I AM MOMO

(Coming Soon)

After thousands of years, Momo is bored. Nakakabagot din ang maging imortal. Hanggang isang araw, gusto niyang pumasok sa paaralan ng mga mortal, kasama si Simon, ang alipin niyang mahilig sa matatatmis.

Pa'no niya susuungin ang buhay highschool? Bullying? Cute boys? At exams?

With the Special Beings Regulation Agents watching her, how will Momo control herself from killing anyone? Or performing mass murder just to have fun?

•

Gusto lang naman niyang kumain ng ice cream. Dati, pinapaboran niya ang tsokolate, pero nitong mga nakaraang araw, nahihilig si Momo sa vanilla. She blame it on Simon, who had been forever addicted to sweet things. Dahil dito, nahawa rin siya.

Kaya lumabas sila kahit gabi na para bumili. She did get her ice cream. Pero imbes na sumusubo ng drumsticks, habang nakatingin sa langit, heto't nakatungo siya, pinapanood si Simon, binubugbog ang isang lalaki habang ang kasama nitong babae ay takot na takot sa gilid.

Hindi sa ayaw niya sa mga mortal. Sa totoo lang, gusto niya ang mga ito— marami, masigla at iba-iba. They die, they live. Replaceable, fragile and weak.

There have been times humans entertain her throughout the centuries — the wars and pandemics. She especially liked the witch huntings centuries ago, burning suspected women of witchcraft. Witches aren't real, it was a stupid idea, but it was fun.

But then, there are times that humans displeased her too, like now.

Palabas ng convenience store ng mabangga niya ang isang babae, 'di sinasadyang madumihan ang uniform nito mula sa kinakain niyang drumstick.

The girl had someone with her, a boyfriend maybe. Their uniforms indicated they were highschool students. She had ideas why students still roam the streets at night, but knowing how corrupted the modern youth is, Momo thought they were still out because of impure reasons.

"Mag-ingat ka naman!" sabay tulak ng lalaki sa balikat niya. Mahina lang iyon, pero sapat na para kumilos si Simon sa likod niya.

"Don't," awat niya, at nagbigay daan sa dalawa.

Nakinig si Simon at tumagilid rin, tuloy sa kain ng drumstick, magkaiba ng flavor sa magkabilang kamay.

"Maghintay tayo," sabi niya, sinundan tingin ang dalawa. She smiled. "Eat quickly Simon, you're going to use both hands later."

After that, they waited for the couple and ambushed them. Now back to the current beatings.

"Simon, tama na." Tumalon si Momo mula bubong ng gusali sa may eskinita. Walang anumang lumapag siya sa lupa, magaan ang mga paa.

He stopped, his happy smile remained. Side by side they looked like of the same age, good looking teens, that in reality were far more older than anyone or anything, probably even the pyramids of Egypt.

"Kapag sumobra ka, baka malaman ng Regulation. You know how strict they are. They don't like us having too much fun with the normals."

Pinagmasdan niya ang biktima. He was bleeding and had traces of abuse all over him. Sigurado siyang ilang buto rin nito ang nabali. "You went to far."

Naglaho ang masiglang ngisi nito. "Sorry."

She smiled, "It's okay," and looked at the victim once more. Naagaw lang ang atensyon niya sa mga hagulgol. "You," tawag niya sa umiiyak na babae. "Come."

Ilang segundo na ang dumaan pero hindi parin ito gumagalaw sa kinauupuan, tuloy ang iyak. Simon forcefully dragged her by the hair, and dumped in front of Momo.

Pinagmasdan niya ang babae, magkaedad lang ang kanilang pisikal na anyo. Nanlilimahid sa luha at gusot ang uniform nito

"P-Please... huwag."

She always liked red, especially the darker shades. The girl's crimson skirt, with streaks of black lines looked so lovely against her skin. Momo wants it.

"Take off your clothes."

"W-Why?"

"I said take it off."

Niyakap ng babae ang sarili, nilukob ng higit na panic. "N-No. Please..."

Hindi na niya kailangang mag-utos, kusang kumilos si Simon, pwersahang hinubad ang suot ng babae, isang kamay nakatabon sa bibig nito, pinigil ang sigaw, hanggang sa panloob na lamang ang suot.

She was satisfied. Despite being a man of few words, Simon is strong and obedient. Sometimes stupid, but mostly useful. Aside from his foolish grins, he would've been perfect. He was a monster born to kill, but now to serve her. She was his master. They are bound together for eternity.

Hinubad din ni Momo ang kanyang pulang bestida, sinuot ang uniporme. Maluwag iyon ng konti sa kanya, may kahabaan ang manggas ng puting long sleeves.

"Bagay ba?' Nagpaikot-ikot siya, 'di pinansin ang naguguluhang tingin ng babae.

Tumango si Simon.

With the drumstick in hand, she laughed, turned and turned, dancing to the song of her own giggles. Her long black hair danced with her, curling and uncurling in the air and motion.

Tumigil siya matapos ng ilan pang ikot, nawala ang hagik-ik. Sa sunod na pagdila ng ice cream ay nagpahayag. "I'm bored."

Sinulyapan niya ang babae, ngayon ay nakatingala sa kanya. Aside from fear, there is admiration in it, a sign of insanity. She couldn't blame the girl.

A Cursed Being like her are like that, unchanging, magnetic.

Dumukwang siya, hinaplos ang pisngi nito. Malambot iyon at makinis. Sa kabila ng pamumutla ng mukha, mapula ang nanginginig na bibig nito dahil sa lipstick.

"Youth," she muttered, tracing the lips.

Lifetimes ago, beauty was only given to the rich and powerful. She, a noble was showered in beautiful things. Yet now, everyone can own them. In modern times, everyone had free will. It was sickening.

Gamit ang daliri, pinitik niya ang noo nito. Walang malay na bumagsak ang babae sa semento, katabi ang boyfriend.

Habang itinuloy ang pagkain, isang desisyon ang nabuo sa isip niya.

"Simon," she called. "Let's go to school."

He nodded in submission, excited.

Momo grinned. "I want to play."