"Weary hearts, yet by day's end, things will become lighter." 

Chapter 7

Protect

I sincerely hope that this was merely a nightmare. A horror that transforms into a wonderful dream. I want those foolish bullies to transform into crows. I am an archer with extensive experience shooting bows and arrows.

I can feel his warmth and tight grasp, which gives me comfort.

The man embraced me even harder, like if he didn't want to let go and was just thinking about protecting me.

Hindi pa rin tumitigil ang pambabato ng mga kapwa ko estudyante. Malalakas na tawanan at ang iba pa ay nagsigawan na parang walang makakarinig sa kanila.

Those bullies really boiled my blood. And I really want to crush them using my bare hands.

"Students!" A loud noise came from a megaphone that echoed around the hallway.

"Run!" The students who threw things at us shouted, and I heard their footsteps walking away.

The man loosened his hug and quickly turned his back on me. Hindi ko man lang siyang nagawang sundan. At kahit 'yong mukha niya, hindi ko man lang nasilayan.

That was unexpected!

I looked around and noticed broken raw eggs, flour, tomatoes, and cut potatoes spread on the floor.

Really? Patatas? Ipangtatapon nila? What a waste!

Another cliché scenario in a narrative. Bullying the main character while being protected by a mysterious face. What about the end game? The protagonist and protector will remain together.

Benefits of being a writer. I am able to predict what will happen around me or how my own tale will unfold, but I know life will surprise me with an unexpected turn of events.

I only shook my head, glancing down the corridor.

At bakit hindi ko ba kasi hindi hinabol 'yong nagtanggol sa akin? Another cliche scene that will lead to another cliché happening.

This sort of scenario in stories is uninteresting; I need to adjust the plot. I hurriedly pulled my hair in a ponytail and took a deep breath before running in the direction of the man who had previously saved me.

And yeah, I have to admit it. I looked like a fool as I sprinted down the hallway, looking at the backs of the men I passed. I was even slowed down by several who were facing me.

Also, because my thoughts had been occupied earlier, I didn't look at the man's face. All I know is that he is taller than myself since my face was on my chest previously, which implies that I am quite short.

I continue to run. I'm also a little out of breath after running too long. The university is also incredibly huge; it appears that you may need a motorbike to navigate around the entire campus.

Also, because I wanted to meet the man who had defended me, I sped up my pace.

 When I looked around again, I wasn't expecting what happened next.I stumbled upon a hard obstacle.

I just rubbed my forehead to relieve the ache. And just as I predicted, another cliche situation occurred. When I raised my eyes, they widened just as they had when I spotted him. He wasn't wearing a vest, just a white polo shirt and a red necktie. His hair is also a little tangled, and there are beads of sweat on his brow. Wait! Don't tell me he's the person who helped earlier.

Is this real? Don't tell me, siya, 'yong sinabihan ko ng knight in shining armour ko?

Sakto rin ang description ko sa kanya dahil hanggang dibdib lang din ako sa kanya at may naamaoy rin akong kakaiba sa kanya.

Okay, no more cliche things will happen. If I can confront him, I will do so. The world is too full of the same tale plots. I need to alter the story's flow.

"Mr. Sanchez, ikaw ba 'yong yumakap sa akin kanina?" I asked without hesitation, and it just came out straight from my mouth.

Confusion was painted on his adorable face. And I really find him... cute.

And I hate it. Bakit? He really looked like an idiot sometimes, but why am I adoring him?

Never mind.

"What? Anong yumakap?" He asked. His eyebrows met and he made Chinito eyes.

"Yes. I was about to be the main target of the bullies a while ago, and someone just hugged me. Para protektahan," I answered. This is where I got annoyed when his face suddenly changed. From confused to diffused.

This was followed by a burst of insulting laughter. His teeth were visible, and it was obvious that he only laughed to insult me. And I really find it annoying.

It was only after a few moments when he noticed that I wasn't moving, and he was also stunned.

