Chapter Twenty-Eight: Disturbance

Mavis' POV

"Then, alis muna ako."

Nagpaalam ako kay Flare, dumiretso sa girl's locker room, at ni-lock ang sarili sa banyo. Once I make sure na walang nakakakita o nakakarinig man sa akin, I dropped my smirk and calmness.

Napasandal ako sa pintuan at unti-unting bumaba ang katawan ko hanggang sa nakaupo na ako sa sahig; yakap-yakap ang tuhod ko at napapaisip.

Am I too harsh? Did I just snap out of jealousy?

No.

Hindi pwedeng magkagusto ako kay Flare. It's impossible.

Do I love Flare? Or is it just action on protecting him?

"Sh*t..." Ginulo ko ang aking buhok. "Mahal ko na ba si Flare... May nagugustuhan na ba ako sa kanya..."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at umiling-iling. Hindi pwedeng isipin ko na may gusto ako sa kanya! Hindi pwede...

"Ano ba ang nangyayari sa akin?" I clenched my other hand into a fist.

Bakit ako umatake kay Trixie nang makita kong humahaplos na ang kamay niya kay Flare? Nagselos ba ako sa kanya?

Oo, nagselos ka.

That's what my intuition tells me. Sa t'wing naiisip ko na mayroong babaeng hahawak kay Flare nang gano'ng kalagkit, hindi ko mapigilang mainis. But I don't want to admit that thought.

Maybe it's a misunderstanding.

Right... It's only a misunderstanding on my part... Wala akong gusto kay Flare... That's not jealousy.

Are you really not jealous, Mavis?

Nagulat ako sa tinanong ng isip ko sa akin.

Niyakap ko ang sarili ko at napapikit. "Hindi ko alam... Hindi ko alam kung ano 'tong nararamdaman ko..."

Pagmamahal ba 'to o obsession? O isang malaking kaguluhang pakiramdam na naglalayong sirain lang ako?

Suddenly, I flinched as I heard someone knocking on the door. Napatayo agad ako, pinunasan ang luha ko at tinanong kung sino ang kumatok.

"It's me. Are you crying?"

Hindi ako sumagot at tumitig sa dingding ng banyo. Kitang-kita ang reflection ko doon. 'Di man malinaw pero halatang malungkot ang ekspresyon ko at matalim ang mga mata.

I guess the thought of being jealous and mad about Trixie's touch take a huge impact on my feelings.

Narinig kong bumuntong-hininga si Ruxinaire. "Lia, there's no one here. You could talk to me."

Even if you say that I couldn't be so sure that you'll keep my feelings as a secret, Rux.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. Sinubukan kong pakalmahin ang sarili ko bago ko binuksan ang pintuan ng banyo at lumabas doon.

I saw Ruxinaire looking at me; worry is visible in his eyes. Napaiwas ako ng tingin sa kanya at napayuko.

"Sorry, I made you wo--"

"Miss Lia, what happened to your hand?!"

Hindi ko naproseso agad ang kanyang biglang ginawa--Hinila niya ang kamay ko pataas sa kanya at tinitigan niya iyon.

"There are moon wounds here. We should treat it right away," nag-aalala niyang sambit saka niya ako hinatak papunta sa emergency aid kit sa gilid ng pinaka-room.

Saka ko lang nakita ang ma-ala-crescent na mga sugat sa palad ko habang hatak-hatak niya ako. Saka ko lang din naramdaman ang hapdi niyon.

Must be from when I clenched my hand firmly into a fist as I mourned for my idiocy.

"Sit here."

Umupo ako sa metal bench habang iniintay siyang kumuha ng first aid kit. Nang makabalik siya, lumuhod siya sa harap ko, inilapit ang may sugat na kamay sa kanya at sinimulang gamutin 'yon.

It hurts. Sa bawat pahid ng ointment, ramdam ko ang hapdi pero hindi ako gumalaw sa kinaroroonan ko. Hinayaan ko lang na sumakit ang sugat hanggang sa tinakpan na iyon ng bandage ni Ruxinaire.

"Does it hurt?" tanong niya at nagtaas ng tingin sa akin.

"Konti," sagot ko.

"Seriously, Miss Lia. Don't hurt yourself again and locked yourself alone. I'm worried," sabi niya at tumayo saka ibinalik ang first aid kit.

Tinitigan ko ang naka-bandage na kamay ko. Ramdam ko pa rin ang hapdi galing sa sugat.

"Huwag mo ulit isipin na sugatan ang sarili mo."

