Uncontrollable Ability: The Academy

VEXYIANA’S POV

‘Papa! Let’s play, papa!’

 I was clinging onto my father’s arm, begging him to play with me. 

It was all fun. Not until a group of men sneaked into our house. Pushed me away from papa and began to punch him in the face, dragging his weakened body outside. 

My father was struggling, trying to use his ability, but it was nothing, nakuha pa rin siya. And I was completely useless. I do have an ability, pero hindi ko pa rin ito magamit. 

I was screaming, crying out loud for people to help us, help my papa. 

But I was left there only crying at the cold floor on that gloomy rainy night.

It was my 7^th birthday when my papa was taken away from us.

“NO! PAPA!” I screamed, Sh*t, nagsisimula nanaman. “M-Ma!” I yelled, a familiar pain went through my body, AGAIN. It’s hot, painful. It’s pretty common for me na ganito ang bungad sa umaga, but I can’t get used to its pain. 

My mother hurriedly went into my room, “Oh God, this again. Here, here, calm down, hmm?” She checked my face while hugging me tightly, trying to make me calm down. If only papa was here, he would’ve turned my ability off instantly.

I started panting heavily. I lifted my hand and placed it into the pillow beside me, hinayaan kong umagos ang abilidad ko papunta sa unan na hawak ko. It left the pillow covered with black veins. 

These stupid nightmares would always bother me in a good sleep. 

I was 7 that time, when my father was abducted inside our house. It was a painful memory, a trauma—It led me into having nightmares every time I’m in a deep sleep. My mother went out that time, so there was no one to help us. I tried to run toward them and use my ability, but my own power wouldn’t cooperate. 

Our house is away from the city, at kakaunti lang ang naninirahan dito, hiwa-hiwalay pa ang mga bahay, so it’s literally impossible to ask for help. If you want to be saved, do it yourself.

“Are you okay na? Have you calmed down?” Mama asked me worriedly. I hate this power. This is a curse. Sana ang ability nalang ni mama ang nakuha ko.

She hugged me again, “Haaa… You inherited your father’s complicated ability. It’s hard to study its capabilities lalo na kung paano ito gamitin. Pasensya ka na, anak, ito lang ang nagagawa ko.” 

I looked at her, smiling while still panting, “No ma, you did fine, if you didn’t make me go back into my senses, I would’ve lost control again.”

I saw tears forming into her eyes, “Y-Your father.... I miss him so much.”

“I do too. Don’t worry, once na ma-control ko na ang ability ko, I’ll look for him, kahit saan pang lupalop, hahanapin ko siya.”

---

We went downstairs to eat breakfast, medyo bangag pa ako dahil kakagising ko palang. “Papasok ka po ba sa trabaho mamaya?” 

She looked at me and swallowed the food inside her mouth, “No, I’m planning to shop for groceries, and stay at home all day.”

“Can I come with you..?” Hoping na iba ang maging sagot, but I guess it’s not gonna happen. 

“Vex.. Alam mo naman ang sitwasyon natin, sitwasyon mo. I’m sorry, ‘nak, pero we need to do this, for your safety. Ayoko lang na saktan ka o ayawan ng ibang tao dahil sa abilidad mo.” I sighed, defeated.

Ganito na lagi ang set-up namin. Everytime na aalis siya, lagi akong maiiwan dito sa bahay, uuwian niya nalang ako ng gusto ko para hindi ma-bored. 

Actually, sa sobrang pagtatago sa ‘kin ni mama, hindi ko na alam ang itsura sa labas, tanging dungaw nalang sa bintana ang pwede kong magawa para lang makita ito. Nakakasawa, Oo. Pero wala akong magagawa, lalo na’t natatakot din akong mapahamak si mama. I don't want to see her in pain.

---

After we ate, nagpaalam na si mama na aalis para mag-grocery. Nagligpit muna ako saglit dito sa bahay bago umupo sa isang silya malapit sa TV. 

Maliit lang ang bahay namin, walang second floor at paupahan ito. Iisa lang ang kwarto, may kusina, sala at banyo, maliit pero kuntento na rin ako dito, dahil kahit papaano may masisilungan kami sa tuwing uulan.

Sa tuwing uulan…

Naalala ko nanaman si papa.

“Ah- makanood na nga lang ng TV.” Saad ko sa sarili ko saka dinampot ang remote at binuksan ang TV.