"W-Wait---Hahahaha!" Okay! That's it. Nakakainsulto na talaga siya. Hinayaan ko na lamang siya at ipagpapatuloy na lamang ang paghahanap.

I hadn't even gone far when he spoke again.

"Seriously, Ms. Malcom? Talaga bang aasa ka na may gagawa no'n para sa'yo? Sa hitsura mong 'yan? Aasa kang may papatol sa'yo?" Pangangantyaw niya. But that doesn't hurt me that much. I know I don't have beauty to die for because I have unique features. I don't have the qualities that men are looking for. But the good thing is, I love myself even though I am not blessed with beauty.

Pimples ko pa lang, wala ng panama ang ganda nila. Dahil ang pimples ko ay bukod tangi sa lahat.

And I don't care if he says some bullshit to me just to offend me. That won't matter, although it does depend on the situation. Because nasty remarks can have an impact on me when I'm not in the mood or going through a difficult situation. So perhaps I wasn't hurt by what he said since I was used to such words. Kaya kiber na lang.

I sighed, "If you think, Mr. Sanchez, you can insult me with your words, then you're wrong! Kung hindi ako maganda sa paningin mo. P'wes! Magdusa ka na lagi mong makikita 'tong mukha ko sa pang-araw-araw na pagpunta mo sa eskwelahan. I won't adjust for you. Dahil ang gandang meron ako ay hindi para sa mga mat among mapanlait. I was born rare, and no one can beat my own beauty!" I said proud and loud. I even swayed my hair to annoy him.

Bakit ba kasi minsan hindi ko maintindihan sarili ko? Kung ano-anong pinagsasabi ko, hindi maayos na nasasabi kung anong nasa isip ko kapag nakikipag-sgutan na ako. Basta na lang may masabi.

Dali-dali akong umalis sa kanyang harapan, kasi naiirita na ako sa pagmumukha niya.

Tinakbo ko na ang daan papunta ng room. Wala na akong pake sa paninitig ng mga estudyante sa akin.

Nakaka-inis talaga ang ibang tao dahil sa pagmumukha pa lang nila ay kukulo na ang dugo mo. At sa kaso ng gagong, 'yon ay hindi lang kukulo ang dugo mo sa kanya, kundi manggagalaiti ka rin sa inis dahil sa presensya niya.

The class continued, and I heaved a sigh of relief because no idiotic Mendeelev was present. Kaya nawala ang inis at pagkulo ng dugo ko.

The class proceeded well, so I was able to pay close attention to the teacher's instruction. The entire class concluded, and I had to leave fast due to my work. Fortunately, Levinne did not annoy me all afternoon. We were both headed to the restaurant. He was dressed in our uniform, but I was still in my school uniform because the lavatory was overcrowded earlier. It was almost entirely populated by ladies who spent their time painting their faces.

Magkahalong kulay kahel at asul na ang kalangitan hudyat na magda-dapit hapon na. Sa sobrang nakakabinging katahimikan sa pagitan namin, mabuting binasag iyon ni Levinne dahil mapapanis na ang laway ko rito.

"Pansin ko pala ay nag-away pala kayo ni Mendeeleev. Bakit?" Levinne broke the silence.Paano mo nalaman?" I frowned at his question.

"Siyempre, naabutan ko kayo sa hallway kanina. Grabe, ang intense ng sagutan niyo. Pero below the belt naman kasi 'yong sinabi niya sa iyo." Saad nito, napatingin ako sa nilalakaran namin dahil kanina pa ako nakayuko habang naglalakad. Umaasa pa naman akong may piso man lang akong makita kakayuko ko.

"Alam mo ba? 'Yon 'yong sabi ni Mr. Sanchez sa akin kahapon. Ako raw ang huli niyang pag-asa dahil ang gagong 'yon ay isang rebelde sa kanilang pamilya!" There is an emphasis on every word I say. Levinne looked at me in shock while covering his mouth.

