“Does she have a death wish?”
“She doesn’t look familiar to me. Baka naman transfer student siya at hindi niya pa alam ang hierarchy dito sa CU?”
“As if naman may pakialam ang Royals kung transfer student siya or not. For them, everyone is inferior and no one should defy them.”
Nanaig ang bulungan sa loob ng classroom ngunit nanahimik din naman sila nang tumayo si Bryce na siyang unang nakapansin sa babaeng malakas ang loob na umupo sa pwesto nila.
“Hey.” Bryce plastered a dangerous smile on his face when the girl looked up to face him. “There are two reasons why you decided to seat in this row. First, you are too ignorant not to understand the system that runs in this university or second, you are brave enough to go against the norms.” Sabi niya habang ginagamit ang kanyang mga daliri sa pagbibilang.
“Pardon?” The girl’s expression showed that she had no idea about what Bryce is saying. Her innocent look made the other students feel bad for her but they couldn’t help her since it would be going against the royals.
“My dear Bryce, you are scaring her.” Natatawang lumapit si Meth sa kanila at hinawakan ang sandalan ng upuan ng babae. Despite the smile on her face, everyone around them can feel the danger from Meth. “What’s your name, lassie?” She asked while patting the girl’s head.
With an annoyed face, the girl answered, “Aisha. Aisha Mori.” Inilahad ni Aisha ang kanyang kamay nang harapin niya si Meth ngunit tinitigan lamang ito ng huli. How could she act as they are standing on equal grounds? Meth wanted to show her her place by showing off her superiority.
Aisha smiled, embarrassed of the treatment that she received from Meth, “I guess you’re not that friendly?”
“Good afternoon, class.” Everyone faced the front where the professor is standing.
With a smirk, Professor Lair said, “The Royals are in my class.”
“It’s not so nice to see you, Professor Lair,” Meth said before rolling her eyes.
“The feeling is mutual, Ms. Swarovski. Please take your seats.” Everyone was amused to see someone who can handle the Royals well. Not every teacher can talk back to the royals the way the professor did. If the royals could treat anyone however they want, Mr. Lair was also someone who could treat any student the way he wants. He had the power and influence to be able to do so.
The Professor scanned the room and his face lightened when he found what he was looking for, “Miss Mori, is this your first class to attend?”
Aisha nodded shyly as an answer. Tinawag ito ni Mr. Lair sa harap upang magpakilala at agad naman itong sumunod.
“Aisha Mori, please take care of me.” Magiliw na wika ni Aisha at bumalik na ulit sa napiling upuan sa back row. Hindi nakatakas sa mata ng propesor ang pasimpleng pag-irap ni Scar at pag-iling ni Bryce.
Halos hindi mapakali ang lahat habang nagkaklase si Professor Lair dahil alam nila na wala sa mood ang mga Royals. Laking pasasalamat na lang nila dahil natapos ang klase ng maayos at agad na rin silang umalis dahil sa takot na madamay sa inis ng mga ito.
“I’m glad that you decided to come back, Ash.” Nakangiting lumapit si Aisha sa propesor at tinulungan itong dalhin ang mga answer sheet na ginamit nila sa pre-test nito kanina lang.
“He told me to come back, Uncle.” She answered with a smile. “I just need to adjust to the new environment I’m in.” She looked towards the direction where the Royals were talking and she smiled sadly.
“You’re all grown up now. Why don’t you say hi to them before leaving?” Professor lair suggested as he looked towards the direction where Aisha is looking.
“They already greeted me a while ago. Although, I don’t really feel that I’m still welcome here.” Biro niya bago siya sumunod sa tiyuhin papunta sa Faculty Office.
“Is she another Princess from the sophomores?” Tanong ng isang Professor nang makapasok na si Aisha at Professor Lair sa Office. Prince at Princess ang tawag ng mga guro sa mga royals. Just like how students brand their teachers with nicknames, the instructors also brand their students with nicknames based on two categories: standing out in a positive or negative way.
“Maybe yes, maybe no,” pabirong wika ni professor Lair bago iginiya si Aisha na magpakilala sa mga kasamahan nito sa opisina.
“Another heir to a conglomerate family?” Miss Castro said with a smirk. “Sana naman di mo kaugali yung mga Royals. Five is already hard to handle, wag ka na sanang dumagdag pa,” biro nito sa nakangiting estudyante.
