Chapter Two: Trouble

Chrono

June two, year two thousand fourteen. It was a sunny Monday when my high school life as a sophomore transferee began. I already settled last week all the essential things in my dorm at Pampanga. But then, I came back to Cavite so I could spend my remaining time with my cat, named Rick. He's the loudest cat I've ever met. That's why I named him Rick--from the root word "Reklamador." I hardly wished I could bring him to my dorm but the caretaker prohibits pets. So for now, I only brought my school backpack.

My brother, Kuya Chris, drove me to school instead of our hired driver. He happened to come to our hometown yesterday to visit a grave. Then, he needed to go back to somewhere in Pampanga immediately for his work as a police officer. Since we're technically on the same route, he offered himself to take me.

"Sigurado ka bang hindi mo kailangan ng yaya sa dorm?" Kuya Chris asked while driving. He was clad in blue uniform.

"Oo. Para matuto rin akong maging independent," I answered while leaning on the window, watching the trees and mountains we passed through.

"Eh, iyong mismong dorm? Sure ka na bang ayaw mong mag-apartment?"

"I'm solo in my room so I can't see a problem with that," I answered. Minutes of silence have come after that.

"Sigurado ka na ba talaga sa desisyon mo?"

I creased my forehead. "Do I need to repeat it?" I clicked my tongue. How many times do I have to tell him? All things are well accorded to the plan.

He suddenly laughed. I'm not surprised at all. He's always been weird and humiliating me since we were young. Or maybe I have just a weird sense of humor that only selected people like him can see-through. At least he's different from other people who told me that I'm "rude" from behind. Being offended just because they're "stupid."

"Bakit naman mas gusto mo dito sa napakalayong eskuwelahan?"

"None of your business." Kapag sinagot ko ang tanong niya ay baka makadagdag lang sa intindihin niya.

Humalakhak siya, "Ang cold talaga ng baby boy, ah? Manang-mana sa tatay!"

Napakunot ako ng noo at sinilip ang sarili sa side-mirror. I just sound cold but I'm not like my father. He's the real heartless monster--not me.

I turned left to see him. "Would you mind stop calling me 'baby boy?'"

Tinawanan niya lang ako.

"That's verbal abuse. You don't want to witness a cop arrested by cops, do you?"

Mas lalo namang lumakas ang kaniyang tawa. Bumuntong hininga na lamang ako at binalik ang tingin sa bintana.

"Nonsense makipagtalo," bulong ko sa sarili.

Pagkatapos no'n ay ilang minutong katahimikan ang dumaan. Hinanda ko na ang sarili ko dahil malapit-lapit na kami sa eskuwelahan.

"'Nga pala, bakit hindi ka bumisita kahapon?" tanong niya.

"What for?"

"Birthday!"

Hindi na ako umimik para wala nang pag-usapan. Huminto na rin ang kotse kaya bumaba na ako.

"Good luck, Baby Boy!" sigaw niya habang kumakaway.

Hindi na ako tumingin sa kaniya't naglakad na papasok sa gate. Dumeretso ako ng office. Nakaabang na doon ang adviser ko at hinatid ako sa room.

"Good morning class, may bago kayong classmate," bungad niya nang naunang pumasok sa classroom.

Doon lamang ako naglakad papasok at huminto sa gitna.

"I'm Chrono Qiel, thirteen," pagpapakilala ko at nilibot ang paningin sa klase. Hanggang sa nakita ko ang nag-iisang bakanteng upuan sa bandang likod, tabi ng bintana. Pahakbang na ako nang may sinabi ang guro.

"Can you tell something about yourself, Chrono?"

I sighed. I think it's better to say this earlier, "I don't get along well with people. So just pretend that you never knew my existence."

Nagsimulang magbulungan ang klase.

"Also, if there's something you dislike about me, again, pretend that you never met me," pagpapaalala ko na bigla namang nagpatahimik sa lahat. Tumungo na ako sa upuan.

Finally, I can breathe well now.

Break time. Halos lahat ay nagsitayuan at lumabas na ng room. Ang iba naman ay ginulo ang puwesto ng upuan, nagpalibutan, para magkakaharapan silang nakakapagkuwentuhan habang kumakain.