Napataas ako ng tingin at nakita si Ruxinaire nang may nag-aalala pero galit ring ekspresyon.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. "I would not do that."

"I doubt that. I heard you crying inside the bathroom. There's a chance you would hurt yourself."

"Hindi ko sasaktan sarili ko. Nasugatan ko lang ang sarili ko dahil sa sobrang inis sa sarili ko. I would not harm myself."

"But you already did unconsciously."

"It's a small wound, Ruxinaire."

"Wounds is the right term for it." Umupo siya sa tabi ko. "Miss Lia, does it bother you? Your feelings towards Sir Zeus?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko pero kapagkuwan, nakatingin ako sa kanya habang nagtataka. "Pa'no mo alam...?"

"You're confused," he continued dodging my question completely. "Whether it is just a way of protecting him that's why you are doing things you haven't done before. Nagprotekta ka ng isang tao na feeling mo mahalaga sa'yo kaya gano'n na lang ang inaksyon mo."

Am I really...? Napayuko ako. "Hindi ko alam ang ibig mong sabihin, Ruxinaire..."

"You sure knew what I'm pointing out, Miss Lia. You're in love with Sir Zeus. Admit it to yourself and that confused thoughts would be gone. Sinasaktan mo lang ang sarili mo if dine-deny mo pa lalo kung ano ang nararamdaman mo."

"But I don't have experience."

"It doesn't matter. Tandaan mo, Miss Lia, ang pagmamahal basta-basta lang dumadating. It is normal not to be prepared and be surprised. It's a matter of time until you developed those feelings and your relationship if you start admitting your feelings to yourself and confessing it to him."

"Pero... Hindi ko kaya..."

"Then you're weak, Miss Lia. You're uselessly in love if that's your mindset." Tumayo siya. Napataas ako ng tingin sa kanya. He looks at me with pitiful eyes. "Ikaw ang mawawasak, Lia, kapag hindi ka pa gumalaw. If you don't move soon, a snake will swallow Flare first."

Nakatitig lang ako sa kanya hanggang sa mawala na siya sa paningin ko. Napaisip ako sa kanyang sinabi.

'If you don't move soon, a snake will swallow Flare first.'

What does that mean? What is he implying?

Flare's POV

I saw Mavis came back. Her eyes are swollen and emotionless. I notice her hands are with bandages.

As she walked near me, I checked her hand and observed the bandages. There's a little blood being seen in there, but it doesn't look a fatal wound to me.

She snatched her hand away from me and hold her hand. She is somehow protecting it like it's something important needed to be hidden away.

"What happened?" I asked. "Why does your hand have bandage?"

"It's none of your business," she cold coldly and walk towards the bench to sit there.

I frowned by the sudden change of her mood. I followed her and sat on the floor in front of her, looking up to her. "Song thrush," I called out. She looked at me. "Are you... okay?"

Her lips curved into a sad smile and slowly shook her head. "No," she replied. "But I'm fine."

"It's okay not to be fine."

She looked down again, avoiding my gaze. "I'm... fine."

"Mavis, look at me." She looked over to me again.

She somehow looks defeated. It's a matter of time until this attitude would affect her battle later on and she will regret it. I don't want to see her being regretful for what she's done earlier that could affect her results after.

"Tell me if you're really alright. I want to know the truth. Please... How are you feeling right now?"

Her eyes widened. I could say she is shocked of my sudden wholesome act on her but all I could do is plead for her to tell the truth.

She didn't answer. She just stared at me. But a few minutes later, she opened her mouth to speak. "I-I..." She inhaled and exhaled heavily. "I'm not feeling okay, Flare." She stared at her wounded hand and clenched it but then unfolded it again. "Pero kakayanin ko. Kakayanin ko 'to." She smiled at me. "After the battle, I will be fine."

"Mavis."

"Hm?"

"You could do it."

"I know."

"You can."

"Thank you," she replied with a hint of stress on her face.

"The ring is ready! Pwede ng pumasok!" Friar shouted.

"Off you go, song thrush. Best of luck."

She smiled and head towards the ring. I followed her through.

Mavis' POV

Takte na Flare na 'yan! Nagtanong pa kung okay ako, napansin naman niya na hindi maganda mood ko.

Bigla akong napatulala sa sinabi kong 'yon sa isipan ko.

Bakit nga ba ako naiinis? He's only concerned about me.

Napailing-iling ako at tumingin sa ring. Katulad lang siya ng boxing ring na nilalabanan ng pambansang boksingero natin pero mas malawak ito; doble pa nga ata ang size nito kesa sa normal na boxing ring.