“Don’t worry, Miss Castro. My niece isn’t as bad as you think,” natatawang pagtatanggol sa kanya ni Professor Lair.
“Medyo lang, gano’n?” even the other teachers laughed at Ms. Castro’s remark.
“No. Our Aisha is a really kind girl so rest assured.” Mr. Lair defended her.
Nagbigay pa ng advice ang ibang mga instructors sa loob ng office at puro tango at pagsang-ayon na lamang ang nagawa ni Aisha bago siya tuluyang makalabas ng office. Hindi niya inaasahan na mas malala pa ang mga estudyante dito sa Pilipinas kaysa sa International School na pinanggalingan niya sa US. Hindi talaga mawawalan ng mga conceited rich kids kahit saan mang sulok siya ng mundo magpunta.
“Nagugutom na `ko, saan na ba kasi yung cafeteria dito?” Inis na napahawak sa kanyang batok si Aisha. Sinisisi niya ang sarili dahil hindi pa siya nagtanong sa kanyang Tiyuhin kung nasaan ang cafeteria gayong vacant niya na rin naman.
“Looking for something, new kid?” Nagulat siya ng makita si Bryce na nasa tabi niya na.
“I’m looking for the cafeteria,” maiksing sagot niya.
“Would you like to eat with me?” Tumango na lamang si Aisha at nagpatianod sa nakangising si Bryce.
Napansin agad ni Aisha ang tinginan ng mga estudyante nang paupuin siya ni Bryce sa tapat nito. Kahit na narinig niya na sa mga professor ang masamang reputasyon ng royals ay hindi pa rin talaga siya makapaniwala na ganito nga ang ugali ng mga ito. She never thought that the playful Bryce Ward would use his playfulness to bully others.
“You should learn the system that flows in this University, Mori,” Bryce whispered when he leaned towards her.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure that you’ll learn a lot from me.” Aisha smiled sweetly as an answer to what Bryce told her. Despite knowing that she is sitting in the seat where Bryce’s target usually sits, she still acts like she’s cool with it.
“You should eat first. Madami pa akong ituturo sa’yo.” Iniabot ni Bryce sa kanya ang sachet ng crackers. Alam ng lahat ang kahulugan ng crackers na `yon. Once they received it from Bryce, even the cafeteria crew won’t be able to give them any food for that day because they were afraid of Bryce.
“How thoughtful of you, Bryce. From now on, I’ll eat with you because you are thoughtful enough to take care of my diet.” Nakangiting kinuha ni Aisha ang sachet ng crackers at nagsimula ng kainin ito.
Halata sa mukha ni Bryce na hindi ito natuwa sa naging reaksyon ni Aisha. He was expecting her to be troubled but he got the opposite reaction instead.
Padabog na hinampas ni Bryce ang lamesa bago tumayo. “Since you’re done eating, you should come with me.”
Nakangiting tumayo si Aisha at natatawang sinundan si Bryce. She doesn’t know what is going on in Bryce’s mind. She needs to be cautious dahil mukhang kanina pa nagtitimpi si Bryce sa pang-iinis niya. Sa tingin niya ay dadalhin siya ni Bryce sa isang hide out para ibully at hindi nga siya nagkamali. Pinigilan niya ang sarili na matawa nang huminto sila sa loob ng isang studio. Namangha si Aisha dahil hindi niya inaasahang papayagan ng administration na magkaroon ng personal space ang isang estudyante sa loob ng school. These Royals really have the administration in the palm of their hands if they could even request something like that.
“Pasok.” Malamig ang tinging ipinukol sa kanya ni Bryce. This time, Bryce seems to be really pissed off because his playfulness is already gone.
“Am I your new target, Calix?” Bryce gritted his teeth when he heard his second name from Aisha. Only those who are very close to him can call him that way and Aisha called him in a careless manner.
“You’re quick, Mori. Please refrain from using my second name. We’re not close.” Mahigpit nitong hinawakan ang braso ni Aisha at padarag na hinila papasok. The other royals smirked when they saw the unlucky person being dragged by Bryce towards his playroom.
“Seems like Bryce already found a playmate,” maarteng wika ni Scar.
“I think I’d like to play with her pag tapos na si Bryce sa kanya,” mayabang na sabi naman ni Meth bago uminom ng wine na nasa baso niya.
