Watch your words, they become your actions: 17 | Hey Ruby

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Ruby's POV

Nakauwi naman akong ligtas at andito ako ngayon sa garahe ng bahay para pagtuunan ng pansin ang nangyari kay Baymax.

Who might have carried out such intentional destruction? This felt somewhat personal; someone lurking in the shadows obviously had it out for me. Tsk, kakatapos lang ng problema may bago na naman.

Saktan lang sana nila lahat, 'wag lang si Baymax.

I tossed my bag to the floor and fixed my gaze on Baymax, frustration seething within me. The rear tire is a complete mess.

I sighed and I crouched down beside it, "Thanks for holding on babe, you keep me safe." buti nalang pina uwi pa'ko nito bago tuluyang lumaki ang butas at nawalan ng hangin.

I looked over the damage, my mind quickly mapping out what I needed to do to fix the tire. Staying focused, I assessed the problem and planned the repair step by step.

Buong akala ko pa binutasan lang ang gulong, niluwagan din pala ang mga turnilyo samay rotor, at sinira rin ang brakes kaya pala umuungot ako at parang walang lakas si Baymax.

Talagang imposibleng prank lang 'to at galing sa loob ng campus ang may gawa. My mind raced with unsettling thoughts as I considered the possibility that someone had known of my whereabouts. A sense of unease settled deep within, stirring an instinctual fear that I couldn't shake off. 

Tsh, nagtatago na sa dilim si kamatayan. Ang bilis naman, Rolds?

Haaay, nakakapagod ang araw na'to, inalala ko na magdamag ata gumagalaw itong panga ko para lang makipag away doon sa Cross nayun.

Grabe Rolds, hindi ko alam kung matatagalan ko ba ang lalaking 'yon. Hindi ko rin alam kung matatagalan ko'tong bagong buhay na pinili ko.

Sa wakas ay natapos din ako sa paglalagay ng bagong gulong, siniguro ko narin na nasa mabuting kondisyon na si Baymax. Gwapo na ulit ang baby ko, hehe.

"Meoww..." the cat greeted as I entered the the second floor.

"Hello, intruder," I greeted back, my voice laced with amusement. "Have you been keeping watch over the house? You must have done a good job since I'm allowing you to stay, haven't you?" I posed the question as if expecting a response, and to my surprise, it replied with a meow.

I dashed to my room taking off the clothes I borrowed. Mukang kailangan ko narin ata ng P.E. uniform at extra pa. Pakiramdam ko hindi pa'to ang mangyayari sa campus.

Wala pa tayo a exciting part.

Disrobed, I walked to the laundry room, dropped off my uniform, and then stepped into the tub. As I submerged myself, a deep calm washed over me, each breath easing away the day's tension. The warm water wrapped around me, soothing every muscle.

After long days exploring Citadel, water has become my go-to escape—a place to unwind from inner battles and the exhaustion of facing opponents.

This simple act of submerging in water is my way of finding peace, a break from the constant challenges I face.

This week at school felt like a series of endless triggers, each stirring something turbulent deep inside. It was like a storm lying in wait, unsettling me whenever my grip on it slipped. I knew I needed to be more careful.

As I emerged from the bath, I took a deep breath, the warmth fading as I lifted my arms. My swollen palms throbbed, making it hard to flex my fingers or move my hands fully.

I was still lost in thought when the door creaked open, and the furry feline darted in, breaking my reverie. I scowled; it seemed the feline not only intruded on my property but also invaded my much-needed privacy.

The cat shot me a fleeting glance before leaping onto the sink, fixating its gaze on the mirror as though it were peering through it directly at me. My astonishment was evident as my lips parted in disbelief.

It's wild how a cat can look at you—really look at you. Those eyes seem to peer right into your soul, sizing you up with a kind of quiet judgment. There's this intense scrutiny, like they're silently critiquing your every move, every part of who you are.

It's as if they're dissecting my being, seeing something in me that I can't quite grasp. It's unnerving but fascinating, this gaze from a creature that feels like it knows more than it's showing. Makes me wonder if it sees something in me I haven't even noticed.

The cat intruder hissed afterwards.

