DIRETSO LANG ang lakad niya at hindi tumitingin sa ibang direksiyon. Bakas rin ang pagkagulat sa mukha ni Lucy. What a coincidence?!?
“Beshie, tadhana na talaga ang naglalapit sa inyong dalawa. Maybe, he’s the king charming of your life who will break the curse,” pabulong na tudyo sa akin ng aking kaibigan.
King charming? Is there such a term like that? Ang sagwang pakinggan. At anong curse na pinagsasabi niya? Masasapak ko talaga ang babaeng ito kapag nagkataon.
“Puwede ba, Beshie, ni hindi nga tayo napansin dito! Bagay na pabor sa akin. Don’t mind him. He’s nothing but a stranger to me,” naiinis na wika ko pero pabulong lamang para hindi kami makaakit ng atensyon.
Ilang sandali lamang, isang babae naman ang pumasok sa loob ng room. May suot siyang reading eyeglasses, lila ang kulay ng kaniyang uniporme, katamtaman lamang ang kaniyang pangangatawan, hindi gaanong matangkad at nasa edad 30-40 taong gulang kung pagbabasehan ang kaniyang pisikal na hitsura.
I bet she’s our adviser. No one stands up to greet her. What’s up with these students? They greeted that Campus King of them a while back with matching bowing of heads, but, they didn’t seem to care doing it to the person in front. Insolents!
“Good morning, ma’am!” I uttered with courage and modesty I have within me. She smiled and bowed lightly to me.
“Good morning, everyone!” she happily exclaimed, showing her sweet smile plastered on her face. Wala man lang tumugon sa kaniya.
“I said, good morning everyone!” halit sa lalamunang sigaw ng aming guro. Napaawang ang aking bibig dahil sa mabilis na pagbabago ng kaniyang ugali. Ang malaanghel niyang itsura ay bigla na lamang naging isang nakakikilabot na halimaw. Biglang bumigat ang hangin sa loob ng silid at makikita ang labis na takot sa mukha ng aking ibang mga kaklase.
“G-good morning, Mrs. Alvarez,” sabay-sabay nilang hayag at halata ang kaba sa kanilang mga boses. Napangisi ako. May kasabihan nga na kapag hindi mo kayang daanin sa santong dasalan, daanin mo sa santong paspasan.
Nag-roll call muna ng pangalan si ma’am at matapos no’n ay nagpakilala siya sa aming hindi pa nakakikilala sa kaniya.
“Good morning again, my HUMMS-12 Lavenders.” Muling bumalik ang pagiging malambing ng kaniyang tinig. This teacher is one of a kind.
“For the sake of those who haven’t know me yet, I am Mrs. Jamaica Alvarez. I’m sorry for entering late in our first meeting. By the way, I am your class adviser for this academic year. I do hope that you will participate in any classroom activities. Are we all clear?” nakangiting sambit ni Ma’am Alvarez. Wala ni isang tumugon na naman sa kaniya kaya bigla na namang umusok ang kaniyang ilong sa inis.
“Ang sabi ko, whether you like it or you like it, makikipag-participate kayo sa lahat ng activities na ipapagawa ko. Nagkakaintindihan ba tayo?!?” hayag niya na may diin sa bawat salitang binibitawan niya.
“Yes, Ma’am!” mabilis pa sa alas-kuwatrong sagot naming lahat at ang ilan ay nahuhuli ko pang napapalunok ng kanilang sariling laway.
Ramdam ko na sila ngayon kung bakit takot na takot ang kanilang ekspresiyon sa mukha. Our teacher is really one of a kind. She is half human and half monster.
“Good!” magiliw niyang saad at saka ngumiti sa amin.
Kinalabit ako ni Lucy. Mukhang may ichichika na naman sa akin ang bruhang ’to. Pinandilatan ko lamang siya ng mata dahil baka mapansin kami ni Mrs. Alvarez. Mahirap ng masigawan ng parang naglilihing dinosaur.
Ikinabit ni Ma’am ang kaniyang laptop gamit ang HDMI sa malaking telebisyon na nakadikit sa gawing itaas ng whiteboard sa harapan. Iba na talaga ang mundo sa panahon ngayon. Masiyado nang moderno at makabago. Nakatutok lang ang atensiyon ko sa pisara nang mapansin ko sa aking peripheral view na parang may kung sinong nakatingin sa aking gawi.
Lumingon ako at nahuli ko siyang matamang nakatitig sa akin. He winked at me after projecting a wide smirk on his face. He already noticed my presence. I cursed mentally. His stares are sending shivers down my spine. He’s giving me goosebumps. This guy really has a nerve.
