Clinton Aldridge rank second in the most influential and richest man in the Philippines.His wife,Maggie Torres is a social butterfly at ang dating Miss World.She is an actress before and now an endorser.While Dalton Aldridge who followed the footstep of his father is the President of a successful Entertainment Company,kaya naman hindi na kataka-taka na marami na siyang nakarelasyon.I can say that marriage is a requirement for him to get qualified to those woman who wanted him to prove that he's serious about them and so he got married twice.
They reach the top with a lot of criticism.They said it was all gained in wrongful way.They didn't think that
Clinton is blessed by the heaven and made him rich.They didn't think that their good people ,that's why heaven permits them to be together.
My father has done something for him to be able to reach the top that fast.I know a little but it's enough for me to have an idea what could be my role the moment i step on a legal age.I'll be of use to the business.I will only have to nod and do what they ask.I'll be tied to the life I wouldn't want to live .Bubunuin ko pa ba ang ilang taon sa kolehiyo kung ang magiging trabaho ko lang ay maging isang professional na magnanakaw.
If Maggie stayed because of money and fame she can live without,me
the unwanted child will seek greater than the money and fame can bring.
Peace and Happiness.
I'm still glad na kahit na gano'n ang ugali ng ina ko pinag-aral at pinahiram niya ang apilyido niya ng sinabi kong ayokong gamitin ang Aldridge dahil isa 'yong makapangyarihang apilyido.
So,what is it that the mighty Ansel Millano want?
He is the richest man in this country.Everyone respect and look up to him.And yes ,you can include my father or even ,my whole family.He has hundreds of properties,now ,including a School.Hindi naman mahirap na mahulaan kung anuman ang relasyon namin ng mama ko.Halata namang hindi 'yon maganda ,so bakit pa ako pagtutuunan ng pansin?
I don't have a power in the house.Maggie Torres doesn't need my opinion regarding to all of her affairs ,the same with my father too.I am far from being an heir,Dalton is.What is it that made him invest at me?Does he think he can ...use me too?To whatever he's planning? That's why he gave you a School.
Azazel just wait?Bakit?Sigurado nga ba akong bumili nga siya ng School at ipapangalan sa akin?Maybe he just wanted to impress them.But as much as I know.Nandoon siya para kay mama,kaya bakit ipapadaan pa sa'kin?
I remember princesses were saved by their princes in a certain life and death situation before they lived their happily ever after.This made me feel like that,though it keeps ringing in my head that the prince is up for something else.
Napaisip tuloy ako kung paano din niya nakuha ang yaman niya.Is it the same way my father did?
I run my eyes at the cobblestone wall of the girl's dormitory as i walk my way out.Hindi napahinga ang utak ko mula sa nangyari kahapon.I keep thinking about the shortcut I just found.Parang hindi ko na maalala ang daan na inisip kong lalakaran ko para makarating sa pupuntahan ko dahil lang sa nakakita ako ng ibang daan.
Maybe we can have a deal.Ansel will exchange it from me with a new life ,a new identity.No traces of being an Aldridge to whatever it is that he's planning to do...and if my help won't be enough for my new life then I am willing to pay for it after I became a different person.
I'll be whoever I want to be and I'll have a life I wanted to live!
It'll be good if I moved far away from here .Mas maganda sa walang nakakakilala sa mga Aldridge.
Napatigil ako sa naisip ko at napapikit.The high and thick bricks of wall of the old School dissappear from my eyes.Humigpit ang hawak ko sa librong binalikan ko lang sa room ko.
No,not really.You are not like that Azazel.I remember my debt from Maggie.Nahihirapan na akong magbayad sa kanya,mas mahihirapan ako panigurado na magbayad kung kay Ansel ako magkakaroon ng utang.
That was really a good option, it has a lot of benefits but then ,I won't be up for something else other than good and I'm not sure if it only bring good.
This was like from the medieval times.Cobblestone pavements that has moss.Dormitory and buildings made of it too at ang nagtataasang puno na siyang nagpapadami ng kalat sa lalakaran papunta sa kung anong direksyon mo gustong magpunta.
Bubungad sa'yo ang highschool department galing sa main gate.Ang Office ng School director ,at ang faculty ay nakapwesto sa gitna.The.first building was on the left ,sa likod ng faculty ang pangalawa at ang pangatlo ay sa kanang bahagi kung nasaan din ang gate papuntang dormitory.
