Who Are You? (Under Revision)

SIMULA

The Japanese say we have three faces. The first face, we show to the world. The second face, we show to our close friends and family. The third face, we never show to anyone. But now, I think people have more than that because as we encounter such situations, we learn how to pretend for some reason.

If I ask you "WHO ARE YOU?", can you tell me exactly who you are?

_

"What the-", Nadja and Bella cracked up the moment I showed them my new look. Ang lakas ng tawa nila! But I can't blame them though. I definitely look like a beggar! I mean, I'm not looking down on some people but this thing I am wearing right now is not just for me.

Ang layo ng pormahan ko sa totoong ako. Nagsusuot naman ako ng unbranded clothes but not like these pieces. Kung hindi lang sa misyon ko, I wouldn't wear something like this crap!

My father sent me here in the Philippines to manage our school cause our students are getting out of hand. Of course, we have guidance counselors there, but I guess they cannot handle them anymore, pati nga siguro sila at mga professors ay inaagrabyado na ng mga studyante. Knowing that most of the students there came from elite families and are gangsters, paniguradong masasamang damo ang mga 'yon.

Aside from that, I'm also worried about our scholars. School staff nga naagrabyado nila, pano na kaya ang mga scholars na walang kalaban-laban?

Initially, I had intended to introduce myself, but I soon realized that some of them would merely act decently because I am the daughter of the proprietor of their school. So, I'll conceal my identity for the meantime and see their true colors. I guess, it's fun.

"Naomi, you serious with this?" Bella asked, still having a hard time breathing, tawa ba naman ng tawa?

"You fcking look homeless!" Dagdag pa ni Nadja habang tumatawa.

I rolled my eyes. I'm wearing a very long skirt na gusot-gusot at may punit pa sa laylayan. I paired it with oversized long sleeves, huge thick-framed eyeglasses, and a messy wig na nagpapamukha sa'king baliw. Sinadya ko talaga to para madali akong lapitan ng mga bullies. The more you look pitiful, the more bullies you attract.

"This is way more exciting: meddling with the mean girls' nonsense businesses and getting in the gangsters' little realm." I may regret this decision of mine one day but I'm really curious as to where this thing could lead me to.

"Let's go", sabi ko saka nauna ng lumabas.

"Who'll drive?" Nadja asked.

"Definitely not me." I immediately went into the backseat.

"Fine, ako na naman!" Sabi ni Bella saka kami inirapan. She has no choice though. Kung si Nadja ang magd-drive, paniguradong may makakaaway kami sa daan. She's hot-headed and reckless.

"Let's go, I already locked the door," Nadja said. Bella then turned the engine on and drove off.

The three of us have been friends since we were in diapers. Magkakaibigan kasi parents namin. Since then, we have been inseparable. Nang malaman nilang may importanteng gagawin ako dito sa Pilipinas, they've decided to come with me kaya nakatira kami sa iisang bobong ngayon.

"Sa likod tayo", I motioned nang malapit na kami sa university. Alam kong may pribadong daan don para sa mga academic personnel namin. We could use that way para walang student na makakakita sa'kin na lumabas mula sa isang mamahaling sasakyan. Masyado naman atang kataka-taka iyon sa estado ko ngayon.

"Now, we're here."

Bella parked the car at the leftmost part of the lot which was shaded by lofty trees. She then turned the ignition switch off, removed the key, and faced me with her signature "taas-kilay" look.

"Make sure this will be exciting."

"Can't promise, but I assure you, there are a lot of interesting people here." I said, meaningfully.

Habang naglalakad kami papunta sa lecture hall, marami kaming nakakasalubong, and as expected, a lot of them looked at me as if I was a sort of trash, some of them even mocked me. Pero walang problema, as long as no physical harm is caused to me.

Hindi natin mapipigilan ang pangungutya ng mga tao. They have the freedom to say whatever they want, but remember, we also have the choice to ignore those. Oo, minsan nakakasakit na ng damdamin. Sabi nga ng karamihan, tongue is like a sword, it can wound another person deeply. But sweety, if you will love yourself enough, no words can hurt you. Take that.

"P.A. ba nila 'yan? Ang pangit ha."

"CL will definitely put her to shame."

Napalingon silang dalawa sa'kin. "Why? Does that name ring a bell?" I asked, smirking.

"Don't tell me it's Tres Dominae's leader?"

"I won't tell you then", I responded quickly before I opened the lecture room's door. Masyado atang sensitibo ang mga tao sa loob dahil napatigil sila at napatingin kaagad sa'min.

"Transferees", the Professor informed.

"Come and introduce yourselves." Pumunta kaming tatlo sa harap. Lumapit naman si Prof sa'kin, "Hope you can handle them, Miss", he whispered.

I looked around the room. I guess, ito nga ang pinakamahirap pangasiwaan. I know most of them and I know exactly what they are.

"I'm Nadja Pattinson."

"Bella Cyril Fiennes"

When I was about to introduce myself, someone attempted to smash my face with basketball, nasalo ko nga lang. Well, I used to play basketball in High School.

"I'm Naomi Allens." Napatingin sa'kin ang dalawa. I guess they're confused why I used my mother's surname instead.

"Why though, Naomi Amour Cézanne?" Nadja whispered.

"I'm a freeman this wa-", I wasn't able to finish my statement because someone has thrown an object again, a pen this time. Sinalo ko ito saka ibinato pabalik.

"I never thought that a nerd could have a quick reflex. Ito ba ang sinanay mo instead of making yourself presentable, even just a bit?" Hindi na ako nagulat nang makitang si CL 'yong nagsalita. Napatingin si Nadja at Bella sa'kin and guess what? Excitement is very evident in their faces. Of course, they're facing the top 1 girl gang leader in the Philippines.

"Tumigil na ka-", our professor meddled but CL cut him off right away. "You know you can't stop me, Sir."

My brow automatically raised after hearing her. Tiningnan ko ang professor namin pero yumuko lamang ito. So, ito nga ang problema? Mas takot sila sa mga studyante nila? Understandable naman kasi nga mostly gangsters hinahandle nila but they should know that these gangsters can't use their power inside the institution.

"Umupo na kayo", sabi ni Prof. sa'min. Unfortunately, we have to pass through CL and her gang para maupo sa bakanting puwesto. I know this will be fun, but I never expect this to be annoying as hell at the same time!

"You two can go. But you, nerdy, must kiss my heels first", sabi nito kasunod ang mga hiyawan ng mga kaklase namin. They must be so happy to humiliate someone. But this ain't a drama, bitch. This is fcking cringey!

"Hindi ako sumasamba ng demonyo."

"What?" Tanong nito- tila hindi makapaniwala sa sinabi ko. Surely, she's not used to being talked to that way. Sanay siyang kinakatakutan at sinasamba.

Unti-unti akong napangisi. "Sorry but you're no saint to me", I then trampled her foot so hard that made her scream. It's good to hear though.

"Deserve", Bella and Nadja commented before we went to the vacant seats.

"You guys don't know us?" Tanong ng babaeng nasa tabi ni CL.

"We do, but do you know us?" I whispered, enough for them to hear. I stared at them and slowly smirked which clearly made them uncomfortable.

"Who are you?"