❝ REST  FOR SUNSET ❞

"Kung ang panot ay bumili ng shampoo, nakatutulong ba 'to sa agos ng ekonomiya ng bansa?"

Tanong nina Baji at Benkei sa pader, nagp-praktis daw sa interview. Ikaw naman ay nasa gilid lang nila while flipping through the papers inside the clip folder. It's currently six o'clock in the morning, at seven nagsisimula ang klase niyo, kaya't bago pa man magklase ay sinimulan niyo na ang pag-iinterview para sa group project niyo.

"Ugh! What the hell is that question?!" You scolded the two. Nagulat naman sila dahil dito. Tanginang mood swings kasi 'yan!

"'De joke lang po. Haha. Eto naman 'di mabiro." Bulong ni Benkei at binatukan si Baji sa ulo. "Ayos na, p're."

"Inamo kanina pa'ko umaayos. Anyway, maghanap na ba tayo ng target?" Tanong naman ni Baji. Dala ni Benkei ang ang mga equipment, tulad ng mic, ringlight, at camera. Ikaw naman ay dala dala ang mga papel sa loob ng clip folder. Si Baji naman ang magtatanong sa mga iinterview-hin.

"Okay, first target." Lumapit naman sina Baji sa isang estudyante.

"O cameraman. Ayos." Banggit naman ni Baji kay Benkei, pero naka-zoom ang camera sa mukha ni Baji kaya't muntik na niyang mahulog ang camera.

"Naknamputa ka-gulat naman 'yang pagmumukha mo idol." Bulong ni Benkei.

"Ano po pangalan niyo, and grade and section?" Tanong ni Baji na halos itututok ang mic sa bibig ng kanilang iniinterview.

"Huh? A-ah, Gab Ramirez po. Grade ten." Banggit naman ng estudyante.

"Ah, Junior High. Pwede ba 'to?" Tanong naman ni Baji.

"Yeah, continue!" Sagot mo naman.

"Okay po Madame kalma lang." Banggit naman nito.

"So... Gab Ramirez, we're STEM students from Senior High. Department. We're conducting student interviews for our project. Would you mind being our first interviewee?" Pagsisimula naman ni Baji.

"Uhm, sige po." Sagot naman ng estudyante.

"As a student and a citizen of the Philippines, what's your perspective on the current political state of our country?" Tanong ni Baji.

"Naku po. Kung ako 'yan totropahin nalang sagot." Sabi ng kaibigan ni Gab.

"First, I think we're slowly losing the significance of the youth's voices during the election. Second, prices kept on rising. And third, we're losing control of the agriculture sector." Sagot naman ni Gab.

"Okay, anything else?" Tanong mo naman, at umiling nalang ang estudyante kaya't naghanap nalang kayo ng iba pang iinterview-hin.

"Okay, thank you, Gab Ramirez!"

"Pasa na ba natin 'to kina Kakucho at Inui para agad na nila magawan ng data? Ilalagay pa nila 'to sa laptop 'di ba?" Tanong ni Benkei.

"Oh, well... Here. Just give it to him later." Sagot mo nang binigay ang folder kina Benkei. Hell no. You're not going to see him after what he said yesterday.

Naghanap pa kayo ng mga estudyante para sa interview, at malapit na rin magseven kaya't huminto muna kayo saglit. Marami-rami na rin ang mga nakolekta niyo. Umabot ba naman ng halos isang oras.

"Ilan nalang ba iinterview-hin?" Tanong ni Benkei.

Umupo nalang kayo sa sahig dahil sa pagod. Isang dosena ba naman ang na-interview niyo sa isang umaga at aasikasuhin niyo pa ang mga papeles at files.

"Anong ilan nalang? Gago tama na 'yan. Sampung libong pukenangina na 'yung na-interview natin. Magmumukha na tayong Mike Enriquez boi." Sagot ni Baji.

"Sino 'yon? Ahh! 'Yun ba 'yung nagsabi ng 'Ang sarap mo Pia!'" Sigaw ni Benkei.

"Gago!" Agad naman na binatukan ni Benkei si Baji dahil may dumadaang mga teachers.

"Anong oras na pala?" Tanong niya.

