Death Grip (On-going)

DEATH GRIP: CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

We travel our way to the naturans habitat through a portal we asked to Ma'am Badufalsa. Mabilis lang s'yang pumayag na ipagamit sa'min yung portal sa cabinet nya at mabilis lang din kami nakarating sa Headquarters. The place screams familiarity as the birds chirped outside the walls and windows. My chest ache as I remembered my first punishment with my friends, especially Bella. Until now, I cry for her unexpected departure.

"What's your plan? Magsstay ba muna tayong lahat dito?" Leanne asked the group. I nodded as an answer. Wala pa akong masyadong energy para magtravel papunta kila Tita Sandy. I think, kailangan ko muna magpalipas ng gabi dito.

Tahimik lang yung headquarters sa buong maghapon, we took lunch and then afterwards we went to our rooms to take a good nap. Nagising ako dahil sa boses ni Clarence na naririnig ko mula sa arena. He's practicing his gripconto by his scream of struggle I heard.

I decided to sat up on bed and walked out of my room before heading to the arena. Hindi na din naman ako makakatulog, might as well visit him and ask how's it doing. Kaagad akong napansin ni Clarence nang makarating ako sa kinaroroonan nya. I suppress a smile, tinugon nya din 'yon ng ngiti. I also saw him stopped from what he's doing and stands up to greet me.

"Gising ka pa," Komento nya. Tumango ako bilang sagot bago suminghap ng hangin at ilagay ang dalawang kamao ko sa bulsa ng damit na suot ko.

"Yeah, I heard you from my slumber. Kumusta?"

"Maayos naman na siguro. Hindi ko lang kontrol ang lakas, but it will take time. I can do it," May determinasyong sagot nya.

"You're going to be so powerful, no doubt," I commented. He chuckled and remove the white cloth on his right hand. Marahan n'yang inikot ang wrist n'ya while looking at it.

“I hope so. But Master Alfina says it takes time for me to control super strength. And she's right,” he answered, pertaining to his gripconto.

I heaved a sigh and he must noticed how lonely that sounds. Tumayo s'ya sa harap ko at namewang. Now his bare body is facing me. I suddenly felt awkward.

"At least wear something, ano? Makatayo ka riyan,"

"What if, instead na malungkot ka magpractice ka din? You keep telling everyone to be positive, but you can't do it yourself," he suddenly lecture me. Kumunot ang noo ko sakanya. I laugh at him mentally.

"Sabi nung lalaki na feeling rejected, hindi pa naman tinatry. Huwag ako, Clarence Clark Santos,"

Aligaga s'yang tumingin sa entrance ng arena at mabilis na inawat ako sa pagsasalita. Humagalpak ako sa tawa at lumayo gamit ang levitating grip ko.

"Stacey! 'Wag ka ngang papansin!" pabulong na awat nito. Kaagad ko namang nilapitan ang pinto na gawa sa narra at dahan dahang isinara 'yon. Iniunat ko din ang mga paa ko para maglakad pabalik sakanya.

I crossed my arms nung nasa harap na niya ako bago s'ya seryosong tingnan.

"Magpakalalaki ka Clarence. If you really like Leanne, tell her. Shoot your shot. Take your chances before it's too late,"

The next morning, we decided to go kahit medyo inaantok pa ako. Napahaba kasi ang usapan namin ni Clarence sa arena. Mangha pa akong napatingin sa direksyon nya dahil kahit kaunting antok ay hindi makikita sakanya. Siguro kung hindi ko sila kilala, iisipin kong magkapatid si Leanne at Clarence. Masyado na silang magkapareho.

Napatigil ako sa pag-aayos ng buhok nang makita kong nakatitig sa'kin si Lance habang nangingisi. Kunot noo ko s'yang tiningnan bago ako gulat na napasampal sa bibig. Nakalimutan kong mind grip ang gripconto niya kaya naman agad ko syang sinenyasan na huwag sasabihin kay Leanne ang sikreto ni Clarence.