HUSH#16
Enjoy reading!

ZYNC

The Laroa's personnel and staffs were able to toned-down the panic that had enveloped the entire campus because of the sudden incident. I was brought to the infirmary because I collapsed due to shock and because of that damn mint candy that almost choked me to death.

I'm going to sue Calendula for giving me that candy in the middle of chaos! She put my life in grave danger.

Pero, on the second thought, kasalanan ko rin naman dahil ako 'yong kumain. Tsk.

After akong maicheck ay pinatawag ako sa admin's office. Allaine who was now here, accompanied me, Bryle and Rexell were here as well.

"How are you, Mr. Orlando?" President Nolan asked.

I smiled. "I'm okay but confused."

Tumango-tango siya, "You're classmates had told me that you were supposed to be the target but Miss Clementin saved you. We also checked the CCTV footage and it's confirmed that you're indeed the target. Based on our investigation, the assailant had positioned in the Laroa Forest. But, you don't have to worry, ginagawa na namin ang dapat gawin para mahuli ang may gawa. I ensure you that you're still safe here."

Napatango naman ako. Nilingon ko si Allaine na nakatingin lang sa kawalan. Mukhang malalim ang iniisip.

I am aware that Laroa was not just a normal prestigious school, it's more than that. Kaya nga rito nag-aaral ang mga anak mayaman. Laroa offers security and safety for their students. I even heard before that the owner of this school had connections to the black society. It was rumored that this school was a lair of a powerful mafia clan.

But, it was only a rumor. There's no confirmation or proof that it's true.

Hindi naman ako natatakot dito sa Laroa dahil may tiwala si Dad dito kaya may tiwala rin ako. Gusto ko rin ang eskwelahang 'to dahil kilala ito bilang school for elites pero tumatanggap sila ng mga ordinaryong estudyante at maraming scholars. Hindi rin uso ang bullying, well, sort off. Marami palang pasimpleng bully.

"President Nolan." nag-aalangang saad ko, he looked at me. I cleared my throat, "I just want to ask about Katarina. Kamusta siya at nasaan siya ngayon? She's injured. I think I need to talk to her."

Tipid siyang ngumiti, "Oh, that reckless girl. She's okay, I already talked to her. Nagamot na rin siya." may kakaibang emosyon sa mga mata niya na hindi ko matukoy kung ano. I felt like I shouldn't trust his answer.

"W-where's she? I mean, why does she had to jumped out of that window? How did she know na may tatamang pana sa akin? Bakit niya sinalo 'yon at piniling masaktan?"

I bit my lower lip after I asked. Natatakot akong lingunin si Allaine. Pero gustong-gusto kong maliwanagan.

Tumawa siya nang mahina, "To look cool?"

Hindi ako natawa sa sinaad niya. Sa ginawa ni Katarina, hindi pa-cool 'yon! Pagkatapos siyang pagtulungan ng mga kaklase ko? Tapos sinalo niya pa ang pana na para sa akin. Saan banda ang pa-cool do'n? She's wounded and bleeding! Sino'ng tangang gagawa no'n para lang maging cool?

"Mr. Orlando, it's just that—" sandali siyang huminto sa pagsasalita saka bumuntong hininga. "Miss Clementin is an adventurous woman, as you noticed, she has fighting skills and such. And according to her records, she had undergone intensive training in military back to their country, same goes with Iseah Frost. They're actually part of their country's military reserve. Maybe, when she felt danger around you, her protective instinct kicked in and made her jump out of that window to run after the assailant. But, some of the security personnel were able to stop her. Pinauwi na namin sila ni Miss Frost. I can't tell anything further, I really don't know her reasons. You can ask her personally if she comes back."

Matagal muna bago ko naintindihan ang ibig niyang sabihin. Tumango-tango ako.

Napansin ko ang pagsulyap ni Mr. Nolan kay Allaine.

"So, I won't hold you for long here. You may now go. Thank you." aniya nang hindi ako nagsalita.

Hindi pa rin mawala sa isip ko ang imahe ni Katarina. Damn it, hindi pa rin ako mapanatag sa nangyari kahit na sinabi ni Mr. Nolan na ayos lang siya.

"Kaya pala ang astig nilang dalawa ni Iseah. Imagine? Hindi lang basic training! Intensive dude." ani Rexell. "Mas lalo tuloy akong nahihiwagaan kay Katarina."

