Chapter 24: Top Speed

Pagdating ko sa Athena ay lunch break na nila. Kahit pinigilan ako ni Gray na umalis, I never listened. Kailan ba ako nakinig? I always put myself into danger, yep. I am aware of what danger I am putting myself into.

I presented my ID at nagkunwaring mag-iinquire sa loob ng Athena kaya agad akong pinapasok ng security guard. For the second time I regretted wearing my uniform dahil naging sanhi iyon upang mapatingin ang lahat ng estudyante sa akin. Some were wondering what a Bridle Student like me doing in Athena and some just don't care at all. I scanned my eyes on the cafeteria but there was no sign of Zywon. I was about to leave when I heard a voice calling out my name.

"Amber!"

Napalingon ako sa isang babaeng lumapit sa akin. Her face is familiar, probably a classmate of mine noong naging exchange student ako. I just cannot remember what her name is.

"Hey!", I replied and think of what could be her name. Sino nga ba ang babaeng ito? Ah! They cannot blame me if I do not know their names. After all, iilan lamang sa kanila ang nagpakilala sa akin at nakipagkaibigan.

"Do you still remember me?", she asked and I gently nodded. I remember her face but not her name. "It's me, Mara."

Right. Mara. The rude girl who threw me a crumpled paper at pinagtanggol naman ako ni Zywon. Why does she sound so friendly now? "Hello Mara."

"Teka, hinahanap mo ba si Khael?"

Umiling ako. "No. Actually it's- Zywon."

Unti-unting tumaas ang kilay niya ngunit saglit lamang iyon. I heard whispers from the other girls in the cafeteria which has me as the poor subject.

"Ang landi talaga niya. Dati si Gray!"

"Oo nga, tapos si Khael."

"Ngayon naman si Zywon. Grabe siya!"

"I hate her existence!"

"She's not even pretty!"

Wow. Hindi man lamang sila nag-abalang hinaan ang mga boses nila para hindi ko sila marinig. Baka naman sinadya talaga nilang iparinig iyon sa akin.

"Look Mara, I'm not here to flirt with him. I need to talk with Zywon about-". Wait. Why am I even explaining myself to her? "Business. I have a business with him."

"He's in his personal space at kapag nandoon siya ay ayaw niya ng disturbo. You know him", she said and sounded like she's his bodyguard. Pfft.

"Look, I really need to talk to him." I'm getting impatient. Baka ano mang oras ngayon ay maihampas ko na sa kanya ang dala kong bag. I counted three at pinigilan ang sarili ko. I turned to my back at akmang aalis ng cafeteria nang magsalita si Mara.

"Nasa rooftop siya ng Demeter Bldg. If he will get mad because of you invading his resting time, don't blame us because we warned you beforehand", wika niya sa akin. I nodded at agad na pumunta sa Demeter Bldg. I'm sure natutulog na naman si Zywon. Madalas nga niyang gawin iyon sa klase, sa free time pa kaya?

The door towards the rooftop was locked from behind. Sinipa ko iyon upang tuluyang mabuksan. I found Zywon lying on the side, malapit sa tanke na naroon. Hindi mainit sa bahaging iyon ng rooftop that's why he was comfortably lying there.

"I don't need entertainer right now because I need to sleep. Umalis ka na bago ako makaisip ng kaukulang parusa sa pagsira mo sa pinto", I heard him say. Nakapikit siya at nasa likod ng ulo ang dalawang kamay habang nakahiga doon, enjoying the peacefulness of the surrounding.

"Sorry to disappoint you but I am not one of your entertainers", I said in a firm voice. Magkapatid talaga sila ni Ryu! If Ryu got bitches, Zywon got entertainers. Geez! They're one hell of a brothers! Paano ba nagkaanak si Mommy ng mga katulad nila?!

He lazily sat at bahagyang kinusot ang mata. His one eye was open samantalang nakapikit pa ang isa. His hair was a complete mess but it doesn't make him less gorgeous. Hindi rin maayos ang pagkakasuot ng uniform niya. I can say that Zywon is one of those bad boy types na kinatatakutan ng mga taga-Athena.

"What are you doing here?", he asked. Ni hindi man lamang siya nagulat na makita ako dito. Hey Zy, I travelled two hours just to come here and see you. Could he at least act like he recognize my presence?

"Na-miss kasi kita kaya pinuntahan kita", I said sarcastically and smirked at him. Inirapan niya lamang ako at muling ipinikit ang dalawang mata pero hindi na siya muling nahiga, sa halip ay sumandal na lamang siya sa pader.

