Davidson Academy: School of Chambers

EPISODE 19

Chapter 19- Everything Ends Here

Samantha's POV*

October 06. 1:38 am.

Today is my birthday. Hindi ako makatulog maybe because of excitement and fear. Excited kasi I'll be eating and eating and eating. Fear because everything ends here, I guess?

Everyone loves birthdays. Everyone gives you gifts, you have something to celebrate with your family and peers that makes the bond stronger. You create new memories.

I used to love birthdays. But now, birthdays are just occasions wherein people would be greeting you sincerely or not, with fake or real smiles plastered on their faces. People posting greetings and pictures of you on social media and make dramas publicly.

Each birthdays, you would realize that you are growing and becoming older. Your role in this society become more significant and heavier. You are becoming mature. I hate it.

But I thank God for keeping me alive until now. For giving me the gift of life. For giving me my parents and the people around me.

Naputol ang pag-iisip ko nang biglang tumunog ang phone ko. Tinignan ko ito and found out that Math is calling me. Agad ko namang sinagot ito.

[Did I disturb your sleep?]

"I haven't been sleeping," sagot ko.

[Sounds like you are too excited for your birthday.]

"Am I too obvious?" pilit na pinapasigla ko ang tono ng boses ko.

[Yup. Too obvious that there's something wrong with you.]

"I'm fine, inaantok lang ako, bakit ka pala napatawag?" I asked.

[Can you help me go up?]

"Huh?"

[I'm at your window dummy.]

Pagkasabi niya 'nun, agad akong nagtungo sa bintana at hinawi ang kurtina. I was surprised to see Math climbing. Agad kong binuksan ang bintana at tinulungan ko siyang umakyat.

"Fvck you Math," natatawa kong sabi at pinatay na ang tawag. He just smiled at me and again I melted.

Wait, what? I did not melt, okay? My thoughts are crazy sometimes.

"Happy birthday," he greeted and gave me a small box. It was laced with red ribbon at sobrang effort ng pagkakagawa. Tinanggap ko naman iyon.

"Ang aga mo, ah?" I asked. He smiled at me widely.

"Yup. Open the box," sabi niya.

"Now?"

"Yep," sagot niya. Sinunod ko na lang siya and opened the box with a wide smile.

My smile suddenly vanished nang makita ko kung ano ang laman ng box. Nabitawan ko ang regalo dahil nanginginig na ang mga kamay ko.

It was a head. My head.

Nang tignan ko siya, kumunot ang noo ko nang makita ko na si Keith Hinahon. He was wearing a mischievous smile habang may nakatutok na baril sa sintido ko.

"Ang dali mo palang mapaikot, Sam," sabi niya. Wala akong ibang magawa kundi pumikit at tanggapin ang kamatayan ko.

*bang*

____________

"Wake up sweetie," naimulat ko ang mga mata ko dahil may yumugyog sa akin. Agad akong napabangon at ilang beses akong napalunok.

What was that, a nightmare?

Lumapit ako sa salamin. Wala akong galos, and I'm perfectly fine. Medyo maputla nga lang ako at pinagpapawisan. Hinawakan ko ang sintido ko. Nothing happened to me. Thank God.

"Hey sweetie, are you alright?" alalang tanong ni mom sa akin. I looked at her and flashed a weak smile.

"I'm okay mom, nightmares only," I answered. She smiled at me and I hugged her.

"Wag kang mag-alala, today is your birthday. Happy birthday my daughter, matanda ka na ah, nasa legal age ka na, but still study first, okay? Pag may boyfriend ka na tell us first, no secrets allowed," sabi ni mom. I hugged her tight.

"Masyadong madrama mom, don't worry wala sa isip ko ang bf thingy," sagot ko.

"Siguraduhin mo ha," sabi niya. I chuckled.

"Oo nga mom, ang kulit eh," I answered. Mom laughed.

"Oh sige, I need to prepare for the party later, you should prepare also my dear," sabi niya. Tumingin siya sa kaliwa niya at umiling-iling.

"Kaya pala masyadong malamig sa kwarto mo kahit naka-off ang aircon," iling-iling na sabi ni mom at lumapit sa bintana. Isinara niya iyon and tied the curtain.

"N-Nakalimutan ko lang sigurong isara kagabi," I answered. Tama, I just forgot to close it. Nothing more happened.

"If you say so," sagot ni mom at lumabas na ng tuluyan sa kwarto ko.

Napaupo na lang ako sa kama. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa aking napanaginipan. But still, it was only a dream so no need to feel afraid. How can a dream feel so real?

