disclaimer

READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED!

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

No part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted in any form of by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author.

PLAGIARISM IS A CRIME!

#HounsfieldUniversity

© All Rights Reserved

about the story

To my old readers; if you haven’t noticed yet — this is a reimagine of Blessed Savage Pussycat that was taken down by Wattpad years ago. I think that finished story of mine got 100k reads na, and sadly, it was removed here on Wattpad for something against daw sa guidelines. So, here I am being back from the dead because it’s summer na ulit!

I want to add twists and depth sa Hounsfield University (Hunsfield University before) to make the story unique and exciting. LOL. The story will progress as Andy navigates his college life with danger lurking around him. There will be mafias, gangsters, hierarchies, secrets, ranks, challenges and many more!

I could’ve just uploaded here the edited and revised version of Blessed Savage Pussycat , pero I became lazy and iniwan lang sa files ko ang mga chapter drafts no’n. HAHA.

Taas kamay sa mga naka-abot ng Epilogue ng Blessed Savage Pussycat !

STATUS: Completed

CURRENT READS: 12.6k

CURRENT VOTES: 660

CURRENT COMMENTS: 173

CURRENT FOLLOWERS: 886 followers

DATE STARTED: March 2021

DATE ENDED: February 7, 2022

Those were the statistics of BSP right after I finished it. Like, wow, 886 followers pa ako no’n tapos ngayon ay naka 3.3k na! Thank you so much sa inyooooo, muahx!

Anyways, hindi ko na hahabain ang kuda ko. I hope you will enjoy this story as much I enjoy plotting for this story, like, I’m so excited and savage for writing this. UvU.

QUESTION: Saang book cover diyan noong na-discover or unang nabasa ang Blessed Savage Pussycat ko noon?

BRAND NEW COVER AND TITLE!

prologue

Andarius’ POV

◇ ◇ ◇

     MATAGAL KO nang minimithi na makapasok sa paaralan ng Hounsfield University. Ang nakatatandang kapatid kong babae ay nag-aaral sa Hounsfield University bilang graduating Nursing student this year; and now, I am starting my first year there.

Marami akong naririnig na mga bagay-bagay sa paaralang ito. Sabi pa nila, hindi lang bastang paaralan ang Hounsfield University. That piqued my interest more na mag-aral doon pagka-college ko.

May high school and even elementary facilities naman sa Hounsfield University, kaso my parents enrolled me to Javier-Cruz University, instead. I made a fuss there because even the faculties and student councils cannot handle me.

I am a brat.

Being plain and to become an academic achiever is so boring. I can be an academic achiever and have fun at the same, though.

To say the least, my old school was very boring. But Hounsfield University, though, it’s very interesting…

“Do you want to eat Millisecond Burger , Cotton?” tanong ko sa pusa ko habang hinihimas ang malambot na balahibo nito. My lovey-dovey cat has been sitting on my lap while purring.

Meow , its response to me.

I toke that as a yes and prepared myself to go out. Gutom na ako at nasusura na sa pagtitig ng aking computer desktop, kaya napagpasya kong kumain ng meryenda.

Paborito ni Cotton ang burger, actually.

✩°｡⋆⸜ 🎧✮

     DAHIL HINDI kalayuan ang Hounsfield University sa bahay namin – mga 25 to 30 minutes drive lang daw – hindi na ako nag-dorm doon. Also, I have my personal car kaya hindi na problema sa akin ang transportasyon papuntang paaralan.

First day of school ko ngayon at nakasuot ako ng uniporme ng HU which is kulay nude o khaki o beige, BASTA! Ang kinuha ko na kurso ay ang Doctor of Veterinary Medicine na may color code sa suot kong kulay ngayon. Iba-iba ang kulay ng uniporme kada colleges, sabi ng nakatatandang kapatid ko.

I want to have a veterinary clinic and shop soon kasi I love animals — especially cats. I just know the struggle and pain of a purparents if their pets got diseases or illness such as parvo virus or panleukopenia, lalo na kung hindi nila ma-agapan ito dahil sa kakulangan ng pera. My heart bleeds for them, truly.

Anyways, I look like a good student in my beige or nude or whatever the heck is the color of this uniform, like, I’m so fuckable. My sister’s uniform is purple because iyon ang kulay ng mga Nursing student. Speaking of her…

“Ang pogi ng bunso namin, ah,” sabi nito, at ginulo ang aking buhok.

I JUST BRUSHED AND STYLED IT!

I harshly pushes her hand away from my now disheveled hair and glare at her. Walang guilt ako nitong tinignan at diritso lang ang lakad sa kusina namin.

“Bitch,” I muttered under my breath.

“Narinig ko iyon. Bansot.”

“Fuck you.” Humarap ako rito.

Tumawa lang ang bruha at nawala na sa paningin ko dahil lumiko ito papuntang kusina. I swear, she’s the main villain of my life talaga. Everyone who thinks she’s gorgeous or pretty, is definitely may tilulok sa utak.

Inayos ko na naman ang buhok ko sa harap ng salamin bago kumuha ng madaliang mirror selfie at nag-post sa story ko sa socmed. Okay na iyon.

Pagkarating ko sa kusina at hapag-kainan ay nandoon na ang bruha kasama sina tatay at nanay na kumakain ng kanilang almusal.

Nice, tocino and omelet eggs ang ulam!

“Good morning po, Nay, Tay,” bati ko sa kanila bago umupo sa bakanteng upuan sa tabi ni tatay Melvin.

“Kumain ka na, baka ma-late ka pa sa new school mo,” turan sa akin ni nanay Mildred.

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya at nagsimula nang kumuha ng makakain. Naramdaman ko naman na kinuskos ni Cotton ang sarili niya sa aking binti kaya kinarga ko ito at nilagay sa aking kandungan.

“Mag-ingat ka sa Hounsfield University, Andy, ha. Dapat lowkey ka lang doon kasi alam mo na,” salita ni tatay Melvin doon sa akin.

Tumango na lang ako sa kaniya.

Deep inside, it excites me so much. Alam ko kasing ang mga Hounsfield ang nagpapatakbo sa paaralan na iyon kasama ang ibang sikat at tagong mga pamilya. It’s like a prestigious school for elite kids. Hindi naman sa mayaman kami, pero may kaya lang.

“Maraming cases of suicide and rape sa unibersidad na ’yan, kaya tell us if something is wrong, okay?” malambing na saad doon ni nanay Mildred.

“You can count on me, ako pa ba.”

“Sus, ka-hambog na lang uy ,” the bruha said opposite from my seat.

Binelatan ko lang siya kasi bawal mag-middle finger sa hapag-kainan sabi ni tatay. Tsaka takot ako lumuhod sa monggo na for sure uulamin namin pagkagabi.

And yeah, Bisaya kami, lalo na si tatay Melvin. Taga Davao kasi siya and itong si nanay Mildred naman ay taga rito sa Manila. They fell in love, and they had the bruhang Melissa Anne Mendez, and they adopted me, Andarius Vahn Hounsfield.

I was a Hounsfield that was neglected, and I know my background. Kaya it excites me more na pumasok sa Hounsfield University!

After our scrumptious breakfast, nag kanya-kanya na kaming alis dahil may trabaho pa ang dalawa kong magulang, at ang bruha ay hindi papasok kasi tinatamad daw siya. Ako naman, papasok kasi school orientation namin today. Next week pa ang official classes namin, actually.

Getting inside my car with Cotton on the passenger seat, nagmaneho na ako papuntang Hounsfield University. Ang boring ng car kaya nagpatugtog ako sa radyo.

Nothing eventful during my drive, hanggang sa marating ko ang malaking gates ng Hounsfield University.

♤♡◇♧◇♡♤

SYRICKOY

♤♡◇♧◇♡♤

Did y’all missed me and Andy, guys?! I’m finally back because I’m bored and I smell some lockdown and pandemic coming our way. *knocks on wood.

Shuta, ang hirap masulat dito sa new phone kong Samsung. Mas conformable talaga ako sa old phone kong RealMe na magsulat, kaso parating full storage iyon kaya basa2 lang ang nagagawa ko roon. HUHUHUHUHUHU.

Anygays, how’s the prologue? Let me know!

Question ko sa inyo, where do you study?

Me: Central Mindanao University!

chapter one

Andarius’ POV

◇ ◇ ◇

     THE GATES of the school where I’ll finish my degree in Veterinary Medicine. Hopefully, I can graduate on time and as a regular load student.

There was a short inspection sa kotse ko, bago ako nakapasok. I hid Cotton in the back just in case bawal mga feline or canine animals sa campus premises unless nasa loob ng cages sila.

I fucking hate cages so much! It suffocates me whenever I see any tamed animals inside them.

I parked my car sa parking lot ng campus. It was spacious at may mga shade kaya hindi ma-iinitan ang mga vehicle dito. I knew the parking lot since I had a tour sa parte ng campus noong nagpa-admission ako rito upang ma-interview sa kukunin kong programa. The college buildings has parking lots too, pero limited lang at for faculties lang yata.

My orientation is 9:00 a.m., and it is still 8:00 a.m. so may one hour pa akong free time bago pumaroon sa university convention and gymnasium center ng unibersidad na ito. And so, nanatili muna ako rito sa kotse ko at nagpa-aircon while killing some time.

Where is that damn chocker of mine?!

✩°｡⋆⸜ 🎧✮

ANG DAAN patungo sa gymnasium ng university ay madali lang matunton dahil maraming mga freshmen na kagaya ko ang paparuon doon ngayon. Ang iba sa kanila ay manghang nakatingin sa paligid nila dahil magara at may kalakihan itong Hounsfield University. Naglalakihan ang mga college buildings and facilities dito at iba pang mga gusali. What can I say, the school is prestigious.

May mga hallways naman sa buong paaralan kaya hindi kami na-iinitan habang naglalakad. May mga puno rin na nagkalat kaya hindi gaanong humid or dry ang paligid. This campus is perfect!

Nang makapasok kami sa loob nang gymnasium ng Hounsfield University, may mga monobloc chairs or something na roon with white clothe covers na pwede naming upuan anywhere we want. It is like a closed sport gymnasium with a huge stage at the front with a giant screen. May monobloc chairs sa gitna na maluwag ang space, tapos nakapalibot ang mga bleachers or staircase type of upuan sa paligid. Basta, gano’n. At dahil sa gusto kong makita at marining nang mabuti itong freshmen orientation namin, malapit sa harapan akong umupo dahil hindi pa gaanong okupado roon.

I toke a seat and kinandong ang aking bag kung nasaan naroroon si Cotton. Hindi naman siya na-su-suffocate or whatsoever dahil may usli ang zipper nang aking backpack. I bought iyong backpack for cat carrying, kaso minsan ko lang iyon ginagamit for Cotton. Para kasi siyang tanga sa loob, and nakaka-awa tignan.

Napapansin kong unti-unting napupuno ang mga upuan sa paligid ko, hudyat na ang mga freshman na kagaya ko ay narito na halos sa loob. Most of them carries a various emotions, highlighting their level of excitement in entering college. May umupo sa kanan kong dalawang lalaki na nakasuot nang kulay asul na uniporme. Ano ngang college kapag asul?

Nginitian ako ng isa, kaya sinuklian ko lang ito ng maliit na ngiti bago binalik ang pagmamasid sa paligid. Masasabi kong maraming sosyal at mayaman kung tignan na mga estudyante akong nakikita rito. They all look and feel expensive, like, you know — spoiled.

“Hey, are you from VetMed?” salita nang katabi ko.

Napabaling ulit ang tingin ko rito with a frown. He had a friendly smile, and a glinting eyes while expectedly looking towards me.

“Uhm, yes…? Bakit mo natanong…?” may pagtatakang tanong ko rito. I eyed him and his friend beside him with confusion.