"Six forty-five pa naman. May ilang minutes pa. Kain muna tayo." Pag-aaya ni Baji.

Agad mo naman narinig ang sinabi ni Baji habang inaayos mo ang mga papel sa isang lamesa, at halos guminhawa ang pakiramdam mo dahil may kasama ka na rin kumain, and it's not Lexi or Kaycee.

Sa isang table sa canteen naman, ay naka-upo lang ang magt-tropang sina Kakucho, Rindou, at Koko.

"Busy nanaman 'yon si kuya sa practice. Naglilibang, e." Kwento ni Rindou.

"Puntahan natin mamaya. Kakucho and I have free time pa naman. We have no club today." Sagot ni Koko.

"Kaku?" Tawag naman ng dalawa dahil pansin nilang hindi ito nakikinig.

Naka-tingin lang si Kakucho sainyo nina Baji at Benkei. Pansin niyang nagtatawanan kayong tatlo at sabay ring kumain after interviewing some few students.

"Kaku–?"

"Anyway, balita ko sabay daw kayong nagcommute kahapon ah." Rindou said with a teasing chuckle, bringing up a sudden topic.

"And what about it?" Kakucho sighed, his arms crossed while leaning against the table.

"Wala lang naman..." Tawa ng dalawa niyang kaibigan.

"Nagkataon lang na nakita ko siyang pinagtitinginan ng mga tambay, bro, kaya sinabayan ko na rin magcommute. Kung hindi dahil do'n, ibang pasada sasakyan ko." Kakucho said.

Nagtinginan naman sina Koko at Rindou. "Ahh... Sige nalang, Kaku. HAHAHAHA!"

"Huh? What? Would you leave a girl unattended? Kita mo naman may mga tambay na grabe 'yung titig sa kanya. She's nothing special. If my mother or any girl is in her situation, I would do the same. I'm just doing what a decent man would do." Kakucho defended, making sure his friends aren't getting the wrong thought.

Tumayo nalang si Kakucho and wore his hoodie with his hands inside his pockets as he casually walked away, ignoring his friends' laughter and teasing.

"Sorry na! Akala lang namin may ganap na pagpapatawad e." Tawa ni Rindou.

"Don't assume. She's not worthy of my liking at all." Kakucho coldly said before walking out.

"Hakkai!"

Nang pagka-pasok mo sa silid-aralan, agad kang pumunta kay Hakkai at binilin nalang kina Baji at Benkei na ibigay ang records ng mga na-interview galing kanina kina Kakucho at Inui.

"Today is the reporting of your group, right?" You asked.

"Ah, oo! Bakit?"

"Oh nothing. We'll just watch. We're still going to interview like... a lot. There's still a lot to do." Banggit mo naman.

"Kaya 'yan! Ikaw naman leader, 'di ba?"

"Yes, since some guy doesn't want to be the leader and starts to be bitter." You rolled your eyes.

"Si ano ba 'yan..." bulong ni Hakkai na may halong tawa. "'Yung naka-banggaan mo?"

"What the hell!" You gasped. 

Halos obserbahan ka naman ni Hakkai, at pansin mong palipat-lipat ang tingin niya kay Kakucho at sa'yo, parang tinitignan kayo nang maiging dalawa.

"Hmm... Okay..." Banggit ni Hakkai. "It's giving déjà vu."

"What do you mean?" You raised a brow.

"Wala. Anyway, good luck sainyo! Next week na rin reporting niyo." Sabi ni Hakkai.

"I should be the one saying good luck to you since it's your reporting later."

Bumalik ka naman na sa upuan mo, ngunit napahinto nang saglit nang biglang tinanong ka ni Kakucho at naka-upo lang siya sa likuran mo.

"Where's the record and file?" Tanong ni Kakucho.

"Didn't Baji and Benkei gave it?" Isip mo. Bakit mo sa'kin hinahanap, excuse me?

You ignored his question and just continued with your business. Tinaasan ka naman ng kilay ni Kakucho for disregarding his question.

"Helian," tawag niya muli sa'yo, ngunit wala ka parin talagang kibo.

"Oh, so we're ignoring each other now, huh?" Kakucho questioned as he tilted his head and poked his tongue inside his cheek in annoyance at your neglect.

