André

"Recruits, line up! Introduce yourselves, one by one! At sabihin niyo kung bakit kayo karapat-dapat mapili bilang miyembro ng Omega Phi," utos ng Commander.

"Ako po si Chester Sandos, first year architecture student, scholar ako ng FU. Hindi ako galing sa mayamang angkan, pero naniniwala akong walang pinipiling estado ang Omega Phi. Sinisigurado ko ring magagamit niyo ako sa kahit na anong ikabubuti ng fraternity na ito."

"Next!"

"I'm Mark Ellis Atkinson, first year pol-sci student. My dad is Senator Jorge Atkinson, once a Commander of Omega Phi FU Chapter and a current executive of the Philippine Chapter. I know that if I become a member of this fraternity, I will be able to contribute great things and continue the legacy that my father once started."

"So, you're saying we should recruit you dahil sa dad mo?"

"No, Commander. You should recruit me because I will make this fraternity the greatest fraternity in the PH Chapter."

"Next!"

"Hi guys, I'm Lorenzo Reigan Maxwell, first year psychology student and cleanup hitter of the baseball team. Dati ring naging Commander ng Omega Phi ang dad ko, so gusto ko ring sundan ang yapak niya."

"Sino ang tatay mo?"

"Si Lieutenant General Raymond Maxwell ng PNP, Commander."

"Nice! Okay, next!"

Tumikhim ako bago ako nagsalita. "Yo, what's up, everyone? I'm Alexandré Deux Laurent, but you can call me André or Dré, whatever works for you. Hindi ako anak ng isang senator o ng police general, pero cool naman ako, at gusto kong mapabilang sa brotherhood na 'to, so sana mapili. That's all. Thank you."

"Recruit, foreigner ka ba?"

"Yes, Commander. Full-French ako, but I can be half-asshole, too, depende sa mood ko," I joked, which made the other members laugh.

"Silence!" Nabingi kaming lahat sa sigaw ng Commander.

Inirapan ako ni Kell sa tabi ko. Sinuntok rin ako ni Logan sa aking braso. I was standing in the middle of these two idiots, who literally dragged me to join this fraternity.

Actually, wala naman talaga akong balak sumali dito. Wala naman akong rason para sumali. But, since my bestfriends were here, sumama na rin ako.

"Bro, hindi ko na kaya!" Reklamo ko habang ramdam ko na ang pag-ikot ng sikmura ko.

Nandito kami ngayon sa loob ng isang men's comfort room. And all I could say was fuck those idiots who ordered us to clean this damn place.

"Dré, ano ka ba? Tae lang 'yan! Tiisin mo nalang!" Logan hissed at me as he continued to scrub the floor with a toothbrush without gloves. Yes, a fucking toothbrush!

"Tumigil nga kayo diyan. Baka marinig kayo ni Commander," Kell warned us. I never thought makikita ko si Kell na naglilinis ng cr. Hell, I never thought I would clean a toilet bowl.

I faked a puke. "Blurgh! It's disgusting, dude. Sino ba ang tumae dito? Parang hindi tumae ng isang linggo."

"Tangina mo, Dré! Manahimik ka nalang! Baka mapahamak pa tayo dito," Logan snickered.

"Ako nalang diyan, brad. Mukhang hindi ka sanay sa paglilinis," a fellow recruit suddenly offered to help me.

"Sure ka, bro? Okay lang sa'yo?" Tumayo ako sa aking posisyon. "Wait, ano nga ulit ang pangalan mo?"

"Chester," he simple answered.

"Nice to meet you, Chester. You're my savior!" Tinapik ko ang balikat niya.

Dumating ang hell week after months of hazing. Ito ang final week kung saan sila magde-decide kung sinu-sino ang makakapasok sa fraternity.

Dinala nila kami sa isang abandoned building malayo sa university. We were all blindfolded and stripped naked that night.

"Sigaw, Omega Phi!"