I ignored him and continue in writing notes while the teacher is discussing. About that slave thingy, mukhang mamaya ko nalang aasikasuhin. I don’t know if it’s called coincidence for us to study in the same school or just by any chance, but one thing is for sure, I won’t decline his proposal.
Ma’am Jamaica, despite being moody, is doing her job nicely. It’s easy for me to understand her lectures and catch up with her discussion. She doesn’t look trying hard to explain things. Nasa kaniya lamang ang atensiyon ko buong session kahit pa pakiramdam ko ay may mga matang nakatitig sa akin.
Mabilis na lumipas ang oras. Pumasok lang ang guro namin sa second period para isulat ang kaniyang pangalan sa whiteboard at bigyan kami agad ng activity na sasagutan. Matapos no’n ay umalis na siya dahil may aasikasuhin pa raw.
Pagkaalis niya ay naging maingay agad ang buong silid. Kakaunti lamang ang nakikita kong gumagawa ng iniwang activities ng aming guro. Seriously? What’s with these bunch of brats?
I’m in the middle of answering the given activity when I take a glance in his direction. I don’t know why but my head voluntarily turned to him. And I was shocked. He’s doing the activity, answering the questions in his notebook. Well, he must not be the Campus King if he didn’t excel in class, right?
Kahit pala papaano ay may maipagmamayabang din ang mahanging kupal na ito. Ayos na kaya ’yong sugat niya sa tiyan? Kung titingnan naman, mukhang nakagagalaw na siya nang walang iniindang sakit. Teka, bakit ko nga ba iniisip ang bagay na iyon? Ano bang pakialam ko?
Napapangiwi na lamang ako sa aking sarili. Tapusin ko na nga lang itong ginagawa ko. Ilang saglit pa ay tumunog na ang buzzer. Senyales nang oras na para sa recess.
Nagpunta kami ni Lucy sa canteen ng school. Medyo mahaba ang pila pero nagawa naming maghintay. Hindi naman kasi lahat ng bagay ay pwedeng madaliin dahil hindi mo makikita ang tunay na halaga nito kung taken for granted. Anong koneksiyon ng mga pinagsasabi ko?
No’ng turn na namin, um-order na kami ni Lucy ng paborito naming snacks. Nauna lang siya sa akin at sinabi kong maghanap ng table namin. Matapos kong makuha ang burger at sphagetti ko, tinungo ko ang mesa kung nasa’n si Lucy. Nasa pinakadulo siya kung saan mukhang masyadong restricted sa ibang mga estudyante. Mukhang wala kasing gustong gumamit ng mesang pinili ni Lucy kaya siguro doon siya pumuwesto. Well, it’s okay for me as long as I can eat peacefully.
“Beshie, ano na? He is here. The two of you met again. But do you think he can fulfill that deal thingy, especially that he is the Campus King?” bungad agad sa akin ni Lucy. Mukhang siya pa yata ang mas excited sa aming dalawa na maging alipin ko ’yong kumag na ’yon. Her eyes are sparkling with excitement. Napailing na lamang ako sa kaniyang inasta.
“I don’t care if he is the campus king in this school. He made the deal and a deal is a deal,” I said sternly.
“Then, good luck to him,” medyo natatawang sambit niya.
Nasa kalagitnaan na kami ng pagkain nang biglang nasamid si Lucy. Tila may kung anong nakita siya na naging dahilan ng pagkasamid niya sa kaniyang iniinom. Inilapit niya ang kaniyang mukha sa akin saka bumulong.
“Oh my gosh, Beshie! He’s walking towards our direction and take note, he's with hot guys. Ang cool nilang tingnan lahat. Pigilan mo ako, Yumi. Baka dambahin ko ng yakap ang isa sa kanila,” aligagang usal niya at mukhang kinikilig pa ang bruha.
“Gaga!” tudyo ko sa kaniya saka inirapan. May tinatago talagang kalandian ang aking kaibigan.
Napalingon naman ako at nakita ko siyang papalapit nga sa amin kasama ang iba pang miyembro ng Royal Ten. Matikas ang kaniyang katawan at lalaking-lalaki ang kaniyang paglalakad. Ano bang pakialam ko? Ipinagpatuloy ko na lamang ang pagkain sa aking burger matapos umiwas ng tingin sa kanilang direksiyon.