Umupo ka nalang sa upuan mo nang hindi siya pinapansin. Hindi nagpapatalo ang kataasan ng pride mo.

"Alright, it's up to you if you don't want our reporting to be good. Inui and I are waiting. Our group's grade is at stake. Sayang naman kung ang leader ang magpapabagsak sa buong grupo." Paasar na sabi ni Kakucho, making you grit your teeth in irritation because of what he just said. Ilang oras at walang tulog mo 'yon pinagpaguran just for him to say that?!

Kinuha mo ang folder at tumalikod para ibigay kay Kakucho, ngunit binato mo mismo sa mukha niya ang folder!

"What the fuck is your problem?!" Galit na pagkasabi ni Kakucho nang tumayo ito sa kanyang upuan dahil sa ginawa mo.

Napatingin naman lahat ng mga kaklase mo sa eksena at halos mawindang sa ganap ninyong dalawa ni Kakucho.

Tumayo ka rin sa upuan mo dahil mukhang nanghahamon 'tong si Kakucho. Mukhang galit na galit ito base sa ekspresyon niya, at mas galit pa noong nabangga mo ang kotse niya.

"Uy uy! Awat, p're!" Agad naman na inawatan si Kakucho ng mga kaibigan niya at nilayo sa'yo.

"May grouping pa tayo, uy! 'Wag muna ngayon! I-schedule niyo muna away niyo– aray." Sabi ni Benkei, pero hindi na natuloy dahil binatukan ito ni Baji.

"Gusto mo talaga 'yung nahihirapan?" Sarkastikong tanong ni Kakucho sa'yo, and there's a threat behind his words.

"Oh really?! Well, my life would be easier without you! You're one hell son of a bitch, an unlucky presence in my vicinity!" Sigaw mo sa kanya.

Inawat ka naman na rin nina Hakkai at Emma. Pinaglayo muna kayong dalawa ni Kakucho ng mga kaklase niyo dahil halos magrambulan na kayo sa loob ng classroom!

"What happened to the two of you?"

Bumungad ang boses ng teacher niyo, at huminto ang eksena sa silid-aralan.

"Helian, Kakucho! What's happening?! Senior high school na kayo, at ganyan parin ba ang kilos niyo? Pang-away elementary! If there's something that is needed to be settled, go to the guidance! Does the two of you need to settle anything? Sabihin niyo lang at diretso ko kayong ipapapunta sa office!" Sabi pa nito.

"Sit down!" Muli niyang sambit at agad naman nagsibalikan ang mga estudyante sa kanilang upuan.

Wala ka nang iba pang pagpipilian kaya't sinunod mo nalang at tinanggap ang mga salita na binitaw ng guro mo. You've never received a scolding like this aside from your dad!

Ilang oras ang nakalipas at dumating na rin ang subject kung saan ang grouping. 

Hindi mo na ito namalayan dahil sa sobrang pagod at gutom, dagdag pa ng walang tulog kagabi para sa preparation for the grouping and more PETA.

"Pst!" Tawag sainyo nina Baji at Benkei sa isang sulok ng classroom, ang usual study spot niyong magkaka-grupo.

Sumunod naman na kayo at umupo ka sa gitna nina Baji at Benkei. Matapos ng ganap kanina, you can't even bear to look at Kakucho.

You're out of your mind at naka-titig ka nalang sa sahig habang lutang. Hindi mo na rin naririnig na tinatawag ka na pala ng mga kagrupo mo.

"Hello? Helian?" Kaway sa'yo ni Benkei sa harapan mo.

"Oh, sorry for spacing out," banggit mo at sinubukan na ilipas nalang ang gutom. "Anyway, we're halfway done with the interviewing, but I'll submit the record to uh, Kakucho and Inui now."

Binigay mo na rin sakanila ang folder, the same folder na binato mo sa mukha ni Kakucho!

Si Inui nalang ang tumanggap nito dahil mukhang hindi tinatanggap ni Kakucho sa'yo.

"Arte," bulong mo, at narinig naman ito ni Kakucho.

"Hypocrite," Kakucho replied with a bored yawn.

"Oy oy tama na 'yan. Focus muna tayo rito." Sabi naman ni Baji.

