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 7th 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?
After yelling at Mama, I decided to stay at my room. I felt so bad, I have only realized it after I went into my room. Ang tanga ko naman kasi, ba’t ba kasi hindi mapigilan ‘tong bungangang ‘to?Hindi ako lumabas kahit nung tanghalian. Sobrang kahihiyan ang meron ako ngayon. Bakit ba kasi hindi ko nalang intindihin si mama? Stressed na nga siya sa buhay namin, dinadagdagan ko pa. I should've just listened to her, I should've just understood our situation.Buong maghapon akong nag-basa ng libro, dahil wala naman akong cellphone, wala kasing pambili si mama at hindi ko naman kailangan ‘yon. Mas okay pa ang libro, mura na, may matututunan ka pa.“Hmm?” May nakita akong umiilaw sa loob ng isang box sa tabi ng damitan ko.Teka- Ito ‘yung box na pinaglalagyan ko ng mga gamit na galing kay papa. May kulay itim na veins ‘yung box, gina
I starved myself for weeks, haven’t took a bath, I didn’t take care of myself. But I came back to reality. I’ve decided not to grieve, but to find those motherf*ckers and bring justice to my parents.I can clearly remembered the mark, their faces, their ability, it was all vividly shown in a flashback inside my head. Including the people who also abducted my father. The person who used smoke, was the same person who took my papa away from us.And this one was the second time I watched my loved one being taken away.To be honest, I really thought my ability could’ve saved my mother, turns out I was wrong. I’m still as weak as I am before. But now, I made my decision to be strong. I’ll ask my grandparents to enroll me sa Quire Academy, I’ll be the strongest, and I’ll be the one to seek justice for my parents.I took a bath a
Sumunod na ako sa kaniya at nakita ko si lola na humihigop ng gatas, “Apo! Bakit ka sumisigaw kanina?”“Dahil sa kakayahan niya, hindi niya pa ito kontrolado.” Lolo said, “Hmm, ngayon ko lang nalaman na may isa sa ating hindi makontrol ang kapangyarihan niya. Natatangi ka, apo.”Umupo ako sa tabi ni lola, “Pasensya na ho, nagambala ko ang umaga ninyo. Common na po sa ‘kin ‘to tuwing umaga.”“Okay lang ‘yan, naiintindihan ka namin apo.”, “Umupo ka na nga Hernes! Ano pa ba ang tinatayo-tayo mo riyan?!” Napakamot naman ng ulo si Lolo at naupo na.“Nga pala Vex, bukas ang simula ng pasok mo.” “HO?!” Gulat kong sigaw kay Lolo. Saan ako papasok?! Kita kong nagulat rin sila dahil biglang napatalon si lolo na ikina-bungisngis ko. “Aba’y hindi ba nasabi sa ‘yo ng lola mo? Nako, I
Pumunta ako sa dairy section, kumuha ako ng gatas, butter, at margarine. Pagkatapos no'n ay nagpunta ako sa veggies section. At kumuha ng mga gulay, malamang.“Pechay.. Patatas, Bell pepper..”Matapos kong kumuha ng mga gulay ay tinulak ko na ang trolley papunta sa ibang section.--Nandito ako ngayon sa tapat ng mga biscuit. Pipili nalang ako ng mga nakain ko na."Hmm, Hiro, Fudgee bar, Sky Flakes, Hansel. Oka-"Napatigil ako sa pagka-usap sa sarili ko nang may tumabi sa 'kin, at kumuha ng Stick-O saka umalis. Nalalanghap ko pa din 'yung pabango.Lalaki siguro 'yon? Eh ano bang pake ko kung lalaki ‘yon?Pagkatapos ko ro'n aytinahak ko na ang daan papunta sa counter."Argh!" I grunted when someone bumped into me while running."Sorry." A monotoned voice
Bumalik ang tingin ko sa mga taong natatawa habang may hawak na pera. Dalawang bata na ang hawak nila.I can’t let him out, I don’t know how to control him, baka pati ang mga inosenteng tao masaktan ko, I can’t let that happen. Good thing nakiki-ayon ang ability ko at hindi nagp-pumiglas lumabas.“Tyler! Jusko! Tulungan ninyo ang anak ko!” Nagpa-panic na sigaw ng ginang na nasa kaliwa ko.“A-Ah! M-Ma..” The child was already gasping for air.I placed my hands mid-air and made my ability flow into it. I controlled it to be as thin and sharp as possible, aiming it at the driver’s neck.“AHH!” I passed my ability onto him. What can my ability do to a person?I DON’T KNOW!I impulsively made sharp shapes of my ability to them, controlled, and aimed for each neck.
I'm inside the prison cell.Alone.I still don't know the context as to why they arrested me."Damn this." I whispered.This is too much for me to absorb. I literally saved 2 kids tapos makukulong ako?Umupo ako at isinandal ang sarili ko sa pader while holding onto the steel bars.My eyes widened, "Hoy! Ikaw! Kasama ka do'n sa nangyari sa mall 'di ba!?"Nakita ko 'yung isang lalaki kanina na katapat lang ng kulungan ko. Bakit iisa lang siya? Nakatakas ba ‘yung iba? Or nasa ibang chamber?Siya ‘yung lalaking may speed ability.Kita ko ang paglaki ng mata nito sabay ngisi, "Aba, mukhang nadawit ka ah? Tamang-tama ang ginawa ni Troy, hahaha!""Anong ginawa ni Troy? Sino 'yon? Hoy! Sagutin mo 'ko!" Sigaw ko dito.May biglang pumito, "S
After training for a bit, I’ve decided to take a break. I don’t want to overdo myself again, mahirap na, bukas na ang entrance exam.My first week here kanila lola was pretty tiring to think of, and definitely a disastrous time.Unang linggo ko palang pero andami ko na agad napasok na gulo. Muntik pa akong makulong habang buhay, jusko.Wala si lolo ngayon kaya wala akong mentor sa pagt-train. I doubt lola would know the techniques of this ability din.Speaking of, I haven’t asked what’s her ability pa ‘no? Mystery pa ‘to sa ‘kin. I’ll ask her later about that.For the past 1 day, I’ve been trying to control my ability when attacking. It’s a technique ca
After thinking of such scenarios, I have decided to fully-prepare myself. Isinuot ko na ang converse ko, at nag-suklay ng buhok, itinaas ko muna ‘yung sleeves ng sweater para mas maayos ang pag-suklay ko. I let my wavy white hair down and took a ponytail, mamaya nalang ako magtatali kapag tuyo na ang buhok ko. I have a natural white hair, may pagka-silver siya. Hindi ko alam kanino ko namana dahil itim ang buhok ni papa, samantalang si mama naman ay kulay light brown. Ako lang talaga ang natatanging may puting buhok. Bagay naman sa ‘kin, I guess. Basta, ‘di ako mukhang matanda dahil sa buhok ko. After preparing myself, kinuha ko na ‘yung bag na ginawa para sa ‘kin ni mama. Isinukbit ko na ito sa balikat ko. Hinawakan ko ‘yung strap nang mariin, “I can do this.” -- Bumaba na ‘ko at nakitang hinihintay na ‘ko ni lolo. “Sorry po, Lo. Medyo natagalan.” Nginitian lang niya ‘ko, “Ayos lang apo. Hindi ka pa naman late. May 20 minutes pa.” “Oh, Vian. Dalhin mo ito, baka may break kay