❝BAD WEATHER ❞

'"Let me transfer!"

Pangungulit ni (Y/N) sa loob ng office ng kanyang tatay na umabot na hanggang hapon. She has been begging since morning at mukhang wala pa itong planong huminto. May pasok pa ito kinabuksan in her new school, but it seems like she doesn't want to be there anymore.

Sino ba naman ang gustong pumasok after being embarrased for more than two times in their first day?!

"Helian, stop," iritableng bulong ng kanyang tatay. "Just the other day you were pestering me nonstop to transfer you to this school, and now you want to transfer to your old school! Again and again!"

"Well, I don't like my new school now. I don't like the community there. I don't like the people. I don't like the environment." (Y/N) complained.

"And you only realized that now!" Sigaw naman ni Mr. Sy, her dad. "Your old school is prestigious. It's well-known in the country, yet you were so stupid and suddenly moved to a new school."

"Duh I know I'm stupid," (Y/N) muttered as she rolled her eyes. "Plus Tita Rochelle suggested it!"

"Don't roll your eyes at me, and not all the time will you listen to Mrs. Haitani. I am your father." His father stated in a scolding tone. After that, he ignored his daughter's whines and words. 

"Dad, are you not really going to acknowledge my presence here? Hello? I drove to Makati from Quezon City, and it was traffic." Sagot mo naman.

"I'll call Arthur to drive you home." Sabi ni Mr. Sy dahil sobrang stressed na rin nito sa opisina at kinukulit pa siya ng kanyang nnica hija. 

"No. I'll drive by myself." She insisted and grabber her car keys. Bago lang din ang kotse nito at galing sa kanyang tatay. "I'm already eighteen."

"You better not go to Taguig and go clubbing." His father's eyes squinted, knowing her daughter well. "No drinking."

"K whatever," she whispered under her breath and stomped out of her father's office.

"Oh shit, wait." Bulong ni (Y/N) sa kanyang sarili at bumalik ulit sa loob. "Dad, I need gas money!"

Napabugtong hininga muli ang kanyang tatay at napahawak muna sa ulo nang saglit ngunit binigyan ka parin ng tatlong libo.

"Okay, thanks, Dad. Love you!" She squealed and sprinted out of her dad's office. "Three thousand is not enough tho'." Isip nito dahil hindi lang gas ang plano niyang gastusin. 

Her heels can be heard clanking in the building's hallway as she walked to the parking lot. Kaka-galing lang din niya sa salon bago pumunta rito para sa buhok niya... pati buhok may maintenance! She can't let her balayage burn out in the heat! Magpapa-acrylics din sana ito, but school policy blocks her. She's also wearing her favorite dress, a sundress. It's her go-to outfit.

"Sino 'yon?" Tanong ng mga ibang empleyado sa building.

"'Yan 'yung anak ni Mr. Sy. Palagi nga 'yang pumupunta rito."

"Oo, kaso nga lang hindi natin masyado nakikita kasi sa kabilang building lagi dumadaan... Mas malamig daw kasi ro'n!"

(Y/N) immediately drove off from the building at dumiretso ito sa Starbucks drive thru to order her favorite drink, pero nag-aalanganin ito dahil sa makitid na daanan sa drive thru at ang mataas na ramp... She's just a begginer in driving, and she knows herself she can't pass through this without struggling.

"Don't tell me I'll park my car and just order inside." Iritableng isip mo. Naging useless tuloy ang drive-thru para sa 'yo.

"Hoy! Ano? Papasok ka ba o hindi?" Sigaw ng isang driver sa tabi ng kotse mo. Nagulat ka naman kaya't napatingin ka.

Binaba rin ni (Y/N) ang kanyang bintana sa kotse at sumagot. "What? Can you chill out?! It's hot, o!"

"'Wag mo 'kong ma-english english d'yan, mokong!"

"What the hell is mokong? And can you just wait, kuya? Can't you see I'm so nahihirapan here and you're just pressuring me! Move your car away!" Sigaw ni (Y/N).

"Nahihirapan, sus! Malamang, babae ka, kaya bobo ka mag-maneho! Bagal-bagal, amputa." Sagot naman ng lalaking driver.