"Let's start off with the table of content." Napalingon naman kayo sa boses ng mga kaklase niyo na nasa harapan ng klase upang magreport.

"Ikaw na magsimula," bulong ng mga kagrupo ni Makoto nang tinulak ito sa harapan para magsimula.

"Anak ng–" Bulong ni Makoto. "Uh, Good morning po."

"Pst!" Tawag ni Baji kay Makoto at pinamukhang engot ang kanyang mukha kahit mukhang engot naman talaga para mapa-tawa si Makoto sa harapan.

"PFT!" Tumalikod naman si Makoto at halos hindi na mapigilan ang tawa kaya't pinasa nalang muna kina Mikey ang folder.

"Wala wala, laos 'tong group na 'to." Bulong ni Benkei. 

Matapos ang parang isang oras na pagrereport nila, bumalik na rin kayo sa pagdidiscuss ng group niyo dahil kayo na ang sunod na magrereport next week!

"Done," biglang banggit ni Kakucho, at napalingon naman kayo sa kanya.

"Saan?" tanong ni Baji.

"I'm done with making and computing the statistics and data." Banggit ni Kakucho while typing on his laptop.

"Agad?!" Tanong ni Baji, at halos mahulog ang mga panga niyo.

"I was doing it while all of you were busy watching the other group." Kakucho said. "So, where can I print this?"

Tinanong mo sarili mo bakit ikaw pa kasi ang leader?! Kaya ikaw na rin dapat ang sasagot sa mga tanong ng group members mo, including Kakucho.

"Whatever," bulong mo. "Just print it in your house, and give it to me tomorrow."

Hindi na muling sumagot si Kakucho at bumalik sa kanyang ginagawa. You just rolled your eyes and also minded your own business.

"Ako na sa background of the study since Kakucho is done with the statistics and data." Sambit ni Inui.

"Oh, it's up to you. There are still interviews left, and we'll do it later dismissal."

Naka-uwi ka na rin sa bahay niyo, and luckily, wala ang tatay mo. Well, as usual, he's in Makati at may sarili siyang bahay do'n dahil nandoon din ang workplace niya, but you can't help to feel nervous dahil anytime uuwi ang tatay mo rito sa bahay niyo sa Quezon City.

"Yaya, I'm home! Did you fill my foot spa basin?" Una mong sigaw nang pagka-pasok niyo sa mansion niyo. It is no question that this house is luxurious and large compared to the other houses in here. Hindi na rin nakakapagtaka dahil nakapangalan ang bahay na 'to kay Mr. Sy, (Y/N)'s dad.

"Ate!" Nagulat ka naman nang tumakbo sa'yo ang isang babae na twelve years old and hugged you.

"Aisha?!" Your brows furrowed. Your stepsister is home again.

Means, your stepmother is also home.

"Where's Melinda?" You shoved Aisha away and strode down the corridor to find the maids and servants.

"Ate, 'wag mo namang sabihan si Mommy ng ganyan. Don't just call her by her name... That's disrespectful." Sabi sa'yo ni Aisha habang sinusundan ka.

"She's your mother, and she's not my mother so stop fussing around. Plus why are you here?! This is my house! This is my dad's house!" Sigaw mo sa kanya.

"Madame Helian–" Tawag sa'yo ng isang katulong.

"Is Melinda here again?" You asked in distress.

"O-opo ma'am. Nasa kwarto po, nagpapahinga." Sagot ng katulong.

"And why did you let them in?! Are you that dense?!" Inis mong pagkasabi.

"S-sorry po, ma'am... Sabi po kasi ni Mr. Sy na i-welcome din po sila sa bahay."

"Shut up," Iritable mong bulong, at agad mong nilabas ang telepono mo. "Can you like just get me a lemonade instead?

"Hello, Dad? Why are those two here?!" Inis mong tanong sa call, at agad naman nang umalis ang mga katulong para maiwan ka nang saglit.

"(Y/N)--" Banggit ng tatay mo.

"Don't call me by that name!" You retorted.

"Helian... Please, this is the time when you will accept Melinda and Aisha as your mother and sister. They are your family and they're welcome at the home anytime. I love them so much, so please do the same." Sabi ng tatay mo na may mapanghinayang boses.

"Never," you replied. "I despise them as much as you despise my biological mother."