“Poor girl, she shouldn’t have messed with you guys.” Stephen’s remark made the girls roll their eyes.
“I’ll let you do your own business as long as you won’t cross the line.” Stanley’s cold remark was ignored when a loud noise came from Bryce’s playroom.
The girls wanted to take a peek but they know Bryce better than anyone. He doesn’t want anyone interfering with his business, especially when he is playing with his target. Inabangan nilang matapos ang mga pagkalabog at maya-maya pa ay nakangiting lumabas si Aisha sa playroom.
“I’m sorry for barging in.” Agad itong lumabas ng studio at naiwan silang nagtataka kung ano ang nangyari sa loob.
“Bryce, what happened yesterday?” Bungad na tanong ni Scar nang pumasok si Bryce sa loob ng studio. Masamang tingin lamang ang isinagot nito kayamaging si Meth na gusto sanang maki-usisa aynanahimik na lamang din.“Oh? Nagtake kayo ng computer course?” nagtatakang tanong ni Stephen nang i-check nito ang mga schedule nila.“Yeah, kailangan ko daw matuto tungkol sa computer at yung concept ng pagrarun ng mga programs sabi ni Dad,” paliwanag ni Scarhabang abala ito sa agtingin sa bagong manicure nitong kuko.“Anong connect nun sa fashion industry?” natatawang tanong ni Meth. “I was ordered to take this course so I obliged. Wala namang masama kung pagbibigyan ko sila Chairman paminsan-minsan.”“So cold. You still call your grandfather chairman?” pang-aasar ni Bryce kay Meth. “I enrolled there to understand this.” Ipinakita nito ang isang libro tungkol sa hack
Ilang araw nang hindi nakakausap ng mga Royals si Stephen na ngayon ay nakakulong na naman sa computer room nila. Mas lalong naaasar sina Meth at Scar ngunit sa dalawang course lamang nila kaklase si Aisha kung kaya naman hindi nila ito nakita sa mga sumunod na araw. Inaabangan talaga nila ang araw ng lunes dahil magkikita na naman sila sa marketing course nilaat sisiguraduhin nila na hindi makakatakas si Aisha sa kanila.Katulad ng nakasanayan, ang royals ay nasa back row. Inaabangan nila ang pagdating ni Aisha at hindi talaga nila papalagpasin ang pagkakataon kung sakali mang umupo ulit ito sa pwesto nila.“Aisha!” Napataas ang kilay ni Scar nang may kaklase silang tumawag kay Aisha at pinaupo ito sa tabi niya. Hindi niya inakalang nakahanap pa ng kaibigan si Aisha kahit na alam ng lahat na kung sino mang makipagkaibigan sa mga target ng Royals ay madadamay.Hinila ni Meth ang buhok ng babaeng nakaupo sa harap niya, “who’s t
“How was it, Meth? Was she a good sparring partner?” pangangamusta ni Scar. Hindi siya pinansin ni Meth kaya naman na-realize niyang hindi rin yata gumana ang pananakit ni Meth upang turuan ng leksyon si Aisha.Methuselah’s expression was dim as if she didn’t even want to remember or talk about what happened when she sat beside Scar. She just sat there and stared at the space, her mind drifting back to the situation yesterday.Bryce moved to the couch and sat beside Meth. He stared at her but the latter didn’t even notice him. He looked at Scar but she just shrugged.“That girl is really something,” saad naman ni Bryce. Hindi sigurado si Scar kung papuri ba iyon dahil may bahid ng pagka-inis ang tono ni Bryce nang sinabi niya iyon.“Is it my turn now? I’m telling you, that girl won’t even last a week once I make my move,” mayabang na sabi ni Scar habang hawak ang kanyang cellphone.S
Matapos ang nangyari ay hindi na nakita ni Scar si Stanley sa buong araw. Maging ang ibang Royals ay nagtataka na hindi pumunta si Stanley sa Studio ni Brycekaya naman hindi mapigilang isipin ni Scar na nagalit niya si Stanley at ngayon ay natatakot siya sa pwedeng gawin nito. Stanley is powerful enough to ruin someone’s life at iyon ang rason kung bakit nirerespeto siya at tinitingala ng mga Royals.He is silent most of the time but he could be very deadly.“Hindi na naman dumaan dito si Stan. Pumapasok pa ba siya?” tanong ni Scar sa iba ngunit nagkibit-balikat lamang ang mga ito.Gaya ng nakagawian ay sabay-sabay silang pumasok sa marketing course nila. Inaabangan ni Scar ang pagdating ni Aisha dahil hindi pa siya kuntento sa ginawa niya rito. She wanted to let her know her place in a way tat she would never dare cross the line again. She wants to humiliate her so that she can’t mess up with them anymore.Umirap siya nang pum