“Wala lang, just wanted to ask.” He shrugs, his smile not faltering.

Ano nga’ng department ang royal blue uniforms?

“Uh, okay…” Is he being friendly, or…? “How about you, anong program mo?” I asked out of curiosity.

He cocked his head toward his friend na nakangiti rin sa akin. “We are engineering students,” aniya.

“Nice, I guess.”

And then he initiated a lot of questions along his friend. Napasarap ang usapan namin at napunta sa random things hanggang sa naging bastos and flirty ang usapan namin. Hindi namin namalayan na nasa stage na pala ang dalawang emcee – babae at lalaki – to officially start our orientation.

“Good morning, Freshies of Hounsfield University! Wow, there’s a lot of freshmen here, ha. You know, partner Paulo, I remembered my freshmen orientation and freshmen year. Grabe, the emotions, excitement, adjustments, and overthinking, and everything!” salita ng isang babae roon.

Natigil ang pag-uusap namin nitong si Jimuel and Stephen tungkol sa club experience nila kahit underage pa sila. Apparently, they are best friends and so tight together since bata pa sila. They have each other’s back like brothers, and also do some things together. They are wild! Like, for real, for real.

“I also remembered mine, partner Laurryn,” salita no’ng lalaki na emcee named Paulo. “The adventurous spirit and curiosity of being a freshmen is an aspect of life I want to experience again. Truly, college years is the most memorable moments in our past that we could carry in our adulthood life.”

Marami pa silang sinabi roon, nagpakilala sa kanilang sarili, nagbasa ng magiging flow nitong orientation and such. May message din daw ang president nitong school later as guest speaker or so. Ewan, parang nasa boring na seminar lang ako eh.

As I was listening, I felt Jimuel’s hand suddenly on my right knee. I whipped my head to look toward his direction, at parang wala lang sa kaniya ang ginagawa at nakatingin lang ito sa harap ng stage. The fuck?!

I don’t know if I should remove it gently or harshly. What is he implying or doing, though?

Natanggal lang ang kamay niya sa tuhod ko nang pinatayo kami upang kantahin ang Lupang Hinirang at mag opening prayer. They played a video sa malaking screen sa stage at doon tumingin ang lahat. I raised my hand to my chest as a Lupang Hinirang video presentation played.

Then I felt his hand on my lower back, going down to my bum. I don’t know what to say, so I grabbed his hand with my free hand at hinawi ito. Tinignan ko siya nang masamang tingin, ngunit nakangisi lang ang lalaki. Kung sana nakamamatay lang ang titig ko, kanina pa talaga ito nakahandusay na walang buhay sa sahig.

What is he doing? Is he being playful or sexually implying?

Dahil nasa gitna kami ng pambansang awit, binalewala ko muna siya. Hanggang sa may nag-play ng video presentation ng prayer sa harap, kaya halos sa amin ay yumuko to pray along as well. I didn’t know this school was this religious, though.

At sa pangalawang pagkakataon, dinakma ng isang kamay ang aking puwetan. Napadilat ako nang mata at walang isip na dinakma rin ang kaniyang umbok.

Putang-ina .

I shouldn’t have did that. His crotch was big, and I can feel it under my palm. Para naman siyang ginanahan sa ginawa ko at piniga ang puwetan ko, kaya piniga ko rin ang pagkalalaki niya.

Bwesit talaga, nasa gitna kami ng opening prayer at ganito siya.

Nang matapos ang prayer, tinanggal ko na ang kamay ko, at tinabig ang kaniyang kamay sa puwetan ko. Pina-upo na kami kaya umupo ako roon at kinandong ulit ang aking backpack.

I glare hardly at Jimuel and he gives me a teasing smirk. He is gwapo naman, pati ang kasama niya, but I don’t do bastos-bastos kasi. I mean, I do… but to my boyfriends only. Ayoko kasi sa hook-up or one-night stand cultures. That way, madali kang mahawa ng mga sakit kasi without protection and prep. Kaya, I prefer safe sex with trusted person or someone who I am romantically intimate with.

“What?” he asks with a raise brow and a damn pa-innocent smirk. “I like your choker, by the way.”

Is he groping me dahil sa choker ko na suot? Does he think it is an invite to let him molest me in a public space? What the hell?!

“Can you stop groping me? We’re in public, for pete’s sake.”

“We could have fun in a private place or in my condo, though,” he suggestively said to me like it is a casual thing to say to someone you just met not an hour ago.

I was flabbergasted by what he said.

“Fuck you, I don’t do hook-ups with strangers,” asik ko rito.

“You know our names, babe. The last thing of us are strangers to you,” prenti nitong sabi with his brows going up and down, really suggesting sexual fun.

I looked at Stephen, and he resembled Jimuel’s expression.

What the hell?

“Pass, ayokong magkasakit first day ko pa lang sa school,” I dismissively said to them and itinuon ang atensyon sa harap.

“We don’t have STDs,” depensa nito.

“Anong pake ko?” maratay ko lang na sabi.

“Hard to get, I like that.”

The program goes on with a lot of uncomfortable touching with Jimuel and me only pinching his sides as a poor excuse of retort. Honestly, gusto ko siya isilid sa drum at itapon sa dagat. Rapists should not be walking among us, you know.

Hanggang sa tumayo iyong president nang school sa kaniyang upuan dahil siya na ang magsasalita sa harapan. Everyone held their breathes as the president of the school approach the microphone. He excludes this scary aura around him, and it is scary enough to cry a baby. He has this very intimidating eyes scanning the crowd and a solemn expression.

“Good day, Freshmen, batch of 2019. I am your president, Romeo L. Sarracin . So many new and innocent faces among the crowd. I am sure you all will enjoy your studies here at Hounsfield University,” panimula nito sa speech nito. His voice is deep but loud. His voice matches his appearance with the intimidation. “Now, I will only make my message short…”

Marami siyang sinabi about founders and history sa paaralan na ito; na ang mga Hounsfield daw ang nagpatayo nito noon, and such. He is the 65th president nitong paaralan na ito. He gave motivations and those stuff, but he said something eerie.

“The predators always consume the weakest preys; tear their fleshes and bones.”

Hindi ko alam ang pinapahiwatig niya. What are we, part of the animal kingdom para may predator and prey? So, the vegetarian ones are herbivores? Eh?

“I fucking loving this school!”

“Beshy, we should’ve

transferred

to another

school

after

high

school

. Sabi sa iyong bad news dito kapag

college

ka na, eh.“

“Beshy, our beauties can protect us from

violence

. Calm down.“

“Walang magagawa yang kagandahan mo kapag masapak kita riyan, gurl.”

“Ugh! Excuse me?!”

Bumalik sa upuan niya ang president at patuloy kaming tinitignan. Now that I noticed it, parang may hinahanap ito sa mga daan-daang mukha rito. Who is it? Bakit hinahanap niya ito?

May anunsyo pa ang dalawang emcee na this afternoon, hindi pa dapat kami uuwi dahil may clubs and things pa kaming pipilian at sasalihan. Na-excite naman ako dahil I was torn to choose between a two club na nabanggit nila; the Sports Club and the Musika Club .

You see, I love to play piano since nanay Mildred signed me up for piano lessons since elementary. At first, I really hated it, but then I love every note I press to the piano. It is calming and soothing, you know. It makes me connect to another dimention where pain and worry is non-existent. But when I started high school, I stopped playing piano, and joined the baseball team of our high school.

“So, anyways. Partner, we should do muna a fun tradition na icebreaker for our freshmen bago lumisan sa lugar na ito,” sabi no’ng babaeng emcee na si Laurryn.

“Yes, sobrang saya niyan! It was a shame hindi ako isa sa mga nanalo noong freshman pa lang ako.”

“Sad, iyak ka na? Kidding lang!” pang-uuyam nito sa lalaki. “It’s not something extraordinary or obnoxious naman, it’s just a simple introduce yourself here in the front. Of course, we will give pabuya to those anyone who had been chosen. The pabuya is very huge and big deal talaga. ’Di ba, partner Paulo?” anunsyo pa no’ng babaeng emcee.

“Tama!” segunda ng lalaking emcee. “The prize is an unlimited card towards our canteen and cafeteria for the whole year. Not just the whole semester ha, the whole year! You see, our canteen and cafeteria is packed with famous food brands and companies, kaya this card will be useful to those lucky winners talaga if you keep or give them away for someone.”

“The catch is this…” may pabitin nitong sambit. “Five random monobloc occupants has been chosen for this, no bias,” anito. “Sorry, bleachers occupiers, hindi kayo kasali sa palaro na ito dahil ang inu-upuan ninyo ay hindi malalagyan ng palatandaan na napili kayo.”

Ano raw? I’m so confused.

“Look under your monobloc chairs…” anunsyo pa nila. “If you see a gold sticker seal of the school under your chairs, it means you are one of the lucky winners!”

Maraming ingay ng mga upuan ang maririnig sa paligid hanggang sa may mga tilian at sigawan na akong naririnig. Ang mga nakapaligid sa akin na malapit ay dismayado kasi wala raw sa kanila.

“Oh! Question, ate Laurryn! Is it okay to steal the seal sticker from the lucky monobloc occupants?” sabi pa no’ng emcee na babae. “Well, of course! Bribe, harsh or bloody, do as you must upang makuha mo ang sticker. It is the tradition during freshmen orientation. Have fun!”

“Wait, are they for real?”

“Tradisyon sa kanila

ang

makipagbuno

para lang sa prize?“

“Ayos lang sa kanila magpatayan para lang sa free food na prize?”

“Oh, pasuntok, par!”

“Baliw ka, sabi para makuha ang sticker! Walang sticker sa upuan ko!”

“Kailangan pa ba ng rason na iyan?”

“Fuck you!”

“No,

I

fucked you.“

“…..”

I was taken aback sa narinig, ngunit napatango ako. So violence is really okay here in Hounsfield University, huh? Even in the presence of the president na nasa stage at naka-upo. He is there, sitting, emanating intimidation around him while searching something or someone in the crowd. He looks so… deadly ?

Tumingin ako sa paligid at parang nagkagulo na ang buong paligid. May tumitilapon na upuan kaya hindi alam ng iba kung anong gagawin.

Damn! For a card or sticker, magiging bayolente sila? Hindi ba sila binibigyan ng baon ng mga pamilya nila? They are crazy!

Yinakap ko lang ang bag ko with Cotton inside at pinagmasdan ang kapaligiran ko. Parang nasa podium or stadium kami ngayon sa gymnasium nang campus. Kaming nasa baba ay nag-aagawan ng stickers, habang ang mga nasa itaas or bleachers ay tinitignan kami rito. Is this an entertainment for sadist people?

Hanggang sa may isang estudyante ang nakapunta sa stage upang ibigay ang sticker nito. It wasn’t easy for him, though, because may umambang sumuntok sa kaniya upang agawain ang sticker sa palad niya. Buti na-iwasan niya at sinuntok pabalik ang sumubok manuntok.

“Wow! Our first lucky winner for today’s icebreaker tradition!” manghang anunsyo ng babaeng emcee.

They instruct na maghintay muna ito hanggang sa makumpleto ang lima na mananalo kuno.

Sunod-sunod na tumungtong sa stage ang mga nanalo, tatlong lalaki at isang babae. Apat lamang sila at kulang ng isa.

Shit! I haven’t checked under my monobloc chair dahil nawili ako sa pagmamasid sa paligid ko!

Yumuko ako at hinawi ang puting tela nito, at lumaki ang mata ko nang makita na may sticker sa ilalim nang upuan ko. Agad akong napa-upo nang tuwid at tumikhim.

Should I do the trouble of claiming that prize by fighting these people around me?

Biting my lips, I looked under my chair again and reached for the golden seal of the school. It was shiny and gold, kaya nakaka-akit sa mata. When I finally got it, umupo ako nang tuwid at hinawakan nang maayos ang sticker.

