Bab 2: 2
Jeff's POV
I woke by the glare of sunlight peeking through the curtains in my room. Hmmm... papasok na pala ako bukas. I feel new to the surroundings. Hindi ako nasanay na gumising ng ganito kaaga. I glance at the table clock. It was still 8:27 am. Ang bigat pa ng katawan ko at parang hihilain pa ako ng kama pabalik. I forced myself to stand, slightly fixed the bed and folded the blanket. I picked my phone at the table beside the bed. There's no new messages. I must've forgot, I'm in Phils. Sa LA I used to waking up with many text messages hanging on my phone. "Hey Jeff, how was last night?" "Jeff, let's party tonight!" Jeff, are you free today?" Hey dude, let's skip school today!" and all those stuff.
" Sir? Gising nap o ba kayo. Kakain na ho raw."
Maybe one of the maids said this while knocking at my door.
"Ah, yes. I'm coming out, just a minute."
I took a shower first before going out. They all there at the dining table. Happily gossiping while taking breakfast. At hindi mawawala ang mga bodyguards na nakahilera sa sala. Grrr, nakakairita talagang isipin.
"O Ijo, halika kumain ka na."
It was a long 10 seated european style dining table. I dragged one and sit on it. Nabaguhan ako sa mga pagkain. May gatas? Bata pa ba talaga turing nila sa akin? There are sándwiches, apples, a pine Apple juice and a pitcher of wáter. I took a sip of the orange fruit juice and gnaw a bit of apple.
"Ahh Ijo, may pasok kana pala bukas. Is there anything you need?"
"Ahh, tita gusto ko sanang pumunta sa mall myself?"
"No, problem!" She answered unhesitatingly. "But Ijo, alam mo naman ha, kailangan mong kasama ang mga guards mo." She further added.
"Yes, tita no probz."
Haaaaiiiiiissshhh.. sagabal talaga tong mga guards na to. I've beaten king's son in this situation.
I can't ride my own car because the driver has to be. Nakakainis! How can I even hang out with this?
We've just arrive. The driver halted at the parking lot at the secon
d floor of the building and so do the bodyguards. Hindi ako sanay. Pagpasok ko pa lang sa mall. Ang daming tao. Nakakahilong tingnan ang iba't ibang direksyon na kanilang pinupuntahan. Sumenyas ako sa driver na lumapit sa akin.
"Tawagin nyo lang po akong Floro, sir." He introduced.
"Pwede bang dito na lang kayo maghintay?" Parang nagdadalawang isip siya sa sinabi kong ito.
Biglang lumapit ang isa sa mga bodyguard.
"Eric po sir."He introduced to before continuing "hindi po kayo pwedeng mag-isa sa loob sir, dapat po kasama kami." Tumango-tango na lang ako sa narinig kong ito. Ano bang pwede kong gawin para mawala ang mga anino kong ito?
We wandered inside. Ibang mga babae kinikilig pag nakikita ako.
"Oh my...he's awesome."
"Ang cute nyaaaa....."
This maid my heart melt. I just wink at them a few times at halata naming sobra silang kinilig sa gestures ko.
"Ayy may bodyguards?"
"Baka, spoiled."
This time I felt furious. Grrr, binilisan ko ang paglakad. Andyan pa rin ang mga anino ko.
Aha! What if I'll play a game? Naku, wag na baka makagawa lang ako ng gulo.
Gulo nga! Sa unahan nakikita ko ang isang lalaking mahaba ang balbas at nakapula. Medyo punit ang pantalon nito. Ang bilis nang takbo niya at parang may tinatakasan dahil panay ang lingon nito sa likod. Walang pakialam kung sino man ang mabangga niya sa kanyang pagtakbo.
Prrrtt.. tunog ng pito. Limang security guards ang humahabol dito. At may isa pang babaeng nakasunod. Panilay-nilay itong tumatakbo. Papunta sa direksyon ko ang lalaki...