"Yeah. Iba ang tindig nilang dalawa ni Iseah but I wonder why they're here at mukhang kilala pa sila ni Prof. Moj." sagot ni Bryle.

"Oo nga, bakit pa sila nag-aaral kung may mga careers naman siguro sila sa bansa nila."

"I wonder."m

"Hey, are you okay?" tanong ni Allaine sa akin. Siguro napansin ang pananahimik ko.

Nginitian ko siya, "I'm fine. Mabuti nandito ka na. Hindi kita mahanap kaninang umaga."

She sighed and held my hand.

"Late na akong nagising, hindi na sana ako papasok. But, Henna called me and told me about what happen kaya agad akong pumunta rito." nasa tono niya ang pag-aalala pero wala pa ring emosyon ang mga mata niya.

I don't know why but I felt empty. I don't feel her concern and worry. Hindi kagaya sa naramdaman ko nang sinalo ni Katarina ang pana. I could feel her worry and somehow, there was anger for the one who did it.

Pilit akong ngumiti kay Allaine. I felt guilty for comparing her to Katarina but I couldn't help it.

Dati-rati ay kinikilig na ako kahit sa simpleng pagkausap niya sa akin. Hawak niya nga ang kamay ko pero parang hindi.

Bakit marami akong napapansin ngayon? Aish.

"I think, I need to go home. Masyadong maraming nangyari. I need to rest." malumanay kong saad.

Tumango naman siya. Nagpaalam na rin ako kina Bryle at Rexell. Habang si Allaine naman ay nauna pang umalis dahil may pupuntahan daw siya.

I sighed.

Gusto ko sana siyang makasama. I really need someone to be with me right now. Iyong kakausapin ako o 'di kaya ay samahan lang ako. I need someone's presence. Ni hindi man lang ako nilingon ni Allaine habang papalayo siya sa akin.

I was waiting for her to tell me na sasamahan niya ako.

She's always like this but I didn't complain but now, I want to question her on how she's treating me. Is she really concerned or what?

Lagi na lang ako na parang nanlilimos ng atensyon.

Pumunta muna ako sa cafeteria para bumili ng tubig. Usap-usapan pa rin ang nangyari pero hindi kagaya kanina na nagkakagulo ang mga students.

Iba't-iba rin ang kumakalat na kwento. Kumalat din ang pambubully nina Vianca kay Katarina.

Some were even suspecting Vianca and her group were behind the mess.

Nakita ko sina Henna na nasa isang mesa kasama ang iba pa. Maliban kina Rex, Bryle at Al. Naroroon din si Allaine. Dito lang pala siya pupunta, hindi man lang ako inaya. Haaays.

Lumapit ako sa kanila, hindi nila ako napansin dahil seryoso silang nag-uusap.

"Malakas talaga ang hinala ko kina Katarina at Iseah. Sigurado akong may mga tinatago sila." seryosong saad ni Henna.

"Ako rin eh, there's something off with them. Minsan parang nakakaramdam ako ng takot sa kanila nang hindi ko alam ang dahilan." ani naman ni Cynthia.

"Akala ko ako lang ang nakakaramdam no'n. They're both scary lalo na si Katarina, ibang-iba ang pagkaka-intimidating niya. Sobrang bigat." ani naman ni Lara. Tahimik lang si Francheska gano'n din si Allaine.

"Do you remember when we saw Iseah at the lake lagoon, Aly?" Henna asked her. "We saw her holding a gun and she's talking to it. She said that namimiss na raw niyang magpaulan ng bala. At isa pa, npansin ko rin na simula nang dumating ang dalawang 'yon dito may mga kakaibang nangyayari lalo na kay Zync. Ilang beses nang may nagtangka sa kanya."

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko.

"Don't tell me na may kinalaman sila sa mga hindi magandang nangyayari sa atin?" Lara exclaimed.

"Possible." Henna answered.

"We're all aware that this school isn't a normal school. Hindi lahat ng estudyante rito ay inosente. Halos lahat ay nagpapanggap lamang para itago ang katotohanan. The true colors are concealed. Hindi nga rin natin alam kung ilan ang nagpapanggap sa ating lima rito." natigilan ako sa sinaad ni Allaine. Natahimik naman ang mga kasama niya at nag-iwasan ng tingin.