"Para sa kapatiran! Hindi ka iiwan! Taas noo, Omega Phi! Sigaw, Omega Phi!" Sabay-sabay naming binigkas ang mga salitang ito at sa bawat pagbigkas ay hinahampas nila ang aming mga likuran ng isang paddle.

"Aahh!"

"Aaahhhh, fuck!"

"Arayyy!"

"Ano? Aangal ka ha?"

"No, Commander..."

"Lakasan mo pa!"

"No, Commander!"

To summarize what happened that night, bugbog-sarado ang katawan namin. I was almost paralyzed to death matapos nila kaming i-paddle nang paulit-ulit.

Actually, my mind was hazy that night. Hindi ko na maalala ang mga exact details ng nangyari. But, we survived.

From fifteen new recruits, we were down to six official new members of Omega Phi.

"Omega Phi is not just about building connections, giving back to the communities or shaping your future. It is about loyalty, camaraderie and brotherhood. Here at Omega Phi, we are brothers for life!" The Commander shouted after welcoming us, the new recruits of the fraternity for this year.

"Congratulations, Mark, Lorenzo, Alexandré, Chester, Forrest and Camilo for passing the rigorous initiation. Welcome brothers!" Isa-isa kaming binati ng Vice Commander.

Everything went pretty well after that. Naging maganda ang samahan naming magkakasama sa Omega Phi... not until that one night...

"Brad, cr lang ako!" Paalam ko sa bandmate kong si Darwin.

"Bilisin mo, brad. Start na tayo."

May gig kami ngayong gabi dito sa Soul Club. It was Friday night, so the place was crowded with people, mostly students from a university nearby.

Naglalakad ako papunta sa comfort room, when someone suddenly caught my arm, making me jerk away. "What the fuck?"

"Hello, sorry!" A lady chimed in, batting her long lashes at me.

Kinalma ko ang aking sarili. I hated being touched anywhere in my body without notice. I felt like I was being brought back to those moments when that evil woman took advantage of my innocence.

"Hindi ba ikaw yung drummer ng Ladykillers? Fan mo ako ever since," pagpapakilala niya sa akin.

I flashed her a smile. "Yes, that's me. The one and only Alexandré the Great."

"Alexandré. Nice to finally meet you. I'm Roxie," she extended her hand, so I took it and planted a kiss on it.

"What a lovely name for such a lovely face," I commented, smirking at her.

"You're such a ladies' man pala."

I shrugged at her. "What can I say? I'm just here for the ladies."

She chuckled. "Pwede ba tayong mag-meet after ng gig mo dito?"

"Of course, my lady. Ihahatid pa kita kung gusto mo."

Her lips formed into a smile. "Sabi mo yan ah. Sige, I'll just go back to my friends."

"Wait..." I stopped her, placing my thumb on the side of her lips. "May smudge ka ng lipstick."

"R-Really?" She stuttered, unable to look me in the eye.

I stifled a chuckle. "See you later, baby doll."

We played few songs that night. Hindi ako uminom para hindi ako malasing. I already knew I had low alcohol tolerance. Kaya kahit gaano ko kagustong uminom, tinanggihan ko silang lahat.

Just then, I saw a familiar face carrying a woman on his arms. Nakasuot pa siya ng black na jacket na may official logo ng Omega Phi.

Tumayo ako mula sa table namin para sundan ang lalaking nagtungo sa may gilid ng club.

"Brad, san ka pupunta? Tatakasan mo na naman kami?" Hinila ako ni Darwin kaya napatigil ako.

"Jingle lang ulit ako," excuse ko.

"Jingle? Hindi ka pa nga umiinom eh."

Umiling lang ako sa kanya at sinundan na ulit ang nakita kong lalaki kanina. Sa gilid ng club ay may stairs papunta sa parang basement kung saan may mga VIP rooms. From what I heard, these rooms served like private rooms to cater VIP guests, but I also knew this is where people would do the sexual acts.

Habang naglalakad ako sa madilim na hallway, nakita ko ulit ang lalaking nakasuot ng itim na jacket at cap. Mabilis siyang naglalakad habang karga ang isang babae.