Hindi pa man ako natatapos sa pagnguya ng aking burger nang biglang may nagsalita sa aking likuran. Sa tono pa lamang ng boses ay malalaman ko na agad kung sino ito.
“Come with me,” he said with authority in his voice. Tumingala ako at pinukulan lamang siya ng blangkong ekspresiyon sa mukha. Who is he to command me? I’m still eating. I disregard his presence and continue savoring my food.
“I said come with me!” he repeated, his voice was strict. He seems pissed off but able to stay calm. I rolled my eyes and ignored him. Ayaw ko ’yong naiistorbo ako habang kumakain.
“Manigas ka diyan,” I muttered underneath my breath.
He grabbed my hand when I am about to eat the last bite of my burger. Kinuha niya ’yong hawak kong pagkain at inilagay ito sa platito ko. Darn it! What is with this guy? He’s going into my nerve.
“What is your problem? Can’t you see? I’m eating, you idiot!” I shouted at the top of my lungs. Everyone looks surprised. Their mouth went agape and awe etched on their faces. Even Lucy looks startled of what I said. Then, murmurs filled the place out of a sudden.
“Who the hell is she?”
“How dare she shout at our Prime Master. Did she already lost her mind?”
“Is she a transferee? I haven’t seen her before.”
Those are some of the whispers I’ve heard from the crowd.
“Quiet, everyone! Stop whining nonsense!” he scowled. He looks fuming mad at the moment. He frowned then he dragged me out of the canteen. Patuloy pa rin ang bulungan ng ibang mga estudyante habang nakatingin sa akin. I hate being the center of attention. These people suck. And this guy, he’s the one who already lost his mind.
“Hey, let go of my hand,” mariin kong utos pero hindi siya nagpatinag hanggang sa nakarating kami sa isang botanical garden.
“We met again,” he uttered calmly but strictly. Afterwards, he smirked meaningfully. I want to punch his face and erase his disgusting smirk.
“You fool, don’t act like we are close! Stop messing with other’s business. I want to kick your ass for ruining my snack!”  nanggagalaiti kong sambit sa kaniya.
Gusto-gusto ko siyang sapakin dahil sa ginawa niya kanina. Inirapan ko siya at kung nakamamatay lamang ang mga tingin, kanina pa siyang nasa loob ng kabaong at pinaglalamayan.
“Hey, cool down your head, baby. Can’t you remember me? Can’t you remember about our deal?” he gushed, pouting his lips halfway. I tsked at him. This guy really has a nerve. And did I heard it right? He called me baby?
“Yes, I remember you. You are the punk from yesterday who made an absurd deal with me. And don’t call me baby! Never!” I said angrily.
He looks shocked. His eyes widened partially and his mouth went agape halfway. But, after a while, he managed to withdraw all the surprise expressions in his face. He smirked again and it made my blood boils even more. I heaved a deep sigh before my nerve in my temple bursts.
“For your information, I don’t need slave, assistant or whatsoever. But if you are going to  insist, then, it’s my pleasure to accept the absurd deal, your Majesty,” I sarcastically mentioned.
“No, I am not going to insist it. But a true man holds responsibility of his words,” sambit niya na may bahid ng kaangasan. Nanggagalaiti talaga ako sa lalaking ’to. Naiirita ako sa kapreskuhan at kayabangan niya.
“Okay fine! One month and we’re done,” saad ko nang matapos na ang lahat ng ito. I don’t want to argue with him furthermore. Nakuha niya naman ang ibig kong sabihin dahil tumango siya sa akin.
“I’m fine with it. I’ll serve you with all my might and utmost strength for one month,” maangas niyang wika, hindi pa rin mawala-wala ang ngiti sa kaniyang mukha. Napabuntonghininga na lamang ako at sinubukang ikalma ang sarili.
“Let’s have a rule, then. Let’s set first things first. Let’s set boundaries to avoid incidents in the future. I have three simple rules here,” I suggested but even if he will scowl at me, I will insist to set rules between us.
Tumango naman siya at pumabor siya sa aking sinabi. Mabuti naman at umayon siya kundi baka masasapak ko na talaga ang kupal na ’to.
“Okay, rule no. 1: The three-meter rule. Dapat dumistansiya ka ng isang metro mula sa akin kapag magkasama tayo—”
Hindi ko pa natatapos ang aking sasabihin nang bigla-bigla siyang sumabat.
“What? Paano kita mapoprotektahan kapag may gustong manakit sayo? As your slave, I am oblige to protect you. One meter can do,” pag-segway niya. Tsk! As if there’s someone who want to harm me.
