Death Trap Vendetta

Chapter Thirty-Five

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Lights Up

February 19, 2016; Friday
Elysium University Open Grounds
11:04 am

"You have got to be kidding me," Ailee blurted out in Russian. "Nagpalit ka na naman ng kulay ng buhok?"

Tanging pilyang ngiti lamang ang itinugon sa kanya ni Cess na patalong naupo sa pagitan nila ni Marelo sa ilalim ng malaking puno. The small girl was awfully cheery that day, flaunting her new back to black hair with blond roots. Ailee wasn't sure whether to take that as a good thing or a sign that hell was about to rise up.

Muli sa kabilang gilid ni Marelo, hindi naman magkandamayaw sa pagtawa sina Aron at Nika. "At least she finally ditched that menstruation hair of hers," Aron said.

To which Nika stage-whispered back, "Don't give her any ideas. Baka mamaya kulayan niya ng brown yung black. Edi lalo siyang nagmukhang tae."

"Sige, ganyanin niyo lang ako," pasaring ni Cess. Sa kabila nito, napakalapad pa rin ng ngiti niya kaya nagtaka si Ailee. Naaalala niyang nabanggit ni Chloe ang tungkol sa nangyari sa ospital bagamat hindi ito naikwento ang lahat ng detalye.

"Good mood ka ata?" tanong niya sa nakababatang dalaga. "Did one of your 'enemies' finally have their lives expire?"

Ailee instantly regretted her choice of words despite her lighthearted tone. But at the same time, she couldn't help but laugh when Marelo choked on her lunch. Nasapo na lang din ni Ailee ang noo niya nang umubo ang iba.

"I know dark humor is a trademark of this group, but damn was that joke in bad taste," Natalia said who had just arrived. "Grabe, nag-overtime na naman yung prof namin. May extra lunch ba kayo diyan?"

Walang kibong iniabot ni Ailee sa kaibigan ang lunchbox na naglalaman ng adobong niluto ni Shalee. Nasanay na rin siya mula noong naging magkakaibigan sila na kung gusto mong hindi ka maubusan ng sarili mong pagkain, kailangan pang-walo ang dala o bilhin mo. It saddened Ailee to think that now, they only need to divide their food among six people instead of eight.

"Himala ata at hindi mo kasama yung buntot mong si Clyde," sabi na lamang ni Ailee upang matuon sa ibang bagay ang kanyang atensyon.

She watched in amusement as Natalia's hand froze on the way to scooping some rice. Their friends immediately began to whoop and tease her about her so-called 'budding romance' with Clyde.

Natalia glared at her. "Himala ata at hindi nakabuntot sa 'yo si JC," ganti ng dalaga.

Ngunit sa halip na malipat kay Ailee ang pang-aasar ng iba nilang kaibigan, lalo lamang nilang pinag-initan si Natalia dahil na rin sa sinabi nito.

"Aha!" Bulalas ni Cess na animo'y maagang dumating ang Pasko. "So you admit that your relationship with Clyde is on the same level as Ailee's with JC? Aha!"

Napabusangot si Natalia ngunit hindi ito kaagad nakatugon at namula ang pisngi kaya naman lalong napangiti si Ailee. Kasabay ng paglakas ng ihip ng hangin sa quadrangle ang siya namang paglakas ng pang-aasar ng ibang myembro ng 8teen.

"Naku, nahuli na sa bunganga ang isda," panggagatong ni Marelo na kanina'y tahimik lang na nanood ng Youtube videos.

"Ugh, another lovesick fool in this group?" Aron asked with a groan. He laid down on the grass next to Nika's legs. "Kung minamalas ka nga naman."