Boggss...
I doubted what to do. Should I stop him? Now I realized, he has wallet in his hands. This must be a robber theif, no doubt.
When he noticed that I was going to stop him, he went to the other way. This time I began running, chasing him. We went round and round. I guess the security guards lost their breath sa kakaihip ng pito. Poor them.
Once I got near him. I grab his shirt and jump over him. I flipped his hands over his head and turned his body sidewards. He shouted in pain and I saw the people surrounding us deeply amused. I took the wallet and went to the girl. I think she hurt her feet.
"Sir Jeff.!" I saw the guards anxiously looking for me. This is the time to scape. I slightly threw the wallet to the girl and began running to hide. I indistinctly heard the girl shouting at me. But I never care to look back. For once, dapat makatakas ako sa mga guards ko.
Huuuu... atlast naiwala ko na rin sila. Pero may isa pang naligaw sa kinaroroonan ko. Ahhh..!! Grrr.. kailangan makawala ako. This is crazy. This awesome! Hahaha, running like this. It's fun. Madali lang pala silang mailigaw eh. I need to think of ways whaetever it is. "Sir!" They still continued looking for me. It must be terrifying. They were paid to look after me but they lost me at all. Don't worry pals. Nothing will happen to me.
After a minute, my phone rang. It was an anonymous number but I still answered it.
"Sir, si Floro poi to. Nasaan po ba kayo?" Alalang-alala ang tinig nito sa kabilang linya.
"Hmm.. Mang Floro, pakisabi sa mga bodyguards na itigil na nila paghahanap sa akin kundi I'll continue hiding." I threatened him. "I am jsut here. "Let me spend time by myself. Kung gusto niyo, hintayin nyo lang ako sa parking lot I'll be back. Bye"
"S-S-s-s-sir!"
Hehehe, I laugh sarcastically. Yes! I've forgot what is FREEDOM for a while. So now. Give me it.
They must have stopped looking for me. I went out the mall through the other side covered by the people going out at the same time. Just wait there pals. Babalik din ako...
It's been a week since I haven't gone to a party bars. I guess this is good. I ordered few a few drinks. It's already 3:00 pm in my watch but you can't notice it here. It's lighted with just a one disco ball hanging at the middle and a few LEDs in the corners. I gulp another dance.
"Hey, parang nag-iisa ka yata. Wanna dance?"
A girl sat beside me. Damn she's too hot. Curly hair. Shiny red lips. But girl, NO THANKS.
"Sorry, I gotta go." I quickly went out. The girl looked frustrated.
Oh my God... how did I got here? I'm still not used to this. Hindi ko na alam kung paano bumalik. Namuti na yata mga mata nila sa kakahintay sa akin. Ahhh, alright. Taxi. Pumara ako ng isang taksi at mabilisang sumakay dito.
"Manong, take me to the mall."
"Okey sir."
Pagdating ko sa mall. Agad akong pumasok sa kabilang entrance. Nakalimutan ko yata, nasa second floor pala sila naka-park. Who knows? They're clever. Pag nahuli nila ako baka igihin pa nila ang pagbabantay sa akin.
Hmmm... there they are. Mang Floro got surprised. "Sir, ang tagal nyo naman po. Pitong oras po kayong nawala."
"Ano?"
"Alas 10 po kayo nawala eh."
He glanced at my hands. He noticed that I've bought a paper, a ballpen, and a binder.
"Sir, pitong oras po kayong nawala tapos yan lang po yung nabili nyo?"
"Ahhh..." Hindi ko maitago ang pag-aalanganin, "It's rare.. I mean ang hirap hanapin ng brands na to." Sabay kamot sa ulo.
"Po? Kailangan po bang branded ang school supplies nyo po?"
"Ahhh... opo Mang Floro, para may mas gana akong mag-aral kasi maganda yung mga gamit ko." It's nonsense but it just cameo ut my mind.
"Ahhh ganun pala.." I think he just agreed to me. J
Kinabukasan...