Aba, nagalit pa.

"How rude of you?" I grunted, pero umiwas na ito ng tingin at umikot ng tatlong beses sa sink pagkatapos ay nahiga.

Wow, siya nanga itong hindi ko pinatay!

The discomfort from his intense stares lingered, even though I'd been sitting here in the kitchen, lost in my thoughts. Every movement felt burdensome, and a pervasive sense of lethargy weighed me down.

Even as I rose the next day, I felt like a wilted vegetable, drained of energy. Moving felt like an insurmountable task; exhaustion enveloped me, rendering me immobile.

Saturday's radiance was impossible to ignore, coaxing me out of bed earlier than usual. The vibrant sunlight streamed in through the expansive window on the right side of my bedroom, its warmth and brightness too inviting to resist.

But greeting the light seemed like a bad decision; my eyes watered from the brightness, requiring several blinks before I could appreciate the stunning weather beyond.

The morning was undeniably beautiful, yet despite the glorious day outside, I struggled to summon a single reason to leave the comfort of my bed.

I just feel tired.

Nasa isip ko parin ang nangyari kagabi. Sa loob ko ay andoon ang pangamba, para akong nalulungkot na ewan. Ang dami-dami ko ng iniisip dumagdag pa ang pusa.

How I am supposed to take care of the cat? Puro carbs lang nasa kusina, ni mga isda at karne ay wala. Puro delata at instant food lang ang laman ng mga cupboard... Probably nothing was healthy on the fridge.

Haaa, kasalanan ko bang hindi ako marunong mag luto?

Tsk, if Adofo were here... Errr, scratch that. Hmm, speaking of the monster, where is he at the moment?

I shifted to the other side of the bed and maneuvered to the end, hoping to catch sight of the thick, four-legged intruder in my room. However, to my surprise, there was no sign of the elusive creature anywhere.

I've had instances recently where I woke up to find him lurking around a corner or perched at the foot of my bed, almost as if he'd been keeping watch over me all night while I slept. Yet, today, there was no trace of him. Where could that cat have disappeared to?

I jumped out of bed, yawning and tousling my hair in the process. Groaning, I scanned my room once more until I heard the unmistakable yowl of the elusive cat I'd been searching for. Startled, I turned just in time to catch a glimpse of its shadow through the billowing drapes.

It was the first time I'd heard the creature emit such a long, drawn-out meow. Hastily, I dashed across the room, reaching for the curtains in a bid to uncover the source of the sound.

Then I saw him, still emitting the loud noise while fixated on something outside. It seemed as though he gazed up at me with an expression saying..."You should take a look out there."

And as I peered outside, a shock coursed through me as I recognized the familiar gaze of someone I couldn't have fathomed lurking in the shadows earlier this morning.

"Meeooww??"

"Hmm, nothing to worry about mister. It's fine." I replied, tugging the drape back, covering the window.

"Come on." I ordered and it followed out of the room to the kitchen.

Naghanda ulit ako ng pagkain, peanut butter at cookies lang ulit at iyon lang din para sa pusa. Mukang mahilig naman siya sa peanut butter. Good thing I got this goat milk two days ago at the convenience store and I heard cats love this.

I am busy watching the cat munching its meal while I am also busy thinking of what is he doing here. My whole idea of spending the day sulking in the house got ruined.

After finishing my meal, I changed into my usual business attire—black slacks, a white buttoned-down shirt, and a tailored business coat.

Stepping outside, the sun's heat hit me, and I loosened my collar for some relief. A breeze swept through the alley, ruffling my clothes as I walked.

The recent troubles lingered in my mind, putting me on alert for anything amiss. Though, the neighborhood seemed calm and at peace.

This place, tucked away from the busy town square and Lyceum University, offers a sense of seclusion. It shields me from the crowded streets and curious onlookers, yet it's not entirely safe. Here, shadows carry their own dangers, with hidden threats lurking in the corners.

There's a fine line between the peace of solitude and the risks it brings. Despite its advantages, this location is a constant reminder that safety can be deceptive, and vigilance has become my daily companion.