"Excuse me? You can't just degrade my driving skills because I'm a woman. Just drive away and we'll settle this. Get your ugly car away! Kasing pangit mo 'yung kotse, duh!" Sagot naman ni (Y/N) at kaunti nalang ay lalabas ito ng kotse.

"Anong sabi mo?"

"I said, you're so pangit!!" Sigaw ni (Y/N), then gave him the middle finger out of the window as she quickly drove away.

Mabilis naman na pinatakbo ni (Y/N) ang kanyang kotse, ngunit chineck niya muna sa salamin ang kanyang itsura, lalo na ang falsies niya. "My eyelash extension better not be ruin. That man was stressing me out. Buti nalang I memorized the plate number. I'm going to tell him to daddy."

Kumalma na nang saglit si (Y/N), pero dumungaw ito sa side mirror, and noticed that...

"Holy shit! He's chasing me!" Sigaw ni (Y/N) nang pansin ang humaharurot na kotse sa likod niya, and ito 'yung kotse ng lalaking naka-away niya sa drive-thru!

Dito ka na talaga nagpanic at habang pinapatakbo mo nang mabilis ang kotse, hinahanap mo rin ang phone mo at the same time to call a police or your dad.

"I'm going to die!" She dramatically screams, and she's an inch away from bumping into other cars on the road, palibhasa ay beginner lang siya sa pagmamaneho.

"I still have to buy that Hermes bag. Lord, don't get me, please!" Dagdag pa nito.

Masyado nang naka-tuon ang pansin mo sa paghahanap ng phone sa bag, kaya't hindi mo na rin alam kung saan ka dumadaan...

And that's when you hear a loud crash at halos ma-pwersa ang ulo mo na mauntog sa manubela, but luckily, your seatbelt saved you.

You lowered your head and closed your eyes from the loud impact. Pansin mo ring nagka-gasgas ang noo mo at may kaunting dugo nang hinawakan mo ito. Dahan-dahan mong tinaas ang ulo mo to see the disaster you just bumped into.

Naka-bangga ka ng kotse!

"Oh my– Oh my gosh... My dad will kill me." Nanginginig mong bulong. Too scared in thinking about your dad to the point you just ignored your wound from the accident. 

"...I'm really sorry! I'm really sorry!" Agad naman lumabas si (Y/N) para kausapin ang driver ng kotse ng nabangga nito sa harap.

Oh shit. The car looks expensive too. (Y/N) doesn't know much about cars, but she knows what car this is since her dad owns one.

"It's an Audi!" You gasped. Alam mong hindi rin ito babayaran ng tatay mo sapagkat... hindi mo ito sasabihin! You know that your dad will scold you... ground you, take your phone, take your car, lahat na! Your dad will kill you. Of course not literal.

Lumabas naman ang lalaki sa kotse na nabangga ni (Y/N), and her jaw almost dropped as she saw the familiar face.

"...Hey! It's you again?!" Gulat mong tanong.

Kita sa ekspresyon ni Kakucho ang namumuong galit, lalo't na'y mainit ang panahon, at stuck pa sila sa skyway dahil sa aksidente.

"The last fucking person I expected," Kakucho whispered under his breath as he sighed and looked at the damage to his car, not even caring to look at you.

Pinigilan mo muna ang iyong pag-iinarte at reklamo kahit init na init ka na. Alam mo na ikaw ang mali at ang naka-bangga. "I know you're in the right lane, and I'm the one who's wrong. I was speeding up, a-and I exceeded the limit. I was just scared because someone was chasing me!"

"Hoy! Mokong!" Sigaw ng lalaking humahabol sa kanya at tuluyan na nga itong lumabas ng kotse at sinugod ka.

"Him! He's the reason why I crashed into your car, Kakucho!" Sigaw mo habang tinuturo ang lalaki at nagtago sa likod ni Kakucho.

"O? Sino naman 'to? Nobyo mo? Hoy, 'tong girl friend mo, tol, ininsulto ako, ha? 'Di lang ako, pati 'yung putanginang kotse ko. Mga bata naman talaga. Ilang taon na kayo, ha?! Bad trip na nga 'yung araw ko, pinalala pa ng babaeng 'yan!" Reklamo ng lalaki nang nilapitan si Kakucho.

Kakucho clenched his jaw in annoyance. "Dinamay niyo pa 'ko sa gulo niyong dalawa." Bulong niya pa.