“NASA KANIYA ANG LAST STICKER!” sigaw nang babae sa kabilang banda ko, kaya nataranta ako at sinuntok ito sa mukha.

Sorry po, ang ingay n’yo po kasi.

Natatarantang baka ma-agaw ito sa akin, dali-dali kong isinuot ang backpack ko at pumanhik sa stage ng gymnasium. May malapit na humarang sa akin, kaya wala akong nagawa at sinuntok ko ang pagmumukha nila. May ibang nakasalag at ibang nag-ambang sumuntok pabalik sa akin, pero sinipa ko siya sa tiyan upang pang counter. Ayos lang naman daw maging bayolente, kaya manununtok at mananakot na lang din ako upang ma-claim ang bobong prize na ito.

Ang kamao at paa ko ay walang pinipiling kasarian, kaya bahala na sila.

Iyong si Jimuel ay sinubukang agawin sa akin ang sticker, at dahil kanina ko pa gusto ito sapakin, sinipa ko ang kaniyang bukol at mabilis na umalis sa upuan na iyon. Namilipit ang mukha niya sa sakit, kaya super satisfied talaga ako bago dali-daling linisan ang upuan ko.

Sana nabaog kita sa sipa ko na

iyon

,

bwesit

!

May iilan akong nasuntok at nasipa – may isang nakasuntok sa akin – bago marating ang stage. Binigyan ko nang malaking ngiti ang dalawang emcee at apat na kasamahang nanalo rin. Tinignan ko ang direksyon ng president nang school, at medyo nagulat dahil nakatitig pala ito sa akin. Tinitignan nito ang aking kabuokhan mula talampakan hanggang buhok. Para ako nitong inu-usisang hayop na lalapain maya-maya.

Iniwas ko na lang ang tingin dito at tumayo sa tabi ng mga estudyanteng nanalo.

“So we have our t o ugh

five this year right here, our strongest winners!“ ani emcee’ng babae. “Let’s start with this guy na unang naka-akyat sa stage, partner Paulo.”

“Okay, so please state your name, old school, your course or program, and interesting facts about yourself.”

May inabot na microphone sa lalaking unang naka-akyat roon na may uniporme na kulay kahel. What department is that ba?

“My name is Kal-el Policarpio, high school graduate here in Hounsfield University, and I am from Office Administration; section OA1D,” parang nonchalant na pagpakilala nito.

“Wow, from BS Office Administration! What interesting facts should we know about you? Just a random facts lang,” ani babaeng emcee.

“Uhm, I listen to Deftones , but I also listen to Lana del Rey and Sabrina Carpenter . I love gory and action films, too,” sabi nito.

“I just noticed, ’no. You are named after a Kryptonian, who is known as Superman?” tanong no’ng lalaking emcee.

“Yeah. My second name is actually Reeve, that was derived from Christopher Reeve . He is my parents’ favorite version of Superman,” pahayag nito.

“Ang interesting!” the female emcee exclaimed.

“Now, sa next lucky winner natin!”

Nagpakilala ito at maraming usapan and such sa kanila. Hanggang sa lumipat sila sa ibang winner. At dumating na sa akin.

“And our last lucky winner,” anito. “ I love your choker, by the way. So stylish and uncommon!“

“Thanks, I have a collection of chockers!” masaya kong sabi rito. May nakapaskil na malaking ngiti na parang tanga… pero tanga naman talaga ako sa pag-ibig, ’di ba?

“Anyways, tell me us about yourself?”

“Okay…” Ngumiti pa rin ako at kumaway ng ka-onti. “My name is Andarius Vahn Mendez, I am a high school graduate from Javier-Cruz University; and now I am here in Hounsfield University taking Doctor in Veterinary Medicine!

“My hobbies are video gaming, playing the piano, some baseball stuffs, and probably annoying my…” binuksan ko ang bag ko at inilabas doon si Cotton. “Baby cat named Cotton. This is Cotton,” sabi ko roon habang pinakita si Cotton doon sa stage.

Samo’t-sari ang mga reaskyon at ingay ang narinig ko galing sa madla at paligid ko. They find Cotton cute, too.

“There is so much you have said,” sabi ng lalaking emcee. Tumingin ako sa direksyon niya. “So your name is Andarius Vahn… Mendez? Why is you name… hm… how do I put it? Kinda similar to the Hounsfield siblings?”

“I dunno, honestly. I think my nanay Mildred and tatay Melvin named me like that kasi they found those names unique…?” sabi ko lang doon.

I do not want to tell them that I am a deprived Hounsfield son, though. They do not need to know that.

“Your hair and eye color, is it real? Kulay matingkad na tsokolate ang buhok mo, tapos iyong mga mata mo parang kulay green sa malapitan,” saad no’ng babae.

Naningkit ang mata ko sa sinabi nito. “Well, totoo ko silang hair and eye color. I don’t know saan akong pinaglihi, but I am not half something. I am pure Filipino po.”

“Talaga?! I think Filipino genes only carries black or dark brown irises. But that’s so cool!” aniya. “Your cat, is so cool din! Can I pet it?”

“Uh, sure…”

And she pets Cotton, while Cotton just stayed still.

“Are you sure you’re not some anak sa labas na Hounsfield sibling?” biglang nagtanong iyong emcee na lalaki.

Binalingan ko siya sa sinabi niya.

“Of course not. I am a Mendez, my older sister is Melissa Anne Mendez. I may not look as ugly as her, but we are siblings,” I confidently said to him.

“Woah, kapatid mo si Melissa Anne Mendez?” gulat na tanong nito. She’s really famous here sa paaralan nila? “She is the Queen Bee of Nursing Department! We’re in the same department.”

“Oh…” That biatch.

“Yeah, she’s a big shot here.”

“So, you mentioned that you play piano,” biglang salita no’ng female emcee matapos ma-satisfy sa pag-pet kay Cotton. “Marunong ka bang kumanta?”

What?!

“I do, but I think I don’t want to sing in front of this crowd. Nahihiya kasi ako, eh,” sabi ko lang doon.

“Awe. Sayang naman.”

“Anyway, thank you so much, Andarius… What is your nickname pala?”

“You can call me Andy for short po,” sabi ko roon na may malaking ngiti.

“Okay, Andy. You are cute, I’m sure everyone will love your presence around the campus.”

“Uhm, thanks. You are so handsome din po!”

“Salamat din,” sabi ng lalaking emcee at kumindat sa akin. Hmpt.

Gwapo at may tindig naman siya. He has this party-goer vibe na minsan tambay sa mga bar, gano’n. Actually, silang dalawa ni Laurryn gwapo at maganda. Kinuha pa silang emcee at taga sugat nang mga freshmen kung hindi sila aesthetically eye-pleasing with good hosting skills, ano?

“OKAY! So, here are the promised prizes! You can use the cards na, ha. Anytime, anywhere. There is no limit, just like a black or platinum card. Enjoy!”

Ibinigay na sa amin ang aming cards, and would you look at them. They are so plain, yet holds a lot of power. I think the student councils has these cards too, like, it is their perks of being in the counsil. Wowers.

“A round of applause, please!”

✩°｡⋆⸜ 🎧✮

     LUNCH TIME , and I am so freaking hungry na. Maluwag ang buong Hounsfield University, but since I was here last month with nanay Mildred upang i-enroll ako, I know where some things are because I explored a bit; like the cafeteria!

I got bombarded by people along the way to the cafeteria because of two things: Cotton and for being one of the tough five . I just smile to them and let them know na I want to be left alone because I just want to eat my lunch peacefully. May mga nag-imbita sa akin na sumama sa kanila na kumain, but I refused. I do not want acquintance right now. It is not what I need.

The cafeteria is huge HUGE. It is massive, and it looks so modern. Halatang pinagplanohan ng mga architects behind this building. It looks welcoming and mukhang masasarap ang mga panindang foods dito. Kahit sa entrada pa lang ay na-aamoy ko na ang iba’t-ibang klase na mga pagkain. It made my stomach growled in hunger.

Wala na akong inaksaya na oras at pumanhik sa loob. May mga nag-ookupado na sa mga tables doon na good for 8-10 persons and some for 2 or 4 yata. The tables and long chairs are made of steel, and rooted to the tiled floor of the building. The ceiling has a lot of ceiling fans and some chandeliers. Inikot ko ang paningin ko at marami nga’ng kilalang fast-food or food brands ang nandirito. Is the cafeteria exclusive to college students only? Or pati mga high-schoolers and elementary dito rin kumakain? Whatever.

Walking towards a certain sikat food chain with crispylicious and juicylicious fried chickens here a cafeteria nila, gusto ko bumili ng fried chicken na may red flag. Fried chicken na covered with spicy powder over the marinated spiciness any day, fight me!

The queue was long, but I got my order and paid with my dalang cash na baon. I got my fries, and a burger for Cotton with them. I know bad ang ibang human food sa mga pets, but paldo naman sa cat food itong bubwit sa bahay.

I look around for a table with a tray on my hands, until I saw a two-person table. Perfect!

Agad-agad kong inangkin ang lamesa at inilapag ang aking mga pagkain. I also got Cotton out of my bag and placed my baby sa tapat na upuan. My baby is well-behaved at hindi tumatangay ng ulam, well trained kasi.

Naglalaway sa aking pagkain, I grabbed the utensils when someone so familiar approached and initiated a conversation with me. Someone who I wished na hindi ko makita rito sa campus.

The fucker has the audacity to smile widely as if I was not used by him before he ghosted me. He looks clean and in a freshly laundered varsity jacket with his department uniform underneath, unlike his usual self. His smile angered or weirded me out – maybe both – because he got no balls to smile this widely when we always interact. He is always grumpy and all sad. He is a sad excuse of a person, honestly.

“Hi, I can’t help but notice you from afar,” he started. “My name is Dam—”

I slapped his devishly handsome face in front of everyone in the cafeteria.

“Fuck you, Gian!”

♤♡◇♧◇♡♤

SYRICKOY

♤♡◇♧◇♡♤

Wazzup, everyone! I toke too long parang maka-update and upload ng chapter one. HUHU. Nawili and na-busy kasi sa kakalaro ng Grow a Garden sa Roblox. HUHUHUHUHUHU.

Hays. Ang hirap magsulat dito sa new phone ko. Hindi pa nakaka-upload ng images, shuta. I think I will quickly log in with my old phone upang doon ko i-try mag upload ng images here. Kahit ilang

ulit

kong i-try, hindi

talaga

.

Bwesit

na phone, eh.

(Here na. Old phone -

RealMe

C11

2022 — the best for writing with me talaga!)

STORY TIME! Actually, I was torn apart between two scenarios for this chapter for a lot of days. One was another game on stage with life or death consequences na matatakot sumubok ang ibang estudyante, tapos ang magaling na Andy ay nag-participate na sumali. Tapos ang game sana ay larong pinoy with a bloody twist, pero nahihirapan ako kaya I scrapped the idea na lang. Ang second naman ay kahit first day pa lang, may ka-bembang na si Andy sa one of the restroom sa campus. Na-

Paris

or

Eiffel Tower

kuno siya sa bathroom with two makikisig na fellow students, kaso I think too early pa para sa bembangan, so sa first official day na lang iyon magaganap sa ating “

conservative

“ Andy. HAHA.

*wink wink…

Anygays, I hope y’all are doing fine! Ka-onti lang ang reads and votes nito sa ngayon, but patuloy pa rin sa pagsusulat! Ganito rin ang simula nitong story ko noon eh, hanggang sa naging 100k reads yata. HAHAHAHA.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR GIVING THIS STORY A TRY! Promise, mas maganda at maraming plost twist sa story na ito. Katulad ng last scene sa chapter na ito. Mwihihihihihi.

