NIGHT [GXG] (BOOK 2)

Chapter 13

NYX

Finally, Vlad and I are able to go back to school, since Dada saw how much we have improved in our training. Although may mga bodyguards nang laging sumusunod sa amin, for additional security purposes.

Si Zenith ang unang sumalubong sa amin ni Vlad, ngayon lang kami nagsabay pumunta sa school ng kakambal ko since Dada insisted on it.

"Z! Na-miss kita," we hugged each other tightly.

"Sobrang na-miss din kita, Nyx, grabeng pag-alalala ko na sayo. Buti na lang ina-update ako ng kakambal mo," she pointed at Vlad behind me.

My eyebrows furrowed hearing what she just said, "Ha? You're seeing Vlad?"

So Vlad has been sneaking outside pala, and nakikipag-meet pa siya sa best friend ko.

I turned to look at Vlad who couldn't look at me, I glared at her. Alam kong ramdam niya ang masamang tingin ko sa kanya. She's a really hard-headed, sinabing bawal lumabas pero ginawa pa rin ng gago.

"Oo, bakit hindi ba dapat?" She asked when she noticed the change of my reaction.

"Ah hindi naman... Anyway, kamusta ka na?" I asked, trying to revert the topic. The words felt forced, but I couldn't let Zenith know how much this bothered me.

Talagang magagalit sina Dada sa ginawa niya.

"Grabe, marami kang na-missed. Pero alam kong kayang-kaya mo namang bumawi, syempre ikaw pa. Lagi ka kayang nagto-top sa class." She stated.

I shrugged, "Ano nang ganap?"

Si Vlad naman, bigla na lang umalis at iniwan kami without even speaking.

"Ang boring nung wala ka..." She paused, "Ikaw ha, marami kang ike-kwento sa akin."

I just nodded at her, although I can't let her know that I'm preparing for a battle against a dangerous mob. Hindi niya muna pwedeng malaman ang tungkol sa mga Primo, baka mamaya madamay pa siya.

Kilala naman ang pamilya namin, The Antonov, the Russian Mafia. Some feared our name, some gave respect. The Old Russian 'A' trademark that was carved into the skin of their victims' bodies may have earned trepidation in the city, but of course, my family's great contribution to the city was not overlooked. Maraming natulungan ang mga Antonov sa business and economy of this city. They gave money to hospitals and orphanages, and their businesses gave people jobs. That's their reputation, the paradox Mafia family.

The Antonov were not just about murders.

I entered the room in my first class, I could feel their eyes on me. Sarap pagtutusukin ang mga mata nila. I know what others were thinking, they're wondering why I disappeared for a while. It's not disclosed to the school about what happened to me, being kidnapped and missing for days.

Our professor entered after a while. I noticed that it was a new teacher, he's kinda young.

"Good morning class," his eyes roamed around the room until it reached me, "Oh, are you Ms. Antonov?" He asked with glimmer in his eyes.

Tumango lang ako sa kanya, "I'm Hector Garcia, the new teacher for Understanding the Self," he introduced, tumango lang ulit ako.

His attention reverted to the whole class, I can see anger building in his eyes. "Class! Attention here..." He paused, "Not to brag, pero maraming bumabagsak sa subject ko, the fact that halos lahat kayo?" His tone seems like mockery and parang proud pa siya na maraming bagsak. "Mga bobo ba talaga kayo at wala pang kalahati ng class ang pumasa?"

Nagpantig ang tenga ko sa narinig ko.

What the fuck did I just heard?

But wasn't this supposed to be a class about Understanding the Self? Where was his self-awareness? How could he be so blind to the impact of his words and actions? And wasn't it ironic that he, the supposed expert on the human psyche, was so incapable of understanding the students in his own classroom?

I observed that the whole close have worried faces, may mga yumuko na din.

