Chapter 10

Nisha's Point of View

Dalawang araw ang nakalipas nang makalabas ako sa clinic. The class will start tomorrow. I don't know what's await for me. I feel nervous and I can sense that I need to be ready. What for? Until now, I'm still trying to digest everything and it's not easy. I never saw Rebecca, Dylan and Christopher again.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Nabaling ang paningin ko kay Nathalie. We are in the sala and watching some news from television.

Nathalie also told me that there is no uniform in Ottawa Green.

Maging ngayon ay bumabagabag pa rin sa akin ang nangyayari. I cannot do anything and I don't have any choice but to continue my life. I know that there are still more and I can't bear losing someone's life again. What should I do to avoid it? Shawn and Nathalie didn't leave in my side and I am so pleased for having them beside me. They are always guiding me and I should do as well.

"Hey," I blink twice and I came back to reality. I am too pre-occupied that I forgot Nathalie in my front. Naging ganito ako pagkatapos mangyari ang nasaksihan ng dalawang mata ko. "I'm asking you if you're ready for tomorrow?" I breath deeply before nodding. I should be. I still have my dreams and whatever circumstances that awaits for me, I need to stand on my own.

"I don't have any choice," I replied with my soft voice enough for her to hear it. She heaved a deep sighed.

"You can pass an absence slip if you are still not ready," she suggested. I shook my head because of that.

"I'm okay. Natural lang siguro na ganito ako. I was been secluded for how many years and dead bodies are so new to me. But I know that I can handle," I said and giving her an assurance. She just smiled and stand up.

"Okay. I will prepare foods for the dinner. They will join us today," pagbibigay-imporma niya sa akin. Ngayon lang ulit ito nangyari. Too many crimes happened not just in Ottawa City but also inside of University.

Naglakad siya paalis at ang direksiyon niya ay papunta sa kusina. Shawn is busy. He told me earlier that he will just visit me during dinner. Shawn is an affable type of person. He's also an approachable and he's easy to hang on around. But Nathalie says otherwise. Shawn is not like this when he's facing other people. So I am confuse and curious at the same time. What are we then? He's treating me in different ways and I didn't bothered to ask him about that.

Tumayo rin ako para sumunod kay Nathalie. Nadatnan ko siyang naghahanda na para sa pagluluto. Bumaling siya sa akin nang maramdaman siguro ang aking presensya. Wala akong nagawa kundi ang umupo at obserbahan lang siya sa kaniyang ginagawa. Hindi ko alam kung paano niya ginagawa ang mga bagay na ito kagaya ng pagluluto. She's also an ideal type of girlfriend or wife so no doubt that whoever love this girl, will cannot get enough of her.

Dad didn't taught me how to work in kitchen. We have a laundry services inside of the mansion and here in University as well. Hindi na mahirap sa akin para makaalam sa mga gawaing-bahay. I have my big own room in our mansion and all the things for fighting are in there.

I suddenly remembered Shawn and his training room in center of the forest. Hindi na ako nakabalik doon dahil sa dami ng nangyayari. I want to go there and I will ask permission to Shawn. I want to learn more and ready myself. Hindi ko alam pero may nagsasabi sa kaloob-looban ko na dapat akong maghanda and my instinct told me to do it on my own. Bumalik din sa isipan ko ang Fentanyl. Sa mga nalaman ko maging sa magulang ni Shawn. Where am I when that war was happened? Isa pa 'yan na katanungan sa isipan ko. Dad didn' t mentioned about the war and he let me concentrate with my trainings. Am I in my room that time? What did I do then during the war? Reading? Sleeping or having my training? I don't know.

I sighed deeply because of having a deep thoughts again. I want to know what Fentanyl looks like.

"What bothers you?" I startled because of Nathalie's question.

Get a grip, Nisha! Kaya ka walang kaalam-alam sa pangyayari dahil diyan sa kukote mong kahit saan napapadpad. Panenermon ko sa aking sarili. I mentally shook my head. This is crazy.

"Nisha," Pagtawag ni Nathalie ng aking atensyon.

"Why?" I asked back.

"I am asking you, what bothers you?" She responded and I saw how she rolled her eyes. Maybe, she's annoyed.

"Can I ask?" I asked.

"You are already asking. But spill it out. What is it?" I sighed trying to ease the nervous.

"Is there any way for me to check what Fentanyl looks like?" I intertwined my hands readying myself to get scolded. But the situation tells otherwise. Silence occured us and I don't know if Nathalie wants to answer it. She walk and reach the chair. She's now facing me and I can sense awkward but I still stand firm deep inside. I just want to know if there's any ways.