At doon mo na binaba ang telepono, not minding what your dad will say.

You decided to go out of the mansion dahil wala ka naman ding magagawa. Hindi mo rin naman mapapaalis ang dalawang kinakaayawan mo.

"Kuya Arthur?" You called your driver para na rin siya ang maghatid sa'yo sa Makati dahil may pupuntahan ka.

"Bakit po?" Tanong naman nito na naglilinis ng kotse sa may garahe.

"Kuya, can you drive me to Tita Rochelle?"

"What? Someone pretended to be a supervisor in our team? Hand me the client. I'll handle it."

Iritableng pagkasabi ni Rochelle sa kanyang empleyado. She's currently at her workplace in Makati, and she's Haitani brothers' mother.

Nagring naman ang telepono nito sa lamesa at agad naman itong sinagot. Bumungad ang receptionist sa front desk ng building na may bisita raw ito.

"Madame Haitani, may bisita po kayo."

Rochelle grunted in annoyance as she rolled her eyes. "Tell them I don't accept visitors during my work hours--"

"Si Ma'am Helian Sy daw po." 

"Oh! Yes, let her in." Rochelle said with a smile, quickly changing her mind.

Lumapas ang ilang minuto at may kumatok na rin sa pintuan nito, and you showed up.

"Mamita! I missed you!" You squealed and hugged her. You know she's way better than your cheap stepmother.

"You've been busy these days! I can't even contact you, and I can't even ask my son about you. Inaabangan ko rin ang mga vlogs mo!" Rochelle said in despair.

Si Rochelle lang ang patuloy at laging pinupuntahan mo, despite on what Ran said to you the other day.

"Tita, you know, I'm really really busy that I can't even vlog and have a self-care day. I can't even go to the salon, to the spa, to do my nails and everything!" You whined, voice raising every syllable.

"Kawawa naman inaanak ko. You seem so stressed in that new school." Rochelle said. "Ewan ko ba! Gusto ko na nga ilipat sina Ran at Rindou sa ibang school, pero mukhang ayaw nila! Well, buti naman ay magc-college na kayo next year! Kaya ililipat ko na sila sa La Salle."

Kahit nanay niya ang lalaking gusto mo ngunit alam mong wala kang pag-asa, you try to neglect that fact and continued to bond with your Tita Rochelle.

Tita Rochelle is the only person you can rely on, and act as your mother figure.

She's even better than your mother.

Siya lang ang pinagkakatiwalaan mo, at halos lahat yata ng sikreto mo ay alam na ni Rochelle.

All the things you're supposed to say to your biological mother and dad, napupunta kay Rochelle, sa taong hindi mo pa ka-dugo.

Pansin din ni Rochelle ang pag-iiba sa itsura mo. You don't have the bloom anymore! Halatang stressed at pagod nga ang dinatnan mo sa bagong school mo.

"Yes, Tita, I even have more stuff to do at home, but I can't even have my peace there." Reklamo mo.

"Why? Is there something that happened between you and your dad?" Tanong ni Rochelle.

"Well kinda... But it's mostly on those two bitches again." You rolled your eyes.

"Ah... Your stepmother and stepsis?" Rochelle sighed. "They're back again?"

"Yes, they are! I try to shoo them off, but my dad said all these lovey dovey corny lines, like to love them as a family! I can't even stand their presence!" Banggit mo.

"Well, I don't have a say in that. If you can't bear being in that home, just remember that you're always welcome here." Rochelle reassured.

"Thanks so much, Mamita! You're such a lifesaver!" You pouted and hugged her. Your role model and mother figure really never disappointed you.

"Well, are you available for dinner later? My treat na!" Pag-aaya naman ni Rochelle.

"I wish I could say yes, but I still have to do something and the deadline are later. I have to rush things. I'm really sorry Tita!"

"It's okay, it's okay. Just let me know when you're free, okay?" Sagot naman ni Rochelle.

"Alright, Tita. I got to go now. Thanks for having me!" Nagpaalam ka na rin at nag-impake ng gamit. Just having a small talk with her calmed you down!

"I don't even want to bother."

You grunted in annoyance while talking to your friend on the phone. You're currently doing your skincare in front of your large mirror in your room's bathroom while on a video call. Kakaligo mo lang din and you're wearing a robe.

