tw // harrassment, murder attempt.
The leader went near me and started caressing my face. I glared at him to death, but he seemed so amused by my braveness. His hand went down, touching my shoulders. Hindi ko alam kung anong sumanib sa akin at bigla ko nalang inalis ang kamay niya sa akin kaya napaatras siya nang bahagya.
Ngumisi siya pero nang tumingin muli siya sa gawi ko, his eyes became darker.
"Subukan niyong manlaban, malilintikan kayo sa amin."
Unti-unti nilang nilabas ang mga pocket knife mula sa bulsa nila. Napatingin ako sa direksyon ni Mimi nang marinig ko siyang umiyak, ngunit pinipigilan niya ito. My heart's beating was doubled, my knees trembled more. Takot na takot ako at naisip na baka ito na nga ang magiging katapusan ko.
"Bakla naman pala," Someone said, kaya napaligon ako saan nagmula ang boses. I saw another group of men approaching us. I didn't know if they're here to save us or to help these ugly maniacs infront of us murder us, that's why I was terrified more.
"Anong sabi mo?" inis na bigkas ng lalaking nagbanta sa amin. Mukhang hindi sila magkasundo. Ibig bang sabihin nito, ililigtas nila kami?
"Why naman kase you make patol to the girls! Ay, mare! Confirmed!" bigkas pa ng isa sa kabilang group. Lalo yatang nag-init ang ulo ng lalaki na nasa harapan ko. They are putting us more in danger, they don't show any help at all!
Lumapit sa kaniya ang lalaki at inumpisahang siyang batuhin ng saksak. Good thing the other guys were quick enough to dodge. Lumusob na ang grupo ng mga manyak sa mga bagong dating na mga lalaki. Nang mahulog ang mga kutsilyo ng mga ito ay nagpalitan na lamang sila ng suntok.
We were just standing there, watching them fight. It was the right time to escape but I don't know why we stood still, getting fascinated how the other guys were so good at fighting. Nang marinig kong magsalita si Mimi at Faye, napalingon ako sa kanila.
"Kilala niyo sila?" tanong ko.
"Matthew..." Mimi trailed.
"And CJ... The Chasers," bigkas din ni Faye, mukhang gulat na gulat sa napapanood. Lalo lang akong naguluhan sa kanila pero nabawasan ang kaba ko dahil kilala nila ang mga ito. Thank God someone actually went here to save us.
Nagpaulit-ulit ang suntok at tadyak na ginawa ng mga kalalakihan. Ilang saglit lamang ay natalo na nila ang mga manyak, na ngayo'y nakabulagta na sa sahig. Sinipa pa ng mga lalaki ang mga manyak hanggang sa mawalan ang mga ito ng malay.
They get rid the dust on their hands like they did a handful of work. They started walking our way, some of them looked worried and some showed a blank expression towards us.
"Ayos ka lang ba?" The guy in a bandana asked first to Mimi. Mukhang kilala niya ito dahil siya ang unang kinausap. Tumango naman si Mimi na parang bata.
"Are you all alright?" tanong pa ng isa. I don't know their names that's why I keep on referring to them as "the guy" and "another." Faye answered but I was distracted that's why I didn't answer.
"All's well, ends well." Napatingin ako sa nagsabi no'n. Nakilala ko ang lalaki dahil siya ang nakaaway ko sa Music Club. Sila pala ang nagligtas sa amin. Ang mga lalaking pilit kong iniwasan kanina sa coffee shop dahil akala ko, magdadala lang sila ng gulo sa amin. I shouldn't have judge them by their faces and behaviour.
The piano guy started walking away. I remember that saying by William Shakespear. Wow, I can't believe he knew that phrase. He looked like he didn't give a d*mn on his studies. And when did I started cursing in my head? Kasalanan ng lalaking iyon kaya ako napapamura, e!
"Pagpasensyahan niyo na ang kaibigan namin at ganiyan lang 'yan kapag dinadatnan," bigkas ng isa pang gwapong nilalang na nasa harapan namin. He looked decent and neat because he was wearing a white shirt. I assume he's around eighteen but his chest and biceps are defined by his shirt! Is he a gym boy or something? "Let me introduce myself. I am Elixhander. Elix is fine," he said and offered his hand to me. He's probably around 6'2, he definitely is taller than me.
I didn't know why I got all nervous because of the vibes he gave off. He's intimidating in a good way. I accepted his handshake but the moment he held my hand, he turned it and kiss the back part of it. I started feeling hot and blushing. That's so gentleman of him. "Pleasure to meet a goddess in this crazy world," he said.
"We have to go, love." Matthew, the one who went to Mimi said and smiled. Mimi just nodded, obviously hiding her romantic excitement. Elixhander let go of my hand and I put it inside my pocket because it was trembling.
"Please be careful," Elix once again reminded us. I just nodded at him. The security guards finally arrived in here because they probably saw the action on the closed-circuit televisions or the CCTVs. The bad guys who tried threatening us and harrassed us ran as fast as they can until they exited the parking. The guards chased after them but one of them went near us.
"Ma'am, okay lang po kayo?" Hindi na namin nasagot ang tanong niya. Sakto ay tumigil ang isang sasakyan sa harapan namin at nakilala ko ito dahil 'yon ang ginagamit sa pagsundo sa akin.