"Mga mamamatay tao, kriminal, prinsesa, prinsepe, gangster, secret agent, mafioso, mafia reapers o kahit ano'ng klaseng tao ay posibleng nandito sa Laroa. It's not a secret that this school is affiliated to black society. What do you expect? Na inosente sina Katarina at Iseah? Na normal lang sila? No, the first time I saw them, I already knew that they aren't ordinary people and they are not here to play or just to study. They're here for a reason and that reason is somehow permitted and protected by the school admin."

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang magiging reaksyon ko. Hindi pala-salita si Allaine. Ngayon ko lang siya narinig na nagsalita nang mahaba. I know she's a gangster. It's not a secret to me. Kaya nga hindi ako nagpupumilit minsan na alamin ang ginagawa niya.

She's already a gangster when I met her and when we became an item. I even tried to become one just to show her that I accept her for who she was. But, being a gangster was not my thing so, I stop trying to be one.

It's not a surprise as well na marami siyang napapansin at alam na hindi magawang pansinin ng karamihan.

Naiintindihan ko ang sinaad ni Allaine. Totoo pala talagang konektado ang school sa black society.

Alam ko namang hindi ako pwedeng magtiwala sa mga taong nakakasalamuha ko rito sa school but I don't want to easily judge others just because I know that this school was a place of mystery.

I want to enjoy my time here, so I chose not to entertain such things. But, because of what was happening around me, mukhang mag-iiba na ang takbo ng buhay ko rito sa Laroa o baka pati buhay ko sa labas.

And, obviously, my life was really in danger. Ilang beses nang may nagtangkang saktan ako. Hindi naman ito bago sa akin.

After all, I am an Orlando and everything around me wasn't ordinary. Dahil sa apelyido ko ay maraming nagtatangka sa akin. The main reason was wealth. It was just me who's trying to look at things differently. I just want to live normally.

Instead of approaching them, I decided to find my way out. Uuwi na lang ako.

Nakakasama ng loob dahil ngayon ko kailangang-kailangan ng karamay pero parang walang may pakialam sa akin. I need a friend to talk with. Yes, I told them that I needed rest but I still need them kahit man lang samahan ako pauwi.

Napailing ako. Kung anu-ano na lang ang naiisip ko. I am becoming irrational. Maybe, they're just giving me space. But, can they be more sensitive? Tsk.

Nang makarating sa bahay ay dumiretso na ako sa kwarto at nagkulong. Hindi ko na pinaalam ang nangyari. Mabuti na lang din ay hindi pinaalam ng school kay Dad.

Imbis na matulog ay ibinabad ko ang sarili sa mga dokumento at papeles na kailangan kong pag-aralan para sa aming kompanya.

Kinabukasan, maaga akong pumasok sa school. Wala na naman si Allaine. Ilang beses ko rin siyang tinatawagan kagabi at kaninang paggising ko pero hindi siya sumasagot.

Why is she doing this to me? Nakakasawa na ang ganito. Ano ang kwenta ko bilang boyfriend niya?

Pagkababa ko sa kotse ay dumiretso ako sa likod ng main building tungo sa lake lagoon. Mamaya pa naman ang klase namin.

"Fvck off!" napaigtad ako nang marinig ang boses na 'yon. Kaya agad kong hinanap ang pinanggalingan.

I saw Iseah at the back of the botanical garden. Kaharap niya si Rusty.

"Iseah, I need to see her. Please, tell me where she is." pormal na saad ni Rusty, walang kulot or piyok. Lalaking-lalaki rin ang datingan.

I know that Rusty wasn't really gay like what others were telling and believing. Feminine lang talaga siya kumilos. Pino, mahinhin at pormal.

"How many fvcking times do I have to tell you that you fvcking can't see her?! Fcvking freaks are  not allowed in our casa. Now, fvcking leave me alone! You're so annoying!" singhal naman ni Iseah.

She really has a bad temper.

"Iseah, I was the one who saved her in the forest. Without me, who knows what will happen to her? You left her there bleeding to death!"

What the? Tumahip nang mabilis ang puso ko dahil sa narinig.

Ibig sabihin ay nagsisinungaling nga si Mr. Nolan? Damn it. Naikuyom ko ang aking kamao.

I really need to see her.

"Oh, what do you fvcking expect? That we will be nice to you? Hah! Fvcking audacious! After being so rude and mean to us, you'll gonna fvcking act like that in front me?! Well, thank you for bringing her to that fvcking hospital and for saving her from death due to that fvcking poison! Thank you for your kind heart for giving her the fvcking antidote! Oh, you're such an fvcking angel."

