Rule Number One

Chapter 37 : Love Is Not A Game

Alexander's POV

"We shouldn't have done this. Hindi mangyayari to kung hindi natin to ginawa."

Nakatingin lang ako kay Jana. Seeing her sleeping so peacefully makes me want to smile. Sana ganito nalang siya, tahimik, katulad ng dating siya. I just wish that she would just go back to the old her.

"We need to talk," tinapik ako ni Kent sa balikat. Binitawan ko ang kamay ni Jana at sinundan siya. Nakarating kami sa rooftop. Sumandal ako sa railings at yumuko. I was still in shock.

"How did you find her?" Tanong ni Kent. Napabuntong-hininga ako at kinamot ang batok ko.

"I... I just heard her scream. Akala ko wala lang yun. And when I arrived at her room, nakatalukbong siya ng kumot. But then, I saw droplets of blood coming inside the blanket. And when I removed the blanket, she's unconcious and blood is coming out from her wrist."

Hindi sumagot si Kent. Nakatingin lang siya sa buong lugar.

"She won't die, Alexander. I can assure you that."

Why? Bakit parang siguradong-sigurado siyang walang mangyayari kay Jana? Why is he not worrying? Bakit ang kampante niya? Is he that cold hearted?

"Why? How can you assure me that she won't die? How can you fucking assure me, that she will wake up?"

He sighed "I went there yesterday," he picks up something from his pocket. Nanlaki ang mata ko ng makita ang maliit na container na may laman na dugo. "We had a deal. Janina and me."

Itinuro ko siya "Y-you. Is... Is that Jana's blood?" My voice cracked.

Tumango siya sa akin. "Yeah. I went there yesterday before going home and get her blood. And in exchange, she asks for freedom. Pumayag ako. Ang sabi ko, she can do anything para makaalis siya. I just didn't knew that she would go this far. A blood for freedom. That's what we agreed for."

My jaw literally drop. Her blood for her freedom?

"Why her blood? Bakit kailangan mo ng dugo niya?" Tanong ko. I just can't get the logic here. Bakit kailangan niya ang dugo ni Janina?

Nginitian ako ng tipid ni Kent bago sumagot. "There are things that we need to hide. I just need to make sure before saying it."

"Make sure what?"

"My guts. I need to make sure my guts are right."

He taps my shoulder before smiling. "You've been gone for a week. Bakit hindi mo manlang kinontact si Arraine? Bakit hindi ka umattend ng klase?" Tanong niya. I was taken aback because of his question. Truthfully, hindi ko rin alam. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hinfi ko siya kinontact o hindi ako nagparamdam sa kanya. Siguro dahil natatakot ako. Natatakot ako na baka pag nakausap ko siya, masabi ko lahat. Natatakot ako na pag nagkita kami, hindi na ako makakaalis pa.

Jana badly needs me right now. At hindi ko alam kung sinong uunahin ko sa kanila. Yung tao bang nangangailangan sa akin, o yung taong mas nangangailangan sa akin. They both need me right now. Someone needs me, and someone badly needs me. Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin.

"They need you. Pero girlfriend mo yun Alexander. Girlfriend mo. Magpaliwanag ka." Tinapik niya ang balikat ko bago umalis. The moment he step outside the room, Arriane came in. Nakakagat siya sa labi niya habang nakayuko.