LARISSA
"Sinasabi ko sa 'yo, hindi ko nga alam kung nasaan siya! Bakit ba ang kulit mo?"
Napahilod ako sa sentido ko nang biglang sumigaw ang lalaking kausap ko. Wala naman ako sa kabilang bundok kaya hindi naman niya kailangang sumigaw. Puwede niya rin akong warning-an kung sakaling sisigaw siya para matakpan ko agad ang tainga ko. Nakakabwisit kasi, e.
Nasa harap ako ng room ng kabilang section ngayon para hanapin si Rafael matapos niyang tanggihan ako at ang kakambal ko. Napag-alaman kong nasa kabilang section siya at naging ka-partner nito si Luther sa class-joint project ng law school na pinapasukan namin. At kung minamalas pa nga naman ako, ang klaseng kinabibilangan niya ay para sa mga anak ng mayayaman na gustong maging bahagi at alagad ng batas.
And they happen to be... quite hostile towards the Liac siblings. In other words, they hate our family for being the only ones true to the justice system.
"Please, you don't need to shout, Hanz. Bakit ba ang init-init ng dugo mo riyan sa magkakapatid na Liac?" pakikisali ng isang babae na kanina pang nasa likod ni Hanz.
He scoffed and unbelievably looked at her. "Really, Drixielle? We both know the reason why!"
Ang sakit niya sa tainga, sa totoo lang.
"Just because they are the children of the prosecutor that placed your father behind bars doesn't mean you should start mistreating them. Bakit, sila ba ang nagtulak sa Daddy mo na gumawa ng krimen? As you can see, you dimwit, they're still law students like us. Therefore, you should start treating them like one. One day, you'll face one of them in court, whether as allies or as enemies," Drixielle fiercely said as she stared at Hanz's eyes. Hindi nagpatinag si Hanz at nakipagtitigan din sa kaniya. Tension began to arise when Drixielle showed a taunting smile that made Hanz clench his fists.
If they were talking telepathically or if they were ripping each other's throat out inside their minds, I can't tell which. Considering the second idea, I have to step in if ever that happens.
Thankfully, that didn't happen because a fourth party has stepped in. Hinila niya si Drixielle sa braso at mahinang itinulak palayo si Hanz para paghiwalayin ang dalawa. Sa hindi malamang dahilan ay huminahon ang dalawa nang titigan sila parehas ng bagong dating. Tiningnan ko siya mula ulo hanggang paa.
Naka-salamin ito at brushed up ang buhok na nagpalitaw ng kaniyang mga mala-gintong mata. Tucked-in ang itim na polong suot nito at naka-tupi ang mga sleeves nito hanggang sa kaniyang siko. Hapit na hapit ito sa kaniyang mga braso at dibdib na nagpakita ng magandang hubog ng kaniyang katawan. Puti ang kaniyang pantalon at may nakasabit doon na kung anong chain sa sinturon niya. If only gorgeous was a person—just kidding!
If there's something that I should take note of, it was that his eyes were dull. Despite it being golden-brown, they were emotionless. It feels like you're staring at a void.
"Stop it, you two. Hindi ba kayo nahihiya sa mga nanonood sa inyo? Spare us, this section, some bit of reputation, will you?" he said in a rather nonchalant tone. Hindi ko maipaliwanag kung paano niya napakalma ang dalawang kaharap ko na kanina'y tila magpapatayan na. Ni hindi ko rin maintindihan kung bakit parang wala siyang pakialam sa nangyari kanina lang.
He just stopped it, but then left them in an instant. Nagawa pa nga niyang payukuin ang dalawa sa hiya! For sure, they realized that what they did was straight out childish. Before returning to his seat, he looked back and met my eyes.
He's familiar, that's for sure. I swear, I've seen him before.
"Close the door. Professor Lucas will be coming in shortly," huli niyang sinabi bago nagsalampak ng earphones sa tainga at naglakad papunta sa kaniyang upuan sa harapan ng klase.
"You're looking for him, aren't you?" Napatingin ako kay Drixielle nang bigla itong magsalita. Nakasandal na siya ngayon sa door frame at naka-krus ang mga kamay niya. Compared to her fierce demeanor earlier, she was now smiling.
"Who?"
"Him. That guy just now was the guy you were looking for. That's Arren Rafaello Aphelion. I wonder, what does a cheerful girl like you have to do with an apathetic guy like him?" she asked with a—should I say wicked?—weird smile. Magsasalita pa sana ako, ngunit biglang isinara ni Hanz ng padabog ang pinto sa mukha ko. Bastos 'yon, a?