"Um, opo. Thank you po," bigkas ko na rin para hindi sabihing bastos kami at hindi namin sinagot ang tanong niya. Tumango naman ang guwardiya at inayos ang kaniyang suot na cap. "Mauuna na po kami," bigkas ko muli atsaka na nagpaalam sa guwardiya. Sumakay na kami sa kotse at hindi pa rin maproseso ang mga nangyari.
Nang nagbabiyahe na kami ay halos sabay pa silang sumigaw nang impit matapos ang mahabang katahimikan. Napatingin pa si Kuya Lito sa amin na nag-aalala ngunit nag-iba ang ekspresyon niya nang mapagtantong nababaliw lang 'tong dalawang kaibigan ko. Inalog-alog pa nila ako at hindi nila alam ang gagawin nila sa mga sarili nila.
"Bakit niyo sila kilala? Sino ba ang mga lalaking 'yon at pinagkakagulahan niyo sila na parang mga kpop idols?" tanong ko sa kanila.
"Actually, very few people knew them before, pero dahil sa pagkapanalo ng group nila sa isang music event last year, they became idolized by the students here in Crisostomo University! Not to mention some of them are children of businessmen that were included in the top 10 richest companies in Asia! Some of us doesn't have any idea which family do the other members came from," Mimi explained.
"And yeah, you heard that right. Tumutugtog sila. Para silang isang banda. Though their vocalist's name was unknown. He doesn't want introducing himself. But we are assuming he's the leader of their group, called 'Chaser Wolves,'" segunda pa ni Faye na para bang isang trivia iyon na kailangan na kailangan kong malaman. Though they saved us from almost getting killed, I still do not have an interest with them. Maybe because I am focused on someone else right now?
"No one from his friends even call him by his name. They referred to him as 'boss.' Ang kilala lang namin sa kanila ay si White Elixhander Clifford, Matthew Trinidad, and Faye's crush named 'CJ.' We saw them before at lima lang sila, and we're not sure if they're really five-member group because they hang out a lot with their guy friends. The other members didn't even properly introduced themselves because maybe they're shy," mahabang paliwanag ni Mimi.
I just nodded at her. They are so complicated. If they're being admired by many, why don't they properly introduce themselves? Pero sa bagay, maybe they wanted privacy. Maybe they didn't want fame in the first place. Maybe music is just their hobby, not a career. The school might've forced them to join the contest and they had no choice. Just like how they immediately told me to join in different contests because I excel in different subjects.
"So, are you getting curious who are my babies?" pabirong tanong ni Mimi.
"Our babies," Faye corrected her. Mimi gave her a whatever-makes-you-sleep-at-night gesture and look.
"No, hindi ako interesado," I answered them honestly. I leaned my back properly at the back rest and crossed my arms. I was listening to them talk about their idols and didn't notice we actually arrived at Mimi's place. I mean, her family's house. Faye lived with her. Faye's parents were busy with their own company that's why she decided to move in with the Fernandez. Though she said she sometimes go home when her parents are there. Their business partners are international that's why they always go out of the country. Mimi's parents didn't mind tho that Faye's with them. Their Moms were sisters.
"Hope you'll get to know them soon," Mimi said and winked at me. I just nodded playfully at her, not really minding what she just said because I'm not really interested with boys. Sila lang naman ang mahilig sa hottie hunting and all. Faye followed Mimi when she hopped out of the car.
"Ba-bye! Be safe, Mi amor." Faye blew a flying kiss at me and waved after that. I smiled at them and waved back before the car window closes. I was staring at them until the car finally moved and faced the direction towards home.
I felt so sleepy after I washed my body and did my skincare routine. I heard my notifications dinging maybe because it is finally connected with the Wi-Fi. Maybe they're from my social media.
When I finally rested my body on the soft matress, I checked my phone. I widened my eyes when I saw messages from Gian.
From: Gian
Hey, are you home?
Received: 6: 15 PM
From: Gian
Are you busy?
Received: 6: 32 PM
From: Gian
Oh, I saw your IG update.
Are you out with Mimi & Faye?
Received: 7: 16 PM
From: Gian
Are you home? Why are you not replying?
Received: 8: 56 PM
From: Gian
I hope you're home, safe. Goodnight!
Received: 9: 03 PM
From: Gian
Are you asleep already?
Received: 10: 11 PM
From: Gian
Your active status is on, but you're
not replying. You are not ignoring me,
right?
Received: 10: 15 PM
From: Gian
You probably left your Wi-Fi on.
Goodnight! ♡
Received: 10: 22 PM
I didn't know what to feel after reading his messages. Why would he flood me like this? I was smiling the whole time while reading them. I don't know what to reply. I read my other notifications.
@trxye is now following you. Accept his follow back request?
@trxye liked your post.
@trxye & 378 others liked your photo with the caption, "Night out with friends & coffee."
@trxye & 56 others commented in your photo with the caption, "peace!"
I once again stared at my picture. I posted them seperately on my feed so that they will look good. I tapped the picture where Gian commented on.
"Cute." That was what was written in his comment. I felt my heart skipped a beat because of that. I tapped his username that lead me to his profile. There was only one photo posted which was the same with his icon.
He was wearing a formal outfit with spectacles on. He looked so handsome. I read his caption, "Final defense." The photo was from 2012. He doesn't like posting pictures, huh?
You have a message.
From: Gian
There, there. You're still online.
You liked my picture!
I saw his message and didn't actually notice that I liked his picture. I was wonderstruck. I chuckled after reading his recent message.
You started following @trxye.