Humiga ako sa kama and decided to surf the internet to kill the time. Kinuha ko ang phone ko na nasa table nang may masagi ang kamay ko at nahulog ito sa sahig. Bumangon ako to check what it was and I shivered and trembled in fear when I saw it.

The gift that Math gave me in my dreams.

Tinapik ko pa ang sarili ko to check if I'm still dreaming pero hindi. I couldn't move a single joint of my body and remained staring at the box. Napakapit ako sa bedsheet ko.

"M-Manang Fely!" I shouted. Seconds later pumasok si Manang sa kwarto.

"Ano ang kailangan mo, iha? Ba't parang masama ang timpla ng mukha mo? Ayos ka lang ba?" alalang tanong niya. Tinuro ko ang box.

"Manang, please throw that," I said. I tried my best to look calm but still I'm shivering in fear.

"Mukhang maganda pa naman ang kahon iha, kanino galing ito?" tanong niya. Akmang bubuksan niya sana ngunit pinigilan ko siya.

"Manang, please throw that immediately, okay? Please," I said. She smiled at me at tumalikod na. I sighed in relief.

Ngunit kumunot ang noo ko when she came back bitbit ang isang kwintas. She smiled at me.

"Pasensiya na iha ngunit di ko napigilan ang aking kuryosidad. Sayang naman kung itatapon mo lang ito, iha," sabi niya at ipinakita sa akin ang kwintas. It was large and an attractive pear-shaped diamond linked to a smaller round diamond. The overall look is completed by a simple chain made of white gold.

"Pakilagay na lang iyan sa table manang, thanks," I said. Inilagay niya naman iyon and walked out of my room.

The presence of the gift and the unclosed window is a proof that I wasn't dreaming. But seeing my head on that box? What the hell is really happening? Masyadong malaki ang box for the necklace, my head would fit there.

Kinuha ko ang phone ko and called Math. I was surprised nung sinagot niya agad.

[Oh?]

"H-Hi, d-did you perhaps come to my room last night? I mean, last midnight," I asked directly.

[I was probably sleeping that time.]

"A-Ah, okay," ibaba ko na sana ang tawag ngunit narinig kong may itinanong siya.

[Why? Something's wrong?]

"N-Nothing," I asked at ibinaba na ang tawag.

I checked the call log and I expected to see that I received Math's phone call pero wala. All I saw is an unknown number who called me.

I was thinking about Keith Hinahon. Pero how can he go here when our subdivision is highly secured? Plus, I clearly remembered Math's number on the screen. I did not remember answering a phone call from an unknown number. Plus, the head? What the freaking hell?

I kept myself busy and tried to forget everything that happened. Glad I successfully did.

_____________

"Samantha, you look very beautiful," mom said and hugged me. I hugged her back.

"Mana sa iyo eh," I answered and we both laughed. Mom was wearing a tight, black long-sleeved dress. I was surprised to see she has curves and boobies. The dress exposed her flawless back at kumunot ang noo ko nang makita kung ano ang footwear na sinuot niya.

"Slippers, seriously?" natatawang sabi ko kay mom. It really looked weird seeing her killer gown matched with Hello Kitty Slippers.

"Oh, I forgot to wear my heels," sabi ni mom and went back to her room.

Tinignan ko ang kabuuan ko in front of a mirror. I am wearing a blue dress and I swear nahihirapan akong maglakad dahil natatakot akong matapakan ito and I'm not comfortable wearing it. The dress is sleeveless and it showed my cleavage (I have boobs somehow). Inilugay ko ang buhok ko and put a light makeup on my face.

This is it. The day for me. The day for everyone. Either miserable, sad, or happy, I don't care as long as everything ends.

Pumunta ako sa backyard dahil doon magaganap ang party and nakita ko na marami na palang mga tao. Everyone's enjoying, I was happy to see the smiles on their faces, dahil mamaya I'll be witnessing different reactions from them.

"Have you received my gift?"

I shivered in fear nang marinig ko ang boses na iyon. His hands hugged me from my back at pinilit kong makawala sa yakap niyang iyon. It gave me goosebumps but I tried to remain calm as possible.

"So you gave me that necklace, huh?" I asked. I was glad when he removed his hands from my waist. My theories had been confirmed when I saw his face.

Keith Hinahon. The man in suit.

"Right, did you like it?" he asked.

"No."

"Hmm, are you scared of me?" tanong niya. I shook my head in disbelief.

