Missing Melody (COMPLETED)

Missing 8: I guess?

SINJI'S POV

DINAGSA nang tao ang L.A. University para makiisa sa engrandeng selebrasyon ng school festival. The campus was alive, vibrating with music and the chatter of thousands. Syempre, kailangan ring mag-enjoy ng mga estudyante kahit sa maikling panahon lang. Sabihin na nating importante ang pag-aaral, pero huwag naman sana nating kalimutan ang mag-enjoy, 'di ba? You have to balance the stress with a little bit of chaos.

"So, what was my fortune?"

Matiim akong nakapikit habang nakataas ang dalawa kong kamay sa ibabaw ng isang crystal ball. I looked every bit the mysterious seer, but the truth was, this orb had a dark history. Hinukay ko lang ito mula sa sementeryo noong magkaroon kami ng misyon na hanapin ang isang bangkay ng taong pinaghihinalaang sugo ni Kamatayan. Sabi nila, sumusundo raw ito sa mga taong pumaslang sa kaniya—which is totally unbelievable, right? At dahil nga sa pagiging taklesa ko, I ended up digging in a random spot near the graves and found this.

Ayon sa pagsusuri ng HuPoFEL, the crystal ball is ancient. Isa itong itim na bola na nagbibigay ng kakaibang liwanag sa tuwing sinasabi ko ang isang mahiwagang kataga. Nagkakahalaga ito ng milyong pisong dolyar—antigo at "priceless" sabi ng mga experts. My brother has a thing for antiques, kaya isang tingin pa lang nila, alam na nila kung totoo o peke ang mga dinadala ko sa HuPoFEL headquarters.

"Huwag kang atat, hija. Sa sobrang itim ng budhi mo, hindi ko makita ang kapalaran mo," I said, my voice dropping into a low, raspy tone.

"What?"

Gusto kong humagalpak ng tawa pero pinigilan ko. My third customer was Gwen—one of the girls who used to bully me. This was the perfect time for a little bit of payback. Karma is a bitch, and today, her name is Sinji.

"Aking hiling, sana'y tuparin. Bolang crystal na sumasalamin, kapalaran ay ipakita sa akin. Aking katanungan, sana ay iyong sagutin..."

The crystal ball glowed with an eerie, rhythmic light. I leaned in, locking eyes with Gwen. She looked genuinely terrified.

"The magic crystal says... you will be having a baby. You've been bearing your child for three months now, and you are planning to abort it because you don't want your parents to know."

I watched as the color drained from Gwen's face. She instinctively clutched her stomach.

"H...how did you...?"

Napakunot ang noo ko. Her reaction was visceral—pale skin, trembling lips, wide eyes. I was just making things up to mess with her, but it seemed like I accidentally hit a nerve. Holy crap, is she actually pregnant?

"According to your faith in the future, your family will suffer because of your stupidity," I continued, riding the momentum. "The child you are bearing will be the key to the peace you wanted inside your family."

Biglang humikbi si Gwen sa harapan ko. She broke down, sobbing like her world was ending.

"At first, I didn't want to believe you because it's just a festival... but damn, you hit the jackpot. Yes, Sinji, I am pregnant. And the father of my child is the eldest son of our enemy—the Salvador family. I don't know what to do anymore!"

Laglag ang panga ko. Bullseye. Ibinaba ko ang mga kamay ko at pinakatitigan si Gwen. This mean girl, who used to make my life difficult, was carrying a modern-day Romeo and Juliet tragedy in her womb. I felt a pang of pity. Peke naman ang panghuhula ko, pero bakit parang nakita ko ang kaluluwa niya?

I sighed and leaned back in my chair. "Huwag mo nang ituloy ang balak mong ipalaglag ang bata. Ginawa niyo 'yan, ginusto niyo 'yan, kaya bakit mo ibabaling sa bata ang kasalanan na wala naman siyang alam? Alam mo ikaw, hindi ka lang maldita, isa ka ring tanga!" I snapped, but with a hint of concern. "Ilagay mo ito sa kukote mo, Gwen: mayaman ka, 'di ba? Mayaman din ang boyfriend mo. Bakit hindi mo sabihin sa kanya?"