Kagaya ngayon, sinusundan ko ang taong itinuro ng pusa sa akin na naka tago sa isang poste sa tapat ng bahay. Ilang metro na ang layo namin hanggangg sa tumigil ito sa tapat ng isang gusali.

I halted my steps as the figure across the road discreetly signaled and slipped into the entrance of the abandoned building, vanishing from view. 

I took a breath, slipping into a heightened state of focus, every sense alive. The building was quiet, the air thick, and I could feel him somewhere close by. The silence made every small sound sharper, more pronounced.

Then, there it was—a soft, careful footstep echoing down the hallway, coming closer with each step. I waited, muscles tensed, adrenaline building.

As he came into view, I moved. In one swift motion, I stepped from the shadows and grabbed him by the throat, catching him off guard. His eyes went wide, surprise flickering to anger, but I tightened my grip, steady and firm.

He fought to break free, twisting and pushing, but I held on, matching his strength. Shadows shifted around us as we struggled, each of us silent, focused. I felt his pulse racing under my grip, my own heartbeat steady, unwavering. This wasn't over yet.

Pero nakakapagtaka, bagaman natural ang kanyang lakas dahil sa kanyang kasarian, hindi ko maramdaman ang kanyang puwersa o ang tangkang pag-atake. His stance was just to hold me back and has no intentions to fight. His intent was to get away, not to overpower or harm me.

"H-hey! I'm choking—" he stutters while trying to gasped some air.

"Yeah, I know," I affirmed a I put more force to his neck before finally pushing him away. He coughed several times, struggling to catch his breath.

"What do you want? Have you been following me from the start?" giit ko.

"Nah, just after seeing you a couple of times entering that school," he said, my brow furrowing in thought.

I realized he'd been watching my moves since the beginning. He appeared to be unaware that I had just recently arrived, catching sight of me after barely a week in the nation.

"You see, welcoming you home isn't enough... Gotti's killer."

Something snapped inside me as his words pierced the air, a grin engraved over his face. It was as if an inferno had burst, roaring through my veins, and I couldn't control the flood of rage that rushed within. 

"What you really want?"

He chuckled in amusement. "Ooh, Hey Ruby..." 

A vital impulse took over in an instant, and before I realized it, I was fighting with Dirk again, my hands tightly around his neck, pinning him to the wall.

The raw intensity of the moment overpowered everything else, and I found myself in an all-too-familiar fight, my outrage propelling me into action.

"Tell me nicely before the angel of death takes you on a seven-minute ride to hell, Dirk." I snarled, giving him a death glare.

"You can't kill me yet, Ruby. Something bigger than me is after you, and we both know you can't play in that graveyard."

That graveyard? "What do you mean?"

The audacity in his tone sent a shiver down my spine. "You see, business is business. Spare me, for I might save your ass, Ruby," he drawled, deliberately enunciating each syllable of my name. His provocation was blatant, calculated to incite a reaction from me. 

As much as I wanted to fight back, to end this right then and there, I couldn't afford to escalate matters further. He knew too much, and I couldn't risk the consequences of silencing him in the moment.

"Bullshit..." I mumbled before letting him go.

"You're still quite harsh, have you gotten back?" His remarks were laced with sarcasm and contempt, aiming to provoke and insult. I sensed a taunt in his question, an attempt to provoke me and play on my emotions.

"Don't test my patience, you jerk."

"Yeah, I surrender." he teasingly laugh.

"How are you?" Ugh, that question is really getting into my nerves.

Ang tagal ko na siyang hindi nakikita. Since we handled our own postal duties, time had separated us significantly. My solo work, wandering around Europe, separated me from our former companions.

Rodeo's abrupt arrival in Europe took me off guard on the hotel. It was incredible that she found time to keep an eye on me despite her continual travel and many transactions. However, uncertainties remained—was it her personal decision or an assignment she was obligated to complete?

Nonetheless, I couldn't shake the sensation of gratitude mixed with doubt that her appearance was an act of genuine concern. Her exceptional caution over me stemmed from the complexities of our shared history, as well as residual connections.