"I'm not buying that crap Just Amber", he said.

"I need to talk to you about the notebook that you stole from me before", wika ko.

"How many times do I have to tell you that I lost it? Ano bang mahirap intindihin- fck!" He opened his eyes and glared at me after I threw the notebook right into his face. "Bakit nasa iyo ulit ito?"

"Binigay ng langit."

"Again, I am not buying that crap. Binasa mo ba ito?", he asked at tumayo.

"No. Not yet", I said and shook my head.

"Good. That means you don't know what's inside and will not do stupid stunts again. I will keep this o kaya ay itatapon ko na ito. Let's just wait for a miracle na maaring magpabagsak sa kanila."

What the hell?! Hindi ako nagpunta dito upang ibigay sa kanya ang notebook para lang itapon niya! I came for to ask for his help. His alliance!

"No! You need to help me! Pwede tayong humingi ng tulong sa kaukulan!"

"No."

Naramdaman ko ang pag-usbong ng galit sa dibdib ko. Is this his way to tell me to give up in chasing the organization?! No! Hindi maaari! I think that's the only reason why I continue breathing. I cannot just die without trying to avenge Dad at sa lahat ng naging biktima nila!

"You will not help me?!"

"Bakit kita tutulungan? I have done my purpose. I have my Mom back. Kahit nawala ang kinikilala kong ina, I think revenge does no good. Iyan ang sabi sa akin ng isang babaeng mahilig makialam dati and if I remembered it right, her name is Just Amber."

I got it. Hindi niya ako tutulungan dahil doon. Wala siyang mapapala kung tutulong siya sa akin. That's how he sees it, right?

"Funny how the tables turn Just Amber. Dati, I was the one who badly wants to revenge while you pester me with all your words of wisdom but now, we have change seats. Shall I give you your words then?", he said at pinaypay sa sarili ang Death notebook ni Phobie.

I roll my eyes at him. Yup, lesson learned. I shouldn't have said those words before. Ang dali lang sabihin ng mga iyon dati dahil wala ako sa sitwasyon. Now that I experienced it, ang hirap pala. I was acting too confidently before pero kapag nasa sitwasyon ka pala, all your logical thoughts regarding revenge will be forgotten at ang kagustuhang makapaghiganti ang mangingibabaw.

Lumapit ako sa kanya at akmang kukunin ang notebook. "Ang dami mo pang sinasabi. Give me back that notebook kung ayaw mo akong tulungan! I can look for another person to help me!"

Hahablutin ko na sana ang notebook ngunit agad niyang itinaas iyon but Zywon is tall compared to me kaya hindi ko iyon maabot. He's damn tall and has long fingers. Tall guys with long finger also has long- never mind. Shouldn't listen to Andi next time.

"Ikaw ang nagbigay nito and I can't give it back to you. Sorry."

Umakyat ang dugo sa ulo ko. How dare him! I badly need that notebook. Oo na, kasalanan ko kung bakit inihagis ko iyon sa kanya. But I only thought that he is willing to help. Hindi ko nama alam na nagka-change of heart na pala siya at wala ng balak na pabagsakin ang Genesis.

"Give that back to me!"

"Kung maaabot mo." He was raising his hand holding the notebook samantalang nakapamulsa naman ang kabilang kamay nito.

"Akin na sabi!"

He was smirking at me and I have reached my boiling point. Inipon ko ang natitirang lakas ko na unti-unting nawala dahil sa inis. I gave it all and hit him somewhere where it hurts the most using my knees at bigla na lamang siyang napamura at humawak doon.

"Shit! How dare you?! Sa lahat ba naman ng pwede mong tuhurin?!" Yes Zywon. Say goodbye to your future babies. Bye!

Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin na para bang anong minuto ngayon ay lalapain niya ako. Now that I noticed it, he got a scary glare like Ryu. I thought it would last longer but he withdrew with a big sigh.

"Fine, how may I help Your Highness?" I can hear the sarcasm in his voice but I shove it away.

"Let's read the notebook together and see what we can do", wika ko. I grabbed the notebook from him at madali ko iyong nagawa. I sat on the spot where he was lying a while ago but he didn't move at nanatili lamang doon sa kinatatayuan niya. He was staring at me like he was thinking very hard.

"What?" I asked, feeling uneasy with his stare.

"You want to stay here with me?", he unbelievably asked.

"Yes, why? We can read this notebook. Together."