I wonder why is it built like this? For spacious purposes only? Or for the wide movements of opposite teams?

Whatever it is, that's not what the purpose of this ring now. At hindi iyon ang concern ko ngayon.

Hindi ko naman na talaga mapagkakaila o matatakasan man ang araw na 'to kahit anong gawin ko. Ang purpose lang naman ng labang ito'y iyong maglalaban kaming dalawa ng kakompitensya ko para sa isang titulong walang matutumbasan nang kahit ano man sa pamilyang ito--o kung magiging eksakto tayo, sa kanilang organisasyon.

Napatingin ako sa pinto ng training nang bigla itong bumukas.Naliwanagan ako nang makita kong pumasok ang isang matandang babae na nakangiti ng matamis sa direksyon ko habang kasama ang dalawang nakasimangot na mga babae sa kanyang likuran. Lumapit sila sa akin.

"Hija, parang delikado ata ang gagawin mo ngayon," ani ng matanda.

"Opo. Delikado po talaga, Aling Nena. Gagawin ko po ang lahat para manalo. Para na rin sa inyo."

"Mag-iingat ka ha."

"Opo."

"Tch! Siguraduhin mo lang na ipapanalo mo iyan kung 'di makakatikim ka ng isang bala ng baril sa tuhod mo!"

"Jade!" saway ng isa sa kambal. Tumingin siya sa akin at napakamot sa ulo. "Pasensya na sa kapatid ko. Madali lang mainis 'to sa mga 'di niya gusto."

"Oh, don't be a goody-two-shoes in here, Jane. Alam mong hindi naman ganyan ang ugali mo nang una natin siyang makita. Tumapak pa nga lang siya sa pamamahay na 'to, tutok agad ng baril ang binati mo rin sa kanya."

"Can't people change, Jade? Kung magiging mabait ako sa kanya, gano'n ang gagawin ko. Huwag mo akong igaya sa'yo na hanggang ngayon nagtatago pa rin diyan sa facade mo."

"You--"

"Children," saway ni Aling Nena. Matalim ang tingin niya sa dalawa. "Huwag kayong mag-away. Hindi ba kayo naaawa sa akin? Ang tanda-tanda ko na, maririnig ko pa kayong nag-aaway. Hindi pa ba sapat ang away niyo dati at dinadagdagan niyo pa?"

Nanahimik ang dalawa at hindi nagkibuan. Umiwas sila ng tingin sa isa't isa. Nasa gitna na nila ngayon si Aling Nena at hawak-hawak ang laylayan ng mga damit nila.

"Magbati muna kayo at 'di pa tayo bumabati kay Sir Zeus."

Naalimpungatan ang dalawa at napatingin kay Sir Zeus-- I mean, kay Flare. Nakonsensya sila at napayuko sabay sabi ng "Sorry."

Pinigilan kong tumawa. Sabay pa kasi sila nagsalita. Paulit-ulit silang nagsasabi ng "Sorry" habang inulit ni Aling Nena ang maikling pangyayari kanina. Pero sa kabila no'n, makikita mo ang pagsulyap nila sa isa't isa, mayroon pa ring inis at may kasamang kalokohan ang mga silay nila.

They're really the same type of the Furrer Twins--troublesome.

Narinig kong bumuntong-hininga si Flare at nakita ko siyang humarap kay Aling Nena. "Mama Nena, could I please request to keep the twins away from Mavis while the battle is on-going? Especially Jade." He gave her a sharp look. Jade glared back and stick her tongue out, ignoring the subtle warning given by Flare.

Tumango si Aling Nena. Nilagay nito ang kamay sa balikat ni Flare at hinaplos ito. "Be with Mavis, Flare. Ingatan mo siya ha?"

Flare smiled and kissed the old woman's cheek. "I will, Mama Nena. I will."

It is rare to see Flare being soft and soft-spoken even to other people. Well, I guess this is an exception since Aling Nena is a close family to him. Hinatid niya muna ang matanda at ang kambal sa bench bago siya bumalik sa akin.

"How lucky you are," hindi ko mapigilang komento sa kanya.

He frowned. "Me? Lucky? Why so?"

"You have a nice family," reply ko.

"I'm sure you do as well," aniya.

"I did have a lovely family."

"Did... Was it rude to ask something about it?" There's a hesitance lingering on his voice.

"No. Fire it."

"Is your family somehow, um, got into a tragic accident? Are your parents... dead?"

Ah... The common question asked when I talked about how lovely my family was.