Napahawak ako sa aking noo nang mapagtantong hindi ko nagawa ang ipinunta ko rito sa kabilang building. Halos mapasigaw ako sa inis dahil hindi ko man lang siya nakausap at ang malala pa ay sinaraduhan niya lamang ako ng pinto! Kung hindi lang siya ang final option ko, hindi ko rin naman talaga siya pupuntahan, e!
Ang layo-layo ng nilakad ko para mahanap ko lang siya tapos sasaraduhan niya lang ako ng pinto? Gosh, the nerve of that man!
____
Malakas na tawanan at pang-aasar ang maririnig mo kung sakaling mapapadaan ka sa classroom ng second section ng 3L law students. And it just so happened na section namin iyon at ako mismo ang pinagtatawanan ng mga "magagaling" kong kaibigan at nakakaasar na kakambal.
Nakuwento ko sa kanila ang nangyari kanina sa classroom ng first section 3L at heto sila ngayon, pinagtatawanan ako dahil sinaraduhan ako ng pinto ni Rafael—or rather, his order to Hanz to close the door.
"I can't see why the matter was at least laughable." Halos magsalubong na ang mga kilay ko nang biglang lumakas ang tawa ni Aylaine. Pinagtitinginan na kami ng mga kaklase namin, ulit, pero pati sila nakikitawa na rin dahil naririnig nila ang pinag-uusapan namin.
Luther acted as if he was wiping a tear from his eye. "Gosh, sinasabi ko na nga ba! Hindi niya hahayaang kausapin mo siya ng ganoon kadali."
"Parang iniiwasan ka 'yata ng isang iyon," ani Aylaine na patuloy pa rin sa pagtawa.
"May you please remind me why he was my last option again?" It felt like I was clenching my teeth in frustration. Patuloy pa rin ang pagtawa ng mga kaibigan at kaklase ko kaya tinitigan ko sila isa-isa hanggang sa tumigil sila sa pagtawa.
It's rare to see me mad, they say, but right now, I'm pissed off. Hell's about to break loose if they don't stop right now.
Nang mapansin ni Aylaine ang pagtitig ko sa kanila, agad siyang uminom ng tubig para pakalmahin ang sarili. "He's the only one that you know. Bukod sa aming tatlo at kay Rafael, wala ka nang ibang kakilala o ka-close dito sa university. Mas madaling kapulong ang mga taong kilala mo na dahil alam mong magkakasundo kayo. I'm sure you've met Hanz Velasco already. He hates your mother and the Liac siblings, thus giving us no chance of him helping you. Drixielle Aragones was also included in your list of options."
"Was being the operative word," Luther pointed out.
"However, the lady's gone fierce and mad after Hanz got his mental breakdown caused by his father's graft case. What I am trying to say here is that she might dislike you as well, but not to the point that she could say she 'hates' you. Then, there's that thing where she drags people around and then later gets them into trouble. She's also impulsive!" dagdag ni Aylaine dahilan para mapataas ang isa kong kilay.
Drixielle's personality changed because of what happened to Hanz after his father's graft case? Kaninang nandoon ako sa harap ng classroom nila, parang magpapatayan na 'yong dalawa, a? What's going on between them, I wonder?
"Oh, parang ikaw?" Sa pagkakataong ito, si Aylaine naman ang napataas ng kilay at ako naman ang pilit na nagpipigil ng tawa. Base sa naging description ni Aylaine kay Drixielle, masasabi kong parehas lang sila. If she thinks that Drixielle is impulsive, Aylaine's one hell of a war freak. And that's enough to put us all in trouble and get us one week of suspension. "Anyway, what's the second reason why he was my only option?"
Bahagyang nanlaki ang mga mata ni Aylaine. Halatang hindi niya inaasahang manghihingi ako ng isa pang rason. "Wala nang ibang dahilan, Larissa."
"Hmm? Sigurado ka? Sa bawat bagay, laging may higit sa isang dahilan o eksplanasyon para roon. Knowing you, Aylaine, there would always be a second reason why. You're a troublemaker, after all," nakangisi kong giit sa kanila. Hindi agad nakasagot si Aylaine. Nagulat ito at halatang naabala kaya sigurado akong nag-iisip pa siya ng palusot, ngunit kapag ako ang kaharap niya, hindi magiging madali para sa kaniya ang makalusot mula sa akin.
"I prefer to keep it a secret." Nagawi sa ibang direksyon ang mga mata niya at maging si Luther ay napasandal sa kaniyang upuan. Emeraude started to anxiously play with her fingers as if she was hesitating and uncomfortable with my sudden questions.