"Are you sure Ijo na hindi ka na magpapahatid? I mean... baka mailang ka ng nag-iisa on your first day."
"No tita I'm just totally fine." I answered as I waved while on my way to the car. "Hindi naman po ako bata." I added. Naiinis na nga ako na may kasamang guards, daragdag pa sila. The guards also make their way to their cars. Hmmmp!
Nakakainis talaga. Isa pa, nakakahiya! Nagsimula ng magpaandar si Mang Floro and I also fastened my seatbelt and then got my Ipod. I just need to relax myself. On the way, ang dami kong estudyanteng nakikita. Halos lahat naka-cars.
Hmmm... but I still felt different. With the guards?! No way! One girl got my attention. She was different from the others who rode on their shiny cars. It's just amazing to look at a girl riding on a skateboard. Other than that, she looked familiar. Other than that, she seemed happy with what she's doing. Gliding, and sliding on to the tracks.
"Nandito na po tayo Sir." Mang Floro caught my attention. Sumilip ako sa harapan ng sasakyan. It's boldly written on the signage, the name of the school.
So this is gonna be my new school huh? I thought. The gates opened. We slowly halted on to the parking lots. Excited akong bumaba ng sasakyan. Lahat yata ng mga mata nasa akin. Some were amazed. I could see base on their reaction.
Maybe sa kagwapuhan ko, I smirked. "Sige, manong. Salamat po." Sumilip siya ng bahagya sa bintana ng sasakyan. "Sir, babalik lang po ako mamayang hapon." He answered with a slight smile, at saka umalis. When I turned back, I saw them (the guards) lined by the bench.
"Wait." What?!" Hindi ako makapaniwala. Akala ko hanggang sa paghatid lang sila. I tried to chase Mang Floro. But, it's too late. Arrrgggg... this can't be. Lumapit ako sa kanila at pinaglapatan isa-isa ng aking hintuturo. "Dito lang kayo. Huwag na wag kayong susunod.
" Feeling ko mga estatwa tong mga to. Hindi man lang sumagot ni tumango bilang sagot sa sinabi ko.
Nagsimula na akong lumakad. Some girls waved at me. I waved back at them. Kinilig naman sila. And then I saw some looks of frustration. They're eyes seem to travel from my back. Lumingon ako. "Ano ba?! Kahit saan ako pupunta, susundan niyo talaga ako?!"
Galit na galit na ako. Akala ko naiintindihan nila ang mga sinabi ko kanina. Hindi ko alam, kanina pa pala nila ako sinusundan.
"Oh, ma-an.. please..." Then I started walking again.
I supposed, they were so loyal to their jobs. "Grrr.. okay!"
I thought about something...
"Just this time... pls.. I'm begging you... stay at the car!"
I don't know, bigla na lang akong na-hyper. Agad silang bumalik sa sasakyan.
"I promise, hindi to malalaman ni Pop." Nakita kung nagkatinginan sila sa isa't isa.
Hmmm... masasabi kong malayo talaga ang distansya ng parking lot sa main building kung nasaan ang mga classrooms. Not bad. This school looks great.
"Sir, pagbibigyan po namin kayo ngayon!"
Narinig kong sumigaw pa ang isa sa kanila.
No way!
Mitch's POV
Peww! Dahan-dahan akong pumasok sa room namin. I never thought the news could spread this fast. My girl classmates came running towards me.
"Mitch! Totoo bang nangyari sayo kahapon. Goddd... that was terrifying." Pinalibutan nila ako. Lahat ng kanilang mga mata nakatutok sa akin. Bumalikwas ako sa kanila. "Duhh, ano ba kayo. Pati ba naman yan pagstsitsismisan ninyo? Ako yata to, malakas yata ako haha.
" At pinakitaan ko sila ng meron-ba-o-walang muscle na mg braso. Hmm.. napaisip tuloy ako. Ahh..walang iba, si Jenna talaga oo.