Iyon langs. Ingats kayo! Stay safe and eat properly! Love y’all, muahx!

chapter two

SYRICKOY’s

POV

◇ ◇ ◇

     THREE SIMILAR faces turns their head toward the stage when the two emcee are announcing the traditional game during the freshmen orientation. The first person was busy scrolling through his phone, uninterested to the things happening around him. The other was busy waving and charming every girls – some gays – that was in his radius. The last one is sleeping on the first person’s shoulder because he stayed up all night stalking someone . Their charm and presence cannot be ignored, because they are the infamous Salazar triplets.

The eldest of the triplet is Alvredo Gian ; who is taking BS in Electrical Engineering. The middle triplet is Alisvair Damien , taking BS in Mechanical Engineering. And the youngest of the triplets is Alverto Killian , taking a BS in Chemical Engineering program. They toke different programs since their father ordered them to. Since preschool, the three of them are inseparable when it comes to being classmates. The two of the triplets does not do their homeworks ever since, but let their smartest and youngest triplet do their homework instead.

They almost share everything they have with each other…

The two emcee instructed that there are five gold sticker seals under the monobloc they occupied. Tinignan ng mga nakapaligid nila ang ilalim ng kanilang inu-upuan at nadismaya ang halos karamihan nang wala silang makitang sticker.

Not long after, a brawl started from the distance. Damien is very pumped when he saw the chaos happening all around him. He wanted to join in, but he remained seated dahil hinila ito ng isang kamay noong tumayo ito upang makisali. It was the hand of his triplet na busy pa rin sa kakapindot ng cellphone nito.

“Huwag ka nang makisawsaw.”

Kahit hindi nito tinatanggal ang paningin sa gadget nito, alam ni Damien na siya ang kinaka-usap nito. It made Damien groan because of this.

“Come on, Lian; once lang sa college life natin mangyayari itong freshmen orientation brawl,” pagrason ni Damien doon.

“Stay here o hindi ko ibibigay ang social media account no’ng Pamela,” malamig na sabi nito sa kakambal.

Frowning hard, Damien huffed from this.

“Fine. Whatever.”

Walang nagawa si Damien kung hindi ang manatili sa upuan nito. He is the second eldest sa kanilang dalawa, he shouldn’t listen to his younger brother, but he really want to have the social media account of that Pamela Aguinaldo that he found very sexy noong nakaraang linggo sa campus grounds. He begged his younger brother to find her whereabouts and social media accounts since he knew his brother can find anyone on the internet. After many attempts of bribing and a little bit of begging, he got his brother to find this Pamela girl he mentions.

Then, the tough five was completed on the stage. Damien can’t help but huffed really hard since he missed the orientation tradition of this wretched school.

“So we have our tough five this year right here, our strongest winners!” anunsyo ng babaeng emcee roon na si Laurryn. “Let’s start with this guy na unang naka-akyat sa stage, partner Paulo.”

“Okay, so please state your name, old school, your course or program, and interesting facts about yourself…”

Damien’s attention is intently on the stage, eyeing the first winner who got on stage. Then he wander his eyes to the next winner, until the third and fourth. And then he laid his eyes for the first time to a guy who just made his heart leap for a bit, made his breathing raggedy, his palms becoming sweaty, and this sense of connection and comfort just from watching this particular person from afar.

He doesn’t know what was happening to him. He thinks he is bewitched by this mysterious person standing on the stage.

Somehow, hindi niya matanggal ang paningin sa nakatayong lalaki na may suot na puting choker. Ang lalaki ay may matangkad na tindig at kalmadong postura. Malayo-layo man siya sa stage, pero kitang-kita niya ang malalim na kulay berde nitong mga mata. They are like a lush, dark forest that if you go deeper into them, you will surely get lost. Ang buhok din nito ay nasa pagitan ng kulay kayumanggi at itim – parang dark chocolate, gano’n.

Who is he? Why am I. ..

Damien is speechless. He was broke from that state when it was that particular guy’s turn to be interviewed by the two emcee.

“And our last lucky winner,” sabi ni Laurryn. “I love your choker, by the way. So stylish and uncommon!”

He looks so submissive in them, honestly. Makes me want

to

wrap my hand

around

his

pretty

neck.

“Thanks, I have a collection of chockers!” ang sagot ng lalaki kay Laurryn.

Fuck. Even his voice is pretty.

Nakuha naman ang atensyon nito ng isang kambal sa nagsasalita sa stage at napa-angat sandali ang tingin. It was one glance, hanggang sa napatingin ulit siya sa stage to make sure dahil sa taong nandoon. He was also taken aback like his brother. He was drawn to this particular person just like his brother.

Dali-dali naman niyang tinapik ang natutulog na kakambal sa kaniyang balikat. The said brother begrudgingly woken up, and rubs his eyes like he was awoken from a very deep slumber for a thousand of years.

“Anyways, tell me us about yourself?”

“What the hell, Lian. Is the orientation finished?” their eldest triplet groaned and still gathering his composure.

“Okay…” a very familiar voice said, that made Gian sit straight and focus his attention to the stage. And there, he saw someone he thought he wouldn’t see today. “My name is Andarius Vahn Mendez, I am a high school graduate from Javier-Cruz University; and now I am here in Hounsfield University taking Doctor in Veterinary Medicine!”

This is not happening! The last time he checked, this person was not on this campus today. He checked on the tracker he gave to Andy – disguised as a bracelet gift – and it was pinpoint at their house. Hindi siya nagkakamali, nasa bahay lang dapat nila ngayon itong si Andy at naka-enroll sa Javier-Cruz University, pero bakit ito narito ngayon?! Nasa Javier-Cruz University rin ito during enrollment doon noong binabantayan niya ang kilos nito sa tracker. The bracelet could not malfunction now since it was still working last night, when he was silently following him to the convenient store and back to their house. Did he removed the bracelet Gian gave to him and left it at their home? That made a fuss inside him that he cannot understand and explain.

“My hobbies are video gaming, playing the piano, some baseball stuffs, and probably annoying my…” patuloy nitong pakilala sa harapan ng lahat. The triplets’ attention is now fully on Andy. They cannot take off their eyes from this particular person. Binuksan ni Andy ang kaniyang puting backpack, at dito may inilabas siyang puting pusa. It was Cotton, the now grown kitten that Gian gave to him before. “Baby cat named Cotton. This is Cotton,” sabi pa ni Andy roon habang pinakita si Cotton sa mga nakikinig at tumitingin sa stage.

Fuck. Why are you here, Andy?

“There is so much you have said,” sabi ng lalaking emcee na si Paulo. “So your name is Andarius Vahn… Mendez? Why is you name… hm… how do I put it? Kinda similar to the Hounsfield siblings?”

Gian smirked from this. He learned a lot when he was with Andy, that even Andy didn’t know about his self. If only he was in the position to reveal things.

“I dunno, honestly. I think my nanay Mildred and tatay Melvin named me like that kasi they found those names unique…?” sabi ni Andy sa stage.

“I would belive anything he’ll say as long as it was from him,” parang wala sa sarili na sabi ni Damien doon.

The two other triplets looks toward his direction with a very judging and a disbelief expression. Napansin naman ito ni Damien at tinapunan ang dalawa nang nakakalokong ekspresyon sa guwapo nitong mukha.

“He can manipulate me, that’s for sure.”

“Stay away from him, Damien,” ang sabi roon ni Gian sa kambal niya with a stern voice. He knows well enough that Damien will have Andy as one of his plaything, because Damien is a total player. As if

I

didn’t ghost Andy for personal reasons .

“Your hair and eye color, is it real? Kulay matingkad na tsokolate ang buhok mo, tapos iyong mga mata mo parang kulay green sa malapitan,” tanong ni Laurryn kay Andy.

Naningkit ang mata ni Andy sa tanong nito. “Well, totoo ko silang hair and eye color. I don’t know saan akong pinaglihi, but I am not half something. I am pure Filipino po.”

The things that you

don’t

know, Andy. So innocent and

pure

for us.

“Talaga?! I think Filipino genes only carries black or dark brown irises. But that’s so cool!” anito. “Your cat, is so cool din! Can I pet it?”

“Uh, sure…”

They saw that Laurryn pets Cotton, while Cotton just stayed still. Gian doesn’t want anyone but Andy and him to touch their kitten. Last time he checked, their kitten is not friendly to strangers kasi. He adores that kitten as much as he adore its other fur-parent.

“Are you sure you’re not some anak sa labas na Hounsfield sibling?” biglang tanong ni Paulo kay Andy.

Most of the students around them was taken aback by that thought and question. A lot of whispers circulate because of this.

Sinulyapan ni Gian ang president ng paaralang ito at kita niya ang tinging ipinupukol nito sa direksyon ni Andy. Pati ito ay parang may alam sa nakaraan ni Andy at sa mga magulang nito, kaya dapat lumayo si Andy sa president ng Hounsfield University. Maybe he is one of those people who knows who Andy really is, and is doing assassination attempts to him in most subtle and cleanest ways. He needs to tell Andy about the suspicious president of this school.

“Of course not. I am a Mendez, my older sister is Melissa Anne Mendez. I may not look as ugly as her, but we are siblings,” Andy confidently said to Paulo.

“Woah, kapatid mo si Melissa Anne Mendez? She is the Queen Bee of Nursing Department! We’re in the same department.”

Maraming bulongan na naman ang namumutawi sa paligid dahil dito. Sikat kasi ang kapatid ni Andy rito sa paaralan dahil sa reputasyon at pinapakita nitong kakayahan sa mga bagay. Andy was oblivious about almost everything in this school, hence, it was his goal to enter here. Gian’s mistake was he thought that Andy would not enter here. He discouraged Andy to not enroll here, kaya nakampante na siya sa kapakanan ni Andy, but things didn’t go as he planned them to be.

“Oh…”

“Yeah, she’s a big shot here.”

“So, you mentioned that you play piano,” biglang salita ni Laurryn matapos ma-satisfy sa pag-pet kay Cotton. “Marunong ka bang kumanta?”

Oh, he can handle big microphones really well, Gian smirks from this dirty thought.

His singing voice is for sure angelic, too! isip doon ni Damien. Let us hear it,

baby

.

Has he sung a Filipino song before? malalim na isip naman doon ni Killian.

“I do, but I think I don’t want to sing in front of this crowd. Nahihiya kasi ako, eh,” sabi ni Andy lang doon.

“Awe. Sayang naman.”

Pati ang dalawa sa triplets ay nadismaya sa narinig. Si Gian naman ay approved sa sinabi ni Andy. He is the only person here who heard Andy sing his heart out in person and in private. Andy do livestreams kasi… so maybe Killian heard him sing on one of his streams.

“Anyway, thank you so much, Andarius… What is your nickname pala?”

“You can call me Andy for short po,” Andy said with a boyish grin.

“Okay, Andy. You are cute, I’m sure everyone will love your presence around the campus.”

What the fuck?

“Uhm, thanks. You are so handsome din po!”

WHAT THE FUCK?!

“Salamat din.” It was subtle, but the triplets saw the wink the male emcee gave to Andy.

Gian feels a bubbling sensation inside of him. He didn’t like that the guy winked at Andy with a hint of flirtation while doing it. He is getting a litte jealous because of that.

“OKAY! So, here are the promised prizes! You can use the cards na, ha. Anytime, anywhere. There is no limit, just like a black or platinum card. Enjoy!”

Ibinigay na sa kanila ang sinasabing cards. The student councils and some personalities in the school has them. The card has its perks and benefits naman, kaya marami-rami ring tumatakbo sa counsil positions kahit parang mga wala silang bisa sa paaralang ito dahil sa hierarchies at ranks.

“A round of applause, please!”