“Look, Stanley, I’m not the person that you’re claiming me to be. Can you please stop bothering me?” naiinis na wika ni Aisha.Nasa cafeteria sila ngayon at sabay nakumakain ng lunch. She can feel the weird stares from the students and she feels utterly conscious of the murmurscoming from them. She had a feeling that people are once again talking about them. Forget about her peaceful stay, she wants Stanley out of her sight!She couldn’t even lead a normal student life thanks to the Royals and now Stanley was making her the enemy of the whole female population of the university. Just what kind of torture were they planning to do to her?Isang buwan na siyang hindi nilulubayan ni Stan. She thought that once she let him do what he wants, he’ll get tired of it and leave her alone. However, the opposite happened. She’s the one who’s getting tired of Stanley tailing hermost of the time. Sa loob ng isan
“That’s her!” Nasapo na lamang ni Aisha ang kanyang noo nang lumingon sa kanya ang mga minions ni Bryce. Naiinis na tumakbo siya palayo dahil ayaw niyang magpahuli sa mga ito.Napakagat na lamang siya ng labi nang hindi niya mabuksan ang pintong pagtataguan niya sana. It’s already a dead end at nasa hallway na ang mga humahabol sa kanya. There’s no more way to go other than the door in front of her.“Kapag minamalas nga naman ako,” natataranta niyang sabi. Napapikit na lamang siya kaya naman nagulat siya nang may biglang humila sa kanya mula sa pintong kanina ay sarado.The guy immediately shut the door and pinned her on the wall. His breath touched her ears to her neck as she listened to his fast heartbeat. She was in a daze for a while as she took in his manly scent but she snapped back to reality when she heard him calling her name.“Is this how you handle the trouble you put yourself in?” mapang-as
Iniisip niya pa rin ang nangyari sa playroom niya hanggang sa makarating siya sa kanilang mansyon.Nakatingin lamang siya kawalan hanggang sanakuha lamang ang kanyang atensyon nang katukin siya ng kasambahay at sinabihang pinapatawag siya ng kanyang ama. He sighed since he didn’t know the reason why his father was calling for him but he still changed his clothes to look more presentable before he went to his father’s office.“Son.” Napapiksi siya nang tapikin ng kanyang ama ang balikat na tinamaan ng bola kanina.Nang nagbibihis siiya ay napansin niya na na nagkaroon siya ng pasa sa parteng iyon kaya naman hindi niya naitago ang inis nang maalala kung sino ang nagbigay sa kanya nito.“What’s wrong?” nag-aalalang tanong ng kanyang ina nang mapansin ang kanyang biglang pag-galaw.Lumapit pa ito sa kanya ngunit agad niyang iniiwas ang katawan upang hindi na sila mag-usisa pa.“N-nothing, Mom.&rdqu
Aisha crossed her arms when Stanley sat beside her. Akala pa naman niya ay tinigilan na siya nito pero mukhang hindi pa pala dahil nasa tabi niya na naman ito. Sinilip niya ang pwesto ng mga Royals at nakita niyang masama ang tingin sa kanya ni Scar at Meth samantalang abala si Stephen sa Cellphone nito at si Bryce naman ay nagbabasa ng libro. Napangiti siya dahil ilang araw matapos ang kanilang pag-uusap ay nakita niya ang pagbabago ni Bryce. Hindi na ito naghahanap ng mapagtitripan at itinutuon na nito ang atensyon sa mas makabuluhang mga bagay.“Why are you smiling?” pang-uusisa ni Stanley at napatingin din sa direksyong tinitignan ni Aishaat napakunot ang noo nito nang makita kung sino ang tinitignan niya. “Are you interested with Bryce?”Inirapan niya si Stanley.“Stop talking nonsense.”Nang matapos ang kanilang klase ay namataan agad ni Aisha si Sven na nag-aabang sa labas ng kanilang classroom. She smiled wh