THE LIGHT ON DARKNESS

UNA

I was roaming around like a queen in my first day of school. Graduating na ako ng high school at gusto kong maging mas kakatakutan ng lahat. This is way to have a peaceful school life and no one dare to bully me.

They call me the Cruel Witch dahil sa mga nagagawa kong kaharasan sa mga kapwa ko studyante. I enrolled Taekwondo and martial arts to defend myself, pero hinaikayat din ako ng sponsor ko. Thats the main reason for what I become today. Bullying is the main factor here in school and being the transfer student and a schollar of the owner of the school, I eat the bullying once. A bullying that leads to heartache and suicidal where I barely survive before and try to surrender.

" Messie", I automatically saw my bestfriend Nekkie together with the class President , Enchou. Ang bading na isa sa dahilan kong bakit ako kinakatakutan ngayon. I defended him with my fist kaya mas lalo akong naging reyna bigla. Everyone is afraid of me, sumubok ang halos lahat na maging kaibigan ko pero natakot rin sila.

Only them has courage to know me very well without being judge, maybe because they know me ever since in elementary, when I started to go and learn in this school. Because for my entire life here in this school, Kasama na sila at pinoprotektahan ko yun.

" Late ka nanaman!" nakasimangot niyang sabi sa akin.

I just give her the poker face and Continue walking like a queen. Ignoring her is the best way than talking back. She will keep on whining until I got pisses. Its tiring you know, reasoning for a person that full of reasons.

" Hayaan mo na, Nagpapatrol nanaman ang bgry.Tanod dito sa school natin. Alam mo naman, marami paring against sa kanya Or shall I say, Inggit na inggit. ", nakangising sabi ni Enchou. I glared at him for talking nonesense. , ngumiwi lang siya at tumabi sa akin.

" Huwag mo nga akong tingnan ng ganyang paninitig mo sa akin. Alam mo namang madidilim ang mata mo kaya nakakatakot kang tingnan."

" Oo nga. Hindi rin ako masanay sanay sa titig mo Messie kahit matagal na tayong magkabeshie.", si Nekkie na hawak hawak ang stuff toy niya.

I have this dark stares na mas lalong nakakaintimidate sa lahat. Matataas na pilik mata at itim na itim na Eyelids kaya sa isang tingin ko palang, nawawala ang tapang nang mga studyanteng susubok na kalabanin ako.

" Tsk. Lets go!", tanging sabi ko nalang at agad na pumasok sa magiging room namin. Walking like a queen is quiet enjoyable especially, they are eyeing at me with a scared face as if I will do something for them. Its not my thing, I will punish only who are deserve to be punish..

May bumubulong pa na sana hindi nila ako naging kaklasi.

May iba pa na ginagawa nilang alipin ang sarili nila just to be safe from me. As if I will do something to them without any reason.

" Mahal na reyna", nakangiwing sabi sa akin ni Enchou habang nagbabow pa sa harap ko.

Pinapaalis ang mga lalaking nagmistulang alipin ko kahit hindi ko naman sila inaalipin.

Ngumisi lang ako at agad na sumimangot pagkaupo.

Sa gilid ko si Nekkie na busy sa mga notebook niya habang si Enchou naman ay nag hahanda na sa Attendance namin.

Pumasok ang aming Home room Teacher which is si Mr. Naru na may malapad na ngiti.

" How are you class?", nakangiti niya paring sabi sa amin.

Everyone is responding except for me of course.

" Sorry, I am late!", bumukas ang pintuan at doon iniluwa ang isang lalaki.

Halos lahat ng mga kababaihan ay nangisay sa kagwapohan ng dumating. Singkit ang mata, maputi, manipis na labi at clean cut na buhok. His vibes and awra is very lihgtful na magaan sa pakiramdam. In short, It is opposite for me. Medyo patpatin pero ang saya ng awra niya.

His eyes is roaming around until it reaches to me. I just give him the bored look until he say something to our teacher.

I heard some excitement from our classmate that even Enchou is one of them. Some men are growling like they dont like the vibes of the new student.

" Now, You can sit beside Ms. Yvotte. ", I heard the teacher say.

Enchou is moving to other seat and there, the boy seat beside me.

Hindi na ako nagreklamo pa. Enchou said its fine with him but I am not.

" Hi!", he said with a smile. A wide smile that it reaches to his eyes. Its glowing.

I ignore him. Its annoyed me to interact with him. Hindi naman siya nangulit at hinayaan ako. Hindi ko rin naramdamang may takot siya sa akin.

Kaya nakakapagtaka. Maybe because he is new, thats why.

I glance at him once more, to verify something, pero nabigla ako ng nakatitig rin siya sa akin.

