When Blue Descends

CHAPTER 11

I was then cut off when I was suddenly pushed by him making us fall in the frigid flooring and him land above me. Shocked, I was frozen and wasn't able to utter any single word as the door was suddenly closed by someone trapping us in the control room once again.

"Sh*t," I cussed between my breath.

“Bakit mo ‘ko t-tinulak?” I asked as I can feel his face closer to mine adding his weight over me.

“Someone pushed me,” he answered shortly.

Jaxen hurriedly stand and offered his hand to help me stand as we quickly faced the door.

"Nakita mo ba kung sino?" He asked as he tried pulling the knob.

Once again, the door was jammed but this time, I was not alone...

"No. Hindi ko gaanong nakita dahil nakaibabaw ka sa akin," sagot ko saka napahilamos ng mukha.

"F*ck, do you know how these works?" He asks pointing at the computers.

"I know how to use a computer but I don't know if these are different from ordinary ones," I answered perplexed as I walk closer to the computer monitors and tried looking for buttons on its monitors.

Luckily, there’s a button at the back of the monitor. I pressed the button without hesitation which was then followed by the monitor flashing a light meaning it was opened.

“Great,” Jax whispered as he walks closer to the monitor and look for the camera footages in front of the bulletin board.

Nagkatinginan naman kami saka napangiti sa isa’t isa nang makita na namin iyong footage. Agad naman niya nang ni-play iyong iyong footage.

“Olivia?” I uttered seeing the girl who has a bob cut, small stature, and pale complexion.

“Kilala mo?” tanong ni Jaxen.

Tumango naman ako saka kinuhanan ng video iyong monitor habang nag-play iyong CCTV footage. Hindi ko naman mapigilang mapangunot ang noo sa nakita dahil hindi ko ni-expect na si Olivia pa ang gagawa nito.

“I’ll go take care of the door, ikaw riyan,” saad ni Jaxen na tinanguan ko lang.

Agad ko na inayos iyong computer saka sinara nang matapos kong kuhanan ng video iyong CCTV footage. Nilingon ko naman si Jaxen na busy sa pagkalikot niya sa doorknob.

“Saan mo natutuhan iyang pagkalikot mo sa doorknob? Kahit noong nakaraan nabuksan mo iyang pinto kahit kinalikot mo lang eh,” tanong ko sa kaniya.

Napatawa naman siya nang marahan at patuloy parin sa ginagawa niyang pagkalikot.

“I used to sneak out of our house before,” he said laughing.

“Oh, really? Pasaway kang bata ka,” kumento ko.

Napatawa rin naman siya saka tumayo na mula sa pagkakaluhod niya at ipinihit iyong doorknob. Agad naman kaming sinalubong ng liwanag dahilan para mapapikit ako dahil sa pagkakasilaw. Naramdaman ko naman iyong mabilis na paghawak ni Jaxen sa kamay ko saka hinila ako palabas ng central control room at napatakbo kami pataas ng building.

Napalingon naman ako sa control room at nakita kong may lalaking naka-uniform na guard ang nakatayo sa gilid ng pinto at nakapamewang lang na nakatanaw sa amin at mukhang gulat na gulat kaya siguro ako biglang hinila ni Jaxen patakbo.

Napatigil naman kami sa pagtakbo nang makarating kami sa harap ng room namin. Tinanggal ko naman iyong coat ko sa init saka pumasok na ng room para ilagay ang bag ko. Ganoon din naman ang ginawa niya saka naupo sa tabi ko. Inilibot ko naman ang paningin ko sa room namin at wala pang ibang estudyante kaya naman napasandal na ako sa upuan ko.

“Ano na gagawin mo?” tanong niya sa akin saka isinuklay iyong buhok niya gamit iyong mga daliri niya.

“I’ll talk to her later,” I answered and shut my eyes closed.

I then felt his presence behind me. I then opened my eyes slowly trying not to get dazzled by the fluorescent lamps in our rooms.

My eyes then met good-looking yet ferociously brown eyes staring straight at my deep-dark brown eyes. A surprised look registered on his face later then revoking it as he rests his chin on his arm still looking at me. My heart then beats faster making me confused about its reason. It is either from running or from him.

“May tanong ako,” he said smiling still staring at me with his chin resting on his palms.

“What?” I asked as I faced him still resting my head against my chair.

He then moves some strands of my hair that slowly falls in my face when I faced him causing me to flinch a little. He then moves his face closer but then I tried to stop him as I moved my palms to his face and slightly push him away from me.