Bago pa siya makapasok sa loob ng isang kwarto, tumakbo ako para mahabol ko siya.

The door was just about to close when I grabbed the knob, pushing my way in.

"Chester, brad!" Bati ko sa lalaki.

Nakita ko ang pamimilog ng mga mata niya habang nakatingin sa akin. "A-André?"

My eyes landed on the woman he was still carrying with him. Napaawang ako nang makilala ko ang babae. She was the woman who introduced herself to me earlier. Wait, what's her name again?

"Ano'ng ginagawa mo dito?" he probed at me.

"I should be asking you the same. At bakit mo karga yang babae? Kilala mo ba?"

He stopped for a bit, turning around and walking straight inside to lay the woman on the bed. "Girlfriend ko, brad. Mukhang nalasing eh."

"Oh, girlfriend mo pala..." I paused, taking a step inside, but Chester suddenly blocked me.

"Papatulugin ko nalang muna dito hanggang sa magising siya."

"I think mas okay kung iuwi mo nalang at huwag dito sa club," I suggested.

He scratched the back of his head. "Wala kasi akong kotse eh. Kaya hintayin ko nalang magising."

"Hatid ko na kayo," I offered.

"Hindi!" Biglang sigaw niya, but he immediately retreated. "Ah, sorry. Hindi na kailangan, brad. Umalis ka na. Kaya ko na 'to."

I squinted at him. Kilala ko naman si Chester bilang mabait at reliable na member ng frat. But, there was something about the way he was acting right now which made me think that this wasn't right.

"Nasaan ang mga kaibigan niya? Para masabi ko sa kanilang nandito kayo," I told him.

"Ah, wala na. Nauna na sila. Tsaka, nasabi ko na rin na kasama ko siya."

I took a breath, walking around the room covered in red wallpaper. For a VIP room, this sure looked cheap and tacky.

"Okay na talaga kami dito, brad. Umalis ka na," he shoved me away again.

"Ah, teka, pwede bang cr lang muna ako?"

"Sige, brad."

Pumasok ako sa cr habang nag-iisip kung ano ang pwede kong gawin. But, maybe I was just overthinking it. Baka naman totoong magkarelasyon sila, and I had nothing to worry about. But then, I really had a bad feeling about this.

After couple of minutes, I finally decided on what to do. Good thing that I had two cellphones with me, an Android and an Apple. I just needed to call one phone and make sure to record the conversation.

Iniwan ko ang isang phone ko sa may floor ng cr bago ako lumabas ng kwarto nila. Sana gumana ang plano kong ito.

Nanatili ako sa hallway ng VIP rooms habang nasa tainga ko ang isang phone. But, few seconds passed, at wala pa rin akong marinig mula sa loob ng kwarto.

I sighed. I was right. It was just me and my classic paranoia.

Maglalakad na dapat ako palayo sa kwarto nila nang bigla kong narinig ang boses ni Chester mula sa aking cellphone.

"Mabuti nalang at umalis na ang pakialamerong 'yon. Ma-so-solo na rin kita."

My breath hitched. Am I right all along?

"Siguradong matutuwa ang Commander sa'yo. Ayos! Malaki na naman ang commission ko nito."

Commander? Inutusan ba siyang gawin ito?

"Vi-video-han lang naman kitang walang saplot. Okay lang naman, di ba? Hindi naman kita gagalawin. Pero, kung gusto mo, pwede rin naman."

That was my cue. Tumakbo ako pabalik sa kwarto nila. Naka-lock na ngayon ang pintuan. With all my might, I slammed my body hard onto the door, making myself inside.

"Tangina! Sino yan?" Sigaw ni Chester nang makapasok ako.

"Itigil mo na 'yan," utos ko sa kanya habang nakita ang babaeng naka-hubo't hubad at wala pa ring malay sa kama.

"André, paanong-"

Naglakad ako papunta sa cr at kinuha ang phone ko. My plan really worked.