"Ano? Magtitigan nalang ba tayong tatlo rito? Nasa'n na ba 'yung babaeng 'yon?!" Sigaw ng lalaki at naglakad papunta sa likod ni Kakucho.

Kakucho covered you from the man as he placed you behind him. "Ano bang problema, bro?" Si Kakucho na rin ang humarap sa lalaki.

"Ayan! Itong babaeng 'to!" Sigaw ng lalaki at hinablot ang braso mo at hinila ka kaya't napasigaw ka naman.

Hindi mo na rin namalayan ang mga susunod na pangyayari nang nakita mo nalang na sinuntok ni Kakucho ang lalaki kaya't napahiga ito sa sahig na may nandudugong ilong.

"Let's settle this, alright?" Banggit pa ni Kakucho at hinili ang collar ng lalaki.

Hindi na rin nakapagsalita ang lalaki at halos mapanginig nalang sa kaba. "Putcha, high schooler ba 'to?!" Isip ng lalaki.

"Wala namang damage 'yung kotse mo, ah?" Sabi pa ni Kakucho. "Anong problema?"

"W-Wala. Bitawan mo 'ko bago pa 'ko magtawag ng pulis." Pagbabanta pa ng lalaki at tumayo sa kalsada.

"Alis," utos pa ni Kakucho sa lalaki, at agad naman na itong umalis, leaving you and Kakucho behind.

Halos hindi ka na rin makapagsalita sa gulat at nasa gilid lang. You clicked back to reality as you noticed Kakucho turn his head to you.

"Are you just going to stand there?" He coldly asked.

Agad ka namang umiling at umayos ng tayo. You're just looking around awkwardly, not knowing what to say!

"A-ah, thank you. It seems like we're done here... I'll go now. I'll just go to a repair station... Haha." You try to excuse yourself.

"You're not going anywhere."

Napahinto ka naman sa sinabi ni Kakucho. "What?"

"Hey, you really think it's that easy to get out of this situation? You crashed into my damn car. There are procedures, excuse you. The investigation, filling out forms, insurance, paying for liability, and more." Sambit ni Kakucho na halatang may inis parin sa tono.

Sure your father hired you a personal driving coach, but this information is too much to take in!

"Hell, can you even pay for the damages?" Kakucho asked, almost sarcastically. "Pay for your consequence. No, actually, pray for your consequence. I doubt you could even pay this." Sabi ni Kakucho.

"Duh! Yes, I can–!"

"Without your father's help?"

Hindi ka na rin makapagsalita sa biglaang pagkasabi nito. Oo nga pala, you're not even planning to tell your dad this bullshit!

"I mean... Uh, yeah?" You answered with hesitation.

"Let's contact Mr. Sy, then." Kakucho said as he took his phone out.

"WAIT! WAIT! NO!" Sigaw mo at agad na pinigilan siya.

"Oh?" He raised a brow. 

"No, and wait– how do you know my dad?!"

"You think I'm 'dumb', really. His name is prominent. I see him often." Kakucho said.

"Huh?"

"I'm a working student. See, unlike you, I actually earn my own money."

"Where do you work? In a fast food chain?" You asked cluelessly, not really minding what you were saying to him.

"Bold of you to assume that. I work in a firm with my father." Kakucho said, not giving further information to you as he doesn't trust you, and the two of you barely know each other, only as classmates.

"Right, and how dare you tell that. I also earn money, 'noh!" Angal mo.

"By what?"

"By ano, uhh, well let's not talk about it. Okay, so tell me, how much is your car? Let's get straight to the point. I want this to end now!" Sabi mo.

"Five million."

Halos matuyo ang laway mo kaya't lumunok ka muna. "Jumpscare...."

"Okay... I'll pay for it, but I won't pay it agad..." You said in defeat.

"What do you mean?" Kakucho furrowed his brows.

"Like you know, I'll drop the money in bits?"

"Huh?"

"Like I won't pay it as a whole!"

"Ah," nagpigil nalang ng tawa si Kakucho. "You mean 'hulugan ng pera'?"

"Yes! Yes! I'll just hulugan it and I promise, I can pay it in less than a year! Just please, don't tell my dad! I'll do anything just to complete the payment!"

Kakucho observed you for a second, then nodded. "Deal."

