Strapping Falsity

Zaine Sy is just an ordinary, nobody, nerdy, unappealing girl. Despite her family's fame and name, she was treated like trash in her school–FMA. Her parents think the bullies have already stopped bullying her, but that's what Zaine always says. Zaine's parents love her dearly and deeply. So does her. Zaine is their only child. Unlike other wealthy businessmen and women, her parents always have time for her. They have a very close relationship. Until her parents died without her knowing how and why. An accident came up that made everyone thinks that Zaine Sy is dead. Zaine changed her name. Her face. She learned new skills. She learned how to fight. With the help of Leviathan. An organization once ruled by her own parents. There she met new people, bad and good. She experienced new things she couldn't even imagine before. Of course, Leviathan has an enemy. Like all other organizations, this one also has an enemy. The Leaden Hellbound. As corny and lame as it sounds, the Hellbounds

Zaine I can't imagine life without them. Third year ko pa lang ito, oo. Though, I'm already 17 years old. Sabi ng mga magulang ko nahinto ako sa pag-aaral noong grade 3 ako. Dahil nabubully daw. Now, I know what to do I just don't know how to do it, without them. Days passed at hindi ko na binilang ang mga araw na iyon. Hindi ako pumasok sa eskuwelahan simula ng iburol sila. Our school principal allowed me. Sabi niya ay pumasok na lang daw ako kung kailan kaya ko na. Paano y’on? Hinding-hindi ko ito kakayanin. Ulila na ako, I have no parents, grandparents. I have no family left. A tear rolled down my cheeks while I’m looking at my parents’ coffin. Naalala kong kahapon pa ako pirming naka-upo sa inuupuan ko. Wala pa akong kain, tulog, ligo o ano pa man yang dapat gawin araw-araw. Nakatitig lang ako sa litrato ng mga magulang ko. There were massive flowers beside their coffin. It almost look like a garden, but unlike butterflies, we have coffins with my parents breathless inside

Zaine “The fire is too big, we can’t do this.” “We can if you’ll just shut up.” “Shit!” “Help me, get to her other side.” “What?” “Grab her feet you dumb fucker!” “Watch your mouths! Please!” “Why? Are they too entertaining for me to watch them?” “Hala, sige. Ang susunod na mag-E-english makakatikim ng sapak.” “I wonder what that tastes like.” “Pure pain, if you’ll ask me.” “Gladly, no one is asking you.” “Right words, sister.” I don’t know how I remembered that conversation. Basta naalala ko lang. I also remembered our house burning and I can't do anything about it because I can't move. I’m so weak. But also, deep down, I know and I hope it's my end. “Wakey-wakey, sleepyhead.” Nang dahil sa gulat ay naibukas ko ang mga ko. Agad akong napadaing dahil sa liwanag na bumungad sa akin. Lalong sumakit ang ulo ko dahil doon. Dahan-dahan akong umupo sa kinahihigaan ko. I can't open my eyes, everything just seems so bright and it’s too much. Nang masanay na ang mg

Zaine I can’t believe 2 days have already passed. It doesn’t feel like two days, it feels like a week. So much happened in those two days. Skyler kept on shoving things and infos inside my head. It’s kind of my fault though. I told him to tell me everything I need to know. First, and I think the most important thing of all, The Leaden Hellbound. They are just the Leviathan’s combatants. Their enemy, rival, nemesis, or whatever you call them. “Boo, Zaine, you’re occupied again.” Skyler uttered. Skyler and I became close. There’s no denying that. Hindi naman siya mahirap ka-bonding. He’s an optimistic person. “I still have a lot to think through, Skyler. So do me a favor,” pilyo akong ngumisi. Nagtaas lang ng kilay si Skyler, nag-aabang kung ano ang pabor ko. “Get me new clothes, this gown is itching me to the core.” He rolled his eyes at me in frustration. “I can’t, you’re still a patient here.” “And I’m fine now! Konti na lang at gagaling na talaga ‘tong paa ko. I don’t

Zaine Three months later…“3 minutes. Not your best.” Bungad ni Skyler nang huminto ako sa harap nito galing sa pagtakbo. “I’ll do it again.” Hinihingal kong sinabi. Hinabol ko ang hininga ko at pinuwesto ang sarili sa pagtakbo ng hindi hinihintay ang sasabihin ni Skyler. “Hindi na, magpahinga ka na lang sa loob. Prepare yourself tomorrow.” Matapos niyang sabihin iyon ay sumilay na naman ang ngisi sa mukha nito. Simula na ng pasukan bukas sa FMA. Kailangan kong bumalik duon para simulan ang misyon ko. Sa loob ng tatlong buwan ay wala akong ginawa kundi magsanay. I spent the first month trying to familiarize myself with my new "schedule". Sinikap kong makisabay sa mga iba pang nagt-training na hamak na mas magaling sakin. On the second month, kung saan sanay na ang katawan ko sa literal na pagbubuhat ng mga bagay, duon ko napansin ang pagbabago sa akin. I felt more distant towards people around me. May pagbabago rin sa pisikal na anyo ko. Napansin ko ang paglaki ng balikat at