"Secret, pero alam nitong dalawa?" tanong ko at itinuro ng dalawa kong hintuturo sina Emeraude at Luther na bahagyang nagulat din. They probably didn't expect me to know that they've been keeping a secret unknown to me up until this very hour. "But alright, I'll let you go this time. Alam kong nagtatago kayo ng sikreto mula sa akin dahil may rason kayo. I'll trust you on this one."
"Well, then—"
"But if this 'secret' of yours gets me into trouble, I swear, bibigwasan ko kayong tatlo," saad ko at pinanliitan sila ng mata, pero tinawanan lang nila ang ginawa ko. Sabi ko na nga ba, e, masyado akong cute. Just kidding! "Anyway, were my options just three?"
"No, you originally had four, but I immediately crossed out the fourth," pakikisali ni Emeraude nang humupa na ang umaalingawngaw na tawa ni Aylaine.
"Why?"
"Luther said so. And even if he didn't tell me, I would have still done the same. It goes out of the question," sagot niya sa akin na ikinakunot ng noo ko. Naguguluhan na ako, a.
"The guy's off-limits, I would say. There's no way I'm allowing you to seek for his help. Mas okay na 'yong si Rafael kaysa naman sa isang ito. Over your dead body, ika nga nila," sabi ni Luther at ipinagkrus ang kaniyang mga braso. Nagpalinga-linga ako habang naghahanap ng kahit na anong matigas na bagay na puwedeng ihampas sa bumbunan ng kakambal ko.
"Ako pa idinamay mo. Iba naman 'yong sinabi mo, e!" ani ko at itinuktok sa kaniya ang hardbound na libro namin.
"There are only three people above you in academic ranking and one outstanding alumnus, so you had a shortlist of options," Emeraude joined in, halting both my brother and me.
Aylaine smiled again. "And I specifically said to hire a tutor with a higher academic ranking than you. Baka bumagsak ka pa kapag si Luther lang din ang nag-tutor sa 'yo. Imbes na makatulong, lalo pa niyang pinalala ang sitwasyon."
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that," Luther said while glaring at my friend, which made the rest of us laugh.
The next day, I tried and failed again. Wala raw siya sa room noong lunch at break period kasi nasa isang law firm siya para roon sa class-joint project nila ni Luther. Bawat graduating students kasi ay naka-pair up sa iba pang graduating students ng ibang section para sa magiging final practical assessment namin. It was like a hands-on work in the field—or rather, in court. Binigyan nila kami ng kasong dapat ipanalo namin para pumasa sa practical at in-assign sa iba't ibang law firms dito sa Arreline City. My partner and I were assigned at Astraea Law Firm.
And it just so happens that my twin brother and Rafael were assigned at Astraea's opposing law firm, Tyr Legal Office.
Of course, I never knew studying was this hard when you can't focus on something. Dumagdag pa 'tong constant insomnia ko sa gabi at ang mga bumibigay kong talukap sa umaga. Nagpatuloy iyon hanggang sa araw na ito kaya mukha akong panda'ng ginawang bampira.
Sa buong dalawang linggong iyon ay iyon ang parang naging routine ko. Pupunta ako sa classroom nila (na nasa kabilang building pa) at madadatnan kong wala siya roon. Babalik ako sa classroom namin na bigo at pagtatawanan pa ng nakakaasar kong kapatid. They said, Rafael is either in the law firm or at his company.
Did I already mention he happened to be the C.E.O. of the Aphelion Group at the age of 21? He inherited the title four years ago! It kind of makes me wonder why he was studying law given that he's already a C.E.O. in such a prestigious company owned by his family.
Pakiramdam ko ngang parang bubula ang bibig ko nang malaman kong isang bilyonaryo pala si Rafael. Just the mere memory of him bringing me to the hospital is enough for me to lose all my blood and faint. It must have taken him so much courage to do so despite the public's judgemental eyes.
Speaking of judgemental eyes, I have been having my fair share of that since I started looking for Rafael in their classroom and every spot in the school where someone like him would hang out. Pinagtsi-tsismisan na nga ako roon ng ibang sections at halos lahat ng kaklase ni Rafael ay naging kaibigan ko na. Para bang may ina-assign na rin sila kung sino ang magsasabing wala roon si Rafael sa classroom, sa awa na lang nila sa akin.