At na-dismissed na nga ang lahat sa lugar na iyon. Everyone stood from their seats to exit the place, at ang tingin ni Gian ay nasa stage at sa nakatayong Andy roon na nakangiti nang malaki sa kasama nitong nanalo. May kinamayan pa ito na parang pinakilala ang sarili nito rito. And then he saw the president with a lingering stare at Andy, bago ito bumaba sa stage at nawala sa lugar na iyon.

“Hi, Damien, sabay na kayo sa amin mag lunch?” may nag-aya bigla sa kanila na babae. Their homeroom classmate from their last senior year.

Damien and Killian toke their eyes away sa lalaking nagngangalang Andy at hinarap ang nag-aya sa kanila, with Damien plastering a boyish grin. It was his expression whenever he faces anyone. It’s like it is his mask whenever he interacts with anyone around him. And it never fails to make anyone charmed and allured by him.

“Thanks for the offer, but we decline muna,” Damien replied with tone of gentleness.

“It’s okay. We understand naman.” At umalis na ito na may pagka dismaya sa kasamahan nito. They wanted to have lunch with the triplets.

Nang mawala na ang nag-imbita sa kanilang sumabay sa lunch, ibinalik nila ang tingin sa stage at sobrang nadismaya nang makitang wala na iyong Andy doon. They were disheartened by this, at napansin naman ni Gian ang ekspresyon ng dalawa. Nakita ni Gian kung saan naki-blend in sa crowd si Andy after makipagkilala si Andy sa lalaking iyon sa stage. Buti na lang at parang mag-isa na itong paparuon sa kung saan.

“Para kayong sinipa na mga tuta,” ani Gian. “I am starving, let’s eat outside the campus.”

“Pass, I have somewhere to go muna,” ang excuse doon ni Damien, pero ang totoo ay hahanapin niya iyong Andy sa cafeteria, na nagbabasakaling doon ito mag-lunch.

“Same, I need to go somewhere.”

Gian eyed the two weirdly like they have grown a second pair of heads. He can see the lie in their lame excuses, but he just brush it off. They’re big naman to be on their on ways, kaya bahala na sila.

“Okay… then I’m gonna go ahead and eat by myself outside.” Nagsimula nang maglakad palabas si Gian sa lugar na iyon at iniwan ang dalawang kambal. “Later, losers,” sabi pa niya bago nawala sa kanilang paningin.

The two was left there with only one thing in mind; find Andy around the cafeteria or somewhere.

“Una na ako, Lian,” salita roon ni Damien at kinuha ang kaniyang bag at sinabit sa balikat. “I need to find and talk to that Andy guy.”

He’s also looking for that him?

Nang maglakad na ito palayo, hinatak naman ni Killian ito pabalik sa pwesto nila. Tinignan ni Damien ang kaniyang kambal na may pagtataka sa mukha dahil sa ginawa nito.

“Sama ako…” Killian said, not wanting to admit he also wants to see and talk to Andy in person, too.

“Sasama ka? Okay… let’s head to the cafeteria first and see if he’s there.”

✩°｡⋆⸜ 🎧✮

Andarius

’ POV

     “HI, I can’t help but notice you from afar,” he started. “My name is Dam—”

I slapped his devishly handsome face in front of everyone in the cafeteria.

“Fuck you, Gian!”

Nakatagilid ang kaniyang mukha at hindi inasahan ang aking ginawang pag sampal sa kaniyang mukha. He should’ve expected that after the ghosting he did to me, and showing himself to me like this.

“Damien, are you okay?” may lumapit sa kaniya na lalaking naka-uniporme na kulay shade din na blue katulad ni Gian.

Damien? Is that his

second

name?

Gian Damien Salvador?

At first, hindi ito nakatingin sa aking direksyon, hanggang sa itinuon nito sa akin ang atensyon nito. Nagulat ako sa aking nakita. Magkamukha sila ni Gian na aking sinampal kanina lang. What the fuck is happening?

Nakabawi na si Gian sa aking ginawa at ngayon ay nakatingin na ito sa akin katulad ng kamukha niya ngayon. Sobrang weird dahil dalawang mukha ng lalaking gumamit at iniwan na lang ako bigla ang tumititig sa akin ngayon. Isang Gian pa nga lang masakit na sa kalooban, dalawa pa kaya?

“What the hell is this, Gian?” I frustratingly asks him while eyeing the other person with a neutral expression on his face, more like the Gian I knew. “Hindi mo sinabi sa akin na may kakambal ka at wala ka pang balak sabihin sa akin?”

Nagulat ang dalawa sa aking sinabi.

“Gian? I’m not him, my name is Damien,” sabi ng lalaking nasampal ko kanina, may pagtataka rin sa boses at mukha niya. “And this is Killian, our other kambal. We are triplets.”

Triplets???!? WHAT THE HELL?!

“Y-you are triplets?” hindi ko makapaniwalang tanong dito.

Ang rami ko pa nga’ng hindi alam patungkol kay Gian. He never told me about his triplet brothers. He never told me anything about his family. I never even saw his family members.

He is the worst person ever. Fuck him.

“Yes, that’s right,” sabi nito na nakasalubong ang kilay sa akin. Pati siya ay nalilito.

“I didn’t know that…”

I am lost for words.

“Can we join you for lunch? I will explain everything and answer your questions if you have some.”

Lunch? Oh, shit.

“I don’t know, you should? I mean - sure, maybe?” natataranta kong sabi sa kanilang dalawa. Ang weird pa rin kasi kamukha nila si litseng Gian. Ang tahimik pa noong isa na patuloy pa ring nakatitig sa akin.

Narinig ko namang tumawa iyong si Damien sa aking pagtaranta, kaya sa kaniya napunta ang paningin ko. He seems amuse about it.

“Sorry for disturbing your peaceful lunch, by the way.”

“Uhm, it’s alright lang po.”

✩°｡⋆⸜ 🎧✮

WE MOVED to a table for four at pumwesto roon. Damien, who seems like a gentleman, carried my food sa bagong table namin at inilapag doon ang pagkain ko. Nasa harapan ko naka-upo ang dalawang magkamukha ni Gian, habang sa nasa tabi ko naman si Cotton na kasalukuyang kinakain ang burger niya. They haven’t bought their food yet, kaya ang awkward na sumubo ng pagkain ngayon.

The other one named Killian has been staring at me kanina pa. He never talk, just straight staring at me. Itong si Damien lang ang taga salita sa kanilang dalawa, and it is so weird. I still can’t grasp this reality. Is this even happening? Am I dreaming?

The two of them are identical, but with different vibes. It is so fucking weird.

“Can you show me proof na mag-triplets kayo ni Gian?” I said while raising my left brows at him… Damien or whatever. I glance at the other kamukha ni Gian, si Killian daw.

“Sure, sure,” ani Damien. “Marami rito sa phone ko. Look.”

He offered me his phone with a boyish grin, kaya kinuha ko ito sa kaniya. I just eyed him suspiciously kasi kanina pa siya nakangiti nang ganiyan sa akin, bago tumingin sa screen nang kaniyang phone.

Litrato nila iyong tatlo na naka-groufie sa isang café. Fuck cafés, by the way. Obvious na itong si Damien ang nakahawak sa phone dahil ang nakahawak ay may ngiti na katulad nang binibigay sa akin niya ngayon. At ang dalawa sa likod ay parang walang ekspresyon sa mga mukha nila habang nakatitig sa kamera. Ang isa sa kanila ay parang nababagot na tumitingin sa kamera at parang nananaksak ang tingin nito. I just know that is Gian. Ang isa ay walang ekspresyon sa mukha, na for sure itong si Killian.

Hindi pa satisfied, I scrolled through his gallery pa-right, at may iilan pa silang photos sa café na iyon. May good shoots nang buong lugar at pagkain, at masasabi mong Instagram worth ang mga kuha niyang litrato sa phone.

Sa isang swipe, agad kong napatay ang phone ni Damien dahil sa aking nakita. Bwesit, bwesit, bwesit.

I SAW HIS FUCKING NUDE MIRROR SELFIE!

“Satisfied?” Damien asks in front of me, oblivious of what I witnessed on his phone. Bwesit talaga, pahamak kasi eh.

“O-okay na, I’m convinced you guys are a triplet na.”

I can’t look straight into his eyes now, damn. I mean, I’ve been intimate with Gian, but ibang case na itong makita ko rin ang hubad na katawan nang kakambal niya. That’s fucking awkward.

Inabot ko pabalik sa kaniya ang phone niya, bago nag-sip sa soda drink ko, pa-as if wala akong nakitang kababalaghan sa phone niya.

I saw him open his phone, then he glance at me, then back at his phone. Then I saw that teasing smirk of his slowly appearing on his handsome face, and I avoided eye contact with him. I just know I’m blushing a bit right now dahil sa kahihiyan. Hindi ko naman kasi sinadya na mapa-scroll nang sobra eh, hays!

“Grabe, sobrang sarap nang fried chicken at burger nila, Cotton, ano?” baling ko roon sa baby cat ko upang hindi makatingin sa direksyon ni Damien.

Ang awkward kaya kapag may makakita ng nude pics sa phone mo accidentally by someone you just freaking met. I’m sure he sends those kind of photos to his girlfriend, or ka-talking stage, or fling, or someone. I don’t know… basta! But I am in no position to see that photo of him.

“Sobrang yummy ba?” biglang tanong ni Damien sa aking harapan.

Tinignan ko ang direksyon niya, at may nakapaskil na ngisi sa guwapo nitong mukha. My cheeks are heated dahil sa ginagawa niyang pag-uuyam sa akin ngayon. Gusto ko nang magpalamon ng lupa or semento ngayon din. I’m so fucking awkward.

“A-anyways,” pag simula ko at ini-iwas pa rin ang paningin sa kaniya. I don’t wanna answer his double meaning question. “Bakit niyo nga pala hindi kasama si Gian ngayon? Did he saw me earlier?” tanong ko sa kaniya.

Tumikhim muna siya nang may pag-uuyam pa rin. “He saw you, and that cave-dwelling goblin didn’t say anything about you two having a thing. I mean, we didn’t even know he swings this way. For all I know, he only fuck girls,” ani Damien.

Fuck me now. It will be soon that I will face that bastard again. He ghosted me for the whole summer, and he will feel my wrath talaga.

“And asan siya ngayon? Natatakot ba ba siyang harapin ulit ako?”

I focus my attention on Damien, and then the still silent Killian. Damien now has a frown na parang nag-iisip din siya.

“He is having his lunch outside the campus. Tsaka he is pretty calm when he left, though. I cannot answer your last question,” lahad sa akin ni Damien.

Napatango ako sa sinabi niya.

“Now, it is our turn to ask you some questions,” aniya. Napatingin ulit ako sa kaniya at bumalik na naman ang ngisi sa kaniyang mukha. I gulped my saliva because of this. “Where and when did you and Gian met?”

I stroke Cotton’s fur at sinagot siya sa kaniyang tanong. “It was in a café uptown noong Disyembre. I was peacefully on my table, about to enjoy my order, nang nasagi niya accidentally ang cuppocino ko.”

I reminisce the day that fateful day happened. It was always raining, and my favorite café was my hangout spot whenever I crave caffeinated drinks and pastries.

“Nanghingi siya nang tawad at pinalitan ang cuppocino ko, kaya pinatawad ko na lang siya. But then he invited himself sa table ko, and then we start to have a decent conversation. The next thing I know, we exchanged numbers. And the rest is history,” kuwento ko pa. “Tanongin mo na lang siya kung paano niya ako ginayuma, tsaka ghinost after months of having a relationship together. Fuck him and whatever his fucking excuse is.”

Nakinig ang dalawa sa aking pinagsasabi, at ngumiti lang ako with a pursed lips sa kanila. Honestly, it is super weird talking about that bastard sa mga kamukha niya. Hays.

“And he never mentioned us to you? Not even once?” tanong ni Damien doon.