"Ano yan? Narinig mo lahat?" Nanlilisik ang mga mata ni Chester sa akin.

I nodded at him. Naglakad ako papunta sa kama at kinuha ang kumot. Binalot ko ang katawan ng babae gamit ito. I suddenly got flashbacks of myself being in the same position as her. I was helpless and no one was there to help me.

"Huwag mo nalang sasabihin sa iba, André. Kailangan ko lang talagang sundin si Commander tsaka kailangan ko ng pera. Alam mo naman ang sitwasyon ko," he begged.

"Chester, if you need money, pwedeng kitang bigyan. Kahit magkano pa yan. Hindi mo kailangang gawin 'to."

"Pero malalagot ako kay Commander-"

"Umalis ka nalang sa frat."

"Gusto kong umalis noon pa. Pero palagi akong sinusundan ni Commander. Hindi ako makaalis, André."

Tinapik ko ang balikat niya. "Pwede kitang tulungan, Chester."

He suddenly chuckled. "Paano? Nakita mo naman kung paano magalit si Commander, di ba? Papatayin niya ako, André!"

I exhaled a breath. "Hindi ka mamamatay, Chester. Ibigay mo lang sa akin 'yang cellphone mo at ako na ang bahala."

Umiling siya habang humahakbang palayo. "Hindi! Hindi ko pwedeng ibigay ang cellphone ko."

I creased my brows at him. "Chester, kailangan ko ng cellphone mo para may evidence tayo sa korte at maipakulong si Commander."

He fell silent, taking something out from his pocket. Lumapit ulit ako sa kanya at nang marating ko siya, bigla niyang tinaas ang kanyang kamay na tumama sa mukha ko.

"Aahh," I winced in pain, holding the side of my face. Pagbaba ko ng aking kamay, may nakita akong dugo mula sa aking pisngi. "What the fuck?"

"S-Sige, lumapit ka at tutuluyan kita!" Chester warned me, holding a small knife up to my face.

I swallowed hard, thinking of a way out of this. Mukhang wala na siya sa tamang pag-iisip. His mind was already clouded with dark thoughts.

"Ano? Makikialam ka pa rin?"

Tinaas ko ang aking mga kamay. "Chester, gusto lang kitang tulungan."

"Wala kang magagawa! Masyadong malakas at makapangyarihan si Commander. Hindi siya titigil hanggang sa hindi niya nakukuha ang gusto niya."

"Kaya ba ginagawa mo 'to? Kahit na alam mong nakakasakit ka ng iba, lalo na sa mga babae?"

"Tumahimik ka nalang! Umalis ka na, André!"

Umiling ako. "Hindi ako aalis. Tutulungan kita, Chester!"

"Ang kulit mo rin eh 'no? Sinabing hindi ko kailangan ng tulong mo!" He swung his knife at me again.

"Tama na, Chester!" Kinuha ko ang kamay niyang may hawak na pocket knife para pigilan siya. Mas matangkad ako sa kanya, so I was able to corner him on the wall.

"Patayin mo nalang ako!" Sigaw niya sa akin habang nakatutok ang kutsilyo malapit sa kanyang mukha.

I immediately let go of his hand because I was scared I might do something to him.

"Sige na, André. Patayin mo na ako! Papatayin rin naman ako ni Commander kahit anong gawin kong pagtago. Mahahanap pa rin niya ako," he cried.

I shook my head. "Kaya nga tutulungan kita, Chester. Hindi mo na kailangang magtago kapag nakulong-"

Napatigil ako nang tumalsik ang dugo sa aking mukha. My brain froze when I realized what the guy infront of me just did.

Nang unti-unting bumagsak ang katawan ni Chester, that's when it finally hit me. His head collided on the edge of the table, creating a loud thud. The immediate silence in the room echoed in my ears, making me unable to move.

"C-Chester... brad?" Yumuko ako para tignan ang lalaking nakahiga na sa sahig. Wala siyang sagot. Hindi na rin siya gumagalaw.