"O, anong inisip mo?" Nasa likod ko pala siya. Nakita yata nya ang ekspresyon ko sa mukha na siya talaga ang pinaghihinalaan.
"I forgot to tell you while we're strolling yesterday na nandun si Angie," sabay turo sa isa naming kaklase na si Angie na may plano yatang maging reporter sa mga susunod na taon. Paano? Lagi kasing hawak-hawak ang kanyang camera kahit saan mapunta.
Hmmp! At bigla ko na lang naimagine...Paano kung na-capture ni Angie ang mukha ko dun habang tumatakbo. Gaano kaya ka-haggard yun. Grr... baka i-upload niya. I started to take a step towards her but then I saw Ms. Venez on her way with some men.
"Okay, everyone. Go back to your seats. She's her!"
Dali-dali kaming nagsiupo sa aming mga respektibong mga upuan. Alam na naming ugali ni Ms. Venez kapag nakita niyang hindi kami organizado sa loob ng clase.
Hindi muna siya agad na pumasok at parang may isinenyas sa labas. Dahan-dahan niyang inilapag ang mga aklat na kanyang dala sa teacher's table na nasa aming harapan.
"Hmm.. good morning class." Bati niya sa amin ng may kasamang malambing na mga ngiti. Ano kayang nakain niya sa umagahan at maganda yata ang ngiti.
"Today, I have an announcement to you. Since its still our second day in class, we're still expecting any new students." Na-amaze ang lahat sa narinig.
Siyempre pa. Gusto naming makakita ng bagong kaklase. Maya-maya ay pumasok ang isang lalaki. Naka-civilian ito. He dressed cooly.
His hair were tightly gelled. Napakatangos ng ilong. At medyo matipuno ang katawan. Malayong-malayo sa ibang mga lalaki na klarong-klaro ang layers of cake sa tiyan.
Siniko ako ni Jenna. Kinikilig yata. Hindi ko rin naman din maitatago na kinikilig ako sa soooobrang gwapo niya. The way he bowed to us in greetings. The way he waved his hands. He's totally beautiful. He's eyes were splendid.
"Okay class. This is your new classmate. He came from LA, California."
Hearing this... mas na amaze pa kami. Yes! Yung iba dito sa school namin anak mayaman. Pero parang hindi na kami nasanay. Ms. Venez gestured to him then he began introducing himself.
"Hi, I'm Tyner, I'll be your new classmate for this year. Pls. Be good to me."
Napakabuo ng kanyang boses. We'll atleast senior highschool na kami. It's understandable na lalaking-lalaki talaga siya.
After which he was introduced, he went on his way to his own seat. And, its.on.my.side! Yes! That was unbelievable! Ang likot ng isip ko.
Although hindi makikita sa aking ekspresyon. Kinikilig na talaga ako. Ang gwapo talaga niya. Hanggang sa kanyang pag-upo ay hindi siya tumigil sa pag-wave ng kanyang kamay sa amin na may kasama pang smile.
Napaka-cool niyang umasta. All the way to our discussions lahat ng mata nasa kanya. Itong si Angie, nakaw naming kumukuha ng picture.
Yung iba, sobra talagang kinikilig. Ang mga lalaki naman, parang medyo insecure kung maka-tingin sa kanya. Ito naming si Jenna panay ang paniniko sa akin.
But, suddenly, after a few hours..I really feel strange. What was that? A one minute feeling? Kanina, kinikiliiiiig.. ako sobraaaa... Ngayon, parang nawala. Parang natural na lahat.Hahaha... nakakatawang isipin yung nararamdaman ko.
Tapos bigla ko nalang naisip ang brave boy na nagsauli sa akin ng aking wallet kahapon. Sana nakita ko man lang siya. I wonder kung bakit agad-agad siyang tumakbo papalayo. Sana nakita ko man lang ang mukha niya.
Bigla na lang akong natulala.