“Reporting, Live, Genevive Leros. Nandito ako ngayon sa tanyag na akademya na tinatawag na Quire Academy kung saan nagmula ang ating mga famous heroes. Magkakaroon lamang tayo ng maikling interview kasama ang isang professor.” She looked at the guy beside her. “So, Sir Tim, to start this off. May I ask what’s your ability?”

“Hi, good morning. It is obvious that my ability does not concern the school nor your interview. Just go straight to the point.” Ramdam ko ang pagka-bagot sa tono ng professor. Kita ko rin ang pagka-hiya ng reporter.

The reporter coughed, “Ah- yes. So, Is it true na the academy will accept students without tuition fees?” 

The teacher smirked, “Yes. However, hindi sila makakapasok kung hindi nila maipapasa ang entrance exam.”

“And this entrance exam is?” 

“It is confidential, and cannot be told to public hangga’t hindi pa start ng school year. That’s all. Wrap this up.” Then he left the reporter hanging. Oh, what’s with that professor’s attitude? Cocky.

After the interview, nakita kong naglibot ang reporter kasama ang ibang crew.

“Huh-?” I was shocked when I saw the prestigious school. 

It was full of students, wearing the Academy’s Uniform, halata ang kamahalan nito. Maganda rin ang pagkaka-disenyo. 

Kita ko ang kakaibang anyo ng mga estudyante. ‘Yung iba’y may kaliskis na parang isda, mayroong estudyanteng iba ang kulay, 'yung iba'y may ibang parte sa katawan, pero mukhang hindi sila binu-bully. The school must’ve maintained a friendly environment.

Kung pumasok rin kaya ako sa Academy na ‘yan, tatanggapin rin ba ako ng ibang tao?

 Hindi kaya ako aayawan tulad ng sinabi ni mama? 

Would I also be one of the acknowledged heroes?

It’s not impossible, right? Since the academy’s purpose is to teach the students the proper way to use their ability, baka ako rin matulungan nila. Tapos may opportunity pa na walang tuition fee basta ipasa ang entrance exam. 

Maybe I can try to persuade mama na payagan ko. It’ll be a great help for me.  

--

Mama came home, she bought me a book to read. 

I never went into a school, kaya I think it’s kind of difficult to join sa Quire Academy, lalo na hindi ako marunong maki-socialize sa ibang tao. But I don’t think it’s impossible.

“Ma, did you study sa Quire Academy noong bata ka pa?” I asked her. She’s currently arranging the shelves with the groceries she bought. I walked towards her direction and helped her arrange the goods.

She turned to me, “No, para lang ‘yon sa mga taong may privilege. I was born as a commo- Nevermind.” She paused, “Why? Saan mo narining ‘yang academy?”

“Sa TV po, And I was wondering—“ She cut me off. “Nope, we can’t risk. Tsaka wala rin akong pambayad sa tuition diyan.”

“Pero free sila ngayon ma! I can try! Maybe people can finally accept me! And mamaya kaunti matuto na akong i-control ang ability ko!” I argued, hoping for her to say yes. 

She gave me a sharp gaze, “Hindi nga sabi! Bakit mo ba ginigiit ‘yan!? Hindi ba sabi kong hindi!? ‘Di ka na ba maka-intindi Vexyiana? Tignan mo nga ang nangyari sa ama mo! Hindi ka ba nadadala!? At isa pa, kakaiba ‘yang ability mo! Sa tingin mo ba alam ng school na ‘yan kung ano gagawin kapag na-trigger nanaman ‘yan!?”

I maintained my straight face, “Ma, are you worried about me..? Or do you just not accept me? My ability..?” 

“Iniingatan lang ki-“

“THEN WHY? Look Ma! The Academy, it’s a chance! I can prove myself, I-I can earn myself! I’ll be happy! Pero… Pero bakit parang ayaw mo naman ako maging masaya ma? I obeyed you for 19 years! 19! I was in the dark for 19 f*cking years! GOD! MA! Let me take a breath outside!” I yelled and ran to my room. 

I feel eccentric and nauseous. This is the first time I yelled kay mama. Sh*t, I shouldn’t have done that. I’m screwed, I am so stupid! Damn it!

But why..?

Bakit hindi man lang ako makaiyak? It is painful, but why can’t these tears fall down? The last time I cried was when papa was taken away. 

Am I feeling numb?