"Yes," I'm silently celebrating because of her response. "But-" Agad nalaglag ang balikat ko dahil sa salitang iyon. Right! Why I am assuming too much that my request would be easy? Cut that dream of yours, Nisha. "That's not my side to tell, Nisha. What you want is too confidential and only Shawn has the guarantee to let you what you want. But knowing Shawn, I doubt it. He's too protective when it comes to you and I know that he won't grant your wish," pahayag niya sa akin na tuluyang ikinabagsak ng balikat ko. She's right but I don't want to lose hope. Alam kong p'wedeng mapakiusapan si Shawn ng masinsinan. I was about to speak when a voice interrupted us.

"It's a big NO," napabaling kami pareho ni Nathalie kay Shawn na papasok sa kusina. Agad siyang umupo sa tabi ko at pagkatapos ay tiningnan ako. Napatungo ako kay Nathalie dahil sa ngiti niya. My right eyebrow suddenly lift up and she just shrugged in response. She got up to go and continue what she was doing. "That's too dangerous, Nisha," agad akong tumingin kay Shawn at ngumuso. I just let him see my childish side and he's not complaining anything about this side of mine.

"But Sha-

"No buts," pagpuputol niya sa aking sasabihin. "Do you want to die because of that stupid laser? Just tell me," I shooked my head and took my eyes off him.

"Where are the others?" Nathalie ask without facing us.

"They're coming," Shawn answered timidly. At hinayaan ko lang sila sa kanilang ginagawa. Labing-limang minuto ang nakakalipas bago nagsidatingan ang iba. Wala pa rin silang pinagbago. Si Dylan na agad lumapit kay Nathalie at si Rebecca na malantod pa rin. Hindi naman siya pinansin ni Shawn at binigay ang buong pansin sa pagkain at paglalagay ng pagkain sa plato ko. I feel awkward because of his actions. I can see the irritations of Rebecca's face and she have no choice but to serve her own plate. I swallowed hard before I started eating. We just ate silently and no one dared to disturbed us.

"Bitch,"

Agad akong napabaling kay Rebecca dahil sa narinig na boses niya sa aking isipan. Agad namang napansin ng lahat ang aking inakto kaya napatigil din sila sa pagkain.

"Is there any problem?" Nathalie asked and I can sense the curiosity that she has. Rebecca and I are just having a deep staring contest.

"Don't call me bitch. I am not you," Nathalie and Rebecca gasped in chorus because of what I've said. I put my attention again to my foods and eat silently.

Natapos ang kainan na hindi ko na ulit sila pinansin. Rebecca just really ruined my mood and Shawn let me rest because I still have class for tomorrow. Nakatulog din ako agad dahil sa pagod kahit wala naman akong ginawa sa buong maghapon kundi ang tumiyaha at kumain.

-

I woke up because of an alarm. I don't remember that I set an alarm. Maybe, Shawn did. Yes, he can do whatever he wants when it comes to my things and I just let him since I don't have much things here in this room. I already get used to stayed in this plain big room of mine.

Agad akong bumangon nang makita kong ika-anim na ng umaga. My class will start at seven so I need to prepare immediately. I suddenly got up and readying my things for taking a bath.

Mga ilang minuto akong natapos ay lumabas na ako. Tulog pa si Nathalie pero may pagkain na nakahanda sa mesa. I saw a note and I read it in silent.

Take your time to eat. I have my mission today. Don't be stupid.

-Shawn

I rolled my eyes before putting the note in my pocket. I started eating because I don't want to be late in my first day.

Nang matapos ako ay agad kong inayos ang suot ko. A fitted pants and black long sleeve. I get my rubber shoes and when I am satisfied with my looks, I opened the main door and the fresh air welcome me.

Agad akong bumaba at patakbo akong nagtungo sa South Building. Medyo malayo-layo kasi. Pero huli nang mapansin kong may mababangga akong isang lalaki na nakaharang pala sa gitna. I bumped with him the reason for me to fell down together with his things. Nataranta naman ako kaya agad akong tumayo at tinulungan siya sa kaniyang gamit. May napansin akong papel at nakalagay doon ang seksiyon niya. We're in the same division! He's my classmate. I was about to speak when he bowed his head.

"Thank you. I have to go," I stared him for a few seconds and I can say that he is a nerdy type. He's shaking and I don't know why. I just shrugged because I don't know him that well. I was about to walk again when a paper caught my attention. I immediately picked it up and looked behind where the man was heading. I was about to throw it when the letter caught my attention. After reading it, I was left dumbfounded and my sweat was dripping.

"Nathalie, you'll die. Be ready."

I am not Nathalie and I am not dumb to not know that she's referring Shawn's cousin. And all I can say, Nathalie is in danger and she needs our help.