Ang gate sa College Department ay kahilera ng pangalawang building ng highschool.Ang bubungad sa'yo pagpasok ay ang multi-purpose auditorium.Strong woods highly maintained made half of the rooms,windows and doors .There are some parts of the school with a touch of modern times kagaya ng Gym namin ngayon at Library.Students are free from Friday and Saturday. We have all we need in the school. The canteen provided us free lunch and snacks.
Nailing ako ng maalala ang sinabi ng Ansel na 'yon.I wonder what school is it though. Preferably one of the most expensive school.
Huminto ang paa ko sa room kung saan sinabi ng nag-iisa kong kaibigan na daanan ko daw siya.
I glance at the book that I'm actually planning to buy today dahil marami ng free na oras pero nakita ko ang isang ito sa loob ng paperbag na nakasabit sa doorknob ng kwarto ko sa Mansion.I took it with me even though I didn't know who left it there.
Naiiritang tinignan ko ulit ang cellphone kong maraming text messages na kahapon pa narereceive.I suspected someone posted it on the announcement board again.I turned it off and threw it in my bag.
After awhile ,Ada came out pouting while she hopping her way through me.Kaagad siyang humilig sa akin at nagsimulang maglakad sa hallway kung saan kaunti na lang ang tao.
It's two in the afternoon kaya naman alam kong nasa library ang marami,nasa auditorium,music room ,theater or sa field at naglalaro ng kung ano.Most of our Friday's is like this.Free from loaded work pero minsan nga lang kapag Sunday may ilang mga teachers na ginugustong magpapasok.
"Caza..."naglalambing na yumakap sa braso ko ang kamay niya.Ang mukha niyang pinapakita ngayon ay kagaya ng palaging mukha niya.Nagpapaawa.
"Ca....za....!"sumandal ang ulo niya sa balikat ko habang naglalakad kami papunta sa field kung saan namin pinaplanong tumambay.
"Tutor me naman friend"natatawang itinaas ko ang librong binalikan ko kanina. I'm always serious when it comes to studies.Sa huling taon ko sa school, running valedictorian ako.
"Mag-aaral muna ako bago kita turuan"sagot ko naman.She's not dumb actually,madali lang talaga siyang ma-distract sa kahit na anong bagay.
Wait for my call.
Sumingit ang isang 'yon sa utak ko.My brain can't let go of how it was told.Commanding.
The perks of having Aldridge as your family wala kang ibang gagawin kung hindi sumunod sa mga utos nila... at nag-uumpisa na akong magsawa doon.
Pilit ko 'yong binaliwala kahit na tuwing nakikita ko ang cellphone ko.When a day had passed and I didn't receive any tsaka lang medyo natahimik ang utak ko.
"Alam mo bang binigyan nanaman ako ng palakol ng Physics.Nakakainis!"i have no other choice but to listen to her rant as i watch the hallway of our school.Kalahati ng utak ko ay napapansin ang mga sinasabi ni Ada samantalang ang kalahati ay naghahanap ng kung anumang sagot na kay Ansel Millano ko lang naman makukuha.
"Medyo mahina lang naman ako!Pero...medyo lang 'yon!"himutok niya pa.
Alam ko naman ang sinasabi niya pero hindi ko naman masisisi ang teacher namin dahil madalas din siyang lutang sa klase.
"Caza!"tinulak niya ako kaya gumewang ang lakad namin.Ibinalik ko sa dating ayos ang lakad bago inayos ang bag na nakasukbit lang sa isang balikat.Itinaas ko ang librong hawak ko.
"Bago ka matulog magpunta ka sa room ko"iniisip ko na kaagad ang gagawin.Sa The girls dormitory have three buildings.We luckily occupied the same building 'yon nga lang sa third floor siya at sa second floor naman ako.
Mas mahaba ang panahon na nilalagi ko dito kaysa sa mansyon kung saan nakukuha ko lang namang tumapak kapag pinapatawag ako.
From the hallway where the music room is located , tumatakbo si Krystal papuntang gawi namin.Suot niya ang PE na two toned shirt and pants na black &white.
