KABANATA 1

The whole C City is shrouded with dark clouds and blanketed with gentle rain. It's currently the last day of school and the grade 12 students were all excited for their upcoming commencement exercises.

But in contrast to the bright and enthusiastic atmosphere, someone sitting at the last row is feeling sick. No one noticed him because he tried to lessen his presence.

Nanginginig ang katawan ni Ethan at nanlalamig ang kanyang mga kamay at paa. He is covered with cold sweat. Sa bawat paghinga niya ay nararamdaman niya ang bahagyang pananakit ng kanyang katawan.

“Alright guys, sana makuha niyo ang mga dream courses and dream job niyo someday. I really hope na may na pick-up kayo sa lahat ng tinuro ko. See you all sa darating na graduation. Class dismissed,” sambit ni Alpas—the youngest teacher ng City C Institute.

Nag-ingay ang buong mag-aaral at pagkatapos nilang magligpit ng kanilang gamit, isa-isa silang lumabas.

Pagkalipas ng ilang segundo, nakalabas na ang lahat. Tumayo si Ethan ng biglaan at tila isa itong maling desisyon dahil muntikan na siyang bumagsak sa sahig. Mabuti na lamang at nakahawak siya sa pader.

Panandaliang nandilim ang kanyang mga mata at nanlalambot ang kaniyang katawan.

Napatingala si Alpas at nakita niya si Ethan na namumutla.

“Ethan? What's wrong?” Alpas asked softly while approaching him.

Ethan sniffed—a sweet and fresh oranges scent entered his nostrils. He somehow gained a bit of strength and he used that to stand up straight. Medyo magkasing-tangkad sila ni Alpas pero mas matangkad ng konti si Ethan kay Alpas.

“N-nothing, sir. Ayos lang po ako,” sabi ni Ethan, medyo nanginginig pa ang kanyang boses.

Alpas frowned, nararamdaman niya na may mali sa kanyang estudyante. “Sigurado ka ba?” tanong niya habang hindi niya maiwasan na mag-alala.

“Opo,” Ethan said politely habang kinukuha niya ang kanyang backpack.

Ethan forced a smile to reassure Alpas. Isinukbit niya ang kanyang backpack sa kaliwang balikat. He then took a few steps but he faltered. Luckily, Alpas caught him by the waist.

“Fuck,” Ethan hissed. The sweet and fresh oranges scent intensified.

He blurted that obscene word in front of his teacher and then realization hits him. He quickly muttered an apology, “I'm sorry, sir. Nabigla lang po.”

Alpas chuckled softly. "It's okay."

Huminga ng malamim si Ethan. He is now pretty sure na kay Alpas nanggagaling yung kanyang na-aamoy kanina pa.

The scent was not just sweet and orangy, it's somehow delicious as well. It's like smelling the scent of his favorite food but at the same time, Ethan can't quite describe it with words.

Using his left hand, he held the side of Alpas' neck. He can't get enough of the scent, and decided to bring his face closer to the other side of Alpas' neck. This action sent shivers down Alpas' spine.

Napalunok si Alpas sa biglang paglapit ni Ethan. “E-Ethan?”

“Hmm? You smell so good,” sagot ni Ethan habang dahan dahan niyang pinikit ang kanyang mga mata.

With his free hand, he touched Alpas' lower back and he pulled him closer. Ethan's nose caressed the other's neck gently.

Mukhang nawala sa isip ni Ethan na ang adviser niya ang kanyang niyayakap. He really just can't get enough with the smell.

His ear twitched when he heard laughters of some students at the hallway. As if waking up from a dream, he jumped away. His eyes widened when he realized what he have done.

“I-I'm sorry! M-mauna na po ako, sir!” dali-daling sinabi ni Ethan at pagkatapos ay tumakbo siya papalabas.

Nanghihina at masakit pa rin ang kaniyang katawan ngunit hindi siya tumigil sa pagtakbo. Hindi niya alam kung saan siya tutungo.

Nang makalayo na siya sa gusali ng kanilang silid-aralan, binagalan niya ang kaniyang pagtakbo.

Suddenly, a pain shot through him. His pure instinct were leading him to the woods near their domitory.

Ang paaralan kasi nila ay nakatayo sa paanan ng bundok at yung kanilang dormitory ay malapit na sa protected area. The area is protected to preserve the nature. That's why their school often held tree planting projects every year with their students.

Ethan's feet led him into the woods and when he can't handle the pain anymore, he crouched down and groaned in pain.

Hindi niya alam kung anong nangyayari sa kanya. Mas lalo siyang naguluhan nang makarinig siya ng tawanan ng mga estudyante.

Nilibot niya ang kaniyang paningin pero wala namang mga istudyante sa kaniyang paligid. Ang mga tawanan nila ay para bang nanggagaling sa direksyon ng dormitory.

