The Rule Breakers

Chapter 6

Given na mahiyain ako, hindi talaga ako friendly especially sa mga taong hindi ko kilala.

At kahit kilala ko man sila, hindi pa din ako magsasalita kung hindi nila ako lalapitan.

Or kung hindi ko nagustuhan ang pananalita nila.

Or kung may atraso ako sa kanila.

Katulad ngayon.

Hindi ako pa-hard-to-get, I just don't talk to strangers.

Kaya naman, when he parked himself in front of me and talked to me, hindi ako makapagsalita. He looked so intimidating that I immediately stepped back and hugged my books closer to my chest.

Paano siya nakarating dito? How did he find me? Kani-kanina lang ay nasa main gate siya at nag-aabang.

I open my mouth to ask pero walang boses na lumabas.

He stepped closer to me. "You really think you can run away from me, huh," he said quietly. "Mabuti na lang at natatandaan ko 'yang jacket na suot mo. Malayo ka na nung nakita ko kayo. It was pure luck that I managed to catch up and find you."

I swallowed. And here I thought that I managed to get away from him.

Patay! Paano ako makakatakas nito?

He pulled my hand and dragged me towards the exit.

I removed my hand from his grip. "Saan mo ako dadalhin? Ano'ng kailangan mo?"

He turned to me and folded his arms across his chest. "I want you to pay for what you've done."

I swallowed again and pretended to be brave. Kahit gusto ko nang magpalamon sa lupa at mag disappear. "Eh ano ba ang ginawa ko?"

"Seryoso ka dyan sa tanong mo?"

"If this is about what I did earlier, sorry ka na lang kasi hindi ako nagi-guilty. You deserved it!" I shot at him weakly.

"Look here, you bitch," he snarled and grabbed my shoulders. "Ewan ko kung tanga ka lang o hindi mo talaga alam kung sino ang kinakalaban mo, but I will make you pay. I will make you burn in hell!"

"Kyaaa!" sigaw ko sabay tulak sa kanya. Nakakatakot! Natatakot siya close up! Sino ba ang nagsabi na gwapo ang lalaking 'to?!

He fell butt-first on the floor, disbelief all over his face. I am strong when I get excited and scared. Impulsive din ako. Kaya hindi na ako magtataka kung makadisgrasya ako ng ibang tao kung matakot ako.

"Stay away from me!" I shrieked. Tumakbo ako palayo sa kanya.

He really scares me to death. Hindi talaga kasi ako friendly sa mga lalaki. Wala pa akong naging kaibigan na lalaki and aside from my Dad and my brother, wala nang ibang lalaki sa buhay ko na komportable ako na kasama.

At wala pang nagbanta sa akin noon na ganyan kalapit at kagalit. Kinikilabutan ako!

I look back. Thank God, hindi niya ako sinundan.

I stopped to catch my breath. Now that the adrenaline has passed, the asthma sets in. Mahina kasi talaga ang lungs ko. Iilang pagkakataon lang ako nakakagawa ng mga heavy work, but it's been a while since I've done so, kaya humina ulit ang kapasidad ng lungs ko.

I took a deep breathe and massaged my chest. Masakit. Pero sanay na ako.

I look around me and realized na napadpad pala ako sa parking lot. I look back behind me at walang Chase Mondragon in sight. I sighed in relief. Buti at hindi niya ako sinundan.

I did a detour. Nasa kabilang side ng mall ang sakayan ng jeep. Kahit malayo, titiisin ko. I didn't dare retrace my footsteps. Baka magtagpo kami ni Chase.

From the corner of my eye, someone stepped out behind a blue car.

I turn towards him. He looked awfully familiar...

He was smirking as he gave me a salute.

By the time I managed to figure out who he is, blackness has already consumed me as a handkerchief covered my mouth.

Hindi ko na nagawang lumaban because my limbs were already limp and my eyelids were getting heavy.

Siya 'yung lalaki sa canteen.

With the shoulder-length hair.