“No freaking way! Still, three meters apart,” I insisted.
“Okay! Go on with the second rule,” he surrendered but snorted his nose, telling me that he’s still not up with it. In this game, I am the master and he’s my mere slave. Being a Campus King can’t do anything about it because this is a personal matter.
“Rule no. 2: Call me master here in school.”
“No problem! What’s the third one?” he submissively said.
What’s up with this guy? Hindi man lang umangal o nakipagtalo. Parang gustong-gusto niya pang may palaging tinatawag siyang master dito. Napa-face palm na lamang ako nang hindi namamalayan. Ano pa nga bang magagawa ko? Saglit akong napatigil para isipin ang aking pangatlong rule. Napatango na lamang ako sa ideyang biglang nag-pop up sa aking isipan.
“Rule no. 3, the most important rule. Do not fall in love with me. There’s no way that a slave and his master get into a relationship. No matter how much charismatic I am, do not ever fall in love with me!” I exclaimed, giving emphasis on my every word. Napaawang nang bahagya ang kaniyang bibig dahil sa aking panghuling rule.
May mali ba sa sinabi ko? Siguradong namang wala, ’di ba? Agad niya namang nabawi ang kaniyang gulat na ekspresyon sa mukha at saka siya humalakhak nang malakas. Napahawak siya sa kaniyang tiyan at kulang na lamang ay maiyak dahil sa katatawa.
“What?!?” I exclaimed disgustingly. He stopped for a moment but laughs again after a while. Pigilan niyo po ako, mahabaging Emre. Masasapak ko na talaga ang damuhong ito. Lumipas pa ang ilang segundo at napatigil na rin siya sa wakas sa pagtawa.
“Are you serious with your third rule? Of course, I am not going to fall for a girl like you. You’re not even my type. Not a chance,” wika niya sa akin na may halong panunudyo.  Nainsulto ako nang bahagya sa kaniyang mga tinuran. Hello, ang ganda ko kayang nilalang. At mas mabuti nang linawin ko ang mga bagay-bagay sa kaniya.
“Whatever! Now, it’s your turn. Tell me your rules,” I instructed.
He just squinted his eyes several times. He just looked at me unbelievably.
“Ano na naman?” inis kong tanong sa kaniya. Sumasakit na ang mga baby hair ko sa lalaking ito.
“Slaves suppose to be following the rules of their masters. They have no right to set rules—” I cut him.
“Yeah, I got your point but as your master, I am giving you the opportunity to set rules, too. Para maiba naman. Gusto mo ba o hindi? Just let me know,” I gushed, then, smirked.
“Wait lang! Mag-iisip lang ako. Hmmm...” Inilagay niya ang kaniyang hintuturo sa kaniyang sentido at tila ba nag-iisip ng kaniyang sasabihin. Tumikhim muna siya bago nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita.
“Okay, rule no. 1: You should not get out of my sight here in the University. In short, dapat palagi tayong magkasama maliban na lamang kung sa comfort room ka pupunta,” he uttered. Whatever! I just rolled my eyes. Ano pa nga ba? Mukhang may tuta pa yatang bubuntot sa amin ni Lucy dito sa school.
“Rule no. 2: Call me using my first name.”
I tsked at him. Ano ba dapat ang itawag ko sa kaniya kung hindi ang kaniyang pangalan? 
“And rule no. 3: Do not fall in love with others within the duration of our deal.” I stopped for a moment. My forehead creased as my brows furrowed.
Is he d*mn serious about it? There’s no way I will fall in love... again. Never! Pero dahil nga gusto ko nang matapos ang usapang ito, sumang-ayon na lamang ako sa lahat ng kaniyang rules.
“What’s the sanction then if one of us breaks the rule?” he asked, thinking of some possible ways.
“It depends on the extent of breaking the rule. If you broke one of my rules, it’s up to me if how I am going to punish you. And likewise with you,” I suggested. He stopped momentarily, contemplating about my suggestion.
“Deal! Since, we have settled our rules and way of giving sanctions, I guess we should have sign a contract. I’ll prepare it and expect the contract tomorrow,” he recommended. Hmmm, sounds brilliant. Well, he’s the Campus King after all- the one who excelled well in the past academic year. He’s a genius jerk.
“What’s your name again, baby?” Mabilis ang mga mata kong binigyan siya nang matatalas na titig.
“Isa pang baby mo at siguradong masisikmura na kita,” I sternly mentioned. He just chuckled as if I uttered a joke.