I saw him trying to suppress a smirk. "Whoah. I had this feeling."

"Feeling?"

"Yeah. Feeling."

"Feeling that?"

"That you had a crush on me. Is that why you travel all the way here Your Highness?" I wanna puke on what he said. Wow. Overflowing self confidence. Daig pa niya si Math.

"In your dreams."

Napalabi siya at padabog na umupo sa tabi ko. "I'm just joking Just Amber."

"Am I suppose to laugh?"

"No need", he said and grabbed the notebook. Seriously? Ang haba na ng nagdaang oras ngunit wala pa kaming nagagawa kundi ang maghablutan ng notebook na ito. I looked at him closely at napansin ang pasa sa gilid ng labi niya. Hindi pa rin nagbabago si Zywon, palagi na lamang may pasa- probably he got those for being a jerk. Maybe gang fights o kung anong kabulastugan niya.

"Anong nangyari dito?", I asked at pinisil ang pasa niya.

He mumbled a curse at tinabig ang kamay ko. "Wala. Wag mo nang alamin."

"Did you get that through gang fights? Baka naman dahil ulit sa Genesis? Nambastos ka ba ng babae kaya sinapak ka? Nadisgrasya sa karera?" Uh. Okay the last one was off. Hindi ganoon ang pasa ng nadisgrasya.

"Nice try but none of the above. Nagsuntukan kami ni Ryu."

"Ryu? Ng Kuya mo?" I wanna laugh at it. Ano kaya ang reaksyon ni Ryu kapag tinawag namin siyang Kuya? He's 22 and three years older than me. I'm sure he hates it.

"I guess that's him", sagot niya. Hindi ba sila close? I mean ang pagka-bitter ni Ryu ay dahil sa pangungulila sa Mommy at kapatid niya so he must be delighted to know his little brother which is Zywon.

"Nagsuntukan kayo?"

"Yeah, why do you sound like you can't believe it? Hindi ba kami pwedeng magsuntukan?"

"May sinabi ba akong ganyan? It's just that Ryu has been finding you all this time. I'm surprise to know he hit you. I thought all he would do is to hug and kiss you", I replied and picture out a sweet Ryu. Yikes. Hindi yata bagay.

"That's impossible. I got this bruise when we played DOTA at natalo ko siya", sagot niya.

"DOTA? Dahil lamang sa laro, nagsapakan kayo?!" I can't believe it! What had became to the world.

"Ryu is very egoistic man. He is Apollo the hacker, computer prodigy and everything kaya hindi niya lubusang matanggap na matalo ko siya. A computer prodigy lose against a commoner, that's news right?", he smiled widely na tila ba natutuwa siya habang kinukwento iyon.

"But you're not a commoner, you are Trojan, a prodigy like him." Yep, even if he is not the legendary Trojan, he is still Trojan.

"But he doesn't know that."

"Then that's cheating! Hindi alam iyon ni Ryu and you took advantage on that!", I hissed. Wait, nilalabanan ko ba ang devil na iyon?

"I know but it's not what ignited the fire. Actually, it was you."

Bigla akong napakunot-noo. "Ako?", I asked, pointing myself.

"Yeah."

"Paano nangyaring ako?"

"I told him I'm wasting time playing DOTA at mas gusto ko pang pumunta sa karera. I said I'd like to invite you again and he asked how the race so I told him the truth. Pagkatapos ay sinabi niyang wag kang isama but I protested and said it's not your first time. And the next thing is a blur plus sounds of breaking object. But don't worry, we're fine now."

What? Ako? Baka namali lamang ng pagkaintindi si Zywon. Maybe Ryu doesn't want him to join drag races dahil delikado iyon but Zywon misunderstood it like Ryu is concern to me. Tama. Baka ganyan nga. Imposible naman kasing concern si Ryu sa kaligtasan ko! Kulang na nga lamang ay magpatayan kaming dalawa. Duh.

"Huh! Concern lang sa iyo ang kapatid mo kaya ganoon yun. And there's no way I will go to a race again with you! Not again. NEVER!!"

***

Hindi ito ang unang beses na hindi ko sinunod ang sinabi ko. There was a time I promised myself that I will never eat chocolates at night dahil madalas ay nakakatulog ako nang hindi nakakapag-toothbrush at nasira ang ngipin ko but still I ate chocolates at night. When I was younger too, I promised myself na HINDING-HINDI na ako iihi sa kama dahil nakakahiya. But then I found myself wanted to pee in the middle of the night pero natatakot ako kaya umiihi na lamang ako sa kama. My point? Hindi pa ako nagbabago, even if I swear my NEVER to my grandparent's grave ay ginagawa ko pa rin. Like how I swear never go to a race with Zywon.