Nanahimik sandali si Ada,mahina niya akong kinurot pinaparatang sa'kin kung gaano niya kaayaw sa taong paparating.
She glance at me when Krystal stop infront of us.
"May meeting bukas ng umaga Caza"ang simpleng sabi nito bago tinignan si Ada.
Krystal is part of the Student Council. She's a secretary,habang ako ay isang editor at photographer kasama ang isa pa.Lyra is the president,the second after me when it comes to ranking.Tinanggihan ko ang pagiging president,simply because it's another responsibility.Mas mabigat.
Tinanguan ko siya.She glance at Ada's way again before sighing and then walk away.
Ada look at me.
"I heard there's a new owner of the school"she look back at Krystal.
"Really?"I ask back ,watching her sour expression turning back to normal.
"I heard that Krystal knew who it is"kaya pala..
Tinanaw ko ang field na pupuwestuhan namin at tsaka siya sapilitang inakay.Pagkaupo,inilabas niya kaagad ang sangkaterbang notebook at ilang libro sa bag niya.
"But I still don't like that Krystal"
After spending 30 minutes there pabagsak na ibinaba ni Ada ang librong hinahanapan niya ng isang parte ng topic na wala sa nahiram niyang notebook.
If i didn't know her since gradeschool I'll never deal with her.Unfortunately,matagal ko ng kasama at nakikita kahit ang kulot at hanggang pwet niyang buhok.
Although I didn't know why she dislikes Krystal who transferred here bago matapos ang taon namin noon sa pagka-first year.I don't entirely question it dahil most of the time hindi ko rin gusto ang pakikitungo niya.
Tamad kong ibinaba rin ang librong kanina lang ay hawak ko.She can play easy with her life because she's free.Hindi naman big deal sa pamilya niya ang pagkakaroon ng mababa o okay na grades kaya siguro hindi niya gaanong sineseryoso ang pag-aaral.She's got a supportive parents as well.
I close my book at nilingon na ang palubog na araw.Nagpatuloy siya sa nasagap niya.
"Nakita daw nilang may hawak na box ang director ng lumabas sa office pagkatapos ay sumunod daw na lumabas ang Head teacher tapos siya"pinaliit niya ang bilog at kulay berde niyang mata.It only made it normal though.
"I don't know why ,pero bakit siya ang lumabas doon?"napaisip din tuloy Krystal belongs to the Highschool Department Student Council.Hindi naman gaanong nakakapagtaka na baka nga kinausap siya ng Head Teacher at ng Directors afterall ,she's a secretary.
"Did she know who will be the new School Director?"she gape at me.
"Caza..."I shake my head.
"I don't know anything about that.Haven't heard anything"
I commented and leveled the book to my eyes.
"Caza..Come on,we need to see this through.What if she really knows.They can do whatever they want .Krystal wanted the spot you have baka pa bigla na lang siyang maging Valedictorian niyan"nag-aalala ang boses niya.
"Tsaka magiging maganda itong school kapag wala na tayo..Baka magkaroon na tayo ng bagong speaker sa canteen at kung saan saan parang 'yong ibang school.Tapos di-aircon na ang lahat ng classroom.Maipapagawa na rin ang CR ta's baka hi-tech na lahat!..."she extended her hand in the air mabuti na lang at malayo kami sa ibang estudyante kung hindi ay baka sumama na ang tingin sa kanya ng ilan dahil sa mga pinagsasabi niya.
"Elevator ang gusto ko!Tibagin niyo na ang hagdan!"masayang sabi niya.My eyes move to the field where some students rests.
"You will still need it.Every building has that"Ada is sometimes crazy.
"Tsaka you'll have a taste of that dahil may college naman dito.Don't tell me you're planning to study college at another school"natahimik siya sa sinabi ko tsaka ako inirapan.
Tumayo ako at dinampot ang patong patong na gamit namin.Sa gilid ng mata ko nakikita kong tinitingala niya ako.Maraming notebook at libro ang kung kani-kanino niya hiniram pagkatapos pagdating dito isa lang naman ang mabubuklat niya.
"Teka aalis na tayo?"tuluyan ko siyang nilingong maganda pa ang pagkakaupo sa bermuda.I glance at her book and rolled my eyes.