You offered your hand for a shaking hand since naalala mong ganito ang ginagawa ng dad mo kapag may ka-business meeting, but Kakucho just ignored you and walked back to his car!

"Okay. Nevermind." Bulong mo.

Ilang days ang nakalipas at na-tow na rin ang kotse niyong dalawa. May mga papeles kang pinirmahan and procedures to attend... and surprisingly, you succeed on hiding it from your father. Hindi ka na rin masyadong nakakapag vlog dahil sa dami mong iniisip. Hell... where will you even get the five million?

"Hoy!"

Ingay ng mga kaklase mo ang unang bumungad sa'yo pagkapasok mo ng classroom. Yesterday was a stressful day, at halos pilitin mo nalang ang sarili mong pumasok. Buti nalang you still have your iced coffee at dala dala mo ito pagpasok.

"Ang lakas naman ng boses mo, kasing lakas ng putok mo!"

Sigawan ng mga kaklase mo. Dumiretso ka nalang sa upuan para na rin makapagpahinga habang wala pa ang teacher. Yesterday, you were really trying to hide everything from your dad, and it was difficult! He kept asking nonstop questions, and you were dodging every question that will lead to you being exposed! Ginawan mo pa ng rason ang sugat mo sa noo, at buti nalang ay hindi ito masyado malaki. Surprisingly, you succeeded, tho'. Hindi mo nalang alam how will it be on the next few days.

"Huy, rinig ko 'yung nangyari, ah. Nagka-banggaan daw kayo ni Kakucho?" Tanong nina Hakkai. Yeah, you really can't underestimate their 'FBI' skills. Nagulat ka nalang dahil parang binasa nila ang nasa loob ng isip mo. Ito talaga ang unang tanong na bumungad sa'yo!

"Where did you get that? Who else knows? You know my dad can't know." You asked in a panic. Shit, if the teachers know, for sure makakarating 'to sa tatay mo!

"Well... your fans and F5's fans. Don't worry, sa Tiktok naman naka-post. Hindi sa Facebook! Wala naman sigurong Tiktok 'yung tatay mo?" Banggit ni Emma. Kahit dalawang days palang kayong magkakilala nina Hakkai, Ashanti, at Emma, ay kung makipagsalita sila sa'yo ay parang long-term besties na! But whatever, you weren't complaining, tho'. You love their company.

"Oh... No, he doesn't have." Sagot mo nang kumalma nang bahagya.

"Edi goods! Kalma ka lang! Ano ba kasing nangyari? Tsaka it's such a coincidence na si Kakucho pa naka-bangga mo. Kwento mo na, wala naman si Kakucho, e hehe. 'Di namin sasabihin kahit kanino, promise!" Sabi naman ni Ashanti sa kaliwa mo.

"Well... I don't know, long story short, I got into an argument with someone and chased me then I speed up my car then– BOOM!" Sigaw mo na may halong hagulgol at halos maglumpasay na sa upuan.

"Napa-utot ako sa gulat." Komento ni Hakkai.

"I don't know what to do anymore! I have to pay millions and millions without my dad knowing! Where the hell will I get the money? " Sunod mo pa na sabi. You know there will still be an investigation, but you'll just be ready to hear the information that the damage will cost millions!

"E 'di ba may driver ka naman? Pwede naman siyang maghatid sundo sa'yo sa school." Sabi naman ni Hakkai.

"Well, yes! But Kuya Arthur drives my car ever since my dad bought me one. Kuya Arthur can still use other cars, but he will be suspicious of me if I use a different car every day and not mine. I just can't carry on like this... For sure Kuya Arthur will tell my dad if he finds out." Reklamo mo while clutching your head in distress.

"Ssob Kakucho! Good morning!" Rinig mong bati nina Makoto, at halos magpanic ka naman kaya't 'di mo na alam ang gagawin mo. How can you even face him?!

"Ayan na nga..." Bulong nina Hakkai.

Kakucho walked straight to his seat, at nasa likuran mo lang siya. You didn't move a single inch, and of course, you will never look behind! You can feel his presence behind you, at halos maging statwa ka nalang sa sobrang kabado.

"How's your car?" Tanong ni Koko at nanlaki naman ang mga mata mo. No, please, don't remind him! Isip naman ni (Y/N).

"Still under investigation," Kakucho muttered.