Poison? Ibig bang sabihin ay may lason ang panang 'yon? O baka napalaban siya?

Kaya pala ayaw ng isip kong maniwala sa sinabi ni Mr. Nolan.

Dahil sa lalim ng pag-iisip ko ay hindi ko na narinig ang usapan ng dalawa. Nagulat na lang ako nang nasa harap ko na si Iseah. Pailing-iling naman si Rusty saka umalis.

"You're fvcking late!" singhal ni Iseah. Napanganga naman ako.

"Ha?" She grimaced.

"I've fvcking wasted my time waiting for you here."

"What are you talking about?"

Inirapan niya ako.

"Follow me." she said.

Nilampasan niya ako pero may kasamang paniniko. I grunted in pain at hindi na nakapagreklamo. Baka bigla akong sipain. Brutal naman nito.

Naisip kong baka pupuntahan namin si Katarina kaya agad na akong sumunod sa kanya but to my dismay, sa classroom kami pumunta.

Pinagbabantaan pa niya ang mga kaklase namin.

"Everyone listen here. I've heard what you fvcking did to Katarina. My fvcking eyes are on you! So, better watch out. And, most importantly, no one is fvcking allowed to get close to Zync. Just distance your fvcking self and you'll be in peace."

Napanganga na lang ako pati na ang mga kaklase namin. Ano ang ipinagsasabi niya? Ngumisi lang siya sa natulog sa desk.

I was waiting for her to tell me that we're going to see Katarina pero inabot na lang ng tatlong araw ay hindi ko pa rin alam kung kamusta ang babaeng nagligtas sa akin!

Todo bantay rin si Iseah sa akin. Even I am with Allaine. I would see her around looking at me like I am a deer and she's a hunter. Nakakatakot minsan pero wala naman siyang ginagawa sa akin.

But, her gazes are so intense and it's haunting me! Para bang kapag may magkamaling lumapit sa akin maliban sa mga kaibigan ko ay bigla na lang niyang sasaksakin.

Hindi ko rin masabing may gusto siya sa akin dahil ang sama ng tingin eh, para kasalanan ang existence ko, na para bang napipilitan siyang bantayan ako.

Tsk.

Habang nagpapaantok ay naisipan kong magbabad sa internet.

I tried searching any information about Katarina but I couldn't find any, only those dummy social media accounts using her name and stolen pictures.

Tinawagan ko ang kakilalang hacker slash private investigator.

"Katarina Zenkiah Clementin.— Yeah. —She's from Slovenia.—Yes. Anything you can find about her.— 30 minutes?— Whoa. That's fast. — You're doing good!— Okay, call me immediately."

Pangiti-ngiti lang ako habang tinitingnan ang mga dummy accounts. Pinili ko ang pinakamaraming followers.

I checked every posts. Mga lyric video kadalasan, may ibang quotes at sikat na linya sa mga libro. Pero sobrang daming stolen pictures ni Katarina!

I scan every picture carefully. She's really beautiful. There are so many reactors in each post. Pati mga comments na puro paghanga.

Wow, for sure, Katarina wasn't aware that she has a fanpage and it's creating a buzz in the Laroa's website.

Nawala ang ngiti ko nang makita ang ibang post sa page na 'yon ang pagkukumpara nila kay Katarina at Allaine! There were even articles in the website making a poll who's better!

Why are they comparing the two?! The users were even fighting!

"What the hell is this?!" halos itapon ko ang laptop ko nang makita ang mga pictures sa page.

There were edited pictures of Katarina with different men! Some were local and foreign celebrities. There were even made up videos, using Katarina as a fictional character.

May nakita akong ilang pic na magkasama sa iisang frame sina Katarina at Allaine. Both are like talking seriously. Gaya sa iba, ay nag-aaway na naman ang mga nagko-comment.

What were they talking? How come they're talking to each other? Hindi ko alam ito. Are they friends?

Marami akong nakita na hindi kaaya-aya na litrato pero may nakakuha ng atensyon ko.

It's Katarina with me! Why do we have a picture?! And it's not edited.

I remember this moment. It was when we were in the hallway of the main buidling, noong nagkasalubong kami. Katarina was looking at me intently while I was staring at her weirdly!