"You have this dark stares yet beautiful eyes . I like it.", nakangiti niyang sabi sa akin. His eyes twinkled like a star. Kumikinang at very expressive.

I snap myself for the thought of Liking his eyes.

I just response with a death glare for him na ikinagulat niya. I dont like on how easy for him to talk to me. I dont like his vibes. In short, I dont like him.

I saw on my side eyes how Nekkie and Enchou react to what this boy talking about me. Yeah Yeah right, even me , I cant believe there is someone who will praise my eyes in an instant.

After the introduction for every student , Syempre I am one of them.

" I am Messie. ", tanging sabi ko at agad na umupo.

" Ang ikli te", si Enchou na bumubulong sa amin ni Nekkie.

The teacher begin to tell us something. About partner for this year activity. He begin to select for everyone until us,

"Ms. Messie Jane Yvotee and Mr. Hind Jandelle Dela Cerna .....",

I was going to protest, I dont like the idea for being his partner but then,

" Lets get along very well, Ms. Messie. ", a wide smile that plastered on his face make me stop. I even blushed thingking that aside from my current friends, there someone who wants to be with me.

Tumango lang ako at hindi na siya pinansin pa.

I heard Nekkie is with Ken who are number 1 bully in this school, except syempre to us. But to others who are small fry?. Madali lang sa kanilang magpahirap sa mga studyante.

" Ms. Messie,...."

"Hey!",

" Pansinin mo naman ako.!",

I looked at him with furrowed eyes. How dare him to talk to me like we are friends?

" Get lost", tanging sabi ko at agad na natulog sa desk ko.

Mr. Naru is discussing something that I dont like to listen. Magtatanong nalang ako ky Nekkie mamaya.

Pero nagulat ako ng hinawi niya ang kamay kong nakatalukbo sa upuan at agad na ibinigay sa akin ang isang papel at ballpen.

Ngumiti ito ng matamis. " Help me to take note all the details about our activity on friday. Partner tayo, di ba?", Now his eyes is telling me that he is frustrated to me.I smirk at him. First day of school , Activity agad?

" Listen to him, and do what you want to do. I can manage myself on friday.",

Mas lalo siyang nairita sa sinabi ko. I even saw how his eyebrows curl as if I am the jerk.

Natapos ang una at pangalawang subject hanggang sa mag recess na.

Enchou is already in the front of the door waiting for us ni Nekkie..

Nang mapansin na hindi tumatayo ang pangit sa gilid ko ay nagtaka ako.

He even look up to me , wondering why I am staring at him.

"Recess time", simple kong sabi sa kanya. Baka hindi niya narinig ang bell dahil sa mga ginagawa niya.

" Yeah, I heard it pero may baon akong snack.", He said with a smile.

Kinuha niya ang bag niya at nandoon ang isang pack ng fudgee bar at isang orange juice.

" May tindahan kasi kami kaya nakapagbaon ako. Go ahead, I'll be fine being alone.", sabi pa niya.

Sa hindi na maipaliwanag na dahilan ay nakaramdam ako ng kaunting simpatya sa kanya .

Nang makarating kami sa Canteen, panay parin ang pangmamarites ng dalawa tungkol sa pangit na yun.

Maybe he is poor nor Dont like the food in canteen thats why.

It doesnt matter, I dont have a dumb for him.

Nag order ako ng Croissant with Shake for me. Ganoon din sina Nekkie at Enchou.

Sa kalagitnaan din ng pagkain namin, Natanaw ko nanaman ang pangit dala dala ang malaking box na hindi ko alam ang laman.

I saw how he hurriedly run going to the faculty Office where some of gons are waiting for fry to bully with.

I know them, they are bunch of idiot who loves to fight with the weak.

Tama nga ako, the box full of papers are ruinely scattered in the floor.

Even Nekkie was able to see it.

"Anong nangyari?", sabi pa niya in concern look.

I want to ignore it and finish my food. But apart of me want to stand and defend that ugly from the idiot.

" Messie, Grupo yun ni Ken di ba?", si Nekkie na halatang nababahala nanaman.

I know since sila ang partner sa Subject ni Mr. Naru.

Even before, elementary pa kami, hari na talaga si Ken sa mga basagulero. Nagiging iba lang kapag si Nekkie na ang kaharap, not because he is afraid of me, but because he is inlove worh her.

" Dont be scared. I am here!", tanging sabi ko at agad na tinapos ang pagkain.

"Graveh talaga ang grupo ni Ken, nakaka imberna.", si Enchou na halatang nag aalala rin.

Bawat salitang naririnig ko sa paligid , naiirita na ako.