"Tell me, are you the one who possibly sent me the threat?" I asked. Hindi ko alam kung saan ko nakuha ang kakayahang tanungin siya. For a long time I was wondering who could have sent that.

"Isn't it too obvious?" tanong niya. From the look on his face, he is already giving me a hint that he is saying yes.

"Then, how did you give me that necklace?" tanong ko. He laughed out loud.

"You are supposed to answer that question, detective," he said, emphasizing the last word. I smirked at him.

"I was only asking for a confirmation. But I guess you are underestimating my skills," nakangiting sabi ko.

"Who says I underestimated your skills?" he answered.

"Well then, I guess you want me to show off, huh?"

"Show me what you can show," he answered. I flashed a serious face.

"Then, that means I have to show you my card. If I show mine, would you risk your cards too?" I asked.

"So you would trust an enemy hoping he would show his cards?"

"I did not say I was hoping, Mr. Calm. My question is answerable by yes or no, you don't have to ask another question," I said.

"Okay. Show me your cards," he said. I smirked.

"Fvck you," I answered and turned my back. I was glad to see Joules on the way. Thank God I can avoid him.

"Hey Joules," I said. Tumingin siya sa akin and smiled. He looked so handsome in his gray suit and his face looks neat dahil sa pagkakaayos ng buhok niya. I was not used to his hair na naka-gel and he looks so formal tonight.

"The debutante, happy birthday to you! You belong to the zoo! Like a monkey, like a donkey, the gorilla is—"

"You," I answered. We both laughed.

"So what are your wishes, debutante?" he asked. I smiled.

"For everything to end," I answered while looking straight to his eyes.

"What do you mean by everything?"

"Miseries," I answered briefly. I smiled at him once again at pumunta sa kinaroroonan ni Natasha.

"Sama-chaaaaaan!" she shouted in glee and hugged me. I hugged her back.

"Ang tanda mo na, ah!" she said. I don't know if I should take that as an insult or a compliment. But for the sake of my night, I'll take that as a compliment.

"You look gorgeous, you made it look like this is your party," I joked habang tinitignan ang kabuuan niya. She was wearing a white dress, a tube to be exact. It exposed her flawless shoulder and her hair was braided.

"You looked gorgeouser, I mean the gorgeousest," she answered. Tumawa naman kaming dalawa.

"Everyone, please take your seats," napunta ang atensyon ng lahat kay mom na nasa stage. Umupo kami ni Natasha sa table.

"I would like to thank everyone for coming tonight, for celebrating with us. We all know that today is the debut of my beloved daughter, the most precious diamond that came to our family. Today, I can't imagine na magiging 18 na siya," mom wiped her tears and that touched the crowd. I can't help but to roll my eyes. Mom's getting dramatic again.

"Wala ng patumpik-tumpik pa, let us welcome my ever gorgeous daughter, Samantha Go!"

I closed my eyes and stood up. I am afraid to take a step, because I know if I do it, it means game over. It means, the end of me, my future, and everything.

I can hear everyone's claps, and everyone's cheering for me. I tried to smile as I opened my eyes, and prevented my tears from falling from my eyes. I tried to look happy and grateful as possible, masking my own sadness and pain.

I'm sorry mom, dad, I had to do this. I need to do this even if it means going far away from you. Even if it will cause pain and agony to you. I'm sorry, I hope you would understand. I love you.

Math, Natasha, Joules, Draico, I may not remember everything, but you will all remain in my heart. Thank you for giving me memories, thank you for being there.

Pumunta ako sa stage with a smile. Kinuha ko ang microphone and held it tightly.

"I want to thank all of you for going here," I started. Except for Keith of course, I felt threatened because of his presence. "I'm happy to see your smiles, lalo na ikaw mom, and dad, dapat ganyan ang mga ngiti niyo lagi."

"Math, stop being sarcastic and try to be nice kahit konti lang, ikaw naman Joules, masyado kang mabait, try to do bad things kahit konti, ikaw naman Natasha, wala akong masabi. Ikaw Draico, ewan ko na lang," I said. Hindi ko na napigilang ang mga luha ko.

"I just wanted to tell you guys what you wanted to hear from me," I said. Nagbulung- bulungan naman sila.

"Anong binabalak mo, anak?" tanong ni dad. I smiled.

"Nothing dad, trust me," I said at tumingin ulit sa lahat.

"Are you guys ready?" I asked and tried to be enthusiastic but I failed.

"I...."

"...am a murderer. I killed Rebecca."

After that, the crowd went wild and the police invaded the party.

(end of chapter)