Malalim na ang gabi nang lumabas ako kanina ng dorm. The lights were off at tulog na halos ang mga naroon nang dahan-dahan akong bumaba sa dorm. I made sure that no one noticed me when I sneak out of the dorm. I ran towards the backdoor kung saan naririnig ko ang ingay ng motor ni Zywon. He was wearing an all-black outfit under his black leather jacket. Pretty attire for an onlooker. Nakasuot rin siya ng itim na cap. When he looked at me ay bigla na lamang siyang natawa.

"What's funny?", I asked nang hinagod niya ako ng tingin. Nakakatawa ba ang sinuot ko? Pinag-isipan ko ng mabuti ang isusuot ko and now all he can do is laugh?

He ran his gaze down to me. I was wearing a black tattered fitted jeans at puting tank top. Pinatungan ko iyon ng itim din na leather jacket. To complete the look, I wore a black converse shoes.

"Nothing. I just noticed that you will not stand out this time unlike the first time", wika niya sa akin. I frown when I remembered it. Yep, I really stood out because I was the only one who was deviant. Iba ang suot ko sa suot ng mga naroon.

"Masama ba ang suot ko?", I asked worriedly. Siguro naman may panahon pa para makapagbihis ako.

"No, no. You look g-good. But what's with the bag?" Napakunot ang noo niya nang makita ang maliit at itim na backpack ko.

"I brought the notebook."

"What? Iwan mo yan!"

"No!" I met his dark piercing eyes at siya ang unang nag-iwas siya ng tingin. Baka maulit muli ang nangyari sa Athena na nawala ang notebook nang iwan ko saglit. Muli niyang pinatunog ang makina ng kanyang motor. "Halika na, I don't want to miss the special race tonight."

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa at sumampa na lamang sa likuran niya. I know that we are heading towards an illegal street racing pero sumama pa rin ako sa kanya. Well this bastard blackmailed me again kanina! He said he will only help me if I come to the race with him tonight. Mabuti na lamang at hindi siya kasali ngayon.

When we reached the place ay parang wala iyong pinagbago. Only that there are more people this time at mas maingay ang tugtog ng musika na nakasalang. Nagkalat pa rin ang mga tao sa paligid, with girls only wearing inner clothes. Halos lahat din ng naroon ay may hawak na pera at bote ng beer at iba pang mga nakakalasing na alak. When Zywon pulled his motorcycle on the side ay napatingin ang lahat sa amin. I know he's famous in this world kaya hindi na nakapagtatakang makakuha kami ng atensyon. Two girls ran towards our side at may dala silang mga bote ng beer. The girls kissed him on the cheek at ibinigay sa kanya ang mga bote ng beer at kumapit sa braso niya.

"I'm sorry girls but I have a company", wika niya at tiningnan ako. Tinapunan naman ako ng dalawang babae ng masamang tingin and I return them their glares. They scowled at me bago muling humalik sa pisngi ni Zywon at umalis.

"Paano mo nadiskubre ang lugar na ito? This place is wasted", I asked habang iginagala ang paningin sa paligid. It looks wasted. Everyone there looks like they are wasted. Daig pa ng lugar na iyon ang mga night club na napapanuod ko sa mga palabas.

"Internet. That's what I thought before too. This place is wasted pero habang tumatagal ay nagugustuhan ko na ang lugar na ito. Hindi mo kailangang magkunwari dito. You can show who you really are here and no one will judge you because no one cares. And I guess that's better."

Hindi na ako sumagot pa dahil papalapit sa amin ang isang gwapo at matangkad na lalaki. He wasn't smiling but when he stopped in front of us ay agad niyang binati si Zywon. They did a fist bump and tapped each other's shoulders.

"Shift."

"Zy", wika naman ng lalaki. "I suggest that you should leave this place dahil darating ang mga pulis mamaya."

Zywon let out a chuckle. "I know your visions doesn't fail Shift but I cannot miss this opportunity. I cannot miss to see Cobalt race."

"That dude is fucked up. Do not race with him, you know that he manipulates", sagot ng lalaki na tinawag ni Zywon na Shift. Tinapunan niya ako ng tingin pero wala man lamang siyang reaksyon. "I have to go. Just be watchful."

Nagpaalam ito kay Zywon at agad na umalis. Sinundan ko naman siya ng tingin hanggang sa sumampa ito sa isang motor at pinaharurot iyon palayo.