"At least y'all are safe. Rear bumper lang ba natamaan?" Nagk-kwentuhan nalang sina Koko at buti nalang hindi pa nababanggit ni Kakucho ang pangalan mo.

"Kind of, and the dents and damage are so... bad. Someone is responsible for this." Banggit ni Kakucho at medyo nilalakasan ang boses na parang nagpaparinig.

"Who?" Tanong ni Koko.

"Si–"

"Good morning, class."

You deeply sighed in relief. Ngayon ka lang hindi nainis sa teacher mong maldita!

Putting that aside, mabilis na rin natapos ang buong araw ng klase, at wala ka nang gana kaya't mabuti nalang ay puro lessons lang ang tinackle sa lahat ng subjects.

Agad mo naman binitbit ang maliit at pink mong handbag with a bow, and again... hulaan niyo nalang kung paano nagkakasya ang mga gamit nito.

"Gloomy today ah," banggit naman ni Hakkai nang napansin ang ekspresyon mo. "Dapat bloomy!"

"Heliantheae should bloom, 'noh!" Dagdag pa niya, meaning, sunflowers should bloom.

"I'm stressed!" Reklamo mo pa nang pagkalabas ng classroom kasama sina Emma.

"Hoy, (Y/N)!" Tawag ni Makoto.

Napalingon ka naman, pero lumingon din si Ashanti!

"Sino ba sakanila?" Tanong ni Hakkai.

"Si ano, si Ashanti! Tawag ka ni bebe mo!" Banggit pa nila.

"Asus, may date nanaman 'yung dalawa." Pag-iikot ng mata ni Hakkai.

"Anyway, siguro ngayon, Helian, gusto mo nang sumabay sa 'min?" Tanong ni Hakkai.

"Well, as if I have a choice... Okay!"

"Hala so edi pag may choice 'di ka sasama sa'min? 'Nu 'yon?!" Sambit naman ni Emma.

"Well whatever whatever. I'll just call Kuya Arthur... to lie." Sabi mo at kinuha ang cellphone mo.

"Hello, kuya? Yes, I will drive my car, so you don't need to fetch me. I parked my car overnight in a nearby parking lot. Thanks. Bye." Banggit mo pa, yup... Ang galing talaga kapag dating sa paggawa ng kwento. Pa'no kaya, mahilig tumakas...

"Ay wow ha. Parang 'di planado." Bulong naman nina Hakkai.

"Anyway, what will we ride? Should we call a grab?" Banggit mo. The sun is scorching hot today! That's why you're planning to buy iced coffee too.

"Hindi. Jeep sasakyan natin."

"Oh my gosh it's so hot!"

Reklamo mo habang naghihintay ng pila sa jeep. Halos paypayin ka na rin nina Hakkai at Emma magkabilaan. Yeah, next time, mag g-grab nalang talaga sila kapag kasama ka.

"Beh, kalmahan mo. Imagine mo nalang nasa beach ka." Sabi naman ng dalawa.

"Beach? The only thing I can smell is the pollution of the cars here."

"O, North Avenue! Trinoma!" Sigaw ng conductor sa jeep sa tabi mo at halos mabingi ka naman.

Sumakay naman na kayo nina Hakkai at Emma sa jeep. Ikaw ang nasa gitna nilang dalawa at salamat nalang hindi siksikan!

"Wow, hello," bati mo sa mga pasahero.

"Huy! Kilala mo ba mga 'yan?" Bulong sa'yo nina Emma.

"Oh, no."

Umandar na rin ang jeep at bigla kang napakapit kina Hakkai at Emma.

"Ano ba! Kapag nahawakan mo suso ko taena mo ka beh." Reklamo naman ni Hakkai.

"You don't have one, tho'." You blatantly said.

Habang nasa jeep, lumilipad-lipad ang buhok mo at napupunta sa mukha ni Emma.

Sa sobrang inip mo sa loob ng jeep dahil malayo-layo pa ang destinasyon, na-curious ka naman sa string sa jeep. 'Yung nasa may taas, and it's connected sa roof ng driver.

"What's this?" You curiously asked as you touch the string beneath the jeep's roof.

"Ah, hihilain mo 'yan kapag magpapara ka n–" Explain nina Hakkai, but it was too late at nahila mo na ito!