“I know, right? Kilala siya nang pamilya ko, pero iyong pamilya niya hindi ko kilala.”

“And you are sister with Melissa, who would definitely know us. You are living in the same roof, pero wala siyang sinabi sa iyo na may mga kambal si Gian?” tanong pa nito sa akin.

I heave a deep sigh. “Hindi ko alam. Basta pag-uwi ko mamaya, patay talaga iyong babaeng ’yon sa akin.”

“Pero you can search up his name online, and we would literally pop up, too,” Damien said.

As if I didn’t do that, pero wala talagang social media presence si Gian kaya texting at calling lang kami. I still prefer texting over chatting, though. I feel like our chat online can be hacked or watched by someone or the dark web watching our convo too.

“I did, pero wala akong Gian Salvador nakikita anywhere. Ibang Gian Salvador ang lumalabas anytime I search his name, like, I don’t know if he blocked me or something,” I frustratingly said to them.

“Wala naman talagang lalabas na Gian Salvador at si Gian ang lalabas, because that is not his full name,” pahayag ni Damien doon na lalong gumatong sa aking nararamdaman na puot kay Gian. “His real full name is Alvredo Gian Salazar. Although Salvador is our middle name, what he did is fucked up. Imagine dating someone you know very little of, tapos may marami pang sikretong tinatago sa iyo. Damn.”

“I want to choke your triplet to death kung makita ko siya, can I?” I asks sarcastically, pero deep inside ay gusto ko siya masakal hanggang mag-violet siya.

“You can choke me, too,” Damien said with that stupid grin of his while raising his brows suggestively.

The fuck?!

♤♡◇♧◇♡♤

SYRICKOY

♤♡◇♧◇♡♤

Hays. Toke me a week or more to update, ano? Bwesit kasi na Grow A Garden, may pa-quests or tasks para sa Bone Blosson, pero I got it na and planning to do again the quests para dalawa Bone Blosson trees ko. WAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Anygays, hindi ko na pahahabain kuda ko, ha. I will read and edit muna this whole chapter sa kabilang phone ko before i-publish ito. I hope you like this filler chapter, though!

Please do vote and comment your thoughts! I will very appreciate them so much. Happy 200 reads sa story na ito, by the way! Yeheyyyy!

Iyon langs. Ingats kayo and stay healthy! Love y’all, muahx!

chapter three

Andarius

’ POV

◇ ◇ ◇

     A

CAMERA FLASH from Damien while holding his phone higher than usual caught my eyes while stuffing my face with my food that turned cold because of our mahabang usapan kanina. Tinapunan ko siya ng masamang tingin nang magtagpo ang mata naming dalawa.

He gave me that innocent smile, as if he didn’t get caught capturing a secret photo of me but failed dahil hindi niya pinatay ang flash ng phone niya. Alam ko na iyang modus na iyan.

“Delete that photo, right now,” I demanded with a stern voice after gulping my food. “Ang pangit ko riyan kasi puno ng pagkain ang bibig ko. I-delete mo, bwesit ka.”

Nilakihan lang ng bwesit na kakambal ni Gian ang kaniyang ngiti sa akin at kumuha ulit ng litrato ko, but now without a flash. Bwesit talaga silang magkakambal. Nasa genes na yata nila ang pagpa-init ng ulo ko. Mabuti pa itong Killian mukhang mabait at behave lang sa tabi habang kumakain ng order niya.

“You look like that angry cat meme in this photo, look!” Pinakita naman ni Damien ang litratong kuha niya sa akin ng pangalawang beses. Ang pangit ko roon, bwesit.

I tried to reach for his phone, kaso inilayo na niya ito sa akin.

“I-delete mo iyan, sabi,” I demanded with a hint of pagbabanta na dahil na-iinis na talaga ako sa kaniya.

“Nope. You’re cute in these, post ko sa IG story mamaya,” nakangisi nitong sabi sa akin. I gave him a middle finger, at okay lang iyon kasi wala sina tatay Melvin at nanay Mildred sa vicinity namin ngayon. Kung nandito sila, may punishment ako, for sure. “What’s your Instagram username, by the way? Let’s be mutuals!”

Gian and I didn’t exchanged social media accounts when we were still together before…

“Ayoko,” sabi ko roon.

“Please, cutie, please!” he begs like a damn child at the mall. “We need to have a connection or contact with each other. Your number is fine too, but that is too old school. I mean, who even use cell numbers as the only way of contact with someone nowadays?”

“Probably Gian.”

Finally, that Killian spoke. His voice has a tone of deep and pitchy. Halos magkaka-identical ang boses nilang tatlo but with different level of tones and pitches. Gian’s voice is deeper and grungy than the two of them dahil yata parating nagyoyosi ang isang ’yon. I got that bisyo from him. Hays.

Narinig kong tumawa si Damien sa sinabi ng kakambal niya at napatango-tango ito.

“You’re right. That old man couldn’t make a social media account to save his life,” sang-ayon nitong Damien na natatawa.

What’s so wrong about that? I think cell number communication is so romantic. Like, you know, texting while listening to early 2000’s songs feels romantic, and nostalgic, and genuine.

“Even our mother has social media, and kept tagging us with random posts.”

Oh, wait. Now that I think of it…

Mrs. Apreil S. Salazar – my only favorite teacher in Javier-Cruz University – has been constantly talking about her triplet sons to Genesis and I whenever she got the chance to. She said the three of them is very distinct to each other, but would always stick together no matter what. I’ve only seen their toddler photos because iyon ang nakita ko desk niya sa opisina niya. She said it always remind her when her sons are still innocent and oblivious of the various sins of the world. She’s a very talkative and positive woman. I like her.

“I want to ask you about something,” panimula ko roon, hindi alam kung paano itatanong ang patungkol kay Mrs. Apreil. Napunta naman ang atensyon ng dalawa sa akin. “U-uhm… I have this adviser in Javier-Cruz University, and she always talks about her five children and her super goofy husband ika nga niya. Kaniyang husband daw parating nag-da-dad jokes at super corny, pero she loves him so much because of that. Tapos parati niya pang kinukwento sa amin na iyong triplet niyang mga anak na ganoon at ganiyan,” I ramble to them, and they just intently listens to me. I saw Damien’s expression. He has this stupid surprised reaction while listening. “Anyways, her name is Mrs. Apreil S. Salazar. And I am connecting the dots… is she your mother?”

“Wait,” Damien said, his voice a hint of realization. He faced Killian first with the same expression as his, then back at me. “You must be the Andy our mother kept talking about during dinner! Sabi pa niya, you are such a responsible student, but quite a delinquent in your school! She always makes you and this Genesis person as a topic she always brought to our dining table, like I could tell she sees you as her son more than Gian at some point, honestly.”

I was taken aback about what he said.

“Wow. Such a small world,” manghang sabi nito, his eyes now has this stare of something I can’t quite decipher.

Amusement? Adoration? Enamored?

“She did?” out of words kong tanong doon.

I mean, she’s talkative and all, but I didn’t know she would make us the topic of the dining table everytime. I don’t know if it’s a bad thing or a good thing. Tsaka we have subtly known each other na pala through her mother’s stories?!

“Yeah, yeah…” Damien said with this unfamiliar smile of his. It’s quite different from the smiles and smirks he gave me earlier. “She said na you fought bullies with heavy bullying and payback. It’s like your head for an eye kinda thing. She even said you’re like an impersonation of karma, if she’s being frank.”

She said that about me? “Ano pa ang sinabi ni Mrs. Apreil sa inyo?” I anticipated.

“That you’re impulsive, selfless, fearless and composed,” he said in a serious tone. “Sabi pa niya, it would be perfect if you would marry one of us, and she would be the happiest mother-in-law to exist,” mahabang salaysay ni Damien doon with this lingering stare, not faltering one bit. It’s like he’s magnetizing me or something.

She thinks that? What would she do, though, if she discovers na ang matagal ko nang kinukwento sa kanilang lalaki ay isa sa triplets niya pala? Hays. Dapat talaga hindi ko sinunod si Gian na i-sekreto ang pagkatao niya kay Mrs. Apreil and everyone in school eh. Her son is such a scum talaga.

“And kay Genesis? What did she say about him?” pagliko ko ng topic upang hindi na sa akin. Medyo ang awkward na kasi.

I saw him shrugged and became a little uninterested. “She said he’s tacky, self-conscious, oblivious, and shy. He sticks around you whenever he can kasi tuksolan daw siya ng bully sa school ninyo. You’re his protector and closest friend, after all.”

Yeah, that’s him. Too bad, his mother and father didn’t let him enroll at this school for their strict reasons. Nandoon siya sa Javier-Cruz University naka-enroll for his first year college. This summer din, imbes na ituon ko fully ang self ko sa pag-yearn and question my worth dahil kay Gian, I helped Genesis be a better person he wants to be. It’s not that may mali sa buong pagkatao ni Genesis, pero he wants to change daw upang hindi na siya dependant sa akin at kaya na niyang tumayo sa kaniyang sariling mga paa. So I trained and teached him some things. He goes to the gym, which I don’t in certain ocassions. I want to be a twink as long as I can be in my 20s. LOL.

He’s a new person pagbalik niya sa Javier-Cruz University soon. I’m surely gonna miss the times when we’re still classmates talaga.

“I’m sure Genesis will have a great college freshman year sa Javier-Cruz University,” sabi ko sa kaniya with a tight smile.

Nawala ang ngiti ni Damien at napalitan ito ng lito. “He’s not enrolled here? Asan nga pala siya?”

“His parents didn’t want him enrolled here, kaya nag-stayput siya roon sa Javier-Cruz,” ani ko. “But he’s capable of himself naman. He’s from lanky to a twunk ang atake niya pagbalik niya sa school namin.”

“Oh, so he goes to the gym na?” tanong pa nito.

“Yeah. He trained para raw hindi na siya madaling ma-api sa school namin ngayong hindi ako naka-enroll doon.”

“Is his biceps like this?”

Bigla na lang nag-flex si Damien ng kaniyang biceps doon. He looks at me while showing off his biceps na may pagka-muscled naman. Inikotan ko siya ng mata sa ginagawa niya kasi may tumitingin sa aming table dahil sa kanilang dalawa. Hays.

“Parang dos-por-dos lang ah, galing.”

✩°｡⋆⸜ 🎧✮

     WE FINISHED our lunches, kahit ako at iyong si Killian lang ang kumain sa table. Damien said na strict diet daw siya today at baka pagalitan ng manager niya. He said he does modeling daw and so on, and showed me some of his brand deals photoshoots. May ibang photos na topless siya, and medyo na-ilang akong tignan dahil nga ano.

Bigatin naman pala itong si Damien. Sheesh.

This afternoon, may booths sa hallways and school grounds na aming lalapitan. May mga clubs kaming pagpipilian, and I’m still contemplating pa talaga kung anong club ang pipiliin ko. They said it is mandatory na may isa kaming sasalihan na club. No club means INC raw sa cards namin. The only INC I know is that religious church, though.

Gustong sumama ni Damien at ang tahimik na Killian sa akin, kaso ayokong may kasama talaga kung mag-wander dito sa campus, kaya I shove them away. Matigas ang ulo ni Damien at ayaw talagang umalis. I looked at Killian for help, and buti na lang gets niya at hinila si Damien palayo. I smiled at him in a thankful way, but hindi niya iyon sinuklian and instead just gaze at me. I heard Damien grumbled na hindi pa niya nakukuha ang IG account ko habang hila siya ni Killian palayo roon. Natawa ako ng mahina dahil sa kaniya. Hays.

As much as I can hang around them, I don’t want to risk seeing Gian muna. Ayoko lang makita ang pagmumukha ng lalaking iyon, kahit nakaharap at naka-usap ko na ang dalawang kamukha niya. Their vibes and aura are different kasi, basta. Pero still, it is awkward talaga.