He then smiles and nods his head. I felt my cheeks getting warmer causing me to sit properly and tried to avoid his gaze pero napalakas lang iyong pagtawa niya dahilan para mapatingin ako sa kaniya.

“Your tactics… are just priceless,” he said still laughing.

I bit my lips as I shook my head trying not to laugh. F*ck it.

“You’re here, Khatalina…”

I let my eyes shut on their own as a cool breeze of wind meets my face gently dancing with strands of my hair here at the rooftop. It is calm.

I heard his footsteps coming in my direction making me open my eyes and look at him. He then smiled at me with all nervousness written all over his face. I smiled back at him and leans on the railing of the rooftop waiting for him to say what I already expect him to tell.

I kind of practiced what my response would be if he will tell me what I think he'll say. It is not the first time that I'll be doing this but every time this happens, it makes me anxious.

"I did. What is it that you want to say?" I asked.

He then avoided my stare as he places his palm on his nape gently scratching it with his lips almost smiling.

I don't know what it feels like to fall in love as I feel like I was never loved by someone who was supposed to love me. I grew up just focusing on myself and my skills in photography barely having time to socialize and experience what people my age experiences right now.

"Uhm, ano kasi..." He started.

I then stand straight and walk a little closer to him. He then but his lower lip at the same time as his cheeks blooming rubescent.

"Ever since I saw you..." He continued with his eyes still roaming everywhere.

Ociania, my best friend, likes Luke, the guy who's currently in front of me with panicked eyes and blushing cheeks mumbling his heart out with the intention of asking me to be his girlfriend. Too bad he is not my type. And worse, a friend is much appreciated by me than guys.

"Y-you know what, lemme just go straight to the point. I like you. A lot. I like you, Khatalina," he said as he walks closer to me and bring his palms on my arms.

I then nod my head in an understanding manner listening to him.

"So, I-- can you be my girlfriend?" He asked looking directly at my eyes.

It was then followed by a sound of a slammed door making us dart our gazes at the door of the rooftop. I think it was Ociania.

"Sino iyon?" Luke asked.

I just shrug my shoulder and told him to continue his speech.

"So yeah, can you be my girlfriend?" He asked the second time.

"Luke, I appreciate you being an admirer but I am sorry, I am not looking for someone to be with at this time. You know how much time I spend on school and Ethereal, I cannot handle another one," I answered honestly.

He then smiled bitterly yet nods his head out of the assurance that he understands.

"Does your friend, Ociania, keeping you to not like me? I mean, is it one of the reasons as well?" He asked as he walks to the railings and leans on them letting the breeze flow through his hair just like how it did on me.

"No, she's not. I have my own decisions, Luke," I answered.

"Okay, I understand..." He responded.

Tumango nalang ako saka nagpaalam na sa kaniya na aalis na ako. Tumango rin naman siya at nagpaiwan nalang doon sa rooftop.

Agad naman akong naglakad sa pintuan saka lumabas ng rooftop papunta sa room namin oara hanapin si Ociania.

She's upset, no doubt.

"Nakita niyo si Ociania?" Tanong ko s amga kaklase ko nang makarating ako ng room. Napailing naman sila bilang sagot.

I then hurriedly run down the building and went straight to the mini-park of our school. It is the only place that she goes to whenever she's sad.

Hinihingal akong napahinto saka inilibot ang aking mga mata lara hanapin si Ociania ngunit wala naman akong nakita kahit anino niya kaya naman napagdesisyunan kong bumalik nalang sa room.

"Babalik naman iyon," I whispered to myself.

But then she never goes back. Well, at least that day. I contacted her but she never responds until the next day comes, she does not sit beside me anymore and doesn’t even dare to look and talk to me. I tried reaching out to her to ask her what’s wrong but she never responds. So, I write a letter for her explaining what happened between me and Luke. Still, I didn’t get any word from her so I just decided to give up.

“I won’t force myself on someone who doesn’t seem to care about me,” I whispered between my sighs.

“Don’t”

I then look at him as I heard him say that. He’s still sitting in Pauline’s chair facing me. I then look around, narito na sa room iyong ilan naming mga kaklase.

“Kanina pa ako nagsasalita rito. Lumilipad naman pala isip mo,” puna ni Jaxen saka tumayo dahilan para mapakunot ang noo ko.

“Guys!” bigla niyang sigaw para kunin iyong atensyon ng iba naming mga kaklase.