Kumain na ako nang umagahan kaya walang rason para magutom. Kinuha ko na lamang ang baon kong detective fiction na manga at nagbasa. Ang title nito ay "The Invincible Detective." Dahil bukod sa magaling siya sa martial arts, ay hindi rin siya madaling maloko. Dito ko natutunan ang mga masamang balak ng mga tao from their deceiving angelic voices and actions.

"Hi, my name is Lalesca. And you?"

Suddenly, a girl stood in front of me. I scanned her from head to toe. Long black wavy hair, about 5'3 in height, and a fit body--flat.

Didn't she hear what I said? To pretend as if I never existed.

Yet, she's in front of me, smiling. Maaliwalas ang kaniyang aura na parang mayroong halo sa kaniyang ulo at puno ng liwanag ang kapaligiran.

She offered a hand--that's a weird gesture. Why would you shake hands with strangers, especially with your opposite sex? During the Spanish Era, touching women was sacred. And according to the book, there's a spark when a man touches a woman's hand. That spark seemed dangerous because that's a form of unpredictable emotion.

Ignore.

"Let's go to the canteen together," she spoke softly, like an angel. As if she was humming with a calm melody.

"Go with yourself."

Binaba na niya ang kamay niya at nilagay sa likod, "I'll treat you, don't worry. Like a welcome party since you're new here!"

Treat. There is no such thing as free service. Everything has a price.

If it's a million-dollar debt, it's fine. But when someone gives you priceless stuff, it means the debt is also priceless.

For example, kapag nilibre niya ako ngayon, I'm obliged to be kind and friendly with her. But these humans have a weird definition of kindness. They always wanted to hear sweet words and didn't care about the truth.

"I won't change my mind," tugon ko at pinagpatuloy ang pagbabasa.

"Ohh, I think I know that book!"

I immediately looked at her. "You do?"

She pointed to her cheeks and glanced above. "Not really, but familiar. Hmm... The Invincible Detective--parang about sa detective na magaling sa pakikipaglaban at brain games with deceiving people."

I froze. Maybe she really does know this manga.

Tumingin siya sa akin. "Una na pala ako, ah! Baka maubusan ako ng pagkain, hihi!" masaya niyang pamamaalam.

Uwian. Hindi tulad ng dating may service ako. My dorm is just a kilometer away though, and walking is healthy to burn fats and calories.

"Hoy!"

But since I'm already fit, it will still contribute to my cardiovascular and muscles on my legs.

Suddenly, a stone was thrown and rolled besides my feet. Lumingon ako upang tignan kung saan ito nanggagaling at nakita ang tatlong lalaking naka-uniporme tulad ko.

They're coming in my direction.

"Puwede ba, kapag tinatawag ka, sumagot ka!" sabi ng nasa gitna.

"Sorry, I don't remember anything," aniko.

Kumunot ang noo niya, "Anong 'You don't remember anything?'"

"I don't remember anything that you called me. Who are you?"

"Kanina pa ako nag-ho-hoy, ah! Binge ka ba?" sigaw niya sa akin at natawa naman ang mga kasama niya. I think we have similarities--weird humor. I don't know what he said to deserve such laughs.

"But 'hoy' isn't my name. And it's somehow unmannered. So if you don't want to get outcast like me, I suggest you change your way of approaching people."

Ngumisi siya, "Huh, spokening dollars pala ang transferee student, huh?" I noticed how he clenched his fist, "Tignan natin kung makapagsalita ka pa matapos mabusal ang bunganga mo!"

He aimed at my face. I slightly bent sideward and dodged it. And since he started it, I raised my leg and blew his head with my foot.

He dropped on the floor and fell asleep

Did I use my force too much? But that's only a bit of effort compared to my sparring with Kuya Chris.

I looked at his minions. Their eyes widened and their hands trembled.

Their boss needs medical attention. I stepped forward and--

They're gone.

I was just going to ask them to carry their boss to the nearest clinic but they've gone.

Then, I have no choice but to carry him myself.

Lychrono Qiel

(Illustrated by Caliversustheworld)

-mvcabusas