My lips quivered as realization slowly dawned on me.

No. It can't be. He's not dead. He's not dead. He's not dead.

Napaluhod ako sa sahig habang kinakapa ang pulso niya sa leeg. I couldn't feel a thing. Hinawakan ko ang likod ng ulo niya. I instantly felt something warm and wet behind his head.

"Chester..." mahina kong sambit habang nakatingin sa kamay kong nakulayan ng pulang dugo.

He's dead. He's dead. Ano ang gagawin ko?

Tumayo ako mula sa sahig para mag-isip. Chester just killed himself infront of me. Hindi ko man lang siya napigilan. It was all too sudden. I should've reacted quicker. He should still be alive now.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! What should I do? What should I do?" I fidgeted with my hands, pacing back and forth inside the room.

Kinapa ko ang aking cellphone mula sa aking bulsa. I had to call ambulance. But then, what if they would think I killed him?

No! Hindi ako pwedeng makulong. But, I had to save him. Baka may chance pang ma-revive siya.

Taking a breath, I pressed the contact number of the ambulance. I just hope they'd arrive sooner than later.

After that, I called someone who wouldn't judge or accuse me. Hindi ko sigurado kung gising pa siya sa oras na ito, but I had to try. After a few rings, he finally picked up the phone.

"Hello... Dré, ano ba, bro? Madaling araw na-"

"Log, I need your help," my voice was still shaking as I sat down the corner of the room.

"Ano ba ang nangyayari?"

"He's dead."

"Ano kamo?"

"Chester... He... He drugged a lady and undressed her... he took videos of her while she was naked and then... I saw him, so I tried to stop him, but... he kept on threatening me with a knife, but then, he suddenly killed himself with it and he fell and hit his head.... Now, he's just bleeding to his death and I don't know what to do..."

"Teka, teka... nasan ka? Tumawag ka na ba ng ambulansiya?"

"Yes, and I'm here inside the VIP room of Soul Club. I'm scared that someone might think I killed him. I need your help."

"Sasabihin ko ba kay Kell?"

"You can tell him. I just... I need your help. Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko."

"Okay, okay. Pupunta na kami diyan. Relax ka lang. Huwag kang gagalaw."

I nodded, hanging up the phone. Nanatili akong nakaluhod sa harap ni Chester habang pinipigilan ang pagdaloy ng dugo mula sa kanyang leeg at ulo gamit ang jacket at shirt ko.

Would everyone think I killed him? Makukulong ba ako? Kapag malaman ito ni dad, who knows what he might do to me? He can't know about this.

Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas when I heard a knock coming from the door.

"Dré?" That's Logan.

I crawled on the floor, forcing myself to stand up and open the door. Pagbukas ko ng pintuan, two guys stood infront of me. Agad silang pumasok sa kwarto.

"Nasan na si-" Napatigil si Kell nang makita niya ang katawan ng lalaki sa sahig.

"I didn't kill him. He killed himself. I swear to God," I defended myself. "Makukulong ba ako?"

Kell paused, looking at me. "Hindi ka makukulong kung may magaling kang lawyer."

"But, what if no one believes me? Walang ibang witness. Sino ang maniniwala sa akin?"

"Dré, naniniwala kaming hindi mo kayang pumatay."

I pressed my lips as tears escaped from my eyes. "Hindi ako pwedeng makulong. Malalaman ni dad..."

Tinapik ni Kell ang likod ko. "We won't let that happen, André."

I nodded slowly.

"Okay, sige na. Bahala na sina dad dito," Logan stated, but I didn't move from my position. "Dré, tara na! Parating na ang mga pulis! Nasa labas na rin ang ambulansiya."

I stared at Chester's lifeless body one last time. Nakita ko ang cellphone niyang nahulog sa sahig. I suddenly had the urge to take it. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, but that's what I did.

But I regretted it the moment I saw what's inside his phone.

I shouldn't have kept it.