"Sorry hindi man lamang kita naipakilala. That's Shift and he's weird but we're friends", wika ni Zywon at muli ay hindi na ako nakasagot dahil may lumapit na lalaki sa amin.

"Z", wika ng lalaki. "You brought this girl again. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, she's your passenger when you beat Bruno." Ngumiti siya sa akin at sinuklian ko naman iyon. Unlike Shift, this guy is friendlier.

"Yes, that's her Seb", wika ni Zywon. "I won't bet tonight at manunuod lang ako." Napasin kong maraming dalang pera si Seb kaya marahil siya ang nangongolekta ng pera para sa pustahan.

"Walang problema", he replied at hinarap ako. "Maari ko bang malaman ang pangalan mo magandang binibini?"

Inilahad ko ang palad ko sa kanya at agad na ngumiti. "My name's -"

"Hebe", singit ni Zywon. "Her name is Hebe." He gave me a look na para bang sinasabi na sumakay na lamang ako sa sinabi niya. Hebe? Kailan pa naging Hebe ang pangalan ko?

"Yes. My name is Hebe." Nakangiting tinanggap naman ng lalaki ang palad ko.

"Seb. Alam mo bang masama ang reputasyon nitong si Z sa mga babae. Be careful", he said half joking. Sinagot ko siya ng ngiti at tinulak na ito ni Zywon palayo.

"Go away Seb. Wag mo akong siraan sa kanya", he said and Seb laughed bago nagpaalam. Pumunta ito sa iba pang mga naroon at nakipag-usap.

"Hebe huh?"

"Do not just give your name to anyone. Always remember that", wika niya at hinila ako sa isang kotse na nakaparada doon. Pinaupo niya ako sa hood niyon at tumabi sa akin.

"Bakit naman Hebe?"

"That's the name of the Greek goddess of eternal youth. Naisip kong bagay sa iyo ang pangalan na iyan. You're young but racked with all worries of life than most youth at your age. I think that name suit you well and I believe, despite all that has happened, you can renew yourself into your youthful state just like that goddess", sagot niya. I felt my heart leaped a little.

Tama si Zywon. Youth at my age mostly worry about what clothes to wear, what hairstyle fit them o kaya ay kung ano ang maaring i-post na status sa facebook. At least that's what most normal youth worry about. But me? I worry about revenge. About the organization and others. Am I even normal?

Hindi na ako nagkomento pa ang ibinaling na lamang sa paligid ang paningin. "You're not racing tonight right? Pero bakit dinala mo ako dito?"

Itunukod niya ang dalawang kamay sa likod. "I want to see Cobalt race."

"Yan din ang sinabi mo kay Seb kanina. You can watch him without me", I said.
Ano bang pakialam ko kung gusto niyang panuorin si Cobalt?

"And I'm sure you want to see him race too", he said with a half smile. Napakunot ang noo ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Bigla na lamang umingay ang paligid at nagsigawan ang mga tao. I can hear shouts of the people at ingay ba mula sa mga motorsiklo na naroon. Mukhang magsisimula na ang karera.

"Wala akong pakialam kay Cobalt. If you like him, edi gusto mo siya. Do not expect me to like your idols too", irap ko sa kanya.

"He's not my idol", he said. "Sabihin na lamang natin na ito ang unang hakbang sa pagtulong ko sa iyo over the organization."

"Unang hakbang?"

He nodded and turned his looks on the people in front. I think they are the one who will race tonight. Napatingin din ako doon at nagulat na lamang ako kung sino ang nakita ko na nasa harap at tila demonyong nakangisi habang nakasakay sa kanyang motor.

Lowie Mondino.

Bigla na lamang akong napatayo at tinuro ito. "Hey, that's -"

"That's Cobalt or Lowie Mondino. Bahagi siya ng Genesis diba? I think we can ask him tonight."

I found myself covered with rage. Ilang araw pa lamang nang muntikan na niya kaming patayin ni Khael! My hands formed into a fist and I was shivering with anger. Hinawakan ni Zywon ang kamay ko at muli ako pinaupo sa tabi niya.

"Chill Just Amber. Approach him later pagkatapos ng karera", wika niya. Somehow I felt relaxed at napaupo na lamang doon ngunit hindi pa rin mawala ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso ko dahil sa galit. I can hear the screams of the people when the race finally started, the speedsters including Lowie raced in top speed.

#

-ShinichiLaaaabs