Nagsitinginan naman sila kay Jaxen saka napahinto sa kani-kanilang ginagawa. Tumingin naman sa akin si Jaxen nang nakangiti kaya naman lalo pang napakunot ang noo ko.

“Ano na naman iyon, Jaxen?” tanong ni Hannah na kararating lang ng room bitbit iyong bag niya saka hinagis iyong bag nya sa upuan niya at naupo.

“You guys know how much of a good photographer Khatalina is, right?” panimula niya dahilan para suklian ko siya ng hindi makapaniwalang tingin. Tumingin naman siya sa mga kaklase namin saka ngumiti nang pagkatamis-tamis.

“And I know that you guys know how much of a good-looking man I am, right?” he added.

“Psh,” I uttered with his sudden words.

Napatawa naman sila Hannah na para bang nabigla rin sa kakapalan ng mukha ni Jaxen. I can't blame them though. Umagang-umaga ba naman ay kayabangan sa itsura ang bubungad.

"See? That reaction? She thinks she's better than everyone!" He said in hysterical na ikinailing-iling nalang ng mga kaklase namin.

"What do you want, Jax?" Tanong ko sa kaniya.

"I am challenging you," sagit niya saka humalukipkip pa at naupo sa armchair desk ko.

Sinundot ko naman iyong tagiliran niya pero tinignan niya lang ako ng nagtataka dahilan para mapatawa ako nang mahina. Balak ko kasi sana siyang kilitiin para umalis siya sa upuan ko pero inayos niya lang lalo iyong pagkakaupo niya sa lamesa ko.

“Challenging me in what?” tanong ko sa kaniya.

“Aga-aga nag-aaway na naman kayo?”

Napabaling naman kami sa mga kaklase naming kararating kasama si Tristan at Andrew.

“No, I am challenging Khatalina sa isang contest,” sagot naman ni Jaxen kay Tristan.

“What contest?” sabat naman ni Pauline na inilagay ang bag at naupo sa upuan ni Jaxen.

“Photography contest,” sagot niya making us all laugh dumbfoundedly making them mind their own business na siya namang ikinatawa ko pa nang pagkalakas-lakas para asarin siya.

He then looked at me and smirk.

“Ayaw mo?” tanong niya na sinagot ko lang ng pag-iling.

“Aren’t you curious about the prize?” tanong pa ulit niya.

“Ano?” tanong ko naman sa kaniya.

He then leans closer until our noses are touched. I then raise my right eyebrow not moving an inch away from him. He won’t tease me with this kind of action. No matter how he tries to extract emotions from me, I won’t give up and satisfy him. Still, we’re in a competition, right?

I looked straight into his beautiful brown eyes still waiting for his response. He then moves his lips closer to my ears whispering something.

“I can get tickets to the CLAW, your opponent against being the number one in your industry. Pangalawa kana rito sa Pinas, hindi ba?” he whispered making my heart flutter almost beating at my ear.

I felt my cheeks get warm together with my palms slowly heating and getting sweaty out of excitement slowly lighting me up. He then sits straight and moves his eyebrows up and down.

I remained calm as I bit my tongue trying not to ask him how he’ll get some. Getting a ticket to the CLAW is so hard. It is not that easy to access to the public. The CLAW has so much privacy power that only its partners can access the building and any other establishments they have. Even I can’t access it. That is why some companies are having a hard time taking over the CLAW’s spot in the ranking. Me on the other hand, I just admire its professionalism so I am really looking forward to make a project with the CLAW. As of now, I have no plan in taking over the number one spot as I feel like I have more things to learn.

I then bit my lips and look at him.

“What is it with you when you win?” I asked.

“You’ll join my party,” he answered which was then followed by a laugh.

I then smiled at him and stands. I reach out my hand to him saying “Deal”. He accepted my hands and shake it as a sign of our agreement.

“Since may sarili kayong mundo at hindi ninyo kami naririnig, mag-shooting na tayo!”

Sabay naman kaming napalingon ni Jax kay Fritzylle na ngayon ay nasa harap na nakatingin sa amin. Ganoon din naman iyong kumpleto na naming mga kaklase na nakatingin din sa amin at tatawa-tawa.

“HUH?” sabay naming natatangang turan ni Jax.

“May klase, hindi ba?” tanong pa ni Jax.

“Wala! May meeting mga teachers,” sagot ni Fritzylle.

Ang aga namang meeting ng mga teacher ‘yan.

“Hindi kasi kayo nakikinig eh!” epal pa ni Andrew na sinamaan ko lang ng tingin.

