Chapter 6

"Owemji! Our Queen of the Night is here!"

Napailing na lang ako sa sigaw ni Maureen nang makapasok ako sa room namin. Kagabi niya pa sinisigaw 'yan simula nang malaman nilang ako 'yong nanalo bilang 'Queen Of The Night'. I was even shocked after hearing the result last night. My mind was preoccupied to the point that I don't even talk until I got home. Duh. It was my first time 'no. 

"Yow! Ganda mo talaga Shara, sa'kin ka na lang," sigaw pa ni Josh kaya inirapan ko siya. 

He even told me last time that I'm ugly.

"Gago! Si Fiona ang ayain mo tutal siya naman ang pinakamaganda dito sa section na'tin," I said as I sat on my chair. 

"You're right that I'm beautiful, Shara. Pero hinding-hindi ako papatol sa Josh na 'yan. Hindi nga 'yan naliligo eh." Fiona flipped her hair and rolled her eyes. 

"Akala mo naman maganda, mukha ka ngang paa," he answered back. 

I just let them quarrel and just focused on our lesson for today. Gusto ko kaseng may advance learning na ako kapag nagsimula na ang klase para may maisagot ako. I was in the middle of reviewing my notes when my stomach suddenly hurts. Napahawak ako dito at napakagat sa pang-ibabang labi ko nang sumasakit ito lalo kapag gumagalaw ako. 

"Uy, Shara. Okay ka lang?" tanong sa'kin ni Pres at kinalabit ako mula sa likod. 

I gave him a convenient smile and just nodded in response. Nang dumating ang teacher namin ay nagsitayuan agad kami para bumati pero napadaing lang ako nang maramdamang parang may nababasa sa bandang baba ko. It should be... No! It can't be! Hindi pa naman ngayon ang due ko, eh! 

"Okay ka lang? May dalaw ka ba? Seems like you're not comfortable," bulong ni Mau nang mapansin niya na hindi ako mapakali. 

I shook my head dahil isang galaw ko lang, sasakit talaga ng sobra."I don't know, Mau. It was supposedly tomorrow and not today. I haven't brought an extra pads for myself."

"Hala! Pa'no na 'yan? Wait, ie-excuse muna kita kay maam," sabi niya pa. 

"Get one whole sheet of paper for an essay. You have to write 1500 words about our topic for today."

I closed my eyes because of so much pain. Hindi ko na talaga kayang magtiis pa. Lintik na! We also have to write an essay and I couldn't even move myself. I'm doomed. 

"Magpapaalam lang ako kay maam, Mau. I'll be back, mabilis lang 'to."

When I finally walked outside, I sat on the bench of the hallway because I couldn't walk anymore. Sobrang sakit na talaga, as in. Kung bakit pa kase ngayon pa ako dinalaw eh. It's not just I don't have pads, my shorts might be full of blood right now. Okay lang sana kase stripe red and uniform namin kaso mahahalata pa rin na basa. It feels so uneasy to stand up and walk. Nawawalan na rin ako ng gana dahil sa sakit ng puson ko. 

"Sinasamba mo ba 'yang sahig?! You look so weird and at the same time stupid."

Agad naman akong nag-angat ng tingin nang may marinig akong nagsalita. It him again, argh. Wala pa naman ako sa mood makipagbangayan. 

"Roses are red, violets are blue. I mind my own business so why don't you too?!" bored kong sagot at napangiwi ulit nang maramdamang parang may isang milyong karayom na tumusok sa puson ko. 

"What?! Saan mo naman napulot 'yan? And why are you squeezing your stomach, does it hurt?" sunod-sunod niyang tanong. 

Hindi ako makapagsalita hindi lang sa nahihiya ako kundi dahil masakit talaga. This is the reason why I hate my red days, I'm going to die because of pain. Minsan nga masaya ako kapag nadatnan na walang pasok sa una kong dalaw kase makakapagpahinga ako sa bahay kase malas kapag sa school. I couldn't focus on our lesson for today because i know that my first day would be really worst. 

"Pucha! May dalaw ka ba?! Para kang ewan d'yan eh."

I look at him angrily and rolled my eyes on him. Ang ingay, amp. Baka may makarinig sa kanya, mapahiya pa ako. 

"Lagyan mo kaya ng zipper 'yang bibig mo, 'no?! Nakakainis ka na!" Tumayo ako kaya muntik na akong matumba. Good thing he was at my side that's why he catch me. 

"Stupid! Tatayo tayo ka tapos hindi mo naman pala kaya, tsk. Where are you going?!" 

Bakit parang siya pa ang mukhang galit dito?!  Hindi ko naman sinabi sa kanyang saluhin niya ako ah. Though, I'm thankful because he really did. Baka hindi na ako makatayo 'pag nagkataon. 

I pushed him a little because it's too awkward for us on that kind of position."I have to go and buy some sanitary pa---Ouch! Shit! Ang sakit!"