"Hoy! Anong iniisip mo. Malulunod yata kami niyan ah!" Jenna, again teased me.
Napakatahimik ng klase, paano ang taas ng pinasusulat ni Ms. Venez. Yung iba, halatang naghihirap sa pinapagawa niya. I glanced at the LA boy. He seemed relax. Aba, matalino! Hmmm...
"And one more thing class... this ain't your final arrangements yet. Meron pa tayong hinihintay na magiging bagong kaklase nyo."
Hearing this, naging curious ulit kami.
R-r-r-riinggg...
Yes! At last tumunog na rin ang bell.
"Ok class, that'll be your assignment. Your dismiss."
Hay salamat at ma-i-edit ko pa tong essay na ginagawa ko.
"Ahh!"
Hindi ko akalain na babanggaan lang ako ni Jeff ng ganun. Mukhang importante yata at nagmamadali siyang lumabas ng sinabing dismiss na ang klase.
Hu! Sabi ko na nga ba eh. Hindi man lang nag-excuse. Isa pa, hindi man lang din nag sorry na binagga niya ako... argggg! Sakit ng paa ko na naapakan niya.
Huli na ang lahat.. paglabas ko ng room wala na siya. I went back to get my bag. And then on his seat, nakita kong may naiwang color marron at checkered na handkerchief. Grrrr.. it must be his!
"Mitch, are you ok?"
"Ah, yes Jen. I.am.so.fine."
"Sis, let's go home together..." Excited na siyang umuwi. Hmm.. no wonder.
"Ahh, sis... On Saturday, it's gonna be my birthday. I want you to come to the house, okay?"
"Yeah, sure."
Pinilit kong ngumiti sa harapan ni Jenna, pero ang totoo tinitiis ko pa rin ang sakit ng paa ko. Para yatang binabali ang buto ng mga daliri nito. Ano kaya ang nakain nun? At bigla na lang tumakbo ng ganun.
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Jeff's POV
Tok-tok-tok-tok... mahinang mahina...
The pen created a distinct sound whenever it hits the desk. Hmm.. I need to think of a way. I can't live like this. Having bodyguards. I wanna be free...
"Hey dude. I supposed your new here. Umm.. not just in this campus but.... you know."
That was Lucas, the class known bad-boy, I supposed. Medyo may hitsura din naman. But, this time I'll prove to you that it's gonna be me. Alam ko kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin. Humarap ako sa kanya at nakipag high five.
"Yeah, man... why?"
(Whispers) "Wanna hang-out with us? Siguro naman wala kang curfew... ahahha" sabay tawa.
"Bodyguards? Yaya? And any sort of those?" dagdag pa niya.
"Naaaa, none at all."
"You know what, I've got few since the beginning. Pero tinakot ko sina dad na hindi ako magsisikap pag may nagbabantay sa akin. I am so clever ahah."
What? I can't make that an excuse to Pop. Baka umuwi pa siya dito sa Pilipinas pag yan ang sasabihin ko sa kanya. Wait lang... makakagawa din ako ng paraan.
Oh man, it's gonna be fun. I really wanna go with them. Alangan naman na sabihin kong may mga nagbabantay sa akin. No way. That's it.
"Sige! No problem! Anong curfew? Hahaha...I own a lot of freedom man."
"Sige.. go go go"
"But, wait for me outside. I just need to take care of something before I go."
So, when the bell rang and we got dismissed I hurriedly ran outside.
Humanap ako ng daanan palabas na hindi malapit sa parking lot. But, there's no other way. I need a diguise.
Aha! I saw a bunch of twig with few leaves on it. I used to cover my face. The guards were roaming their eyes. Sana di nila ako makita. I slowly went through the exit. But, Mang Floro just got the eyes. Nandito na pala siya.
I haven't thought of it. Paano kung sa paglabas ko makatagpo ko si Mang Floro. Tigok pa rin ako. I halted a few seconds at nang makita kong bumaba siya sa sasakyan. Agad akong tumakbo ng napakabilis.