Naupo naman na ako at ganoon din si Jaxen.

We started discussing when should we start filming na since nakapag-practice naman na kami at nakagawa ng props for days na. My mind quickly dozes off our topic as I still feel the excitement I got from Jaxen.

I really wanna go to the CLAW.

“Why do you like the CLAW?” Jaxen whispered.

Napalingon naman ako sa kaniya saka lumapit para makipag-usap. Lumapit din naman siya sa akin saka sumandal pa sa upuan ko.

“May nakita kasi akong magazine ng the CLAW noon. Siguro mga nasa-8 years old ako noon and ever since then, I fell in love in photography,” maikling kwento ko sa kaniya.

He then nods slowly nods.

“So, gusto mo na palitan iyong the CLAW?” he asked and stared at me seriously.

I then titter.

“Not now,” I jokingly said tittering but then he never laughed making me shut up in awkwardness.

He then sighed and faced Pauline. Kinalabit niya ito saka may binulong sa kaniya. Napatango naman si Pauline saka kinuha iyong bag niya para makipagpalit na ng upuan kay Jaxen na siya namang ikinakunot ng noo ko.

Did… I say something wrong?

“Oh, bakit ganiyan mukha mo? Ano, ayaw mo na ako katabi? Hindi mo na ako na-miss?” sunod-sunod na tanong ni Pauline nang makaupo na siya sa proper seat niya at mapansin iyong pangungunot ng noo ko.

“O-of course, I miss you,” sagot ko pa nang nauutal saka napadako muli ang tingin kay Jaxen na seryoso na ngayong nakapalumbaba sa kamesa niya habang nakikinig kila Tristan na nasa harap.

I bit my lips and darted my eyes at my notebook sitting on my table.

“So…” panimula ulit ni Pauline saka ikinawit iyong braso niya sa kanang braso ko.

“What?” tanong ko sa kaniya.

“Anong pinagbubulungan niyo kanina ni Jaxen? Mukhang naging close na kayo, ah?” sunod-sunod na tanong niya saka itinaas-baba pa iyong kilay niya.

Nanghihina naman akong napatawa saka napailing-iling.

“Do you like him?” tanong ko sa kaniya na ikinabigla naman niya.

“Huh?” natatangang tanong niya.

“You keep pushing me to him, why?” tanong ko.

“W-wala, bagay kayo eh,” parang kinikilig pa na sagot niya.

“I see,” I responded.

Pinangunutan niya naman ako ng noo saka tinanong.

“Don’t you find him attractive?” tanong naman niya sa akin.

Napatingin naman ako kila Fritzylle at Tristan na busy magbangayan ngayon sa harap saka ako nangalumbaba at bored na nilingon siya.

“Nah,” I bluntly said.

“C’mon, grabe ka nga makatingin sa kaniya minsan akala mo nakakita ka ng panginoon,” pang-aasar pa niya.

“So what if he’s attractive? That wouldn’t make me fall in love with him,” sagot ko saka sumandal sa upuan ko at nag-doodle sa notebook ko.

“C’mon, tagal na nating magkaibigan. Hindi ka pa ba talaga nai-in love?” tanong niya parin sakin.

I looked at her deadpanned.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s not in my to-do list,” I said and smiled at her.

Napangiwi naman siya sa akin as if I was really hopeless and shook her head.

“To-do list? Grabe ka, pero nasubukan mo naman na kiligin siguro, ano? Like kahit sa mga drama lang sa TV?” tanong ulit niya.

“Oo naman. Anong akala mo sa akin, bato?” sagot ko sa kaniya at marahan pang napatawa.

“Oo,” walang hiyang saad niya sa akin na pareho lang namig ikinatawa nang mahina para hindi kami masaway nina Fritzylle at Tristan sa harap.

“Ewan ko sa ‘yo,” kumento ko nalang.

“There’s no way na wala kang landi sa katawan,” saad pa niya.

“Meron, inilulugar ko lang,” sagot ko na ikinalaki ng mata niya.

“P-pano? Panong inilulugar?” curious na tanong niya.

“I flirt sometimes with annoying flirt business people,” sagot ko na ikinainit ng mukha ko na lalo pang ikinalaki ng mata niya.

“Of course, people like my age,” pahabol na paglilinaw ko pa.

“Tapatin mo nga ako,” biglang seryoso niyang tanong.

“What?” tanong ko sa kaniya.

“Virgin ka pa ba?”