Huminto na 'yung jeep at nagtinginan naman ang mga tao sa'yo. "Miss, bababa ka ba?"

"A-ay, sorry po! Hindi po kami bababa! Pasensya na, first time lang kasi nito mag jeep!" Paumanhin naman nina Hakkai.

"Oh sorry," you covered your mouth and just side-eyed.

Ilang minuto ang nakalipas at may mga tao na rin na sumasakay ng jeep. You just sighed and moved to your side dahil medyo sumisikip na rin at puno ang mga upuan.

"Pst, hawakan mo nang mabuti 'yung mga hikaw mo. May nakatitig. Baka magnanakaw." Bulong sayo ni Hakkai.

"Oh," agad ka naman nagpanic at tinanggal ang mga hikaw mo, pati na rin ang mga alahas na suot mo. You didn't know, until now, the struggles of being a commuter in this country. It's really such a hassle. You could only imagine the working citizens riding in these transportations on a daily basis.

"D'yan nalang tayo bababa." Sabi naman ni Emma.

"Paabot po ng bayad!" Sabi naman ng isang pasahero sa'yo.

"Uh," you panicked dahil hindi alam ang gagawin, kaya't hinablot mo ang kamay ni Hakkai at hinarap sa pasahero para roon nalang ilagay ang pera.

"Huy!" Nagulat naman si Hakkai dahil lumingon lang ito nang saglit ay nahila na ang kamay niya at may barya na agad dito.

"Okay, baba na tayo." Sabi naman ni Emma. "Pumara ka na."

"What?"

"Nandyan na tayo, o."

"Oh, wait, right... Kuya! Stop the jeep, please!" Sigaw mo.

Tumingin naman ang mga pasahero sa'yo kaya't agad ka nang hinila nina Hakkai pababa ng jeep.

"Sa lahat ng mga experience ko sa commute... Dito ako napagod!" Sigaw naman ni Hakkai habang hinihingal.

"Ako rin! Parang malalaglag na matres ko." Dagdag naman ni Emma.

You're just standing there clueless, at kahit hassle ang commute, you're still glowing fresh! "I mean... It's okay naman."

"Helian... Next time, mag grab nalang tayo!"

"Well, I'll book a grab now para pag-uwi, we won't have to wait anymore. We won't take that long inside the mall, right?" You said.

"Oo, kahit ano!" Sagot naman nila.

You opened your bag and searched for your phone. Halos isang minuto na ang nakalipas at hindi mo parin nahahanap ang phone mo.

"Sa liit ng bag mong 'yan, hindi mo parin nahahanap?" Tanong naman nila.

"Wait... My phone isn't in my bag..." You whispered as your heart raced.

"Hala gago baka nanakawan ka! Tignan mo nga 'yung ilalim ng bag mo baka may hiwa." Sabi naman ni Emma.

"What?! Wala naman..." You said in a panic as you checked it.

"Hm, alam mo, siguro naiwan mo 'yun sa locker sa tabi ng classroom nu'ng pinatong mo after mong tinawagan 'yung driver mo." Banggit naman ni Hakkai.

Well, mukhang magc-commute ka ulit...

"Holy shit."

Bulong mo sa sarili mo habang hinihingal pagpasok ng building ng eskwelahan. Ikaw nalang ang mag-isang nag commute dahil ayaw mo na ring maabala sina Hakkai, at para na rin matuto ka. Buti nalang din ay bukas pa ito kaya't umakyat ka sa floor kung saan ang classroom niyo.

Medyo madilim na rin dahil pagabi na, only the ceiling fluorescent lights being the source of light.

"I think I'm the only one left in this building?" You thought as goosebumps arise on your skin. "Hopefully not..."

"Oh super book, I love Jesus... I love Jesus..." Mahina mong kanta habang bumibilis na rin ang lakad mo and at this point, tumatakbo ka na!

Napahinto ka naman nang saglit nang may narinig kang shuffles and footsteps sa pagliko ng hallway. Malapit kung saan ang locker, on where you think you're phone is.

"Matapang ako," you said and flipped your hair as you walked to the locker.

Nang pagka-hablot mo sa phone mo, hindi ka na rin tumingin sa kabilang side ng hallway at agad nang tumalikod para tumakbo pabalik!