"Tigilan mo ang kakabasa ng pocketbook hindi niyan mapapataas ang marka mo"puna ko at inalala ang tanong niya.
"At oo,aalis na tayo.Kaunti na lang madilim na.Dalian mong tapusin ang kailangan mong tapusin tsaka ka magpunta sa kwarto ko.Let's not break the curfew this time"we're like the duo who always gets a lowest mark from the Head Mistress.I never got that mark from academics, doon pa lang at dahil iyon sa kanya.
Isinara niya ang bag niya at pinagpag ang palda ng makatayo.Sa paglalakad lumapit ulit siya akin.
"Oo nga pala may nanghingi ng number mo sa'kin"i sighed deeply as i recall all those annoying text messages asking if i already eat.
"Binigyan niya ako ng pera ,kapalit!"nang hindi siya nililingon,tinanguan ko ang sinabi niya.
"Marami ba?"
"Oo!"she said enthusiastically.
"Kung gano'n ihanda mo 'yan at ibibili mo ako ng bagong sim"
"Ano?!Bakit?"nanlalaki ang mata niya.
"Isa lang siya!"isa nga lang...huminto ako at tsaka siya tinaasan ng kilay.
"Oo pero makulit siya hah"komento ko at nauna ng maglakad.Wala akong problema sa kung sinumang pagbibigyan niya dahil puro babae lang naman ang palagi naming kasama.I don't know why they are so interested about my number and all.Nakailang palit na ako ng sim dahil sa sobrang daming nagpapadala ng messages. I think they're that bored here in the school na ginugusto nilang mangolekta ng libo-libong number para may magawa.
Gabi na.Tapos ng kumain sa dining area sa harap ng dormitory.Tapos na rin akong magshower na at tapos ng gumawa ng assignment.Pagod na inirapan ko si Ada na nagstay habang ginagawa ko ang lahat ng iyon.
With her pajamas on she keeps on looking at me trying hard again to negotiate.Suot ang bestida na may ruffles pa na pares ng kanya itinaas ko ang paa ko para sana matulog na ,hahayaan ko si Ada na makatulog sa sofa sa may kalawakang room.This was one of the benefits of being on the rank.
"Magpunta ka na sa sarili mong room Ada"I suggested.Hindi na rin naman niya mababawi ang pera niya sa'kin kaya wala ng iba pang dahilan para kausapin ako tungkol doon.
"Pero isang tao lang 'yon ..ano ka ba naman!"lukot na ang mukha niya pero hindi parin ako natinag.Ibinuka ko ang bibig ko para awatin siya ng maunahan ako ng katok sa pintuan.
Malaki ang mata ni Ada na nilingon ako.She knows that we shouldn't be loud at night. Isa iyon sa mga protocols ng dorm.Lumapit siya sakin at pilit na itinulak ako para buksan ang pinto at pumupwesto sa likod ng pintuan.
Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin bago pinihit and seradura.Bumungad sa'kin ang seryosong mukha ng Head Mistress kabaligtaran sa malaking ngiti ng School Director.
"Ms.Aldridge "mabagal na sinabi ng head mistress ang apilyidong hindi ko naman ginagamit.The school director nodded at me still smiling from ear to ear.Inilahad niya ang kamay niya,pinapalabas ako. I caught Ada's mouth forming into an O.
Hinila ko ang pinto pasada when I step out of the room.
"May naghahanap sa iyo sa baba"pinukol ako ng malalim na tingin ng head mistress.I know,because no one knows I'm an Aldridge, except Ada and of course the school director.
Tumalikod sila sinimulang maglakad pababa.I regret not getting my cardigan before coming down.Ngayon ay unti-unti ko ng nararamdaman ang ginaw ng paligid .
My fluffy slip on sponsored by Ada together with the pajamas got expose from the wind outside as they lead me from the resting area in between the dormitories.
My brows furrowed as I stare at those man in black suits.There's quiet a lot of them.Tinignan ko ang mga kasama kong may kaunting pagitan sa akin,nasa unahan ko.They know the car that always came for me whenever they ask me to go at the Mansion and no one sent me a car with a lot of guards.
I fix my eyes ahead trying to built and imagine someone really looking for me with the amount of power I have seen and felt pero wala naman na akong kilala.Tumaas ang kilay ko as i get a clear view of a limousine after the two cars infront.
