lucifer, let's exchange. Go with them, I'll go with this useless president together with his vice president."

"What did you say? Useless?" Kace stepped in. Lilith just chuckled. "If you want to exchange, then let's exchange."

"Kace! Sama ka sa akin, 'wag mo 'ko iwan d'yan sa dalawang 'yan." Alliana pleaded and later cleared her throat. "Guys, don't you ever think I like Kace. Ayoko lang maiwan sa dalawang 'yan. Baka kasi paghiwalayin nila 'yung kaluluwa ko. They're presence is—ugh! I can't describe the feeling! Parang nasa horror movie ka pero naka VIP." Alliana said and laughed. I also chuckled. She's right. "Bagay pala pangalan niyo sa inyo, pang dem—" nahinto ito nang panlisikan ni Lilith ng mata. "Demiante! I mean Diyamante! Yea, right."

"So everything's cleared?" Huzein asked. Lahat naman kami ay tumango. Akmang magsisimula na kaming maghalughog sa buong area nang bumukas ng marahas ang pinto. It's Valerie. Hinihingal pa siyang lumapit sa akin.

"Si... Si..." She said between her breath.

Lahat kami ay pinalibutan siya habang siya naman ay nakatingin sa akin. "Say it slowly, okay?" I said.

"Si... Si..." She said. Her tears starts to flow. Nanginginig pa ang kaniyang mga labi. Her hands are trembling. I wiped her cheeks and encourage her to say something. Mukhang mabigat ang sasabihin niya base sa reaksyon ng kaniyang katawan.

The next thing she uttered the words that I didn't see it coming.

"AIZEL IS OUT OF NOWHERE."