Ngunit mukhang na-doble ang gulat mo nang may nakabangga ka!

"AHHH!" Malakas mong sigaw, at katunong pa ng mga nasa horror movies.

"Tangina–" Bulong ni Kakucho at nagulat din ito. Hindi sa'yo mismo, pero sa sigaw mo na akala mo kinakatay na baboy.

"AHHHH!" Tuloy mo paring sigaw, kaya't tinakpan na ni Kakucho nang kusa ang bibig mo dahil akala pa ng mga guard ay kung ano na ang nangyari.

"Calm the fuck down." Galit at matindi na pagka-bigkas ni Kakucho.

After you clicked back to reality at medyo kumalma ka naman na, you also slowly realized who's in front of you.

"Wha–"

"What are you doing here?" Una niyang tanong. You paused for a second before responding.

"Well, I left my phone, but I don't know where it is now." Bigla nalang dumarating ang masungit na tono sa boses mo kapag si Kakucho ang kausap mo.

Kakucho just looked at you, bottom to top, at hindi na nagsalita. Tumalikod nalang ito at naglakad na paalis, leaving you there.

"Wait, hey!" Tawag mo sa kanya.

Lumingon din naman si Kakucho, and his hands are still in his pockets. He appears nonchalant as if he won't care what you will say.

"Can you wait for me while I find my phone?" You said and swallowed your pride. It's so scary in this corridor at madilim na rin kahit may ilaw. Kita rin ang mga nakakatakot na puno sa labas ng malalaking glass walls. Whatever, kakapalan mo na ang mukha mo.

"Matatakutin," bulong ni Kakucho, pero naghintay din naman at sumandal nalang sa pader.

Hindi mo na rin narinig ang binubulong niya at nagpatuloy lang na hinahanap ang phone mo. Dumadapa ka pa sa sahig pero syempre, you used your books as a mat because you don't want your skin to make contact directly on the floor.

"I'm pretty sure it's just on the locker..." Bulong mo at pinagdasal mo nalang na hindi ka matagalan dito dahil naghihintay din si Kakucho.

"Oh, right... Why are you still here pa pala?" Tanong mo, para na rin hindi siya mainip. Inisip mong libangin din siya.

"Overtime for chess club." Maikli nitong sagot.

"Oh... Okay." You muttered while still finding your phone. Napatingin ka naman sa kanya and he looks extremely bored.

Lumipas na rin ang ilang minuto, and finally, you found your phone! Nasa ilalim lang pala ng locker. May kaunting cracks ang screen nito dahil mukhang nahulog. You just sighed and stood up from the floor.

"I found it!" Sigaw mo as you showed Kakucho the phone in your hand. "Okay, let's go now."

Bago ka pa maka-lakad paalis, Kakucho called you.

"Helian."

"What?"

"Just pay half a million for the damage." Kakucho said, bringing up that topic, but in good news.

"Wait– Really?!" Your eyes lit up. Malaki ang bawas nito! Kaya't agad kang tumango. Talagang sumang-ayon ka rito.

"In one condition."

Napataas ka naman ng kilay. "What is it?"

"...Carry my things." He said as he handed you his bag and books then walked away. Ayun lang pala... pero still!

"What–"

"Being my assistant won't harm the four and a half million, right?" Tanong niya nang huminto sa paglalakad.

Yeah, you almost forgot that Kakucho works in a firm that's why he has a business, and entrepreneurship mindset at such an age. He really knows how to use monetary and value... Kaibigan ba naman din si Koko!

"So you exchanged the four-plus million so that you can order me around?!" You gasped.

"I mean, your choice." Kakucho shrugged as he grabbed his things from you.

"Wait– No! Fine, I will. Okay." You rolled your eyes and snatched his things then walked away.

Sumunod nalang si Kakucho sa likuran mo nang palabas na kayo ng campus. Hindi niya rin napansin ang pagbagal ng lakad mo. After all, dalawang beses kang nagcommute, and it's your first time as well. You spent the whole day, worrying about your problems for the umpteenth time!

"Ano, kaya pa?" Kakucho asked, but you felt a sarcastic tone behind his words that's why you just ignored him along with the fatigue coming over your body. Well, it's really true that you have to pay, no, pray for your consequence.

I guess the sunflower will start to fall under bad weather without shelter.