A lot of students are here, and busy ang halos sa kanila sa paglapit ng mga booths and stalls ng mga club. Everyone is pumped, and so was I.

If I choose music club, I cannot play baseball as an athlete anymore. If pipiliin ko naman ang sports club, I think there is a chance na pwede ko magamit ang music instruments ng music club? I hope pwede akong magkatambay at use ng mga instruments sa music club if I’m not their member.

Inusisa ko ang ibang clubs sa hallways, at nakakatuwa silang pagmasdan. Ang fun and entertaining nilang salihan if you have the passion to join them. Personally, theater club looks promising, but I think I am not build for that. I suck at acting or portraying. The music club is near the theater club, and it looks festive and inviting. May mga members ng club doon nagpapatugtog ng isang mahalimuyak na piece. Bakit kasi mahirap pagsabayin ang mga clubs eh? Pwede bang sa umaga mag-meet ang isang club, tapos sa hapon naman ang isa para pwede dalawa ang club na sasalihan ko?

May branch booths ang music club sa kabila para sa mga dancers, like cultural, hip-hop, at isang k-pop dance club. Ang gagaling nilang humataw in their own ways doon. The k-pop one is so cute because may lalaki silang troupe, and they are dancing What is Love by TWICE .

Marami pa akong interesting clubs na nadaanan, nang makita ko na ang sports club. There is a different branches of sports club din since a lot of sports from all over the world has been adapted in our country. What I need to join since I’m good at it is the baseball sport club. I was the team captain pa nga sa Javier-Cruz University for high-school team before I passed my title to someone our coach and I trusted. The high school baseball team is at good hands when I left.

I thought I could peacefully fill-up a form to join the baseball sport club, pero nandoon iyong si Damien na busy sa pag-entertain ng mga students na lumalapit sa kaniya bago niya makita ako. He looks charming and dashing while being surrounded by the fellow students of him. He’s one the stars or heartthrob here in Hounsfield University, I see.

“Hiiiii, Andy,” he says, dragging the greeting and giving me that boyish grin of his. “Nagkita ulit tayo. It must be fate.”

I rolled my eyes from that.

“Go away, Damien,” pagpalayo ko sa kaniya.

“Ouch. You’re so cold.”

Lumapit ako sa table na may poster ng isang baseball sports team recruitment announcement. May ibang nagfi-fill-out din ng forms. May dalawang lalaking nagwe-welcome ng mga freshmen na may interest sa sports na ito.

“Good afternoon, welcome to Baseball Sports Club, freshman!” a guy with a casual hoodie greets me when I approached their table.

I smiled. “I want to join your club po.”

Agad ako nitong inabutan ng isang pamphlet at isang registration form kaya tinanggap ko naman ang mga ito at binasa.

“Salamat.”

“You’re welcome! Read the details for our tryouts and orientation sa pamphlet, okay?”

“You play baseball pala?” salita ng isang boses na nakabuntot pa pala sa akin.

I ignored him.

I grab my blue pen sa bag ko at nagsimulang tabihan ang ibang nagfi-fill up ng kanilang registration form. Madali lang naman silang sagotan, pero nadi-distract ako sa isang asungot na naka-aligid pa rin sa akin.

“Stop ignoring me, babe,” salita ni Damien sa likod ko. He grips my shoulder, at hinayaan ko lang ang kamay niya roon. “I am joining the basketball sports team of our school, but I’m sure I’m already in kahit hindi na ako mag-tryout. I personally know the coach sa baseball sports club, I could have a word with him and let you in easily, if you want.”

“I’m good, go away.”

Nanahimik siya panandalian hanggang sa nawala ang kamay niya sa balikat ko. May kinuha siyang upuan sa unahan at itinabi sa akin. Then, he slung his arm around my shoulders casually. Now that he is so close, I can smell his expensive perfume. It hits my nostrils right away. I want to remove his arm and move a meter away from him, feeling close. Hmpt.

“Come on, why are you so cold towards me?” salita na naman niya roon habang busy pa ako sa pag-fill out ng form. “Kung ano man ang ginawa sa’yo ni Gian, labas na ako roon. He was a dick towards you, and I am here to spark a friendship with you.”

I stop from writing and face him. Tumambad sa akin ang tanga niyang mukha, at tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

“You’re doing too much for a friendship,” I stated. “I don’t know if you’re this annoying to anyone, or just towards me. Pwede bang mag-slow ka muna? Let’s take things slow muna?”

He shows an expression of contemplating while staring back at me. He pursed his lips and blinks at me like an idiot.

“Okay, fine. But first, lemme have your IG account.”

Instagram na naman?! What is his obsession with having my IG account?

“Mas active ako sa Facebook.”

“Then give me your FB account, too.”

“I want to sakal you na rin.”

“Then do me, please.”

“Ugh, you’re so annoying.”

♤♡◇♧◇♡♤

SYRICKOY

♤♡◇♧◇♡♤

WAZZUPPPPPP! I just want to announce na every Saturday ang updates

nito

. Hindi rin consistent ang word counts per chapters because I noticed some novels

ganoon

din. hihi. I’m a 4th

year

student na next week, and I think magiging busy na kami kasi puro major subjects kami. HUHU.

I hope

talaga

consistent latin honor ko soon. UvU.

iyon

langs

!

stay safe

kayo

always whenever y’all are, stay dry and warm!

ingats

kayo

palagi

, love y’all!

muahx

!

[

my illustration for visual purpose sa chapters and story.

college core

yarn???!? gonna draw the Type B (department shirt) sa next update nila.

iba2

kasi design per department, pero I’ll make a design for

VetMed

soon. HAHA. DO NOT STEAL. HMPT]

chapter four

Andarius

’ POV

◇ ◇ ◇

      “BWESIT TALAGA . Ayaw akong tantanan ng lalaking ’yon,” inis kong saad at dali-daling hinanap ang isang kaha ng cigarettes ko sa compartment ng aking kotse. I already put my bag inside my car after letting Cotton out from it.

Nasa parking lot na ako ng Hounsfield University upang umalis na dahil tapos ko nang gawin ang aking gagawin dito. May ibang students dito na mukhang uuwi na rin katulad ko, but hindi pa sila marami-rami dito. Now that I am left alone by that Damien, I can feel the tiredness from putting up with him. He is such a handful to handle talaga.

I need to relieve my stress. And by that, smoking a menthol cigarette.

I got this habit or bisyu from him . I mean, it is bad but all the smokers I know are doing fine and well. My grandpa in Mindanao is still smoking a pack or more a day, yet he looks fine and able. The case where you greatly catch a disease is from being a secondhand smoker, I guess.

Parati na akong secondhand smoker, why not first hand na lang? I got to enjoy a hit while I slowly die, succumbing to its complications.

I immediately grab the pack of my cigarettes and pull one stick out of it to put in my mouth. Looking for my bedazzled lighter – I put white sequins on it kasi trip ko lang – I forgot as to where I put it last time. I swear I put it in my bag pockets or somewhere.

Out of nowhere, a hand with some plasma lighter lights the cigarettes in my mouth. I was taken aback at first, but then got my composure once I saw it was some random dude.

He had an empty expression as he stretch his arm to light the cigarette in between my lips. He doesn’t look like a freshman like me, kasi naka-civilian attire lang siya at may suot na school ID with a lanyard that has the same color of my department or program. I think he is a veterinary medicine student like me rin.

I didn’t had enough time to analyze his face when he turned his back from me.

“Stressful day?” the stranger asks as he unlock his own car beside mine. His voice doesn’t sound concern or intrigue, just a casual talk… I think.

Taking a sip and a blow, I removed the cigarette in my mouth to talk.

“Kinda like that po,” sagot ko lang dito. I toke a hit again and watch as I blow the smokes until they disappear into thin air.

“Please drop the ‘po’ , it makes me feel old. I’m just starting my 3rd year, jeez.”

Why is everyone in my generation so against the word po? Are they allergic to hearing it?

“Pansensya na—” I stopped myself before adding a ‘po’ . Hays.

“Just call me Emerald,” he said as he starts to get in his car. He took one glance at me and gave me a small tight-lip smile in my way. “See you around, I guess.”

I just smiled back, and didn’t say anything else. He drove off from his parking slot and his blue maruti brezza car was out of my vision in a few seconds.

Pinagsawaan ko muna ang yosi ko bago ito itinapon sa talampakan ko at inapakan upang mapatay ang sindi. I kicked it to the sides upang hindi gaanong kita kasi makalat kung tignan. Not bothering to pop a candy in my mouth to get rid the taste of the yosi, pumasok na ako sa aking sasakayan at sinimulan itong pa-andarin. May kikitain pa kasi ako.

✩°｡⋆⸜ 🎧✮

     NANDITO KAMI ngayon ni Cotton sa isang waffle house kasama si Genesis dahil nag-aya itong manglibre sa akin. I grabbed the opportunity kasi minsan lang ito manlibre dahil madalas ako ang nanlilibre sa aming dalawa. He was so undecisive before that he always say ‘yes’ to any food that I treat or offer for him. He is so cute.

But now, he gained an amount of muscles and makikita mo talaga ang kaibahan sa kaniyang katawan ngayon at sa noon. Medyo bulky na siya ngayon, tapos magandang manamit at pumorma. It’s like puberty hit him like it’s in a 200mph speed, then boom! NEW GENESIS.

He’s so, like, congratulations!

May hitsura naman siya. He just doesn’t dress himself much nicely before kasi. Medyo old school siya manamit noon with polos and slacks everyday. May prescription glasses pa iyan siya. Cringe mang sabihin, nerdy boy talaga siya noon. LOL.

“Anong gusto mong i-order, kuya Andy?” nakangiting tanong sa akin nito nang maka-settle in na ako sa upuang tapat niya habang kandong ko si Cotton. Nauna na siya rito sa waffle house, with a table good for four persons in four corners.

Dahil regular customers na kami rito, hindi ko na kailangan pang tumingin sa menu nila upang piliin ang gusto ko. “Matcha waffles lang, tapos iced peppermint choco with marshmallows. Thank you,” ani ko.

Tumango siya bago in-excuse ang sarili upang mag-order para sa amin. I waved him to go ahead with a proud smile. It’s quite a sight. Before, ako ang palaging nag-o-order ng foods namin because he always stutters when ordering something at the counter. May times na magba-blanko ang utak niya kapag tinatanong ng, “Dine-in or take-out?” at nasasabi niyang, “

Take-in

.“

It was hella cute and amusing to watch. Hays.

I look around the place as I stroke Cotton on my lap, and it is so aesthetically pleasing. The place is so nice, tsaka decent amount lang ang mga kumakain dito. Itong waffle house nila ay may dirty white walls at may mga display ng mga retro things and collections sa walls and shelves nito. Their floors are black and white checkered tiles that insinuate a 90’s feels. May old clock and pocketwatch, may medieval paintings, may old typewriter din doon, at may old candle holder pa. May mga lamps pa sila sa walls na pang design na umiilaw dimly. I really like the vibes of this place. May isang corner ng waffle house nila na may posters of some bands in the 1900’s. I saw a Prince poster, including a known magician in history, Harry

Houdini . I also saw a Lesley Gore posters, which is a Lesbian singer icon who sang You Don’t Own Me , It’s My Party and other hits.

Ilang sandali pa ay dumating na si Genesis na may dalang tray ng mga in-order naming pagkain. He is lowkey flexing his biceps while carrying our orders, I can tell. Tsaka he has this quiet smug surrounding him while making his way towards our table. 

“Pinalagyan ko na nang white sprinkles ang choco mo, Kuya Andy, because I know you like them in your cold drinks,” ang sabi nito habang nilalapag niya ang aming snacks sa mesa namin. May boyish smile pa ito sa mukha nito which is cute.