I saw how they react when they saw me walking where the ugly and idiot are.

Some are cheering at me. Some are quiet relieve that the commotion will stop.

" Hoy!" sigaw ko. I saw the ugly lying in the scattered books while having a wet uniform. Binuhusan pa nila ng tubig. Pati ang mga ibang nagkalat na papel ay nabasa na.

" I want all the papers in the floor to be dry and put in the box immediately. ", seryoso kong sabi sa kanila.

May pagbabanta.

I saw how they are hesitant. They know me very well. They will be staying in the nurse station if hindi nila ako susundin. They will face my fist and dream for a star.

" Queen, Masyadong mayabang, inutusan pa kaming tumabi. ", sabi pa nong may hawak na bottle water.

" Mabigat ang dala kong box, nakaharang kayo. Papaano ako makakapasok sa Faculty room. Nagmamadali pa ako dahil patapos na ang break. Ayaw kong.malate sa next subject. ", pagpapaliwanag pa ng pangit sa tabi ko.

I saw his glaring eyes to them. I saw how he is angry for making this situation worst.

" Aba't, sumasagot ka pa.... ",

" Enough. ! Gawin niyo ang sinabi ko pagkatapos dalhin niyo sa faculty. Nagkakaintindihan ba tayo?", .sigaw ko sa kanila.

Hindi sila sumagot. Nag aalangan at naisip pa ang pride nila.

" Hindi niyo susundin?" galit kong sabi . Akma na akong lalapit ng dali dali silang kumalapag sa kanilang tinatayuan at doon isa isang pinulot ang mga nagkalat na papel.

" Alam niyo namang Ayaw na ayaw ko ang mga ganitong eksina sa paaralan. Baka gusto niyong sa labas ng gate na yun, Sasalubong ng kamao ko ang mga mukha niyo ", seryoso kong sabi .May pagbabanta kaya bigla silang natakot. Nagtingingan pa at agad na nagsipag OO.

I even saw how the ugly creature amazed for what I have done. His expression says it all.

He stand and face me. But before he utter a single world, tinalikuran ko na siya.

Nekkie was happily welcome me. " Ang galing galing mo talaga Messie!,", nakangiti niyang sabi.

Pinuri rin ako ni Enchou and goes to other student.

Hindi ko na yun pinansin. Sanay na ako at alam kong tama ang mga ginagawa ko.Ayaw kong may nakikitang may inaapi. I hate it.

" Nekkie", si Ken na may dalang Libro. Nanliit pang nakatitig sa akin kaya tinuro ko ang mga ugok na kasamahan niya. Tiningnan niya ang mga ito pero hindi na pinansin. He face Nekkie fully at seryoso niya itong kinausap.

" Lets do our activity for friday. ",

" May klasi pa Ken , Remember?", si Nekkie na kalmado lang na nakatingin sa kanya. Alam niyang safe siya dahil andito ako.

"Then, might as well ,sit beside me from now on ", sabi pa niya.

Kumunot ang noo ni Nekkie. I even saw how Enchou exagerate his reaction.

Tahimik lang ako sa gilid. Nakikinig at naghihintay na matapos sila.

Ken is short tempered. Alam ko yun kaya hindi niya sinasadyang masaktan ang nakapaligid sa kanya. Pero , iba kay Nekkie , he is calm and patience for her. Pero sa mga taong nakapaligid sa kanya, lalong lalo na sa mga taong nakakasalamuha ni Nekkie, Hindi niya macontrol ang sarili. Nasasaktan niya ito at nabububog. Naging dahilan na tinagurian siyang Basagolero.

Kaya kahit ayaw niya, naging leader siya ng mga studyanting bully dito sa school.

" Katabi ko si Messie.Send mo nalang sa email ni Mommy ang nagawa mo. ", si Nekkie na akma ng maglalakad since natapos na ang break time. Kaya agad kaming sumunod.

Kita ko ang pagkalumo sa expression ni Ken. Hindi ko rin masisi si Nekkie since Bad record ang dala ni Ken ng makilala namin siya nong nag grade 3 kami.

" Wahhhhhhhh... Messie.. Nakakatakot talaga siya. Huhuhu", hawak hawak ang braso ko. Naiiyak niyang sabi sa amin.

I chuckled. This is her. It is always like this kaya hindi ko magawang iwanan sila dahil nakadepende ito palagi sa akin.

" Ang strong mo don girl Hah!,", si Enchou na kinukulit na si Nekkie.

"Ms. Messie... ", sigaw ng kung sino. I close my eyes and there. I saw the running ugly creature with his wide smile and sparkling eyes , Running where I was.

......next.....