And I'm not sure what the man in front of me is doing in this small country; I know he's only a loose strand of the puppeteer, but he plays a crucial part in each operation. My mind was simply overthinking why he was here, because he couldn't be this serious, following and hiding from me when he wasn't here for fun.

Like what he said, business is business. I just couldn't grasp any idea of what kind of business.

"Where are your earings?" tanong ko ng sipatin ang kaliwang tenga nito. Wala roon ang parati niyang suot na hikaw sa tuwing may misyon siya. 

As puppeteers' agents, we each have our own mark or code; mine was a silver spiked ring. "Oh, of course. I am just here, greeting someone as beautiful as you..." he said, giving me a nice smile.

Talagang pinag lalaruan ako ng gago.

I moaned quietly, knowing that eliciting information from him in such a pleasant conversation was pointless. As an intelligence operative, I understood the dangers of releasing secret material to anyone, including members of our group. We both followed a professional code that safeguarded our secrets.

I knew his friendly manner suggested something suspicious. His behavior indicated that he had something concealed away for a strategic benefit.

The friendly demeanor his showing couldn't hide the fact that he was holding back. He cannot hide from my sight... Not my eyes.

"Don't shoot me those daggers, Ruru. I get it, everything's a little too much to handle, and you're already in a tough spot, but can't we just play it cool, act like regular people? This is what you've been looking for, right? So, chill out, darling," he smoothly diverted the conversation, sidestepping the intensity of the situation.

His words lingered in the air as my quiet took hold. He wasn't altogether wrong; his proposal was exactly what I was looking for. But I couldn't shake the notion that his intentions were motivated by the bounty on my head.

How could I remain composed when faced with the possibility that someone I'd just spoken with might betray me the very next day?

I couldn't let his seductive words get to me. I couldn't risk falling for a scheme with hidden intentions. I can't be Maleficent, who fell in love with a guy and sacrificed her wings for a crown.

I must step carefully, avoiding any potential treachery, even if it means turning down the seduction of this lovely man in front of me.

"So..." he hissed, directing my focus to himself. "Who was that guy from the corvette?" I wasn't surprised he asked right away.

I took a drink of my coffee. "Why?"

"How on earth could he afford such a  high-end car?" he cried, taking me by surprise. "Is he some senior student? Even with diamonds stashed away in a bank safe, I couldn't dream of affording one!"

His amazement mirrored my own, raising concerns about Cross' financial capabilities, which appeared to be out of line with the resources of the average student. He wasn't average in the first place.

"You can get it, however illegally, in the underground," I remarked with a sad shake of my head.

"Err, no!" he declared loudly. "My line of work is already dirty enough that adding another illicit item to my hands is insulting," he remarked, furrowing his brow as he emphasized the last few words.

He's right though. Matibay talaga ang prinsipyo ng isang 'to.

"So, who is he?" balik niya sa usapan.

I sighed, "He happened to be someone I saved."

"Ooohh, how intriguing. The boogeyman playing savior," he remarked with a sarcastic edge. I shot him a glare in response.

"Let me guess, did he happened drop you off at your doorstep too?" his words dripped with biting sarcasm.

Tsk, pati 'yon alam niya, bakit pa ba ako magugulat? Kaya nga sa kanto lang ng bahay ako nagpahitid noon eh. Pero walang makakatakas sa talas nang tracking powers ng isang ghost rider.

"No, but he happened to be a classmate."

"Even more intriguing," he mused, pausing to fix his gaze on me while taking a sip of his coffee.

"What if... he happened to be your killer too?"

The words hung in the air, a chilling notion delivered with unsettling nonchalance.

Hindi ko nagustuhan ang biro niya. 

Despite swallowing a hard lump in my throat, I couldn't muster an immediate response. His comments lingered, leaving an uncomfortable impression on my mind. It was as if his tongue had a vicious edge, and I felt compelled to cut through the toxic words he spewed.

He had a talent for pestering, creating his own methods to elicit my emotions. Damn him.

"Ruru?" He queered.

"Then I... I'm gonna be brutally rude again," I replied, my words tinged with hesitation.

"Ooohh..." he hummed and just before his lips touch the edge of the cup, a grin escaped from it.

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To be continued...