Ang order niya ay ube flavored na waffles with all that whipped cream and ube drizzles, while his drink is another ube or taro milkshake. He is a man of ube talaga. Most teenagers would order strawberry flavored snacks and drinks; but him, he would always order ube flavored stuffs. I don’t quite get him, but at least he has a personality. A unique one at that.

Nagsimula na kaming kumain ng aming orders at nagkwentuhan ng mga bagay-bagay. We chat sometimes, even do video calls, but it is nice to have personal kwentuhan here and then.  He mentioned na next week pa start nang mga klase nila, and he is quite anxious for that day, but also enthusiastic about showing to the students of Javier-Cruz University that he has changed and became independent. I know he can prove himself to them even if he does not have to. It’s because I know him… personally. He has been changed for good. 

Call me Glinda, biatch! 

I also told him about the crazy revelation of that motherfucker Gian has a triplet siblings. And I wouldn’t know if I was not enrolled in Hounsfield University. I woud still be in the dark, and would not know that shocking discovery earlier. For fuck’s sake, he is already my ex, I shouldn’t be worked up with that discovery. Hindi ko man lang siya nakita buong araw maski anino o buhok niya. Ganoon yata basta Ghoster ang isang tao: hindi nakikita sa paligid o umiiwas ito upang hindi mo sila makita. Fuck him and his boring messy eyeliner.

Kinuwento ko rin kay Genesis na anak pala ni Mrs. Salazar si Gian. Pati siya ay sobrang nagulat at napatanong kung ano ba talaga ang pakay at intensyon ni Gian sa akin in the first place. I have to squeeze out the answer from him, or I’ll just skin him alive until he collapse from the extreme pain when I see him again. LOLOL.

Marami pa akong na-i-kuwento kay Genesis katulad ng isang Queen Bee raw sa Nursing Department si ate Melissa, like, iyong dugyot na iyon reyna-reynahan? Siguro sa pagiging aligaga at dugyot ng kwarto, siya ang reyna no’n. LOLOL. Na-i-kwento ko rin ang nangyari sa freshmen orientation namin na nakakuha pa ako ng free meal for the rest of my freshmen year. He was proud of me and joked about treating him a lot of foods if he is around the campus, which I reminded him that it is a cheating to his healthy diet. He pointed out that we are eating sweets right and he can just burn the calories later. So I just let him.

Marami pa kaming chika at nag picture-picture pa kami, bago namin napagpasyahan nang umuwi sa mga sariling mga bahay namin. I offered him a ride to his house, kaso tinanggihan niya ako at nagpalusot lang siyang may pupuntahan pa siya. So, I drove home with Cotton on the passenger seat of my car.

When I arrived, nasa sala sina tatay Melvin at nanay Mildred na nanonood ng balita, kaya nagmano ako sa kanila. Alam na nilang nakipagkita si Genesis sa akin kanina kaya ayos lang daw na medyo ginabihan ako nang uwi ngayon.

“Kumain ka na ba ng dinner? May ulam pa riyan sa lamesa, kumain ka lang kung gutom ka pa, ah,” bilang wika ni nanay MIldred sa akin. 

I shook my head implying I won’t kasi busog na ako.

BInalingan ako ni tatay na may malaking ngiti sa mukha nito. “Kamusta ang first day mo bilang college student, ’Nak?”

“Ayos lang naman po; may nakilala at nalaman akong mga bago,” I simply replied to his question. Next week pa talaga ang first official day as a college student ko. Today was kinda eventful dahil sa iba’t-ibang taong nakasalamuha ko. 

“Marami ka na bang nahakot na chicks sa school, Anak?” mapanuksong tanong sa aking ni tatay kaya natawa ako sa biro niya.

“Study first po muna ako, Tay.”

“Dapat lang. Huwag kang mang-chicks lang sa school, Andy, ha,” habilin ni nanay sa akin na katabi ni tatay at kinurot pa niya ito. Napa-aray naman si tatay sa kurot ni nanay sa kaniya. Ewan ko sa kanila, hays.

“Bihis at himamos po muna ako, Nay, Tay,” paalam ko bago pumanhik sa silid ko.

They dismissed me silenty as I headed straight to my room and dropped Cotton in here. I am planning to interrogate and prangkahan si bruhildang Melissa. There’s a lot of explaining she has to tell to me. What do you mean may triplet si Gian, tapos hindi man lang na-mention ni-isang beses ni ate Melissa sa akin? How dare she steal my cake ala Porsia from Princess Charm School…

With heavy footsteps at hindi pa nagbibihis galing school, I trudge towards my witchy bitch sister’s room to confront her face-to-face, and once in for all. Walang katok-katok, I opened her room’s door with DO NOT DISTURB sign hanging on it like it could stop me from barging in unannounced. I saw her on her screen monitor typing something on her MSWORD file. Whatever the hell she is typing, I do not care and I will still disturb her. 

“Hoy, bruha, bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin na may mga kambal pala iyong ex ko from Hounsfield University, hm?” I confronted her with a demanding tone. 

She turned around her swivel chair — a so boring version of gaming chair — and in her hand is a sheet of papers. She emotionlessly handed them to me without a word, and got back on her MSWORD file. 

THE HELL?!

“What the fuck is this shit?!” pasinghal kong tanong sa kaniya roon with her cold back.

“Can’t have a long talk right now, baby brother,” she said. I was about to open my mouth to argue back, but she talks again. “All the crucial and important details about our University is printed on that papers. Hierarchies, gangs and fraternities, the dog tag system, the five camps of the school anniversaries, and all the families you should and you should not befriend and tied with,” mahabang salaysay nito na nakatalikod pa rin sa’kin. 

I frowned so hard with what she said and look down on the papers she gave. Is she one of the frats? Is that why she is called a queen bee because she is in one, and a frat leader or president?

“Umalis ka na, busy pa ako,” pagtataboy nito sa akin, kaya lalong nagdikit ang aking mga kilay.

“What are you even busy with that you are ignoring your brother about not telling me the truth about that fucking Gian?”

Lumingon siya sa aking nang panadalian. “Andy, your ex confronted me before about not telling you that he has those monkeys as his triplets. He said he will tell you himself, so I let him be. Hanggang sa you two broke up, I don’t have the reason to tell about that matter anymore since both of you are over,” mahabang lintaya ni ate Melissa sa akin.

I clenched my jaw from what I heard from her. So all along wala talagang planong sabihin ni Gian sa akin na may kakambal siya. Ngayon araw ko lang nalaman na lima silang magkakapatid, tsaka ina niya si Ma’am Apreil. 

“Ugh, whatever. I don’t care about him, anyway.”

Tama. Why am I so worked up about that ghoster and bastard ex of mine? It is not like he still part of my damn life. But the thought and feeling deceived is still here, and it’s kinda hurts like a bitch.

Rolling my eyes, iniwan ko na siya sa kaniyang sariling silid at pumanhik sa aking silid. Nakita ko agad si Cotton na natutulog sa ibabaw ng kama ko. I placed muna iyong papel na bigay ng tamad na bruha sa desk ko kung saan may computer set-up ko. Agad din akong naghubad nang buong suot ko at tinapon lang sila sa sahig ng aking kuwarto. I need to take an half bath at maghilamos para sa skincare ko. I immediately went to my own bathroom and did my routine every night. I love taking care of myself and smelling good like coconuts and a faint note of vanilla.

With a towel around my waist and a face towel on my glorious face, agad akong nagsagawa ng ritwal sa aking mukha at katawan ngayong gabi bago naghanap ng pantulog ko at nang may nakita ay sinuot ko ito. I immediately picked the papers that the greatest bruha gave to me earlier, and toke a seat on my computer set-up.

My monochromatic palette and air-conditioned room is really dim with only my keyboard and the computer set-up glowing in the dark as my source of light in my room. I turned on the lamp on my desk so I would not struggle reading this printed information. I noticed that it is well arranged and formatted as I scan my eyes all over the first page of it. It has two pages of information overall. 

Ate Melissa wrote in it that every start of the semester, fifty-two cards are being scattered and hidden around the campus, and whoever finds one of them are on top of the hierarches. The Kings and Aces have the highest rank amongst them, making them a literal king and fearsome identity in the campus. The Queens are second, which ate Melissa might be one of the four who have the card currently. The next rank are the Jacks and the 10s . They can be lethal and mostly an assassin for their suits as what is written on this paper. Then there are the Numbers , who are smaller ranks that are mentioned above but can be a leader to a group of followers. And lastly, there are two Jokers for the lowest rank ever. Whoever held these cards, are an instant and constant target for bullying and slavery for anyone around the campus. So basically, mga estudyanteng may hawak sa isa sa mga joker cards ay nasa lowest ng food chain. Sila ay mga api sa buong paaralan ng Hounsfield University. 

  ![](https://img.wattpad.com/0db8a415b5c8988393f942d012233543f2ab1338/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f71514535626c6a39375168565a773d3d2d313535343538313131362e313839313839326166393265333764633431333532373232343437352e6a7067)               

(reference photo of the cards. credits to the rightful owner/s)

The information about the cards fascinated me, as a person who loves doing revengeful things towards evil doers. Apparently, you can either challenge or bet on the cards to steal them from the current owner, or forcefully take it. I was curious who held these cards currently and the past year, but ate didn’t disappoint kasi nilista niya lahat nang may hawak sa mga cards ng iba’t-ibang suits. 

There is  Hearts , Diamonds , Clubs , and Spades of four suits. For the King of Hearts card, someone named Kurtstein Zart Finnegan was the current holder of the title. And the Queen of Hearts was the demonyita herself, Melissa Anne Mendez. I KNEW IT! 

I knew she has the highest of rank in Hounsfield University, but she is graduating and will be in constant field experience at some hospital, so maybe she will step down from that rule soon. Is there blood before anyone loses their title with the cards? Will she remain the queen despite graduating soon? 

♤♡◇♧◇♡♤

SYRICKOY

♤♡◇♧◇♡♤

Sheesh! Natagalan akong mag-update for months. 4th year na kasi akers and busy sa OJT sa first semester pa lang namin, tsaka pati ngayon sa second semester na 600 hours OJT sa LGU namin here. Hays hays. Share ko lang, sa office computer ako ngayon nagta-type ng update tuwing walang ginagawa habang nagpapatugtog sa Spotify. Para akong may tina-type na important files and documents dito eh. WAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Anygays, how are y’all? Marami pa akong contents na isusulat sa next chapter about sa papel na binigay ni Melissa kay Andy. The whole school is diverse and vast, kaya may hierarchies every colleges and group talaga. I toke inspiration from

LadyYandereDeux

about the playing deck cards hierachies. The dog collar system naman ay sa isang story na nabasa ko where galing sila sa ampunan and such, si older bottom naging protector ni younger top na na-ampon na. Nagkasunog sa bahay ampunan and such, kaya akala ni younger top nategi si older bottom. Pero nagkita uli sila dalawa sa school kung saan may dog collar hierachies na 1-200 na ang number 1 collar ay highest and ang 200 ay lowest. Ang mga walang collar ay in the bottom of food chain talaga. If you are collarless, then your impending doom is hindi maiiwasan talaga. The Ranking System yata title no’n, na author no’ng YOLO na sikat at paid before na BL story here.

Ang kuda ko na. HUHUHUHUHUHUHU. Iyon langs naman, I hope basahin n’yo pa ang newly plotted story of Andy sa Hounsfield University. Let’s hope masulat ko lahat ng mga ideya ko para sa story na ito. HAHA. Wala pang entry si Keber at dalawang AFAM with two added girl friends in the group, fr fr.

Iyon langs. Ingats kayo and keep safe. Love y’all, muahx muahx!

P.S. Happy birthday to the protagonist of this story, Andy! Today is February 14, at sinandya kong mag-update today. LOLOL.