Habang tumatagal, dumodoble ang sakit ng kanyang katawan. Hindi niya mapigilang humiga kahit basang basa ang lupain dahil sa ulan.

He took deep breaths but the pain won't go. He really felt that his bones were breaking. He felt so horrible.

His head was resting on a grass patch and he buried his face against it without minding the dirt, as if he was seeking comfort with it. He sniffed and hugged his body while curling into a ball.

“Somebody, take away this pain. Please.” Ethan cried softly.

Sa kabilang banda, napako si Alpas sa kaniyang kinatatayuan. Mabilis at malakas ang pagtibok ng kaniyang puso. Nakatingin siya sa direksyon na kung saan tumakbo papalabas si Ethan.

Huminga siya ng malalim at naglakad papunta sa lamesa na para sa guro. Inayos niya ang mga papel at inilagay ang mga ito sa folder.

Habang papalakad siya sa faculty office, hindi niya mapigilang maisip ang mga pangyayari kanina. He suddenly felt hot and his cheeks were burning red. He shouldn't feel this way towards his student.

Umiling siya sa sarili at binuksan niya ang pinto ng office. Halos mga adviser na lamang ng senior high school ang mg natitira at nagliligpit na rin sila ng mga gamit.

“Hi, sir Alvarez! Sama ka mamaya? Nagyayaan silang kumain sa restaurant, mamaya daw mga alas otso,” sabi ni Kiara, isang guro sa senior high school.

“Okay ka lang, sir? Bakit namumula ka?” tanong naman ni Edwin, isa rin sa mga guro ng senior high school.

Tumawa si Alpas ng bahagya. “Ah, oo. Okay lang ako.” Lumunok siya at nagpatuloy, “Tignan ko muna kung makakasama ako mamaya sa dinner. Mag-se-send nalang ako ng text.”

“Sige, sir,” sagot ni Kiara.

Pumunta siya sa kaniyang desk at umupo sa tapat nito. May kailangan pa siyang ayusin bago umalis.

After a couple of minutes, wala ng natira na mga guro. Alpas sighed and he turned off his laptop. Nilagay niya ito sa kaniyang backpack kasama ang iilang folder at tumayo na sa kaniyang kinauupuan.

He stretched his body and sighed in satisfaction. He grabbed his backpack and was about to go home when the thought of Ethan popped in his mind.

He remembered that Ethan was not feeling well earlier and he suddenly ran while it's still raining outside.

As a teacher, he felt like a concerned parent and decided to check up on Ethan. He knew that he is one of the students na nakatira sa dormitory.

Naglakad si Alpas putungong dormitory, hawak ang kaniyang clear na payong.

Napatigil siya sa paglalakad nang makita niya na may ID na nahulog. Pinulot niya ito at nakita niya na kay Ethan ang ID.

He had a sudden premonition and it wasn't good. He looked down and he saw footprints leading to the woods. His heart tightened. Did Ethan go there?

He quickly went to the dormitory and asked the one who's assigned to the dormitory where is Ethan's room.

When he reached Ethan's room, nobody's there. He suddenly felt nervous and he ran back to the place where he found Ethan's ID.

He wiped his sweat and with a deep breath, he bravely followed the footsteps.

“Ethan, are you there?!” sigaw niya.

He quickly turned the flashlight of his phone on, because it's turning dark. Hiking while it's raining, dark, and following the footsteps is really not that easy.

Then he heard a pained groan. His ears perked up and he quickly shouted, “Ethan!”

“Here... Ah!” Ethan's raspy voice is laced with pain and suffering.

Dali-daling tumakbo si Alpas sa direksyon kung saan nanggaling yung boses ni Ethan.

Nabitawan niya ang kaniyang dalang payong at cellphone nang makita niyang nakahiga sa maputik na lupain si Ethan—he was curling in pain.

“W-what is wrong? Bakit nandito ka?” tanong niya habang tinutulungan niyang tumayo si Ethan.

Ethan can't even stand straight because of the pain and he is leaning his whole body against Alpas.

“H-help me,” Ethan said with a struggle. He took a deep breath of Alpas' scent, soothing his suffering a bit. And then he continued speaking, “My whole body h-hurts...” He said with a loud sob.

Alpas didn't know what to do. For the first time, he felt so helpless and useless. Adding the fact that he is also feeling distressed and he doesn't know why.

His heart dropped when he heard a sound of breaking bones and Ethan's groan.

“Ethan? Shit, what's happening...”

Napatigil si Alpas sa pagsasalita ng maramdaman niyang nag-iiba ang katawan ni Ethan.

Ethan has been leaning against him for too long. Despite how strong Alpas is, his legs gave out and he fell on the ground with Ethan in his arms.

Alpas hissed in pain and he slowly opened his eyes.

And to his surprise...

Ethan was gone and he was replaced with a big wolf, with a fur of as dark as a night.

ㅡ to be continued.

Any thoughts about the first chapter? Let me know! <3