"Hey man. Where have you been. Kanina pa kami naghihintay."
Kanina pa pala naghihintay sina Kean, Ej, Nathan, at Lucas sa labas.
"O, bat parang hinahangos ka yata?"
"Ahh, haha. Wala. I just took a few leaps."
"Hmm.. dude. Hindi na uso yan ngayon..." saka inakbayan ako ni Lucas papinta sa kanyang sasakyan kasama ang tatlong iba pa.
"Hey, Jeff.. were gonna go to a real party."
"Hmm. trust me pare. I'm already used to it."
"What do you mean?"
"All those big... something.. naaaa..."
They seemed got more and more curious as to what I'm talking about. While Lucas was driving, the 3 others surrounded me. They seemed ignorant as to what I'm trying to say.
"Hahaha, forget about it..."
Just thinking about it. Ano na kaya iniisip nina Mang Floro. I bet andun pa rin sila sa campus naghihintay sa akin. Sorry... Ahh.. what am I doing. I'll just worry about things later.
Finally, Lucas halted...
"Guys, nandito na tayo!"
I quickly jump out of the car! It seems familiar. It's becoming dark so I can hardly recognize. I've been here that day I ran away from mall.
"Come on Jeff, let's get partyin'"
"I've been here.."
"What?" I bet he can hardly hear me. Ang lalakas ng music, and this where I wanted to be.
We lasted 3 hours partyin and I didn't notice my phone has been ringing all this while.
"Excuse me guys." sabay senyas sa kanila.
32 missed calls...
Hahaha, they must be acting crazy right now looking for me. I was about to call, but it ringed.
"Sir, nasaan po kayo? Nandito pa po kami sa campus. Na-memorize na po namin lahat ng sulok dito sa kakahanap sa inyo. Lumabas na po kayo sir. Magsasara na po. Ano pa po bang ginagawa niyo sa loob."
"Mang Floro, ang dami nyo naman pong sinasabi. Nasa labas na po ako."
"Ha, nasaan?"
"I'm with my friend po. You just go home first and don't worry about me."
"Siiiirrrr..... maawa naman po kayo sa amin. Mapapagalitan po kami ni mam Leila at sir Fred 'pag nalaman nila na hindi po namin kayo kasama."
"Okey, ganito. Hintayin niyo ako, sabay tayong uuwi."
"Sir, nasaan po kayo, pupunatahan po namin kayo."
"H-hindi na... basta sundin nyo na lang ang sinabi ko" Then I hanged up the phone.
Puntahan? Hindi nila pwedeng malaman ang mga hang-out sites ko.
'R--rrriiinng..."
Oh my God, it's pop. What am I gonna do?
"Hello Pop?"
"Hello, son. How are was school."
"It's good."
"Where's your tita..?"
I don't know how to answer anymore. I planned to hang it up.
"Pop, can you call back? I'll just fixed something." And then done. I hanged it up.
I called mang Floro. "Nasaan po kayo? Pupunta ko dyan."
"Kami na po pupunta dyan sir."
"Huwag na, ako na."
==============================
"Bilisan nyo mang Floro, kailangan makaballik tayo agad."
"Sige po sir."
Pagdating sa bahay, Tita Leila and Tito Fred we're already there.
"Ijo, you're dad wants to talk to you." She handed me the phone.
I wonder what it is. Nakita ko sa kabila na tinawag ni tito Fred si Mang Floro at Eric.
"Pa,?"
"Jeff!" Nakababasag tenga ang boses niya sa galit." Saan ka nanggaling?! Leila said wala ka pa sa bahay. Ngayon ka lang ba nakauwi?!"
I was speechless.
"Oh, come on Jeff! I'll leave it all to your tito Fred." Then he hanged up.
I glanced up at Tito Fred, the three of them. Ano kayang sinasabi niya kina Mang Floro at Eric?
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone