A Tribian Tale

13. Dead Squad

"I decline the invitation," usal ko habang nakaupo kaharap ang The Drift sa conference table na extension ng office ni Isabel bilang student council regent. Hindi mapakali ang dibdib ko. kaharap ko na naman kasi itong intimidating squad na 'to. 

Sarkastikong ngumiti si Mira na nakaupo sa gitna nina Chase at Fabian. She raises an eyebrow and says, "You know, if this is about the last time, I understand. But no one ever rejects The Drift."

"I just did."

Isabel smirks. Mukhang nagustuhan nito ang pagsagot ko kay Mira.

Tahimik namang nakasandal lang sa isang sulok si Glor Fina. She's always so calm like this. Mukhang wala itong pakialam sa magiging resulta ng usapang ito.

"Stella, this is to your advantage. Becoming our apprentice would help you reach your potential." Fabian says. His burning blue eyes never left mine.

Sumasama ang tingin ni Chase sa palitan namin ng titig ni Fabian. I even caught him tighten his jaw with his eyebrows almost entwined after he sides glance at us.

"We should respect her decision. Now, can we leave?" kalmadong untag ni Glor Fina. Walang emosyon sa mukha nito. She does not look scary nor friendly.

Nabaling ang atensyon ko sa gwapong batang malaki ang pagkakahawig kay Chase.  His eyes are a pair of deep Amber. He smiles and starts negotiating, "Stella, you're beautiful. You have a lot of potentials. Maybe you should reconsider?"

I blink and nod slightly.

"Miss Duetez, Miss Suarez, Spike, and I are done here. Please excuse us."

Tumayo na si Spike pagkatapos siyang ipagpaumanhin ni Glor Fina. Sumunod ito sa napakakalmadong top student ng academy habang naiwan naman sa harapan namin sina Mira, Chase at Fabian.

The door snaps against its frame and Glor Fina and Spike are out of the conference. Tila hindi pa rin sumusuko ang tatlong nasa harapan namin.

"You know, we do things for a reason," pasakalye ni Chase. Seryosong nakatingin ito saakin. "The reason we want you to be in our squad is to protect you from-"

"From everyone who's been spying on me since the first day my family arrived in Tribus." My words are strong. Chase did not know I'm already aware of what's going on.

Isabel is shocked too. Ngayon lang nito narinig ang nalalaman ko. Or she might have known the true reason why Trinity took us here but was told to keep it a secret.

"We're not spying on you," says Chase.

"You're not even close to an abyssal demon, Stella. Don't be a diva." Mira's words are straight to the point. She's really just here to mock me.

"Stella," Fabian calls my attention, "trust us. I know it's too much to ask, but just this once."

"I am not even sure who to trust. Look," I recline from the chair I'm seated on, "I'm just new here. Siguro naman maiintindihan niyo kung bakit hindi pa ako ganoon kadaling kumbinsihin. Trust is an investment; no one has ever earned much."

Tumayo na si Mira sa kinauupuan. Inirapan na naman ako. She flips her hair and walks away. "I'll be the last person she'd trust. I'm done here! Ayoko din namang makipagsiksikan ka sa Drift house. These guys only wanted you there, not for me. So thank you for doing me a favor, Stella."

Napalunok ako sa sinabi nito. She's always been so expert in ruining my day. Our day. 

Nilamon ng pintuan ang demonyitang si Mira. Wala ni isa saamin ang nakaimik nang pabalibag nitong isinara ang pintuan.

Pagkatapos ng ilang segundo ay sumunod nang tumayo si Chase. Walang lingon-likod nitong nilisan ang opisina.

The meeting ended with Fabian, being the gentleman I know, closing the conversation with positivity. He handles the situation very well. 

Sa buong pag-uusap namin, napansin ko ang ilangan sa pagitan ni Isabel at Fabian. Well, bukod sa napakalalang tensyong namamagitan kina Mira at Isabel, iba ang sitwasyon ni Isabel at Fabian. Halos hindi sila magkatinginan kahit nasa loob na sila ng iisang silid.