I stood up and cleared my throat to gain his attention, "Sir, I know that kapapasok ko lang po. And hindi sa pagiging bida-bida pero what's with your boastful statement 'not to brag' and that 'bobo' word? With all due respect, it doesn't look like it's appropriate for a professor to say that, it seems like you're even proud of it. As you said maraming students ang bumabagsak sa class mo, maybe it's time to evaluate or assess your students why they're struggling under your subject. It could be a reflection of the quality of your teaching. Or even better, assess yourself Sir. Naturingan ka pa man din pong may PhD. Maybe the problem is you, and not the students... Sir," I smiled at him, bago umupo.

Tahimik lang ang mga classmates ko at gulat na gulat sa sinabi ko, pati na rin yung teacher na nakaawang ang bibig.

Ano ba kakapasok ko lang tapos sumasakit na agad ang ulo ko sa first class. That was the first time for me to encounter such an unprofessionalism from a professor. The fact that Understanding the Self pa talaga ang subject niya.

How come nakapasa siya as a faculty here in the Morningstar University, this university is known for having those mga guro na magagaling magturo.

Ako lang 'to, si Nyx Valor "tumatapang" Antonov. I mean binabagay ko lang talaga sa second name ko, duh. Para kapag babalikan ko na ang reyna ng kadiliman na si Hades Zephyr "demonyo" Primo, may isasampal talaga akong katapangan sa kanya.

Regarding Trevor, I haven't seen him around the university. I know that Zephyr is planning something big already, especially since I escaped from her. Alam kong galit na galit na yun. Kahit malayo ako sa kanya, ramdam ko. Pero syempre, lalaban ako. I'm glad that Papshy and Dada involved me in training to protect myself, at hindi lang ikukulong dahil sa takot na mawala ulit ako.

"How was school, anak?" Mom asked as I watched her bake cupcakes.

Kakauwi ko lang and I wanted to spend some time with Mom, since wala namang training today.

I settled onto a stool beside her, inhaling the sweet scent of the batter. "It was okay," I replied, trying to keep my voice light. "Nothing too exciting."

"Just okay?" Mom raised an eyebrow, her gaze questioning. "Did anything happen?"

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Just some stuff," I replied vaguely, hoping she wouldn't press further.

But Mom knew me too well. She always did. "Tell me, anak," she said gently, placing a hand on mine. "You can tell me anything."

I sighed, "I was just stressed about school, Mom. And there's this one professor who gets on my nerves."

"It's okay, anak," Mom said, squeezing my hand. "School can really be stressful, but I know that you can handle anything. Isa kang Antonov."

Of course, oo nga naman, isa akong Antonov.

"Anong drama mo na naman ba diyan, Ate?" Vlad said, sauntering into the kitchen, her eyes already scanning the countertop for something to snack on.

She reached for a cupcake from the tray, ignoring the fact that it was still bare, devoid of frosting. "Bastos talaga 'to," I muttered, rolling my eyes.

Vlad chuckled, "Mom, sobrang sungit niya talaga sakin. Wala naman akong ginagawang masama sa kanya." She winked at Mom, trying to play the innocent victim.

I crossed my arms and raised my eyebrow at Vlad. "Mom, alam mo bang may kasalanan tong si Vlad."

"Hays, kasalanan na naman, kumuha lang ako ng isang cupcake." Vlad sighed.

I rolled my eyes at her, my annoyance growing. "Vlad, you know I'm not talking about this," I said, pointing to the cupcake in her hand. "I'm talking about the fact that you've been sneaking out, meeting Zenith, putting yourself in danger."

"Oh, that," she said, her smile fading slightly. "Don't worry, Ate, I'm careful. Zenith's a good friend, your best friend is really so maganda." Don't tell me- "We just talked."

"Talk?" I scoffed. "You're not just talking, Vlad. You're meeting her in secret, putting yourself in danger. You know Dada wouldn't approve of this. Tsaka isa pa, best friend ko yun ha. Hindi ako approve sayo para sa kanya, babaero ka."

"Ate, grabe ka naman, hindi ako babaero ah" she said denying, taking a bite of the cupcake. "It's not a big deal din kasi I just want to be friends with her, nothing more."

"Not a big deal mo mukha mo, Vlad."

I know that Vlad will just hurt my best friend.