“Pardon. Nasanay lang akong gamiting endearment ang ‘baby’ sa mga babae ko,” maangas niyang wika at may bahid ng pagmamalaki sa kaniyang boses. Having many girls to fling with is not something to be proud of. He has really the guts. At mukha ba akong isa sa mga babae niya?
“Whatever! I am Yumi. Yumi Illona Perez,” matipid kong pagpapakilala sa aking sarili.
“Nice name. I am Rave. Rave Castillo,” he introduced himself then stretched his arm towards me, asking a handshake.
“No need for a handshake. I’ll go back to my friend.” Bahagyang umawang na naman ang kaniyang bibig. May bahid din ng pagkadismaya sa kaniyang mukha. What did he expects me to do?
Tumalikod ako sa kaniya at hindi na inabala pa ang sariling hintayin ang kaniyang magiging tugon. Tahimik lamang siyang nakasunod sa akin at sa tingin ko naman ay may tatlong metro ang layo naming dalawa. Masunurin din naman pala. Ilang sandali lamang ay nakarating na kaming muli sa canteen ngunit wala nang halos katao-tao.
Darn it! Bakit hindi ko naalalang may klase pa pala kami matapos ang recess? At bakit hindi ko narinig na tumunog ang buzzer? Hinanap ko ang mga gamit ko sa mesang kinaroroonan namin kanina ni Lucy ngunit wala na roon ang aking mga gamit. Marahil ay kinuha na iyon ng aking kaibigan. Magbabayad din sana ako ng aking mga kinain kanina ngunit bayad na raw.
Bakit hindi man lang ako tinawagan o ni-text man lang ng babaeng iyon?  Napailing na lamang ako at mabilis na tinungo ang aming classroom.
“Hey, wait for me!” Hanggang ngayon ay nakasunod pa rin pala siya sa akin. Dapat ko na yatang sanayin ang sarili kong nandiyan siya palagi para buntutan ako. Hindi ko siya pinansin at nagpatuloy lamang sa pagtakbo.
Pagkarating ko sa tapat ng aming classroom, hingal na hingal ako habang nakahawak sa aking dalawang tuhod. Mabilis na naabutan ako ni Rave at nakipaghabulan din ng hininga nang tumigil siya sa pagtakbo.
Hindi siya umimik. Umayos siya ng tindig. Naglakad siya palapit sa akin at bigla na lamang hinigit ang aking kamay. Nabato ako sandali at tila hindi mailakad ang aking mga paa dahil sa kung anong boltahe ng kuryenteng gumapang sa aking braso patungo sa aking kaloob-looban.
I just found out myself being dragged by him inside the classroom. Everyone stared at us. All was in awe seeing us holding hands, so, I pulled mine from him. Whispers filled the room. They are making issue about what happened earlier. And this guy, how dare he stay calm for doing such a fuss? Is he out of his mind? We have settled the rules a while ago, and yet, he just forgot about it so fast? What happened to the ‘three meters apart’ rule?
I’ll make him suffer later for breaking up my rule. I let out a sigh senseless. Maglalakad na sana ako patungo sa aking upuan nang biglang may magsalita.
“Yumi, right? Saan ka kumuha ng kakapalan ng mukha para hawakan ang kamay ng aking Baby Rave?” mapang-uyam na saad sa akin ng isang babae. I gasped. What did she mean? Is she one of his girls?
“Kath, stop it. And don’t call me baby again. I’m not into you to begin with. We are being shipped just because you are the Campus Queen, so don’t assume,” inis na sambit ni  Rave saka tumabi sa akin.
Tsk! He keeps on breaking the rule. But, it’s not an issue right now. I need to deal with this girl first because she’s making an accusation without rightful investigation. I don’t care if she’s the Campus Queen in this school. I am about to speak up for myself but the guy beside me didn’t give me a chance to do it.
“Listen, everyone! Yumi is my master. Don’t you dare mistreat her or else I’ll shred you into pieces!”
What did he just do? He’s a blunt vulgar jerk. Gusto ko tuloy lumubog sa kahihiyan dahil sa kaniyang mga sinabi nang biglaan.
“Don’t worry. No one would dare to bully you as long as I’m here beside you,” he whispered to my ears that made me startle.
“Screw you, Prime Master. I curse you to hell!” the girl who was called by Rave as Kath earlier growled and make her way out of the room.
“Go on, spoiled queen. I won’t bother,” Rave teasingly uttered, chuckling victoriously.
This guy has really the guts in his butt.