"Y-you mean... N-NPA?" There is fear in the voice. 'Nak ng! Napaka-OA ng reaction niya, ah.

"Alam mo ang g'wapo mo, pero minsan ang lala mo rin mag-isip. Hindi rebelde na nagtatago sa kabundukan. Rebelde sa kanilang pamilya ang sinasabi ko. More like a black sheep of the family. My gosh, Levinne!"

"You should complete your words. Iba kasi minsan ang pumapasok sa isip ko."

"What?" Kunot noo kong tanong dito. "Anong bang gusto mong ipagsabi, Mr. Levinne?"

"Nevermind. Teka nga! Balik tayo sa sinasabi mong pag-re-rebelde ni Mendeelev. What about his dad?"

"'Yon nga kasi. Sabi ni Mr. Sanchez, wala siyang pake kung kakalabanin ko raw si Mendeelev. Kahit pisikalang gantihan, okay lang sa papa niya. Baka raw kasi ako ang makakapagpabago sa gagong 'yon!" May angas kong sabi dahil iba sa pakiramdam na may basbas sa ama ang gagawing pagganti sa anak.

"Oh, so you're going to fight him with your might? What if he'll fight you back? What will you do, Ms. Fighter?"

"Okay lang masaktan ako. Kasangga ko naman papa ni Mendeelev. Edi, libre gastos sa hospital 'pag bumulagta akong walang malay."

"Gosh, Sienna, bakit mo ba gagawin 'to?! Are you an idiot? Ano bang makukuha mo if ever gulpihin ka ng Sanchez na 'yon?"

"Pasa... bugbog... at galos, Ganern!"

"At proud ka pa talaga sa sagot mo? You're totally insane. Pa-check-up ka na, ha. Ang lala na ng tama sa'yo ni Mr. Sanchez."

"Yuck! Never!"! "I waved my hands in the air. "As in never! I will never like that guy." Nilakasan ko pa talaga ang huling sinabi ko parang nuot hanggang buto ang pandidiri sa kanya.

Levinne just laughed at what I said. And damn! He's also too cute when he chuckles with my crackhead moments while we're walking.

Nagpatuloy ang kulitan namin sa daan hanggang sa marating namin ang resto. I must say, Levinne is also a crazy guy. Hindi boring kasama dahil magaling din magbitaw ng jokes. Pero wala pa ring tatalo sa ka-kornihan ko.

We had been working, so we don't talk much till our shift ends. There are numerous customers, and I am relieved that my cooking skills are much faster than before. I also enjoy the energy in the kitchen. Everyone already knows that I spoke with Mr. Sánchez. I informed them when we finished working, but not about the agreement we had made.

Everyone planned to drink at a nearby beerhouse after our conversation, but Levinne and I declined because we have no interest in alcohol.

Even the smell of alcohol causes discomfort. 'Besides, I have no intention of becoming a drinker without money when I arrive home. Perhaps my good-old sister will kick me out.

I took a Jeep home. After a long day, I immediately lay down in bed. I even spotted Kuya Siello watching a documentary about Egypt's buried mummies.

Dinner arrived on the table, and it was adobo, leaving us with only the legs and neck. And it was evident that Kuya Siello only chose meat for dinner. He is obviously greedy for chicken.

I feel the softness and warmth of my mattress. Napapikit pa ako sa sarap dahil napaka-relaxing ng feeling.

I immediately got up when I remembered something.

I quickly grabbed my laptop and turned it on. The moment the wallpaper flashed on the screen, a smile formed on my lips, seeing the happy faces of my siblings when Mama was still alive.

I want to see those smiles again.

I stopped smiling when a message appeared on my screen from... My eyes narrowed to make it apparent who was sending the message. Wait! Is this real? Is this real?

Is this a publishing house message?

Oh my God!

I jumped with joy and shouted like there was no tomorrow.

"My stories have been noticed! I'm going to be a published author!"

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