"Matanong ko lang, Larissa. Bakit mo ba pilit na hinahanap si Rafael? He doesn't seem to be interested in talking to you, so why do you keep on coming back?" Drixielle once asked during a Thursday afternoon. Bahagya akong natawa na ikinagulat niya. She tried to insult me, but I won't let her get what she wants.
"It's a long story. A complicated one, too. But to summarize it all up, I'm sick. Gusto kong makapagtapos ng law school bago ipa-confine sa ospital," I explained and smiled weakly at her. She looked away and seemed to ponder over my answer.
"You seem tired of all this, so why are you waiting? Kung may sakit ka, normal lang na magpagamot ka kaagad. Why are you still waiting for hell-ish months to finish just to graduate when you have another option?" Halos magsalubong ang kilay ni Drixielle habang tinatanong ito sa akin. Hindi ko siya sinagot at hinintay na siya mismo ang makasagot sa sarili niyang tanong. And when she did, her eyes widen in realization and her mouth gaped open. "Don't tell me—"
The answer is obvious, after all.
"Yes, Drixielle, my disease is incurable. I have a year or two left, and that's why I never gave up on Rafael. He's my last chance at my final request." Again, I smiled weakly. Naglikot ang mga mata niya at napabuntong hininga matapos marinig ang sinabi ko.
"I'm sorry," she suddenly said.
Nanlaki ang mata ko dahil hindi ko inasahang sasabihin niya iyon. "You're sorry because you asked or because I'm about to die?"
"Both," she chuckled. "Who knew you could be this sarcastic? I like it. Be my friend, Larissa!"
"Oh, please. I just told you I'm about to die after a year or two, and now you're saying you want to be my friend?" I jested that made her laugh. May pagkakatulad siya kay Aylaine kaya medyo naaalala ko ang babaeng iyon dito kay Drixielle.
Dahil sa biglaang pagtawa nitong si Drixielle, ramdam ko ang pagtitig sa amin ng ibang tao kaya napatingin ako sa loob ng classroom ng kausap ko at nagtama ang paningin namin ni Hanz.
Hanz Velasco, the son of a corrupt senator that has abhorred the Liac and Elios family, especially my mother, to death. Hindi naman namin kasalanang gumawa ng krimen ang ama niya, pero kung umasta siya, parang kami pa 'yong nagsabi sa tatay niyang magnakaw ng kaban ng bayan. Noong mga bata pa kami, madalas niyang makaaway si Luther dahil lagi niya akong inaasar. He originally disliked us twins, but when our mother became the prosecutor of his father's graft case, he hated us.
We have nothing against him, really, but I do hope he soon realizes what he's doing wrong.
Umiwas na kaagad ako ng tingin bago pa manghamon si Hanz ng away. Like what I mentioned, their section, especially him, is quite hostile towards us.
"No, I'm serious, Larissa! We should hang out together sometime," Drixielle said. Natigil ako sa pagmumuni-muni nang may iabot sa akin si Drixielle na maliit na card. It was her calling card! Because of her sudden invitation, we were able to exchange contact information. "If you need a shopping buddy or if you need help, contact me, all right?"
Tinanggap ko iyon at tumango. "Sure, thank you. Mauuna na ako. Baka ma-late pa ako sa klase, e."
"Sure!" I heard her say before I turned my back and left.
Nang marating ko ang hagdan ng building, napaupo ako sa unang hakbang nito at tinakpan ang mukha ko. Wala nang ibang estudyante na dumaraan doon at ako na lamang ang natira sa hallway. Napahilamos ako ng mukha nang maalala ko ang isang bagay na laging bumubungad sa akin kapag pupunta ako sa classroom nina Drixielle.
Again, I wasn't able to talk to him. I am getting nowhere. My efforts so far are useless.
I smiled bitterly which was followed by a heavy sigh. Then, the sigh turned into tears and sobs that echoed in the hallway. Gustuhin ko mang sumigaw ay hindi ko rin magawa dahil may mga nagkaklase na.
Nauubusan na ako ng oras. Hirap na hirap na ako sa klase tapos dumagdag pa itong sakit ko. I might be one of the smartest student in our batch, but I don't think I could still continue if this goes on. Wala na ba talaga akong pag-asa? Malamang ay ito ang ginusto ng tadhana para sa akin.
I am dying, and there's nothing I could do about it. Ang lakas ng loob ko dating humiling ng isang bagay na hindi ko naman pala kayang panindigan. Gustong-gusto kong makapagtapos ng pag-aaral, pero mahirap lumaban kung hindi iyon ang nakatadhana para sa 'yo.