Para akong natatae na ewan. What the fudge!

Nabigla ako nang sunod-sunod na tumunog ang notification tone. Halos gumulong ako sa kama nang malaman ang dahilan.

Unknowingly, I reacted on our picture and worst it was a heart reaction!

And the followers of the page immediately noticed it! How come na napansin nila agad 'yon?

Gusto kong maglupasay. Para akong naiiyak. I read the comments and they're saying that I love the picture and even started making up stories that there was a thing between me and Katarina!

Nakakahiya!

Inexit ko na pero may napansin ako sa homepage ng account na 'yon! Kaya pala nalaman agad ng mga followers ng page ay dahil pinost ng page admin ang screen shot ng reaction ko!

"Look who do we have here? Someone is stalking my page! Hahaha! I think he accidentally reacted to an old post! What can you say, folks? Why is he here? Hahahaha."

I gritted my teeth when I read the caption.

I called my hacker friend again, I asked him to track down that damn page and find out who's behind it.

*

Inis na inis ako dahil ang 30 minutes na pinagmamayabang ng hacker na 'yon ay inabot ng tilaok ng manok tapos wala pang nahita. He's even blaming me because of Katarina's name, his computers were all corrupted and his files couldn't be retrieved back again.

One thing is for sure, Katarina is someone big.

Mabuti na lang ay nakuha niya ang pangalan ng estudyanteng pasimuno ng walanghiyang page na 'yon.

Gylord of IT Department.

I confronted him. Bansot pala ito and he's a part of the journalism club ng school.

"Ibigay mo sa akin ang lahat ng kopya ng mga pictures sa fanpage na 'yon!"

"No, sabi ko nang ayaw kong ibigay. Bakit ba?" singhal niya sa akin. Ang tapang ng bansot na 'to.

"Dahil sinabi ko, give it to me! Lahat-lahat!"

"Ikaw siguro ang nagpa-hack ng account na 'yon 'no?! Wala na ang page, ano pa ba ang gusto mo?!"

Ngumisi ako, "Give it to me, Gylord."

Mariin siyang umiling, "Why are you interested in these pictures?! Kung ang picture mo na kasama siya ang pinoproblema mo I will delete it pero iyong hinihingi mo ang lahat ng kopya? NO! These are mine!"

"Give it to me or else I will do something to your family's business na hindi mo magugustuhan. Hindi lang ang fanpage mo ang mawawala. I will sue you invasion of privacy for taking pictures of people without their permission!"

Hindi mapakaniwalang tinitigan niya ako. Mas lalo akong ngumisi.

"Kaya kong gawin 'yon. Look, I am not fooling around here. Give it to me! Did you even ask permission to Katarina?! Hindi 'di ba? She can sue you for this. She's not a celebrity for Pete's sake!"

"Why are you even doing this?! Ano mo ba siya bakit parang ikaw pa ang galit?! As far as I know, hindi kayo kaano-ano? Why are you acting like a jealous boyfriend?!"

Natigilan naman ako. Damn it. Right! Why am I even doing this? Parang ngayon ko lang din na-realize ang ginagawa ko.

"See? You can't even answer me. Well, Mr. Orlando, wala akong pakialam kahit sino ka pa, I won't give anything to you just because you want it—"

Inis na nilapitan ko siya, I am towering over him. May bitbit siyang DSLR camera. Sa inis ko ay hinablot ko 'yon at malakas na binalya sa sahig. Dahil sa gulat ay hindi siya nakahulma. I even grabbed his phone at binagsak din sa sahig. Hindi ko tinigilan ang mga iyon hanggang sa makuntento ako.  Kinuha ko ang mga memory cards ng gadget niya.

I took my checkbook out from my bag and filled it up. I gave it to him.

"Just buy new gadgets. Sobra pa 'yan. Sa susunod huwag mo akong banggain dahil hindi lang 'yan ang kaya kong sirain." I warned him and I walked away.

"Katarina is not your girlfriend! Si Allaine! You douche!"

I know. I know. I'm being a douche and I don't understand myself as well.

Why am I really doing this?

Nilingon ko siya at sinamaan ng tingin. "Damn you."

Damn you, Zync! Damn you! You idiot!

Ugh! Shit.

-End of Hush#16-

Thank you for reading freaks! Let me know your thoughts about my story. Keep safe and be healthy!

God bless us all.

Hugs and kisses,
CL with love.