His Secret Desires

Chapter 1

Tahimik na kumuha si Axel ng pinggan na may pagkain sa lamesa na nakahanda para sa kanila at dinala iyon sa dulo na parte ng camp para kainin, kung saan walang maraming tao.

His gaze settled on the meager plate in front of him. Only a thin concoction of porridge stared back at him – just bland cooked rice mixed with water, accompanied by a small, hard slice of bread on the side.

Nanginginig ang mga kamay niyang inumpisan iyon. He quickly devoured the food, showing no restraint as he shoveled it into his mouth like a starved dog. Na para bang anumang oras ay bigla nalang itong mawawala kapag hindi niya binilisan.

He didn't allow himself a moment to savor or appreciate the tasteless taste in his mouth.

Uumpisahan niya na rin sana ang tinapay nang biglang siyang binatukan sa ulo, dahilan kung bakit nalaglag ito sa lupa.

Umangat ang tingin ni Axel sa gumawa no'n at nakita niya si Jab, ang kapwa membro niya sa camp na tatlong taon ang lamag sa kanya.

"Tangina, sinabi ko naman sa'yo na ibigay mo saakin ang parte mo, diba?!" Sigaw nito kay Axel tapos inulit pang binatukan.

Jab was the camp's local bully, and he enjoyed tormenting and bullying the newcomers who were physically weaker than him. Simula noong pumasok si Axel sa kampong iyon, hindi siya tinigilan ni Jab dahil siya ang pinakabata sa membro.

"Jab, nagugutom din ako..." Mahinang sagot ni Axel pero hinampas lang ni Jab ang pinggan niya at natapon ang laman no'n.

Tinulak niya ng malakas si Axel at pinakaibabawan. "Wala akong pakialam kung nagugutom ka! Ang sabi ko, ibigay mo saakin!" He threw series of punches against Axel's small built, hovering over him.

Other kids and adults stood around, watching the cruel scene unfold, but none dared to intervene. Pero hindi na iyon bago kay Axel. In a place like this, prioritizing survival meant keeping your head down and not drawing unnecessary attention.

It was a harsh reality he had come to accept far too young.

He instinctively raised his arms to shield his head and face, bracing himself for the onslaught of attacks from Jab. Ramdam niya na ang dugong dumaloy sa bibig niya, pati ang hapdi sa balat niyang puro pasa.

Hindi pa sana titigil si Jab kung wala pang pumito, indikasyon na tapos na ang oras nilang kumain.

"Tsk!" Naiinis na tumayo si Jab palayo sa kanya at dinuraan pa siya bago ito tumalikod at bumalik sa kung saan ang lahat ay nagtipon.

Mustering up the little strength he had left, Axel pushed himself up, his fingers gingerly touching his bruised lip as he tried to wipe away the fresh blood.

He reached for the dusty piece of bread that had fallen, clenching it tightly in his fist. After giving it a quick dust off, he took a tentative bite, the dry and bland bread doing little to ease his hunger or pain.

Hindi niya alam kung kailan ulit siya makakakain ng tama, kaya mas mabuti na 'yon kaysa sa wala.

Axel lined up alongside the other kids, preparing for another intense training session at the designated training grounds. It had been a month since he was forcefully taken to this camp, and every day felt like a relentless repetition of endless training exercises.

Wala silang ibang ginawa kundi magpakahirap sa mga pinapagawa sa kanila ng mga mas nakakatanda. They were taught to climb ropes until their hands were raw and bleeding, engaging in fierce hand-to-hand combat that left their faces and bodies battered and bruised.