Kung hindi ko pa rin siya makakausap bukas, ititigil ko na 'tong paghahanap sa kaniya. Niloloko ko lang ang sarili ko, e. Sobrang nakakapagod. Ayaw kong sumuko, pero sagad na sagad na ako—
"Miss?"
Agad akong napalingon nang may magsalita sa likod ko. Nakatayo lamang siya sa likuran ko at may hawak-hawak na asul na panyo.
"Okay ka lang?" tanong muli nito. Mabilis akong napatayo mula sa hakbang ng hagdan na muntik ko pang ikahulog kung hindi lamang ako humawak sa railings.
"Ah, oo! Okay na okay," I faked a smile.
"You don't look alright," sabi nito at ngumiti rin pabalik. Well, I was crying just a second ago, so obviously, I am not fine. "Heto, panyo. Kanina ka pa umiiyak, e. Rinig na rinig ko 'yong paghagulgol mo hanggang sa faculty room. Akala ko nga minumulto na ako kanina, tapos noong i-check ko, ikaw lang naman pala."
Faculty room? He's a professor? No, he doesn't look like it. Wala siyang gintong badge sa collar kaya malamang ay estudyante rin siya rito.
Tinanggap ko ang panyo niya. "Thank you—what's your name?"
"Just call me 'Max'," he answered.
"Thank you, Max, for this," pag-uulit ko at itinaas bahagya ang panyo niya. "I-I'll go now."
Akmang tatalikod na ako para umalis, ngunit muli siyang nagsalita na ipinagtaka ko.
"Taurus Street's Volleyball Gymnasium 3B, 2nd court," he suddenly said. Kumunot ang noo ko nang marinig iyon at agad na napalingon sa kaniya.
"What?"
"You're looking for him, right? For two weeks straight, you've been looking for Arren Rafaello. Now that you know where he is, what are you going to do now, Larissa Liac?" Then, a smile was painted on his face as he turned to leave me speechless. "Remember me, sweetheart. We will definitely see each other again."
Excuse me, what? How does he know my name? Hindi ko naman suot ang I.D. ko ngayon dahil naiwan ko roon sa room. Just who the hell is he?
Naiwan ako roon na nakatulala habang pinapanood siyang maglakad paalis, ngunit alam ko ang dapat kong gawin. This is a sign that I still have a chance on my final request! I'll skip class just for today—I need to see him. The universe just gave me an opportunity and I am not wasting it!
Muli kong nilingon si Max at napangiti nang maglaho ito sa paningin ko. I owe him, big time!
Dali-dali akong umalis ng university matapos kong makapag-file ng short absence sa first and second afternoon periods ko. Naging madali na lamang iyon dahil nagpa-advance na si Max kanina. It was as if he knew I'd go to Rafael even if I still have classes.
Pumara ako ng isang taxi at sinabi sa driver ang address na sinabi sa akin ni Max kanina. Medyo malayo ang volleyball gymnasium sa university kaya natagalan talaga kami bago marating ang parking area ng mga taxi.
Habang nasa biyahe ay hindi ko maiwasang kabahan. Hindi ko alam kung ilang beses kong pinaulit-ulit ang mga sasabihin ko sa kaniya kapag nagkita kami. Naglilikot ang paa ko at hindi ko mapigilang paglaruan ang mga daliri ko dahil sa kaba. Nang tumigil na ang taxi, binayaran ko agad ito at nagmamadaling pumunta sa Gymnasium 3B.
Please be there. Please!
Desperada na kung desperada, wala na akong pakialam. Kailangan kong makausap si Rafael. He is my last option, after all.
Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang makita ko na ang Gymnasium 3B, ngunit nakaramdam naman ulit ako ng kaba nang buksan ko ang malalaking pinto nito. What if he isn't there? What if Max was just bluffing? There's a huge chance that he was just messing with me, but he might be saying the truth since he helped me file my absence earlier.
Kung nagsisinungaling man siya, hindi siya dapat nag-file niyon, 'di ba? He predicted something like that, so please, I hope what he said is true.
Hingal na hingal man ay para bang tumigil ang pagtibok ng puso ko nang makita ang nasa loob ng gymnasium. May tatlong courts doon at madaming bleachers ang nakapalibot sa mga court. Two courts were empty and one remained occupied by a single person. Maliwanag na maliwanag sa loob at maging ang pigura niya ay kumikinang.
Para akong maiiyak nang magsalubong ang mga mata namin, bahagya pa siyang nagulat nang makita niya ako.
It really was him. It was Rafael.
"I finally found you!”