I closed my eyes and was about to sit on the floor when he suddenly grabbed my hand and carried me in a bridal style. I was so shocked that I couldn't even utter a word. Hindi rin naman siya nagsalita hanggang sa makarating kami sa girl's restroom. He put me down slowly and his eyes widened while looking on his hands. Napatingin naman ako do'n at napatakip na lang sa bibig nang makita itong puno ng dugo. Like, wth!

"What the fuck?!" mura niya habang hindi makapaniwala sa nakikita niya. 

I turned my head at my back and I saw some blood on my skirt."I'm sorry, Caseth. Sana kase hindi mo na lang ako binuhat, eh. 'Yan tuloy, sorry na. Just wash yo---Shit! Sumakit na naman ulit!"

"Tsk, just go inside and clean yourself. Nangangamoy ka na eh. I'll go and buy you pads outside." Nauna siyang pumasok sa girl's restroom at saka naghugas nang kamay. Para ngang nandidiri pa siya habang hinahawakan ang kamay niya dahil sa dugo. 

It's so embarrassing. 

"Are you sure that you'll buy me one? Baka sabihin nang tindera na bakla ka o baka may makaki---"

"Anong pangalan?!"

Napapiyok ako ng dalawang beses bago sumagot."H-Ha? Ano?"

"What's the name of the pad?! Slow mo," he rolled his eyes while putting some alcohol on his hands. 

I looked away, feeling ashamed."Ah... Sister na lang. 'Yong long para ano... ah hi---"

I haven't finished talking when he suddenly walked away. Agad naman akong napabalik sa wisyo nang mawala na siya sa paningin ko at agad na pumasok sa restroom. Gad! Sobrang lagkit ko nang tingnan at hindi na talaga ako mapalagay. I stared my self in the mirror and my eyes widened when I realized na wala pala akong pamalit.

Oh shit! Bakit hindi ko agad naisip 'yon?! What's the use if I have sanitary pads kung wala rin naman akong damit pamalit. Kaasar! Saan ko naman ilalagay ang wings no'n, sa pwet ko?! 

After I cleaned up myself, I was just waiting for him to knock outside. Ilang minuto na ang nakalipas at sa pagkakaalam ko ay kalahating oras na akong nakaupo dito sa bowl. Masakit kase talaga ang puson ko kapag tumayo ako lalo na't wala akong suot na saplot. My uniform and my undies were already wet because I washed it to remove the stains. Baka may magreklamo na nangangamoy ang dala ko. 

Argh! What took him so long?! Na-glue pa ang paa niya sa tindahan o baka naman natambakan siya nang isang sako ng napkin?! It was just only one pad so why isn't he coming yet?! 

"Hey! Open the door, I'm here."

Nanghihina akong tumayo at binuksan ng konti ang pinto. He looked at me first and down to my chest that's why I closed the door a little, kumbaga nakaawang lang. Damn him! 

"Bakit ba ang tagal tagal mo, ha?! I'm going to die because of coldness. Wala pa naman akong suot pang-ibaba," singhal ko sa kanya. 

His face turned red and gulped repeatedly."S-Sorry. I went to the mall for a while to buy you... uh your things. Here!"

Inis kong kinuha sa kanya ang paper bag at agad din naman siyang umiwas pagkatapos. I opened it and I saw a jogger and a fitted t-shirt with... Shit. He also brought me a panty for goodness sake! Kaya pala namumula siya kanina at hindi tumingin sa'kin pagkatapos kong tanggapin 'to. 

I couldn't imagine him buying it on a store. I'm sure that the saleslady laughed at him because he brought a girl's thing... and the worst is undies pa. But, I don't even know why he brought me this if I don't even told him to. Naisip niya siguro na wala akong susuotin kaya bumili na lang siya. He maybe thinks that I'm stupid again. 

"Thank you, nagkasya lang sa'kin ang binili mo. How did you know my size?!" Inayos ko ang sarili ko nang makalabas ako, mukhang komportable na.

He let out a sigh and rolled his eyes."I just told the saleslady that it's for a skinny girl that's why she gave me that. Hindi ko naman inakalang magkakasya pala sa'yo."

Napaawang ang labi ko at parang nagulat sa sinabi niya."W-What?! Bakit mo naman sinabi 'yon? You're really a jerk!" Akmang hahampasin ko siya nang makailag siya. 

"Stop it! Nagkasya naman sa'yo kaya anong pinag-iinarte mo?! You should eat healthy foods so that you won't be misconceived," mayabang na sagot niya na ikinainis ko lalo.

Nag-iinit na talaga ang dugo ko sa kanya. Fishtea!