"One died for unknown reasons. One is still alive and was retired. Kaya niyang buhayin naman ang sarili niya kasi may mga connections siya."

"Spare the other details. I think a vague idea about what happened," sabi niya.

I smiled. He wanted to ask and yet he stopped me. It is not even a minute or two nang binuksan niya ang conversation pero pinahinto na niya again. Well, I would not complain about it. I could feel the respect on him as he stopped me from spilling the details.

There's a brief silence between us before Flare broke it. "Sorry if I would suddenly give a straightforward question but would you like to spend a conversation with me one day about the tragic encounter of your family? "

"Sure," I replied shortly.

Hindi ko naman gustong itago ang totoong nangyari sa pamilya ko. Hindi naman rin masama kung iri-reveal ko iyon kay Flare. Flare is a detective. One who seeks justice. It is rarely to be predicted that detectives such as fine as Flare is a master of revealing secrets and privacy of others.

Or 'yon lang ang opinyon ko sa mga taong kagaya niya.

"Oy!"

Napataas kami ng tingin ni Flare nang marinig na naman namin ang boses na 'yon. Nakapameywang siya sa amin habang nakatayo sa aming harapan.

"Masyado kayong maharot! Layo-layo muna sa isa't isa! You're not even lovers yet, tch. How irritating to the eyes."

"I could assure you that we're not unpleasant to the eyes. Sa tingin ko, may mali ata sa mata mo kaya sumasakit," I fired back.

Her nose flared and eyes stared with daggers at me. "Masyado kayong masakit sa mata talaga."

"I never thought opposite sex who sit right next to each other would be quite an eyesore for someone."

Napatawa ako sa sinabing pabalik ni Flare. Halatang naboboryo na siya sa ugaling ipinapakita sa amin ni Trixie.

"I think you're just obsessed with her, sir. It's just a phase."

Flare glanced at her with cold eyes. Nakapalumbaba siya habang ang siko ay nakapatong sa naka-krus niyang hita. "And I think you should set your priorities straight first and not minding other's business if you may."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Trixie sa gulat. I think that's a blow on her pride. Masyadong lumalagpas na siya kasi sa linya ng privacy namin.

I sighed heavily. I wouldn't want to cause trouble if I could rather choose an option on this situation. But to think gusto pa ni Trixie makipag-usap in a not-so-good way, I think that option would be on-hold for now.

I heard Flare sighed and when I looked at him, he's somehow having this vibe na naiinis na siya. "What do you want?" There. He said a question at her. Kitang-kita sa mga mata niyang nanlilisik na sa inis na wala na siyang gana pang makipag-usap dito.

"Ano pa ba? Eh 'di lumayo ka diyan sa babaeng 'yan."

"And for what reason?" asked Flare emotionlessly. Biglang napatulala si Trixie. "You have no reason for it. You just want to meddle us to provide you a minute of entertainment."

She clicked her tongue. "Huh? Really? Sa tingin ko, hindi naman iyon ang intensyon ko rito."

"Then what answer could you provide besides of the reason I just gave? It is easy to forgive someone once they got cornered and they accept the truth." Flare closed his eyes. "If you want to live your life in a lie, then I'll not stop you. But if you touched me or make Mavis angry again..." He stared at her with a threatening look. "I would not forgive you. I will do things that you should not ever like or do things you wish you will not see being do to you. Hmm... Let's set an example, shall we? Giving a torturous, slow death perhaps?"

Nakita ko si Trixie na napaigtad sa kinatatayuan niya. napakagat siya sa pang-ibaba niyang labi, napakuyom ng kanyang mga kamay at may nakikita akong takot sa mga mata niya.

Kapagkuwan, napabuntong-hininga siya. "You're blackmailing me? Iyon lang ba ang kaya mong gawin?"

"Why? Do you want me to prove it now?"

She stared at Flare but then, turned her back at him as if she admitting defeat. "Mag-ingat ka, Flare Furrer. Ingatan mo ang pamilya mo. Malay mo, mayroong umaaligid na papatay sa kung ano man ang meron sa mafia na 'to."

"I know."

Trixie smirked. "I thought so. Nabalitaan kong ganyan ang ugali ng isang Sir Zeus. As expected, huh. Pero malalaman mo rin na hindi lahat ng sinasabi mong alam mo, alam mo. Ang iba, hindi mo namamalayan na akala mo lang pala lahat."

Umalis na siya at pumunta sa kabilang side ng ring kung nasa'n ang mga minor reapers. Napatitig ako sa direksyon niya.

Is she warning Flare for the greater good? Or is she warning me to take move earlier before it's too late?

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