Gusto ko tuloy tanungin kung ano ang nangyari sa kanya at sa mga miyembro ng Drift.

***

After the heavy conversation, a colorful ray of light greets us with Myra's presence. Nasa labas ito ng Student Council headquarters na tila kanina pa naghihintay dahil napakadami nang balat ng pagkain ang nasa tabi nito. 

"Good morning, freaks!"

Isabel scowls. Tila mabigat na ang mga paa nito habang palapit kami kay Myra. 

Myra picks up her trash and puts it inside her bag. This simple act shows how kindhearted she is. Kaya hindi mahirap na pagkatiwalaan ang isang katulad niya. 

"Isabel, about the idea I was telling you earlier?"

"What? The squad?" 

"Wait, are we making our own squad? Gaya ng iniimagine ko lately?" Mabilis pa sa kidlat na nahulaan ni Myra ang direksyon ng usapan. Napalakas ang boses nito kaya mabilis na tinakpan ni Isabel ang bunganga niya. 

"Hindi pa man nabubuo ang secret squad, mukhang babagsak na tayo!" Isabel restrains her voice while holding Myra's mouth. 

Pumalag pa si Myra mula sa pagkakahawak sa kanya ni Isabel nang sa wakas ay hinayaan na ng huli na muli itong magsalita. 

"Speak softly and carry a big stick," Isabel warns to remind her with caution and non-aggression. 

"Okay. Okay!" eksaheradang bulong ni Myra na tila galing sa ilalim ng lupa ang boses. 

"Sabi ko mahinahon, pero hindi ko sinabing pang-horror 'yang bulong mo."

Natawa ako sa turan ni Isabel. 

"Okay. So yes. I'm in! I'm the first member of the Dead Squad!"

"Halah, may pangalan kaagad ang squad natin?" natatawa kong sambit. 

"Yes, sure! And the second member is coming as well as the third one! Just right there!" May itinuro si Myra sa isang direksyon. Sabay-sabay kaming napalingon sa parating. 

"Now we have a seer." Myra's eyes twinkle as we wait for Avi to come closer. "We just have to convince her. Medyo special kasi 'yan."

"Anong special? Me?" Naguguluhang pambungad ni Avi na naka-floral dress at may malaking ribbon sa ulo. Hindi ko alam kung kanino na naman nagpapa-cute ito. 

"Nice dress Avi." 

"Thanks, regent Isabel. Now if that's your tactic in convincing me to join your Dead Squad, the answer is no!"

Myra widens her eyes. Kumunot ang mga kilay nito. "Sabi ko sa inyo eh, special 'yan!"

"Avi," tawag ko sa kapatid ko, "this is very important. You don't need to spoil us all the possibilities and all the things that you have seen, but you can guide us."

"You'll be a great help." Isabel seconded. 

"It's still a no! Kapag sinabi kong hindi, ate, hindi. How many t-"

"Hi, guys! Myra, Stella!" Isang boses lalaki ang tumawag saamin mula sa di kalayuan. Mukhang dumadalas ang pagdating ng mga tao sa harapan ng student council headquarters. I wonder kung pati itong si Oswin ay pinapunta din ni Myra. 

"That's our fifth member! Oh, diba? Iniisip niyo pa lang, naka-recruit na ako!" Proud na proud na bulalas ni Myra habang pinagmamasdan ang palapit na si Oswin. 

"Oh em gee! Myra, may kakilala ka pa lang gwapo!" Tila nababaliw na namang sambit ng kapatid ko na nawala ang kasungitan dahil sa pagdating ni Oswin. 

"Member 'yan ng Dead Squad natin. So, aarte ka pa bang babaita ka?" 

"Okay! I'm in!" Walang kaarte-arteng untag ni Avi. 

"I know right? It takes one handsome guy to change a girl's concept of right." Iwinagayway pa ni Myra ang mga kamay sa ere na tila nagtagumpay sa sariling plano. "Now, let the adventure begins!"

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