I just throwed him death glare before leaving him there. Bahala siya. Nag-thank you na nga ako tapos iinsultuhin pa ako. Argh. I'm easy to get pissed kapag dinalaw ako ng red days ko. I also brought the paper bag that he gave me because it has many pads. Akala mo naman isang buwan ako rereglahin dahil sa dami ng napkin na binili niya. Though, I still accepted it because he made a single effort. 'Yon nga lang, galit pa ako sa kanya. Hmp! 

"Gagi! Akala ko nalunod ka na sa inidoro, shunga ka! Where did you get those clothes?!" inis na bungad sa'kin ni Mau nang makabalik ako sa room. It's already recess time and I've missed my 2 subjects. Haist. 

"Caseth bought it in the mall kaya nga natagalan ako," balewalang sagot ko at pumunta sa upuan ko para ilagay ang uniform ko kanina. 

"What?!" Tumakbo siya papunta sa'kin at gulat akong tiningnan."Are you serious? Si King of the Night ang bumili niyan?!" she added while shaking me. 

I pulled her hair that made her stop."Could you please lower down your voice?! You're so maingay. He just insisted, okay?"

"Gosh! Kahit na 'no, akala ko ba enemies kayo? Why did he do that?" kinikilig niya pang tanong kaya napailing na lang ako. 

"Aba! Bakit ako ang tinatanong mo?! Go and ask him! Who cares?!" I hissed and finally get out of our room while she kept on following me. 

Hindi na siya nagtanong pa hanggang sa nakarating kami sa canteen. Dito kami palaging dumeretso ni Mau kapag recess time at pumupunta lang kami ng cafeteria kapag lunch time na. As usual, there are just few students who will buy here. Siguro 'yong mga kapagaya ko lang na scholars o di kaya'y mga simpleng babaeng kagaya ko. 

"Isang Piattos po at saka C2," sambit ko kay manang tindera dito sa canteen. 

"Sa'kin po ay Nova, Calcheese, at Smart C." Inabot ni Mau ang bayad niya at kinuha ang pagkain niya. 

We just ate silently when the group of section A suddenly arrived. Nangunguna sa kanila 'yong mga nakaaway namin noong nakaraan at ang sama ng tingin nila sa'min. I don't know what's their purpose why did they come here but I know it wouldn't be good. Pero 'wag lang nila akong subukan ngayon dahil mainit ang dugo ko sa kahit sino. Maui didn't even talk to me that much because she knew that I'm not in the mood during my first period. 

"Look guys oh, the poor girls were here. Ang cheap ng kinakain nila, parang pagkain ng aso," sabi ng isa sa kanila. 'Yong binara ko kaya nainis kase nga napahiya ko siya. 

I rolled my eyes secretly, getting annoyed."You know what's the cheapest, Mau? 'Yong mga mukha aso d'yan sa tabi-tabi," pagpaparinig ko naman. 

Mau, who's drinking her Smart C, suddenly choke her drink. Napatakip siya sa bibig niya at napaubo, parang natatawa na ewan. We raised our head when we saw them in front of us. 'Yong babaeng nagsalita kanina ay inis na inis habang nakatingin sa'kin. Tsk. Siya naman ang nauna, ah. I just pay her back, duh! 

"Are you insulting me?!" sigaw niya sa mismong mukha ko kaya napangiwi ako dahil sa baho ng hininga niya. 

I closed my eyes for a while and stood up to face her."Before shouting at my face, be sure to brush you teeth sis. Nangangamoy kanal eh. At tungkol naman sa sinabi ko kanina, umilag ka para hindi ka matamaan ha?"

"Gagi! Parang papatayin ka na niyan, oh! Tara na!" Maui whispered to my ear. 

The girl was about to answer when the Trio suddenly arrived that made them shut up. Caseth looked at his classmates and then turned his gaze on me. I just raised my eyebrow at him at crossed my arms. What now?! Is he going to defend his section?! 

"I told you to clean the stock room right?! What are you doing here?!" he asked coldly to them. 

They bowed down their head, looking embarrassed."Sila ang nauna, Caseth. They said something bad on us that's why we answe---"

"I didn't asked for an explanation," he cut them off. 

"A-Ah... sorry." Tumakbo kaagad sila kaya nagkatinginan kami ni Mau at kinuha ang mga pagkain namin. 

"Where do you think you're going?"

After hearing his voice with authority, we immediately stopped."Papasok na, syempre. Tanga ka ba?!"

Pinilit kong 'wag kabahan sa kanya. Actually, I don't really know why I'm feeling like this.

"Mas tanga ka, panget!" Nilahad niya sa harap ko ang isang paper bag na mukhang bago pa kaya kahit nagtataka ay tinanggap ko na lang. I was about to ask him what is it when he suddenly left with his friends. 

"Ano 'yan, Shara? Is that his gift for you?" tanong naman ni Mau. 

When I finally opened it, I saw my undies that I wear earlier before I dressed another one. Nanlaki ang mata ko at agad 'yon na tiniklop para hindi niya makita. Shocks! Ayoko na!