My mouth hang open at pilit na nag-iisip.Sino ba ang pwedeng ipatawag ako kasama ang School Director at ang Head Teacher?
Could it be someone very important.Napasinghap ako.Oh!Wait is it the new School Director?..Then they got the wrong person.
I extended my hand to let them know what my thoughts are because I'm certain no one would look for me but then that familiar built suddenly emerge from the two guards where we're heading.Nanliit ang mata ko.
The possibility of having to look for me isn't something I expect to happen.I don't have any farthest thought about it.
"You didn't answer my call"the tall guy ask me behind his own shadow.Under the light of the lamp from the canoe ,never did I know that Ansel will have the look of a very dark man at night.
Sinabi ko na nga bang matangkad siya.I gather myself just a couple of steps away and I know I didn't reach his shoulder even a little.
The Head Mistress and the School Director suddenly dissappear from my view.I just found them bowing their head down meters away from us kasama ang apat na bodyguard,nakatayo ng tuwid at nakapalibot sa kanila.
"Mr.Millano"I muttered.I can't believe that I'll be seeing him here ,me dress in ruffled cream sleeping dress reaching my knees and he,wearing dark suit in his perfectly sculpted being.
His glasses flickered a light. His own shadow scream power.His got it the moment he walked inside the mansion and even here.Visitors never had an opportunity to walk in at the girl's dormitory they can freely roam at the buildings,not here.
"Azazel"binanggit niya ang pangalan ko kaya naman hinanap ko ulit ang mata niya.Nagmumujha siyang mabait kapag nasa liwanag pero ngayong kaunting ilaw lang ang nakakatulong para malaman kong meron nga akong kausap ,pakiramdam ko naman bawal akong magkamali sa kahit na ano.
"You didn't answer the call because you didn't thought it could be me,right"
"I never had any idea that you really have a plan to call me"I blatantly said.Nagdikit ang labi niya sa sinabi ko kaya naman naitikom ko rin ang sa akin.
His proud nose and jaw highlighted when he tilt his head sideways. There's seems to be glitters around him even on his cheeks has been put to glimmer in the dark.
He look at me and suddenly smile.His ridiculous idea suddenly poke me as I watch him turned his body fully,at me.
"I am here because I want to tell you that you'll be sitting as the school director this Monday"
Parang walang nakakagulat pero narinig ko pa ang singhap ng kung sino sa hilera ng kakaunting tao na nakakakita sa aming dalawa.Ginising no'n ang utak ko.What do you mean?
"This is the school that I bought and have it named after you"my head tilted as my eyes grew , unbelievably surprise.
Silence stretch out ..
"Mr.Millano...i —don't have any idea what you're talking about"
He took a step forward.
"You have.I told you about that on our previous dinner"
May isang suminghap nanaman ng malakas.This time naalarma na ako.I crumpled my dress and he look at it and then to where the noise came from .He look at me and then glances back to where the head mistress is.He loses his tie and then look at me.
"I'll just meet you some other time Azazel,go back to your room"
I feel like he did some adjustments to make his voice sound more soft because its a little bit big.
Hindi ko alam kung papano ko lalakihan pa ang mata ko para makita pa ang bawat detalye napansin ko na lang na wala ng kahit na anong ilaw na para sa'kin ng maramdaman ko ang bagay na siyang ipinatong niya sa balikat ko.
"Go back Azazel"he whispered on my ear. Tinignan ko ang suit niya pagkatapos ay ang mukha niya. I recalled what I have to say but I can't.
Mabagal akong napaakyat papunta sa room ko.I can't quiet digest as how fast it is being told to me.
"Who's that?"I bolted and look up to the person who said something.Ada has a flashlight directly on her face.
"They just got the wrong person"I told her.Yes,they got the wrong person really?
"Wrong person?"I don't know if she peak at the happenings but then there's the school director and the head teacher she won't try but I hope she did para naman hindi ako magsisinungaling at nahihirapang maghanap ng ibang sagot.
"Caza"mahina niya akong tinawag sa hallway.
"Who is it then?"she won't let go of this.I sighed and gather the most ,maybe ,valid ideas of mine.I was about to answer when I heard someone cleared her throat.
"Matulog na kayo"ang simpleng sinabi ng head mistress.