"Whatever, I told you, why did you even transfer to that shitty school just because of a boy that doesn't even like you?" Your friend frankly said.

"Well, duh! I don't know, okay? I was dumb." You rolled your eyes.

May lumitaw naman sa taas ng screen mo, and you saw a notification. You squinted your eyes to see at tinaasan mo ito ng kilay.

Kakucho Hitto sent you a friend request.

Kakucho Hitto sent you a message request.

"Holy shit! This bitch again! End ko lang call. Bye!" You said to your friend at binaba ang telepono.

"Hel– What? Who? Hello?!"

"What the hell is he up to?" You asked yourself in irritation as you checked his message.

Kakucho:

Send me the questions and file.

"Oh, as usual," you rolled your eyes. "Oh bitch I'll make you wait. Learn how to wait. His tone is commanding too. Sino ka ba?"

You only left him on seen and continued with your skin care.

Kakucho:

Hello?

I need to work on it, right now.

:Helian

Bitch wait

Kakucho:

Wait? For what? Until tomorrow?

:Helian

Yeah, learn how to wait or smthn

I'm just going to send this to Inui whatevr 🙄

Kakucho:

He's already sleeping.

I mean, your choice

Tomorrow is the revising day for the first set.

Didn't know you want your group to fail lmao

:Helian

Just learn to wait and stfu

Kakucho:

The clock's ticking

:Helian

K here

.com.xvirus

Kakucho:

Seriously?

:Helian

www.com//https.darkweb

Kakucho:

Ang kulit

Isa pa talaga.

:Helian

Group2ResearchGrouping.EXE

🖕

👍**

Seen

"This bitch," you rolled your eyes. "If only we weren't grouped together, I'd be ignoring you for a long time now."

You continued with your skincare routine na akala mo isang ligo na. Pati ba naman paa may skincare.

Ilang minuto ang nakalipas, at narinig mo ulit ang notification nito kaya't napa-tingin ka nang saglit sa phone mong nasa kwarto. Hindi pa rin natatanggal ang sheet mask mo sa mukha at halos mainis ka na dahil pabalik-balik ka sa kwarto at banyo.

Kakucho:

I can't access the file.

:Helian

Wdym you can't access the file??

Kakucho:

There's no content?

It's a corrupted file

My pc lagged when I opened it.

Kakucho Hitto sent a photo.

Tinignan mo ang sinend nito, at nanlaki ang mga mata mo dahil wala nga laman ang file!

Kakucho:

You know,

Maybe the virus link you sent me affected the file.

Kung ano ano kasi pinagsesend mo.

:Helian

OH HALA OMG

I'M SORRY? I DON'T EVEN KNOW

Like wtf

"So I have to start all over again?!" You thought in distress. "Everything is in that file. I don't have a backup! I haven't even sent it to the other members."

:Helian

Are you really sure it's empty 😭

Can you double check pls huhu

I haven't opened my laptop yet

I'm srsly panicking rn I'm not even kidding 😡

Kakucho:

Corrupted nga 'yung file.

:Helian

Well I'M SORRY

I'M SO STRESSED

TOM IS THE REVISING NA

IDK ANYMORE 😭

WHAT DO I DO

WE'RE FUCKED

Seen

Sa sobrang irita mo, you peeled the mask off your face and threw it on the mirror. You stomped to your desk to open your laptop. Id-double check mo na ring ang file. Baka sakaling kay Kakucho lang corrupted, hopefully.

Nagding ulit ang phone mo, at agad mo naman itong chineck nang galing kay Kakucho ang message.

Kakucho:

By the way, I'm just kidding.

"WHAT?!" You gasped, feeling a sense of anger and relief at the same time. Tinapon mo pa ang sheet masks mo sa mukha, at hindi mo pa natapos ang skincare routine mo para lang dito?!

"What the hell?!" Your brows furrowed, at dali-dali kang nagtype ng reply sa kanya ng mga insulto!

:Helian

typing...

Kakucho:

Actually, I'm already done with the work.

I even revised some parts.

"Oh," you blinked, at nawala agad ang galit mo nang nabasa mo ang messages niya.

Kakucho:

Pahinga ka na